Planned c-sect vs emergency

If you have had either or both a planned and/or emergency c-section, what did you think was preferable? Which did you recover easiest from? Which one did you cope better with emotionally? Any other thought/advice?

There are reasons that I won't go into but I am aware if I am able to go into labour naturally, this birth will be heavily monitored and be under a time limit. My previous births have been natural and active so I don't know how I will go labouring whilst being monitored. I am concerned that if the baby goes into distress or the labour isn't progressing that I will be rushed off for an emergency section. And I am now wondering if a planned c-section will be better for my peace of mind and the baby's health rather than attempting and being unable to birth naturally.

I had an elective c-section 7 weeks ago and it was great. I recovered really well and I guess not having to go through any labour prior helped my recovery. As much as I would have loved to experience labour itself there was a high chance I wouldn't have been able to deliver vaginally so wanted to save bubs and myself any added stress so accepted the elective c-section when recommended.

I've had both and of the two, the planned section was far better for me physically and emotionally. Do what you think is right for you though.

I've had both. My elective was much better in every respect.

I had two emergency c-sections but they were very different - first was middle of night after laboring for around 40 hours - I was exhausted hardly remember a thing - second I made the decision to go to c-section much earlier (as soon as labor started presenting in exactly the same way as first) so was done around 16:00 and was a completely different experience - almost pleasant and it didn't seem like an emergency (baby just stuck not in distress). The recovery was pretty much the same both times, just a bit more tired the first time due to laboring longer. I always had in my mind that I was open to a section but I really wanted to go into labor on my own (I had always thought there must be some benefits in allowing it to at least start on its own - but that was just my gut feel) - but I did read recently about a study which showed that the microbe composition of milk was different depending on if had emergency or elective c-section - suggesting that was driven by the process of laboring - which I thought was really interesting (Google - The human milk microbiome changes over lactation and is shaped by maternal weight and mode of delivery).

It is very individual - I was very confident that my body would give me a sign and time to act on that - and it did - but am sure with much faster labor a decision to go to c-section after labor has started is not always possible.

I had a planned c-section with DD. My dr said to me that elective are generally easier to recover from as there's not the urgency required as there would be in an emergency c-section so more care can be taken.

My recovery was great. I had DD at 10am and was up by 2pm walking around. By the end of the first week I almost felt normal and like I could do everything (I didn't though).

Don't overdo it though and take all the pain meds you need to in the first few days.

This study has just come out and compares planned c section to emerg c section. I haven't had either, but have considered both.

:

---

BJOG. 2013 Jan 15. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.12129. [Epub ahead of print]
Maternal and infant outcome after caesarean section without recorded medical indication: findings from a Swedish case-control study.

Karlström A, Lindgren H, Hildingsson I.
Source

Department of Health Science, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To compare maternal complications and infant outcomes for women undergoing elective caesarean sections based on a maternal request and without recorded medical indication with those of women who underwent spontaneous onset of labour with the intention to have a vaginal birth.
DESIGN:

Retrospective register study.
SETTING:

Sweden; Medical Birth Register used for data collection.
METHODS:

A case-control study of 5877 birth records of women undergoing caesarean sections without medical indication and a control group of 13 774 women undergoing births through spontaneous onset of labour. The control group was further divided into women who actually had a vaginal birth and women who ended up with an emergency caesarean section.
RESULTS:

Maternal complications occurred more frequently among women undergoing caesarean section with odds ratios (OR) for bleeding complications of 2.5 (95% CI 2.1-3.0) in the elective caesarean group and 2.0 (95% CI 1.5-2.6) in the emergency caesarean group. The OR for infections was 2.6 in both groups. Breastfeeding complications were most common in women having an elective caesarean section: 6.8 (95% CI 3.2-14.5). Infant outcomes showed a higher incidence of respiratory distress with an OR of 2.7 (95% CI 1.8-3.9) in the elective caesarean section group compared with infants born by emergency caesarean section. The risk of hypoglycaemia was at least twice as high for infants in the caesarean group.
CONCLUSIONS:

Caesarean sections without medical indication as well as emergency caesarean sections were associated with higher risks for maternal and infant morbidity.
© 2013 The Authors BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology © 2013 RCOG.

---

I've had both and I recovered heaps better from my planned C-section. I felt more in control, I wasn't exhausted and I got the things I needed from it. My emergency c-section was good, but I was exhausted, and things didn't quite happen as I would have liked afterwards.

Whichever decision you make, be confident in that decision and make sure that it is your decision not one you have been pressured into by anyone.

