I had an emergency csection after a failed induction. I was 11 days overdue and had had regular ctg monitoring which indicated there was some foetal distress. Was induced with membrane rupture....(arrgh) and they scraped baby's head. Contractions started straight away but bubs heart rate dropped immediately..they wanted to give me a general then and there but I begged to be awake. The experience wasnt that bad really. Previously I had had a forceps delivery after baby had gone into distress, with only a morphine shot several hours earlier..you can imagine how painful that was so comparitively the experience was good.

After those two births, I was scared...traumatised really by the whole birthing experience. With dd3 I chose the elective c section route, I felt then I would have more control. With ds was really given little choice with my history but it went well despite my fears regarding the epidural.

Recovery time fairly quick for me. In each case I was up and walking around the next morning and after two days was off pain relief. I didnt feel that breastfeeding was hindered by my csections. While Sammy was put with me to feed in recovery, Emmy and Olivia were whisked away and it wasnt until i was back in the room that we could start.

Not so good aspects of the surgery are the epidurl/spinal block. With Olivia, I had it hit a nerve so shot up into the air screaming. It was the most horrible feeling. With Sammy I had an epidual put in but after he was born my pain levels were really really high and they were quite alarmed because my BP was racing...they found it had come out of my back and liquid was going everywhere. Two not so pleasant aspects.

Positives are - it is quick...you can often know the day that you are delivering your baby so can plan ahead.

HTHs

Jo