Anxiety around second birth! ELCS

[CBB2021]

Hi all - looking for a handhold.

Booked in for an ELCS in three weeks time for second baby. DD was an EMCS after a long induction where I got all the way to 10cms but she had a pathological CTG so had to be delivered asap. It was all very traumatic, and tbh I don’t think I really processed it.

The nerves are really starting to kick in now! I always read how ELCS are much calmer and generally people have good experiences. I guess any birth is nerve wracking and second time round we know what’s coming! Just want it all to go OK and to have baby safely in my arms.

Anyone care to share their positive experiences?

I had an elcs 4 weeks ago. I was incredibly nervous and overly emotional on the day but everyone was so kind. I knew what to expect but still found it quite daunting. The whole experience was actually just so calm and relaxed. I was talked through every step. The theatre nurses and midwives, held my hand, chatted to me about other things to help distract me and joked about my dh being scared of blood. When he came into the room, they instantly put his mind at ease. The way I was treated felt more like I was their friend rather than a stranger. My dd was out within 5 mins of starting. I got to hold her on my chest but during the stitching I became unwell. My dh then took her and sat right next to me so I could see her. When dd and dh left, the nurses and midwives carried on as great as they were until j was well enough to go back on ward. I was unwell due to my own health problems, the C-section itself went perfectly. I was back in ward pretty soon and the midwife’s helped me all night with feeds and changing my dd.

I was calmer during my second. The first was scheduled too (for medical reasons) but baby decided to come 9 days earlier - so unexpected, bag not packed etc. plus my first one.
For my second, though the baby was ill and had to go to NICU for a few days and my husband passed out during the op and I lost a lot of blood... as I knew what was going to happen after the op I was less stressed, though of course I had forgotten about the pain.
The big difference is you now have a toddler to deal with too!

Similar story to you OP, DS was an EMCS after getting to 10cm. He was stuck and heart rate kept dipping at every contraction. DD was then born 2020 with an ELCS. Let me tell you, the difference in experience it was like night and day. I was out the next afternoon, my scar is neater this time around too which was an unexpected bonus. You are more with it, less knackered, the staff are more relaxed and will do whatever they can to ease your anxiety. And although it is scary because you know what is to come, that's also a huge plus - you know what is to come with having a newborn. Nappies, holding, feeding, dressing them.

Good luck!

I've just had an ELCS (like, last week) after a rubbish first vaginal birth and it's been amazing. It was such a calm, happy experience - I wasn't frightened or in pain and could just lie there waiting for someone to show me my baby! I did feel a bit sick and dizzy just after the spinal, but the anaesthetist sorted it right away, and then I got a lovely long cuddle with my baby while they put my front back together. Then on the ward the midwives were wonderful - it was such a contrast from my first birth where I was basically expected to be hunky dory after a long labour and instrumental delivery/episiotomy (even though I was incontinent and could hardly move for the pain). They were so kind and helpful, and I still managed to go home the next day. For me, it was birth as it should be.

Thanks ladies for sharing!

I had a horrific birth experience first time round. Emergency section where the crash team had to be called.
When I was pregnant with my second I spent every day in tears, terrified and convinced I'd never see both my children together.
I went as far as writing a will and begging my mum to take over my role because I was so convinced I wouldn't be coming home from the hospital.
What actually happened was that it was a beautiful, calm and peaceful experience. I was very open on the day about my fears and my team were excellent. Anaesthetist held my hand most of the time and I chatted happily with my surgeon. I couldn't believe how straightforward things could be.
Good luck OP but you won't need it, it will all be fine