Elective C-Section, am I doing the right thing

[sandyhen85]

Hey ladies,

Firstly, please understand that I do know this decision can only be made by me, but I am feeling rather alone right now and just looking for some information/advice/stories that might help me.

So, I live in Thailand and my insurance doesn't cover maternity, so we have been paying out for my check ups and will be paying for the birth ourselves. 2 years ago I had a miscarriage at about 12weeks and I had to labour for 6 hours before the baby came out. During those 6 hours I was very very Ill...every time I had a contraction I vomited, i had a high fever, low blood pressure and even blacked out...The doctor told me that if that had been a live birth and I got that sick it would mean an emergency c-section because of how dangerous it is for the baby. This meant that I have been advised by the doctor to go for a section now that I am pregnant again. I really want to do what is best for my baby girl, I can't wait to hold her in my arms and be a mum, so if an elective is best then I will do it...I have actually already agreed to this with my doctor last week and I thought I was happy with the decision, but as each day goes by I keep wondering if there is any chance I might be able to get through a natural birth without all of those things happening again. They don't really use gas&air here it's more natural although they do have epidural available but I've been told that will increase my chances of a fever.

The other issue I have is that if I try for natural and it ends in an emcs the costs are through the roof, more than I had ever expected to spend...one lady got a bill for £7000 the other day...I have been told it would likely be around £3000. If I opt for a natural birth and all goes well it is £1000, if I opt for an elective c-section it is £1500, so there is a big difference if I do natural and it ends in emcs...I know that if I were in the UK my options might be different and if the doc said it was ok to try then I probably wouldn't need to think about it, I would give natural a try, but I am concerned about doing it here...I do really want a natural birth though.

Has anyone ever experienced symptoms similar to this and made it through a natural birth, or had them and had it end in an emcs...any info/stories would be great to help me put my mind at ease about this decision.

Thank you so much in advance

 

[sheldonsmommy]

I'm sorry about your loss.

I haven't been in your situation, but I think your body will react much differently when it is ready to give birth. That's why I think there's a higher percentage of emcs with induction. But I see your concerns with the price difference, that is really significant.

That is a really tough decision you have ahead of you. My first was an emcs after induction and attempted forceps delivery. With my second, I wanted to begin labour naturally and avoid induction. So at 41 weeks, when there was no sign of labour, we scheduled my second section for 3 days later. Maybe you can ask your doctor if this is an option? It's a long wait with lots of uncertainty, but I saved myself 3 days of hospitalization pre-birth like I had with ds1.

I should add that I'm in Canada, so I don't pay hospital bills and I'm sure policies are drastically different. I hope you can find a solution!

 

[JessPape]

Were you induced with ur miscarriage? If so it's likely you won't have the same outcome. Though some people do vomit and get a rise in temp a lot of the times it's not a reason for a csection.


I've had two csections one and emergency and once elective though it is easier recovery part of me will always wonder what " normal birth" would have been like.

 

[sandyhen85]

My miscarriage was natural, no induction...this was just the way my body reacted to the contractions...I've had some Braxton hicks this time and had a similar, but milder reaction, but then BH aren't as intense right!? I have also had the same reaction to other things over the years, pain being one of the causes, medicines is another. I also get covered from head to toe in hives (urticaria)

I've read several things online about women having a fever during labour and they had to have emcs and the baby's were either put on an IV, or in nicu. I also changed doctors a few weeks back in order to get a second opinion and the new doctor has said I can certainly try natural, but she agrees that the chances of it happening again are quite high. This doctor is very pro natural and will always encourage women to do natural if they can. she is one of the best known doctors for VBAC as well, so I feel like I can trust her advice. It's just a case of whether I want to risk it out here.

My OH is freaking out, he just wants me and the baby to be safe so would rather I have the elective section, but he will support me no matter what I decide.

Oh on top of all of this, baby is also breech and has been for awhile...I'm just shy of 36 weeks now and have an appointment in 2 weeks, I will need to make my final decision by then.

