Elective C sections with first? Any advice/regrets?

[Butterflies12]

Hi,
I'm going to be 37 when I am due to give birth and I am 70% sure I want an elective C section. I've always been terrified about giving birth naturally. My sister's and mum all had undiagnosed breech babies and then emergency c sections after long and traumatic labours. One of my sister's thinks I'm mad to opt for a c section but I think elective will be planned, calm and ok. I know the recovery for an uncomplicated vaginal delivery is supposed to be better/faster but in reality how often does that actually happen? Especially with first babies at my age...
Any shared experiences, thoughts, advice would be really appreciated 💞

Do what you feel comfortable with. If you’ve done your research then that’s the main thing. Not yet pg but also done my research for when I am, hopefully soon, and I’m 60% sure I’ll opt for one too despite being in my 20s. Similar reasons to you, no woman in my family has had an uncomplicated birth and I really don’t like the sound of interventions.

So long as you have the support around you for after a section and you don’t want lots of children, I think it might be smarter. It sounds like it would take the worry out of it for you

I've had one vaginal birth and one section. Personally I would not opt for a section unless there was an issue that made it the only safe way to deliver. I found recovery from the section really tough, I could barely walk for weeks and it took about 5-6 months before I felt like my normal self again. With my vaginal delivery i felt completely normal after a few weeks.

I’ve had 3 and no regrets whatsoever and I’ll be having my 4th C-section in July.
Had amazing, controlled and straight forward births with no complications either during or after. I would recommend getting up out of bed as soon as they say you can so as to ease your recovery. Peppermint tea helps to ward off any trapped wind pain. I’ve been fully back to normal activities after 7-10 days with each one including driving, days out etc.

Do you want more children? What kind of age gap do you want? Because having a c section limits those options as you need to wait a bit longer (I think it's 1.5 to 2 years) before having another or seriously risk rupturing your uterus.

If you are terrified of giving birth then remember there is always the epidural. I am only one example, but I've been afraid of childbirth all my life and then had an epidural the moment I arrived in hospital in labour. I had an easy, relaxing and pain free birth. I can't imagine it would have been anything like that without the drugs.

The recovery was quick and simple and there were no complications. It was on and off painful peeing for a couple of weeks, and then it was fine. I'm only one person, but hopefully that is a little reassuring, if vaginal birth + the hospital's best drugs might be another option for you to consider.

And I had my first baby when I was older than you.

I gave birth to my first baby 2 months ago at the age of 38. I went in for an induction on my due date, but it didn't work at first and I was offered a c-section. I was very very tempted to say yes to it as I was terrified of a vaginal birth- there seemed to be so many variables and things that could go wrong, whereas in my head I thought a c-section would at least be more predictable and therefore safer. However, in the end I decided not to go for the c-section and instead induction was attempted again and worked. I asked for an epidural before active labour for going, something I hadn't planned to do as I was worried it would make pushing even harder and lead to emergency interventions. However, by the time I was moved to the Labour ward id been in a noisy antenatal ward for 5 days and was exhausted. In the end the birth was relatively straightforward- baby was born without any interventions after approx 10 hours of pain-free active labour and 1 and a half hours of pushing (this was tiring, but not impossible). I was left with a graze and a second degree tear that I wasn't at all bothered by, so I was very glad I hadn't gone for the section. But of course my experience is completely anecdotal and no one can predict how any birth will go. I know it's really hard not knowing- I do hope all goes smoothly whatever you decide and the worry is all soon a distant memory once you meet your new baby

Thank you everyone... Very mixed reviews then... I would love an uncomplicated vaginal birth but no part of me believe that it would happen!

I had an entirely straightforward vaginal birth, at home, at 39 (3 months before I turned 40). It was my first child. I'm currently pregnant with my second at 41 and will be hoping to do it at home again. I had minimal tearing, no stitches required, and felt physically fine very soon after labour. It has to be your decision, but I'm just giving you my experience - it is possible to have a vaginal birth at any age with little physical damage. Unfortunately you won't be able to guarantee it though, and I do understand that can make you anxious (I was anxious), but I am so glad I opted to try

I had an elective, was sore for a few weeks, the first couple of days were excruciating though. I found a compression bandage helpful for a little while. I would recommend doing post partum core strengthening workouts once you are able. Nothing particularly exciting to report. But yup happy, I have no trauma related to birth, I healed well.

I had a c section with my first. I have underlying medical issues - none that would rule out vaginal delivery, but enough that I didn’t want to give it a go.

You are in demographic I was when I had my first (FTM, over 35) - assuming you aren’t BMI over 35/ have underlying issues the odds of you having an uncomplicated, totally unassisted birth with no tearing are about 25%. Add that to the fact I was going to need to be induced at 37 weeks, am BMI over 35 that raised my odds of an EMCS to about 40%. I stuck to my guns, gave my thought out reasoning and had it agreed at 30 weeks gestation.

