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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Those who have had C Sections

135 replies

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 08:58

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

OP posts:
LadyRoughDiamond · 27/01/2025 11:05

I’ve had one vaginal birth and one C Section, and I’d say that the recovery was similar for both. In each case there were stitches, soreness, constipation and tiredness. In each case there was also a healthy baby, and that’s the main thing.

I would say that if you’re very anxious about it, maybe speak to your consultant about general vs local anaesthetic - there are options here. I fainted midway through as my blood pressure dropped. It was fine as I was laying down anyway, but I wonder if I’d have been more suited to general - it was offered, but I was trying to be a hero.

It’s also worth noting that I found going to the loo afterwards easier following the C Section. Post vaginal birth I was terrified that if I ‘went’ everything would burst open! A strange upside, but you leave your dignity at the door in this business.

LineofTedLasso · 27/01/2025 11:06

2 C sections. 1 emergency and the second I opted for an elective. This was because the first was not traumatic. The labour was but not the actual birth.
I was up and about the next day, catheter out. I don't remember being in much pain at all. I did have diclofenac suppositories for a day or so. I had him on the Tuesday and was driving by the Sunday. (Not wise but useless now ex husband)
2nd section I was in for 4 days and cleaned the house from top to bottom when I got home (again due to ex) I don't know whether this is unusual but I felt fine after a few days. I think I was oblivious to the fact I'd just had major surgery.

Memberberry · 27/01/2025 11:18

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 09:45

Yeah I've never had any surgeries before either so its a fear of the unknown as well.
Its nice to hear how quick baby comes out as I can imagine everything after just doesn't matter
The blood thinning injections freak me out a bit too! But I think that's because you administer them yourself, does everyone have to have them?

Show quote history

It depends on the hospital. One I went to gave them to everyone and the other was only certain people.
You do them yourself but can get someone else to. My mum did mine as I just couldn’t do it.

Original poster
MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 11:18

Mini update sort of- I have messaged my midwife asking if she can give me a call, I included a short story of what happened and that I just want more info about it or why this has come about

OP posts:
Original poster
MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 11:19

Memberberry · 27/01/2025 11:18

It depends on the hospital. One I went to gave them to everyone and the other was only certain people.
You do them yourself but can get someone else to. My mum did mine as I just couldn’t do it.

Show quote history

Were they actual needles you get vaccines with or like the pen injections (I dont know how else to explain them lol)?

OP posts:
BarbaraHoward · 27/01/2025 11:28

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 11:19

Were they actual needles you get vaccines with or like the pen injections (I dont know how else to explain them lol)?

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They're actual syringe type needles, although there's a safety thing on them so the needle is covered once used. Not a pen. I made DH do mine - I could do them on someone else no bother, it's not technically difficult or anything, just not on myself.

They work out if you need them. Some people need them for six weeks, others for ten days and I think some not at all. With a planned section and low BMI you may not even need them. I just had the ten days and it wasn't fun but it wasn't big enough to be a factor in decision making either iykwim.

Original poster
MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 11:30

BarbaraHoward · 27/01/2025 11:28

They're actual syringe type needles, although there's a safety thing on them so the needle is covered once used. Not a pen. I made DH do mine - I could do them on someone else no bother, it's not technically difficult or anything, just not on myself.

They work out if you need them. Some people need them for six weeks, others for ten days and I think some not at all. With a planned section and low BMI you may not even need them. I just had the ten days and it wasn't fun but it wasn't big enough to be a factor in decision making either iykwim.

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Its just the thought of doing them myself!😂Ill probably get my partner to do it for me instead

OP posts:
BarbaraHoward · 27/01/2025 11:31

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 11:30

Its just the thought of doing them myself!😂Ill probably get my partner to do it for me instead

Show quote history

Definitely easier!

anonny55 · 27/01/2025 11:53

Hi op. I'm 35 weeks with dc1. I was set on a spontaneous labour and vaginal birth etc but from 27 weeks he's measuring HUGE. 7lb at 34 week scan. Personally I don't feel comfortable trying to birth what may be a baby over 10lb and I also don't want an induction as after researching it seems most end in intervention anyway! 60% of first time mums that are induced end up having an emergency section in my local hospital. No thanks, id prefer a planned. It's sunk in now although I was gutted to begin with I'm really excited with just a few weeks to go until he's coming☺️ try and look at the positives instead there's plenty of them. Ultimately no matter how they come out, we will recover and it'll be a distant memory when we have baby in our arms. I'm just treating my section as the final hurdle then I've done it! Pregnancy and birth completed and he's here😆 the surgeons do many sections a day, its there norm. 99% of the time both mum and baby are fine

PlantDoctor · 27/01/2025 11:54

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 09:15

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

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I made sure I went for a little walk each day which I think helped, but also listened to my body when I felt tired and turned round a lot earlier than I normally would. I was lucky that DH was around and made dinner and did the housework so I was largely responsible for feeding baby and not too much else (lots of Dr appointments for DD initially, so we spent a lot of time doing that). You aren't allowed to do anything strenuous at first, so take it easy.

