C Section

butterflylady

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice, I'm 39 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child, my first 2 came with some intervention but were mainly natural births.

I had my heart set on a home birth this time, but it was not to be. A couple of weeks ago the community midwife thought baby was in the wrong position so I went for a scan, baby was head down but measuring 4 weeks ahead I.e 41 weeks at 37 weeks.

It was agreed with the consultant that I would have a sweep at 39 weeks and be induced if there's bed on due date. Returned to midwife to let her know, she wasn't at all interested once I said that a home birth wasn't an option now due to the risks.

She did tell me that with her tape measure baby wasn't measuring big and that if I was induced I was likely to need a section.

I am petrified of having a section, I react to just about every painkiller there is apart from paracetamol and iboufen, I have no idea how I am going to cope with a new baby and 2 others after major surgery.

In addition to this I really don't want my oh to have to look after me, I no that sounds silly, it isn't his issue it is mine. I feel that it is my job to look after him. It's taken a lot for me to let him do things while I'm pregnant as I love looking after him!!

I also wanted to give him the experience of a natural delivery, my children r from a previous relationship and his son was born by section.

I no this all sounds really silly but I just can't deal with it, everything I wanted has gone and one I just feel like a failure. :(

Thanks for read

Gigglepig

Firstly a big hug.

Secondly, some tough love. " Natural" is not always "good". In "nature", things are tough, plenty of things go wrong, while in a civilised society with good medical care babies and mothers survive. I'm sure your partner does not give a toss how the baby gets out as long as you and the baby are well looked after?

Please please don't feel like a failure. It sounds like you may be safer in hospital in this particular situation. "everyone" who gets induced do not end up with a section, and even if you do, well does it matter as long as you are both safe?

Would it help if you spoke to a more supportive midwife, or called the labour ward to discuss your concerns about painkillers etc?

If you do need surgery, I'm sure your partner, family and friends will do their best to look after you for a while after. It sounds like it may be their turn to look after you for a change? Also, can you book a cleaner, childminder etc in advance if extra help is needed?

Person_one

A section is always a possibility, with any birth, however being induced most definitely doesn't mean you'll inevitably need one!

As for not wanting to be looked after by your partner because its your job to look after him, well yes, that is very silly, its 2013 woman!

fluffnutter

butterflylady wrote: »

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice, I'm 39 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child, my first 2 came with some intervention but were mainly natural births.

I had my heart set on a home birth this time, but it was not to be. A couple of weeks ago the community midwife thought baby was in the wrong position so I went for a scan, baby was head down but measuring 4 weeks ahead I.e 41 weeks at 37 weeks.

It was agreed with the consultant that I would have a sweep at 39 weeks and be induced if there's bed on due date. Returned to midwife to let her know, she wasn't at all interested once I said that a home birth wasn't an option now due to the risks.

She did tell me that with her tape measure baby wasn't measuring big and that if I was induced I was likely to need a section.

I am petrified of having a section, I react to just about every painkiller there is apart from paracetamol and iboufen, I have no idea how I am going to cope with a new baby and 2 others after major surgery.

In addition to this I really don't want my oh to have to look after me, I no that sounds silly, it isn't his issue it is mine. I feel that it is my job to look after him. It's taken a lot for me to let him do things while I'm pregnant as I love looking after him!!

I also wanted to give him the experience of a natural delivery, my children r from a previous relationship and his son was born by section.

I no this all sounds really silly but I just can't deal with it, everything I wanted has gone and one I just feel like a failure. :(

Thanks for read

Oh sweets, try not to be upset. I've highlighted one part of your post because personally I think this is absolute nonsense. It's long been thought that inducing a labour leads to further intervention such as a section but this simply isn't the case.

You can refuse an induction. There's nothing to stop you going into labour naturally and seeing how you go. I will also say that c-sections are not the horror that you feel they are. If they're necessary then you just get on with it - the alternatives are worse. The recovery time varies dramatically from woman to woman - I was a little sore around day 2 and found it difficult to stand up straight quickly but other than that I don't remember any ill effects at all. I was lifting my baby, driving, walking well within the week. So don't worry too much that if you do have one you'll be incapable. But equally accept some help. TBH, I think you should arrange for people to help you anyway (if you can). A newborn when you already have two will be hard work.

