Elective c-sections.

pigpen

Come here.. they love doing them.. in fact they prefer to as they know when and where and how and can shuffle you a few hours if they like.. all these wanting normal deliveries are just messy unco-ordinated bed blockers.

You dont even want to know how horrific sections can get... I currently have a possible DVT.. in my arm (seeing doc tomorrow if I can fit it in between MW and dietician and school runs and getting DS3 back to school).. I didnt even know that was possible... hopefully though it is just an abcess from bacteria being shoved in with the canula.. and some kind of infection somewhere judging by my temp.. I was black from my boobs to half way down my thighs.. the MW on postnatal ward was horrified by the bruising.

The perforated bowel, total lack of muscle attachment and huge umbilical hernia have now been repaired temporarily. The tummy tuck to deal with the hideous apron of flesh will be dealt with accordingly in time and my peritoneum was so mangled it is long since gone. Not to mention the massive nerve damage to my cervix and abdomen and the vaginal prolapse (due to lack of muscle attachment. not tone!!) and the PTSD and the scar DD3 has running from above her ear to the top of her head... but apparently all that is meant to be absolved by the fact my daughter is alive... (that butcher is no longer employed.. anywhere!!)

Having experienced both.. Id go foof quilting every time.. no questions..

I would suggest you got a decent supportive midwife, a decent birthing partner (maybe a doula alongside OH?) who could keep things calm and look at other options like hypnobirthing for example (not that I have any faith in such things but I am a first class cynic).. seriously.. subjecting yourself and your baby to a section is something I would advise against.

You dont get out of housework or school runs either... it is a myth!

You can request a second opinion, a change of consultant or go to another hospital if needs be.. there is always someone happy to slice and dice!

I wish you well whatever you decide.

mumps

I think I am the complete opposite, after two straightforward births I had an emergency c section. I found it very traumatic and was in a lot of pain afterwards. I did notice the mothers who had elective sections seemed much better, midwife told me it was because they gave the epidural a good top up after the section so they had 24 hrs or more before they really felt the after effects whereas you wake up from a general in pain and I think once you feel alot of pain you are more sensitive to it so if you escape the first 24 hrs it really helsp. Of course they hadn't had 24 hrs labour before the op so probably less tired as well.

So I am having baby no 4, big baby and late. Consultant had wanted me to have a section but had agreed to a trial of labour. When baby was late he again suggested section, I again refused. He said I needed to be induced following Monday. I negotiated a stay of execution till the Wednesday but I arrived for induction already in labour, hooray. Well after a difficult labour they were on the point of doing a section, I was distressed and crying and doctor said, "Give me one big push and move the baby and I will deliver it." So I did and he did. Yes the forceps were unpleasant but for me it was fantastic, I had my 10 lb bouncing boy and no section.

I hope you can negotiate what you want, I don't understand as for me the section was traumatic and painful and it took me weeks to get over it but your needs are different. Good luck.

lil_me

From someone who's had 2 c sections as has my sister I wish I could have gone natural even if it was just for recovery time and no nerve damage in my legs. I've got no skin sensation in my legs. My sister ended up with a massive infection too which wasn't nice.

piggied

I asked for a section the day I went overdue with my 2nd as my 1st was 15 days late and I ended up in hopsital for 2 weeks after a bad birth. Docs very understanding and agreed right away. Have a chat with midwife/consultant and explain. good luck

RenStar

I have had two sections - one emergency after a long and difficult labour where my little girl & I almost died; later found out it I had eclempsia but they tried to cover it up cos they didn't pick it up sooner. The second was planned (10 months ago) and I told midwife and consultant from outset that I wouldn't even consider a vbac. It made me very unpopular with the midwives as I would not be persuaded otherwise. I can tell you that my planned section was far easier recovery wise and a great deal less traumatic than my emergency section. In fact, even with the emergency I recovered quickly, was in hospital 2 nights and felt physically able to go about normal life after 2 weeks. Yes, we have all heard of women who have 2 minute labours, sneeze and out pops the baby and they are out doing the weekly shop in tesco 10 mins later but they are not the norm!

The reality is that labour is painful, unpredictable and has way too many variables to know for sure. If a woman has had a traumatic vaginal birth previously, what's wrong with trying to seek an alternative? Yes, it's major surgery and there can be complications but we all know that aftercare is much better now than what it was, even compared to 4 years ago today (a very happy 4th birthday to my lovely daughter!)

My views on the matter might be be unpopular but I don't care - in my opinion sections are generally discouraged because they cost the NHS far too much money and mean the woman requires more hands on care, so they can't just be left to get in with it as nature intended bollox! Both my sisters have had natural births and both have not gone well. They were left traumatised, in pain and humiliated. One so much, she won't have any more children, the other only if she can have a section. She is fortunate enough to go private if necessary to guarantee it, and that to me speaks volumes.