Btw I had surgery last year for an ectopic and lost my right tube, so this is the third year in a row I've been pregnant, but I lost two of them...so on one hand this is what makes me think I shouldn't take the risk and then I can always try for a VBAC next time when I am back in the UK. But on the other hand I would love to let labour start naturally to see how I go, but then if it progresses passed a certain point I can't have an elective it's classed as an emcs...oh decisions, decisions, decisions, the first of many tough decisions a mum needs to make I guess

 

[seoj]

I can only speak from my personal experience- so I hope it's Ok that I share

I had to have a c-section (due to placenta previa)-- and tbh, before I knew that was the case, a c-section was my biggest fear during labor. It just really freaked me out... my other biggest fear was the epidural (or spinal). Obviously though- I had to come to terms with the fact this was how my LO was meant to enter the world. So, I am glad I had time to digest it all before hand.

My LO still decided to come even earlier than my planned 38wk surgery-- and I went into pre-term labor and rushed to the hospital, got checked, and told they would do the section then.

Other than the initial shock and early labor... my LO's birth was honestly very lovely. It was just me and hubby in the room- the staff was amazing- they made me feel very comfortable- the spinal was basically pain free (just a small pinched initially)- and the c-section was calm and then my LO was just there. Small and squishy and wonderful.

I did have some post-surgery recovery issues- just took a bit to get my pain managed, but overall I did great. I recovered well- and nothing out of the ordinary- and maybe it's because I have no comparison- or because I had no choice- but I have NO regrets as to how my LO arrived in this world. I don't mind that I skipped labor... since I'd had friends who went through hours of horrid labor only to get an emergency section (so their experience was not as calm as mine).

I think, in the end, it really only matters that you and LO are Ok. It seems every woman I know didn't have their birth go "according to plan" really. It's just not something we have full control over. Obviously I didn't.

You are right though- it's a very personal decision and only one you can make.

 

[sandyhen85]

I can only speak from my personal experience- so I hope it's Ok that I share

I had to have a c-section (due to placenta previa)-- and tbh, before I knew that was the case, a c-section was my biggest fear during labor. It just really freaked me out... my other biggest fear was the epidural (or spinal). Obviously though- I had to come to terms with the fact this was how my LO was meant to enter the world. So, I am glad I had time to digest it all before hand.

My LO still decided to come even earlier than my planned 38wk surgery-- and I went into pre-term labor and rushed to the hospital, got checked, and told they would do the section then.

Other than the initial shock and early labor... my LO's birth was honestly very lovely. It was just me and hubby in the room- the staff was amazing- they made me feel very comfortable- the spinal was basically pain free (just a small pinched initially)- and the c-section was calm and then my LO was just there. Small and squishy and wonderful.

I did have some post-surgery recovery issues- just took a bit to get my pain managed, but overall I did great. I recovered well- and nothing out of the ordinary- and maybe it's because I have no comparison- or because I had no choice- but I have NO regrets as to how my LO arrived in this world. I don't mind that I skipped labor... since I'd had friends who went through hours of horrid labor only to get an emergency section (so their experience was not as calm as mine).

I think, in the end, it really only matters that you and LO are Ok. It seems every woman I know didn't have their birth go "according to plan" really. It's just not something we have full control over. Obviously I didn't.

You are right though- it's a very personal decision and only one you can make.

Thank you for sharing your experience with me, it really helps to hear how people felt at the point of being told they would have a c-section (emergency or elective) and also to see how they feel about now it's over and done with.

I've never been one of those ladies that thinks birth should be all natural, but I had always hoped my first would be. My chances are high for a VBAC with future babies, so I think I just need to remind myself that regardless of how she arrives, the important thing right now is that she arrives safely.

Thanks again

 

[mummy2be...]

Speaking honestly...

I have had one of each, dd1 came naturally (after being induced) the last 4 hours of my labour with her were medication free - epidural came out, no g&a etc and I loved it. It was a wonderful experience and I was Totally in tune with my body and what was happening. Mother Nature literally wowed me!

