Elective/planned C-section stories

[Bubbles021]

Hello ⭐

I'm currently 24 weeks pregnant with my rainbow baby and I'm looking for stories of elective/planned C-sections.

I lost my first baby last year when I was 31 weeks pregnant. I gave birth vaginally and all was fine, but obviously sad and traumatic to deliver a stillborn. I have a medical condition that puts me at an increased risk of an aneurysm when delivering naturally (only discovered after my baby died), which terrifies me, but I'm also concerned about the trauma of reliving a natural birth this time around after delivering my baby last year.

I have an appointment tomorrow with my doctor at hospital and I'm going to talk about considering a section this time around.
I know doctors are not always keen to go ahead with sections, but I just wondered what other people's experiences of planned sections were like?

Thank you for your help ☺️

Get yourself a copy of the book 'why caesarean matters' would be my advice. I had an ELCS and I'd do it again - recovery was fine. Good luck OP.

I'm really sorry for your loss.

Don't worry about this appointment. The consultant will be supportive of a section for you.

If it helps I know a couple of women who've sadly had still births. Both had planned sections for their next pregnancies and it was the right choice for both.

It's not a walk in the park for sure, but it was the best choice for them and their needs at the time.

@Weathergirl1 thank you, I will do that! It's good to hear that you recovered well. I know there's a high chance it will end up as an emergency section if I deliver naturally and I just cannot imagine that the recovery would be as straight forward.

@Twizbe thank you, I really appreciate that. It's helpful to hear that others have come to the same decision as myself!

I had an ELCS after a horrible experience of a mismanaged vaginal delivery. It was calm and less scary for me - and I recovered better too.
I am sorry for the loss of your previous child and I wish you lots of good luck and happiness.
Talk to the doctors and staff but I imagine that they may be very sympathetic to your situation. I would always choose an ELCS but lots of women feel differently. What matters is that your voice is heard. Jot some notes down and take them with you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You have every right to explore this and I suspect your medical condition makes it a bit of a no-brainer for the Drs too.

A lot of people who talk about hard recovery had EMCS - it's completely different. A lot of the stats are mixed up between the two types too, which is bad. I can't think of anything worse than enduring both labour and then a caesarian! Only issue I had was not being given pain relief on time but if you're forewarned you can mitigate for that. 👍

I am so sorry for your loss.

If it is any help, I had a c section this year after a traumatic birth and serious related illness in our oldest. We were supported in an elective throughout, as you will be.

Thoughtfully, we were offered first birth of the week so went to the hospital at 7.30am on a Monday and our twins were delivered at 9.12am and 9.13am respectively. I went down to theater at 8.45am.

It was very straightforward and calm, and I was up and walking around within a couple of days on paracetamol alone.

Personal view only but I found the sense of control and being in charge therapeutic. I hope if you decide that this is right for you, you will find the same.

@JennyForeigner thank you for sharing your experience with me.
I feel exactly the same in terms of control, I think having a plan in place somehow makes me feel like I have control over the situation, though I'm aware anything can happen and our bodies have a mind of their own.
It's really reassuring to hear that you had such a positive experience.

So sorry for your loss.
I had an ELCS in December my reasons being having gestational diabetes and baby measuring on the larger side. No-one questioned my decision and it was mostly supported and encouraged.
The section itself was so calm and the staff where amazing even though I was a bag of nerves going in.
I requested the section quite late in pregnancy and once I'd got my head around the idea of it, It was nice to know what to plan for and when it would happen. It was nice to have that control.
My recovery was really straight forward and I was up and about in our local retail park after 4 days.
Honestly, I would opt for a section with every birth now! Before pregnancy I had never had more than a needle, and even they terrified me. So to say I would opt for a major operation is a biggy for me and really shows how much of a positive experience it can be.

I’m so sorry for your loss. I think it’s safe to say you will definitely be granted a section!!

I’ve had 2 planned sections, my last one 3 weeks ago.

My first section (second child) was because I had an enormous tear with my first child, who also came v v fast and got info distress. So, I chose a section to protect myself from damage and also the baby from distress. I lost a huge amount of blood but that’s not likely to happen to you although is of course a risk with any section. The baby was 100% unharmed, the most chilled entry into the world led to a very chilled and happy baby. Recovery was fine despite losing half my blood - was driving, baby wearing etc within a couple of weeks.

