Please tell me your ELCS stories!

[MyGrassIsBrowner]

Just that, how was your experience(s)?
I'm due to meet with the consultation on Monday with my request for one. I'm currently 22+4 with baby no.2. My DD is 14 months now, my birth with her was on an MLU. Midwife at the time was not supportive, I pushed at all the wrong times, didn't get any pain relief (G&A) until the last minute when at that point I couldn't focus on it as I was in so much pain, she was back to back also (contractions were off the scale pain wise) ended up with 2nd degree internal tear and graze on labia.
Pretty sure I've got a mild prolapse now, rectocele and I'm fairly certain as I have had a good look down there (okay, it hasn't been formally diagnosed but was dismissed by the nurse when I had my smear after DD) so haven't bothered to follow it up. Took me months and months before I could sit down normally without being in agony. Now I'm getting heavier it's exacerbating all my previous symptoms (especially feels uncomfortable when I sit on the loo and sometimes find I have to manually remove stool as I'm too fearful of pushing.
Anyway, midwife pretty much said no off the bat, straight onto me with the risks etc (which I have made myself fully aware of through my own research) must have then felt sorry for me as I cried down the phone to her she then arranged for me to meet with the consultant on Monday which I am so happy about. I know I may have a bit of a fight on my hands for one but I just want to get myself prepared!

So... did you have one? How did you find it? Am I being daft? I look forward to reading your replies! 😊 x

I will also add that me and DH have come to a decision to make this our final baby. I haven't particularly enjoyed pregnancy and have struggled mentally to come to terms with my new body etc. I wont bore you with the details of that, but let's just say the decision to make this our final baby is definite! X

They don't fight you on it much these days as it's a "choice". Just be firm and if they refuse they should refer you to another consultant willing to do it.

Had had an elcs with our last, not by choice though. We had twins, twin 1 was head down from 20wk with a low lying placenta. Still head down at 32wk and placenta had moved enough to go vb. Went for my 36wk app and she'd turned breech! They gave me the option of booking elcs in 3 or 9 day, I chose 9 to give her chance to turn but they scanned on the day and she was still breech.
I was 3rd on the list so was sat around waiting for them to find a 2nd surgeon. Once they did everything moved super fast. They got spinal in then I had to move in to position quick before it started working, they tilted the bed to the left which was uncomfortable with my huge double bump so I supported it with my hand until the 1st was out. They delivered them a minute apart, both got very small cuts during which is one of the risks. All a bit of a blur after that as I was focused on the babies when they stitched me up. I had heavy blood loss so was kept on recovery for much longer than most. Once on the ward I could get up and walk but still had the catheter, did feel like a lead weight so spent the night in bed. In the morning they brought me breakfast so I didn't have to carry a very full catheter while trying to wheel my twins along too which was really nice of them. Once the catheter was out I felt pretty normal, I didn't feel the need for any pain relief. Walked down the ward for lunch and a shower. Nagged to be discharged and went home less than 36 hours after 1st getting to hospital. I was back doing most things as soon as I was home, out pushing the double pram a few days after surgery. I avoided heavy lifting for a few weeks and I didn't drive for 6 weeks as dh was home. I did get an infection a couple of weeks after surgery as my stitches didn't dissolve as they should but it was painless and sorted with removal of the stitches and antibiotics. I only notice my scar at the start of af and after heavy deadlifts.

You can opt to be sterilised during a cs if you like. I was asked if I wanted it last time but wasn't ready to say no more then.

@Chelyanne Thank you for sharing your story! Wow, I've found it hard enough on my body carrying a singleton, can't even imagine carrying twins.
Glad that you had a fairly quick recovery after your CS! I do drive but don't have a car at the moment so in no rush to get behined the wheel (probably wont have time anyway lol)
How did you find the spinal by the way? I've absolutely no fear of needles but I am intruiged as to how it felt going in and getting to work? X

I'm having an ELCS in a couple of weeks for baby no. 2. I was worried I'd have to fight for it, but when I saw the consultant I just said that I'd like a c section and she said OK, it was totally my choice.

@Chelyanne Also, DH has said he will get a vasectomy. I think it's his turn to go through some pain personally 😆

I loved mine. I was in for gestational diabetes so I was first on the list, went to the hospital for 7.30 and she was born by 9.30.

Getting the spinal isn’t fun, but after that it’s all fine. They really thoroughly xheck you can’t feel anything- which I was worried about- although you do feel a bit of rummaging and tugging when baby comes out. They let me pick some music to have on and DP was sat next to me stroking my hair. It was very calm and nice!

When she came out I got some skin to skin time and then baby went off with her dad into the side room while I got stitched up. Catheter came out 6 hours later (felt fine, that was another thing I worried about) and I was up and about for a shower.

