What day after delivery via C-section were you able to hold the baby? When did you feel strong enough for a little walk inside or outside? How many days in did you feel a bitore confident to do jobs? When did it stop hurting getting in and out of bed?
Hi, I am currently 34 weeks and 5 days pregnant and have a cerclage in place. During my appointment yesterday, my doctor asked me to decide whether I want to have a C-section.
She said that because of my height (150 cm), a normal vaginal delivery might be difficult. She also mentioned that, considering everything I’ve been through with bed rest and a short cervix, a planned C-section might be easier. According to her, the baby would also experience less stress compared to a vaginal delivery.
However, I’m confused about which option I should choose. She said that a vaginal delivery is generally safer for the mother, while a C-section is safer for the baby.
I would really appreciate your suggestions or experiences. Which option would you choose in my situation?
My cerclage removal is scheduled for the 36th week. If I decide to have a C-section, my doctor said she will leave the cerclage in place and remove it during the surgery instead.
I’m about to be 37 yrs old with my one and done baby boy. I’m 31 weeks going to a fairly high rated OB in my city. The most annoying thing I’m experiencing is that the doctors aren’t reading my chart before my appointments and assuming I want a vaginal birth. This has happened with all the doctors I’ve seen at the practice, even with the one scheduled to perform my 39+0 planned c.
I asked the doctor slated to perform my c if she will give me a bisalp and she said “we don’t do that here.” I stared blankly at her, because on the portal messages in their website one of the other doctors at my practice advised me to bring it up at my next appointment.
I pushed and said why not; and she said because they’d only do that for a c section. I told her I’m literally scheduled for one with her and that’s my planned route and she said she doesn’t like doing it because women may change their mind.
For the love of god, I’m nearing 40 years old and I don’t want to be on 2 forms of birth control for the rest of my pre menopausal years. Everyone else in these forums seems to get their bisalp after c? Maybe it’s because I want to be one and done and that’s not good enough for the doctor because it’s below population replacement ?? I’m not a fucking incubator though.
Like, it’s fine, whatever. I can just double nexplanon and birth control again but I’m mad about it. Nuking my body with hormones for the next 20 years sucks but I don’t get a choice it appears. At least I don’t have to spent an extra 10 mins in the OR for it, I guess.
Does anyone else have this issue with their OB? Doctors not reading charts and not granting taking tubes for one and done women? What the fuck Stone Age shit is going on rn?
Hi 🤰 mamas,
I’m currently 28 weeks fresh into my third trimester. My OBGYN advised that it would be safer to go for a planned C section at 38 weeks as I have preeclampsia in this pregnancy and my previous pregnancy. I had a seizure after 4 days of a c section birth in my previous so the doctors are very cautious this time around.
I expressed that I would want to go for a VBAC but she said it’ll be risky and we can’t wait up until 40 weeks too.
I’m thinking is it really the case that most preeclampsia history patients go through c section and is it fairly safer?
PS - my baby is a big one as defined by my doctor and it’s assumed to be of good size full term. Don’t know if that’s influencing the c section decision too.
Hi everyone,
I’m currently 36 weeks pregnant with baby number two, and I’m looking for some advice or to hear from anyone who’s been in a similar situation.
My first birth was extremely traumatic and, following an investigation, there were failings in my NHS care.
I went into labour at 40+2 and was in the latent phase for four days. I kept going into hospital because the pain was getting worse, but I was repeatedly sent home. Eventually I was kept in overnight after having a significant bleed because they wanted to make sure my placenta hadn’t abrupted. My husband was sent home, and despite repeatedly telling staff I was in severe pain and couldn’t pass urine, I wasn’t properly assessed. It later turned out I had an infection, which wasn’t diagnosed until I finally reached the labour ward at 7 cm dilated.
Up until that point, I’d only been given paracetamol for pain relief. I wasn’t screaming or making a scene—I coped as best I could—but I genuinely felt like nobody realised how far into labour I was.
Once I got to the labour ward, I asked for an epidural because I was exhausted after four days of labour and desperately wanted to rest. Instead of waiting for the anaesthetist, they broke my waters, and my 9 lb 4 oz daughter was born just 30 minutes later with only gas and air.
I then sustained a 3B tear and had to go to theatre for repair under a spinal anaesthetic, leaving my husband and newborn daughter waiting outside.
Unfortunately, things got even worse. During surgery they discovered retained membranes, and I suddenly lost over a litre of blood. I remember the room filling with people, everyone calling out my observations and trying to stop the haemorrhage. Afterwards I went into shock for over an hour. I couldn’t speak and was shaking uncontrollably. My husband has since told me he was terrified and kept asking the staff what had happened to me.
