Nervous for planned c section

1st. You have LOTs of time to decide given you're 4 weeks. When I started trying to concieve I thought I wanted 2 kids in addition to my SD. Weeks 9-14 were so miserable I am definitely never doing this again.

You don't mention your age. I'm an older FTM so I determined with my doctor that a planned c-section had better outcomes for both baby and me. The internet has all the scariest things. I'd suggest not looking up worst case things. Worst case for both c-section AND vaginal are both awful. Look up, or ask your doctor about TYPICAL or EXPECTED outcomes for each case. If you end up being a rare case, that is why you are in a hospital and the doctors will help you through it.

You and baby are going to be ok whichever route you pick.

Thank you Alexis, I really appreciate that. I will speak to my doctor and any midwives. Good luck with the delivery of your baby 🩷

Hey! If you are that scared please look into Hypnobirthing, it really made me so unbelievably calm about birth, I actually really wanted a vaginal birth but ended up having a emergency c section. It’s such early days! The best advice I could give you is to breathe! If you don’t and panic adrenaline will take over and it will be painful! You got this Mumma ❤️

I had a planned C-section as I thought it was safer for my Diabetes. I am a first time mum so I can’t compare with a vaginal birth. I honestly felt 100% confident with my decision after speaking to my midwife and I also spoke to a birthing person (sorry I forgot the name) they were super supportive and helpful. The C section itself is not bad at all. At first the paperwork can seem daunting- please do not let that put you off! After all that, all you think is that you are going to meet your precious little one. From start to finish my baby was out in 15 mins. There was a little pressure and tugging but no pain at all! The most pain you will feel is the local anaesthetic before the spinal needle. Even that doesn’t hurt as much as a pinch. I would say if you don’t do great with pain after, they do offer a suppository of ibuprofen. Take it. I declined this and only got paracetamol after lol. They obviously try keeping you off opioids but they will offer dyhydracodine after. Good luck!

I think a planned c section is probably the least stressful option. You can mentally prepare for it and rest beforehand. You go in, it's super quick and you have your baby in your arms soon. I had to get induced and went through hours of labor. I was in labor from the 24th to the 26th. I hadnt slept the whole time and prior to that I didnt sleep for two days. I was extremely exhausted and overwhelmed. Having to go through labor first for so long then being told I need to have an emergency c section. It feels a little traumatic. You get bad shakes in labor then being on the operating table shaking while they are pushing and pulling around inside of you. It makes it seem awful. I do plan on having 3 children someday. I was going to wait at least 2 to 3 years between babies to fully heal. Next baby im definitely going to do a planned c section and sleep so much beforehand.

Thank you so much everyone, this all is really reassuring! I know I’m really early days, I’m just so type A and feel like I have to plan everything 😂 thank you all so much 🩷

I had a planned C-section with my second baby and it was the right decision for me and my personal situation. It was a really positive experience and a much easier recovery than expected. It was very straight forward and I've had no short or long term complications from my C-section. I did know it would be my last so I knew I was only having the one c-section in my case but I know people do have two and three C-sections with no issues.

You can talk through your options and concerns with a midwife and attending an antenatal class further along in your pregnancy will be helpful.

Look up positive birth stories for both c-section and vaginal. I did and it calmed my nerves. For various reasons, I had an elective section. It’s not the easy way out, but I get why you’d want one.

Personally found labour unmedicated even on the drip way less painful then my c section recovery pain.

The surgery itself is completely calm. Theyre all so lovely in there. Its weird!! You dont feel pain but you feel them rummaging as they sew you up and its just WEIRD!!!

If you want 3 its possible with c section but you do need to give your body time to heal or your chance of uterine rupture goes up. Ideally 18 months between births is ideal.

I had a wonderful planned C section! It was a calm and peaceful experience. My recovery was good too. I would definitely do it again next time.

Also I asked my obstetrician about future babies and he said he’s done as many as 6 c sections on women before… obviously that’s quite a lot but when I said I wanted 2-3 kids and they’d all be c sections if the first one was (I had a medical reason) he didn’t bat an eyelid.

I can’t compare the two as I’ve only had 1 C-section. I was told at 36 weeks she was to be out by 37 weeks so in that time I had a decision of induction or section.
Honestly the best decision I made. I felt like I went in knowing what what happening, and when and it just put my mind at ease. You can make a playlist, have your own music on, your birth partner will be with you, the team are lovely and talk you through it all.. honestly the worst part of the actual process is the cannula (or for me it was anyway!).. the spinal is a little awkward as you need to lean right forward and it’s hard with the bump in the way but once that’s done the numbness kicks straight in! Then baby was out 9 mins after the first cut!! It’s super quick.
I had my catheter out the next day which I dreaded, but I honestly didn’t feel it?!
Recovery I won’t lie, is rough. It’s not an easy ride… but with the right support and if you look after yourself and rest up, you soon become more mobile and comfortable.

I had a planned c section for the same reason (health anxiety) and I was the same as you absolutely terrified even when I was sat on the bed getting the spinal needle but I can honestly say it was the best experience ever so chilled all the doctors/midwives were amazing and I would definitely do it again in a heartbeat, even my recovery wasn’t that bad. I no it’s easier said than done but try not to worry x

My cousin had 3 c sections (1st emergency and 2nd and 3rd were her choice) and hasn't had any of the issues/risks that usually scare people off. Her recoveries were all pretty smooth, albeit she had more people helping her than some of us do. All 3 of her kids are happy and healthy and her mental and physical health is great :)

I'm hoping to request one too, I've mentioned it to the midwife and she's referring me to Perinatal mental health to discuss my anxieties around birth, but ultimately I've been told it will be my choice, so let's hope that's the case! I'm worried about how I'll cope afterwards as it's just me and my partner and he's a very heavy sleeper so I'm worried about how I'm going to cope with trying to pickup/feed the baby at night if he doesn't wake up to help me, but I figure I will find a way..!

I always had a fear of childbirth, but when the midwife told me 85 percent of vaginal births get stitches (obviously ranging on different ends of the severity scale), I was petrified of it. I told her there and then, that as I was statistically (that's about 9 out of 10) going to get stitches anyway, I might as well have a planned c section, and know how many stitches I'm getting in advance. I was afraid to be awake during it, but did, so my partner could be there for the birth. It was in my notes that if I hated being awake, I could be knocked out immediately at any point. Mine was such a smooth c section, I fell asleep on the table I was so relaxed. Didn't feel any tugging. Very smooth recovery. And very minimal scarring nearly 2 years on! Would recommend