I want to hear about Csections

[hannah345]

Hey.
So little bit of background, I am 30, I have a 8 year old and a 5 year old. 8 year olds pregnancy was fine apart from lots of reduced movements, induced at 38 weeks, birth was amazing - loved it! Weighed 5.9oz
My 5 year olds pregnancy, was fine, again reduced movements so had to be induced at 37 weeks - birth was AWFUL!! Birthing pool for 4 hours, they had to break my waters as I was in labour for I think it was like 10 hours etc, I was falling asleep in the pool, so they got me out on the bed where they broke my waters, went into septic shock and was pinned down to get a canular in. I don't remember anything else as I was in about of consciousness.
Me and daughter was treated for 4 days for sepsis, then at 6 days old she was rushed to high dependency unit for 2 weeks, as she was on deaths door. She weighed 6.14oz

Both of my pregnancies I wanted a eppy, but I was so out of it and not thinking in both labors, by the time I asked for it, it was too late so I know full well in this pregnancy I know I'll forget or be too focused on getting through the pain and I just won't ask for it. It absolutely petrifys me thinking about giving birth naturally again.

So basically, I am pregnant again... and I really want to opt for a c-section. I know some people will say I can't, or they will moan. But my last birthing experience was absolutely awful and still suffer PTSD from it.

Can I hear your non emergency c-section stories, good or bad please.

Ive had 3 c sections. The op itself it fine its the recovery which is hard. I asked for help with other 2 kids for the first 6 weeks. I literally just looked after newborn whilst everyone else did the rallyling around. It was amazing. C sections mean you can't do anything but look after baby its the best excuse and medically advised to do so! Do you have a good support network round you? I advise staying in hospital for 2-3 nights if poss as the beds have remote which lifts you up and down, I did this on my third and my recovery was much better

It was so unbelievably fine and dare I say it, good, for me! I’m having another one in a few months and will go into it a lot more chilled. The most accurate description of one I heard beforehand was on the maybe baby podcast, the episode with Anna williamson, she describes hers in detail and it was exactly the same as mine. I also watched and rewatched a few YouTube videos a million times, eilidh wells was one of them and Jennifer joy was the other. It really helps to physically see it all I think. The sorest part was the cannula in my hand and I’m the biggest wimp!

I had the injections for 2 weeks after. They did sting but I managed. It's probably easier if someone else can give them too you but my partner is a needle phobe and would have been too panicky so I just did it myself.

As others have said, the getting out of bed is the worst part of the recovery, it’s so awkward/impossible to get your top half up off the bed without tensing your abs. I had to get my husband to push me up a few times. I slept in my pregnancy pillow quite high up for the first week after that as it was easier just to swing my legs round

Oh ffs the injections, I forgot I’d need to get the injections again 🙈 I counted down til day 10 to be able to stop them. My husband did them for me on a fat bit and I just looked the opposite way but they weren’t pleasant, there’s no way I could have done them myself!

I had an elective C-Section and would 100% do it again. It was planned, straightforward, out the next day, the recovery was fine and my baby is thriving.

I had an emergency section due to preeclampsia and then developed HELLP syndrome. They gave me a choice between being induced and going straight to section but unfortunately my platelets dropped so low they just about had time to do without giving me a general.

Even though it was a cat 2 emergency the whole experience was so calmed and well managed. Couldn’t fault the team who delivered my baby. They did a great job cleaning me out as well I had very little blood loss and the bleeding afterwards was a lot less than I was expecting. Definitely painful standing up and moving for the first time but it gets easier really quickly. I had an amazing pico dressing I had it on for a week and it helped my scar recovery so much and luckily I’ve had no issues or pain from it.

I would more than likely elect for a second section as I have a huge fear of attempting a vbac and it resulting in complications and an emergency section.

Mine was an emergency and bar the fact it was at 1am it was a relief. Once my consultant called it I remember feeling utter relief that my baby would soon be born and I wouldn't have to go through what happened before (first baby got stuck and need intervention).

The hard part was coming down to the ward at 3am and my partner being sent home immediately.

Recovery wise - I went home the following day and did very little bar hold and feed my baby for 3 weeks. Short walks but no cooking, cleaning etc. was back driving at 4 weeks and largely back on my feet at 5 weeks. I put that down to taking it easy.

Neither of mine were.

Emergency section first time and planned second time. Recovered really quickly from both. Keep on top of you pain relief and don’t do too much too soon….I felt pretty normal within two weeks.
having a section definitely did stop me doing go much too soon and so just had two weeks of pjs, baby cuddles, cuppas and crap telly. Loved every minute!

I had a planned but crappy c section for balance. Went in at 7.30am and should have been in theatre for 9am but they had 5 emergency c sections back to back to do first and even when I got to theatre they waited to see if another one would bump me. Baby born early evening and I’d not eaten or drunk since the night before so dehydrated.

