Those who have had C Sections

MomToBe2025xx · 2025-01-27T08:58:10+00:00

Hiya everyone :) For context, I am currently 26 weeks pregnant, and last Wednesday I had a consultant appointment to tell me that I will be having growth scans every 4 weeks and that an anaesthetist (excuse my spelling if that's wrong) will be calling me, and I am now under consultant led care, not midwife. He said this is due to my size etc and not baby growth? He was very vague and was reluctant to answer any questions properly, he mentioned that I essentially may struggle as baby grows and struggle giving birth? Obviously this wasn't very nice to hear as I had really wanted a water birth (I know child birth doesn't always go to plan btw) So it sounds as if I may end up having a section? I will of course do whatever I have to do that is safe for me and my baby boy, I am just petrified of the thought of a C section... Petrified of being in surgery, petrified of the recovery etc... I'm getting quite worked up about it. I have such a helpful partner which I can imagine will really help. I just wanted to know if anyone has been in the same situation as mine and also how people found their c sections? Thank you xx

Superstar22 · 27/01/2025 09:03

I had section 1 because whilst wanting a home water birth, I went overdue & then 10 days over & baby ended up being massive after being induced, so that was section 1.
then with baby 2 I had another planned one.

Emergency one was a blur, but I felt very well cared for and safe and everyone knew what they were doing. 30 mins later baby was born and completely fine.

planned one was much better, relaxed, no nerves or fear, they told me it would be in the afternoon and it was 1.30pm. Recovery etc much easier as I hadn’t been awake for 3 days trying to give birth to a huge toddler.

Honestly, please try to relax. Practice mindfulness, meditations, read about it, it’ll be fine. I’d choose one again in a heartbeat over a vaginal birth (based on friends issues)

LittleRedRidingHoody · 27/01/2025 09:04

I was in a similar situation to you and ultimately had to have a c-section. It was honestly great! Way less scary than I imagined. No pain (until the meds wore off when I stupidly didn't think I still needed them on day 3 😂), very quickly done - baby was in my arms 2 hours after showing up on my planned date (this isn't guaranteed, I was just top of the list apparently) and I felt much fresher/less frazzled then the other recovering mums on the ward. We also went past a few rooms of people screaming in labour which made me doubly grateful. Recovery was a breeze, no issues with the scar.

I know things can go wrong and most people prefer to do things 'naturally' - but there are plenty of horror stories and judgement already so I'll leave my piece as - it really wasn't as bad as I expected!

Velvetbee · 27/01/2025 09:06

Mine was lovely. I’ve had 4 births, 2 at home including a water birth, 1 elective section.
The section was my second favourite It was so calm, everyone in the team was so friendly and excited. It felt a bit weird, like someone washing up in my insides and she didn’t cry immediately which was nerve-wracking. My least favourite part was having to shower/take off the dressing the same day when I felt wobbly.
She’s 25 now and I still remember the whole thing fondly.

PlantDoctor · 27/01/2025 09:08

I had a planned section due to expected issues with DD (luckily turns out she was fine). It was honestly great. All very calm. My recovery was a lot better than some women I knew who had torn during natural birth. I missed a paracetamol dose on day 2 and I was very sore, but as long as you take them on schedule it was hardly painful at all. I only took the paracetamol as DD was a very sleepy baby so I didn't risk the codeine, but no issues.

It all healed pretty well. I did have a tiny spot on the incision line that had an infection. Nothing more than what looked like an ingrown hair and antibiotics sorted it easily. Appreciate others have different experiences, but make sure you pay more attention to planned Vs emergency c section experiences as they are worlds apart.

stackhead · 27/01/2025 09:09

Do you have a high BMI op? If so you should've been told your plan of care from early on.

I'm assuming you do so the advice is based on that.

The growth scans are because they won't be able to get an accurate measurement from your tummy. No buggy. And you get to see baby more often.

They will try and limit where you give birth, you can push back on that, barring weight limits for the pool etc...

They may try and push induction, if so choose a section as most inductions will end up with interventions anyway.

I've had 2 sections. An emergency and a following elective and both were genuinely lovely. It's a bit scary initially when you're waiting around in the theatre for things to begin but once the spinal is in and the surgeons start it's actually quite relaxing. I had the radio on, the surgeons were chatting away like it was a coffee break and then all of a sudden there's baby!

It does hurt for a few days moving around. Honestly just grit your teeth and try and move, getting stiff makes it more painful. Take the meds round the clock for a week or 2 and don't pick anything up off the floor for a while.

