Elective C-Section?

[ashleyg]

Has anybody here had an elective c-section?
I have no doubt in my mind that I want to have a c-section. I already have so many issues with UTI's, irritation, and things like that down there that I don't want any more complications.

I just have a few questions!
-Was it your first child?
-How was the recovery?
-Were you happy with your decision?

Any info you could give would be amazing!

 

[ashleyg]

No one??

 

[kazine]

Sorry I don't have an answer for you but I used to want this too. I was so terrified of childbirth by hearing horrible stories of women left paralysed by childbirth that I just decided that I needed to have a c-section if I ever got pregnant! I was worried that I'd be denied one, though.

Good luck with everything!

 

[Celesse]

I had an emergency c-section with my first child, the recovery was crap and painful. I still had scar pain a year later. The only reason I was happy with the decision was because she didn't die. I would never ever ever have another c-section again unless there was imminent danger to me or the baby. I simply don't get why anyone would choose to have someone slice through several layers of fat and muscle and tissue and into an internal organ without there being a real need.

 

[shiseru]

I had elective Csec with my girl, because of low placenta. I was up and walking and was able to move my bowel the next day. It recovered pretty quickly and I returned to doing my aerobic 8 weeks after Csec.

Overall, my Csec experience was pleasant.

 

[OurLilFlu]

Ill tell you this just in case you're not aware but many doctors won't do a c-section for the reasons you mentioned. It's a major surgery and has many more risks than a vaginal birth. I'm not just saying this but I am a nurse in postpartum and the only c-sections we do are elective REPEAT sections, or those that are medically indicated (placenta, pre-e, baby concerns etc) or emergencies... And recovery is definitely worse in comparison, some have it ok but it's still nowhere in comparison to a vaginal delivery recovery.

 

[Shadowy Lady]

I don't think here in Canada you can have a C-section just because you have had UTI's, ... in the past. UIT's are common amongst women anyway and I don't think doctors would use it as an excuse for a major surgery. It may be different in the US though.

I have a couple of friends who have had both C-section and vaginal birth (their C-section was because of breech baby though). In both cases the recovery time was MUCH longer with the C-section birth.

 

[Take2]

I understand UTIs are very unpleasant but I'm not sure why that would turn you off a vaginal delivery?? I could be wrong but I can't see what one has to do with the other??
I have never had a c section but I have friends who have had vaginal birth and c section and they all say they'd take vaginal delivery any day.

 

[Eleanor ace]

Have you checked that you are allowed to elect for a c-section? It may well be different where you are but here (UK) UTI's and irritation wouldn't be deemed enough of a reason to elect for a c-section.
I know that the recovery for planned sections is usually a lot smoother and quicker than for an emergency section, although of course you'll still have the same things to factor in such as the wait (6 weeks?) to drive again, risk of infection in your scar etc.

 

[minties]

I had an elective (repeat) section for Sophie. My first was an emergency. The reasons for the repeat were previous failure to dilate, previous fetal distress, previous c-section and gestational diabetes with the (then) current pregnancy which also tied in with a suspected large baby.

While the experience was an overall positive one and I think I recovered well, there are major downsides.

Scar tissue can adhear to your organs. There is a chance they can accidentally cut your bladder or bowels. It's shocking an unnatural for the baby. Your baby is whisked away after a brief glimps over he curtain. The spinal is scary. It all feels so medicalised. it hurts to do ANYTHING. Cough, sneeze, sit up, roll over, stand, shower, go to the toilet. It's so hard to reach your baby in the wee plastic bassinet. You feel disgusting sitting on a bed unable to get up with thick maternity pads under you and blood squishing out. You have to stay in hospital for ages. Nurses come in constantly waking you up to take your blood pressure, check your temp, and ask you endless questions on how you feel.

I was pretty pain free about 1.5 weeks later and had no lasting issues, but I 100% wish I had tried for a VBAC.

 

[mara16jade]

You might want to ask in the c-section area.

I've never given birth, so can't answer from experience, but two co-workers had a c-section and they said it wasn't bad. I think there may be a big difference between a long labor that ends in a c-section/emergency c-sections vs elective c-sections.

Best of luck to you!!

 

[skc22]

I ended up with an emergency c section. It is major abdominal surgery and not a walk in the park. I'm a nurse and I would hope they don't give people the option based on the fact they have reoccurring uti's
I was relatively pain free after but I have a high pain threshold. But I had some severe complications, including an infection that lasted 2 years. It isn't nice having an open oozy wound for any amount of time let alone 2 years. Because of this, I couldn't get the reconstructive surgery I needed to fix the scar, it is a mess as they hacked in to get her out. Not to mention all the other complications that can come with major surgery. I was induced, established labour for 5 days, 6 hours pushing, failed forceps before the EMSC, and I know that I would still prefer a vaginal delivery

 

[sasha2014]

I think c-sections should only be if there is a genuine dire medical necessity rather than because someone is too posh to push or scared. Our bodies are perfectly designed to give birth vaginally. We have been doing it since time began. I think the horror stories that are bandied about combined with the breakup of the extended family and community have a big part to play. The other culprit (IMO) is the medicalisation of birth. Just because doctors CAN do c-sections does not always mean they should.

