Elective C Section

I was scared to pieces but my Dr walked me through everything multiple times before and during. So I wasn't as terrified. Rather be elective then emergency and them rushing is how my Dr called me

My first was "emergent" but not an emergency and my second was planned. My biggest suggestions are to ask for the spinal versus epidural and also see if your ob will do the internal nerve block. Mine was willing, and I needed nothing stronger than tylenol post op

I wanted an elective but ended up Going into labour at 36 weeks with an emergency… tbh I thought it was better just suddenly having my baby delivered vs the build up to it .. I had zero time to be scared or worried x

May I ask why you are wanting an elective c-section? I’m a L&D nurse and we typically don’t do primary c-section unless they are medically indicated I will add, I’m in the US

I was booked in for an elective due to GD and a breech baby, but I ended up having an emergency one as also got pre-eclampsia! The section itself was no issue and the experience was lovely with all the staff and our own playlist being played etc. However I will say I had the worst recovery, was in hospital for a week (even though everyone else on my ward also had csections and were only in 24hours) and I really struggled when I got home. I had trouble with the pain and movement's really up to 10 weeks post partum and even now at 18 weeks still ache and struggle with some bending/lifting occasionally. My husband pretty much did everything for our baby until he was about 4 weeks old (I could hold him and feed him etc but he changed most nappies, dressed him and got him out of bed etc) x

I’ve had 2 elective c-sections and they were both amazing experiences. Calm, organised, breastfed straight away, recovery was very straightforward. I was up walking the same night in both cases and discharged within 24 hrs. In a world where I felt very out of control this absolutely gave it back to me. Absolutely the birth I wanted. @Tazia in the UK it’s maternal choice and you can chose a c-section. It has the same risk rating according our leading body NICE as a vaginal birth.

I have had 2 vaginal delivery, and my youngest was born via elective C-section. Although everyone is different, my experience was positive, both during and after the C-section. I would say that the delivery part was a lot easier with the C-section (as I did not go through labour), however the recovery is slower. One thing that you need to consider is that you will not be allowed to drive for 6 weeks (if that matters to you.) Another important aspect is that the risk of infections is higher for babies delivered through C-sections. My youngest got a chest infection which required a week-long course of antibiotics. He is a happy and healthy baby :) All the best!

@Katie that’s very interesting! I didn’t know that. I’m in the US. I have 4 children and delivered my first 2 by c-sections and my last 2 vaginally. My first c/s was for “failure to progress” I was 9cm and hadn’t made change for over 3hrs so my doctor made the call that she wasn’t going to fit (she ended up being my smallest baby lol) my second c/s was an elective repeat. I was happy to successfully have 2 VBACs. The recovery wasn’t bad for either but I’d definitely say the c/s was more rough, it’s major surgery and can hard to move around in pain and still have to take care of a new baby. Also if you plan for more children there’s an increased risk for uterine rupture (small % but still a chance), and also an increased risk for hemorrhaging with each c/s

I can't speak to a C-section.. what I have learned in 5 births is: the more natural, and the more you allow and support your body to do what it was designed to do; the easier labor, birth and recovery is. With each of my home births I was about my life like normal the next day. Not at all with the interventions that were forced on me in hospital. (This is not trying to tell you to have a home birth.. with enough support you can have a very similar experience in hospital if that makes you feel safer, feeling safe, comfortable and calm are VERY important aspects of L&D.) I obviously don't know your reasoning for wanting a section but I would recommend looking into what that actually means. Major abdominal surgery is not to be taken lightly and many aren't told that you still have to deal with a lot of the same recovery "down stairs" WHILE still recovering from surgery. C-section mamas are the real deal warriors ❤️‍🩹

@Tazia I asked for an elective C-Section as a first time Mom for no medical reason and got no fight back from midwife or hospital. They were more then happy to abide by my decision

I wouldn’t list to the “your body is meant for it” don’t let it talk you out of it. I asked for a c-section as a first time Mom for no medical reason and it was amazing. Women on here tried to bully and talk me out of it but I didn’t listen to any of that. Most amazing thing I ever did, super comforting, the team was AMAZING, recovery was good, immediate skin to skin as well. It was far better then worrying about tearing, worrying about baby getting stuck and he was measuring big, better then worrying about when labour was going to start or any other complications. I knew the date my son would be born and I knew if I went into labour that I could go in and get an emergency c-section anyway. I was out walking 2 days later, any questions you have feel free to message me because you’ll just get negativity on here

