C-section questions

just thinking ahead....

After having an emergency c-section with Neosha for failing to progress (only got to 5 cm after 3 days of labour included in that 1 full night of the drip to speed things up) Baby was also posterior so never really felt contractions, just continuous pain that didn't let up the whole time. I also had a midwife that was telling me that I was holding progression up by stressing... turned out the babys head was stuck kind of sideways?

Being that it was an EXTREMELY traumatic labour that still freaks me out to this day and also the fact that my mother had the exact same issue with three children, myself, my brother and a baby that went into fetal distress during labour and died before they could get him out via c-section, would I be able to go elective next time around? What is the procedure for this?

At how many weeks along do you have a elective c-section?

Also ideas for things that make a c-section more bearable and recovery easier and quicker.

All comments appreciated

Over here they schedule electives at 37.5 weeks or as close to that as possible.

You will be able to discuss the C-sect when you meet up with your MW if you go under a MW as your LMC. You meet with an OB at least once during your pregnancy discuss the C as well.

Best things for recovery: (you probably know these since they're basically the same for an emergency)
Get up as soon as you are able to the next day to get things moving.
Take it very slowly
Take all your meds - keep on top of your pain
Don't overdo it when you get home - try to have a support person there for at least a week as you shouldn't be lifting anything heavier than the baby.
I took arnica spray - don't know if it worked but I like to think it did.
Get people to buy you lots of flowers and chocolate while you're in hospital.
Don't leave hospital too soon (even though you're missing your toddler like crazy)


Edited by Bobbie

Christchurch they are 39 weeks unless there is a reason to do it earlier, or some women like to wait and go into labour then have the c/s so that the baby's birthday isn't decided by the hospital.

I think on the whole an elective is much easier to recover from than an emergency as you haven't laboured before hand. Mine certainly was easy (from what I have read on here of other people's recoveries) but I don't have an emergency one to compare it to.

I planned in advance second time around on the assumption I would have one (I was trying for a vbac), I taught Spencer how to do lots of things himself like climbing into carseat/highchair etc. I made sure DH could have time off work, I cooked and froze meals in advance so that was one less thing to do whilst recovering. Was good cos I ended up with a vontouse delivery and the recovery from that was pretty bad, couldn't lift Spencer and so forth same as with a c/s.

And yep once you have had a c/s you can ask for another. Also if you try for a vbac at any point you can change your mind (short of the baby crowning!), my mw said at any point before or during labour I could say nope don't want to do this take me to theatre.

although if i labour earlier and he is favourable they want me to try for VBAc..we will see as it's mostly the stress of last time that worries me happening again and they cant say it wont so will prob still go for c section.

Thanks for all your insight ladies

Hey I have the opposite problem I had to have an acute c-section which basically meant that it wasn't emergency but had to be done with in 24hrs because of rising Bp and having a breech baby. The recovery was wonderful. My only reason for a c-section was baby being breech so not sure if I would qualify for an elective next time. Am nervous about VBAC I have not yet experienced labour and with my c-section being great with no problems and quick recovery of course I would like that again, call me a complete wuss