I felt pretty good after a week and honestly nearly normal after 2 weeks.

PlantDoctor · 27/01/2025 11:56

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 11:30

Its just the thought of doing them myself!😂Ill probably get my partner to do it for me instead

Show quote history

Mine was a pen

Original poster
MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 12:07

anonny55 · 27/01/2025 11:53

Hi op. I'm 35 weeks with dc1. I was set on a spontaneous labour and vaginal birth etc but from 27 weeks he's measuring HUGE. 7lb at 34 week scan. Personally I don't feel comfortable trying to birth what may be a baby over 10lb and I also don't want an induction as after researching it seems most end in intervention anyway! 60% of first time mums that are induced end up having an emergency section in my local hospital. No thanks, id prefer a planned. It's sunk in now although I was gutted to begin with I'm really excited with just a few weeks to go until he's coming☺️ try and look at the positives instead there's plenty of them. Ultimately no matter how they come out, we will recover and it'll be a distant memory when we have baby in our arms. I'm just treating my section as the final hurdle then I've done it! Pregnancy and birth completed and he's here😆 the surgeons do many sections a day, its there norm. 99% of the time both mum and baby are fine

Congratulations!
They have said he's big or anything, but obviously things change so quickly!!
I know the outcome ill be amazing either way 😊
Best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy and birth x

OP posts:
Everlore · 27/01/2025 12:20

I gave birth to our healthy and beautiful baby girl by c-section eighteen days ago today and found the whole experience extremely reassuring and uncomplicated.
My consultant and anaethetist had made it clear at a similar stage in pregnancy to yours that they would be concerned about me attempting a vaginal birth due to my rheumatoid arthritis and the consequent difficulty of administering an emergency general or spinal anaesthetic if things went wrong. As it turned out, our baby had settled into a transverse position toward the end of pregnancy so, even had I been planning a vaginal birth, it wouldn't have been possible.
I had my planned section at 38 weeks as the consultant didn't want to risk me going into spontaneous labour. The whole team were wonderful. The spinal anaesthetic took a while to administer but we knew this would be the case due to the malformation of my spine and they had put me first on the list to give them more time to carry this out. Once the spinal was administered everything was very straightforward. I didn't feel a thing. I had been advised that I might feel some pressure but I honestly felt nothing. Our baby was delivered very shortly after the procedure began which was extremely reassuring and she cried immediately on emerging which was very comforting and the loveliest sound ever! After a quick check over she was placed straight on my chest for some skin on skin time and I held her there while they stitched me up. My husband was with me the whole time, with the action being thankfully hidden from us both by a screen which they lowered a little so he could see baby being lifted out, so no danger of seeing too much if you're at all squeamish!
The spinal started to wear off only a few hours later and I was out of bed and showering quite shortly after that. I experienced very little discomfort following the procedure and was pretty much back to normal mobility-wise by the next day. I did accept pain relief when offered it in hospital because, although I was not in pain, friends had advised me to take the medication as a precautionary measure rather than waiting until you are experiencing accute pain as dealing with it at that stage can be much harder and require stronger meds. However, I didn't need any pain killers after a couple of days and, two weeks on, I'd never believe I'd had abdominal surgery recently.
I only had a small dressing on the wound which was removed less than a week later and, in most cases, the stitches disolve in time and do not need removing.
It really is nothing to worry about and, speaking as someone who had a planned section, I found it comforting to have some control over how and when my baby would arrive.
Wishing you all the best for the remainder of your pregnancy.

Original poster
MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 12:25

Everlore · 27/01/2025 12:20

I gave birth to our healthy and beautiful baby girl by c-section eighteen days ago today and found the whole experience extremely reassuring and uncomplicated.
My consultant and anaethetist had made it clear at a similar stage in pregnancy to yours that they would be concerned about me attempting a vaginal birth due to my rheumatoid arthritis and the consequent difficulty of administering an emergency general or spinal anaesthetic if things went wrong. As it turned out, our baby had settled into a transverse position toward the end of pregnancy so, even had I been planning a vaginal birth, it wouldn't have been possible.
I had my planned section at 38 weeks as the consultant didn't want to risk me going into spontaneous labour. The whole team were wonderful. The spinal anaesthetic took a while to administer but we knew this would be the case due to the malformation of my spine and they had put me first on the list to give them more time to carry this out. Once the spinal was administered everything was very straightforward. I didn't feel a thing. I had been advised that I might feel some pressure but I honestly felt nothing. Our baby was delivered very shortly after the procedure began which was extremely reassuring and she cried immediately on emerging which was very comforting and the loveliest sound ever! After a quick check over she was placed straight on my chest for some skin on skin time and I held her there while they stitched me up. My husband was with me the whole time, with the action being thankfully hidden from us both by a screen which they lowered a little so he could see baby being lifted out, so no danger of seeing too much if you're at all squeamish!
The spinal started to wear off only a few hours later and I was out of bed and showering quite shortly after that. I experienced very little discomfort following the procedure and was pretty much back to normal mobility-wise by the next day. I did accept pain relief when offered it in hospital because, although I was not in pain, friends had advised me to take the medication as a precautionary measure rather than waiting until you are experiencing accute pain as dealing with it at that stage can be much harder and require stronger meds. However, I didn't need any pain killers after a couple of days and, two weeks on, I'd never believe I'd had abdominal surgery recently.
I only had a small dressing on the wound which was removed less than a week later and, in most cases, the stitches disolve in time and do not need removing.
It really is nothing to worry about and, speaking as someone who had a planned section, I found it comforting to have some control over how and when my baby would arrive.
Wishing you all the best for the remainder of your pregnancy.

