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Original poster

Women that had elective C-sections. Any regrets?

203 replies

BellaRosex · 02/08/2025 08:54

Hi all,

Currently 30 weeks pregnant and trying to decide whether to give birth naturally or have an elective C-section.

Curious to hear of other women's experiences of elective C sections - positive and negative!

TIA x

OP posts:
InSpainTheRain · 03/08/2025 21:34

Zero regrets. I had twins but they wouldn't do a c-section and wanted me to try naturally but admitted the second tein may be a c-section - so the worst of both basically. I went private and never regretted having a c-section. Recovered very well, and ni impact on sex life.from birth.

MaryGreenhill · 03/08/2025 21:38

None whatsoever good luck

Juicesausagecake · 03/08/2025 21:39

I can’t say that I regret it … DD was 10lbs and I had had a 3b tear with my first birth, so I am glad that I didn’t take the risk for either of us.

However, I feel that it ruined my body … that weird shelf above the scar. The pain afterwards was terrible (they were trialling not giving pain relief), and three years on I don’t feel that I have recovered.

Perhaps it was the aftercare. There was still Covid at the time. I just really don’t identify with anyone who says it is a great option.

Wowthatwasabigstep · 03/08/2025 21:50

3 electives, I never wanted a vaginal birth. Recovery was very straight forward I was back in the gym after 10 days and driving after 2 weeks, Dr agreed all was fine so fit to drive.

MNpenisadvisor · 03/08/2025 21:52

Silversaxo · 03/08/2025 20:14

I can understand somebody opting for an elective if they’ve had an emergency section first time round, but not even attempting natural childbirth seem wild to me. I’ve had 3 natural births, gas and air and last one in a birthing pool. But each to their own.

I'm a ftm and I'm opting for ELCS due to previous sexual trauma. Is that wild?

JamesMacGill · 03/08/2025 22:01

Silversaxo · 03/08/2025 20:14

I can understand somebody opting for an elective if they’ve had an emergency section first time round, but not even attempting natural childbirth seem wild to me. I’ve had 3 natural births, gas and air and last one in a birthing pool. But each to their own.

Why is your experience even remotely relevant here? Were you just looking to shoehorn a little brag in?

SchnizelVonKrumm · 03/08/2025 22:04

Silversaxo · 03/08/2025 20:14

I can understand somebody opting for an elective if they’ve had an emergency section first time round, but not even attempting natural childbirth seem wild to me. I’ve had 3 natural births, gas and air and last one in a birthing pool. But each to their own.

Attempting to gatekeep other women's healthcare choices seems pretty wild to me, but fortunately you don't get to decide 🤷‍♀️

OneFancyRuby · 03/08/2025 22:04

I’ve had 2. No regrets. Lovely calm experience and easy recovery

PennywisePoundFoolish · 03/08/2025 22:08

My 1st was natural, 2nd EMCS, 3rd VBAC, 4th semi-elective CS (went into labour the day before)
My only regret is the VBAC with my 3rd. All the promises the consultant had made didn't happen, and despite begging for a CSection whilst in labour, I was ignored. He had a true knot and was born in distress, but thankfully recovered quickly. I ended up with a 3rd degree tear that had to be repaired in surgery. I was also denied an epidural.

With my 4th, nothing was going to convince me to "try" and he backed me up by turning transverse and making the monitors go crazy, or something like that 😅

jill5676 · 03/08/2025 22:10

Not the OP but have been wondering much the same thing so it's been an interesting read! Not sure it's helped me to decide as there's such a range of experiences here. My first birth was induced and ended in forceps so not a brilliant experience but I recovered well and I wouldn't say I was traumatised by it, though I wouldn't care to repeat it! Would love a natural birth this time but I'm going for growth scans throughout my third trimester due to my first being born unexpectedly small so I'm aware that if this one also has growth issues, I might be recommended either induction or a c section. It's great to hear so many positive experiences but also lots of people do have tough recoveries and that's my greatest fear. I wish I wanted a section as that would make the decision easier but, as it is, I don't really like any of the options so it'll probably come down to the least worst option nearer the time when I know better what the situation is. Anyway, not wanting to derail OPs thread any longer but thanks to pp for sharing experiences... It's good to hear the good and the bad as there's no guarantees how it'll go for anyone!

IndieRocknRoll · 03/08/2025 22:14

I’ve had two. First was emergency, second elcs.
zero regrets here.
For the elcs I was able to have skin to skin during the op, DH was able to cut the cord. It was really lovely.

pennypans · 03/08/2025 22:15

@jill5676 my cousin had a CS same time as me (also for breech). She had a difficult ish recovery after her 1st VB but still preferred it to her CS. But they had to put her under as she started to feel it. It's very difficult as it's so individual.

