r/ElectiveCsection

I've been trying to conceive for a few months. I have a daughter from a previous relationship who is almost 12. I was speaking to my neighbour about giving birth as she's just had a baby via planned C Section 4 weeks ago.

Back story: I had an extremely traumatic birth with my daughter, 80+ hours of labour, admitted to hospital at 2cm dilated as they were concerned, 3rd degree tear and episiotomy, failed ventouse and forceps delivery due to my daughter getting stuck in the birth canal. I ended up going to theatre for an hour so they could sew me up and repair the tear and cut as it was too difficult to do in the room. I was then readmitted to hospital 5 days post partum due to having a severe infection and needing IV antibiotics for a few days. I also had to be under a Gynecologist for 7 years due to my scar tissue not healing correctly, I had to have physio on my scar for 3 years and I've had to have 3 surgeries to help with the pain. I have been discharged from the gynaecologist for a few years now as the final surgery seemed to work(still have some pain every now and then).

Anyway on to the actual conversation now. I mentioned that I may look into an elective C section due to everything I went through with my daughter and everything after. She basically told me that I would be stupid to do that and I should just give birth naturally as any kind of natural labour is nowhere near as bad as having a C Section. I get that C Sections aren't the easy option and is MAJOR abdominal surgery. I haven't even made a decision I just said I was considering it as an option as was told by my Gynaecologist that it would probably be the best route for me if I have any more children. It made me really really shit like she was saying that what I went through wasn't traumatic and like she was diminishing it. Am I overreacting feeling this way? I never said anything to her at the time I just moved on from the conversation but it's left me feeling a bit upset.

ETA: I just want to thank everyone for taking the time to read it and give their opinions/advice etc. I appreciate it all. I have read all of your comments and feel a lot better 🖤

I’m 23 years old and will be 38 weeks tomorrow. I’ve been planning to have an elective C-section, and this morning I spoke with a maternal fetal medicine neonatologist because my OB wanted me to have a consultation about my decision. She asked me why I wanted a C-section, and then went over all of the risks associated with having one. She also told me that, as a healthy 23-year-old, there really isn’t a medical reason for me to have one. I completely understand that a C-section is major surgery. I know it isn’t the “easy way out,” and I’ve done a lot of research on C-sections, including watching videos and learning about the recovery, risks, etc. I’m not going into this thinking it’s going to be an easier option. But during the conversation, I felt like I was being scared into changing my mind. She also mentioned that there is discussion about eventually removing the option for women to choose an elective C-section and instead requiring them to attempt a vaginal birth. That really overwhelmed me. I told her that my mind was made up and that I was proceeding with the C-section. But now I’m literally sitting in my car questioning whether I’m making the right decision. My biggest reason for wanting a C-section is honestly fear of labor. The thought of being in labor for hours, potentially having things go wrong, and then ending up needing an emergency C-section scares me. I feel like if I already know I want a C-section, I’d rather have it planned than go through labor and potentially end up with an emergency surgery anyway. At the same time, I’m wondering if I’m letting my fear make this decision for me.
I’m not looking for people to tell me “C-section good” or “vaginal birth good.” I genuinely want to hear from people who have been in a similar situation. Did anyone choose an elective C-section without a medical indication? How did you make your decision? Did you regret it, or were you happy with your choice afterward?
I’m feeling really confused and overwhelmed right now and could use some honest perspectives. Thank you.

I’m 43, pregnant through IVF, with diet-controlled GD. I currently have a C section scheduled for 39 weeks, but both my OB and MFM are encouraging me to consider induction while ultimately leaving the decision up to me.
Baby is measuring around the 40th percentile and about 6 lbs, so she isn’t measuring big, and everything else looks good.
Part of me really wants to try an induction because I feel like vaginal recovery could be easier. But after such a long road to get here, another part of me just wants to make sure my baby arrives safely, even if that means a more difficult recovery with a C section.
My biggest hesitation with induction is the possibility of laboring for a long time and then needing an emergency C section anyway. My OB quoted me around a 40% chance of C section with induction, and that makes me nervous.
What would you choose in this situation? Would you give induction a chance, or stick with the scheduled C section for the predictability?

Hi all,

Just looking to hear about people’s experiences with c sections - any tips or tricks, things to pack to help afterwards etc.

Are there particular things I should
Be discussing with the doctor ahead of time, do I need to specifically request doing skin to skin straight away (if possible) discuss dressings eg PICO etc

Thanks!

