Reasons for elective C-section

[PipsBaby]

I am currently 34 weeks and just had a birth choices appointment last week to help me try to decide if I'd like a C-section or not.

I'm still very much on the fence, although deep down I am probably leaning more towards yes I do want one. I have a few reasons, anxiety being one, various health issues being another. But ultimately I just want to make an informed choice for myself.

Would anyone who has previously had a C-section (elective), want to share why they choose to have one? What helped make their mind up? And are they still happy with their choice?

The main thing that stood out to me at the appointment, was a risk to future pregnancies. This is my first baby so I'm not sure if I should be more worried about this, if I do decide to go for it. I am a bit scared of regretting my choice, which is silly I know as I need to just be happy and content with whatever I decide to do.

I don't actually know anyone who has had a C-section, otherwise I'd ask friends. But would really appreciate peoples thoughts/experiences (good or bad).

I've has 2 for medical reasons. Both sections were fine but the recovery was very painful and took months.

I'd have liked a third child but couldn't bear another section.

So sorry to hear that. Were both the same? I have read mixed reports on the recovery. I suppose there's just no way to predict what will happen, as we all will recover quite differently.

Pregnancy 1 was EMCS.
Pregnancy 2 was ELCS for several reasons:

1. I didn’t want to risk scar rupture
2. I had gestational diabetes and a big baby
3. I was very overdue with pregnancy 1, and had a very painful, long, unsuccessful induction (drip), so very high chance of repeat in pregnancy 2

I would say a section is better than a complicated natural birth, but the best way is an easy natural birth, if only there was a way to predict it…

Baby 1 was vaginal water birth-
Baby 2 elective c section but became “emergency” when my waters broke a few days before it had been booked for.

Was strongly persuaded based on previous bleeding and also size of baby compared to me.

C-Section recovery is difficult mostly depending on your support network. But consider depending on your reasons they’ve suggested that if you start with a vaginal delivery, how likely is it you’d end up with a c section anyway? This was why I declined induction.

Hope you decide on something you’re comfortable with xx

Pregnancy 1 was EMCS after a horrendous long failed induction as was overdue. Ended up on antibiotics and also had a bleed. Low risk pregnancy so really should have been straight forward.

Don't want that experience again so having an elective which is a lot leas risky than a repeat EMCS

Thanks for sharing.

Sorry to ask such a personal question, but do you ever wish you could have have a vaginal birth? If I choose the elective C-section, it's likely any future pregnancies will also be csections, so I am nervous that I'll have regrets. Although I don't think I will, but obviously can't predict how I'd feel further down the line.

Being able to predict it all really would make it all much easier!!!

I had an elective for my second because I the risk of scar rupture was too high. 1st baby was emergency section. The first was easy and painless, the second was a much harder recovery and took me by surprise.

I asked for an elective section after losing a baby. My nerves were shot throughout the pregnancy i knew for sure knowing the date and time would keep me calmer and less anxious.

Recovery was no walk in the park but my first DD was born by EMCS so i knew the deal. I had ZERO desire to attempt a VBAC.

I am infinitely happy with my choice.

The consultant said in his view I could have one more CS but he advised me to stop after that. He said i had a lot of scar tissue when he went in on the second time.

Good luck with your decision making.

I had one for DC2, because I had a very difficult birth and bad tearing with DC1. It was calm and quick, and pain was well managed while I was in hospital.
I was mostly fine with paracetamol and ibuprofen at home afterwards, as long as I was careful. You do need to move about though.
My milk came in fine.
I won’t be having another child, but I’ve heard having up to 3 c-sections is generally fine.

Things to bear in mind: you use your core muscles for so much, laughing, coughing, sitting up, turning over in bed, pushing a pram or shopping trolley, so you will need a lot of physical assistance and to take things gently for a couple of months after as all the muscles knit back together.
You might need to take blood thinners for 10 days afterwards, these are injections that you give yourself (or a partner/friend/parent can do it).
You have a catheter for the surgery, and up to 24 hours after. It’s inserted after your spinal anaesthetic so you can’t feel it. The anaesthetic made me numb up to just under my boobs, and because of the cannula and everything else I couldn’t easily move my arms. This meant I couldn’t cuddle baby until after I’d been sewn up (takes longer than getting baby out) and was back in recovery.
I was tilted to the side slightly for surgery, it feels weird but I believe it’s something to do with blood pressure?

Both mine were elective CS. I was very sure from the beginning I wanted c section. I had them privately and my obstetrician said that “unstable lie” was an indication for CS and that’s what he signed off on. As it was, the first one was placenta previa anyway. The second was for transverse twins which are always CS anyway.

To answer your question, no I have never regretted it. The recovery was ok, and the experiences were calm, managed and pain free which was exactly what I wanted.

This is all so helpful, thanks so much. So many different experiences.

I just feel like hearing other peoples experiences will help me picture probable outcomes re: recovery etc, and how I might feel. Although obviously nothing is certain.

