C section experiences?

Delivering your baby in the safest way possible is the BEST option. I had failed inductions and ended up having to have an unplanned c section. At first, I felt disappointed because I hadn’t even done any research or anything into it but ultimately, I believe my baby would’ve died had I not had the c section…. So I’m grateful that it was an alternative option!!

The recovery was brutal, but if you have a supportive partner, it will be alright. I had trouble getting out of bed myself for a few weeks because of the pain. My husband had to help me get up, bring everything to me while I just lay down and nursed the majority of each day. However, it now seems like a VERY distant memory that is almost all but forgotten. Back then, I just kept reminding myself that it was the only option for my baby to be delivered safely!

Now that I’m pregnant with #2, I’d do the same thing all over again if I had to! Good luck!!

Elective c-section went so smoothly. Everyone explained everything before doing it. The anaesthetist was particularly helpful in explaining everything, including others’ roles. It’s obviously still significant surgery, and a daunting thought. But the environment is typically calm and controlled. After elective I found that I healed and recovered quickly. Obviously takes time to recover fully. But in terms of being able to function, I had almost no downtime. I had to choose between induction and c-section, and after deliberation, chose elective c-section. Although not to medically significant levels, I had lowish amniotic fluid levels, and this concerned me. Baby was born, very healthy, and no complications for either of us.
I did find the abdominal numbness for months afterwards really weird though - this hasn’t occurred to me in advance, and no one mentioned it. Good luck 💕

Hello, I had emergency c section following induction. If you are going to get the hormone drip they will put an epidural in for you and you may even be able to sleep in between. I didn’t take the epidural which was a huge mistake as the hardest part about the experience was trying to stay still for a spinal. If I had to do it again I would take the induction but with an epidural too - the recovery from a c-section isn’t nice: of course the safest option is the best option x

I 100% recommend c section!! I was low risk, went into Labour on 40+1 but baby’s head was stuck and his heart rate was dropping every time I pushed. They offered me forceps delivery or section and I went with section. It was the best decision EVER! I have had literally had no post op pain, no stitches or pain down below and today is ten days post partum and I am on no pain killers at all. I feel basically back to my old self. If I had known the recovery was going to be this good I would have chosen an elective section all along. The way they do the operation is diff to years ago so don’t believe what older women say!

I had a looooong Induction that I found absolutely awful and had no sleep for about 4 days during it.

Long story short it ended in failed forceps & emergency c section. I wish SO HARD that I’d have just pushed for an elective c section instead of induction as I was absolutely exhausted and then had a baby to look after.

I asked for a c-section during the induction after my waters were popped and the epidural failed as I was in such a bad way, but at that point I was dismissed because ‘they all ask for a C-section at this point’ 🙃

You know your body and how you’re feeling best, my strongest advice is to trust your own gut and don’t back down, they’ll try to convince you otherwise but don’t take it! x

That’s exactly what I had for the pessary- I then had the hormone drip which did work but he’d then turned and gone back to back so I had an emergency c section after all the drama from the pessary too! I recovered very quickly from the c section and it was very fast!

I had an emergency c section at 33 weeks, so it was a bit different because it was so sudden and I was obviously terrified about my baby. So I won’t share about how I found the actual procedure 🙂

I wasn’t expecting the recovery to be as hard as it was- 2 weeks on I still have to sleep sitting up, the pain at the start was horrendous; ended up having morphine so I could get to the loo and the Neo natal unit to see my daughter.

Would never have one again if I can possibly avoid it!

Hi love - I was in hospital for three nights for my induction that ended up in an emergency c section. I can empathise with the lack of sleep… I was exhausted… 2x pessaries, manually breaking waters at 1cm dilated 😓, oxitocin drip for 6hrs. I’m only 5’2” and baby girl was born at 9lb 4oz - nothing was working as she was too big to fit in my pelvis and make contact with my cervix, so no contractions. I got to the point where a c section was a no-brainer and I was very happy to have one! I was DONE. It was a wonderful experience - lovely young female surgical team, husband right by my side, and baby girl born safely. I’m so proud I got to have the experience - I found it fascinating and I felt so strong! Recovery was straightforward and scar is super neat. Just make sure you have enough support and keep on top of pain meds. Feel free to ask me anything xx

I had the exact same induction experience last week!! It got to a point where I got to delivery ward they wanted to break my waters but baby was showing abnormal heart rate from all the induced contractions from the pessary. They wanted to put me on the drip which terrified me after the pain from pessary so I’d need an epidural. Then from there it’s likely I’d have forceps because I wouldn’t have been able to feel pushing. Ending up in big tears / episiotomy. For us we said enough is enough and we’ll have a C-section now. Within 3 hours she was here. She’d poooed in my waters and was back to back to would’ve ended in section anyway.

