Elective C/S - did any of you choose this birth option?

Hi girls

I know that there is a c/s chatter forum - but I wanted to ask a specific question......

Did any of you choose an elective c/s for your first baby and if so, what were the reasons? If you choose a c/s for your second I would also love to hear from you and your experiences!

Thanks to everyone in advance!

Megan

Well I had an anterior placenta that was very very large with prevaia (sp?), so I was always going to have a c/s. But at around 36w (guesssing) the ob said that I could probably try a vaginal labour because the placenta "appeared" to be moving up and away from the cervix. There was no u/s option to confirm this. So I ended up having an elective c/s because I wasn't prepared to take the risk!!! My waters broke 2 days for the scheduled date and the midwives tried to convince me to give natural labour a go as I was already 4cm dilated with no pain, when I presented at the hospital. I quickly said no thanks and please call the surgeon now! I only had a few weeks of living with an elective c/s but I suppose it didn't worry me because I really considered it as a medical necessity.

Good luck with your decision(s)

Megan,

I had an emergency caesarean with Jacob, but when we have another, I will electing to have a caesarean. When I had my 6w post-natal checkup with my OB, he recommended that I have a caesarean next time around due to the complications that arose during labour with Jacob. He did say that I could try a VBAC if I wanted to, but I may wind up in the emergency situation again and I want to avoid that situation, so in my mind, I feel a lot better knowing exactly what will be happening next time.

Thanks guys for your responses....I am seriously considering an elective c/s and have been feeling so much judgement about it from other women that I have met. It is great to hear your views and experiences.....thanks so much for writing and if you think of anything else - please write again

Megan

Megan - go with what you think is best, don't tell anyone and avoid the judgement. Anyway I thoroughly believe that it's not how the baby is born the matters but how well you parent the baby her/his life. (As long as the birth is healthy for both mother and baby that is).

DH said once "you don't get a medal for natural child birth!"

Thanks Sheree and I did LOL at your comment of getting a medal. I was talking to my neighbour the other day who has had 3 c/s and understood the judegement from other women in particular! I just find the whole thing a bit sad that in 2005 there is still an expectation that we will struggle to give birth to our babies or we haven't really 'achieved' what is considered acceptable! My neighbour informed me that this attitude is alive and kicking....I just don't get it!

Thanks again

Megan

Hi Megan,

I chose an elective c section with my third child after my first two had gone into foetal distress. My first was a forceps delivery and my second was an emergency c section. I figured with an elective I wasnt going to be in for any more suprises. I will be having another c section with my fourth. I do find that some women can be quite judgemental..especially ones that havent had c sections (in my experience) but really it is up to you and all we really want is our babies out safely right? Goodluck with whatever you decide.

Jo

Thanks Jo and Shannon

Jo - one of my biggest fears is having a forceps delivery....how did you go? (please comment only if you don't mind talking about it!!)

Shannon - I can't believe that you expereinced a level of harsh judgements from doctors? I was thinking that midwives might have preconcieved ideas about what is considered 'right' but I am surprised about the doctors. My OB has been supportive to my concerns thus far which is great.

I too am worried about the recovery - but with a natural birth, there is no guarantee that you won't need time to recover either is there?

Megan

megan, I am having a c/s, but i dont have much choice, have a giant baby and a small pelvis, so the two don't really mix.

are your fears of a vag labour your only reason for considering a c/s or are there medical reasons involved as well. you don't have to answer, i'm just curious that's all, not judgemental.

i am the other way around i am terrified of having a c/s and just wanted to have a vag labour - would be good if we could've swapped!

Can you believe someone said to me once that I hadn't "given birth" because I had an emergency caesarean?! I found that quite offensive. I laboured for a long time and gave it my best shot (and found it very traumatic) but in the end there was no other option, and as far as I was concerned, the main thing is that Jacob arrived safe and sound.

Megan, I think that whether you have a vaginal birth or a caesarean, you need time to recover. Your body goes through quite a lot giving birth either way!

Tootie - I am absolutely appalled that someone would say that to you!!!! :mad: Makes me want to scream actually! Some people are sooooo rude and inconsiderate! What did you say?