Recovery was ok, obviously some pain but it’s manageable if you keep on top of your meds. I was able to have a slow amble around the shops after about 5 days. Couldn’t bend over too much at first but was mostly fine by about 4 weeks. The only thing that lingered was it took a long time for my abdominal strength to come back- I could hardly engage my abs at all for a good few months and struggled to sit up from lying down and occasionally to push when I needed a poo. It was probably about a year until that felt normal again.

Happy to answer any questions.

I had a elcs with my second baby due to medical reasons; it was a very positive experience, very calm and after a traumatic first birth it was quite healing. I had an emergency c section with my first so I knew what the recovery would be like and I prepared for that and just didn’t expect too much of myself for the first few weeks.
I really think though that you need to push for a proper examination/diagnosis about you suspecting prolapse; what you describe sounds worrying and is not something just to accept. It might also help with the decision making around a c section as surely that could be made worse by a natural birth? I don’t know if that’s the case but something to find out

I didn't really notice it going in tbh, lasted quite a while. If you get a good anesthetist then it goes smoothly, I've had a rubbish one before who buggered up an epidural so it had to be removed. My husband said the needles are huge but I've never really looked at them. I'm not bothered by needles at all, good job as they have me on blood thinners now until 6 weeks after birth. Oh they'll give you those too for at least 10 days and possibly up to 6 weeks.
I'm 30wk with another singleton and may go elcs again.

@MyGrassIsBrowner ah a good husband. Mine point blank refuses to get a vasectomy! So selfish

I had an ELCS for maternal request. I am overweight and I had a big baby so for me the risks of him getting stuck were too high.
I consultant said I should think about a vaginal delivery but when I went to the second and discussed that I knew the risks etc he was very happy to book me in there and then.

The actual experience was very positive, I was taken first so I arrived at hospital at 7am and by 10:02 he was here. Had skin to skin in theatre which was great and meant I nearly noticed them finishing the procedure and closing me up. Had him latch in recovery and we were taken up to postnatal in the evening in time for my mum to visit.

The only issues I had with my postnatal care was around breastfeeding and I have no reason to believe that would have been any different with a vaginal delivery.

I stopped taking any painkillers at all at about 4 weeks PP and up until then paracetamol and ibuprofen were enough. I was driving by 5 weeks PP.

@riotlady I'm actually booked in for a GD test next Friday as my bmi was slightly over 30 at booking appointment. Can your partner have first hold? I want him to experience first hold of baby when she's out. Sounds like you had a lovely experience overall. I'm prepared for a long recovery but I have plenty of people around me for support should I need it.

@Bksjshsbbev2737 Thank you, I'm suprised how many women say it was a calming experience. The midwife did say to me if I do have prolapse we can deal with it after this birth. I do my pelvic floors regularly but as my pregnancy progresses the chances are it will stay the same or get worse. But I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

@Chelyanne I had pethidine with my DD, I remember catching a glimpse of that needle and it was huge and was actually worse than any blood tests I've had before. I'm not too scared about the spinal block in all honesty, just hope that it goes smoothly 🙉

@MyGrassIsBrowner I don't see why not, just ask them when you go in. My partner cut the cord (well he trimmed it really, as it had already been cut a bit!) after DD came out, so they could just pass baby straight to him at that point.

@Mylittlesandwich How much did he weigh of you dont mind my asking? My DD was 8lb 6oz so not massive but not small by any means. There's a history of big babies on my side and I have a feeling this one will be big too, I am looking more like 30+ weeks already.
I intend to try with the breast feeding but I've no expectations. I'm sorry you didn't have a great experience with that. I breast fed with my DD for a few weeks but she just wasn't getting enough from me sadly. She was a guzzler lol.

@MyGrassIsBrowner he was 10lbs 10oz and he's my first, no GD or anything like that just big. I think it was his length that made him so big, he's still tall at 18 months.

I didn't get much useful help with BF. I expressed for a while so I know I had good supply he just wasn't getting it. we switched to formula after a week. If I ever decide to have another I'll try again but I won't put any pressure on myself.

@MyGrassIsBrowner I had a maternal request ELCS for my first (and will have another for my second). My reasons were mostly that I was aware how dismissive the healthcare system is of consequences like prolapse, and I preferred a controlled experience. Mine was brilliant, very calm, you do need to take it easy those first few weeks to ensure you recover quickly.

Midwives and hospitals and be very varied in their attitudes to requests for c-sections. The important thing to know is that it is up to you and if you keep pushing you will be able to have one. Hopefully your consultant will be okay but quite a few of them are pretty awful (mine was), if they reject it ask to be referred to another consultant who will provide you with one (this is the process they should follow under the NICE guidelines). If you have any problems look at Birthrights (a charity which is great for supporting women in their birth choices) or contact PALs.

@Mylittlesandwich ahhh wowza he was a chunk wasn't he! My DD is quite long and was a chunky monkey when she was born, but shes lost her chub now. My DH is really tall and I'm small so I reckon she may get her height from him haha.
I must admit when I put DD on formula it was a game changer, she started sleeping through and I felt less like the walking dead. She's still an amazing sleeper now so I'm very lucky in that respect. Still loves her afternoon naps so I can nap too if I'm feeling particularly exhausted!