PlantDoctor · 27/01/2025 09:10

Haha @LittleRedRidingHoody and I look like we coordinated answers with "it was honestly great" and similar pain med schedule issues! Hopefully we put your mind at rest anyway

Gardendiary · 27/01/2025 09:11

Honestly a planned c-section can be so much better than a vaginal birth. After I was having physiotherapy following my vaginal birth the physio told me that virtually all the female consultants opt for c-sections. A planned section is actually really safe, having had a bad vaginal birth, I would count yourself lucky.

Original poster

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 09:13

Superstar22 · 27/01/2025 09:03

I had section 1 because whilst wanting a home water birth, I went overdue & then 10 days over & baby ended up being massive after being induced, so that was section 1.
then with baby 2 I had another planned one.

Emergency one was a blur, but I felt very well cared for and safe and everyone knew what they were doing. 30 mins later baby was born and completely fine.

planned one was much better, relaxed, no nerves or fear, they told me it would be in the afternoon and it was 1.30pm. Recovery etc much easier as I hadn’t been awake for 3 days trying to give birth to a huge toddler.

Honestly, please try to relax. Practice mindfulness, meditations, read about it, it’ll be fine. I’d choose one again in a heartbeat over a vaginal birth (based on friends issues)

I have heard people say they would choose a Section over a vaginal birth, it is reassuring.. I think as its my first, it's the fear of the unknown for me as well.
Thank you for this x

OP posts:

Favouritefruits · 27/01/2025 09:14

I’ve had both, a vaginal and a c-section and the c-section was much better! The pain was less, recovery was quicker, it was calmer and less stressful! I’d definitely choose a section over a vaginal anyway! I tore really badly with my vaginal I ended up in theatre anyway!

Original poster

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 09:14

LittleRedRidingHoody · 27/01/2025 09:04

I was in a similar situation to you and ultimately had to have a c-section. It was honestly great! Way less scary than I imagined. No pain (until the meds wore off when I stupidly didn't think I still needed them on day 3 😂), very quickly done - baby was in my arms 2 hours after showing up on my planned date (this isn't guaranteed, I was just top of the list apparently) and I felt much fresher/less frazzled then the other recovering mums on the ward. We also went past a few rooms of people screaming in labour which made me doubly grateful. Recovery was a breeze, no issues with the scar.

I know things can go wrong and most people prefer to do things 'naturally' - but there are plenty of horror stories and judgement already so I'll leave my piece as - it really wasn't as bad as I expected!

How long did the surgery take? I can imagine when baby is out the time is a bit of a blue though x

OP posts:

Original poster

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 09:15

Velvetbee · 27/01/2025 09:06

Mine was lovely. I’ve had 4 births, 2 at home including a water birth, 1 elective section.
The section was my second favourite It was so calm, everyone in the team was so friendly and excited. It felt a bit weird, like someone washing up in my insides and she didn’t cry immediately which was nerve-wracking. My least favourite part was having to shower/take off the dressing the same day when I felt wobbly.
She’s 25 now and I still remember the whole thing fondly.

When you say it feels weird, I know it's isn't painful, but what can yo feel? x

OP posts:

Original poster

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 09:15

PlantDoctor · 27/01/2025 09:08

I had a planned section due to expected issues with DD (luckily turns out she was fine). It was honestly great. All very calm. My recovery was a lot better than some women I knew who had torn during natural birth. I missed a paracetamol dose on day 2 and I was very sore, but as long as you take them on schedule it was hardly painful at all. I only took the paracetamol as DD was a very sleepy baby so I didn't risk the codeine, but no issues.

It all healed pretty well. I did have a tiny spot on the incision line that had an infection. Nothing more than what looked like an ingrown hair and antibiotics sorted it easily. Appreciate others have different experiences, but make sure you pay more attention to planned Vs emergency c section experiences as they are worlds apart.

The recovery part is scaring me, apart from the pain meds was there anything else you did that helped? x

OP posts:

Greybeardy · 27/01/2025 09:17

Did they actually say they thought you'd need a section or are they just making sure you've seen all the right people to plan for all possibilities. You mention your weight as being the reason for seeing the anaesthetist and it's a really common reason for referrals to our clinics. For some women with obesity providing either pain relief or anaesthesia can be more difficult. That's not an absolute given though and part of the reason for seeing women in clinic is to assess whether things might look trickier for you personally and make a plan that is both safe and in line with what you'd want (before you start having contractions or are in a more urgent scenario). Part of that might include chatting about epidurals for labour - there may be real advantage in having one for women with obesity. Part of the chat might be about planning how to do an anaesthetic either electively or in an emergency. Lots of women who are overweight/have obesity have straightforward vaginal deliveries, but it'd be negligent to pretend that it can't cause a problem sometimes and part of looking after women well is having plan A to Z for various different scenarios. HTH. (DOI: obs anaesthetist)

Original poster

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 09:17

stackhead · 27/01/2025 09:09

Do you have a high BMI op? If so you should've been told your plan of care from early on.