Min - I have a weak pelvic floor (but will find out how bad it is on Friday when I see a physio) but I am thinking that it is the best option for me. I don't want any permanent damage and I don't want to go through an 18 hour labour to have a c/s anyway and I really don't want a forceps delivery!! I am still waying up the options - but I feel so uncomfortable about a natural birth.....yes - we should swap situations! I will make a decision over the next few weeks. I really wanted to hear from people in my situation that are having a c/s by choice as I know that they have got to be out there on this site as I have met plenty around lately...when are you booked in Min?

Megan

For my next bub I am probably going to choose to have an elective c/s. This is because when I had my DD she had shoulder distocia (where her shoulders got stuck) which is apparently an emergency situation. And the fact that my pelvis was a bit small for her. She also weighed 9lb 7oz. The doctor who delivered her said it was probably best if I had c/s next time round. He advised i have an u/s at around 35-36 weeks to estimate how big the baby will be and if too big(which is most likely) then have a c/s at around the 38 week mark.

I don't mind the idea of a c/s if it is elective. I would rather have that than an emergency one. For reasons like, you are prepared for it, there is less risk of losing you or the baby, doctors arn't rushing the process to get the baby out, so less chance the doctor making a mistake or something because their hands are working faster than they are thinking.

Tootie, that is really harsh for something to say that by having a c/s you didn't give birth! I would have slapped that person silly. It is not like you had the choice and anyway I don't see what the problem is as long as you and the baby are ok.

Tegan - I am with you!! I don't want an emergency c/s either...hence the planning and thinking about one electively!

Megan

Tegan - what Tootie said about by having a c/s you didn't give birth i have had that also said to me.

Megan you know that i am having an elective c/s this time. As i really don't want to risk having another emergency c/s.

Michelle, who would say such a thing? That really is horrible. Some people have no consideration at all!

When are elective c/s scheduled?? 1 week, 2 weeks before due date?
Had an emergency one with DD and just wondering for No 2. (I know it's a bit early to worry about it but....)

Tegan - DH's cousin said that to me. She had quick births with hers and no problems. It is very upsetting when someone says it to you. If i didn't have Kimberley when i did they might have lost me.

saschasmum - I was told 38 weeks if you are having a c/s. Not sure if they will do one as late as 39 weeks just in case you go into labour early.

It is an awful thing to say isn't it Michelle. I was just so stunned I was speechless.....I just couldn't for the life of me think of what to say.

Megan - I absolutely DO NOT want to have a whopping long labour again and end up having an emergency caesar again....no way. It was like giving birth twice IMO.....I had all the physical exhaustion of labouring, and then the caesarean and days on end with no sleep! Definitely not a situation I want repeated, so I am not going to hesitate next time around and will have the elective caesarean in a heartbeat. It will also do my mental health the world of good I think, and I believe that this is something that a lot of people fail to understand.....

Honestly, if you believe that this is the best option for you and have weighed up all the options and discussed it with your healthcare provider, then don't feel bad about it ok? It's entirely your decision and you need to do what is best for you. I'd hate to see you feel as though you 'had' to go for a vaginal birth when you are absolutely petrified of it, plus there are the pelvic floor issues that you mentioned which you need to take into account and I imagine are of great concern to you.

Saschasmum - from what I know, elective caesareans are normally scheduled for around 38w.

Hello again..Megan the forceps delivery was fairly excruciating..dont want to put a dampener on deliveries but it was pretty harsh but seeing as it was with my first I just figured that was how it was. Tootie..Ive also had the same comment said to me..and from a Man of all people..like what the??? ](*,)

Jo

Tootie - the mental health thing I feel is very important.....I don't know whether unborn babies can feel stress from their mothers, but if they can it can't be good!

Jo - I hope that you only had the dreaded forceps with one of your girls - as it does sound awful and it is terribly frightening for me....

I thought that you had your baby at 38wk if you were having a c/s too - but maybe for the first one they would make you wait a little longer as first babies are often overdue?

