Elective C section- did you ever regret your choice

[Leaf87]

Hi all,
Just exploring my options, due to give birth later this summer and thinking about options. My question is did anyone every regret having an elective c section and not trying naturally?
I appreciate that a text book natural birth is easier to recover from and has lots of positives. What concerns me is that the majority of women do not experience this. This means induction and assisted births. A tough assisted birth can lead to long term complications and a long recovery.
C section is major surgery and should not be viewed lightly however to me the risk of an elective c section are very well managed vs risk and reactive nature of induction and assistance and possible emergency C
I haven't made any decisions just yet but interested to hear peoples views.
Thanks

I think its interesting how people are reading the stats. I know people who've gone into 'natural' labour after a sweep, or a pessary and then had a straightforward birth - are they counted as inductions? Or only one? Do elective c-sections by maternal choice 'count' in the figures, as if you say you've a less than 50% chance of a vaginal delivery with no intervention, its obviously not quite right if those figures include people who never planed on a vaginal delivery, or even people who never had the option due to baby being breech etc as at that point its not really a choice.

I count the point from where I had an epidural and a drip onwards as 'intervention' but I don't think I count the bit where I had a pessary and started a more 'natural' labour, however I guess they're the same in the figures regardless of the outcome. Also really interesting and encouraging to hear how early some trusts will discharge you post-section. If I knew that was an option it would definitely effect my decision-making on no 2.

I’m in the same boat as @cindarellasbelly (third degree tear first time round, need to choose between c-section and vaginal birth second time round).

It’s a really tricky choice. I have to say I do give a wry smile when I read/hear people saying how dreadful the recovery from a caesarean is - granted I haven’t experienced a c-section but after a VB I was catheterised for 36 hours, in hospital for 5 days, couldn’t walk any distance for 3 weeks and needed further repair surgery 4 months later. Recovery from a complicated tear is no walk in the park.

With all that said, I’m still finding it a difficult decision. I’m not likely to have a tear that nasty again and in the end I recovered very well, although it was a long road, and I think the whole experience made me stronger. And as @cindarellasbelly says the increased risk of things like allergies is a worry.

One thing that’s on my pro-section list is that I think the possibility of needing follow-up surgery or gynae care is probably higher after a VB than a caesarean (after all I needed it last time) and NHS waiting lists are currently out of control and only going to get worse.

Definitely dont regret the choice. Wish Id been more informed and gone for it 1st time round as well.

Also in one night and no problems with scar or surrounding area.

No, not for even one second. It was the right choice for me and I will make the same decision again next time. Good luck!

No, never regretted it. In fact practically every time I'm on MN or talking to a friend about their vbexperiences, I secretly feel even happier about it, as 99% of the time it's a horror story! It was such a good experience both times, I remember it so fondly.

This doesn't mean it's right for you of course, it's every women's own decision based on so many different factors. Plus with any birth it comes down to luck somewhat.

@Leaf87 Personally I can’t imagine choosing to have major abdominal surgery unless it was medically necessary for my baby’s health!

I had my first baby last year. Induction at 39+5 due to baby measuring very big. And I had a really positive experience 😊 Took a long time (inductions on FTM often take longer) - I had 3 pessaries and had 39 hours of contraction with 14 hours being classed as “active labour”. The only negative part of the experience was that I was alone for the first 25 hours as DH wasn’t allowed in due to covid!
I had no further interventions, a small internal tear which needed a few dissolving stitches and managed on gas and air. I was up walking about within about half an hour of giving birth 😊 baby was born at 3am and I was home on the couch with my DH and my baby at 3pm the same day 😊

Not all inductions are bad! And remember people are much more likely to share a bad experience than a good one!

Never regretted either of my c sections for a moment. Best thing I could have chosen, for me. Couldn’t be doing with the uncertainty of a natural birth.
Wheeled me in, took the baby out, went back to my room. Delightful!

Nope, not at all. I was terrified of natural birth (or rather, of dying during natural birth) and while I was still terrified, it felt very controlled and safe.

From a totally different perspective i'm so happy to read all these positive experiences. I'm likely to need a planned section due to baby being breech. I had a very nice natural vaginal birth with baby no1 and am absolutely gutted about having to have a section this time.
At the end of the day all the matters is mum and baby are here safe and well!

I had an elective for my second and it was the best experience for me. I say for me because it isn't something I would advise unless you have to.

My first birth was very traumatic and ended with me hospitalised for over a week. I ended up having an emergency c-section and was advised to not to give birth naturally for my next child. Hence the elective.

The elective was smooth, I was out of hospital within 24 hours on an enhanced recovery programme and healed much quicker. It was great to know what to expect and to plan for when the baby came however if I could have given birth naturally then I would have. The pain and recovery from a c-section isn't easy and it is difficult to breastfeed and move around afterwards. There is a risk of infection and complications from a c-section so it isn't something to do without careful consideration. That said, I believe everyone should have the choice and if it is something you are considering then my own experience was great and I don't regret it. 🙂

I'm concerned that you think that the majority of women have assisted births or are induced. I'd argue that the majority of assisted births are due to induction. Spontaneous, vaginal deliveries generally don't end up with interventions.

However it's your body and your choice.

I had the reverse experience of an elective C section - I chose elective due to tokophobia and extreme fear of pain but went into labour naturally at 37 weeks - before they had managed to book it in!

The surgeon said he would be happy to perform it if it was still what I wanted, but suggested if it was the pain I was afraid of he could book me in for an early epidural and see how I got on with that. I agreed and after a very short, easy and almost painless labour DD was born. Whilst I was honestly so terrified of a vaginal birth I don't regret it at all (showering 10 mins after the birth and fully recovered with no pain less than 24 hours later).