Sounds like a lovely experience, very reassuring!
If you don't mind me asking, what was the catheter like? Was it painful when they removed it etc?

OP posts:
TheAmusedSwan · 27/01/2025 13:00

Hi, I ended up having a section with mine because my labour was slow to progress and I was at risk of bleed due to fibroids (which I only discovered whilst pregnant - so I had growth scans for this as well).

I had a positive birth experience, the operation went well and very quick to get baby out! The stitching up after does take about 30-45mins, but everyone in the room were very friendly and I was in no pain. Admittedly I was sick when they were “putting me back together” but I think everyone has an anti sickness injection before you go in, so you may be ok!

Recovery was fine for me, take regular painkillers for the first few days to week, then you can stop reducing once you feel able. Get family / friends / your village to help in the first week or so - you need to rest as much as possible at the start! But of a pain getting in / out of bed but you will get better once your body heals.

I would say to look into doing scar massage - i didn’t know about this and it took a while for line to heal up properly. Had a few weepy infections with it but it’s been fine.

Would choose to have section again if it was the best thing for me and future baby.

Good luck!

Everlore · 27/01/2025 13:35

The catheter was no trouble. They didn't insert it until the spinal had already taken effect so I didn't feel it. They removed it later that day, once I was able to move my legs again and when I had full feeling back in my lower half and the removal was similarly painless.

Memberberry · 27/01/2025 20:37

MomToBe2025xx · 27/01/2025 11:19

Were they actual needles you get vaccines with or like the pen injections (I dont know how else to explain them lol)?

Show quote history

Normal ones like vaccines. If you do have a c section and do need them the midwives are really good in showing you/your partner or family etc how to do them.
They’re nothing to worry about but my point was that everything else can go so smoothly they end up feeling like the worst part in comparison!

Original poster
MomToBe2025xx · 28/01/2025 08:52

Memberberry · 27/01/2025 20:37

Normal ones like vaccines. If you do have a c section and do need them the midwives are really good in showing you/your partner or family etc how to do them.
They’re nothing to worry about but my point was that everything else can go so smoothly they end up feeling like the worst part in comparison!

Show quote history

Thats reassuring to know the blood thinners are the worst part!😂

OP posts:
Original poster
MomToBe2025xx · 28/01/2025 08:53

Everlore · 27/01/2025 13:35

The catheter was no trouble. They didn't insert it until the spinal had already taken effect so I didn't feel it. They removed it later that day, once I was able to move my legs again and when I had full feeling back in my lower half and the removal was similarly painless.

Ah ok good to know... I've never had one so I didn't know what to expect when they get taken out

OP posts:
Original poster
MomToBe2025xx · 28/01/2025 08:53

Midwife still hasn't gotten back to me... Hoping she does today 🙏

OP posts:
sel2223 · 28/01/2025 09:34

It's been 4.5 years since my ELCS and I have no memory of having the catheter put in our out.
I'd also forgotten about the blood thinning injections! I know I took them but couldn't tell you if it was a pen type or what.... or even how long I took them for.

Funny these things will have seemed such a big deal at the time.

Original poster
MomToBe2025xx · 28/01/2025 09:38

sel2223 · 28/01/2025 09:34

It's been 4.5 years since my ELCS and I have no memory of having the catheter put in our out.
I'd also forgotten about the blood thinning injections! I know I took them but couldn't tell you if it was a pen type or what.... or even how long I took them for.

Funny these things will have seemed such a big deal at the time.

Edited

I know it sounds so silly that I'm asking about these things, I just want to be informed and hear from others that's all😂
It's good to know that they were a positive experience for you though :)

OP posts:
BarbaraHoward · 28/01/2025 09:40

MomToBe2025xx · 28/01/2025 09:38

I know it sounds so silly that I'm asking about these things, I just want to be informed and hear from others that's all😂
It's good to know that they were a positive experience for you though :)

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You're just right to ask everything you want to know. You're lucky in that you have plenty of time to make sure you are happy you have a full explanation from your medical team.

Original poster
MomToBe2025xx · 28/01/2025 09:43

BarbaraHoward · 28/01/2025 09:40

You're just right to ask everything you want to know. You're lucky in that you have plenty of time to make sure you are happy you have a full explanation from your medical team.

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I know, everyone's been really helpful on this thread so far😊
Hopefully I hear back from my midwife today as well! As the consultant I saw initially was awful I must admit

OP posts:
Disturbia81 · 28/01/2025 09:57

My sections are the best decisions I ever made for myself. No longterm negative effects while friends and family who had vaginal births all have either physical or mental trauma.