Megan

Hi Everyone

Thought that I should post in here again and give you an update. After much deliberation, I have decided to have a c/s. I will be discussing this with my OB on Friday and hopefully she will support my decision.

Thanks for all of your comments in this thread - I really appreciate all of your honesty around your experiences as it does make it easier for first time mums like me!

Thanks again

Megan

Thanks Fletch - I hope that your OB appointment goes really well....come and chat with us in the July thread - it would be nice to keep in touch!

Megan

WOW...I just wanted to say that someone asked me this weekend if I was "too posh to push" =; don't even get me started....

BUT then DH turned around to HIM (thats right another male) and said, after 20 hours of labour, the baby was stuck in the same position for 6 hours, and maybe the c/s didn't have to happen in the next hour but it was the only way out, now is that an emergency, maybe not life and death, but definately the only way she was coming out alive. And with that he took my hand and walked off...gotta love him!

Christy - I cannot believe that! :shock: And a guy none the less! Shocking behaviour - who makes up these stupid sayings anyway......people can be so rude...... :mad: Stupid Man!


Megan

Shame on the magazine for using such a phrase - peoples reasons are there own and even though I am choosing a c/s - the thought of major surgery does not thrill me at all, but I am confident that it is the best thing for me and bubs at this stage!

Megan

I heard a term recently that I love! EBAC...it means Empowered Birth After Cesarean. It DOES NOT mean VBAC although often many people think it does. It actually means that you will have an Empowered (through choices, support and understanding) Birth experience. As I read recently that EBAC is actually about the involvement you have in the decision making process as thats where the empowerment really stems from. And no matter whether you have intervention, c/s (elective or emerg) or induction you can be empowered and should be. This is generally acheived by an inquisitive patient (knowledge is not a bad thing) and also and informative support group, be it doula, dr, midwife or even a group of women on a forum ;)

So IMHO if you are empowered by your choices then that is all that matters. Why let your own amazing experience be tainted by a few peoples mindless and hurtful comments. BE EMPOWERED :) You have decided on something thats right for you and that is ALL that matters. And I have too had that bollocks said to me about "not giving birth" as my child never passed through the birthing canal...what a crock! HONESTLY! Its so sad that not only do women feel the need to compete in parenting but even before that, birth.

I agree with the others...You go for it!

*hugs*
Cailin
(who's next labour attempt will be an EBAC)

Woohoo Cailin! I love that phrase - EBAC! That's what I want to have next time too!

Cailin - I love the phrase too! Thank you so much for your email...your comments are most valuable! Thank you also for your positive remarks - it is such a scary decision to make, and with all the judgement out there it just makes it harder for women like me that have no clue about any form of birthing!

Thanks again

Megan

Hi Megan

Just wanted to share my story... My OB thought my daughter was going to be too big for my pelvis, and suggested I have a CS.

I agreed, and to his amazement, she was only 3.5kg (approx 7 and a half pounds). It turns out I could have delivered her easily, but she did have her chord around her neck, so that would have presented a slight risk.

Anyway, she arrived safely and i was very glad of that.

20 months later when I was having my son, a different OB suggested I have another CS so I didn't put any strain on the scar. Because I'd already had one, and I had no ill-effects whatsoever (and didn't need any pain relief after the first day post-delivery) I agreed.

I thank God every day that I had that first CS with my daughter, which influenced me to have the second CS with my son. He had congenital heart failure (which could not be diagnosed in-utero) and would have died in during a VB.

I wear my scar with pride - every day it reminds me how blessed I am to have my two beautiful babies.

Mistyfying - thank you so much for sharing your story - I am so glad that you made the decision that you did also!! (and I was pleased to read that your recovery was positive - were you fit going into the birth?)

It is stories like yours that make me feel more confident with my decision! My OB has mentioned about my pelvis being small too....too early to tell though how big the baby will be! My DH is big - so not sure if this has anything to do with it!

Megan

Mistyfying - Thank you so much for sharing that with us.
It makes me feel so much better knowing you choose to have a second c/s and everything worked out well.

I now know i have made the right decision in having another c/s.

