Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Elective C section

8 replies

LeanneHS · 11/01/2023 15:16

Hi I'm 24 weeks pregnant with my 5th baby. My first was an emergency c section and the other 3 were all natural. The last birth, 3 years ago, didn't go great and there were some complications. This time I'm considering an elective c section and wondered what others experiences of this were. I feel like I'm cheating if I do it this way. I'm worried I won't feel the same bond or have the instant bond as before. I'm just a bit worried it won't be the same experience or feelings. After my emergency c section I wasn't able to hold my baby for a couple of hours. It was 13 years ago so may have been different feelings.

OP posts:
allfurcoatnoknickers · 11/01/2023 15:37

I had an elective and I have the best bond with DS. Also, in an ELCS they give you your baby immediately - you can do skin-to-skin in the operating theater. DS was within my sight the whole time.

I found it a very chilled out, pleasant experience and had a very easy recovery.

Olivia199 · 11/01/2023 15:49

I had an elective section due to breech presentation. I've never had a natural birth (though I'd like to try for a VBAC next time).
Honestly it was wonderful. It all felt very very surreal but everything was ready for skin to skin almost immediately. They took her out, checked her over and within a minute we were skin to skin while I was still on the table. They didn't even take her off me when they got me onto the bed. We stayed as such for hours. The bond was immediate and the feelings were absolutely all there.
It was, of course, quite sore after but I had no trouble lifting her and taking care of her. Shuffling to the toilet took a bit longer than anticipated (with an awkward moment halfway there on realising my pace of "oh crap, should I bring her? Do I leave her? It'll take me longer to get back than to get in but like.. I can't just leave her there right?") But otherwise generally okay.
I was really worried about having to have an elective but it was so special and wonderful. It'll also be miles different from your emergency section. I'm an anaesthetic practitioner and I've seen a lot of sections. The very high priority emergency ones are of course a little different, especially if you need a general anaesthetic, but just overall practice has changed over the years and the focus is 100% on baby and you and skin to skin.

Original poster
LeanneHS · 13/01/2023 10:58

Thankyou! I appreciate you sharing your experiences. It all sounds how i'd hoped it would go. After having 2 that were a bit traumatic this sounds like the best option.

OP posts:
Bowbellsx · 13/01/2023 11:09

I had a elective after complications with my first and it was peaceful and I bonded with my baby it was a breeze

Heath2330 · 13/01/2023 14:04

If your thinking elective but worried about bonding look at gentle/natural csections this might be an idea for you

BCxx · 13/01/2023 14:19

Had a lovely elective section for my first and will be doing the same again with this one 😊 They obviously don’t all go extremely straightforward like my last one but I think most do. The risks sound scary but those are the combined risks of both the nice uncomplicated elective ones as well as all the risks thrown in of the emergency ones, when people have been in labour for days potentially before it. I think it’s a shame the risks are presented in this way. No one goes in asking for an emergency section so the risks would be most useful to know for the one you’re actually getting! It’s always bugged me and consultants don’t even mention it!

I’m hoping for another nice one with an easy enough recovery. Days 2-5 were hard going but not from being in any great pain, just from having to walk about a bit slow and pathetic! After the first week it gradually got better week by week and I’d say other than being tender, after 2/3 weeks I was fine! Go for it if it’s what you want I say 😊

Lkydfju · 13/01/2023 14:24

I had an elective and it was such a positive experience whereas my emergency was very traumatic so a very different experience and no issues bonding

Hevviie · 13/01/2023 14:25

I had an elective due to health reasons and the actual procedure was very very smooth and pretty much pain free. The recovery is tough though, but mine was only bad for a few days. No issues with bonding with baby. You will defo need lots of help in first few days but you'll be fine! So many in my baby group had long labours which ended in ecs and to me it just seems like the safer option. But I totally understand those who disagree and would never consider it - it's a very personal choice x

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread