Elective C-Section after Emergancy C-Section.

Just wondering if anybody has done this (Im guessing there is a few) and if so, was it very different to what u remember to the first one. Im guessing it would be calmer cos of the whole not being and emergency and all but was the actual surgery more painful the second time around or did it take longer to heal etc etc. Now that I think about it it would probably be good to hear from people that had an elective after an elective cos they will have the experience both times with the emergency (Im rambling on now arent I:rolleyes:).

I know that there are a few girls who did, but I'm not sure if they are all around atm...

I had a second c/sec which was elective (planned at short notice) but turned into an emergency (cos I went into labour first!).
The one thing I wanted to be different was the anaesthesia. I requested a general because I hated the feeling of the epidural. I'm glad i had the epi for my first one, for the experience of seeing my first baby born, but I hated everything else about the epidural. Feeling numb, spending most of my time lying there wishing everything would finish up, being cold.... The ob did not want me to have a GA, but the anaesthetist supported me, said that some people couldn't stand epidurals and that my safety was equal under a general.
I was thrilled to wake up in recovery feeling warm down to my toes. I did not mind dh being the first to see and hold the baby. I had organized a midwife to be with him the entire time so he felt well supported. He was with me while I was prepped, out of theatre just a couple of minutes while I was put out, then back in for the birth. Then he was with the baby.
My recovery was excellent. I could tell when I woke up from my first sleep that I felt great and was going to heal better than the first time. I was up within less than 12 hours, catheter out, pca gone.
The scar is slightly bigger and no one can tell me why. The baby was much smaller! It healed very well. I had a continuous suture.
There are so many variables with surgery that I'm not sure you can COUNT on a better result the second time. What is better is being able to look at your previous experience and knowing what you want to be different. HTH!

HI Jodie

I had an elective after an emergency (a year ago on Saturday - completely irrelevant). I didn't think i had a bad experience with the emerg but the elective was just brilliant compared to the emerg. It's strange in that you are more with it as you haven't had to go through labour but the most unpleasant thing for me about the whole thing was having tha catherter put in!!! It was slightly different in that i had an epidural for the emerg and a spinal for the elective but neither hurt although i did have abit of a reaction to the spinal but they sorted that out in no time with extra drugs in through the drip. Actual surgery wasn't anymore painful and my recovery was lots quicker. Will was born at 15.03 and by next morning i was in the shower and able to walk around fine, no morphine or anything like that, just abit of panadol. Will probably have an elective again if i manage to conceive #3 !
Good luck
Julie x

So pretty much for your second one they give u a spinal instead of the epidural. Sweet. I didnt feel anything for the first one but a lot of people have said that they felt things with thier c-sections so I was thinking maybe this time I would feel pain. Dunno why. Just a thought really.

Oh probably should have said that Im going to have an elective c-section with my second child.

This is a great post! I am currently considering choosing an elective c-section after an emergency the first time. We are going to the ob on Friday- my husband is pretty insistent we go for the elective and my ob thinks I will probably end up having a c-section anyway - so we shall have to wait and see~! I am not looking forward to the after pain but it is good to read everyone considers it less painful the 2nd time..

My first c/s although classed as emergency it really wasn't. My waters broke and We were 37 weeks and the Drs knew I was having a big baby and my appointment that day was to discuss a natural or c/s delivery so we decided on a c/s so as I was already in labour they rushed me thru and classed it as an emergency. With my 2nd c/s we opted for a c/s early on in the pregnancy, I was a little more nervous 2nd time round leading up to the date and on the morning but after that I was fine and I felt I healed faster and recovered much quicker because I knew what was coming

I had an elective c section after an emergency c section (first was emergency forceps). I actually didnt cope quite as well with the elective. The emergency I think because it was all so quick and I was in labour i was so worried and feared the worst, but the actual experience wasnt too bad and feeding/bonding took off immediately! With my elective, I was calm, prepared, been using visualisation to envelope myself with white light and been preparing baby for what was happening but I had an awful epidural experience and feeding took a bit longer to establish. I was in a bit more pain too and granted it was a little more difficult running after a preschooler and a toddler.