Megan...

I wasn't at my fittest... the only exercise I was doing was walking. Before I became pregnant with my first I played indoor netball once a week, but that was about it.

Thanks for sharing that story I really appreciated hearing it! And Cailin... I will hold onto that if we have another baby...EBAC. :D

I'm considering having an elective c/s for my third child, as I've had complicating factors with the last two. The one thing that is making me reconsider is the downtime after the birth - I have to weigh up whether I'll be incapacitated longer with a c/s or with a v/b.

I've had friends who had c/s, and all of them said they hadn't quite realised how hard the recovery time would be. To me, that makes it a bit of a gamble - it IS major surgery, no matter how you look at it, so I'm balancing it against what happened last time... when I had a spinal injury caused during labor and it took me six months to be able to walk properly again.

I honestly don't know which is going to be worse to recover from. The idea of being cut open isn't exactly thrilling, at least with a v/b most of the pain is gone within a few days of the birth.

I guess when it all comes down to it, it IS a personal choice, based on where your faith lies.

Oh - and having had two v/b's, I would NEVER be so insensitive as to claim someone hadn't 'given birth' because they had a c/s! What does nine months pregnancy count as? Like it makes you less of a mother... *grumble*. The hard part comes AFTER the baby is born! (mind you, that's the best part too)

Kerrie

Hi Kerrie

I have been worried about the 'downtime' too with a c/s - it was one of the main reasons to put me off doing it! But I have spoken to sooooo many people and the recovery times vary from person to person. Also, I have spoken to a few people that had vb's and were still recovering 9 weeks later!! (from severe stitching inside and out) I would be interested to know how others recovered (in this thread some people have posted about their recovery and it has been most useful) but if there is anyone else out there - please let us know!

Mistyfying's comments are interesting above re: recovery time.

Megan

Hi girls,
Just wanted to add my bit about recovery. I was 40 and fit and healthy and had my first child by emergency c/s. I had a general anaesthetic and I nice lot of i/v painkillers afterward so the first 12 hours after I was pretty out of it. but I had no pain thru te whole recovery and the only discomfort and difficulty I ever had was moving in and out of bed (and moving from sitting to lying in bed in the first few days). I felt fine within 2 weeks. But mind you it was my first baby and the middle of winter so I did not have to push myself.
I did find my general fitness and endurance level decreased. I got a big shock when I went for a walk pushing the pram at about 8 weeks and was completely exhausted. I thnk I was told that the anaesthetic could have that affect.
In the hospital, I have got to say the women that had the V/Bs looked much wrse of than those with c/s.
I would choose a C/S again definitely.

It took me quite a while to recovery from my caesarean. I think part of that though had to do with the fact that I had a long labour beforehand, so I had the physical exhaustion of that, plus the recovery from major surgery. Like Anney, I also found that my general fitness levels had decreased. I couldn't believe just how drained I was after going for just a short 10 minute walk with the pram!! I had to very slowly progress from walking around the block to longer walks. Plus, having NO strength in my stomach muscles meant pushing the pram was extra hard work (trying to get it up onto the footpath was HARD work and on one occasion when I first went out, I actually got stuck! Thank god for DH!)

I was in pain for quite a long time too, and had difficulty getting in/out of bed.

Hi,

I have had both a vaginal birth and an emergency c-section.

Two of my sisters had each given birth to two children by c-section and small pelvis runs in my family, so I had asked my first ob re whether I could choose planned c-section. She seemed to be against c-section and put me off the idea. My second ob was more pro c-section, and seemed to perform them more often. Anyway, when the time came with my second-born, she was in breech position and an emergency c-section was needed (waters broke early).

Both birth experiences were positive for me and I was fully conscious and excited/relieved with both deliveries, and I had pretty much equivalent recovery durations. I really couldn't say I preferred one method over the other, and don't really mind which option I have if I have a third.

Thanks for your comments on recovery everyone - really appreciate it!!

Berry - just wanted to say congratulations on your baby girl - I noticed on your ticker that she is 16 days old....wow - that is fantastic!

Megan

Thanks Megan! :D