Elective c section

My anxiety was through the roof about birth in general, I then opted for a section because my baby was measuring above the 99th centile, I only found out 2 days before the section so didn’t have time to mentally prepare but the experience was so much better than I thought. I was super anxious going into theatre and having the spinal etc but it all happened really quickly, it was uncomfortable having the spinal but completely pain free, just a feeling of pressure, the midwives and doctors in there are amazing, they held my hand and spoke to me the whole time. The anaesthetist stays up at your head the whole time so if you start to feel sick or anything they quickly correct it by putting things through your IV. Baby is out before you know it and then you’re too smitten to think about what’s going on around you! You’ll be absolutely fine, good luck xx

I had an emergency c-section 12 days ago with my second baby yes it’s not the birth I wanted and hoped for however I felt more controlled then I did for my first baby. I remember this birth up and walking 3 hours later (as my baby was in NICU you have to be walking to go up there) but the pain isn’t as bad as you think. The only side affects that really effected me was the itchy body from epidural take anti histamine before. It is scary but your partner can be with you the whole time x

I had a c section in February. It was the most amazing experience. The whole surgical team was amazing, I was very nervous and they were brilliant. One nurse held my hand while I had the epidural and they explained everything as they were doing it so I knew exactly what was going on. The anaesthetist stayed by my head the whole time and when I felt a little dizzy I told her and she gave me something straight away. The nurses were talking to me about Scotland and highland cows and I didn’t even realise the surgery had started and the next thing I knew I was meeting my baby 🥰 It’s not painful at all. I had 2 surgeons as I was in a university training hospital and I could feel one of the surgeons leaning on my leg every now and then. But other than that I was completely unaware of what they were doing. It’s a bit of an odd tugging sensation every now and then but it’s not bad at all. Feel free to message me if you want to. You’ll be fine, it’s an incredible experience! Good luck xx

Our c section was amazing. All the staff were lovely, they had music on and all having a chat. We were talking through everything. The only bit that was uncomfortable was the local around the spine area. They then make sure the spinal has worked and you’re “numb”. It’s honestly a weird sensation as you can feel tugging and pulling but no pain whatsoever. Baby is out within 10 minutes. I thought they were still preping when they pulled her out. Then lovely skin to skin while they close you up. Keep on top of your pain meds, take laxatives and move as much as possible and it’ll help. I wasn’t told until afterwards but air your wound, I was walking around with nothing on my bottom half for weeks. Hope all goes well and honestly just go with the flow ❤️

I had an emergency one back in 2021 and that was the most traumatic birth especially for your first! After that I had found out I couldn’t birth naturally so sections were my only option. I had one on the 8th of March and my god it was so chilled and relaxed! You get told to go to the hospital for a certain time depending on your hospital. We had to be there for 7. We then speak to the anaesthetist and surgeon and say our hellos and any questions we may have. They go away have a meeting ( they came back to us at 8 am) and told us where we were on the list. We got told to gown and scrub up and get ready. We walk down to the theatre rooms and wait to be called in to have the section. Cannulas and epidural is done and then once you’ve gone numb they start. It’s so quick the most part is sewing you back up after baby’s out! Everyone is lovely and patient and won’t hesitate if you say you feel funny they will sort you out with the IV drip!

I LOVED my section. I’d do it over and over again honestly. No pain whatsoever and that was with recovery too. Couldn’t imagine being in labour with the unexpected x

I had an emergency section but it was a really positive experience, I couldn’t believe how quick it was all done and couldn’t feel any pain. My recovery was great and I was walking around a park and to a local cafe on day 5. I will be opting for a planned section 100% if we have another.

I’ve had 2 elective c-sections down totally to just maternal choice in 2021 and in 2024. They are calm, organised with very little left to chance as you inevitably have to do if you decide on a vaginal birth. I found the procedure almost euphoric. I breastfeed immediately with both, was up the same night with both and healed well both times. They were absolutely the births I wanted.