No regrets for a moment.

DS was an extended breech so no chance of turning him safely and no way was I going to risk a 48h breech labour like my nan had with my mum, especially given I was a FTM and over 40... it was the quickest decision I've ever made in my life.

The way I looked at it was that DS would be out and safe. I was the adult and had to weigh up my chances of long term problems against his. A risk I could take for me and not for him.

Out of my 7-strong antenatal group, 4 of us had sections: 2 elective, 2 emergency.

I’m booked in to have a c section with my twins but have the options of a v birth as first one is head down. It’s such a hard decision, but I feel more in control this way. I’m 36 weeks but still feel like changing my mind. I’d love nothing more than to just push these babies out without any complications but I think the odds are probably against me.

My natural birth was amazing although slightly complicated and yes I did get some damage. But if I was having a singleton there is no way on earth I would be wanting a c section!

I had an elective because I had GD and baby was measuring very large so they advised it.

I do not regret it for a second, in fairness I had a very smooth c section and recovery (pain killers for only 3 days). I have a lot of compassion for those whose c sections were not smooth and had difficulties.

Those trolls who will say “you’re not a real mum if you had your baby via c section” can crawl back under the bridge they came from

My baby was born safely and that’s all I cared about, i was in and out of theatre within 30 minutes with my baby in my arms.

I went from being terrified of giving birth, to getting comfortable with it and then being given no choice but to have a planned section several weeks early as the baby was struggling and they needed to get her out.

I hated the waiting for surgery and the surgery itself - being awake whilst being operated on was awful and I got horrific shakes and then threw up in recovery pouring several layers of stitches. It was grim. I feel like birth was something that was done to me. I healed well and my physical recovery was fine (although my period pains now take my breath away - I guess I have adhesions from the surgery). But I am sad I will never feel a contraction or have the chance to try and push my baby out.

I had an elective c-section in March 2020. I became obsessive about the baby being big (silly comment made by sonographer about the baby having a big head) and my risk of tearing (as I have crohns and was worried it wouldn’t heal).

I am due in two weeks with my next baby and now, for the life of me, I can’t decide on an elective section or VBAC.

I don’t feel as worried this time, I have a sixteen month old to run after and I know the baby’s weight is usually wrong (DS1 was only 7lbs 14 and they estimated over 10lbs). I also found healing very difficult. The pain from constipation (two weeks until they gave in and gave me an enema - the relief!) and trapped wind putting pressure on the scar was extreme. I also found midwives weren't keen to help - so it took me about an hour to walk across the room to plug phone charger in etc. This is harder during COVID as you don’t have your partner for long if you have to stay more than one night (usual for c-sections is 2 nights - I ended up staying 5 due to difficulties BFeeding).

On the other hand, the actual c-section was lovely and calm. I enjoyed it, there was no drama and everyone was very jovial and happy.

I want to see if I can do a VBAC and feel those hormones/adrenaline that I didn’t have last time. But I also know I’ll regret it if I end up with a big tear, or emergency C.

I’m sorry I can’t be of more help, but reassuring to know lots of us are in the same boat with decision making.

No regrets. The scars from the ‘natural’ birth (internal and external) are a lot worse than the c section scar.

My first CS was not good. I had GA which made me feel that I'd missed the birth. My DH took photos but to me this highlighted my absence. And when I regained consciousness I could only think of the pain. I didn't care about my baby - I couldn't even rate my pain. They rolled their eyes (the nurses). I felt so guilty. The cut then became infected and left an ugly scar.

The second one I had spinal block and was great. No pain. I could be there for my baby. The surgeon even cut away all the scar tissue. No infection.

The first experience was traumatic. Early years were difficult because DS1 has SEND unrelated to birth. There is a reason why there is 5 years between them! But the second experience was so different and for me psychologically healing.

I don't regret it because I didn't really have any other options but I do wish it hadn't happened and I could have had a vaginal birth instead. It also affected my next pregnancy/birth and I ended up with ptsd.

Not a single regret. I even like my battle scar and my little overhang is nothing big pants and lycra can’t cope with. In fact I’ve never met any woman who’s regretted having an elective C section, which is a totally different experience and recovery to a EMCS.

When I had my DC, the post partum stats weren’t separated out into ELCS and EMCS which gave a false impression on recovery times and outcomes.

I know lots of women who have regretted natural childbirth, myself included. The NCT are complicit in a lot of fear-mongering.

Also I have neverfelt so out of control in my life. They pulled my baby out and then checked him over and wouldn't let me hold him. He was wrapped in a towel and given to dh who had to sit behind me so I couldn't see them. Doesn't sound like a big deal but this primal hormonal thing had kicked in and I couldn't cope with not having my baby with me.

Not regretted for a second. And thus far no allergies, asthma or eczema (spelling?) in my primary school aged kids. (Both c-sections). Recovery was fine too - comparable to vaginal birth friends. Had emergency and planned. Emergency was less ideal but not horrendous, planned was a dream!

It’s tricky though as I know everyone’s experiences can be so different vaginal birth or c-section. Good luck whatever you do.

@Mummytomylittlegirl

I’m booked in to have a c section with my twins but have the options of a v birth as first one is head down. It’s such a hard decision, but I feel more in control this way. I’m 36 weeks but still feel like changing my mind. I’d love nothing more than to just push these babies out without any complications but I think the odds are probably against me.

My natural birth was amazing although slightly complicated and yes I did get some damage. But if I was having a singleton there is no way on earth I would be wanting a c section!

Sounds like the odds are very much in your favour if twin 1 is head down!