Looking for advice re: planned c-sections

i got induced by choice with my first and it was an amazing experience!

I had a Caesarian. Truly a calm and happy experience. Skin to skin, delayed cord clamping, camera rolling, radio on. Having one for baby 2 as it was so pleasant.

Electives and emergencies are very different experiences. I had low fetal movement and ended up with my section on the day to avoid her getting into trouble. Turns out I was actually in labour hence not feeling her, so my elective became a cat 3.

I think it’s important to do what feels right for you and to go with the option that you feel most at ease with. And not to worry as your babygirl will come when she is ready.

I had an emergency c-section after an unsuccessful induction & it was a v traumatic experience for me as I also didn’t want to medicalise my birth (having planned a homebirth but ended up in hospital after labouring for 3 days).

I don’t think many people talk about the healing after c-section as I couldn’t even pick up my baby without help & struggled with simple tasks like going up/down stairs and getting out of bed for the first couple of weeks. I had to also take antibiotics, anti-blood clotting injections in my belly & v strong painkillers for weeks. Even now 5 months pp, my body is still not healed. There is numbness in my lower belly & still struggle with exercise that would have been easy pre-surgery. I wished I could have had a vaginal delivery as it seems like the healing process is much easier.

honestly, if i could’ve had a vaginal birth, i much rather would have than a c section. but i got induced and that turned into a c section, so it is what it is. i personally would not have made the decision to get one if it wasn’t presented as medically necessary BUT i will probably elect for a c section if i get pregnant again bc im scared of the potential risk of a vbac.

I got induced and if I had to do it over and knew what would happen, I’d choose a planned c section. (My induction was failed and I had an emergency c section) all was fine with the c section and for me even the healing and everything after was much easier than I’d imagined. X

They naturally induced my labor by doing a membrane sweep because I was already 40 weeks and omg it was painful!! And still them doing that I was not dilating ! I went 15 hours trying to do it naturally then I got a fever twice and asked for the epidural and 7 hours later they decided on having to do a c-section because I only dilated 1cm and when my water broke which was two days after the membrane sweep my baby actually pooped inside me so they were worried about infection
But I really wish I was able to do a natural vaginal birth but that was not in the cards for me sadly !

Do whatever makes you feel happy but I've had 2 planned c sections. Not necessarily down to medical but my boys were fat and worried they'll get abit stuck.
Both my c sections were relaxing, first one didn't take that long and he was out within the first 20mins and was led on my chest after we delayed cord clamping. Then they brought everything like scales and vitamin K over to do that and put him back on my chest.
My second section was relaxing after I stressed everyone out.

I’ve heard good things about planned c sections. I had an emergency C-section via general anaesthetic after an attempted induction but LO couldn’t get out.

You need to do what’s right for you. Recovery for both options can be really tough. With a C-section you do get given pain killers which you need to keep up. The first few weeks are tough but in the long run it’s only a short fragment of time. Make sure you have help at home.

I had an emergency section with my first due to complications and the baby being in significant distress. I too had been checked out for reduced movements but baby always seemed fine when monitored. Unfortunately in my case my placenta went on to completely switch off putting my son in significant danger. All that stress aside the operation itself was absolutely fine. Healing was fine too, I know some women really struggle after but I was up and moving after and had no issues caring for my son. That said I’m in really good health overall and tend to heal quickly. I’m 22 weeks now with my second and will be having an elective. I knew instinctively induction wasn’t for me, I haven’t heard many positive stories and I thought I’d find all the potential stop/start poking and prodding highly stressful. I think you have to weigh up what your medical team are telling you and what you can personally deal with. Ask lots of questions. Can they monitor you more closely to give you time?

They said I have to make my decision by Thursday because there’s no more doctors appointments after that which apparently means no more elective c-sections. Thank you so much to everyone for sharing their stories, it really is helpful x

I had a scheduled c section on June 11th and it was the most relaxed birthing experience ever. I was scared to death, don’t get me wrong, but I would do it all over again. We arrived to the hospital knowing what was going to happen and all of the doctors knew what they were doing so everything went so smoothly. My son was delivered after 8 minutes and in my arms immediately after they cleaned him up and looked him over. Then while they put you back together, I got to hold him the entire time.

It is a major surgery though, and recovery did suck but it was manageable. I was told I needed to choose between an induction or a c section and my fear was that if I went with an induction, something could go wrong and I’d need an emergency c section where other complications could happen. With it being scheduled, everything should go smoothly since everyone is prepared.

Thank you for sharing, that’s really helpful and is kind of where my head is at