I had an emergency c-section after about 6-7 hours of labour (DS was breech, but no one had picked this up until I started to push, so when it became clear that the pushing wasn't working, I was rushed into the theatre). Described like that, it doesn't sound like a good experience, but it actually was. I am glad that I got to experience the full labour, as I believe that it is an integral part of the birthing and bonding process. But, as others have said, you need to do what's right for you.

I had an emergency c section 13 days ago after being in labour for 10 hours. To be honest it was horrific, so much so that it has turned me off ever wanting another child (I did not have an easy conception or pregnancy though).

By the time I got wheeled into theatre I was in so much pain that I started blacking out. I definitely feel like I didn't get to bond with my baby straight away :(

I had emergency C section on new years day after 8 days of contractions. was 4 fingers dilated i can't express in words how tired and painful i was,
My recovery is overall fine but I could feel recovery was faster after my second c section which was elective and done at 38th week. the another plus i wasn't checked internally,
this time i felt a hit on my dignity too as I kept checked internally throughout with rough handed docs specially the male doc as a disaster.

Please remember you don't *have* to be monitored constantly or be on a time limit. Afterall, I don't think the baby is going to get that memo- :)

I had an emergency c/s last time, however it wasn't a medical emergency... simply failure to progress after 12hrs of induced labour. For lack of better words, it sucked. But for me the only thing that made it easier was knowing I'd gotten to experience labour, it's just that intervention de-railed the process.

This time around I plan to refuse constant monitoring unless I feel I require it. I found the MW's simply stared at the machine instead of attending to ME- the labouring woman. I also am not a fan of most of their rules and regulations. Frankly I'll be telling them where to go.

Remember this is your birth, not theirs. Intervention is great when it's actually needed. Me, personally - I would hate never knowing if I could have done it.

:hug:

Good luck with your decision.

I have had a planned c/s for my first due to breech presentation and a second c/s 12 days post my EDD after labour failed to progress. I was given the choice to continue to labour for longer and risk having an emergency c/s later that night. I decided I would be more comfortable with the anaethetist and midwife I had already met than not knowing who would be on if I required an emergency c/s. I was very anxious both times, but was able to voice my fears and had wonderful theatre staff who helped to put me at ease. All in all both calm and pleasant experiences with happy birthday playing as DS was born. Both bubs wheeled from theatre to recovery on my chest and BF in recovery with DP by my side the whole time. No issues with milk supply and definitely no trouble bonding with my babes. My own recovery was also very smooth and quick. Good luck with your decision, it is a hard one to make.

I have had a rush-to-the-theatre-we-can't-wait-for-your-DH type emergency section, I've had a fail to progress after waters broke emergency section that I waited calmly for a few hours for, and I've had an elective section.
TBH I couldn't tell you if any one was a better recovery than the others. I pulled up with DD1s just as quick and easily as I did with the other two. I know other people are affected differently, but for me, I was fine with all three. Sure there was a different processing of what had happened.
My milk did take 6 days as opposed to less than 48 hours for the latter two with the first, but personally for me that was part of my learning on the job.
I actually had to be on pain killers stronger and longer with my last section that was booked, but that was due to a crappy resident anaesthetist who couldn't give a rats doing damage to my back...the baby bits were AOK.

I've had a vaginal birth
I've have 2 emergency we have to get this baby out now type CS.
I've had an emergency no huge rush type no distress for baby CS.....( just not happening time limit type) that I called because i felt that this was headed down the path of no return to end in a full on emergency type
& my last CS was an elective.

Emergency ones were a big rush. It was stressful but also quick no time to think things through and the enmorous relief and feeling of love for my baby and husband and gratitude to everyone concerned was huge. Recovery no problems.

My first emergency CS was a bug rush my waters broke but labour did'nt start, so i was induced! My son got into distress stright away it was very stressful but quick.

My second emergency CS I had a trial of labour that went really well. I enjoyed my labour I was in a really great place and coped realy well I got to 9cms before she got into distress but when she was born I could see why she was'nt coming out she was a big baby who had presented in a difficult postion.
Both of those i was in shock, I had good recovery times, but milk was very slow to come in which strated a chain of events that ended in comp feeds then bottle feeding.

Next baby I wanted a trial of labour, i felt confident that I could do it..I was in labour from approx 6pm I thougth my waters had broken so i went in to check and then had to stay on, I was 3cms.
At midnight I was still 3cms with a lot of back pain at 3am i asked for another internal to discover I was only 4cms that was it for me i asked for the CS and got it done around 5am..epidural relief from the pain was amazing the pleasure to meet my baby was huge i did'nt have the stress of the baby being in distress & I felt like I had given it a red hot go, recovery was fine, milk came in on time, no shock.

Last baby was told I had to have an elective section, for me this was stressful i worried the baby would be made to come before she was ready so i hung out to my last chance in the secret hope labour would start & I would know for sure she was ready my CS was performed 3 days before her due date.

