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).

@EarlGreywithLemon yes ugh the worrying about will my tear heal. Will I poo myself for life. What’s wrong with my bladder. I knew no one sent home with a catheter in. Luckily they gave me an in dwelling one. But it made things tricky. And for 2 weeks meant anyone found could see the bulky thing. Just was not magical AT all. I was taken away for theatre as well immediately so didn’t actually get to hold my baby or see my husband hold her. So Hoping this time to get that.

did you receive all that in your elective? I think atm partners have to leave when going into the ward which gives me anxiety as my last time was so awful. But alas. I feel elective is perhaps the best way to go.

op I hope you can make the right decision for you. It is such an unknown. And hard enough with a prior experience. Let alone nothing to go on.

I had an elective and don’t regret it for a second. Reason was high anxiety plus age. So many of my friends had horrible labours, I knew I didn’t want to go through that.
Recovery took a few weeks, my husband was very hands on and supportive. I was back driving again after a few weeks.

My sister had a horrendous birth at the same age and her recovery took a lot longer, so it reinforced my decision.

I'm finding it really reassuring to see people mentioning anxiety for their reasoning too. I sometimes think it's not a good enough reason, but my anxiety will have such an impact on how I handle and act in the weeks/days leading up, and then after too, so I really do want to take it into consideration.

Both of my dc were born my c section. First was an emergency after several hours of labour not progressing. Second was elective due to already having a section and some other health issues that cropped up in pregnancy. I had hoped for a vaginal delivery second time round but it wasn't to be.

Recovery wasn't too bad for me although I will say the second one was harder because it was scar tissue healing. You also get the lovely c section over hang. But the thing is, vaginal births can go wrong too. Some people will bounce back immediately, others may have serious tears or damage. You just don't know which way it's going to go.

I don't regret my births. I feel sad I will never get to experience that intense rush of hormones when they come out because you do miss that with a section but other than that, who cares? The most important thing is getting your baby here safely.

Two elective c-sections for me (due to arthritic hips). Never once have I felt cheated for giving birth that way, although it's slightly bizarre to have had two kids but never experienced a contraction.

They were pleasant, very calm and the recovery was straightforward.

I’ve had two fairly straightforward, drug free vaginal births and I’d def go for an elective c section if there was a next time. I was very traumatised after both my vaginal deliveries and had problems with infections/ episiotomy/ tears. I get some women think vaginal birth is a bit of a badge of honour/ right of passage but the whole thing is a bit more complex than that and I think there must be a lot to be said for a calm elective section

I had an emergency c section. If I were to have another baby I'd choose c section again absolutely no qualms.

@Indianna2006 the section felt surprisingly personal. I opted to have the drapes lowered to see the baby being lifted out (you don’t see the cut or anything gory, just the baby). He was briefly cleaned, then put on my chest for skin to skin and he stayed there pretty much for the rest of the day, other than my husband holding him for a bit and changing him. He actually had his first breast feed in theatre as I was being stitched up.

My husband stayed until around 5pm (section was at mid day) and then left to pick up our toddler from nursery. A nurse came to get me up at that point, I took a few steps, and was wheeled from recovery to the ward. I was a bit worried about the first night on my own, but I had plenty of help overnight when I rang the bell with lifting the baby, etc. It was actually lovely to have that first night just me and the baby, I just enjoyed holding him.

Oh, we were even asked if we wanted our own music playlist in theatre when he was born!

I had to take blood thinner injections for six weeks but because of complications but tbh it was fine. Even after a longer than normal stay in hospital I was back to my normal self in less than three weeks and dancing at a wedding just under a month from the surgery

I also had to have blood thinners for six weeks, but that’s because I have a heart condition. I also had to have six weeks of them after my vaginal birth, because we’d spent so long in hospital!

I’m terrified to give birth (due to my mum’s experiences) but I’m also terrified of an ELCS. How long did it take you to recover? What was the recovery process like? Did your tummy return to normal as in did it look normal apart from the scar? I’ve heard someone women’s tummies went back to normal and they could hide the scar but others have this over hang (or whatever it is called).

I have 4 kids and have given birth in all the ways (except induction) so I’ve had natural birth with epidural, natural birth without epidural and c section. My top choice BY FAR is natural birth with epidural which I had for two of my kids. My worst birth was natural birth with no epidural (agony, back to back baby). The hardest & longest recovery was definitely c section.