One last thing - the birth is about you and your baby. I understand that your partner is really important to you but if you worry about providing him the perfect birth then you're not focusing properly on yourself and your baby. I bet he'll love you and love your baby however it comes out.

In a few short weeks you'll be enjoying time with your baby - whatever happens. Talk to your midwife again if it helps but take what she says with a pinch of salt - induction does NOT mean you'll end up with a section. Utter rubbish.

butterflylady

My partner says all he wants is me and the baby safe. I just wanted to 'give' him something different from what he had before. Yes I am aware that sounds very silly!! We're both agreed this is the last baby, my body cldn't cope with another pregnancy, I have also suffered badly with depression during the pregnancy.

I am due at the hospital for the sweep tomorrow, so hoping to speak to the consultant than. The attitude to my 'intolerance' to painkillers is normally treated dismissively as the reaction is feeling very dizzy, not being able to stand and wanting to throw up. One over the counter solperdine can leave me flat out for days.

I feel embarrassed having to have people look after me, when people have done it in the past I.e my mum and my ex it's all been thrown back in my face!!

fluffnutter

The thing is.. this baby's coming out somehow. Try not to worry about what ifs. You'll only end up with a section if it's medically necessary in which case you'll probably be quite happy to have one. Let's hope the sweep does its thing. Keep active and keep your fingers crossed (if they're not too puffy!).

Exciting! You'll have your new little one soon.

Gigglepig

butterflylady wrote: »

I feel embarrassed having to have people look after me, when people have done it in the past I.e my mum and my ex it's all been thrown back in my face!!

I understand where you are coming from, and hope your partner and other people in your life don't make you feel that way. You deserve better than that. Everyone needs a bit of looking after from time to time, and giving birth is undoubtably one of those times.

butterflylady

Thank you for the responses, i know it's not my job to look after my oh, it's just his ex was so dismissive about what he did round the house and working full time, that I want him to know how much I appreciate him!!

The concern with refusing the induction is that the baby currently has an estimated weight of 9lbs+ and that if the baby continue to grow, there is a risk of the baby getting stuck!!

I know that my oh and his family will look after me, well as much as I let them!

For people who have had sections, what painkillers were u given?

fluffnutter

Lots of women birth 9lb plus babies naturally. It's not that unusual these days. You've already had two so your chances of a straightforward birth are even greater. A few more days won't make that much difference and it's head size and presentation that are more important than weight anyway.

Re. painkillers I had voltarol and paracetamol in hospital (two days) then told to take paracetamol at home when I was discharged. I don't remember being in any pain particularly - a bit difficult to move quickly for about five days but nothing more onerous than that.

Toto

How big were your other babies?


Induction with someone who has had babies previously is often a much simpler process than a first time mum. However, the earlier you try induction the less preparation your body has naturally made so failure to progress is more likely. That said, 39 weeks is not early and based on what you have said there is no indication what so ever that a C section is likely.


The size of your previous babies along with the history of your previous births might give a clue to how things will go but nothing is definite. But remember, any delivery can result in a section for lots and lots of reasons. Definitely go into it with a come what may attitude and a knowledge that somehow you will find a way to manage afterwards and you'll be in a good position.


Anxiety produces adrenaline and adrenaline blocks the natural labour hormones so spend lots of time relaxing and finding ways to reduce your stress.

peachyprice

butterflylady wrote: »

I react to just about every painkiller there is apart from paracetamol and iboufen,

butterflylady wrote: »

The attitude to my 'intolerance' to painkillers is normally treated dismissively as the reaction is feeling very dizzy, not being able to stand and wanting to throw up. One over the counter solperdine can leave me flat out for days.

I don't know what pain killers you're expecting to be given, but paracetamol, sometimes ibuprofen too, is given after a c-section, nothing else.