Had one last Monday, was lovely, had my own music, my partner was able to hold me while I had the spinal block, plenty of photos taken by my partner and the midwife of us and our boy, the whole thing was a calm experience, I had major anxiety Before hand but everyone was lovely and made me feel relaxed

I loooved my c-section. Elective and afternoon one. It was so chilled and orderly and the team so friendly. You will get mad pins and needles and the shakes (well, I did) which no one warned me about so that was a bit nervy but the staff said it was normal so now I know for my next one. Recovery is hard in terms of sitting up but my baby had her 5 day appointment at hospital and I made it there so it's not so bad My advice - two huuuge water bottles with straws. I was so thirsty afterwards, I was b/feeding my baby while my partner was holding water bottle no.1 for me to drink while my mum was filling up water bottle no.2 😆 Also, peri-wash bottle...lifesaver.

So nice, I did it twice ☺️ I’ll have my third baby the same way. No issues, easy recovery, no trauma or issues post birth for me or baby. Very calm and happy.

I was planning on having either a natural birth without induction or an elective c section for my first birth, they scared me off doing a elective and said that induction was better, luckily I went into natural labour without the induction before they were meant to induce me but I suffered so much and ended up having an emergency c section after haemorrhaging and failing at a vaginal birth. Not every birth is the same but if you believe an elective c section is the best option for you, definitely go for it! I’m having another c section with my second no matter what!

I’ve had two!! Both times, terrified, of course, it’s the unexpected, even the second time round I was still scared! But I would absolutely do it over again, both different experiences but both still equally fantastic! It can be overwhelming as there is a lot of people present, but, once you’re numb and can’t feel anything baby’s out so quickly from there, getting stitched back up takes the longest. Both times we had the staff chatting on, to us and eachother as if they weren’t going a surgery haha! I liked that though, that they were sooo relaxed about it all made me feel better too. You can expect the ‘shakes’ and / or feeling cold which is totally normal! Both times for us they had a radio / something playing music in the background, my second one which was May 2024, I was first on the list that day so he was born 9:19am, the staff were amazing, my surgeon though he was the best person I’ve ever met! So chilled, put on a random play list of music, once baby’s head was delivered

Once baby’s head was delivered he lowered the sheet / cover so we could see! Then he told me to push, I was like excuse me sir I am numb?🤣 he said I had already done it a few times! Obviously not knowing as I had no feeling haha so he told me to try, so I did, and baby kept on coming out, once he was out to just under his armpits, he told me to push again and to pull him out. So I essentially delivered baby myself now THAT was the best experience I’ve ever had in my life! And to make it even better, one of the staff present recorded the whole thing 😭🩵 you will honestly be totally fine! I was up and walking (best I could) within 2 hours of him being born, it’s best to be as mobile as possible although it is painful x

I’ve only ever had elective sections, I just had my second one in September, my first April 2022. With my first I thought it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever experienced, then I had my second one and that topped my first one! My second alone was at a different hospital as I’ve moved but they were so kind welcoming and relaxed it was so easy to just go with them and trust them. I say both my sections felt like someone had thrown a party for me because when I walked into theatre both times everyone was just like “hi mum I’m..” and introduced themselves. Both my babies were delivered within 5 minutes of the initial cut and I was in recovery an hour later, even when I got nervous or panicked everyone was so lovely both times, the lady who did my spinal second time round was sat the head of my bed and stroking my hair when I started to panic😅🤣 but she kept me feeling safe and relaxed she was a dream

I had elective c section four weeks ago and would do it all over again. Best decision we could make. It was so stress free and no trauma etc. Arrived to hospital at 7am, had some blood pressure checks etc, spoke to doctor. Went to theatre at 10:15, they did all the bits and then I was lying down by 10:30 and little one was born 10:58. No pain just a little uncomfortable. As we were both healthy with the baby, they sent us home next day. Just the first night in the hospital was rough as I was on my own and midwifes were no helpful at all. Took them ages to always get to me when I needed something (husband went home to get some sleep do he could drive us home next day safely). My advice would be take all the painkillers you can and don’t push yourself too much in the first few weeks (no bending or stretching)

I've had 2 vaginal and 1 planned section and the planned section was amazing they had it all planned to a tee, it was a weird sensation when pulling and tugging but felt nothing whatsoever and the midwife after was truly amazing too encouraging me to get a shower when I was ready to do so and it was best feeling ever when I'd had that shower it was the first start to recovery. Keep on top of your meds etc and do little and often and you'll recover fine. Good luck ❤️