Positive elective c/s stories??

[Rach75]

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...3-10-09-a.html

[~Kim~]

Here's mine.

I had mine booked when my waters broke.

[Sophia73]

Positive experience here...I sometimes feel there is an unwritten rule that you're not allowed to say that but I did have one!

After a difficult and traumatic VB with DD1 I weighed up options, did lots of reading and followed my heart to an elective C-section and never looked back! I healed quickly and recovery was good. Pain was very well managed initially by the hospital and then I stopped the meds after 4 days as I felt I didn't need anything. It was all very cruisey - very different from my first experience.

People always want to know about the scar and yes that healed really well for me (depends on your surgeon's skill too).

Good luck with yours and keep trying to find a balanced view on this issue.

[Jandals]

Wow! Thanks girls. It's a relief to read some happy c/s stories. It would be really good if there was a place for positive c/s stories within the birth stories section. They are, after all, still as valid a birth story as any other

Sophia - I also had a traumatic VB with DD (which took months to heal) and after much reading and discussion with DH we decided an elective c/s best this time for many reasons. I feel very empowered in having made this decision for my baby and myself. However, like you mentioned I feel like this is often seen as less acceptable in some people's eyes. I've been thinking that the amount of c/s horror stories can't be statistically indicative of how it is. I think maybe women that had a difficult c/s have a greater need to talk it through to help them process it, which I can totally understand after my VB.

rufalina - I've heard a few ladies mention the blood tests that are done before a c/s but no-one has mentioned these to me yet. Should I ask at my next appt? Do you know what they are testing for?

Also any suggestions for the best pain relief after? I know from previous surgery I've had that morphine makes me very drowsy and I want to be with it after the wee guy arrives so I can get straight on to breast feeding. I realise that any narcotic will probably make me a bit sleepy and I'll probably need something like this to begin with but I'm keen to minimize this as much as possible, kwim?

[~Kim~]

Jandals I had a very positive anaesthetic story. Make sure you speak to the anaesthetist in depth before hand and explain to him exactly what you want.
I didn't cope with morphine the first time, so with Nate had a fentanyl based spinal and PCA, with as much ondansetron as I needed - much better experience.

Also the feeding thing. With DD's c/sec it was my first bub so I trusted the m/w suggestion of routine feeding. I had no milk until day 6. With the little guy I fed and fed and fed everytime he squwarked - milk on day 2

[melbel]

I just had a C section 15 days ago and as much as I was anxious going into it, in hindsight it was the best experience. I had the best team as in anaethetist, obstetrician and paediatrician and to be perfectly honest if we were to go for number two I would lean heavily towards another c-section as my birthing method of choice. the recovery has been remarkably easy, pain relief included morphine by tablets for the first two days but it was a form of morphine that is slow release over twelve hours and I found it didnt make me as fluffy in the head as standard endone does. I was able to express straight away (my little man had to spend a couple of days in special care for unrelated issues and was unable to be put to the breast straight away).

I was able to get out of bed as soon as the catheter came out about 16 hours after the op.....that first day movement was limited to assisted visits to the toilet and wheelchair visits to my little man in the SCN but the next day I had pretty much full mobility back.....I was even able to cut my toenails the day after which was awesome cos thay had been driving me insane for a couple of weeks before...LOL.
I came home on day 6 taking only nurofen plus and panadol for pain relief and have only needed that maybe once a day as you get a bit tired as the day wears on type thing...now 15 days on the wound just looks like a scar and the pain is just twinges if I move too quickly in a certain direction type of thing....

I certainly do not feel like I missed out on anything but not going through labour....for me it was definitely an empowered c-section birth....hope that helps hun.....

[PumpkinZulu]

Jandals, I just wanted to say a big good on you for reading, researching, discussing, and making an informed decision that favours you and your baby the most. Many people will tell you that elective c/s are bad, I think it is just lovely to read about tour decision. I hope the birth of your baby is everything you wish it to be and more; empowering, beautiful, joyous

[Jandals]

Oh thanks PumpkinZulu Although I'm very content with my decision, and those that frown on elective c/s don't upset me, it's always nice to have others let me know they are understanding and supportive of my choice. I'm totally going in to the experience with a positive and informed attitude; believing it will be an amazing experience for me and DH but knowing there are risks that may not be able to be avoided (as there are with a VB too).

melbel - your story sounds great! And wow to being able to cut your toenails

That makes me think of another question I had. The info pack I was given said I have to remove all nail polish Do they realise how long it's been since I've had naked toenails?! Does anyone know why they don't like painted nails in surgery?

Kim - thanks for the pain relief info. I'm hoping that I will have an anaesthetist that I know - just have to ask him if he can be available for me on the day. I had a few probs with an epidural when I had DD so it's something I'm a little nervous about and I'd feel much more relaxed if he could be there. I demand fed DD and didn't have any trouble with milk coming in or feeding but I know it can be a little slower for some women after a c/s so I'll be sure to have the boobies ready to go anytime!

It seems one of the best things to do to help recovery is to get up and moving as soon as you can after. Did you all find that? I can't imagine wanting to stay in bed for too long anyway. I'll be wanting to do as much for the baby as I can and I'm guessing I'll probably also want a shower as soon as possible?

You guys are great! So much help

[melbel]

They don't like painted nails in surgery because they can't get accurate readings through the O2 monitor that they clip to your finger if there is nail polish in the way....even clear nail polish affects the reception. Also if there is chipping of the nail poilish etc it can pose a hypothetical infection risk ......

Fingernails definitely need to be polish free.....toes can possibly be negotiated depending on who is doing the operation etc....