difference between planned csection and emergency

[ljsmummy]

I have an elective section booked in 3 weeks time. DS was born via emcs in 2011, it was very dramatic and scary and rushed. Im terrified of the surgery this time, so much that im having sleepless nights worrying about it. Has anyone had any positive planned csection experiences or can compare the two for me? Ive heard its a lot more relaxed, but would really like to hear first hand.
Thanks in advance! Xx

 

[Bluebell321]

I had a really positive experience with my planned c section. It was all really calm and relaxed. (Helped by the hypnobirthing music I had playing in theatre! - Didn't quite get the hypnobirth I'd hoped for!) I had skin to skin with my LO when she was born and for me the whole c section experience was great. Yes it was a longer recovery, but the actually birth was fantastic.

I've just been approved for another planned C Section in November. After such a positive experience before, there's no way I'd go for a VBAC this time, with so many unknowns.

 

[minties]

The planned one was more exciting. The actual procedure and recovery were the same for me.

 

[klsltsp]

For my planned c-section it was awesome, so much more relaxed, and for me the recovery was soooo much easier/faster, I took it that because they could take their time. I was playing road hockey with my older DS 5 days after surgery! I had trouble breastfeeding my first, so had asked to do that as soon as possible, so in recovery he was on me.. it was amazing! good luck!

 

[SillyMoo1983]

I found the EMCS recovery very hard. The ELCS was much better actually. I had a date to look forward to, my DD could be with her grandparents the day before. I was sat there watching Jeremy Kyle on the TV in the waiting room 10 mins before the spinal went in! Much calmer. There was much less trapped gas pains, which I suffered with terribly first time roumd. I got to hold DS straight away, which I didn't with DD. I was more mobile quicker. I was sorting wash loads out and everything within the week. The only thing that was harder this time was that I got an infection in the wound which was obviously sore. That was about weeks 2 and 3 post c section. Apart from that it's been good

 

[Srrme]

Mine was an emergency c-section, but was very relaxed, and not scary at all. I think it just depends on the situation.

 

[Rosie06]

my emergency was a horrible experience scary, recovery was ok but pain wise lasted a while, I was really nervous on the run up to my elective more so because the spinal on my emergency didnt work properly, BUT my elective was such a differnt experience, so calm relaxing and to a point enjoyable everyone was so calm and chatty laughing joking etc i recovered much quicker and had hardly any pain at all this time round IF we were to have another which is highly unlikely then i would absolutley book another elective it was lovely having a date to look forward too and i could plan and let DD know when she was going for sleepover at grandma and grandads house we also kept the date a secret no one knew id booked in so it was still a surprise for everyone when we announced his birth

good luck with your c section x

 

[apple_20]

My planned csection was very relaxed worse but was waiting all day with no food but at least I knew which day it was happening. I waited and watched films, read magazines. Then we were called down scanned to check still breech. Went into the theater and spoke to surgeon and anethisist. They talked me through each stage what I would feel etc oh sat next to me all the way through. DS was born and held up for me to see, oh went with him and cut the cord. They quickly came back and put DS next to me (oh holding him).
Once in recovery we did skin to skin and DS began to bf. back to the ward after the hardest bit was not being able to get up to get DS.

My c-section wasn't bad at all I look back at it fondly . I'm going to try vbac with this one but that's due to having a toddler and wanting a shorter recovery.

Good luck-enjoy!

 

[eris]

I'm 8 days postop planned section with first being emergency. I have very minimal to no pain now. Recovery is so much better this time around so far. Much better experience this time around.

 

[Proudmommyto2]

First c section was emergency, and scary. I labored 28 hrs, with 3 being pushing. She was found to have the cord around her neck, when they saw her head but then she moved back up. Her heart rate kept dropping to 60. So emergency it was! I was terrified, and it sucked because i didn't get to hold her right away, and she went to nicu bc i had meconium in my water when it broke. Recovery went so great though, never even used meds outside if hospital. Second one was attempted vbac, 23 hrs of labor, 2 were pushing. We don't know why he would not come out! Better experience bc if less and different drugs, i was awake thru the whole surgery. Recovery took a bit longer, i used all my drugs, but still healed quickly! #3 will be scheduled..my first one!