I dreaded the thought of the epidural & surgery I was extremely stressed about that for weeks beforehand and on the day was emotionally /physically drained and very anxious. But my baby was delivered quickly & as soon as she was there my stress dissappeared. I had written a birth plan for my CS and they enacted that plan for me which meant I got to hold my baby skin on skin as soon as she was born, we took photos of her birth my surgery and stitching up which i looked at weeks afterwards (I would say that is worth considering, you may never look at them but then again you might) she came with me to recovery and i feed her straight away.

If I had to do it again my choice would be to do a trial of labour (that way you know baby is ready to come) & a vaginal birth is going to be a huge bonus.

I would aim for minimal intervention & if it was'nt working out or I was'nt coping pull the pin and go to a CS.... the epidural is less daunting under those circumstances it was'nt even painful to me it was a huge relief. I would aim for photos of the birth and getting the baby given to me to hold straight away skin to skin to enable the bonding process, i can't see any reason why if the baby is healthy that you can't start that doing all the things you would if you had a vaginal birth I view it as essential for mum and bubs...best of luck with whatever you choose we are all very different and when you loook at all the options you will start to lean a certain way...hopefully this has helped.

Thanks everyone. I've had another good chat with my ob and he thinks a natural birth will be the best option. It will have to be heavily monitored due to complications we have had with this baby's health and I am ok with that, in fact I think I would worry too much if I didn't know she was doing ok in there which could prove distracting. They have radio ctg's so I'm hoping I can at least stand, and as much as I don't like the idea, I can do the fetal scalp thing. I've been lucky enough to have two natural births so far so I know I can do it, it's just the added issues that this bub is coming with.
I am concerned that my ob won't be present in labour. I am public and seeing a specialist at the moment but I'm guessing when I go in that it will be whatever ob is on the labour ward at the time. So I am going to talk to my ob now and get him to write some sort of plan in my notes for the labour ward.
I figure if I expect that a c-section may happen, at least it won't be such a shock.

Hello, I know this thread is a month old now but just wanted to add that within my mothers group there seems to be a big difference in terms of recovery from emergency c sections depending on whether mum had an epidural or not.

I had an emergency c section for a breech baby after a natural labour as baby had no plans to come out in stage two. It's only classed as an emergency c section as I was in labour, there was no actual emergency and took about 30-40 minutes to get to surgery after the decision was made. My recovery was really easy and quick, I felt fine the next day.

The mums I know who had an epidural then an c section for failure to progress describe the recovery from their emergency c sections as feeling like they were "hit by a truck" - and are very much looking forward to elective c sections for their second babies so they don't have to go through it again. I know this is only anecdotal evidence from a small group of people but if you are thinking about going into labour before having a c section, the method of pain control you use for the c section (epidural / spinal) may make a difference to your physical recovery?

My first I laboured for 14 hours then emergency c-s
Knew no different recovery was what it was.

My second planned CS but also after they stitched me up I was knocked out for keyhole gallbladder surgery.
I hated my planned CS, I felt seasick , I believe it was because the epi was so fresh I was not the same numbness across my body I felt lop sided, it was horrid, I was actually relived when they knocked me out.
The recovery is hard to compare because it was two surgeries in one, but I thought it was more painful.

Am wondering how I'll feel with number three CS at a different hospital with no gallbladder to fail and need removing.

My first I laboured for 14 hours then emergency c-s
Knew no different recovery was what it was.

My second planned CS but also after they stitched me up I was knocked out for keyhole gallbladder surgery.
I hated my planned CS, I felt seasick , I believe it was because the epi was so fresh I was not the same numbness across my body I felt lop sided, it was horrid, I was actually relived when they knocked me out.
The recovery is hard to compare because it was two surgeries in one, but I thought it was more painful.

Am wondering how I'll feel with number three CS at a different hospital with no gallbladder to fail and need removing.

hey everyone, i know i am late on this....but, i had DS1 "naturally" but at one stage looked like was going towards an emergency c section and i was devasted. Eventually came out with foreceps, but still what i would call a "traumatic birth". It still upsets me to this day. Due to damage to my girly bits and mental stress, i choose a c section for DS2 from the onset, with a supportive hubby (as he saw what i went through) and OB. It went like a dream and i have no regrets. In terms of recovery it was FAR, FAR better than natural birth for me, but i had a 3rd degree tear. In short, i dont think you prepare mentally for an emerg c section, but with elective, you have 8 months to deal with it. I let go of my fears of what people would think - i mean hell, they arent the ones who would be ****ing themselves due to a prolapse huh! Good luck ladies, whatever you choose. J.