Need positive C-section stories please.

I had my first elective c section in 2023 and honestly it was the calmest experience ever. I have my next one tomorrow at 7 am and I honestly can't wait. Is there anything in particular you are worried about x

I had an absolutely wonderful experience. Semi elective (after refusing induction and 10 days over). Super calm, relaxed, staff incredible, played our own play list, theatre team took photos i would have never seen, videod my boyfriend cutting the cord...honestly amazing. Surgeon apologised for tiny cut to my little girls cheek as he was getting her out (mentioned in the consent form) and it disappeared within 3 days.

Consent forms are scary as they have to mention every detail of risk. Just remember the risks are low and you're in an incredibly controlled environment with staff members who know the whole process. 1/100 sounds a lot but perhaps see it as a 99% chance of not needing it.

Easy for everyone else to say but you're the one going through it and it'll be your experience. I hope you're reassured throughout and its as magic as I imagine it to be for you. Your little one will be with you in no time 💕 x

I had an emergency C-section and whilst that whole situation in itself was scary the actual surgery was fairly straightforward with no complications, I'm now 3 weeks pp and recovering well.

My sister-in-law had an elective C-section, and as theyd not found out the gender once my niece was born she spent the rest of her time on the op table, while they were sewing her up etc, on her phone online shopping for girls clothes 😂

Honestly it’s not as scary as they say!!!
I had an urgent C-section and the recovery was less painful than my last month of pregnancy.
Wishing you all the best and try not to overthink 🫶🏼

Had my "elective" c-section 9 months ago and it was a beautiful experience. I'll be honest, they sent my concent form to my old phone so I signed without really reading anything a couple of hours before meeting my son. I had made a playlist and had a wonderful team of people in the room along with my mum by my side. The curtain was dropped and I was able to see my little boy being born (they asked if I wanted to see and there was nothing gory 😅)
A lot of people struggle with the epidural but it didn't really phase me, I was just excited to meet my little boy.
Once the epidural had passed, I wanted to be up and about. I spent a few days in hospital which drove me mad but it was needed I just couldn't see it at the time. I kept on top of pain relief and had lots of support from family.
Probably the worst thing about it was the itchiness which I believe is a side effect of the epidural, it does go eventually. I still get random sharp pains at the site but nothing too bad.
Positive vibes and congratulations 💜

I had an emergency C-section after a failed induction. They go through all the things that can go wrong that might freak you out initially but just remember that all that is essentially a 1 in a million complications that they legally have to tell you. The procedure itself was very straightforward. They do not let you look over the curtain 😂 they show you your baby as they come out and then let you have as much skin to skin as you want. My surgeon also gave me a PICO dressing that helps with healing. You wear it up to 5 days and can shower and everything with it. Just make sure the midwifes/nurses are trained to take the machine attached to it off and put it back on because mine didn't and ended up cutting it off earlier by mistake. My recovery was pretty good as well as long as you keep up with the painkillers. The only thing that sucked was the fact that I couldn't drive or go for a walk. But it's only 6 weeks. I would prefer to have a c section any time over actual labour.

Best experience ever. As soon as my midwife told me that 85 percent of vaginal births get stitches, I decided there and then to opt for a c section, and get my stitches in a much nicer location. Mine was a really smooth day, arrived on my date and time, got told I was third on the list, but for obvious reasons, got told that any emergencies would push me back on the list. There were no emergencies so my wait was short, I went into theatre, and found the whole thing so relaxing, I fell asleep when my daughter was being born 🤣. I was up and walking at 24, but wouldn't have felt like I wanted to leave until 48 hours later. But I was there for a lot longer with my daughter as she had a (non c section related) complication. Don't let them remove your catheter until you're confident in walking all the way to the toilet, if your ward is anything like mine was, it's far away. Also please watch the 'how to get out of bed after a c section' videos on YouTube. There was one on the NHS website but it's hard to find

Yeah you're arms are free! I did have my hands shaking uncontrollably (which is normal apparently), they will offer to pass baby to you so you can hold them in your chest and get some skin to skin time in while they are sewing you up - sewing up is what takes time so it's good to have something to keep you occupied, from them cutting me open to baby being born was only 8 minutes, and that's with baby being a little bit stuck, then the sewing up took about 30-45 minutes.

For recovery I recommend to get moving as soon as you can, but make sure you listen to your body and don't overdo it, just get used to standing up/sitting down and then once home walking in the garden so your not too far away.

You're also told to wait 6 weeks before you can drive (have to be signed off by a Dr at your 6 week appointment) but I know people who have contacted their Dr and got signed off earlier then this (at 2-3 weeks) and I'm going to do that this week - they say you need to be able to comfortably complete an emergency stop.