For me and for many women I know who have had planned sections, the blunt truth is that it was easier, less painful and no where near as bad as some people wish to make out. I'm all for sisterhood and all that but you don't get any awards for pushing out a 10lb baby over 3 days on GA only! I believe sections would be a LOT easier to come by if men gave birth or better yet, a pain and risk free alternative would have been invented by now (or most likely the human race will be extinct, one of the two!:D)

Dontknowanymore

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

Whereas I didn't. The c/s went fine, but my wound would not heal and one end burst rather dramatically when I was in NICU checking on Andrew, blood all down my legs and all over the floor! They kept me in for two weeks until they were convinced that I was healing and that I wouldn't need more stitches (not really a problem with littl'un in NICU down the corridor), and I was 'fragile' round my middle right through to the six-week check.

Wish I could have had the choice to carry to term and attempt a vaginal birth

Which illustrated my point exactly, whilst there are lots of women who recover fine, there are also lots of risks attatched, the OP needs to think everything through.

plumpmouse

Ravenlady wrote: »

As for the 'bloody baby' comment, forceps coupled with a deep tear and episiotomy (had both) produced lots of blood, i lost 600ml last time which doesnt sound a lot but it looked like a bloodbath on the floor and poor baby had to come out through a waterfall of blood, he was literally thrown on my belly, red from head to toe and just white eyes! Freaked me out no end.

My husband still can't really talk about my forceps delivery. The sight of the blood everywhere and the panic surrounding it terrified him.

My forceps baby also came out looking like he'd done 10 rounds with Mike Tyson - he had a black eye, bruised nose, split lip and other bruising to his face. He was given paracetamol whilst in hospital for pain relief bless him. My c-section baby by comparison came out perfectly fine not a mark on her.

I guess what this thread shows is that c-section, instrumental or "normal" birth we all react differently and no-one can predict the outcome. The OP has had traumatic labours and even though there are others who have possibly had "worse" it doesn't make her experience any less traumatic.

MERFE

Janepig wrote: »

There was a reason I said "ignorance is bliss", I really was clueless as to what on earth it was really. It was twinging a bit when I moved about, but I honestly thought it was some kind of needle, and only started to smell a rat when a nursing sister came to take it out and she was really nervous and apologetic before she started. Anyway, she pulled, and some tubing came out, and some more tubing, and more tubing again, I'm sure there was enough tubing to circle the hospital! She did keep asking if I wanted her to stop for me to have a breather but as I didn't realise how much there was I just told her to keep going.

I don't remember it being agonising, but when I had DS I remember begging the surgeon to be careful (she was the one that told me it was a 1 in 4 chance of cutting a blood vessel) and bless her as soon as I was stitched up she stuck her head around the "curtain" and told me that I was okay. She'd just cut the side of DS's head instead (he still has the scar). Good job he wasn't face up like DD or she'd have cut his eye.

Jx

Thanks, dont know anyone else who had one except the lady opposite me when I had Bob and I cringed just to look at it but she was just like ooohh when they took it out. I really think mine hadnt let the suction off long enough then because I screamed alot when they pulled it out. Luckily only needed it the once but I'll never forget the pain.

For the original Poster, you've been given loads of cases when things are not perfect so lots to think about but I think most people can understand why after 3 difficult labours you would like to try something else and you know that might not go well either but it also could. I really think you need to ask to see a consultant and discuss it with them. My c-sections weren't perfect but they are preferable to the alternative.

Plumpmouse my latest c-section was a forceps still and bruised because of it, they can still get stuck.

plumpmouse

MERFE wrote: »

Plumpmouse my latest c-section was a forceps still and bruised because of it, they can still get stuck.

Yes, sorry I wasn't trying to say c-section babies all come out perfect. When they go through all the info etc they tell you they tell you about the risk of cuts to baby etc.

Was just giving my experience of my two different births.

skintchick

Raven lady, Ive not read all the replies so someone may have said this already, but I am positive I have read research saying that a planned (not emergency) C-section is better for baby and you than an instruments delivery, that might help you fight your case.

I'll see if I can find it later as I have to go out.

I'm a big fan of natural delivery, but I totally get why you want a C-section and in your shoes I would too.

I have a friend who has had an elective section but she paid privately at the Portland and it was a lot of money. She's doing it again for her second one too. She chose it because like you she doesn;t want an instruments delivery, and as there is no guarantee you won;t get that she went straight to a section. Slightly odd logic IMO, but it worked for her (and they can afford it).

I'll try and find that research for you tonight.