I'm assuming you do so the advice is based on that.

The growth scans are because they won't be able to get an accurate measurement from your tummy. No buggy. And you get to see baby more often.

They will try and limit where you give birth, you can push back on that, barring weight limits for the pool etc...

They may try and push induction, if so choose a section as most inductions will end up with interventions anyway.

I've had 2 sections. An emergency and a following elective and both were genuinely lovely. It's a bit scary initially when you're waiting around in the theatre for things to begin but once the spinal is in and the surgeons start it's actually quite relaxing. I had the radio on, the surgeons were chatting away like it was a coffee break and then all of a sudden there's baby!

It does hurt for a few days moving around. Honestly just grit your teeth and try and move, getting stiff makes it more painful. Take the meds round the clock for a week or 2 and don't pick anything up off the floor for a while.

If it is possible to have a vaginal birth then I will, granted its still safe... However in regard to the BMI question, they have always said mine is fine? Im a first time mom so I'm slightly clueless if I'm honest :(

OP posts:

Original poster

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 09:18

Gardendiary · 27/01/2025 09:11

Honestly a planned c-section can be so much better than a vaginal birth. After I was having physiotherapy following my vaginal birth the physio told me that virtually all the female consultants opt for c-sections. A planned section is actually really safe, having had a bad vaginal birth, I would count yourself lucky.

As long as my baby and I are safe, no matter what birth I have, I think is lucky...
I get some prefer C sections and have had good experiences, but as a FTM I did want to have a vaginal birth

OP posts:

MoreDangerousThanAWomanScorned · 27/01/2025 09:19

When you say due to your size, is that a high BMI? I only ask because hospitals will not allow water births above a certain weight due to a concern that they wouldn't be able to lift you out of the pool in an emergency. Where it's a separate maternity ward and low-risk unit, usually the low-risk unit also only takes women below a certain BMI. It's just worth investigating as I really wouldn't want you to try and avoid a C-section in the hope of a birth type, e.g. water birth, that isn't available at your hospital for you. Apologies if I'm overstepping or if I've misinterpreted and this isn't the issue!

Original poster

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 09:19

Favouritefruits · 27/01/2025 09:14

I’ve had both, a vaginal and a c-section and the c-section was much better! The pain was less, recovery was quicker, it was calmer and less stressful! I’d definitely choose a section over a vaginal anyway! I tore really badly with my vaginal I ended up in theatre anyway!

Was there anything you did to help your recovery? What was it like when you got out of surgery? x

OP posts:

SleepingStandingUp · 27/01/2025 09:20

I had a planned C section with twins, was first in theatre cos, twins. All very organised and calm, midwife was really mindful of DH being very tickle-stomached, she took photos of the babies coming out, I hady music playing. It was all just nice and calm.

Only issue I have is the meds they use make me feel sick, but soon as I told them I had anti sickness meds which worked instantly so don't be afraid to tell them.

Recovery is obviously hard but just listen to the advice, use your DP and you should be grand x

Original poster

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 09:21

Greybeardy · 27/01/2025 09:17

Did they actually say they thought you'd need a section or are they just making sure you've seen all the right people to plan for all possibilities. You mention your weight as being the reason for seeing the anaesthetist and it's a really common reason for referrals to our clinics. For some women with obesity providing either pain relief or anaesthesia can be more difficult. That's not an absolute given though and part of the reason for seeing women in clinic is to assess whether things might look trickier for you personally and make a plan that is both safe and in line with what you'd want (before you start having contractions or are in a more urgent scenario). Part of that might include chatting about epidurals for labour - there may be real advantage in having one for women with obesity. Part of the chat might be about planning how to do an anaesthetic either electively or in an emergency. Lots of women who are overweight/have obesity have straightforward vaginal deliveries, but it'd be negligent to pretend that it can't cause a problem sometimes and part of looking after women well is having plan A to Z for various different scenarios. HTH. (DOI: obs anaesthetist)

Edited

It isn't due to me being overweight, its as I'm smaller and my age? He was so vague and when I pushed for answers he just said it was because of that?

He said that we need to put together a 'plan' which includes my added scans and the anaesthetist calling me?