With proper support from trained specialists I think the vast majority of women could have a perfectly normal vaginal birth.

 

[BunnyN]

Honestly I think pregnancy causes more issues with UTIs than a vaginal delivery. Also for a c section you will need a catheter which can cause UTIs. It's something to talk over with your doctor to see if there are reasons that a cs would be to your advantage due to your medical history. You need to be aware of the greater risks for you and for the baby of a CS. If it's still what you want then you are the only one who can make the choice, just make sure it's an informed choice.

 

[Gitane091]

Hi. I too have always had problems with constant uti's as well as bv and yeast problems. I even had them through my whole pregnancy and it made me terrified of vaginal birth and the effects it may have on me down there afterwards. I went into labour November 28th and decided to tough it out and go naturally. Honesty I can say you are so distracted by labour pains that it never crossed my mind at that point. 15 hours later I gave birth vaginally to a 6p 9oz baby boy with a 2nd degree tear. It really wasn't all that bad except for obvious soreness down there for a couple of weeks and then the pain substantially subsided and I don't have any more problems with my urinary tract more than I did before and the healing time is really cut in half from what a c-section would take. Everyone is different though.

 

[ispeakinsongs]

I had an emergency c section and if you are prepared to take it easy for two weeks at least then it's fine. My experience was good and since I will have a choice next time I will chose a c section. As you I have heard very awful stories about tears 4th degree etc and do not wish to put myself through this. I had a friend who had an elective csection and if you are firm and stand your ground they cant deny you one.

 

[ashleyg]

Thanks for the responses. For everyone commenting about my reasonings for why I would choose an elective over a natural...I've always had issues with UTI's (like 7 or 8 in one year) and on and off issues with painful sex and things like that. And I don't want tears or anything like that to make things worse. I don't mean to sound vain or "posh" as someone said but I don't want to be miserable for months after a vaginal birth either.

One of my friends had a vaginal birth 5 months ago and is still in pain from it. Both my mother in law and my mother didn't have any issues with their csections and had fast recoveries. So I'm not worried. I have spoken to my doctor about it and she thinks it is a good option for me. There are quite a few doctors here who do elective sections.

 

[ashleyg]

I had an emergency c section and if you are prepared to take it easy for two weeks at least then it's fine. My experience was good and since I will have a choice next time I will chose a c section. As you I have heard very awful stories about tears 4th degree etc and do not wish to put myself through this. I had a friend who had an elective csection and if you are firm and stand your ground they cant deny you one.

Thanks for your response! Yeah I have no issue taking it easy for a few weeks so that wouldn't be a problem at all for me.

 

[BunnyN]

Thanks for the responses. For everyone commenting about my reasonings for why I would choose an elective over a natural...I've always had issues with UTI's (like 7 or 8 in one year) and on and off issues with painful sex and things like that. And I don't want tears or anything like that to make things worse. I don't mean to sound vain or "posh" as someone said but I don't want to be miserable for months after a vaginal birth either.

One of my friends had a vaginal birth 5 months ago and is still in pain from it. Both my mother in law and my mother didn't have any issues with their csections and had fast recoveries. So I'm not worried. I have spoken to my doctor about it and she thinks it is a good option for me. There are quite a few doctors here who do elective sections.

Honestly I think it can go either way. I know one woman who was in pain from a her cs a year later and still gets pain from time to time 5 years later but some ladies make a fast recovery. I was up and about the same day as my v delivery and had sex with no pain 2 weeks later but I also know ladies who have had a long recovery. The problem is there really is no way of knowing how it is going to go until it happens.

Some people make the mistake of thinking a cs is an easy way out, which I don't believe it ever is. Major abdominal surgery is not something to be entered into lightly but it is the right choice for some people. Statistically speaking vaginal deliveries are safer for mother and baby and lead to fewer complications but that does not take your own circumstances into account. You are the one who knows your own body the best and has to live with your choices so you are the only one who can decide what to do.

 

[Celesse]

Thanks for the responses. For everyone commenting about my reasonings for why I would choose an elective over a natural...I've always had issues with UTI's (like 7 or 8 in one year) and on and off issues with painful sex and things like that. And I don't want tears or anything like that to make things worse. I don't mean to sound vain or "posh" as someone said but I don't want to be miserable for months after a vaginal birth either.

One of my friends had a vaginal birth 5 months ago and is still in pain from it. Both my mother in law and my mother didn't have any issues with their csections and had fast recoveries. So I'm not worried. I have spoken to my doctor about it and she thinks it is a good option for me. There are quite a few doctors here who do elective sections.

Great examples of anecdotal evidence. The experiences of one or two people don't equal the general experience of the masses or the risk to yourself of a difficult c-section recovery or easy vaginal delivery recovery.

Sex felt funny for about 3 months after my forceps delivery, for which they had to cut me to get the forceps in. Sex felt funny for about 9 months after my c-section for any face to face position due to the damage to the nerves when they cut through the layers of tissue.

And of course your doctor is happy with a c-section, she gets paid more and won't get called in at a funny hour. I don't think you are being too posh to push, I think your being a little naive in opting for major surgery over a natural human process for what appear to be rather unnecessary reasons.