Considering requesting an elective c-section. Opinions?

[Toastedsesame]

So my son is now 3, I got to 42 weeks with him and he wasn't budging.

Went in to be induced and they discovered waters were bulging and I was already 1.5cm dilated. My waters were popped and I was told to go for a walk, get something to eat etc they'd be putting me on a drip later... Less than 3h later baby was born. It was a very quick and very traumatic birth. Baby was in distress after waters popped, heart rate all over the place. my contractions were thick and fast and I got to 8cm within an hour.

Baby was delivered after an emergency spinal block and forceps delivery. I lost 2L of blood and had to have an episiotomy and had two tears (one labial, one 2nd degree) My son was beautiful and healthy but his cord was wrapped round his neck at the end so could have been very different. I suffered from postnatal depressed for a year after my sons birth, I think this is partly due to the trauma of his delivery.

I am now pregnant with baby number 2, very early days but I am already considering asking for an elective c section this time. I know I can do this... but my question is should I? I think the thing drawing me to it is knowing that it will be scheduled, I won't need to go overdue, I won't need to experience tearing and blood loss (hopefully) or the joys of incontinence issues after another forceps delivery (thankfully now resolved) however, I'm not an idiot and I know the recovery from a section is not a walk in the park.

Experiences / opinions very much welcome!

I had a c-section with my first also had a pph. It wasn't planned and was a category 2 emergency ( ie. No immediate danger to baby or me). I am going for a Vbac this time. Tbh I really underestimated the recovery side of it. I found it hard getting up to my baby. I was literally bent in half walking around for nearly a week. I'm so glad my DH could stay in hospital with me and pass me baby etc as the midwives never helped. It affected my breastfeeding too, DS was really mucusy and had low apgar scores after birth and was unable to do skin to skin straight away (common because not squeezed through birth canal) and wasn't interested in feeding. Had to supplement with formula. I developed pnd because of this. I also had diastis recti from the surgery and developed an infection which caused my wound to open up 2 weeks after birth. My recovery took a few months and i still get pain in my scar. Obviously I'm not saying my experience is typical of everyone. I'm just saying be prepared that these things can happen. I also would've found recovery even worse with a child to look after already. Hopefully your partner can be off to help you for a while? Good luck whatever you decide.

@Cafeaulait27 good luck with your choice, it can be a hard road choosing it for your first. I did, and risks-wise it's quite sensible as first-time vaginal births do come with the highest risks.

Of course a smooth complication free vaginal delivery is most people's ideal option, but sadly no-one can be guaranteed that outcome. For a first time vaginal birth, operative deliveries and emergency c-sections are a very common outcome - I can't remember the exact figure off the top of my head but for first time births you only have around a 50% likelihood of not having an operative vaginal delivery or emergency c-section (both of which come with much higher risks than elective c sections).

It's a personal choice. I think it's sad that some of the comments on here are slating each other's reasons for wanting/having an elective caesarean. Come on ladies, be kind to eachother!

I am having one next month with our second due to a very traumatic birth with my 3 y/o son. It honestly was the opposite of what I thought it would be. When people talk about birth plans now I keep quiet, because if you're going to aim for a 'natural' birth there's no point in expecting anything. I would have liked little pain killers/interventions and a water birth, ended up in theatre pumped with epidural, baby delivered by forceps and an episiotomy. Was in active labour for just under a day. My son became unwell during the labour so we ended up staying in for 10 days. Over the next few weeks I developed postnatal depression which I believe was partly due to the birth. It really wasn't nice and I would do anything to prevent it happening again, hence my reason for choosing an elective.

I'm trying to go into it with an open mind, but also feeling confident that it won't be as traumatic for either of us compared to my first.

My advice is to do lots of research and to go with your gut instinct. People will tell you their opinions, but this is your body and your baby x

@Cafeaulait27 - I've seen your posts before. Sending love and fingers crossed for a healthy baby regardless of the birth you choose to have x

I had a normal vaginal birth with my 1st and a c section with second as he was laying sideways. I had no problems with the c section and was up and about the next day maybe I was lucky, but I would have a c section again.

Hi,
I can only offer my experience. I had an elective c section with my first and honestly it was a wonderful experience. I was incredibly calm and the birth was very emotional (I know some people think that c sections aren't!). I felt totally in control, all the staff were so lovely and caring.
In terms of recovery, I was up walking as soon as the drugs had work off which the midwives encouraged. I didn't feel any pain really through the whole recovery, but was v cautious with myself. Didn't do any heavy lifting for first 2 weeks, and no exercise for first 6 weeks.
I'm now 31 weeks with baby number 2 and am having another elective c section. This decision was easy for my as I had such a great experience the first time and as a previous poster said, I am only planning on having these two children so the stats are on my side.
Best of luck with your decision x

I have the option of elcs or vbac this time and undecided, only 17+6wk and have until 36wk to decide. I would rather go vbac if baby is in a good position as I will be able to do more earlier that way, elcs would mean much longer out of the gym (I powerlift).

I had heavy blood loss after my elcs (breech twins), I was kept in recovery until late evening (delivery was 10:30&31). Thankfully my iron was not so low that I needed a transfusion and I just kept taking iron supplements for a few weeks. I found recovery no worse after elcs than after my 3 vb's, though I was much more bruised after my 1st as she had cord round neck and they used vontouse. Had episiotomy with 1st, 2 episiotomy cuts with 2nd (he was huge) and tore from V2A with 3rd as she came out 11 mins after waters broken and had a big head. Healed really quickly from cuts and tear but the tear scar is easily irritated, cesarean scan did get infected as stitches didn't dissolve but wasn't painful and cleared up with antibiotics. I didn't need any pain relief after any birth, think I'm in the minority with that. I only notice my cesarean scar at the beginning of af and after heavy deadlifts now.

