Experience of planned C-section

[Loulouhels]

Hello there

Any advise would be gratefully received.

I am currently 38+1 weeks pregnant and I had a growth scan on Saturday as i have been measuring big for dates. They have told me the baby alread weighs 8 and a half pounds!!! they are booking me in today to see a consultant to discuss my different options regarding delivery as I am 5ft and mediumed framed. I also have been monitored for pre-eclampsia and apparently I am teasing them as to whether I am going to develop it or not. And I am suffering with painful SPD but not severely. I don't think they are going to let me go past term.

What I really want to know are people's experience of planned C-section should they give me this option.

I had planned to have a vaginal birth which would hopefully come on naturally. What I really do not want is to be induced and go all through labour only to have complications because of the size of the baby and end up having an emergency C-section at the end of it all anyhow. So I am wondering whether a planned C-section is my best option.

I have to stress this is not something I would even have considered before and really isn't something I relish doing but I really don't want to be induced and end up with the same outcome.

I know nobody (not even a consultant) can tell me how my birth is going to be but any advise would be gratefully received.

I have had both emergency and planned c-sections. Planned was so much better and recovery was quick, was home 48 hours after having DS. Good luck and I hope everything works out for you.

I had 2 planned C-sections as both babies had whoppingly large heads and I am fairly small (I think it is the head size rather than the weight per se that they tend to be interested in).

Both of mine were hugely positive experiences. Both times I went out for a light supper (plus glass of champagne) with DH the night before, had an extremely calm and quick delivery the next day, 4 days odd in hospital and very quick recovery. With DD (my 2nd) i had the op at about 10am and was walking about 6pm that afternoon (and I am no spring chicken!)

If it is what you have to do (and it was for me) then I suggest you relax and accept it. Mine wasn't a positive choice, but it was a very positive experience.

Good luck.

Thanks for your replies. I really wanted to hear some positive stories so thanks. You hear so many horror stories it makes it a wee bit frightening.

At the end of the day if it is the safest option for me and the baby then so be it.

Thanks again.

Hi, I assume you've had the uterine doppler and this is why they suspect pre-eclampsia may occur?? which if so would be why they are giving growth scans too incase of IUGR.

I'm in the same situaton if so.

The first thing I want to say is growth scans are normally a pile of poop, yes they tell you if baby i growing or not, but the way they guess the weight is completely unpredictable tbh, I had them with DD told she would weigh about 2lb, she weighed 5lb 1.5oz, was told DS would would be at least 10lb, he weighed 8lb 7.5oz, so try not to let the fear of a big baby scare you.

If you would prefer a vaginal birth, there really shouldn't be a problem with you having one unless you do get pre-eclampsia and they want baby out now, in which case they will probably suggest a section, I know at my hospital they prefer you not to go over 38weeks because with a high doppler result the risks increase after that period.

However, they may prefer you to give birth vaginally because it is thought to be safer for both you and baby.

You say they aren't going to 'let you' go past term, well they have no choice, as I said, I'm in the same situation and having had 2 previous sections am not able to be induced so it's either wait for birth or have a section, they would prefer me to have a section, but as my consultant said, it is my pregnancy and my choice.

I personally do not like sections, although my second was elective and there were no 'problems' as such, it just isn't for me so I'm trying to get more research on the actual stats and risks involved if I go past 38weeks before I agree to book another c-section.

All I can advise is that you ask for every little bit of info on what the risks are for each procedure and decide on it based on your personal preferences and scenario.

If you do decide to have a c-section you can personalise it, it doesn't have to be all control taken away from you, if you take a look at this birth plan it has options for caesarians too so it's worth planning both eventualities.

If none of this applies to you and makes no sense sorry!

My elective was great fun!
If there's no problem with going beyond 38wks but they are suggesting the baby will be big, how about requesting the elective for 40-41wks? That gives you a chance of spontaneous labour and is healthier for the baby. It also eliminates the chance of induction whilst also preventing the baby getting much bigger.