Up until asking for the birth choices appointment, I didn't know much about c sections at all, so had just been looking things up online but it's great reading actual experiences. Thank you.

I have one child and have had one C-section. I opted for a section because I have a connective tissue disorder which, altho it affects my entire body inside and out, really affects my hips and back and causes extreme exhaustion.
It was an absolute dream, only isue was them struggling to get the spinal block in as I’m a horse rider and have (had!) strong back muscles which apparently affected it. Recovery was easy, scar is barely noticeable now a year on.
Ill have csections for any and all future babies.

My first was EMCS and my second a forced elective after I went a week overdue. I was hoping for a VBAC.

My younger child is now 7. My recovery after both was fine but my scars (I say plural as they don't match all the way along) have adhered to the wall of the uterus and I hate the way my midsection looks as a result. I'm mid 40s and have a pouch overhang despite having been slim all my life. It looks like someone has stapled me across my tummy, from the side I look like a worm that swallowed a melon. My knickerline cuts into the scar. Bits around the scar have no sensation. It's total vanity and I am very grateful for my kids but I wish I'd been able to give birth naturally. That said, I know people who had terrible vaginal births, you just can't see the 'aftermath' quite as clearly.

Thanks! That's good to know.

I don't think I would regret it, but it was a comment from someone that stuck in my head (always the way) about how I'd end up wishing I had of experienced a "proper labour", which I don't believe but can't help but let it niggle away at the back of my head when trying to make up my mind.

Recovery is hard. That said recovery from a vaginal birth would very much depend on how it goes I'm sure. Agree with everything@7Worfs said. Unfortunately you don't know what you are choosing between. Not very helpful sorry but whatever your choice, I hope it goes well for you.

I had a vaginal birth with my first and it was horrific,she was huge over 9 pounds and I lost lots of blood and had many stitches.
The second pregnancy I had an elective C-section and it was absolutely fine.I healed quickly and felt so much better than the first birth.I was offered this option as he was even bigger at over 10 pounds.
My third and final pregnancy I was again offered a C-section that I jumped at and I was again absolutely fine and recovered fast. She was 10 pounds too so the best option for me.
Good luck in what you decide and congratulations in advance x

Just to add mine was an EMCS so I can't really weigh in on elective but I have heard recovery is easier as you haven't labored.

I had an elective c section at 34 weeks due to
Preeclampsia. It was fine. Painful for a
Couple of days but I recovered really quickly once I was moving about.

I'll be asking for an elective with my current pregnancy. So Many horror stories with natural births ending in c sections anyway.

I had an elective section for DD2. DD1 was a VB, had a nightmare labour and delivery, then I had an allergic reaction to the sutures. The stitches broke down and became infected, had several surgeries subsequently to repair and improve the scar tissue. If I'd had another VB I'd have needed further repair surgery, so an elective section was a no brainer. I preferred my section to my VB by a factor of about a million. Recovery was comparatively a breeze.

My first birth was an induction that kicked off very quickly with just a pessary. But the baby was back to back and then half turned, followed by failed ventouse, episiotomy, forceps, 3b tear, and a 2.3 litre haemorrhage. My bladder then stopped working properly and I had numerous catheters and leg bags, as well as a readmission for one night a week later. It took me three months to be able to sit down without a blow up cushion and many more months for my pelvic floor to get better.
The second birth was an ELCS five months ago. Incredibly calm and civilised and went without a hitch. It was painful the first few days, I won’t lie. But even with a toddler to look after, i was lucky enough to have a very straightforward recovery. At this point I honestly can’t even tell I’ve ever had surgery.
A few things that helped: gentle movement as soon as possible (think walking), but also lots of rest. I took my painkillers religiously; I was very strict about no lifting, bending etc for the first six weeks. I showered every day and let just plain water clean the scar, then dried it thoroughly and aired it as much as possible.

@EarlGreywithLemon my birth sounds identical to yours! Even with the failing bladder and being sent home with a catheter after all that damage as well. Which just felt demoralising.
currently debating about elective section for my second and last baby. So you perspective is helpful. Thank you.

straight forward vaginal delivery is easiest. But when it’s not straight forward. Man. It’s hard. My recovery took months and months and months.

@Indianna2006 Yes, so demoralising. I was so worried it would never get better, as no one seemed to know what was wrong. I was also upset that it was distracting me from looking after my baby and that our first few weeks were spent going back and forth to my hospital appointments. I remember calling the hospital in tears, at 2 am, standing in a puddle of my own urine, after yet another catheter had failed. I’m so sorry this happened to you too.
Honestly, the section was so much better. My only regret is that I was so nervous beforehand. I wish I hadn’t and had just relaxed and enjoyed his arrival!

I've had two ELCS because I can't bear anything 'down there' (bad smear experience) so knew from the off I wanted one. DD1 was IVF and I felt I'd been through so much with her already, and the consultant agreed, then DD2 who was conceived naturally was also an ELCS because of my positive experience first time around. If I was to have any more, I would opt for another ECS