Literally got the staff there for the overtime pay (they discussed it in front of me), blood pressure crashed as soon as the spinal was in so baby’s heart rate dropped and they all panicked and rushed to get baby out. Stitches done badly (still painful many years later).

Was put in a twin room with a mum who ignored her screaming baby all day and night for 24 hrs. Midwives kept telling her she needed to feed him and she just sat there.

The whole thing was shit, almost as bad as the previous v long ventouse birth with massive tear that need a further op to repair later and then got infected and also still hurts!

I advise staying in hospital for 2-3 nights if poss as the beds have remote which lifts you up and down,

Is it normal to be given the option? I was booted out the next morning!

@hannah345 also if you do have a CS & do feel fine after still do take it easy. There are layers of tissue to heal & give your body time even if you don't think you need it. Advice from my surgeon cousin.

@produ they seemed quite okay when I said I was still in a lot of pain and wanted to stay and wasn’t ready. They weren’t busy either as it was a weekend!

The biggest downsides to c-section for me were really sore shoulder pain. I was panicked as didn’t understand why but read that it’s common and that made it more bearable to know it would go away. Second is giving myself blood thinner injections. Overall though I’m doing it again as it was a positive experience and recovery wasn’t an issue.

I’ve had two c sections, most recently last week.

Ive loved both of them - so calm and no pain or uncertainty.

Recovery has been fine. Both times around d I’ve just needed paracetamol for a few days. I’m off on the train to a street party today, and have no worries about going. Looking after my 3 year old is also easy now (not for the first few days though), but of course I can’t lift her.

I love giving birth this way!

Wow! Thank you ALL for your lovely honest messages. I've just woken up and read them all!!

Thank you!!

I do have a few more questions?
My husband will have two weeks off work,

My children's school is a 5/7min walk one way... would doing that walk and pushing a pushchair be too much?

Just trying to mentally prepare here. I have no help if I'm honest. It's just me and my husband. I do have a friend who also lives next too me who I know would help if I asked.

My other 2 children are quite independent, well my son has asperges so he needs me, but the heavy things or the things like picking him up or getting him dressed I don't need to do so both my children don't need me physically.

Mine was an emergency as would not progress. It was very calm and not rushed. I was that chill I actually I fell asleep on the table (2 day labour by this point so was beyond tired) and they woke me as he was being pulled out 😅. Tbh it was the safest and most relaxed I felt all labour. 💯 would opt for a C section if I have another. Had to inject for 6 weeks but was out of hospital the day after and recovery was fine. Baby wearing and walking to parents about 10 mins away after two - three weeks.

I’ve had two c sections, the first an emergency after 36 hours of labour and the second due to having gestational diabetes related complications so they needed to get baby out. They were both fine experiences, but recovery was hard work and at times very painful. I don’t have a vaginal birth recovery to compare it too and I suppose two weeks of physical recovery might be better (and quicker!) than recovering from the trauma. Do what feels right for you. 😊

When I had my third c-section I had my eldest at school (a 10 minute walk away). For the first few weeks I could not have done this walk but my mum took them and collected them. I did used to walk part of the way but fairly slowly as well. I would see if there is anyone who can help as everyone heals differently and you may need it but you may be OK.

With my third our washing machine had broken so 2 days after he was born we drove to Curry's to choose a new one! Walking was slow and uncomfortable.

Lots of lovely replies on here. All i would add is stick to your guns, say you have chosen an elective section due to traumatic previous birth. This is your birth plan choice and stick to it. They might try to convince you to go natural, but just say your mind is made up, it is for your mental health and they will listen. X

After my c section walking was a bit tricky / painful for 3-4 days, and I definitely moved more slowly than normal for a week or two. I was regularly walking 10/15 mins (each way) to our local shop within a couple of weeks with no pain, so would have thought your school run would be doable. Though it sounds like everyone’s recovery is quite different and so it might be best to plan for some help with it, just in case recovery takes a bit longer. Overall my experience of c section was great - recovery was much quicker than expected, and apart from the first 3-4 days, hardly any pain at all. As others have said, if it’s what you want then go for it - they may try to change your mind, but if you want one you will get it :)

Great experiences with mine. First birth ended horrifically and needed emergency c-sec. 2nd and 3rd were elective c-secs and just the best thing ever, calm, relaxed, no fear or anxiety, recovery was fine though a bit uncomfortable for the first week but totally worth it.

I had read about that before mine and it seems to be from trapped air getting in during the operation. I took colparmin tablets (you can drink peppermint tea but I don’t like it) and I didn’t get that pain at all

@YouJustDoYou did they say anything about your third being riskier as you’d already had two or did they think it was quite straightforward? I know lots of people have three but I’m now on my second and probably would like a third but a bit scared to have a third section 🙈