What was your elective section experience

You don’t have to have either, you can wait for baby to choose their birthday x

I had an elective because my son was breech and I didnt want to end in an emergency one. It was honestly really calm and controlled from start to finish. I had my own playlist on during the section which made me feel better. I felt really looked after and all the staff were really good and calming my nerves and making sure I was okay. I was nervous about feeling sick so they gave my antisickness as a preventative which helped.

Baby was absolutely fine and his dad cut his cord which was also what we wanted. The doctor got dad ready to film/picture the moment he was lifted out so we have that lovely memory. I found recovery okay, just made sure to stay on top of pain medication and my partner was really good at making sure I had them on time which helped.

Overall I found the whole experience very calm and I also felt in control which was something I was worried about x x

Absolutely wonderful. Barely felt the epidural and the nurse held my hand throughout. The c section was over in about 25 minutes barely any pain. I got to choose the song she was born too. It was magical I get emotional thinking about it. I know how terrifying it it but honestly, for me it was magical.

Bloody loved it. I had one as baby as breech but my waters went a week early so it was an emergency. But if I’m being honest it was the most relaxing and magical experience ever. I was fine, baby was fine and so was recovery xx

What makes you scared about going overdue? I was really against having an induction but I just told them that and no one made me. My first was 13 days late so right on the edge - I think if it had got to 14, they might have pushed a bit harder! I did end up having an awful labour that ended in an emergency section but I honestly don't think that had anything to do with him being overdue and he wasn't huge or anything!

I had an elective section for my second and it was honestly dreamy. So relaxed and controlled. I got good rest beforehand, got to choose the playlist and was chatting to my husband and the doctors the whole way through. At one point the anaesthetist was googling whether Chris Martin was dating Dakota Johnson because I was telling my husband and couldn't remember if it was true 😂 the recovery is not that bad (in my experience) if you give yourself plenty of rest and have help - again, having it planned makes it easier for people to like book time off to be around etc.

I’ve had two sections and absolutely loved them. Wonderful, stress free, calm, no traumatic births for me and the kids. I had delayed cord clamping, music playing, the camera rolling. In fact I didn’t even know they’d started with my first and within 8 minutes she was in my arms.

I’ll be having my third the same way. The staff are amazing, I was at ease laughing at jokes and felt in total control.

My second I was up, showered, dressed and walking the ward looking for coffee at 7pm that day. I never had any worse pain than a rough period. I had no recovery issues, bled for less than 10 days, was at Costco 5 days after birth and back running at 6-8 weeks.

I didn't have sections so can't really comment on that but I did go over my due date with both babies, both were born spontaneously without needing induction.

There is a lot of scaremongering about going over, even healthcare professionals are guilty of this! Due dates are an estimate, going over is extremely common. Measurements and growth scans are an estimate and often highly inaccurate. They were really pushy with me about wanting to induce with my second as they were adamant he was going to be huge, I waited it out and he was a perfectly respectable 8lbs 😅 (they thought he was going to be 11lbs 🤣)

That all being said, if it will give you peace of mind and take away from your stress there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for an elective section!!

My elective section was an amazing experience! Very relaxed, quick and the midwife staff overnight were incredible. The pain wasn't unbearable for me as I kept ontop of pain management. Recovery was fine and didn't experience any issues. I mobilised as much as possible.

I had an elective as I have always been scared of pregnancy and giving birth, and felt I had at least some sense of control with an elective. It was a great experience, as others have written it was calm and very positive, the medical staff were lovely and chatty to distract (instead of googling Dakota Johnson like with my anesthesiologist talked to us about BA avios points) and it was so quick.

Pain management is important, and I was constipated for a while. You also obviously have to think about ensuring the scar can heal well and managing that, but for me it's been a great experience I can only recommend. Good luck!!!

went in for an induction, and after 3 days I was still only 3 cm dilated. I was labouring in my back, and it was very painful. I was given some medication to help things along, but his movements stopped and I ended up having an emergency c-section. It was quite a traumatic experience, especially as I wasn’t expecting a c-section, so I definitely wasn’t prepared for it. The recovery was long and difficult, but I’ve spoken to someone who had a very similar first experience. She went on to have a planned c-section with her second baby, and she said it was completely different — the recovery was much quicker, and she felt so much calmer, more ready and prepared. That really helped me decide to have an elective c-section, as I’ve had a few issues during this pregnancy and I don’t want to put myself through all of that again only to end up in the same situation x

My elective was a lovely experience. The worse part was the catheter removal. Do what is right for you. Birth, whatever you decide, is going to be rough. There’s no getting around that. You’ve got this.

I went in with not being totally against c section but did try the methods to get me to dilate as I was overdue but I was more scared of the emergency c section than me getting to choose on my own terms so after contracting for a few hours & nothing happening I decided to elect for c section & it was a wonderful smooth experience! The only thing I wish I would’ve known is how common trapped gas in your upper body can be that alone was worse than baby birth experience all together so make sure to have peppermint tea or capsules just incase :)