[quote RandomMess]@Toastedsesame

ARM is artificial rupture of membranes when they broke your waters.

I've had it done twice (after 3 pessaries each time) and because they were broken for me it was done whilst strapped up to the heart monitoring machine precisely because it can cause the baby distress and because there is a risk of cord prolapse.

Each time I was wanted about the risks and that if prolapse occurred I would be whiskies into surgery for an emergency c-section.

The two times I was induced abs my waters broke on their own they did listen to the heart to check she was ok as it was still and induced delivery, the last time she delivered 1 minute later so no chance to check.

I was induced for being very overdue each time no other risks.

If your hospital didn't do those checks I would be raising a complaint, if they did those checks and failed to realise your baby was in distress from the trace the I would be raising a complaint.

I can honestly say that unless your 2nd baby was in back to back position then subsequently delivery is easier because your body is better at pushing.

Please insist on going through your birth notes and find out exactly what did happen. If nothing else you will know if it was "one of those things" (birth is risky for Mum and baby) or whether the hospitals was inadequate and actually reckless with your care.

[/quote]
Thanks for clarifying! From what I remember, a trainee midwife popped my waters with supervision - they told me it would be painless but it actually really hurt. I suspect she damaged something sliding the instrument out. They said they would monitor me for a little while with the band they put round your bump with the two circular things (but said I'd probably be in for a long wait) they hooked it all up and left the room - babys heart rate went mad straight away - me and DH had to push the emergency button. It kept happening, Doctor was present from then on, put clip on babys head and apparently he had settled and was fine, suddenly then he wasn't again and they were getting me to sign C section papers. Then all the beeping stopped and they whisked me in to surgery for the forceps delivery instead. Its all really hazy.

@Chelyanne Thank you, found your stories really interesting to hear. I'd be interested to know what you choose in the end.

Hi OP, its really tricky. I have literally just had a positive pregnancy test for number 2 (really hoping it sticks!) and assuming all is well will have to give this some thought in a few months.

I also went ages over, was induced, was hyper-stimulated from the pessary (pain was one long constant contraction and baby's heart-rate went mad). After 24 hours of that, at 3cm they did ARM but I insisted on an epidural first (I was basically delirious with pain at that point) and they did a drip too. Baby was born five hours later but I spiked a fever so needed antibiotics and again her heart rate went crazy so they decided they need to get her out fast. They wanted to go to theatre and use forceps but I asked if they would try ventouse and me pushing and they did. I had an epidural, third degree tear, and nearly two years of (off and on) postpartum physio.

All that being said, I'd lean towards another vaginal birth this time. For me, the epidural was a life saver, but actually I think the main thing was from the time I was moved into the ward where I got the epidural I was treated with respect and compassion. The midwives and consultant were great. Once I had the epidural I felt less out of control and like I could answer questions and participate. My tear actually wasn't that bad in the end - I had so little pain afterwards they actually considered I might have had nerve damage, I honestly think the doctor who assisted felt bad for me when I tore through the episiotomy but she spent AGES doing the stitches and I think did a good job. Most of my physio was preventative.

For me, the extra time on the ward unable to sleep and with no support from my husband overnight (because of my fever we were both on antibiotics and had to stay in a few extra days) was much worse for my recovery, which is one thing that makes me wary of a c-section. My baby also went on to have allergies, and I know that the microbiome of a vaginal delivery can be protective so I feel like for another baby with the same family tendency it would be a plus if possible.

However, I think I would lean towards something like: if I'm overdue, I will only be induced if they put the epidural into my back at the same time they put the needle in my arm. I would refuse the pessary. I don't know if they'd let me do that, but it would be my preference, and if its not possible I think I would personally choose c-section over pessary induction based on how my body reacted last time.

If faced with forceps, I might choose a c-section at that point but it depends. I think it might be worth you considering various options. But equally: I didn't have PND, and well done you for surviving it. I found the first year incredibly tough without it. I think the main thing has to be whatever will make you feel in control. In general, I think midwives often listen to second time mothers more, and Id agree it might be worth a birth debrief. But I think for me, I'm weighing up different physical effects. If I thought one option would be significantly better for my mental health I'd choose that in a second.

@vitaminb33 thank you! What you’re saying very much confirms all the articles/studies I’ve read about c section v vaginal and it’s really reassuring to hear it from someone who knows what they are talking about 🙂

@abitfunny thank you 💕 I find it quite baffling how mean some people are on here - thank you for being the voice of reason! Thank you for your kind words xxx

I had an elective c section for my first to avoid that sort of trauma too. It was a lovely experience and the recovery wasn't traumatic at all. I was up and about as son as I had the catheter out and feeling back in my legs. I tweaked the wound a couple of times forgetting to roll over to stand up out of bed but otherwise fine.

My scar (almost invisible 18 months on) is also well below my abs and I have no overhang or any effect on my abs from the c section (the extra overall stone in weight I've not yet managed to shift from my bum and thighs is another matter...). Definitely no incontinence issues of any kind.

I also breast-fed very successfully and have a very healthy son, in as far as you are looking for reassurance on that score.

Having seen some of the traumatic births of many of my friends to one extent or another, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.