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 :)

Thank you so much for all your replies! It’s so encouraging to hear your positive stories and has given me much more confidence. It’s also nice to hear about recovery times because that’s what everyone keeps mentioning to me - “you won’t be able to drive or go out for X amount of time” - so it’s encouraging to hear so many of you ladies have managed so well!

My DinL had one - from the start of her pregnancy she knew she wanted a planned C Section.
Yes - I am ashamed to say I judged her and also thought the hospital would not 'let' her - as she was / is a healthy 24 year old.
Well I was wrong on both counts - it went v well and was v calm and she 'bounced' back
It was great knowing exactly the baby would be born and this was one of the things she was v anxious about!
Good Luck!

Is this privately?

The reason I ask, I've never known women to have the choice whether to have one or not. It's always been for medical reasons.

I drove after two weeks to get my DS to nursery (eldest) and was fine. I found I had to keep reminding myself I shouldn’t be doing things, rather than feel I couldn’t.

It's major abdominal surgery not an an easy option.

My recovery was awful after my planned section

Post op complications
High dependency ward on morphine drip 5 days
Hospital 10 days
Wound infection lasting 4 weeks that required daily treatment
3 Months of daily depressing pain
5 mo this to feel normal

I've also had an emergency section and the recovery from that wasn't a walk in the park either.

I had oramorph plus alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen.

I had an awful VB experience. Recovery wasn't bad but my labour was terrible. I am pregnant again and am leaning towards a planned section, but anytime i bring it up with midwives I am dismissed and told I will feel amazing once 'I give birth the right way'.

Just wondering how those with planned sections convinced midwives that this is what they wanted?

I was automatically consultant led for my second birth because my first birth went so wrong. The midwife encouraged me to think about how I wanted to give birth the second time and when I said naturally she said “REALLY? Most women would have a section now” so that helped make up my mind. Consultant literally listened to my concerns, advised where she could and asked me what I wanted to do. I was fully supported. Not sure if I was lucky or if actually, it was better for them not to have a repeat of round 1.

How did it go OP?

Anyone can ask for a section on the NHS.

When is your partner returning to work? If there are no complications then surely even if it’s just two weeks paternity you will managed fine. For me it was really only the first week that was uncomfortable to move around a lot and even then I managed.

And you’re right that not having a toddler or other child around will make recovery easier. I had emergency section first time and now I’m planning an elective section. I’m a bit worried about what it will be like taking care of a toddler and baby.

I was the opposite I really didnt want a c-section at all unless it was a last resort life and death thing. So I had all four of mine delivered vaginally. I had a 3rd degree tear and blood transfusion with my 1st, but I still didnt want a c-section 😂

My second was a small tear and a ventouse delivery, then 3rd and 4th just came out pretty chilled. All I would say is demand an epidural as early as possible, if you do tear they can just top it up and wheel you straight to theatre. Nothing takes the sting off like an epidural, the pethadine did absolutely nothing.

My partner told me while I was high on gas I was asking literally every 2 minutes where the ethitatist was with my epidural during my 2nd delivery, talk about nagging 😂