The whole experience was incredibly traumatic, and for a long time I genuinely thought I’d never have another baby.
Fast forward four years, and I’m now 36 weeks pregnant with another little girl. Thankfully, this pregnancy has been straightforward, and I’ve tried really hard not to let my previous experience take away the excitement of meeting her.
Because of what happened last time, and after discussing it with my consultant, I decided an elective C-section would be the best option for my mental wellbeing. I wanted a calm, planned, controlled birth experience. I was also told that if I suffered another severe tear, I might not heal as well.
I’ve now been given my elective C-section date… and it’s booked for 39+6.
I honestly feel devastated. I’ve explained to my consultant how terrified I am of going into spontaneous labour and how important having a planned birth is for me psychologically. I’ve been told that if I go into labour before my date, they’ll do an emergency C-section—but that completely misses the point. I chose an elective section because I wanted to avoid the panic, uncertainty and trauma of another emergency situation.
To make matters worse, my date is on a Friday. My hospital doesn’t perform elective C-sections at weekends, so if there were any scheduling issues or cancellations, I worry I’d end up waiting until Monday at 40+2.
What has upset me even more is that I know someone due on exactly the same day as me who has been booked in two days earlier simply because she’s anxious about a vaginal birth with her first baby. I know everyone’s circumstances are different, and I’m genuinely happy she’s getting the care she needs, but it’s hard not to feel hurt when I have a documented traumatic birth history and still feel like my concerns aren’t being taken seriously.
I’ve never actually agreed to this date, and so far it doesn’t seem like anyone is willing to move it.
Am I being unreasonable for feeling so anxious and upset about this? Has anyone in the UK managed to have their elective C-section brought forward after speaking to their consultant or the maternity team? I’d really appreciate any advice or experiences.
Thank you for reading.
I’m a 38yo autistic FTM and 38w. I’ve tried to do my best to prepare: stayed fit, eat well, practice breathing, and even reached 9.5cm on my Epi-No—just in case.
I do have an elective C-section planned because it kind of happened.... It seems what they recommend when someone is scared like i. I'm also told with my profile I have a 45% chance of needing an emergency C-section or an instrumental delivery. People keep telling me I’m choosing this for "control" but that isn't it at all (how can CS even be about control? Someone else slices your belly open!).
Now that the C-section date is looming, a part of me feels a pull to try for a vaginal birth (with an epidural—let’s be clear, I am definitely not the unmedicated, home, or water-birth type!).
I just don't know what to do :(. I feel like I’m failing at having that "maternal instinct" that just knows what’s right. I see so many women who seem 100% sure of their choice, and I don't understand how they can be that certain when there is no way to know how it will go.
Am I just getting cold feet about the C-section, or am I preparing for major abdominal surgery when I don't necessarily have to? Or would vaginal birth end in so many complications, I'd regret it? Or would I (and that happens) be in a total panick attack when either happens?
I’m reaching out because I desperately need to hear from others who have been here.
Are there any older first-time moms who attempted a vaginal birth with an epidural and actually had a positive experience?
Or, for those who stuck with the elective C-section, did you ever look back with regret, or did you find the peace you were looking for?
I'm considering c-section and 2 things that worry me most are adhesions and ab separation.
My abs are super strong cos I work a lot. They have not separated in the slightest. I feel kinda silly getting C-section and tearing them apart on purpose! What is the recovery like? Did you get back to your normal per-pregnancy state? If so. How quickly? I'm 37 so not very young.
And regarding adhesions, my friend had them after C-section and she was in so much pain. Needed a surgery to remove scar tissue. This complication is relatively commo and very unpredictable in impact on ones life. I wonder how common and bad is it? Is there anything I can do to avoid or minimise it?
Anyone who had positive experience with medical grade honey for healing stubborn small spots on c section scar? I’m little over 6 weeks post c section & have small persist pimple looking bump that won’t get any worse or better. Would love to hear other people’s experience.
Hey guys, did anyone else’s doctor make them swab for strep even though your elective is scheduled??
I feel as though it’s not necessary since vaginal birth is completely off the table. But maybe there’s something I’m missing?? I wish she would explain these things better to me but visits are always so rushed. Should I deny the swabs? It seems so invasive considering the baby won’t be coming out that way.
