Considering a planned C-section?

[bells2810]

I’m 28 weeks pregnant and have been doing a lot of thinking about how I’d like to give birth. I’m so so excited to become a mum but for as long as I can remember, I’ve always been afraid of the idea of a natural/vaginal birth. I know it’s the most natural thing in the world, but the thought of it really worries me.

I’m not afraid of the pain, it’s more the idea of the unknown and potential complications that really makes me anxious. Along with the thought of tearing or having an episiotomy which freaks me out!
In comparison, the idea of a planned C-section and knowing that it will be carried out in a controlled environment and just knowing that it’s under control is much more appealing to me, although I do appreciate the recovery would be difficult as my mum had a c-section with me and says she found it very hard (however she also had a toddler at the time, and this is my first baby).

i’ve been doing some research on here and a lot of ladies who had planned c-sections seem to say that the recovery wasn’t that bad and some people have said it was better than their experiences of a vaginal birth.

My DP isn’t keen on me having a c section as he thinks I will struggle afterwards when he returns to work. But I have seen a lot of stories about ladies who struggled equally after a natural labour!

Experiences/opinions welcome :)

If you are in the UK be mindful that the pain relief you will be given after the c section is paracetamol, maybe codine after days of crying in pain.

This wasn't my experience, I had dihydrocodeine, paracetamol and naproxen sent home with me the day after my section

I think a planned c section is very different to an emergency one. I am sure it is still quite a tough recovery for the first week or so, but most people I know who have had one have recommended I do for my second.
I did have a difficult first vaginal delivery (forceps, episiotomy and difficult recovery), I have thought about a section, but I think I am going to try for vaginal in the hope that it is a better experience second time around. The thought of surgery also terrifies me slightly.
Unless you are truly, truly terrified of birth (which is completely fine!), I would say to try for a vaginal birth BUT make sure they know in your notes that any sign of difficulty you want a section and not instrumental delivery. Good luck. X

I don’t know a single woman with a long lasting injury from an elective csection

I know lots 🤷‍♀️. One with such severe infections and issues she was in and out of hospital for 6 months, and her dh needed 6 months off work to look after the baby.

I’ve never known anyone have that sort of recovery from a vaginal birth.

but this is all just anecdotes. Population data shows vaginal birth is overall the safer option.

Does it actually? Does the data differentiate between emergency and elective csections? I would be interested to see that as I volunteer in the sector and have worked with hundreds of new mums and have genuinely not met 1 with a long lasting injury following an elective C-section.

On the same note; I’m shocked you don’t know any women with horrendous vaginal births and recoveries. Not one? With all the potential issues? I’ve met several women who will rely on laxatives for years, if not indefinitely following the tears they’ve experienced during labour.

I was saying a quicker recovery for me personally for my vaginal birth compared to c section

I think you need to discuss this with your midwife. They often aren't keen for you to have an elective section unless there is a medical reason for it but if your anxiety is that high then you need to get all the information you can because is is major surgery.

TW: baby loss

First pregnancy I had vaginal preterm delivery, no pain relief, post partum haemorrhage, sepsis and my twins died at birth.
Second pregnancy I had a c section after failed induction. The birth was lovely and calm and my recovery very straightforward, limited pain after the first 3 days, all healed nicely and dressing came off after less than 48hours. But I would still choose a vaginal birth again over a section.

My stay on the postnatal ward after my section was awful. There was no support, the buzzer was out of reach, I was tied to the bed with the leg inflating cuff things and baby was out of reach. Then they told me off for not feeding her frequently enough despite me not being able to reach her or get anyone else's attention to reach her. There was very little support on the ward, as there were so many other women who had more complex issues than me. Women with damaged bladders or infections crying out in pain all night so nobody could sleep. I also know several people who got infections at their wound site several weeks on despite thinking they were all healed.
When I do it again I am really hoping for a vaginal birth again as I want to avoid that postnatal ward as much as possible.

I had paracetamol and switched to ibuprofen from diclofenac because it wasn't agreeing with me. That's been more than enough to manage on I definitely haven't been crying in pain. Only bit I really hated was the anti clotting injection I had to get the first 10 days. However I'm also breastfeeding so that limits what pain relief I can be offered. Were I using formula I'd have been offered more range

I have had 2 ELCS and what a lovely, calm experience it was. Recovery is painful for the first few days but I would take that over the hours of labor you would endure. I have to say that my experiences were at a private hospital though. I would definitely go for an CS if I had the choice again

I've had both & a CS is not easy imo. I would always take the straightforward VB.

