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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Elected C Section

14 replies

Pregnant4456 · 09/10/2022 13:23

Due to having a lot of trauma from multiple miscarriages and an ectopic which resulted in the of my tube, we have just got an elected C section approved by our consultant for hopefully what will be our first baby.

What reasons did those of you who went for an elected C section have for choosing this route and what were your experiences??

thanks in advance for your responses!

OP posts:

Original poster

Pregnant4456 · 09/10/2022 13:25

I should also add I currently have a low lying placenta so may need one medically anyway if it does not move by 32 weeks.

OP posts:

TescoCustomerService · 09/10/2022 14:00

I'm allergic to induction drugs and other chemicals/medicines used in theatre, so having an ELCS was recommended due to it being able to be highly controlled and preplanned. Went perfectly, I was in hospital for one night then home, was a lovely experience compared to my 1st child who was born via EMCS, resulted in anaphylactic shock and a week long stay in hospital. Only part I hated was the spinal needle they use, I'd take contraction pain any day over that feeling.

April88 · 09/10/2022 14:02

I had an EMCS with my first at 34 weeks due to preeclampsia. My second was measuring big and I just felt the likelihood of a successful VBAC was low.

It was straightforward, we were home the next day. No regrets!

ChagSameachDoreen · 09/10/2022 18:16

I had an EMCS after a failed induction with DD, so this time around I just want to go straight to a section so we know when DS is coming, and I won't have another fruitless labour.

Bubbles021 · 09/10/2022 23:10

I had my elective section 9 weeks ago tomorrow! I chose this route as I lost my son at 33 weeks last June. Even though the loss was not related to his birth (which was a vaginal delivery), I needed a sense of control this time around.
I was so nervous leading up to it, but honestly it was the most wonderful experience! I was first on the list which may have helped, but everything was so relaxed! When I walked into theatre they even asked if I'd like to choose the music. The worst part for me personally was the feeling the spinal gave me. As my body was becoming numb, the effect spreads as high as your chest (you can still move your arms), but it did feel like I had a heavy person sat on my chest and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I think my own panic made this worse, but my husband told the anaesthetist and he assured me that they were monitoring my oxygen levels and they were completely fine, and that the feeling is just because of the numbing sensation and it's normal.
I didn't even realise they'd started the surgery, but within just minutes the surgeon was telling my husband to come and watch our daughter enter the world! Next thing I knew she was being held up over the screen for me to see (although I couldn't see her through the amount of tears I had! 😂)
It was the most beautiful experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
The recovery has been absolutely fine. I've probably over done it at times, but I felt my completely normal self again after around 6 and a half weeks. I have a lovely neat little scar that has healed fantastic!
Good luck and try and enjoy it!

Bubbles021 · 09/10/2022 23:11

Oh, also I stayed 2 nights but that was due to feeding issues and not the section. If the feeding was fine I would have been out the next day x

Sparklythings1 · 09/10/2022 23:16

In short my reasons was just sheer terror about the alternative option 🙈 It was a bit more than that, consumed my every waking thought, took over my life before I was ever even pregnant etc!

My experience literally couldn’t have been better and I’m the biggest scaredy cat on earth! Turned up, bit of hanging about on a hospital bed in my gown waiting to go in. Walked in, cannula into my hand (this was the nippiest bit), I was then dreading the spinal but you get one little bee sting nip for the local to go in then the big needle I didn’t even know when it was going in. I lay back, bit of waiting on the doctors being ready then the curtain went up, I didn’t know they’d started, could just feel that someone’s hand was on my belly low down. There was no pain and no weird feeling really just a bit of pushing against me for a few seconds then he arrived! It was literally under 2 minutes into the operation. He got weighed then put on my chest, they stitched me up then I was wheeled back round to recovery. I was up and able to walk that night (slowly) and just took things very easy for the first 2 weeks then I was out walking and totally fine. By 5/6 weeks I felt back to normal! Such a good experience 😊

HighlandPony · 09/10/2022 23:19

Had no choice. Didn’t want it but had to for baby’s health. He had an operation shortly after birth

Shefliesonherownwings · 10/10/2022 12:55

I had an elected C section with DS two years ago and I’ll be having another next spring. He was high risk as was I due to MH issues so that was the best option for us. Knowing when we would be going in for the op was fab in terms of planning and my lovely consultant did the op herself. We were able to say if we wanted music playing for example and it was all very calm and relaxed. Baby was out in 10 minutes and I was on recovery within 30.

I stayed in for two nights and by far the hardest bit was being on my own on the post natal ward as it was mid covid so no visitors allowed. I didn’t have my catheter out until the next day so it was tricky getting DS in and out of the cot until I could get out of bed. I also had trouble feeding otherwise I’d have been home sooner. But I had my own room, the staff were very attentive and I rang them a lot as feeding wasn’t going well.

Once home I did get an infection in my scar but I suspect it was because I was going too much. My own fault. Nobody tells you how to get in and out of bed with a crib on one side and a massive scar. Scooting along the bed and climbing on we’re really tricky. I should have just stayed in bed as the midwives advised. Once I got some antibiotics and was feeling better, I was pretty much back to normal within a month. I have no complaints whatsoever.

OnAStarryNight · 11/10/2022 09:24

It's been really useful to read these experiences. I have a consultant appointment and 36 week growth scan tomorrow to make a decision on the delivery of my very large baby. I've already been warned about shoulder dystocia and have been advised not to go to my due date. There has been a lot of talk about induction but I am pretty much set on ELCS now, as the best way for both me and the baby. I hope it is agreed and my experiences are similar to yours!

ladycarlotta · 11/10/2022 11:26

I had a scheduled c section because my baby was breech, and it was really great. I can echo the experience of others here - we had to wait 2 hours or so to move up the queue once we got to hospital , but once we were in theatre it was all pain-free and efficient, and the staff were so cheerful and positive. It felt celebratory. I couldn't have asked for a more pleasant birth to be honest.

Also, it meant we could spend the day before as a couple. We went for a little walk (waddle), had a pub lunch, then out to the cinema for dinner before getting a decent night's sleep. It was a really nice way to say goodbye to our baby-free life. Highly recommend!

Pollywoddles · 11/10/2022 12:38

I didn’t want a vaginal birth, it was as simple as that. It took a long time to conceive my baby with multiple losses along the way so I wanted her out as quickly and safely as possible.

I’m not in the UK and was under a private consultant so I didn’t have to fight for it. I asked and it was granted.

It was a fantastic experience, everything was really nice and relaxed, the theatre staff were great and there was a really lovely atmosphere. I stayed a full 5 nights in hospital. My recovery was excellent, I had no pain as they kept on top of my pain relief in hospital and I my husband was so supportive. Couldn’t recommend it enough.

Spudina · 11/10/2022 12:40

Grade 3 tear which didn’t heal properly with DD1. Registrar and I both agreed c-section was the way to go with DD2. Best experience ever!!!

Hugasauras · 11/10/2022 12:49

I had an elective as my first was an emergency section and I didn't want to end up in that situation again. My elective was an absolute dream and recovery was a breeze. I was back driving 10 days PP and I've been back to normal for ages (it was 3 months ago). So it was the right decision for me for sure.

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