Absolutely up to you but I would give some serious thought to the option of an epidural - I had no issues with them (although for some it can lead to more intervention). Pretty much pain free experiences, almost enjoyed giving birth! No awful recovery. But obviously everyone can only speak from their own experience with these things!

@PipsBaby no, I don’t regret never having had a vaginal birth because of my personal circumstances. My babies were big, I’ve got narrow hips, and - I can’t stress this enough - I’m a wimp. I’m sure pushing would’ve ended in tearing and forceps, or worse.

I would’ve liked a perfect natural birth but that was never on the cards for me. I’m just thankful that medicine has advanced enough for me to survive and have two babies.

I had an emcs then an elcs and about to have another elcs. I asked after the second if I was safe to have another cs and Dr said no problems at all. My sister has had 5 c sections, so having them doesn't necessarily limit your family size but there's no way to predict how your scar tissue will form inside

I wouldn't say I can relate at all to the posters saying recovery took several months. My first (emergency) was the hardest to heal from but there was a lot more trauma inside due to baby being fully impacted in my birth canal and they struggled to get him out. Even then, by the 6 week check I was pretty much back to normal

Second section was much easier and a quicker recovery. Was driving and having sex by 5 weeks post partum. Plenty of women have longer recoveries from a vaginal delivery

I have absolutely no regrets about not pushing a baby out of my vagina, the damage that can cause is considerable and can be lifelong. I have no issues having sex, no problems with scar tissue and a much lower risk of prolapse. As a pp said, the ideal birth would be a smooth uncomplicated vaginal delivery but there is no way to know if that's what you'd get and I never had any desire to find out what it was like to have my vagina and arsehole become one!

Also the poster who mentioned blood thinning injections, whilst these are most common after a section, women who have vaginal deliveries also sometimes have these, so it's no guarantee you'll avoid them just because you had a vaginal birth

The first couple of weeks are the worst for recovery but as long as you take pain meds at regular intervals it's manageable. Don't wait for it to be painful, follow the schedule they use in hospital to stay on top of it. Also stock up on paracetamol and ibuprofen beforehand as there are limits to how much you can buy at once. Just stick a pack of each in every food shop you do for the past couple of months of pregnancy

Btw the person who commented regarding “proper labour” needs to get in the bin. I’m not saying they meant harm by it but it’s such an outdated view. Ultimately you are having a child, whichever way it comes out.
Also, your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you decide a c section is the best thing for you, do that. You and baby will be happier overall from doing what you’re most comfortable with.

Also just to add, anxiety is a perfectly valid reason for an elcs. A close friend of mine had both her babies by elcs purely due to anxiety over giving birth. If you're overly stressed and anxious then childbirth is more likely to go wrong

Also don't worry about not being able to hold the baby, they will do everything they can to get skin to skin asap if that's what you want. With my second he was handed to me almost immediately, up against my shoulder/neck so he wasn't in the way of the cannula etc and he could snuggle into me. It's not the norm to not be able to hold the baby until you're in recovery, especially for an elective

My first was an EMCS after undiagnosed preeclampsia caused an emergency with a failed induction. Second was an ELCS because after the first I developed ptsd and needed to feel more in control of what was happening. No one questioned it, just accepted it and was booked in. Recovery was absolutely fine both times and I’m far from the fittest person in the world.

Breech baby, never turned. Classes as elective.

Hi OP,
I had an ELCS 1 week ago and like you, I was considering this as my option from fairly early in my pregnancy.

I did a lot of reading on the risks & benefits of both vaginal and c section births including anecdotal and came to the conclusion that the 'easiest/best' option would be a straightforward vaginal birth, followed by elective c section and that there was no way that I would want an induction. As there is no way to guarantee a straightforward vaginal birth, I decided to go for an ELCS - however I did consider the option of continuing with a vaginal birth had I gone into spontaneous labour before my ELCS as I took it to be a sign that it was my body's way of saying I was ready, but it didn't happen.

In terms of my mental health, having a fixed date and time scheduled in weeks in advance really helped me as I knew what my 'end date' was, especially in the last few weeks when I was suffering quite badly with SPD and insomnia.

In terms of the actual c section, I was pretty anxious going in, but the op was incredibly calm and I relaxed as soon as DS was out and I heard that first cry. I did have a fairly big bleed in theatre which meant DH couldn't cut the cord and I couldn't do skin to skin straight away, but given how calm it was in theatre even I wasn't really aware that there was an issue until after.

