Any Moms Who Have Had a Primary Elective C-section?

No but I have had 4 C-sections. Didn't have a choice but part of me was glad that I never ended up having a regular birth.

Hello J. A, I had a primary elective C-section with my 3rd and final child in March of 06. I opted for it due to health reasons. I can say that I healed rather quickly and as a matter of fact I went back to work 2 weeks after the c-section. My company switched insurance company's in the middle of my pregancy so my doctors were switched as well I was not as educated as I thought I was and if I had it to do differently I would have demanded the medical staff involved give me more information on their procedures. I also can say that after about 8 months my scar was hardly noticeable. But the Doctor did screw up and the stitches in one area and created an ugly "loop" in my skin that could be compared to a peircing. I hope this helps you and I guess the best advice I can give is ASK Questions and educate yourself also every c-section is a little different.

This is just general info for others interested in "elective c-sections," as I'm sure you have had your child by now. Also, it's just my personal opinion having been through both.

I had my first son naturally and was able to get up and walk around almost immediately after delivering, then when I went home the next morning I woke up and went to the store. I had some pain vaginally for obvious reasons & hemorrhoids (no one ever talks about those), but it was nothing compared to what I'm going through now. There is also a sense of accomplishment and pride that also comes with a natural delivery.

Now the c-section, a few days ago I went to my 38wk OB checkup and was told at 11AM I was going to have an "emergency C-section" at 1:30PM the same day. The surgery was scary, you don't know what's going on, also because the baby wasn't put through the pushing aspect there was fluid in his lungs and he couldn't be in the recovery room with me (I had to wait over an hour to hold him), then there's the after pain. You can't get up for 12 hours, you're totally drugged up, and your scar is painful, especially when sitting up, getting up, standing, or walking. Six days later I have a swelling, burning, painful scar and I'm still in pain when I'm just standing or walking (leaving me at home in bed or on the couch). Oh when you cough, laugh, or need to use the restroom make sure you're holding your "incision site" or again, you'll experience more pain. Yes, and then there's the permanant scar and the requirement to have future c-sections (since v-back aren't done anymore). I wish I never had to have the c-section.

So elective c-section, no way!!!
I think it should be considered malpractice to put a person through an unneccesary major abdominal surgery.

what are the reasons you are considering this? have you considered the risks to you and your baby for unnecessary surgery? obviously a vaginal delivery is ideal for many reasons:

lower risks for bleeding out
decrease in infection and respiratory hospitalization for the baby
shorter recovery period
less need for pain medications in recovery period
increased chances for high risk subsequent pregnancies (more likely to have placenta problems)
just to name a few.

However, if a c-section is necessary, we are fortunate enough to live in a country where it can be performed relatively well.

Hi J.,
First off have you considered all the pros and cons of a primary elective c-section? Yes, you would be able to know exactly when your son or daughter is born, but labor and delivery is a natural process. Your body is made for that. Have you also considered whether or not you wanted any more children? For a c-section, the docs need to cut through important muscles to get to your little one. It leaves scars on the tissue and makes it harder and harder to get through each time. Only 5% of women dont have a pelvis big enough to get their child through, so unless you are apart of that 5%, I would highly suggest you go through it naturally. The recovery time is less painful and alot faster than a c-section. When you need to get up a few times a night to tend to a hungry baby, pain in your midsection is the absolute LAST thing you need to worry about.
Bonding time. If that first initial few minutes are important to you, the skin to skin contact, then again I would suggest against a c-section. When you have a c-section, you have a second to look at him/her and then they take him/her away. No time to bond (although you will have lots of time after), no skin to skin, no breastfeeding right away either.
However, when having a c-section, your baby will not have a cone head lol. They look like perfect baby dolls when they come out vs. pushing them out they have a small cone shaped head which goes away from anywhere to a couple hours to couple days depending on how long he/she was in the birth canal.
This is a personal decision that only you can decide. If you dont mind the extra pain (recoverys longer), little time with your child after birth, and the time needed to care for a major surgery, then by all means. Just remember when there is a cut, there is also risk of infection which can get very nasty by the way.
Congratulations on your baby J., and I wish you the best!

Aloha

Please read up more on this subject before agreeing to do it. There are so many health risks and complications that can go along with a c-section. I reccomend reading "The Thinking Woman's Guide to Birth" by Henci Goer. It lists positives and negatives for everything that can happen during birthing. C-sections are very good when medically necesary, but to do an elective for non-medical reasons can be dangerous. I don't know your circumstances, I only want you, and everyone, to be fully informed of any and all decisions you will make surrounding your birth. Then in the end, you can make the best informed decision that is right for you.

