First elective c section?

Yes! An elective c section was the best decision I made. You honestly don't feel a thing and your baby is in your arms within 10 minutes and recovery has been great for me personally. 😄 When is your baby due? 💖

I had an emergency C-section and the recovery was not bad at all for me. I think I was very blessed. With a planned section, I’ve heard it’s very calm and somewhat enjoyable. The fear of major surgery still terrifies me for future pregnancies, planned or not. I also have severe health anxiety and had to be sedated after my section because I was a bit of a headcase😅

@Cathy thanks for the positive reply Cathy! I’m due in March. 21 weeks atm but as excited as I am the dread and fear is starting to creep in which is making me super anxious and upset 😓 x

@Cierra glad yours went well! There definitely isn’t an easy option is there though 🙈 my anxiety is becoming crippling 🥲 hope it eases a little x

Mine was an emergency c section but honestly, they make you feel so calm and explain everything. Despite it being an emergency it was very calm and supportive atmosphere. I recommend them!

Hi 👋 I’m also a first time mum and will probably go for a c section because of similar fears and anxieties. I feel like I can mentally prepare for surgery better than I can a long and drawn out labour. Only you know deep down what you will be able to cope with. Not a fan of either tbh but imo, I’m going with the least stressful option and baby has to come out one way or another.

@Steph glad yours went well Steph! That makes me feel a little less anxious 🥰

@Jay this is how I feel too Jay. The idea of a a VB scares me because of the unknown and it could end up a CS anyway. I worry I would get so anxious and cause distress to my baby 🥲

I am also choosing this for the same reasons but still terrified

Had my son visit elective section and will be doing it again when the time comes! Most relaxed and chilled experience ever no uncertainty no waiting to go into labour no stress I loved it 😂

I chose to have a c section and honestly I don’t regret it at all. Recovery wasn’t bad at all and the whole process just made me feel at ease, was the best decision I made x

@Emma glad you had a good experience Emma! That’s really reassuring x

The worst part of labor is the contractions. I ended in an emergency section and that made me cry instantly. I was more scared for that than going through labor. I'm now nearly 33 weeks and debating both but I really wanna try a VBAC but I'm also scared this time round. I have to make a decision in the next 3 weeks for a plan. Nerves are setting in. A section was only painful when the meds wore off or moving but as long as you keep hydrated and move as much as your body will allow then it's okay and bearable. The worst thing was the fragmin after

I was induced and ended up in an emergency c-section, I had quite a bad time in terms of shakes passing out etc, but I would do it all again! I am defo going for an elective next time, the medics in the theatre were all so lovely and kind! Don’t be scared if it’s what you want. I also had a couple of visits after to triage because of pain and infection, and the recovery for me was 2-3 weeks and still even though I cried most days recovering I would do it all again!

I had an elective c section best decision I made! I was fine after two weeks and I no every one is different but best advice just keep on top of tablets every four hours and you will feel better in time, because your so focused on your new baby the pain takes a back seat xxx

I have bad health anxiety too and was really scared of birth but it was honestly all good. I asked for a cold facecloth to be put on my head as it gets very warm in there and that actually made me feel calm. If you get the shakes during it, it's a normal part of surgery and will go away. I was also a bit itchy afterwards but they topped me up with meds to take it away. Also, I heard that if you're really worried they can give you something to calm you down before surgery 💖

I was very similar to you and was diagnosed with tokophobia. It might be worth looking at this https://www.england.nhs.uk/north-west/wp-content/uploads/sites/48/2024/02/Tokophobia-pathway-v2.pdf They have services that can help and helpex me massively, i was all set for a natural delivery. Ended up needing a c section after 22hrs of labour me and baby were both in trouble. It was scary at first worrying but once in theatre it was really calm even with lots going on.

I will say that I felt that same dread in early and mid-pregnancy. But by 38weeks I was SO. READY. to not be pregnant anymore. I would’ve done anything. So I hope you feel the same at the end!

An elective c section was the best decision I made after 2 vaginal. Had one in jan this year, The procedure was so calming and the recovery wasn't as bad as i thought. Yes you are sore but it's expected but it's not unbearable, you'll be fine. Fell pregnant again lol and I'm having another planned c section xx

I've had both a VB and a (planned) CS. Currently 10 days pp from my CS and the recovery has been a lot more physically hard than my VB, but mentally it's been the best decision for me. My VB was complicated and I was very weak and emotional/anxious afterwards. It may have been influenced by the fact it was my first baby so I had a lot of new parent anxiety, and the fact it was COVID so I was alone in the recovery ward which sucked, but it definitely helped this time around to have a pretty uncomplicated CS. I wasn't sleep deprived or in shock, I knew when she was coming, the surgery was super quick, and I had that rush of love which didn't happen immediately with my first (which is totally normal btw, but again I wondered if it was influenced by the tricky birth). Both types of births require some help during recovery, but I found I've been a lot more reliant on other people to support me physically this time around so just make sure you've got plenty of help if possible.