OP posts:

SnakebitesandSambucas · 27/01/2025 09:22

2 c sections. One under spinal and one under GA ( due to meds). I wore a belly binder from day 2. Pumped up with painkillers. But i didn't feel to bad. BF successfully both times. No scar issues or infections. I loved mine. Calm controlled 😁. Extra anti sickness given. Only issue I had was managing the stairs. Was mobile quicky but slowly.

Gardendiary · 27/01/2025 09:22

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 09:18

As long as my baby and I are safe, no matter what birth I have, I think is lucky...
I get some prefer C sections and have had good experiences, but as a FTM I did want to have a vaginal birth

Show quote history

I felt exactly the same as a ftm, until it went wrong and I was left with continence problems. I had a c-section the second time and recovered so much better.

NorthernGirl1981 · 27/01/2025 09:23

I had planned sections for both my babies due to a heath condition I have.

To be honest I was glad, the thought of all the things that could go wrong during natural birth used to make me so anxious.

On the day of my section (for my first son) I was so ridiculously excited. I walked into the hospital one I was floating on air with the biggest smile on my face because I knew I was going to be meeting my baby that day!!? (and that it wouldn’t be painful) 🤣

The procedure was absolutely fine. I was worried about having the spinal but it didn’t hurt, it was just uncomfortable for a few seconds. I was very surprised at how quickly it took effect though…..it felt like a wave of heat starting at my toes and spreading up my legs. It kind of felt like I was sliding into a bed with a heated blanket!

The room was very busy…. So many people, but it was really calm at the same time. Everyone was just smiling and chatting about anything and everything, there was no panic or worry, it was quite surreal really.

When the procedure was being done I had the anaesthetist sitting next to my head and he was chatting away to me, and I had my husband on the other side of me, just staring at me with a big grin on his face.

I could feel my lower body being tugged at and pulled at a little, but it wasn’t uncomfortable, it just felt strange.

And then before I knew it, a baby was lifted up above the curtain that had been placed across my waist, and then he was handed over to me! It was wonderful.

The recovery wasn’t too bad at all. I had my section about 1pm and by night time I had a lot of feeling back. I was kept catheterised during the night and then they got me out of bed the next morning. From what I recall I spent two nights in hospital, but that was due to my health condition, not because of the c-section.

When I was home my section wound was sore but that was obviously going to be. I just kept up with my pain relief and within a few weeks I was able to mobilise as normal and within 6 weeks I was fully healed.

Overall, it was a really pleasant birth….a very surreal but amazing experience. If I were to give you one bit of advice though, it’s to make it clear that after birth, if there are no complications, you want to have skin to skin with the baby and not be separated unless absolutey necessary. Women who give birth vaginally have this expectation (rightly so) and therefore things shouldn’t be any different for women who have a caesarean.

Ladamesansmerci · 27/01/2025 09:23

I had a planned section. It was a lovely experience. Baby was out in about 10 minutes. Didn't even notice what was going on really, as I was that busy staring at my baby that it flew by.

Recovery was a breeze. The first week was slow but not painful. It was only truly uncomfortable if I tried to roll in bed, but I slept propped up with pillows a lot of the time. I just kept on top of pain relief. After 2 weeks, I felt pretty normal, and drove on week 3 with my GPs permission.

It did not affect breastfeeding for me. I had oversupply from day 1.

The worst part tbh was the trapped gas 🤣

Original poster

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 09:23

MoreDangerousThanAWomanScorned · 27/01/2025 09:19

When you say due to your size, is that a high BMI? I only ask because hospitals will not allow water births above a certain weight due to a concern that they wouldn't be able to lift you out of the pool in an emergency. Where it's a separate maternity ward and low-risk unit, usually the low-risk unit also only takes women below a certain BMI. It's just worth investigating as I really wouldn't want you to try and avoid a C-section in the hope of a birth type, e.g. water birth, that isn't available at your hospital for you. Apologies if I'm overstepping or if I've misinterpreted and this isn't the issue!

Sorry I should've made the size thing clearer, he outright said because I'm smaller and because of my age, its never been mentioned as an issue till now, and they had me as low risk etc until now. So I just think I'm not getting the full story?

OP posts:

Happyinarcon · 27/01/2025 09:24

I had an emergency C and have no complaints whatsoever. I think the part that i appreciated the most was that you know exactly what to expect. You know exactly where the stitches will be for example, there’s none of the unpredictability like will you need forceps, or an episiotomy etc. The recovery is a bit painful but again predictable and manageable with medication. I would definitely choose a c section again.