@vitaminb33 I've noticed that myself actually. My hospital has a low rate of C-sections and seem to advocate it as a positive thing, so it'll be interesting to see what my consultant says. I will certainly push to be referred to somebody else if she refuses me. I definitely agree with the attitudes towards prolapses etc. I feel like most healthcare professionals seem to minimise the seriousness of it and dont truly understand how debilitating it can be. I dont particularly want to have to go down the corrective surgery route and I dont think my case is serious enough to require it, but I also dont want to go through a VB and potentially worsen my problem, I know I'd find it very difficult to come to terms with and on top of having a newborn and toddler, reckon I'll end up with PND.
Really glad you had a positive experience with your ELCS. I've had a good look over the NICE guidelines so I'll be sure to mention those should I get any resistance.

@MyGrassIsBrowner he was but he didn't look chunky. It was quite nice to have a newborn that wasn't too fragile though.

I had a third degree tear with my first and spent a year under the gynae team and genuinely think it’ll never be quite the same down there.
I was referred to the consultant this time as was a ‘maternal request’ ELCS. I went in prepared to justify my choice but my consultant was great and fully supported my decision. I told him I was aware of the risks but that for me the combination of my physical and mental well being far outweighed those risks. He asked if we intended to have more children (which we don’t) as that may have a bearing on the decision.
The CS itself was an amazing experience. It was peaceful and felt under control at all times, even when baby struggled a bit and they got neonatal team in they were reassuring me throughout. The spinal is weird. The local anaesthetic stings but the spinal itself just feels like a weird kind of pressing and pressure. If you intend to breastfeed they will probably advise colostrum harvesting. My little one was feeding within an hour of birth thanks to stimulating the supply and we didn’t need to use what I’d expressed.
The recovery process has been shortened due to covid and quicker discharges. Too quick in my opinion. Catheter was out 6 hours post op, and you get out of bed for a freshen up and change etc once this has happened. The first day after I was very very sore and the journey home 24 hrs post op was not comfortable. The next morning 48hrs post op I was wondering if I’d ever feel better. 3 days post op I was walking around the house, making tea for visitors etc, and by the 4th day I was out and about being driven to the midwife appointments etc. Driving by 4 weeks.
It has been a lovely experience and has gone some way to healing me mentally from the first. And DH is booked in for the snip already (baby 5 weeks old) now our family is complete, and I don’t feel in the least bit sympathetic

@Mylittlesandwich oh look at him, just bloody lovely!!! 🥰
This was my squish. Must admit I can't wait for newborn snuggles again... and the smell 😍

@SingingWaffleDoggy
That sounds like you had a really nice experience with you section! Haha dont blame you for getting your DH to get the snip! Doubt my DH will go back on his word but I know he'll be bricking it 😆 ah well.. they'll live! Lol.
I'm not due until October so wonder what the hospital restrictions regarding Covid will be like at that point. I know they're letting birthing partners be there longer now which is great.
I'm really eager to meet with my consultant now. I just hope I'm not going to be met with much resistance. I'm volatile at the moment and will probably flood the room with my tears haha! X

Hi op, I'm in a similar position to yourself, my dd was also 8lb 6oz 😂

My request was granted at 32 weeks, my previous labour was awful. I had an episiotomy and a haemorrhage so felt a c section waa best.

My GTT was negative at 28 weeks, but my scans show this baby is big! 97th centile and already weighing over 8lbs at 36 weeks. Therefore after tracking my glucose levels for a week i have been diagnosed with GTT.

Anyway when I requested a section I was given the 'talk' on how much better a vaginal birth would be and all the increased risks of a c section. However I stood my ground and was granted one there and then for when I'm 39+6.

Good luck op, my advice would be to to tell them you are 100% set on an ELCS.

@bubblebath62636 Haha noooo way!!
Sounds like you had an awful time with your DD. I wish these things were spoke about more 😔

I'll have to see how my GD test goes but I'm already panicking about having a bigger baby this time.
I dont see my MW until I'm 28 weeks and I haven't been measured so I've absolutely no clue if I'm measuring big or small yet. Do you have an actual date for your section? X

Hi all, please could you tell me how long you were in hospital for post c section?

I believe this is the route I want to go down, I am 22 weeks and I have my first consultant appointment in two weeks due to Papp-a levels and having monthly growth scans. I am going to discuss it with him in two weeks at my app, I want to make sure I know all the facts before I request

Thank you

@jessicakxx Hiya! Sorry you're going through that, must be stressful for you.
I think hospital stay post-op really varies from what I've read. If you're up and about and producing enough urine for them once the catheter is out, I think you're pretty much good to go. I think minimum stay is around 24 hours. To be honest I'm looking forward to a bit of rest bite from the outside world lol.