@Sarah not everyone’s body is designed for labour there are women out there who CANNOT give vaginal birth due to health issues

I had the best experience in my elective section. So calm, controlled, I knew what was going to happen and they talk you through everything. Music was on, medical staff were so calm but also just chatting away about their weekend which helps with the nerves. Recovery wasn’t as bad as I expected, you just have to take it easy obviously. I will be having another❤️

@Sarah Yes ❤️‍🩹 I didn't mean to come off as if that isn't a truth. What I've been running into a lot lately is women who somehow have been told that they won't experience much recovery down stairs if they have a section and are having the section recovery down played majorly.. and for someone who has no complications and are able to be allowed to carry until natural labor begins; it can be an amazing experience with practically no downtime. Something else that I don't want to ignore is emotional and psychological trauma issues.. I have heard of women who basically need to disassociate vaginal birth from the welcoming of their child. Ultimately; I don't want the OP to have to disclose the WHY of wanting to elect section but also offer my opposite end of the spectrum of basically being addicted to the birth process 🫂 we're all in it, with every end of possibilities. ❤️

I’m due my first baby in May, and I’m having an elective section, it’s been booked in for 39 weeks already! I feel so content with my decision! I’ve heard loads of lovely stories from friends and people I know who’ve said the whole experience was really stressfree and lovely!! Xxx

Hi all, thanks so much for your comments. I want to add that I am not oblivious to the fact it’s major abdominal surgery and that recovery will be much longer and I’ll need to depend on my partner/ others for support especially over the first 6 weeks (possibly longer). It’s also not a decision I’ve taken lightly, it has been and still is an on going conversation with my midwives. For some back story nothing about getting pregnant has been “natural” I’m an ivf pregnancy with a medicated FET of an embryo that was frozen 2.5 years ago, I have had previous history of clotting and there is talk of an earlier induction due to the fact I was on a medicated IVF cycle (higher chance of the placenta degrading at 38 weeks +) I have a complicated relationship with my body due to essentially having an amh that is so low I was rendered “perimenopausal” at the age of 29, previous pregnancy loss and infertility. It’s been a ride (tbc)

and honestly I want to be in control of something after having years of things not being in my control. I am constantly in awe of women who give birth regardless of if that’s a C section or a Vbac and I count my stars every day that I’m privileged enough to be pregnant and that so far (touch wood) she’s doing well but after the tears, the loss, the money I’ve spent… I want one less thing to worry about and I hope everyone understands that. I’m also scared fucking shitless to possibly go down this route. 😂😭

My embryo was only frozen 3 months, but I relate to all of this so much

In my honest experience (again never having a section before..) I would 1000% elect section to avoid early induction! I literally hate pitocin. Like I get it, it helps in some instances but my experience was basically the best you can get and it was still awful IMO.. Being what your history so far has been, an elective section will likely be your most peaceful and least possibility of complications ❤️ You're literally my hero to be willing and able to endure all of this.. obviously not by choice but you know what it is that you'll endure and you know that your child is worth all of it and more ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 you're a warrior mama! 💪

*sections are so routine for providers at this point too! They are comfortable and know what it means and how to adapt for every scenario possible ❤️

I had a planned c section due to Health reasons my consultant was very friendly and went through the whole process with me. I was looked after very well. You don't feel anything as you are numb but it only takes 30 minuets whole process and you will have your little bundle of joy on your arms straight away then they will take baby for all checks then straight back to you for skin to skin contact. You will be in hospital over night and they will make sure you can walk and feel your legs before you go. I loved my c section and now have a happy 1 year old who makes me laugh every day and I wouldn't have it any other way and now regret having c section

I wanted an elective c-section, my doc asked, "Why would you want to have major surgery vs. a vaginal birth?" I told her i was scared of labor pains. She told me meds would take care of that. I'm glad I listened to her because my epidural was great! Felt absolutely nothing after it was administered.