My c section was brilliant. List very little blood, up after about 7 hours, side sleeping day 3, no painkillers by day 5 (and I only had paracetamol and ibuprofen as I’m allergic to opiates). Driving on day 14. I’m just coming up to 15 weeks with my second and not even considering anything other than a section. Good luck x

I was 36 as my little girl was born. I wanted a planned section but was talked out of it. After 23 hours and almost but not quite fully dilated I had an emergency section. I think having heard others experience a planned section would have been a better recovery. There's risks with both, it used to be that you could ask to speak to the birth choices team? Good luck

I had my baby girl 2 months ago, originally I decided on having an elective c section early in my pregnancy. But at 37 weeks I was offered an induction due to a number of reduced movement episodes, I did ask for the c section to be moved earlier but this wasn’t an option. The induction didn’t go to plan for a few reasons so I ended up having an emergency c section.

Even though it ended up not being planned, I felt much more calm during it and my recovery went very well. I was up and walking in a few hours and was driving after about 3 weeks. If I was lucky enough to get pregnant again I wouldn’t hesitate in having an elective. My sister had a vaginal birth with her little boy and I would say her recovery took longer than mine.

When I was originally trying to decide on whether to request an elective, I talked it through with my husband, sister and eventually my midwife about the risks and my reasons for wanting it. I had written a birth plan for my original elective c section and what I ideally would want including having a music playlist, delayed cord clamping, lowering the curtain and having some photos taken.

I think people will always have a preference depending on their experiences and their friends/ families experiences. Good luck with whatever decision you make. X

I loved mine. Very calm as you say.

I had emergency cs so appreciate different to planned but recovery is tough!!.

My advice is make sure partner is prepared beforehand to be helping you with everything. By everything I mean everything.

I needed help sitting up, getting in and out of bed, sitting on the loo, baby being passed to me for BF.

That being said I was very fit beforehand and probably the worst of the recovery was over in a week.

Actual op itself was fine!

I had a c-section. It was planned but then brought forward due to complications.

C-section, recovery and baby all perfect.

I have no issues whatsoever. In retrospect, I would have liked to have been told to carry on wearing the tubigrip for months rather than weeks. I think it really helped flatten my stomach (pure vanity, no medical reasons).

Thank you everyone, your experiences and advice is all very reassuring
@Littlegoth thank you so much for your reply, where did you get the statistics from? I would like to look them up ☺️

I have had two babies within two years. However, my first baby sadly passed away in the third trimester, so I delivered him vaginally (his death was not related to his birth).
When I found out I was pregnant again I was adamant from the start I was having a c section, as I wanted a level of control. I was also terrified of birth ending in an emergency section.
Honestly, my section was an absolute dream. The atmosphere was so lovely. I was lucky to have the consultant we'd dealt with through the loss of our son and our rainbow pregnancy actually do the section, which I guess made it a bit more special too. But everyone in there was fantastic. There was music in the background. We could have picked our own but I was too nervous to even think so we left whatever was on. Our daughter was born to ocean eyes by Billie Eillish!
She was out within about 5 mins of the section starting, my husband cut her cord etc. We have the birth on video and loads of unbelievable photos. Honestly, it was beautiful.
The recovery is fine if you just take your time. I pushed myself, but I felt my old self again after about 7 weeks. I think I built it up in my head to be horrific though, and it wasn't, so it didn't actually feel as bad as I expected.

Everyone will have their own birth experiences, but it's all meaningless as they aren't you.

A positive birth starts by centring on the mother. Looking at your wants, needs, health, pregnancy etc. all of which are unique to you.

I really recommend reading a book like the positive birth book. This will give you evidence based facts that you can use to make the best choice for you.

In general though you decision shouldn't come from a place of fear. Decisions made that way are those that could become regrets. If you are aware of all the evidence and facts as they relate to YOU (no one else) then you can make a choice that right for you.

In comparison, Ds was born 2 years ago. Nearly 9lb, and straight forward birth within in a few hours. Body back to normal soon after with no stitches or wound to worry about.

I would have really struggled the first few months has I had c section as I need to drive or long up hill walk to house (mile approx). plus lots of stairs in house and garden day to day.

Actually, out of friends and Family who have had babies in the last 2 years, about 15 babies, only 1 was c section. And that was planned c section due to diabetes. No emergency c sections, no issues in particular. So I think statistically not many births end up emergency c sections, most are planned in advance due to various reasons

I had an emergency c section after being talked out of considering an elective by my childfree friends!! I knew deep down I should of gone for an elective. Honestly everyone will have their own recovery experience regardless of which birthing method, mine was amazing and was up and walking very soon after. I will be having an elective for my second based on practicality (all around), knowing my recovery went so well and not being put through the wringer and having to look after a newborn!!

I had a baby measuring small who they wanted to deliver at 37 weeks

I requested an elective section, as I didn’t want a failed induction of a tiny undercooked baby ending in an emergency section after days of labour.

The elective section was declined due to lack of availability and I had a failed induction of a tiny undercooked baby ending in an emergency section after days of labour.

It was fine in the end. I imagine a c section without the labour is even better!

I had an elective section booked.. I ended up with a vaginal assisted birth 2wks earlier than my planned date.

I had an ELC for a breech baby when I was 33. It was a great experience - very easy and chilled out, no pain, I had a much easier recovery than most of my friends who had vaginal births.

I'm pregnant with #2 and have already requested a section. I have zero interest in a VBAC.

Obviously no guarantees but I do think family history can give somewhat of an indication.

My mum’s delivery of me was terrible (she needed blood transfusion) and I too couldn’t give birth naturally to my baby and ended up with c section. I was too meek with first baby if I have a second I will definitely be insisting on a c section.