Lolouhels, I'm more or less in the same situation as you and am still undecided also. What Anchoy said about her section not being a positive choice but a positive experience was very helpful. As was Victorian Squalor's birth plan link.

Whatever you end up doing, I wish you all the best with the birth.

sorry, Anchovy

No horror stories here, I would do it all again. I had an elective due to breech (don't know why they called it an elective as they refused to deliver me and so did the midwives, it certainly wasn't my choice!) I was terrified as I had a fairly quick birth with dd1 and presumed I would have the same with dd2.

The whole experience was wonderful from start to finish. Very emotional, they talked me through everything so I felt very involved and was much less scared than I thought I would be.

There was a wonderful moment when they told me the baby would be there in 1 minute (The time they start to when they get the baby out is very quick!) it was amazing. Waiting for her to cry was the only time I was scared.

Recovery was better than I expected, obviously you get a lot of pain for a week or two but so long as you take the meds they give you it is ok.

In an ideal world I would have loved another normal birth but it was not the bad experience I expected and if I had to do it again I would be ok about it.

Whatever you do I hope you have a good birth. Good luck

I have had an emergency c-section, a vbac and a planned c/s.
The advantage of the emergency c/s was that ds1 was ready to come out, lungs mature etc, and also my milk came in quickly. Also, although I must admit to having a poor memory and forgetting lots of detail, like my em c/s they are not all true emergencies - that is to say, there may be some time between the decision to do the em c/s and actually doing it, you'll be continually monitored for any change in you or baby - he was stuck and in distress but it wasn't an 'oh my god, now' emergency.

On the other hand, you'll be more tired/in pain/ longer recovery time after a trial and an em c/s as you've had all the hard work of labour and a major operation.

Planned c/s is a bit odd to be honest - telling people what day your baby is going to be born, casually walking down to theatre knowing what's about to happen. I got a cd on relaxation - it particularly helped me during the longish 'going under' phase. Recovery from planned c/s was pretty damn quick, but milk took an age to come in.

And I second the comments about birth experience - I stressed a lot about being disappointed about having the em c/s. Until someone pointed out that I was pg to have a baby, not a birth experience. It could have gone differently on the day - but I got a great baby out of it.

All the best.

I had a lovely planned c-section with my twins (both were in the breech position), I could see them arriving and really felt a part of the birth. I've never experienced an emergency c-section but I think you are much more likely to be given a general anaesthetic and much less likely that your DH/partner would be allowed into the delivery room. Recovery was so easy too, compared to what I'd expected. I was up and walking about 4 hours afterwards, although you do have to take it a bit slowly and avoid heavy lifting for a while. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I very much agree with Lomond.

"Elective" always annoys me as a word as I didn't really "elect" - the consultant told me that that was the best way in the circumstances and a very strong recomendation.

I went to 40 weeks as there were no medical reasons other than the head size.

The birth itself was extremely relaxed - music playing in the background, chatting with the consultant and the anaetheticist throughout etc. I can honestly say there was no pain at all involved (judicious use of painkillers in the days afterwards). All in all a happy and positive experience (DH enjoyed it as well).

I had a planned. Really glad I did.

Just wanted to add that my milk didn't take any longer to come after my elective section than it did when I had dd1.

I'm in pretty much the same situation as well. I'm going in to be induced tonight as they're telling me baby has big tummy and estimated 8.3Ibs two weeks ago (I'm now 39+5).

As far as I know, I'm getting a dose of gel tonight and one in the morning. They said if that doesn't work they'll think about a section as they want her out by 40 weeks. But what I don't know is, if the gel doesn't work quickly enough for them and I end up on taking the sunroof option, would it be elective or emergency? Elective I might be able to cope with, but emergency would give me the screaming heebeejeebees...

If it works properly you'll have your baby on my birthday sarahjct

If your labour doesn't start it would probably go to an el cs, they'll probably slot you in the theatre list for some time over the next week and it will happen that way

Thanks everyone for your advice. It really has helped.