But then I don't understand how everyone says it's a great experience. I personally hated it, not being able to feel my legs was awful (the injection was fine) being "cut open", lots of people around, bright lights etc. But on the plus side no issues with a bowel movement, was discharged the next day (could only shuffle though) & bf straight after.

I also was shocked by the pain but I stupidly thought it would be like my VB, the first few days were hard.

Take the C section all day long.

Had an emergency with my first. The contractions prior to it were fucking horrendous. I know you're not worried about the pain but fuck me, it is terrible. Recovered v quickly after 1st section. I was walking the prom 3 days later.

2nd I had a planned c section because I wasn't going through that again. It was so calm, no rushing, just a really chilled out, lovely experience. I would recommend it to anyone.

Having said that, I do know of people that have had them and didn't have such a great time.

You are high risk as well so I would absolutely book in for a c section.

I think most people would opt for a straightforward VB over abdominal surgery, but it’s not like you can choose that option as you go in: I’ll take a vaginal birth with no instruments, injuries or mental trauma, please! None of us tick the “complex intervention and long-term physical problems vaginal birth” box when booking in!

I had a c section in August and thought it was absolutely fine!
I heard a lot of negative stories before mine but decided to go with it.
As soon as I was allowed to get up I did, yes the scar and stomach area was sore but it wasn't unbearable for me. I didn't have a lot of help after birth so I just had to get on with it.
It all healed quickly and I've had no issues.
I did stay very active during pregnancy so not sure if this helped my recovery.
Whatever you decide I hope all goes well❤️

You can choose the lighting, music etc.
I took my own playlist in for my last 2 csections and had the lights dimmed in the area behind me. It was really calming and lovely and there wasn’t loads of people. Around me I had my midwife sat beside my husband or down to assist at some points and the anesthetist at the other side of me chatting away. We had both been to the same island earlier in the year on holiday so all discussed that for a bit too during the last one. My second I just wanted to listen to the music and held my husbands hand until baby was born.
I was pretty oblivious to the people or lights the other side of the sheet.

I wasn't interested in a playlist for either birth & there was definitely more people with me in the room vs my VB. Like I said though everyone is different, I can't feel calm if i can't feel half my body & am strapped to a bed, it's not normal 😄

Around me I had my midwife sat beside my husband or down to assist at some points and the anesthetist at the other side of me chatting away.

Surely there was a surgeon somewhere?!

I was exactly you (but also scared of the pain), was so scared of the complications I just couldn’t see how I’d get out alive. I was so anxious trying to campaign for one all the way through pregnancy and in the end it wasn’t actually difficult to have it approved at all. It was the best day of my life by far! So good I’m now doing it again! Virtually painless, the only nip was the cannula in my hand! The recovery was nowhere near as bad as some of the horror stories I’ve heard x

Yes; the other side of the sheet obviously doing the cutting. Like I said; I was very calm and relaxed and pretty much oblivious to what was happening the other side of it.

I had a difficult first birth - 3b tear and episiotomy, forceps.

Planned section for a second birth. Best thing ever. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but I wish I’d had a section first time. A planned section has less risk than a natural birth.

Also had no issues taking care of my toddler and baby when DH returned to work - the recovery was a breeze in comparison to my first birth.

Like I said; I was very calm and relaxed and pretty much oblivious to what was happening the other side of it.

Like I said I wasn't! 🤷🏻‍♀️

I had an emergency section after 14 hours of labour and I'd definitely get an elective one next time to save going through all of that. Plus I got induced first and that was awful so definitely a section!

My darling, if you feel a planned CSection is right for you then go with it.
I had one and looking back, wouldn’t have chosen another path. Its an op, so there is recovery time involved, but there are no surprises and its all so controlled and calm. If you’re not feeling strong enough to to put yourself in the position of the unknown, then don’t. We are so lucky to be able to make this choice and IMO its kinder to both mother and child because of the calm nature of the delivery. Sending you love.

Huh? You asked me about a surgeon? I don’t get your reply.