Elective section or not

[HEIHEI23]

Hello
im expecting my first baby. I am a naturally anxious person (have been medicated previously but not currently) and have worked really hard on not letting this affect my pregnancy. That being said, there have still been some moments where it has taken over! I’m now thinking ahead to birth. I’m due in October. I’m already worrying about the uncertainty of it and not knowing when/how the baby will come. I’m considering an elective c section to try and reduce some of that anxiety. I know that section takes a lot longer to recover from so need to consider that. My other worry is that I’ve read having a section can reduce your fertility. Does anyone have advice please?

That’s the first time I’ve heard that a c section can lower your fertility, although I do have a friend who is struggling to conceive second time around because of how she healed from a crazy emergency section so that makes sense! An ELCS is unlikely to lead to such injuries though.

I still have issues from my vaginal birth 9 years ago. Since had 2 ELCS and they were a far far easier recovery.

ELCSs can’t harm your fertility any more than a vaginal birth can.

Have you spoken to midwife about it? It may be worthwhile to do so. It may also be worth trying some hypnobirthing. Even if you decide to go ahead with ELCS, it might help you manage your anxiety leading up to it.

This isn’t true. A c section can cause something called a niche in the scar where it doesn’t heal properly, this can happen even after 1 c section and most women have one after 2 or 3 sections. It causes secondary infertility and can also cause scar ectopic pregnancy

You are at peak birth worry time. Once you get to about 35 weeks you’ll care less about the exit strategy and more about getting baby out.
I’ve had both a cs and a VBAC with episiotomy.
if I had another I would prefer another VBAC.
I did put no forceps on my birth plan (well that was the birth plan for my first) and at the hospital I gave birth in they move to cs a bit quicker because of that. My first would not have come out without a cs though.
My VBAC recovery was much easier than the cs. I did have painkillers during labour but not an epidural. I really did leave that too late to ask

I’ve messaged her to ask and we have an appointment this week anyway so hopefully she can shed some light!

Yes, and a vaginal birth can also leave you with prolapses and injuries so serious that you can’t conceive again. The point being, choose your poison. Each carries a risk. Neither is inherently more risky to future fertility than the other.

Hi OP , I had an ELCS because of a few things I experienced during pregnancy - but mainly after lots of research I felt it was right for me and my baby. I have no regrets. It’s important you know the risks and benefits. I’d recommend reading the NICE guidance which includes a section on maternal request C-section: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng192/resources/caesarean-birth-pdf-66142078788805

Thank you so much! I’ll make sure to have a good read through this before my appointment this week. When did you request yours?

I had an EMCS and I'd 100% opt for an ELCS if I were to have another baby.

Sure, it IS a serious operation, and yes, recovery time can be difficult. But at least you know what you're going to get, vs vaginal births which are unpredictable.

I had a relatively normal recovery from EMCS. A week of complete weakness (moving around and daily tasks were hard), two weeks of discomfort (couldn't do too much, but could toddle around okay and do most daily tasks carefully), and was basically healed by week 6.

I think it was fairly late, about 30 weeks. I was very nervous about requesting it but actually it was very straightforward and they also gave me lots of other options like counselling (if it had been anxiety based), planning for c-section only if I didn’t go into labour by 40 weeks, induction etc. I hope it’s straightforward for you too if you choose to go ahead! Wishing you the best of luck :)

just to add - everyone was lovely on the day, it’s very exciting to know you’re going to meet your child and I was too excited to feel weirded out by what was going on during!
I was in hospital for 1 night, stay on top of ibuprofen & paracetamol (alternating to) to manage the pain, mobilise gently early on if you are able (I went for daily short walks from day 2 onwards). Sitting up in bed will be tricky and painful for the first week/weeks, if your partner can pass you baby then great, or I slept propped up. Take a stool softener like lactulose (I mean regardless of how you give birth this is good advice 😂)

I had an EMCS with a general after a 30+ hour labour (that did not progress and baby' s heart rate was dropping) with my first and 10 days ago I had an Elective C-section.
The elective experience was fantastic. It was calm and controlled. Everything was explained. DH was even allowed to take photos of her being delivered. I am recovering really well. My milk came in on day 2 and I am in a much better place mentally than I was with the first.
That said, I did have sweeps before ELCS to see if she'd come on her own and we could have a VBAC. I just wanted to avoid hormonal induction and another EMCS.

As many before me have said either birth type comes with risks and rewards. Ultimately, your choice is very personal to you.

I had 2x textbook ELCS

they were calm and nice recovery was not too bad with pain meds
I had good home help too
i got pregnant at 39 years old first time I had unprotected sex with my2nd so I don’t think it impacted my fertility

@HEIHEI23 what did you decide op? How are you feeling? I'm due my third section in 4 weeks ( first elective and feel sick with nerves )