Birth Plan - Questions
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Have you spoken to your Midwife regarding your concerns about losing more blood? A c section is major surgery and women can also lose a lot of blood during it as well or even require a blood transfusion. Definitely weigh up all of the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision. Everyone's recovery will be different in all honesty. I've had a c section (unplanned) and you need to keep on top of your pain medication and take blood thinner injections in my case I had to take them for 6 weeks, you're also not supposed to drive for 6 weeks or lift anything heavier than your baby. Coughing, sneezing and going to the toilet after a c section can be quite painful also.
I'm not sure if you're more or less likely to lose a lot of blood in a c section as opposed to a vaginal delivery. But I know that it is definitely still a possibility with a c section, as with any major operation. I would discuss this with the consultant rather than midwife if this is the main reason you are wanting one
Just a heads up, my friend had an unplanned C Section, and sadly, got sepsis... There are worse things than blood loss! I'm not saying this to scare you off, she was also extremely stubborn, and ignored the signs, but PLEASE, anyone who has a C Section, don't be stoic/stubborn, as it could be sepsis!
You are actually at a higher risk of blood loss with a c-section than a vaginal birth
I had an unplanned csection due to breech baby and still had an approx 800ml blood loss. Apparently up to 1000ml is still considered ‘normal/average’. I didn’t need any blood transfusions and felt completely fine in myself (although the blood thinning injections weren’t a nice part of recovery!) As long as you stay on top of your pain meds the recovery is manageable, it probably wasn’t until day 4 or 5 that I started feeling a lot less sore and the not driving part was quite a hinderance but naturally I wanted to take things as easy as possible to ensure I had the best recovery. I personally found wearing high waisted underwear to hold everything still helped ease my pains, but I know a lot of people don’t like anything near their incision! At the end of the day you can only do what you feel comfortable with, but try and do as much research as you can and listen to some positive stories for both birthing routes ❤️
In my experience the recovery is honestly not too bad 3/4 days keep on top of your painkillers and take it easy, after a week I was doing most things myself and by the second week feeling back to normal, I have no regrets about my elective c section it was a positive experience and I’m doing it again this time, I will say though as soon as you’ve decided or if you want to talk more with a consultant bring it up asap as some trusts make you speak to 2 different consultants, at 2 different appointments to be signed off for a first elective, so it can take time to get all sorted xx