In terms of recovery, catheter was out 8-9hrs after the op, and i was encouraged to get up and walk pretty much straight after. That first walk was hard but the quicker you do it, the faster you recover. If you do decide on an ELCS make your your DP in on hand to do as much of the lifting as possible so that you can rest, and keep on top of your pain meds - even if you feel OK! Given my bleed in surgery I'm on blood thinning injections for 6 weeks plus iron tablets - but after 3-4 days I was up and about more and the pain was manageable as long as I don't overdo it.

I would 100% go for another ELCS if I decide to have another baby and I don't feel any regret or sense of missing out by not attempting a vaginal birth.

I hope that helps & good luck!

I had an elective c section at 38 weeks. It was a really positive, calm experience. I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease in my second trimester which affected my blood platelets and my baby's blood platelets. I had so many check ups, tests, scans in my pregnancy, and I felt that I had lost control so choosing a c section gave me some control back. It was also the safest option for both of us as my baby had a risk of internal bleeding if ventouse were used or forceps. I also couldn't have an epidural because of the platelet issue. Having lost a pregnancy before I was a bag of nerves and part of my decision to have a c section was to eliminate risk, reduce my anxiety. I have no shame in saying that. But I felt under pressure from friends to have a vaginal birth and even the consultant. I'm so glad I chose the elective c section. What had been a stressful pregnancy turned into a wonderful birth. Despite my son going to neo natal unit on the 3rd day due to the platelet issue which is thankfully now resolved. Had he been born vaginally it might not have worked out so well for him. Im pleased I trusted my gut and didn't succumb to peer pressure. Do what your gut is telling you.

How many children do you think you want?

I had an ELCS due to baby being breech. It ended up going wrong which nearly resulted in a hysterectomy. Although they managed to avoid that they warned me I may never have anymore children. It took 2+ years to get pregnant again. I was petrified of the scar rupturing so opted for another ELCS. I was told the scar was ridiculously thin and close to rupturing. Thankfully DD is okay.

I had a section in June due to breech baby didn’t fancy them turning him manually and advised to not try to deliver breech as he was feet first. In all honesty it turns out it was a good job I did as my growth scans were predicting 8lb 8oz baby at other 39 weeks and I actually had a 10lb 15oz baby at 38+6. My section ended up being the safest method of delivery for me and for baby but the recovery was horrendous. I had text book section discharged next day but as a person who is always always always on the go I found it so hard to give in and do nothing. You can’t walk properly you can’t stand properly you can’t stretch you can’t get in and out of bed. You need an absolute solid support network which I am lucky enough to of had but it was still the hardest thing I’ve ever been through . If I go on to be lucky enough to have another and it is deemed safe to do so I will attempt VBAC. All that being said he is worth every single minute of pain discomfort and everything else that comes with it. Also another thing my hospital put me on a ward and was not allowed anyone to stay with me. Try and pick a Hospital we’re somebody can stay with you or you can book a private room to help lifting baby and stuff as I was stuck on bed still wobbly on legs with catheter in looking after the baby alone.

@PipsBaby if you had ELC you would be totally
Supported to have a vbac with a subsequent pregnancy it's factually safer join the vbac uk group on Fb it's very very informative .
I had emc first baby and emc second baby I would never opt for an elective unless baby was at risk. The recovery both times was brutal.

DC1 induced, 18hr labour, botched epidural, episiotomy, forceps birth, tore and needed lots of stitches, lost lost of blood, ended up re-admitted as I was sent home too early and was vomiting with the amount pain I was in (allergic to lots of painkillers)

DC2 episiotomy, 14 hour labour, baby in distress, forceps birth causing broken collar bone, tore really badly needing a lot of stitches, felt like my internal organs were going to drop out of me!

DC3 ELCS as I didn’t want to go through another birth that could result in further damage to me or any injury to baby. Consultant had no objections and agreed straight away to ELCS choice due to previous births. Much calmer. Enjoyed the first hours after with baby much more as I wasn’t exhausted from labour. Just hurt in a different place! Was driving after 2 weeks.

DC4 will be ELCS.

I had an elcs after an emcs for dd1. I recovered enough for dh to go back to work after 2w both times. Way too much uncertainty with a natural delivery for my liking. Everyone I know who had a natural delivery had ongoing issues for far longer than my scar healing.

However - I have never had any desire for a natural delivery, I have always thought it looks horrendous. So there was never any danger of me having regrets or beating myself up.