I know c-sections are major abdominal surgery. I know that many/most mothers would prefer to give birth vaginally. But I know there must be bees who had scheduled c-sections? And I'm interested in hearing about your reasons and experiences?
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I had 2 scheduled c/s.
I should add here that I was secretly thrilled as I was TERRIFIED to give birth vaginally!!!I had 2 myomectomies for fibroids and there was a small chance of uterine rupture - My OB wasn't willing to risk it so he scheduled a c/s.
It was wonderful! I knew exactly when I needed to be at the hospital - never had to experience labor - with my 2nd I was able to pick a date and have my mom come up to watch DS.
Recovery was a little tough with my 1st but way easier with my 2nd.
I had no complications before or after surgery.
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Ya, it was a repeat since I had no interest in a VBAC. I was super nervous about it because my first C-section was a nightmare (anesthesia/Spinal failed during the surgery) so I was really freaked out about it happening again. C-section 2 was scheduled for 39 weeks because of my GD. It went great...pain wise. I did have a PP hemorrhage but that can happen with any type of birth.
Recovery was better after #2 but DH was at home for 5 weeks so I didn't have to do too much.
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I did. I had gestational diabetes and my LO measured way ahead at all of our monthly ultrasounds. At 35 weeks, they estimated that he was over 7 lbs. Because of the GD, they would induce at 39 weeks and obviously, some inductions lead to unscheduled c-sections. I also have had previous major abdominal surgery dealing with intestinal issues as a child and my doctors fel that a rushed, emergency c-section could be dangerous because my organs are a bit different than most people (had lots of colon cut out as a child and things are "moved around" a bit).
SO with all of that combined, we agreed on a scheduled c -section at 39 weeks. He was 8 lbs 13 oz and they had to vacuum him out during surgery because he was so stuck. They said I most likely would have ended up with a c -section anyway, so I'm very happy with my decision
Recovery wasn't too bad. Within a week, I was feeling pretty good. I attribute most of that to getting up and walking soon after surgery!
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@Mamaof2: oh, me too! I was terrified of delivering vaginally, especially after hearing how big he was going to be!
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I had an emergency C-Section with #1, and have zero interest in a VBAC if we were to get pregnant with #2...so that will likely be a scheduled C-section. Interested in following this!
My pain wasn't as bad as I expected after my emergency C-section. I definitely had to limit stairs to once/day for the first week or so, but after that, I bounced back pretty quickly.
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I had a scheduled csection with my first. I had my kiddos 15 months apart(first was an unplanned csection) so I just felt that the risk of a uterine rupture wasn't worth it. I had some severe pain pp the second time due to a stitch that was really tight(my OB had to use a tighter than normal anchor stitch, because I had weak tissue from my first). But my OB said that the pain I was experiencing isn't normal, and he'd never seen anyone in as much pain as I was in. Other than that, recovery was much easier than the 1st because I hasn't labored beforehand. I loved my experience and would do it again if we had a 3rd.
I honestly can't even visualize pushing a baby out of my hooha, and I'm ok with that haha
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I haven't had it, but I have one scheduled in 10 days!
It'll be my first. Even though this LO is measuring much smaller than S, she had her shoulders stuck and I had a very traumatic time trying to get her out. Also, since she passed away during early labor, I'm just gonna skip any labor that comes up. I'm nto chancing that.
Also, LO is sideways.
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yes, doc felt it was the safer course for my LO. i have to say my experience was pretty amazing - it was not easy, and it is major abdominal surgery but everything went as well as it possibly could have and recovery wasn't bad at all.
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@Dandelion: 10 days, so exciting!!!
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Yep, LO was breech. My OB didn't want to try to turn her, because a) she was breech from fairly early on, and didn't seem to want to turn, b) I have a fairly small torso so he was pretty sure it wouldn't work and c) I'm a first time mom, so things aren't as stretched out as they would be in subsequent pregnancies. I know other OBs might have tried, but I was comfortable with his assessment. As it turns out, it took them a while to get her out during the section because the cord was wrapped around her neck twice. I know that's common, but that was likely the reason she wasn't turning herself, and I'm thankful we didn't exacerbate the issue by trying to turn her. I probably would have ended up with a c section at that point. I had a great recovery and I will likely have a scheduled section for the next one.
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@2PeasinaPod: Same here. Unplanned c-section and no interest in a VBAC because of the issues that required the first section. While I am VERY supportive of med-free vaginal deliveries (what we'd tried for), DH and I are both relieved to know that future deliveries will be more predictable and easier to plan for.
My recovery has been amazing, but I'm not sure if that's because I'd labored all the way to completion and pushing before having the surgery. That's the one thing we'll have to decide with future LOs, whether to strictly schedule or let it happen spontaneously and then get the surgery lined up.
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Yes, LO was frank breech from the beginning of the 3rd trimester onward. We tried various methods to get him to turn and the OB didn't recommend an ECV because my amniotic fluids were on the lower end. My c-section was scheduled at 39 weeks.
I had a really, really positive experience! I liked the predictability of having a scheduled birth and frankly, a vaginal delivery scared the heck out of me! My recovery was really smooth and I was probably 100% recovered after 3-4 weeks. I would do it again but I'd also like to experience contractions and a vaginal delivery too.
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Yep, frank breech and since I didn't find out until 38.5 weeks, I had no interest in trying a version (not that I would have if it would have been earlier I guess!). It went great and honestly, I'll go for another one the next time around I'm thinking.
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Well mine wasn't entirely scheduled but it ended up being elective. I also was terrified of labor so I was happy to be given the choice of a c-section. I was a week overdue and the doctors were estimating the baby at 8 pounds even though she had measured weeks ahead all along. I was not dilated at all and she was not in position. My fluid level was low so I was given a choice to induce labor with an unfavorable cervix (doctor guessed that it would be at least 24 hours in labor and a 50% chance of ending in a c-section) or schedule a c-section for that afternoon. I took the second option as the first sounded miserable and that is exactly how my sister's labor went and it was awful. I was able to contact everyone and let them know when the baby was going to be here which was nice. The surgery went smoothly and after the baby ended up being 9lb 14oz the doctor said I made the right choice. Recovery was incredibly easy for me, I was up and walking the next day and managing pain with Motrin only. I am totally happy with my choice because I was one of the few women that really didn't want to have a vaginal delivery anyway. Now when we have our second I'll get to pick the day, be able to schedule with work easier, and be able to figure out a babysitter for our LO which will be nice.
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