Hi J.,
I asked my doctor if I could have a c-section with my son for two reasons, one I had a miscarriage two years prior to my son being born and went through labor and that was the most excruciating thing I have ever felt and two I have double jointed hips that pop out and it's painful so we didn't want to risk my hips popping out during birth. I loved knowing when my son was coming. I was able to continue working until a few days before my c-section to use most of my leave at home with my son. I did have some problems with my epidural. It took the dr 5 tries to get the needle into my back and it took about double the time for me to regain feeling in my legs after the procedure. That was not anything the doctor did though, that was all me and how I reacted to the shot. My son was born close to 8 in the morning and later that evening my nurse made me get out of bed- I hated her then and cursed her name cause it was extremely painful- but later I was happy she made me do it. I was walking outside the hospital the next day. I was able to take minimal amounts of pain killers, I do suggest though if you feel pain to take the medication. I did have to stay in the hospital for 4 days due to being a high risk pregnancy and my son was born with a heart murmor (he's fine now, he's 2 and the murmor is completely gone). By the time I did get home though, walking around was easy. A little sore but not that bad at all. By the time was son was a week and a half I was walking 4-5 blocks a day to the grocery store pushing my sons stroller. My scar is very minimal. Sometimes it still itches depending on the weather (it seems that when it's really cold or really hot, my scar itches, but it's not bothersome at all). I did have to have a saposatory (sp) while in the hospital cause I was having a hard time having a bowl movement on my own. My recovery went rather well and with the walking around the day of the procedure, and after I think it helped me lose the weight. I was back into my regular clothes two weeks after my son was born and then lost an extra 30 pounds =) I felt great then and great now, and if I were to have any more children I would definately have another c-section. My sister also had an emergency c-section, she had toxemia and they had to take my nephew immediately to avoid my sister having a stroke. Her recovery went great too. She was up and walking the next day. And was walking around the zoo 2 weeks after her c-section. I think it really does help to have a mind over matter approach to your recovery and ask all the questions you have. Just make sure this is what you want and beleive to be the best thing for you and your little one. Congrats and best wishes to your and your family.
Take Care,
H.

yes.yes. yes. it was great and easy and the recovery really wasnt bad. i would do it again! good luck

I've had two c-sections and no complaints on either. However, I do regret not being more informed the first time around, mine was not elective but my baby was frank breech. What I regret is we scheduled the c-section aways before my due date and I never questioned it, worried about it, tried to do anything to turn my baby, etc.. I considered myself easy going but looking back I just didn't know enough. I attempted a vbac the second time and although, again, both my c-sections went great, I am so happy that I got to experience labor and my baby came when he was ready this time. I know that sounds crazy but I really enjoyed it (mind you it was painful, I just had wonderful training (The Bradley Method). I would love to say I had two vaginal births to be honest, but in the end, healthy babies and healthy Momma were most important!

I need to add a little more after reading a few responses: Keep in mind that for every horrible birth story you hear, there are just as many wonderful birth stories. Everyone is different.

Best wishes,
M.

I had one in 7/06. I do not regret it for one moment and I would do it again in an instant. Recovery was fine - tender and a bit painful for a few days, but since I opted for it I powered through. My advice is to try to get up and walk around as soon as you can - you'll heal faster!

Yes yes and yes do it!
I went threw labor with my first and pushed for hours and had to get a c-section and with my second I was so happy and relaxed that I did not have to go threw that pain full labor again.
I just picked the date and time went in had my family there waiting for the baby. I was alert and not crying like I did with the first, did not feel a thing even the spinal did not hurt when it went in because I was so excited.
The recovery was easy for me but Im not a baby about those things. Just don't be in a hurry to get out of bed, My first I got out of bed the same day and man it burned. The second one the doctor did not let me out of bed until the 3rd day and once I got up there was no pain I took the best shower and felt great. Just remember to take your pain meds when they tell you and don't try and be tuff because once you feel the pain and ask for the meds it take a while to feel better.
Once I got home I was pretty much back to normal.
The hard part is the breast feeding and the milk coming down that hurts and oh ya trying to go #2 for the first time you lose the ablilty to push for a while so they will give you a lacative before you leave and I would buy some to take home.
Good luck and enjoy the wee one.
C.