Hi all, so my elective c section is tomorrow, im so so so worried im not sure of what tho? I dont know if its cos i may feel something during it, or hsve a panic attack, so excited also couldn’t sleep last night cannot wait to meet the human whos been keeping me up kicking my ribs haha,
Anybody on here who has had elective c section how did yours go?
How can i easy my anxious mind?
Thanks girls🩷🫶🏼
Scheduling a C-section after a very traumatic VD. Live an hour away from the hospital and have no interest in going into labour. My doctor highly recommended waiting until 39 weeks due to benefits to baby but said I could book after 38 weeks so ended up scheduling 38+3 as my gut is saying to do it earlier. I’m also 42.
How to reconcile the doctors advise (which I give a lot of credit to!) and my own gut feeling! The 38+3 also works better for us for doctor preference who is on call.
I am 4 days from my due date and felt a HSV lesion on exterior, top of my labia majora today. I have been on a 1G / day Valtrex treatment since week 36. This is my third birth. Every birth I go through the motions of Childhood SA and how I became infected (sometime around 7 years old), and worries of giving birth, and I am really worried about my mental health this time around. I have successfully given vaginal birth to two healthy babies.
My midwives have recommended a C-section due to the circumstances. If anyone is interested in the details, and the shit way they have handled this, I'd be happy to further explain in the comments. I am so disappointed in this practice this pregnancy. They have under delivered on so many things.
I am a holistic-minded mother, but practical. I put together a birth plan for the C-Section and would love for someone to look it over for me and give me your thoughts. Am I missing anything?
I am most worried about bonding, milk production, physical recovery, and my mental health. I am a 35, almost 36 year old, third time mother who is already tired and about 40 lbs over weight... I have postpartum doula support for about 4 weeks after birth and my husband will be home with me full time through the first or 2nd week of September. The support is there, but I am not sure if I can handle this mentally. Mostly because of the SA trauma and feeling sorry for myself. I had no control over what happened to me but it is controlling my birth plans.
Any advice on how to navigate this mentally so I am rise strong from this and get my body back in shape is greatly appreciated. If something is missing from my birth plan, please provide your thoughts.
Signed,
A devastated, blubbering mother.
__________
BIRTH PLAN FOR 1^(st) CESAREAN BIRTH FOR : ___
3^(RD) BIRTH
We appreciate the care & support of our health team. Our goal is a healthy mother and baby. We understand that medical circumstances may require changes to this plan if they become necessary for mother and baby.
Teaching Preferences
We respectfully decline the participation of medical staff in-training and students to be a part of the mother’s care while in hospital. We request that only essential healthcare providers be involved in her care unless an emergency requires otherwise.
In Preparation for the Cesarean:
1. Please explain each step of the procedure.
2. Please introduce all medical team members and their role.
3. Obtain consent for all non-emergency examinations, procedures, or interventions.
4. Communicate openly with the mother and father during the procedure.
5. Minimize unnecessary conversation and maintain a calm operating room.
6. The father is to always remain with the mother.
Cesarean Preferences:
1. Mother prefers a clear or lowered drape to witness the birth of her child.
2. Unless baby or mother’s health require otherwise, cord not to be clamped or cut until mother/father see cord is white and no longer pulsating.
3. Father to cut umbilical cord, if medically safe and allowed.
4. Place ECG leads away from the chest if possible, to allow mother immediate skin-to-skin.
5. BP Cuff to be placed so one arm is free to hold baby after delivery.
6. Warm blankets to be placed on mother for immediate skin-to-skin.
7. If mother is unable to hold baby, Father /nurse to help mother with skin-to-skin.
8. Support for breastfeeding immediately following birth.
After Delivery:
1. Delay all post-delivery testing and procedures to allow bonding for mother & baby.
2. Baby receives Vitamin K
3. Baby does not receive Erythromycin.
4. Circumcision is declined.
Hello, I've seen lots of posts but would love to hear certain parts about people who went into labour before a scheduled c-section if you'd be so kind to share! I feel like the details below will be really helpful to understand other peoples experiences.
- What was your scheduled C section gestation (ie 39 weeks) and what gestation did you spontaneously labour?
- Were there any complications?
- Was this your first C section or ..?
- If it was not your second, did they go through the same C section site and if not, how come?
- How was your recovery following? (If you'd had a prior C section were there any differences?)
Feeling really nervous making some decisions for my repeat C section for my second child.
My situation:
My OB is on annual leave for the month leading up to my EDD, and has suggested we schedule my C section for my EDD at 40 weeks and this feels to risky (risk of spontaneous labour) to me. I delivered my last at 39 weeks via planned C section (I've never spontaneously gone into labour).