What’s the consensus for wound closure for the best looking healing of the C-section scar? Anything else I should be asking for to have a pretty C-section scar long term?

To add context, I am considered high risk due to gestational hypertension that I developed at 37+6 weeks. I am aware of the ARRIVE trial that showed that induction slightly lowered the rate of c-section compared to waiting for natural labour, but it only studied low-risk women. I am also aware of the NICE guidelines that state that mothers with gestational hypertension should deliver between 37-39 weeks, but a senior obstetrician said to me that he’s comfortable with me waiting until 40+2 (expectant management essentially). I am not feeling safe to wait that long, and I am petrified of increasing the chances of stillbirth by waiting that long given my condition.

I am currently taking 200mg of Lebetalol 2x a day. My blood pressure is stable at around 130/80. The highest blood pressure reading I had prior to getting admitted to the hospital and being put on Lebetalol was 176/91.

A cervical sweep showed that my cervix is still long and not dilated at all, but is soft.

Induction in my case would involve cervical ripening. I am aware that it’s a lengthy process, and could still end with an unplanned c-section (the chances are 18-34% according to what I read).

I am also aware of the possible complications of a c-section and the recovery process, but I do have a lot of support at home (my husband, mum and sister) and I am not worried about not having help with my baby.

It is a hard choice to make and I know it’s mine to make, but I do want advice on what would be the best decision given my circumstances. I went from planning a natural unmedicated water birth to developing gestational hypertension, so I must admit I haven’t researched induction and c-section as much as I could’ve throughout my pregnancy! I am very much a naive first-time mum, so any advice is much appreciated. :)

I am 25 days 3.5 weeks PP.. have a little opening in middle of my incision.. that's leaking little blood mix fluid... any1 has experienced this?

I was referred by my insurance to Healthy Additions, who assigned me a rep to help throughout my pregnancy. When I mentioned to her about having an elective C-section, she told me that insurance companies may not cover elective C-sections anymore.

Is this true? Would love to hear if you had any push back and what you did or said to be able to have an elective one. Or Dr submissions.

I’m mid-mid 40’s, pregnant through IVF, Crohn’s and a few other things like serious anxiety, etc and really want to chose an elective. I see my new OB next week (currently moving long distance) and she does perform elective C-sections, so I’m planning to discuss it with her, but wanted to hear any real life current situations.

My first daughter was a scheduled c section at 37 weeks (pre eclampsia) I got pregnant again 5 months postpartum. I have a c section scheduled in 10 days when I’m exactly 39 weeks. I’m a bit anxious about going into labor sooner, anyone had this happen and what was the result? My main fear is uterine rupture but my OB says the odds are pretty low even this close together.

Me parece a mí o obstetras privados solo recetan cesárea? Cuénteme sus experiencias.
Quería ir a tener mi bebé en una clínica privada que para trato y experiencia más personalizada, pero he visto ya varias amigas que sus médicos les dicen ; usted es de cesárea , la cesárea es más segura…

I’m 36 weeks with an IVF pregnancy, 42, and have GD. Thankfully baby is doing great around the 40th percentile, head down, good fluid, and placenta looks good.
I also had some tachycardia concerns. My monitor showed 70 to 140 bpm with an average of 107, but my echo was normal and cardiology wasn’t concerned. Beta blockers are an option if needed.
My OB initially said my heart rate was too high for vaginal delivery, which weirdly gave me some relief because the decision was basically made for me. Now that cardiology has cleared me, my OB says I can either induce around 39 weeks and see how I respond or schedule a C section. She said my age, IVF, and GD do increase my chances of ultimately needing a C section, but she’s comfortable with either choice.
I’m honestly torn. Part of me wants the predictability of a scheduled C-section, especially because I’m anxious about a long induction, decels, assisted delivery, or emergency C section. But another part of me thinks maybe I should at least give myself a chance at vaginal birth.
What would you choose in my situation? Anyone with similar circumstances who chose induction vs. scheduled C section?

I’m having my c section on Thursday, and both the chat with my (very lovely and supportive) anaesthetist about risks and some judgemental comments from (older) people in my life have got me down and made me so nervous. Where I live (in the UK) c sections are so common, so logically I know my panic is unfounded, but I feel like I’m being perceived as a failure as not trying to give birth vaginally for my first baby.

I’ve had a lot of health issues in the past and suffer with severe anxiety, so the control of an elective always appealed to me. My husband is super supportive, but I guess I’m looking for positive stories to get me over the last little hump! Thank you x