Planned VS Emergency

The biggest difference is your body and your baby hasn’t been through any trauma, exhaustion, adrenaline and ultimately danger. You only recover from surgery, not that AND the labour beforehand. There’s no risk to life, they can go slower, take their time with your surgery. You can have skin to skin and things like the radio on. I was up and walking to the shower alone within hours after leaving the recovery unit. I took public transport home and went to Costco 2 days after discharge. My friend who had an awful labour and a cat 1 was still in hospital for a week. Easier recovery, less stress for you and baby, generally neater and smaller scars, nicer atmosphere xx

I had the radio on, skin to skin for almost 30 mins, camera rolling, lots of laughter and conversation. I wasn’t scared, stressed or in a panic. I actually had a cat 3 emergency as I went into labour 10 days before my elective and I still walked myself into theatre in my Nikes and had a very pleasant birth. I’m having my second one via elective in December and really excited. I hope baby 2 is less stressful for you and an easier experience 🩷

A planned section is much more controlled and relaxed.

I had an emergency for my first due to sepsis, since then I've had two planned. My most recent one was 5 weeks ago, you have some bloods done 2 days prior and a swab to check for MRSA. When it's your turn to go in you go straight into theatre and your partner goes to get scrubs on and waits for you to be ready. They sit you on the bed and they put a cannula in your hand and then do the spinal as well. Once the spinal is in they lie you down and set up the curtain and get you covered etc then your partner comes in and they start. Doesn't take long it's very relaxed, they ask if you want any music too It's a totally different experience, very calm and relaxed and you get to do skin to skin with baby whilst they stitch you back up. I never got that with my first xx

I ended up with a VBAC with my second but my sister as well had a second csection and she said it was a much easier recovery. There is still risk for uncontrolled bleeding and other issues as it is still a major surgery. Just there isn't as much of a rush since you or baby are not in distress.

I had an emergency csection with my first and two planned. Even though I went into labor several days before my planned csection with my 2 month old it was still not an emergency, it was very relaxed. We just had to move my csection up. I was still anxious both times just because my first csection was traumatic but really both planned csections were much more smooth and calm.

As long as nothing goes wrong (which can happen with any surgery) planned ones are calmer, because there is time. An emergency c section they basically want baby out as quickly as possible.

Planned is always better because they have the time to prep you calmly, they can go slow, there is no emergency where they have to rush things (with the possibility of causing mistakes during surgery), you can avoid eating before surgery (which reduces aspiration problems, not possible with an emergency one) and so on.

I have no idea but I’d bet money a planned one is better than an emergency one! Everybody says it’s so chilled and calm. Good luck!

Thr biggest different for me for emergency verses planned was the urgency. My emergency I waited for an hour from the moment they decided to do it to actually doing it (that meant room prep and meds and stuff). Once in there, it was no different than my planned ones. (I've had 4 total now). I wasn't one for needing music or anything so it was pretty standard and the same.

I was in same boat basically—first baby was emergency c section, but second child is only 13 mos apart, so they basically told me VBAC was also not an option. Planned one was SOOOO different. Way better. Amazing even! Recovery was wonderful, I was walking around with my baby still in hospital, it was like a little vacation away from my toddler lmao good luck mama!

A planned C section for me appealed because it means the healthcare professionals are expecting you and have time to know more about you and your health needs/issues should there be any. There’s also less rushing around and you have the chance to come to terms with what is about to happen etc x

I’ve never had an emergency, but my planned c-section was a dream tbh, it was such a calm and chill experience, because no one is worried or rushing everything was casual, we just got there, I washed up with surgery prep wash pads, I hung out as they got everything prepped, and when it was time I went in got the spinal block (piece of cake), laid down and baby was out in 15 min and they had me sown up in about 20 more minutes and wheeled on down to recovery

My planned c sections were amazing. Home the next day, walking around Tesco 4 days later. I felt amazing

Apart from the fact I was terrified before (my first baby) the entire experience was really methodical, informed and calm. They gave me the option of induction or planned c section and I’m so happy I went with planned. You can plan, go in having had sleep, prep down there.. , play the music you want, get your snacks ready for after .. the list goes on..