Dd2 was an emergency c section, now she nearly died so the emergency part obviously made it traumatic from the off. But in general (compared to doing it naturally) the section was awful! It's clinical and horrendously invasive. I found I didn't bond as naturally with dd2 as I did dd1 and I didn't even hold her until she was 45 mins old. Just typing this is making me cry.

If you can - go natural every time- it's a wonderful experience.

 

[wookie130]

I say each to his or her own. Vaginal birth CAN be traumatic for some women, definitely, and I would say that c-sections are a better choice in those situations. I had an elective c-section with my daughter last year, and will be having another in August, also due to issues with placenta previa. I loved my c-section, and overall, the surgery itself was a relaxing experience. The recovery is tough, but after a week, I was on my way to normalcy.

I think in light of what happened to you before with your miscarriage, that having an elective c-section is an option that should be considered. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're missing out on something by not delivering vaginally...at the end of the journey, the goal is to have a healthy mother and baby, either way you choose to birth.

Of course, it's up to you. It just seems like you have many good reasons to have a c-section. I hope this helps!

 

[STL_Fan]

Sorry for your loss! Ive been there

On another note. I to had an elective c-section. (on 3/10/14) This was my 3 full pregnancy (with my first two i gave nat. vag. birth) but due to having a larger baby last time i elected to have have a c-section. (he was to large and got stuck under my pelvis thus causing him to get/have Erbs Palsy) and this lil one was mesmerizing a big baby as well (10.7 + is what they were saying va. ultrasound) anyway.. the day came and I went threw with the c-section. (she came out 8.15lbs) after that she seemed fine and we enjoyed our 1st day of life together. the 2nd day my lil miss failed her oxygen/blood test 3 times thus putting her in nicu 3 hrs away. down to the point turns put our lil miss has an enlarged heart on the right side and the left side is not pumping like it should. none of this showed in the ultrasounds and needless to say had i went thew with a vag delivery and not done the elective section it could have put more stress on her and would be worse in the end. again needless to say i am very happy with the elective c-section. i know my case my be a lil diff but n the same it was elective. and like you said only you can make this decision. and trust me even after i kinda regretting my decision (due to recovery) up until we found out all of her medical condition. im now all for elective c-sections giving thats what the mother chooses in any case.

 

[sandyhen85]

Thanks again for your stories ladies, every bit of info really helps...I've done a lot of research and can see that an elective section works out a lot better for women than an emergency one does. I guess because the whole experience is calmer and doesn't need to be so panicked and rushed.

STL_FAN I am so sorry to hear what has been going on with your precious little one, I really hope she is doing well now. It's stories like this that make me think the elective is the best option, purely because I know there is a risk and I shouldn't take it. I know that VBAC will be an option in the future so hopefully I will get to experience a natural birth. For now though, I think I am happy with my decision to go for an elective because I want a safe delivery for my baby girl...she is still breach, so the decision has kind of been taken out of my hands anyway, but that is ok...it kind of helps.

 

[The Alchemist]

Hi there.
I had a scheduled c/s with my recent one, my second. He was beech from 30 weeks until the day the doc cut me open and took my soon out and it was a beautiful experience. It's different from natural but it's so beautiful in its own way. Many women, even I had thought that c/s is the less favorable method. And I was scared. But in the end, once you hold your baby, you thank heaven that you got to hold your baby no matter how he or she had entered the world. What matters is that they enter it to be with you finally.

So onto your circumstances. The only thing I have to say to that is your body and your pregnancy is really really unpredictable. Really! Trust me. If the illness happened the first time, it may not even happen again the second time. Your body might react differently during natural physiological stress your body does to deliver baby. I felt like that, the vomiting and such, the first time with dd. But I didn't feel sick three second time. Birth is post of nature and nature itself is unpredictable.

If I were in your shoes, I'd choose to go through it natural but with open minded to other options if something arises. And I'd be prepared mentally and financially for both methods so when the time comes, you're prepared for it mentally so that you don't stress out as much.