Jo

i had an elective after an emergency & the only differences were:-
at least it wasnt a suprise & i was prepared for it
the 2nd one took a bit longer to cut in as they were going through scar tissue
i got to spend time with my baby instead of her being taken away the first time
i feel like ive healed quicker the 2nd time

Glad I found this thread as I am thinking about having an elective c/s after a first emergency c/s two years ago. I don't have any problem with it, other than I would prefer to be awake this time as with the general anaesthetic last time I was so out of it for a day afterwards. however everywhere I read people go on and on about elective c/s as if I should feel bad about having one.
I think my ob might recommend one, as my first baby was 4.2kgs and this one will probably be bigger.

sounds very simular to me I had an emergency with my first and general ansthetic, like you I was sooo out of it and really struggled with bonding and the whole shock IYKWIM? second time around (2yrs later) I planned a VBAC attempt but at 39wks baby was still breach so I went for a planned C and had a spinal blck OMG it was fantastic dh was in the room and I saw my little girl come out it was so different to the first. Recovery was alot quicker but the biggest difference I notices was that I was aware of everything and sitting up in bed half an hr later (after recovery) bfing and holding my baby. The scar seemed to heal quicker I wasn't as sore probably because I hadn't been in labour for 24hrs prior and I had more energy to deal with it.
3rd time around I've struggled with the decission but as yet I'm having another elective C. Don't worry hun I know exactly how you feel :hug: you do what you feel is right no one should judge you.

What a great post. I had an emergency cs 2 years ago with my first born (after 6 hours in labour). I am due to go in for an elective cs on Monday and am so pleased to hear of such positive things about the second time around. My main concern was being able to still care for my first born with a new bub as well (even though I have the family support). I think it will be a great experience knowing what to do the second time around (even though every baby is different) but to know what to expect as well as knowing your limits from the first one will make it a quicker recovery. I am very excited and looking forward to meeting my little bub (sex unknown - which makes it even more exciting)...

Good luck girls with upcoming c/s.

I had bub #3 3.5weeks ago elective c/s after bub #2 was emergency c/s. It was the most wonderful experience. I knew what I was facing, and went in with the most positive attitude I could muster up. My experience from the actual c/s to recovery has been wonderful.

Take care and enjoy your new bub.

Z.

My 3rd bub was elective as well and it was such a great experience really. I wasn't as terrified

i definitely need to have an elective c-section after the traumatic arrival of my first bub (28 hours labour, emergency csection).... i just couldn't go through that again, there is no way.... my question to those who have had electives, is it just a matter of saying you want an elective and they will do it, or does it depend on your doctor/ob/hospital?? i was and will probably be going public again, how does it work with wanting an elective c-section... any stories? is it likely that i will be told i should try to go thru the labour?? ive had some counselling with a pyschologist and have realised its really important for me to have as much control as possible with bub number 2 and to be honest if i was told i had to try the labour again, i probably wouldn't have another.... although i am a good year off TTC, it does freak me out that i might be forced to try to labour and birth vaginally....?

I'm sure that once you explain your trauma and fears to your OB he'll have no problems with you having an elective C, you have more than enough reason :hug:

this is a great thread ladies. I am currently considering whether to choice elective c or trial labour. I had 12 hr labour with DS, failed vacuum extraction (which was awful) and then emergency c section.
I was devasted though I didnt get to bond with DS when he was born and didnt see him for the 1st hr or so after he was born.
The elective c section sounds a lot more relaxed which is good and I think if we end up going that way I will be fine with it.

My main concern is recovery and running around after a 2 1/2 yr old when I get home.

I was in the same delema as you with my second I had an emergency C with my first and they had to use a general so I had alot of trouble bonding and bfing was a nightmare but with my 2nd I had a spinal and everything was pre planned, I can't believe the difference between both births! the decision is a hard one I know, I was planning on a trial of scar but dd was breech at 39 weeks so I went with a C not too sure how it would have turned out having another emergency, something I was really worried about, I really wanted to be in control the second time.