A Caesarean section in progress. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I had my 1st son in March 2007 and after 36 hours of labour and getting to 9 and a half CMs I was told I needed an emergency section as my son had shoulder dystocia and if I was to try and push him out I would dislocate his shoulders. All the different emotions were running around my head as I was scared for me and my baby but I also wanted him out safe. He weighed a huge 10lb 2oz.
Why I Choose A Planned C -Section
Four years later I was due to give birth again and after a number of hospital visits and meetings with my consultant I decided I wanted a planned section. The midwives at the hospital tried talking me out of it but I knew what I wanted and I didn’t want to change my decision. It was a lot easier being given a date my son would be born on but was also very weird saying to people “I’m going to have a baby tomorrow”
The week before my section I had to attend hospital where me and my partner, along with a group of other parents to be attended a conference type meeting, where the surgeon went through everything what would be happening, the midwife spoke about her involvements in your stay in the hospital and also the physio people spoke about how they would be helping after the birth.
We were all taken in to a room on by one where we was given the chance to ask any questions we may have our last bloods taken and was given some tablets to settle the acid in your stomach which were to be taken at 10pm the night before and 6am on the actual morning.
21st March the day I would be having my baby boy, my dad came and drove me and my partner to the hospital as we were to be there for 7:30am it was then a matter of waiting for the surgeon for last minute questions and being taken to theatre, at half past 10 it was my time to go and all I can remember is walking down the corridor in my sexy socks and my hospital gown with tears in my eyes thinking “this is it, my boy will be here soon”
As soon as I walked into theatre I felt so relaxed and calm we was made so welcome and everyone was laughing and joking which made me feel so much more calmer than I had felt that morning. I was given a cannula in my hand in case I needed and drugs while I was laid on the operating table, and I was given a spinal block to numb me from the top of my stomach down!
The surgeon got down to cutting me open and I could see everything in the lights above it was amazing to watch my baby being born, and was even more amazing when he came out and peered over the top of the curtain, 11:25am all 10lb 5oz of him. My partner got to cut the cord which was amazing, the whole experience was amazing, it was so calm and relaxed and they did everything we asked and wanted. The aftercare I received was amazing and I could of asked for anything better.
I would defiantly choose to have another section if I was to have another baby. A lot of people say “it’s the easy way out” it’s far from easy in fact it’s very hard and major surgery but it was also an amazing experience. A lot of people say “oh you haven’t given birth it’s totally different” yes it’s different but I have still given birth and it was still an amazing experience and I would choose a planned C-section again.
Read More Real Birth Stories
This inspirational post was written anonymously by a mum who is a member of my Facebook mums group. I have full permission to share her story. If you can relate to this post and would like to share your own anonymous post please contact me.
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i had a planned section with my second after having emergency for my first and i completely agree with you. i was so nervous that morning then in the operating room it was so calm and midwife and doctors talking to us and getting on with what they needed to do but there was no rush and panic like with the first. Its very hard dealing with getting back up and about afterwards, i probably forced myself out of hospital too fast wanting to get back to my older son, so i would suggest everyone takes it easy and takes their time after sections
I can totally understand why you opted for a planned section and I I were in our shoes I would have done the exact same thing ! All that matters is that you are your baby are safe x
I had a planned c-section but I didn’t have a choice in the matter as I was carrying twins and twin 2 stopped growing so she had to come out at 34 weeks. My girls weighed 4lb3 & 2lb11. I feel like I missed out on a natural birth experience but I am so glad our girls were delivered safely. Having said that I’d rather a planned c-section than emergency one any day. I was so nervous, I was shaking & crying uncontrollably!
I’m so pleased you had a better birthing experience 2nd time round.
It certainly isn’t the ‘easy way out’
Having a c section is not the easy way out at all if anything it’s worse because more time to heal etc..and just because u had c section dont mean any less u still carried your babies..all that matters is them arriving safe and well xx
I had my 1st child naturally, with a little help from that good old ventouse sucking machine, a 9lb 4oz appeared from me but as I didn’t know any different, I thought a 9lb + baby was normal. I was adamant I wanted to do it all naturally and a csection was a big no no. 20 months later and 30 weeks pregnant, disaster struck and I was rushed in for an emergency c section, it was scary stuff, I didn’t know what was going on. Thankfully he is now a healthy 12 year old. When I compared the 2 births, I had to admit that i recovered a lot quicker with the cs than the natural birth, and if anyone ever asked which I would have again I always said the cs. fastforward 10 years and I found myself expceting number 3. The doctors offered me a choice of birth methods and at the time felt ashamed to pick the csection. I was aprehensive as the last cs had been scary and i wondered if it would be the same. The anesthatist was fantastic and made the whole experience amazing. I was out of hospital after 2 nights and felt little pain. Unexpectedly child number 4 was due just over 1 year later. At my 12 week scan I saw the consultant who gave me no choice but to have a csection, he even gave me the date that day! I did cheekily ask if i could have the same anesthatist but was told he worked at a hospital 20 miles away now. With having 3 children, including a 15 month old, it was nice to know what day I was having my baby, I had child care arranged with my parents and my partner had time booked off work. I arrived relaxed and fresh at the hospital early in the morning and was shown to my bed. After half an hour a familiar face popped his head round the curtain. It was the lovely anesthatist from the year before. He said he had been called out of the blue to work on csections that day, coincidence?? It was great knowing this guy would make it all nice again and he certainly did.
My birth experiences have all been wonderful, except the emergency csection at 30 weeks. There are pros and cons to each way and I am grateful to have experienced a natural labour. I have 4 wonderful healthy children and really thats what matters.
The thought of having a section and being awake scares the hell out of me!!
I’m glad it was good for you though.
Don’t listen to those who judge x
My daughter was 4 days late and I delivered her with the help of forceps. I was in labour 16 hours and the growth scan a week before had said she would weigh 8lb or less when I delivered. After being transferred to another hospital and having an epidural so I could have my daughter with forceps. She weighed 10lb 2oz. If I had another child I would choose to have a c-section. With everything that happened during the labour I couldn’t go through it again x
big hugs after what you wne through i dont blame you for having a planned c-sectionx
After what you have been through I don’t blame you! Big hugs xx