My last c section was glorious, totally relaxed and straightforward. I did a baby wearing workout today (baby born 1 April), am driving etc.

C section a logical, empowering, comfortable choice for me! Love the controlled environment, every staff member you could possibly need right on hand, blood ready to go into you if necessary, music on, everyone chatting and joking and taking photos for you. Lush! Good luck!

Oh gosh what a sad story, so sorry this happened to you ☹️ You will have a positive experience this time I’m sure. Not that you need ‘a reason’ to have a section but you definitely have one! I had no reason other than fear of giving birth vaginally. I just always had such a strong view on it and knew I ‘needed’ a section because it just wasn’t going to happen any other way. After jumping through hoops (mainly with the midwives to qualify to actually speak to the consultant) it was all fine and the procedure itself was so so positive. I had got myself SO worked up about it all. I really did nothing other than talk about it, think about it, watch YouTube videos or read stories on here about it the entire time I was pregnant 🙈 It was like an addiction, it was every available moment because I was just so scared something was going to go wrong. The worst bit of the whole thing ended up being the waiting around! I was last on the day so had about 3 hours sitting in the recovery ward, waiting to go in as people arrived either side of my curtain with screaming babies. I felt so weird hearing them cry and knowing that was about to be me, the way they were just wheeled away and arrived back with a baby like it was nothing 🙈 When it came to my turn, I think I was SO scared I’d actually passed the point of fear and was in the sort of ‘oh well’ phase like I just about found it funny because it was so ridiculous how terrified I was 😂 My main fear for some reason was the spinal needle going into my back, I just couldn’t imagine what it would be like. When it came to it it really was just a bee sting to numb the area then nothing other than people touching my back, no pain. The sorest part was the cannula going into my hand! After I lay down and was numb it was completely fine. It took a while to make sure I was numb enough etc but as the curtain went up to start the operation it was only 90 seconds until the curtain was back down and I was looking at a screaming baby being lifted up! I still can’t believe anyone can cut you open and get a baby out so fast, they are amazing! It really was so uneventful. They then just stitched me up which again didn’t hurt, I only had a slight awareness that’s what they were doing but barely. I was more interested in my baby by then anyway 😊 As they wheeled me back round to recovery I had a ‘pinch me’ moment where I just couldn’t get my head round any of it. I actually felt like I kind of went inwardly during the op and after. I thought it would be this lovely moment between my partner and I but actually I couldn’t have cared less about him in that moment 😂 before it I wondered if he’d cry when he saw him and was looking forward to that bit. When it happened, I didn’t even look round. I was so transfixed on this little human and just blown away by how EASY it all was. Hate using that word but that was my experience and the fact it was ‘easy’ is nothing to be ashamed of, why should it be awful if it doesn’t need to be? 🤷🏼‍♀️

The recovery was also fine. I had built it up to be terrible too but again, was way better than I expected. I really dreaded standing for the first time because I’d heard some horror stories about that. I just did it so so slowly and it wasn’t even really painful, I was still so full of painkillers. I managed to walk out of hospital, again slowly and pathetically but I did it. We have a jeep and I got to the car and had to have a few attempts before getting in due to having to climb up a bit 🙈 The first 5 days at home were the worst and they really weren’t traumatic at all. I’d say the first 2 days especially the bleeding was a fair amount and it was just general things like pathetically standing in the bathroom in my surgical stockings (after getting my partner to put them back on me because I couldn’t bend down) and as I tried to put a maternity pad on blood went on my stockings. That was the only proper pathetic moment I had where I did a pretend cry almost with no actual tears and came out the bathroom saying I couldn’t do anything myself 😂 by day 5 I was feeling so much better. The one thing that was always fine that I didn’t think would be fine was walking, it didn’t hurt at all because you’re already up and moving. It was the getting up out of bed that was the worst, then trying to do awkward rolls etc to combat this, only to make the situation worse. Only once did I end up being halfway up and and actually feeling the stitches sort of pull apart 😬 so yeah, don’t do that! I ended up sleeping more upright so I could just swivel my legs out. After the first week and then two weeks, the bleeding really died down, walking was great and I was out with the pram then between 2-5/6 weeks the lying down to getting up thing slowly became normal again but none of it was unbearable in the slightest! Just set alarms on your phone to take the painkillers whether you think you need them or not.