PennywisePoundFoolish · 03/08/2025 22:16

Oh and DH overheard the midwife referring to me as a drama queen whilst he sat outside with DS3 whilst I was having the 3rd degree repair done 😐

pennypans · 03/08/2025 22:17

mindset maybe matters. I didn't want a CS so that would play into my preference for VB presumably.

pennypans · 03/08/2025 22:20

@Juicesausagecake there does seem to be a big discrepancy in pain relief. I was out the next morning & only had my own paracetamol, didn't even know you could get stronger drugs until I read it on here!

pennypans · 03/08/2025 22:21

@PennywisePoundFoolish that's shocking. I didn't get any pain relief until baby was crowning for my VB because my labour happened super fast, I think they thought I was a drama queen until they had a look!

GrooveArmada · 03/08/2025 22:22

I had a planned section due to complications in my pregnancy, the procedure is the same as elective section.

Zero regrets. A very calm, composed experience and I'd do it again the same way. Decent recovery too.

Neurodiversitydoctor · 03/08/2025 22:26

TinyFlamingo · 03/08/2025 20:31

My vaginal birth was brutal and lots of trauma. I'm currently 28.5 and think I'm going to do an elective because no one can garentuee it won't happen again and why retraumatise myself if I don't have to?

This thread has been really helpful! Thank you :)

I would just say that 2nd labours are usually faster and easier than 1st time around.

PennywisePoundFoolish · 03/08/2025 22:30

pennypans · 03/08/2025 22:21

@PennywisePoundFoolish that's shocking. I didn't get any pain relief until baby was crowning for my VB because my labour happened super fast, I think they thought I was a drama queen until they had a look!

They kept telling me DS3 was small, in a way that suggested I shouldn't be struggling so much to birth him. He wasn't huge, but was 8lb 4oz, so a fairly average size.
And that the declerations on the monitor were because I am short 5ft1)(!) They did give me the injection that made me talk absolute nonsense about caravans.

The entire active labour was horrible, as was the repair and even the post natal care was bad. I was readmitted for a blood transfusion a few days later and the staff were shocked I'd been sent home with iron tablets like I had.

I had DS4 at the same hospital 18 months later, and it was a much better experience all around.

WTF987 · 03/08/2025 22:41

Silversaxo · 03/08/2025 20:14

I can understand somebody opting for an elective if they’ve had an emergency section first time round, but not even attempting natural childbirth seem wild to me. I’ve had 3 natural births, gas and air and last one in a birthing pool. But each to their own.

Because people birth differently. My body went into hypercontractions and shock when I went into labour. Everyone knew it wasn't normal. Neither me nor baby were coping.

Some people don't dilate well, some have placental issues in labour, some have very large babies. I could go on and on.

I completely textbook, no intervention vaginal birth is great, little recovery. But few get that. I recovered quicker from my EMCS than my friend who tore so badly birthing vaginally there wasn't enough material left to sew her back up properly and went through over a year of surgeries, pain and incontinence.

Runkle · 03/08/2025 22:58

No regrets. I'm glad I chose an elective, midwife at pre-op appts said I wouldn't have been able to deliver naturally due to a number of factors - nobody would've said that unless I'd made that decision so god knows what could've happened.

MsCactus · 03/08/2025 23:02

WTF987 · 03/08/2025 22:41

Because people birth differently. My body went into hypercontractions and shock when I went into labour. Everyone knew it wasn't normal. Neither me nor baby were coping.

Some people don't dilate well, some have placental issues in labour, some have very large babies. I could go on and on.

I completely textbook, no intervention vaginal birth is great, little recovery. But few get that. I recovered quicker from my EMCS than my friend who tore so badly birthing vaginally there wasn't enough material left to sew her back up properly and went through over a year of surgeries, pain and incontinence.

Show quote history

People definitely do birth differently. I will add that although in my two vaginal deliveries I've been fine (quick labours, good recovery post birth), my DC were both times born in distress/not breathing for different reasons. I'm reading this thread with interest as - although my babies ended up being ok - I don't want to risk another vaginal birth for the babies sake, will opt for elc next time.

40weeksmummy · 03/08/2025 23:03

First - emergency CS - saved our lives, was able to walk, shower, look after the baby 12hrs after
Second- planned- amazing experience, had it 4.30pm, was completely fine at 4am next morning. Spent less than 48 hrs at hospital, was sent home 10pm the next day .

And- I didn't have any problems with breastfeeding. I heard this myth millions of times, basically every single person around told me I won't be able to breastfeed.

FluffMagnet · 03/08/2025 23:03

Nope.

Had two.

Q13 · 03/08/2025 23:04

I had first naturally, but with ending in forceps delivery after induction at 41 plus 6.
3c tearing with huge blood loss so theatre repair and 3 immediate blood transfusions meaning i was away from my son for some time. Recovery was prolonged and it was hell. Incontinence issues and prolapse issues.
I had said first time around the only thing i wanted to avoid was a section and second time i opted for one. Ended being an energency one as she came 36plus 6 but it was calm and a good experience. I was probably too terrified to experience it properly but baby was straight with me and never left my side then. Recovery was straight forward and i had to force myself not to do things as felt able but husband terrified id end up back in hospital and he would be left minding kids so was keeping a close eye. Drove a few weeks early but tried not to lift toddler much until the 6 weeks was up. Scar healed v well and v fast. Recovery from section a walk in the park compared to recovery from 3c tear