I have an appointment with one of the top consultants at the hospital Thursday where he will discuss the scan in detail and then we talk about my options. So I will have more of an idea then.

Ideally it would be great if it came naturally before any date 'set' for induction or C-section but if it doesn't then so be it.

Thanks again I'll keep you all posted.

I had an emergency c section and it was fine but the Guardian has recently highlighted som new risks involving c sections which makes me wonder if I should have tried harder to have a vaginal birth.

www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/jan/01/health.medicalresearch

My story if interested:

I was having a home birth but my labour seemed to stop and my midwives were not agreeing about my level of dilation etc. I lost confidence and got my husband to drive me to the hospital. As soon as I was there they seemed dead keen to give me a c section. I tried the drugs to progress the labour vaginally but they talked me into a section saying they thought there was meconium in the water.

ANYWAY, I had had an epidural so I did not need general anesthesia which would have been disappointing. I did wish that I could have seen the baby being born though. I felt kind of cheated of that as they stuck a big screen up an inch from my nose.

FYI there is a a big c section discussion going on here also www.mumsnet.com/Talk/1365/452704?stamp=080109200508

Hi,
I had a second c-section a week ago tomorrow! First had been an emergency after a 30 hour labour and it has taken me almost five years to pluck up the courage to have a second child. I have to say, that although i I was very nervous going into theatre, it was very different second time around. A lot calmer and I feel that I am recovering quicker. It has been painful, but just keep taking the drugs! The reason I choose to opt for a planned section was that I did not want a repeat of the first delievery. There are risks, but then again which ever way you give birth there are risks and it is going to hurt!! I really wish you good luck and hope you decide what it right for you. x

hello loulouhels. im now32 weeks pregnant, with my third i too in similar situation. had scan at 28 weeks telling me my baby 3.04oz already that was then now much bigger literally cant move at the moment.i am having a elective section under consultant advice for the obvious baby prob even bigger this time

i had previous 2 section with large babies but they did allow me to go 1 week with ist who was 9.04oz and 2 weeks with second baby who weighed 9.14oz because i was set on having vaginal delivery, however i went into labour cervix was still posteria and not soft at all. so had emergency section under ga.

a year ago i lokked into homoepathic medcines and was treated for cyst and other problems 1 year after section he was really good there are good natural remedies especially chinese meds he recommended i have natural birth but i have two previous extra large baby scars and like you im 5.2ft
so im not willing especially as im unable to drive or do anything at 32 weeks its unbearable the thought of having to go over two weeks when i dont htink i going to make it to 38 weeks. hope this help loulouhels.

hello loulouhels. im now32 weeks pregnant, with my third i too in similar situation. had scan at 28 weeks telling me my baby 3.04oz already that was then now much bigger literally cant move at the moment.i am having a elective section under consultant advice for the obvious baby prob even bigger this time

i had previous 2 section with large babies but they did allow me to go 1 week with ist who was 9.04oz and 2 weeks with second baby who weighed 9.14oz because i was set on having vaginal delivery, however i went into labour cervix was still posteria and not soft at all. so had emergency section under ga.

a year ago i lokked into homoepathic medcines and was treated for cyst and other problems 1 year after section he was really good there are good natural remedies especially chinese meds he recommended i have natural birth but i have two previous extra large baby scars and like you im 5.2ft
so im not willing especially as im unable to drive or do anything at 32 weeks its unbearable the thought of having to go over two weeks when i dont htink i going to make it to 38 weeks. hope this help loulouhels.

I've had two planned and two emergency.... I will return to this when the dcs are in bed!!!

i would like to hear from you divineintervention as i am on third child and would like to have opportunity to have a fourth but need c section because babys too big and previous 2 were also large. they recommending that i get steralised this time how you coped with four sections?

Can I get back to you when my housework is done?? It may be some time!! If I don't get it done when dc4 (11 weeks) is asleep it doesn't get done!!

yeah ok understand whenever, just re ticklytum. been there done it, i be looking out for your experience thanx