Good luck, I hope you have the best experience ever, you definitely deserve to!

I had an ELCS and I would 100% recommend.

I chose mine because I’d had 7 miscarriages and it was the safest way to get my baby out. I also had no desire to experience a vaginal birth. My consultant supported me but I’m in Ireland where it’s not a problem having an ELCS if you’re a private patient. In the end my baby was facing up so I’d have had to have one anyway.

The recovery was fine, make sure you do have the extra support at home, stay in hospital for as long as you can, I was in for 5 nights, and take all the painkillers. My hospital were really good about staying on top of pain relief and the only pain I ever felt throughout the whole recovery was the couple of times I sat down too quickly at home in the week after coming home.

Like the PP I had a great experience and yes, even found myself thinking how easy it had been. I would do it again if I was to have another baby but this will be my one and only.

I had an ELCS and I would 100% recommend.

I chose mine because I’d had 7 miscarriages and it was the safest way to get my baby out. I also had no desire to experience a vaginal birth. My consultant supported me but I’m in Ireland where it’s not a problem having an ELCS if you’re a private patient. In the end my baby was facing up so I’d have had to have one anyway.

The recovery was fine, make sure you do have the extra support at home, stay in hospital for as long as you can, I was in for 5 nights, and take all the painkillers. My hospital were really good about staying on top of pain relief and the only pain I ever felt throughout the whole recovery was the couple of times I sat down too quickly at home in the week after coming home.

Like the PP I had a great experience and yes, even found myself thinking how easy it had been. I would do it again if I was to have another baby but this will be my one and only.

Sorry for your loss, OP.

I haven't had an ELCS but I had an unplanned C-section last year after a failed induction.

The worst part for me was the disappointment of giving birth by C-section when I had wanted to give birth vaginally. This wouldn't be a factor for you if you want to have a C-section, so I wholeheartedly recommend you go for it. I can't see any reason why your consultant would object in the circumstances.

My recovery was very straightforward and I have a small neat scar.

I'd echo @Pollywoddles' advice about taking it easy and staying on top of your painkillers.

I'd also recommend you pack some glycerine suppositories to use when you need to have a poo afterwards - you won't want to be straining any muscles down there for the first few weeks - and some peppermint tea because you can get bad gas after a C-section.

I had one a week ago today due to tokophobia. It was a lovely experience. I was still petrified arriving at the hospital because I’m scared of childbirth in general, but the team couldn’t have been more supportive on the day. They were all so wonderful to me and because of their kindness, my husband being there the whole time and my music playing I was totally calm when my daughter was born 🙂I hated pregnancy and won’t do it again haha but if I did, I would 100% have another section.

Recovery is going fine one week on. I breastfed after the surgery and milk came in on day 3. Take your painkillers and don’t overdo it…oh and don’t - whatever you do - get constipated. Trust me 😐

I've had 2 ELCSs and they were both fabulous. First I lost rather a lot of blood but just meant I was tired for quite a while. Consultant said it would have been the same outcome had I had a vaginal birth. Second I had no issues at all, and it was a complete breeze. Thoroughly recommend, although obviously I don't have any known heart issues so you'd need to speak to your doctor about that.

Thank you so much everyone for your really helpful and honest experiences ❤️
I have talked to my midwife this morning before I see the doctor this afternoon, and she was really understanding and supportive.
I really appreciate all of your help ☺️

It's well within your rights to ask for a C and given your apprehensions and high stake don't be deterred by what defences the doctor puts up with. If you believe in it then go for it given the stakes

I had a failed induction and then an emcs with dd1. She was born very poorly (and died a year later). It was extremely traumatic.
I had an elcs second time around and it was much calmer. I liked the feeling of control and knowing when it would happen. Everyone in the room introduces themselves and you can choose the music.
In your case I would 100% go for an elcs. Recovery was easy for me first time and much harder second time, but that was still preferable for the reasons I mentioned before. Good luck :)

@Rrrunrunrunrunrun I'm so sorry for the loss of your baby girl 💖 thank you for sharing your story with me.

Thank you all again, I had a very successful chat with the doctor yesterday, she was really lovely and understanding and to my surprise she requested a date! It was great to be taken so seriously. She has sent me away with lots of information about the risks (which are quite scary!) But I'm going to take some time to get myself informed and we're going to discuss it again at our next appointment in a month's time 😊