Am thinking about an Elective C Section

Hi everyone,

I have just found out I am pregnant with child number 5, having all natural births, some with drugs, some without.....never having a c section. I am contemplating having one now tho, as I am thinking about getting my tubes tied, as I think 5 children is enough for me. I have 4 boys already, and regardless if this is a girl or boy, I really don't want anymore....now my question is, has anyone had an elective, and what was recovery time? And did the tube tying work? I am more worried about the recovery as having 4 kids already, I need to take care of them, and also a new bub......thanks in advance :)

I have thought about this issue, but I think I'd rather recover from a natural birth with a newborn, and then go for elective tubal litigation, than to have a c/s with tubal litigation and have to look after a newborn while recovering from major abdominal surgery. That's just my opinion though :).

Yes i agree with Maruschke.. I have had both and although I had a good C section experience and recovered well, I would choose VB then have the tubal ligation at a later date when bub is older and someone can help you.

Interested to see opinions about this. This is my 5th bub too and all the others have been natural births. My ob has suggested that a c-section is a high possibility for this bub and I was wondering about things like recovery time and the possibility of having my tubes tied at the same time too. Sorry no advice but I'm interested in seeing what others say too.

I've had a meeting with my hospital, and in the event of an emergency c/s, they have been instructed to tie my tubes. But I won't elect for a c/s, and would rather have it at a latter date when bubs is more settled.

This confuses me a bit.
A CS is a major abdominal surgery. It takes a LONG recovery time, has many risks to both you and baby, during and after the operation, and can have follow on effects for you and bubs in terms of feeding success and health complications.
Tubal Ligation is a keyhole surgery, with very minimal invasive characteristics, is a day surgery, with short recovery time and comparatively miniscule risk to you and NO risk to your baby (obviously).
So why would you opt for a non-medically indicated MAJOR surgery for the purpose of saving yourself a MINOR procedure?

Is there some other reason you are contemplating a cs? I've had one - I wouldn't choose it without a real reason, and not sure there would be a benefit to choosing it simply to have your tubes done.

I have had a c/s and a natural birth and I would never choose an elective c/s ever. Just the recovery while looking after a newborn. Oh it makes that first period of getting to know your bub so much less enjoyable.

I would also be thinking about the risks. Vaginal birth is much better for baby and mum too.

Totally up to you but if it was me that's what I'd do :)

HTH

I had elective c section with DS2 (but no tube tying!). Recovery for me was better than vaginal birth with DS1, although i only had one toddler to wranggle, and DH took 3 weeks off work to help so it wasnt too bad. Recovery times for me were: up and walking same day (procedure was at 1.30pm), shower next morning, home from hospital after 5 nights (although could have gone home earlier, but chose to stay to get some rest!!) could drive in about 1 1/2 weeks but DH was about so didnt need to (btw the insurance thing about having to wait 6 weeks is an urban myth) lifting toddler into highchair/car/cot etc in about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks. I am not sure how much more the tube tying would add to the recovery. Good luck with your decision. Xoxo.

As far as I am aware the failure rate of tubes being tied during c/s is quite high. I don't think it would be something I would even consider. I would be more inclined to look at a vasectomy for your partner, that way you don't have to worry about any recovery from surgery with a baby. The recover for the vasectomy is very short!

I've had 3 caesars, all unwanted and the recovery is pretty tough, especially looking after a newborn. I can't compare to the recovery of a natural delivery, however, the last caesar was classed as 'elect' b/c we had 24 hrs notice after finding out I had pre-eclampsia. This meant that they booked me in and i could have a midwife assigned to me who stayed in recovery with me after the birth. I found this made a huge difference to the experience, as both my first two were taken away from me, while I lay in recovery on my own. It also delayed that first breastfeed. What's really difficult is getting into and out of bed in the first couple of days to feed the baby and get back into bed, holding a baby with one arm and trying to get comfortable etc. The night staff are pretty busy and I didn't have DH stay overnight in hospy with the first two births. Third time we had a double room and he was able to help me with the night feeds.
I'm 9 weeks post natal now and feeling back to normal-ish, but the first 6 weeks were pretty sore, plus no driving or heavy lifting etc. I couldn't sit on a low couch cos it hurt too much. Some people bounce back really quickly, but I'm not one of them. It's so hard to find unbiased advice - I tried for VBAC's and got given all of the handouts on the dangers etc and no information on the dangers of c/s or repeat c/s. If you plan a c/s, you'll probably get the opposite! Just ask for as much information from your care providers on the pro's and con's so you can make a really informed decision. Everybody heals differently and you may have a much better recovery than others.

I've had one elective c/s and I recovered really well and super quick. But keep in mind everyone is different. My sister had an elective c/s and had her tubes tied with no fuss. She is really happy with how it all went :)



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Thanks everyone. I have thought about it, and will consider it, and ask as much info as possible. I have never had an complications during VB, no tearing or anything, so I am pretty sure my fifth birth would be the same. However, I was just thinking of getting 2 things done at once, knowing when bub is coming (as I have 4 kids to think about when I go into labour and hospital stay) and also long term contraceptive. My sister has had 4 out of 5 c sections and has recovered well, but that doesn't mean it will be the same for me. I was just looking at options, and I know its major surgery, and there are risks as well, but its just a thought so far, and am looking at all options.

The key hole surgery does sound better, in recovery, but was thinking of getting it done at the same time. Thanks for advice ladies :)

As far as I know tubal ligation carried out during a c-section has a higher failure rate than tubal ligation done as a stand alone procedure.

I will be having an elective c section this time arond after my emergency... I have had one viginal birth though which was also quite destressing. Dr's can acctually insert the mirena in the Doctors surgery now so it may be worth lookiing into that? If you truly would like a c section go for it but the recovery is certainly not nice compared to a viginal birth. My Dr did suggest Mirena because I'll be 26 when I have ub and they seem to think my idea of tube tying is a tad drastic (I don't see how it is, my body, I know I've only ever wanted three children... and no regardless of doctors saying it I don't want to "replace" a child if they pass).

Definately research your options & find out down time and success rates for both keyhole and c-sect. I had an emerg. c-sect and had a great recovery, walking the next day, minimal pain/able to manage the pain and drove at about 3/4 weeks after surgery. I have had other surgeries in the past & my recovery is always good anyway. It is major abdominal surgery, so keep that in mind that your stomach muscles are cut & they cut through alot of layers. I hope you can find non-biased factual information and make the decision that is right for you & your family. GL

I have had Merina implanted, and as low as the hormone dosage is, it doesn't agree with me. The pill or any hormonal contraception doesn't agree with me at all. But I'll talk to my Dr and see what they say. Thanks ladies :)