Advice/experience on C-Section

.y second was a planned section he was meant to be a large baby he was not though he was in prem baby clothes when born. I recovered so well I just listened to my body. Didn't do long walks for the first 3 weeks if you bleed more you over did it that day so I just sat down with a cuppa legs up and I was fine. I had a 3 year old and a dog as well. Dont worry no matter what birth you have yous will be fine and in your little baby bubble recovery isn't bad I found it worse recovering from my natural labour as it was very traumatic like yours x

Thanks for your reply. It’s a really tough decision as it’s the last thing I want but if shoulder dystocia happens again it can be extremely dangerous in the worst case so a lot to think about…. I have a fantastic support network with family so I’d have all the help I could get. Did you have a painful recovery with your scar etc? x

@Georgie no I was really expecting it to hurt but none at all. It's a bit strange when you stand I felt a filling sensation so felt like I couldn't stand straight for about ,2 weeks but that was it. At 3 weeks I did scar massages to make it soft and it helps. I only had paracetamol for 3 days x

@Lena that’s positive to hear, thank you. I’m also desperate to get back to exercise once baby has arrived which is 1 more thing putting me off a section. I would much rather it all be a planned one though than it end up in a huge emergency as that must be so scary x

I had an emergency section then I had an unplanned one when a vbac failed and honestly the unplanned one was better, so I can imagine a completely planned one would be even better. My oldest was only 13 months old at the time, but after about 3 weeks I was back to normal with him, obv just tired to be careful etc My youngest was in the nicu for 10 days so I’d been up and and down there and had been so much better than the first time. Just keep moving as much as you can that’s what I was told, also keep up on painkillers even when you don’t feel it sore for at least couple of weeks x

@Claire thank you. I think that’s my main worry, the recovery taking so long! After my daughter I was up and about straight away, driving etc which I took for granted especially as things may well be different this time around. The consultant hasn’t said I can’t labour naturally so that may well still be what I decide unless the growth scan looks like babe is going to be huge 😂 even then they are so inaccurate x

@Georgie it's the same time frame for waiting 6 weeks so don't worry about that. My friend had an emergency one she took a lot to recover I think because the body was labouring and then a section on top of that was a lot. But honestly plenty water and doing little walks helped me and sitting with legs up at night was the best things I did and I would have another section if I needed to. Also one thing that sticks out in my head from my 1st birth was the stitches I remember at 3am sliding across the bed to feed my newborn and forgot about my stitches that was so painful. I never had any pain like that from my section. I think you always hear horror story's about them never positive. It was so nice we got the date of it arranged child care and a took the dog to my dad's. Had a movie night the night before just us 2 and In the morning I went to the shops for sweets for after my section lol and then went in. It was so relaxed and planned and I talked to the theatre staff while they were doing the section

It was lovely. And then they pulled the fiver down and held him up. It was honestly amazing so relaxed and stress free. If you go down that route just enjoy it x

@Lena it does all sound like it would be very relaxed etc and not having to push in the heat of mid July would be nice 😂 this is my last baby though so also have the thoughts of never having experiencing labour again etc which is sad. Being told an exact date is a nice thought though as then like you say childcare/dog care can be arranged etc xx

Yes I also moved too quickly afterwards on occasion and pulled at my stitches 🤪 I think my main issue is that even though the end of my labour was traumatic the rest of it and my recovery etc was so straight forward, I was incredibly lucky xx

Ohh a summer baby yes the heat makes it harder dosn't it lol. I no it has some lovely points but I no I was as the same I was so disheartened when they said it was the safest as he was meant to be big and for his shoulder and then he was born so tiny but it was lovely and I got skin to skin for ages after I wasn't aloud with my 1st as i bled out and started to shake badly. But both labours were magical in own way as I had to healthy baby's. You have plenty time still before they say but it's also up to you what you want to do x

Traumatic first vaginal birth. Second was unplanned c section, but I requested it when they said they were going to induce me. Best decision I ever made. Would recommend a c section to everyone 😅 I was up walking within 12 hours. Was walking round Sainsbury's 2 days later 😅 I never wanted to be induced and luckily never was xx

@Lena yes I have lots of time to really think about it etc. Just hope I have made my mind up at the end and still not unsure 😂 xx

@Hayley hey! Induction was and is something I never want either!! So it’s either go natural again on opt for planned c-section. My daughter wasn’t a big baby, 7lbs 11oz and that was 9 days overdue! x

@Georgie I was in that position. Wanted to go vaginal again, but the baby had no amniotic fluid for up to 72 hours and I didn't see the point of going through an induction for it to then end in a c section and what that would do to my mental health. I knew barely anything about a c section other that it being major surgery, but I stayed calm throughout. Was the best experience 🥰 xx

@Hayley oh gosh I wouldn’t have thought twice either! It’s a tricky one with me as I had no risk factors for it happening the first time round but it did 🙄 at least I do have the time to really think about it and understand what happens during the operation etc xx

@Georgie haha I'm sure you will. Do a pro and cons list. Good luck though xx

@Georgie I was kinda the same at the beginning I wasn’t told not labour naturally, I decided I wanted to and then things changed and during labour had to stop, but I’m still so glad I gave it a go! It made having to go through the recovery etc easier, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought honestly. They definitely can be, with my first it was off, but with my second it was one oz off said he’d be 5lb 5oz and he was 5lb 4oz 😂 Whatever happens just remember you’ll have your wee baby here safe and healthy that’s all that matters ☺️

Had an emergency one, the first two days were really rough for me, painful to walk (didn’t want to straighten up and flex belly muscles at all), so I stayed in bed pretty much all the time. Days 3 and 4 were quite better and after that it was ok to start getting back on track. Incision healed very well. I remember another lady in our hospital room was up and walking a lot I thought wow must be nice haha but then she had some bleeding and had to stay for longer. I’d do it again to be honest, as I know exactly what to expect and 4 days isn’t that bad 😅