To complicate things:
- my current C section site is impossibly low - I'm talking if you google images of c section sites mine is about 2+inches/ 5-6cm lower
- I had extensive abdominal surgery last year removing most of my colon and lymph nodes - fears of adhesions and surgical complexity
- I have significant pelvic congestion syndrome/ pelvic varicose veins/ varicose inguinal veins which sit at the edges of my current surgical site.
I can choose another surgeon and plan earlier?
Thank you for reading and responding - I feel like I'm asking a lot!
Hi all - had my 3rd c section about 3 weeks ago. This was my third in 3.5 years. In the last week, on two different days I went from not bleeding for days to bleeding heavily (no clots). I thought the first was maybe due to overdoing it. I almost bled through a postpartum diaper in an hour. The second randomly started on a morning where I was very inactive. I bled through my panty liner, soaked my underwear and shorts, the sheet, and onto the couch. I then had a steady stream into the toilet before it calmed. Still currently bleeding a deep red color but has since slowed. I have mild uterine cramping like menstrual like and a very very tender abdomen up to my belly button. No fever or clots really (a few about a pea size).
This has never happened with my others. I know it’s my third and healing is slower but I don’t know about the levels of bleeding. Does this sound like retained product? Anyone have a similar experience to this??
I will be 39-weeks tomorrow and, just a couple of days ago, I received a phone call with the offer to move my elective up by three days. I jumped at the chance, as I have found pregnancy incredibly difficult (anxiety, OCD, PGP and exhaustion throughout). Over the past few weeks I’ve been in and out of triage with incredibly painful contractions and episodes of reduced movement and I feel absolutely huge - baby and bump are both 97th percentile. I am not coping well in this heat! I can’t catch a breath, I’m constantly falling asleep, everything hurts and my feet are swollen.
But I cannot for the life of me imagine a baby is going to come out of me tomorrow? I think
I’ve spent a lot of pregnancy dissociated from the fact I’ll have a baby because I’ve been so worried about losing her. But now there is going to be a baby. TOMORROW?
Is there anything I should be doing with my last evening?! I’ve just had my bloods taken and the only advice I’ve had is about fasting and omeprazole. Didn’t have a chance to attend the prep class due to the date being brought forward. I thought I might have to “scrub” or something in preparation, but they just said nope, have a normal shower and turn up.
Any advice or reassurance would be appreciated!!! My bag is packed but is there anything that I should add? Thank you!
I’m getting a tubal ligation during my third C-section. I’ve been extremely excited for it. The only complication I’ve heard about is the possibility of bleeding more afterwards. My periods were never crazy before. If anything after giving birth, they were regular for the two years postpartum. I don’t like birth control. It causes very negative side effects to me my body and my familiar history. I was super excited and all on board for this tool paperwork signed everything. Then I came across one single comment about how a bunch of people regretted their tubal ligation. The singular comment had at least 600 people agreeing, or telling their story. So I wanna hear from everyone else in their personal stories with their tubal ligation that was done during a C-section. My first C-section recovery was extremely difficult because I labored 36 hours prior to going into an emergency C-section my second C-section easy breezy cover girl it was planned. I think my third is gonna go the same as my second so I wasn’t stressed or worried, but now I think I might be a little bit just because I read those comments. Do you regret it? Is there things that you wish you would’ve done differently? Is there something that happens or that you feel that wasn’t discussed completely with you?
I have an almost 12m old and I’m 37 weeks pregnant. I’ll be having an elective c section after a lot of back and forth as my last labour would’ve been exactly a year ago and the tear was a 3B (almost a 4th). It wasn’t pushed on me however the pelvic floor physio said the scar hasn’t healed. So hence I don’t want to gamble what my outcome could be even tho midwives have said second time mums don’t tear as much.
Anyway, I’m scared! Not so much for the surgery but for the after? How do I get out of bed? How do I move? Also breaks my heart that I won’t be able to pick my 12m old as she’s currently clingy to me and my husband will need to do her night feed and resettling (she’s in our room and will still be lol don’t judge).
Hey there, I am scheduled to have a C-section at McMaster Children's Hospital. My spouse is not able to be with me in the delivery room due to our 2 other children. I will have a different support person with me. I was wondering if anyone has ever been on FaceTime with thier spouse during the birth? Of course, I would make it clear to my support person to not include the surgical staffs face just focus on the arrival of my baby due to thier privacy. TIA for your replies!