Positive Elective C/S Stories?

[Scuba]

I had an elective, it was fantastic! I was terrified beforehand and I can promise you it was a breeze and I'd do it all again in a heartbeat! Yes recovery is uncomfortable but no worse than that from my previous natural delivery!
You will be fine xx

 

[Heramys]

Great to hear these stories ladies as it seems only the bad ones take up space on the boards.
I'm in discussion with the OBs about elective C at 38+0 if they havent come out by themselves by then, as I'm extremely terrified of tearing and getting problems the rest of my life (not my idea of a beautiful birth). However I read about all the bad stuff and I get really stressed out.

 

[babylou]

I had a good experience too. Had an ELCS due to unstable lie so had a bit of waiting around to do because of EMCS taking priority. The team in the room were all relaxed and chatty and I met my LO in there for the first time. I got to feed her as soon as I was out of theatre. As far as that part went it was perfect. However the recovery is a bit of a bind, having had a normal birth with my first DD it was a bit of a shock.

Good luck to all!

 

[Eternal]

Hello,

I had an elective section when I had my little boy as he was breech. I can honestly say the actual procedure was totally fine the theatre staff were amazing and kept me calm. The only thing I found hard was the waiting. I waited for hours to go into theatre as I was second on the elective list but we kept getting bumped back due to emergency sections taking priority and I don't think I was prepared mentally for that to happen but can understand others take priority. I wasn't allowed to eat or drink from the night before. I didn't feel too hungry as I think the nerves put me off eating anything but I was pretty thirsty I ended up getting out on a drip as I had waited so long. So take things to help pass the time just in case.

My recovery was totally straightforward just take regular pain relief and try and take it easy, well as easy as you can with a newborn. I think having an emergency section is a different kettle of fish. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to have been in labour for hours then have a section. So I admire any ladies who have had that experience.

This was my experience too, except i ended up waiting days despite being first on the list for three days!

 

[dgirllamius]

I had an elective section. It gave me time to think about how things would be and to prepare for it.

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The procedure itself was good and I didn't feel a thing. The injection was really weird and I tried so hard to move my legs but I couldn't (I now know how it feels to not have legs, it's horrible).

The recovery was a bit meh. When I came out all I wanted to do was sit up and I couldn't. I also had a cough at the time too so every time I coughed it really hurt.

I was home within about 3 days and had my mum around to help so it wasn't so bad. I did have mega back pain for several weeks after. I was driving again after about a week and a half (I shouldn't have really, but I needed to). I don't know if I could go through all that again though.

 

[Jojono2]

I've had an elective and a emergency. My elective was 9 weeks ago and it was a lovely birth, I was first on the list got to the hospital for 7-7.30 and had had her by 9, theatre staff were amazing with OH and myself, the tugging reminded me of when she moved around in my tummy. I went home the next day and was out shopping a couple of days later although was still a bit tender. Now I don't even feel like I've had one. The midwives were amazed at my scar and how neat it was.

My emergency was just as good apart from I was knocked out for it as epidural wasn't working but recovery was just as good. I wouldn't hesitate to have another, you will be nervous but having had 2 neither were as bad as I was expecting x

 

[OmiOmen]

I had a horrific EMCS (although to be fair the CS was not the bad part) but my first was elective for medical reasons. I was so scared but when I got there I could tell it was so routine for the staff I was more relaxed than I expected to be. I am told I recovered well and quickly. I was out of hospital after 2 nights, did a weekly shop on the way home and went out for lunch on day 5. Don't get me wrong the recovery is never nice and I would not recommend one for non medical reasons but when they are necessary and planned it probably is not as scary as you first think. Also when reading/hearing stories remember there is often a big difference between a EMCS and a planned one.

The worst ones probably do end up on the boards though. I never wrote a birth story for my first planned section that went fine but did for my bad delivery.

My advice for anyone who really needs a c-section is it has to be done as it is the safest option so try your best not to worry about it. I know that is easier said than done. Oh and pack a back up bag of stuff to keep at home in case you are in hospital longer than expected because you can't trust your OH to get things right.

Good luck.