- recovery was tough first few days but get help at home. I’m 7 days post partum though and feeling so much better. I’d do it all over again. Whatever you choose, just make sure you’re in control x

I was in labour a week before little one was born.
after 24hrs of waters going they decided to give me the hormone drip. I found it ok and managed about 7 hours before requesting epidural 🙏 (everyone advised me to get it)
Baby had turned back to back and head up not down!!
Ended up failed forceps and vacuum and wheeled off to theatre, luckily I had a epidural so partner was allowed to be with me, if I didn’t I would of had general anaesthesia section. Little one was born and taken to NICU.
I do feel guilty that I couldn’t do it ‘naturally’ Even tho it was an emergency section, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat if it meant my baby would be born safe

First few days are hard, if you’ve a partner for support make the most of it for first week at least. I’m nearly 3 weeks pp and feeling great.
I do have injections daily for 6 weeks as I lost a lot of blood xx

Don't feel bad, do what feels right for you, If you're finding it difficult now and your mentally and physically drained then the next stages of induction are not likely to be any easier, especially if you take pain relief, this can prolong the process and often mean you need medical intervention or a csection anyway ❤️

Whether you have a c-section or deliver vaginally, there is going to be pain. I was expecting a lot of pain with my c-section but none, I just have no feeling there now. You are limited what you can do or pick up for awhile after that you won’t have with delivering vaginally.

I had a failed induction that was horrible. 3 failed epidurals, then fainted from a crazy amount of fentanyl. I’m crazy pain. It went on for 49 hours before they called it and converted it to c section. Baby wasn’t able to get past my pelvis and flipped sunny side up. I was very very upset about the whole process. I was so sad about my c section but you just have to do what’s safest. I would say my one advise is if you are going to do a C section do it now. Earlier the better. My labor went for so long and then pushed for 4 hours that my uterus was exhausted. After baby was born I hemorrhaged and lost over 3L of blood because they couldn’t get my uterus to contract properly. And that’s usually because of an over exhausted uterus. And all the pitocin. The C section itself was fine. Although I was really upset and felt like I failed.
Post op was tough!! Abdominal numbness has just started to fade 4m pp. I also have horrible cramping every day that they can’t figure out.

I had an elective c section and would absolutely recommend it, I will happily do it again. Up and about after 6 hours, home in 24hrs and no issues walking a few miles within a week with the dog and driving after 10days. Keep up with your pain killers and expect one end to be more sore than the other (it’s where they tie all off) but stay calm and enjoy meeting your bubba, it’s not a bad way to give birth x

I had a successful sweep turned emergency c section. I was in such a state by the time they decided on a c section that I was sooooo relieved! Recovery was terrible but that was due to contracting an infection so that's just really bad luck! I was recovering well before the infection, barely any pain and I was up walking the next day and going out for short walks within a few days 😊 hope you're okay, I know how tiring it is x

I had a failed induction and had to have a c section after 30 hours of being in labor, I was exhausted and had no sleep as well and was relieved to be having the c section, as long as baby is delivered safely and healthy that’s all that matters

I had a planned c section. And it was amazing. The whole procedure and safe delivery of my baby was perfect.

I will have a c section again if I am to have another baby. Definitely advocate mums to at least consider a c section if it’s something you’re interested in.

If you're exhausted and have zero energy then c section is a good option. Remember that you and your baby's safety is what's important.
I had an emergency c section and the whole procedure was uneventful. My recovery was amazing as well as I started mobilizing the day after, catheter out but avoiding lifting things and walking with caution. 😊

Hey hun, I experienced exactly the same. I ended up with a c section because baby’s heart rate dipped and I wish I had had one all along! It was the best, even though an emergency situation. First few days were rough as I didn’t religiously keep up with paracetamol but recovery was very very good! No issues.

I was stuck in the hospital for 4 days with my induction, it failed miserably, didnt work at all, i went for the csection and it was the best decision i made, i was far too stressed about the induction and i didnt want to stress out baby, the csection took about 40 minutes baby was out within 3 minutes so you just spend the time cuddling them, it was so nice really good atmosphere, the first few days are horrible but thats to be expected after having your whole stomach cut open x

@Lorraine wow, you pretty much summed up everything I wanted to share since that's exactly my experience as well, and i can totally relate to everything you've referred to above.
@Erin
Sorry to hear whatever you've been through but considering my experience so far, I'd highly recommend c-section in your case. At least you know what to look out for and expect which will surely give you some peace of mind ! Hope you take the right decision soon. Good luck momma! Whatever it is, you got this ♥️

DO NOT LET THEM TAPE YOU CLOSED. they used tape to hold my skin together.

I had an emergcy one because I wasn’t progressing with induction and other reasons. I wouldn’t choose to have one but if it’s safest for baby then do it. I couldn’t walk for 2 weeks. My recovery was awful but I get why people choose to have them. It’s not the easiest way out though x

omg that’s so bad