Elective repeat C section anyone?

KLP1982

Sorry if there is already a thread on this that I missed- a quick search didn't turn anything up. 

My first pregnancy failed to progress and after 52 hours of induced labor and only dilating to a 3 I ended up deciding at that time just to have a C section out of pure exhaustion. It was really scary- I'd never had surgery before (not even wisdom teeth out!) so I was an anxious mess and essentially had a giant panic attack during the entire thing. Afterwards in recovery, the medications caused me to shake so bad I couldn't even hold my son  

Despite all that, I am planning on having a repeat section this time around. A VBAC feels too risky for me and I really have no interest in pushing anything out my va-jay anyway I love the thought of just having it scheduled at 39 weeks instead of going to almost 42 weeks like the first time around! I admit I am pretty nervous at the thought of another surgery though- the panic attacks were pretty intense and I'm afraid it might be a rough recovery again. 

Just curious if anyone else is planning a repeat C section or has gone through one- is it easier the second time around? Is there anything that can be given to help manage anxiety? 

MarleneG88

I'm still up in the air about repeat c or vbac (although leaning more towards vbac as my experience was similar to yours aka terrifying) but I have a LOT of friends who have had repeats and they say they're much easier when they're scheduled.

Monilee1017

Had a repeat for my second and will be having one this time. We had some complications with my first c-section so I had a panic attack right before my repeat, but in the end everything fine. I decided not to try a VBAC because 5 of my 7 blood aunts needed c-sections, my girl cousins did and my sister. I watched my sister try a VBAC and not be able to. For me it just seemed like too much work for something that had little chance of happening.

Nfleszar

I think that you should discuss it with your doctor and then make the decision from there.  I know that alot of docs recommend having C-sections moving forward - but I also know that alot of women would rather have VBAC and go on to do so without complications.

Its a personal choice.

I think for me I'd likely have the second C-section - because I'd feel like any risk is too much risk.  But I know others feel strongly in the other direction.

leap_frog

Had a repeat with #2. Best birth experience I've had. I also had a vba2c with #3 and I still consider my repeat the easiest delivery.
I'm currently debating which route to go with #4. The only thing I disliked about my sections were the time away from baby while in immediate recovery and the nausea from the meds.

Sovvy

It sounds like a repeat c/s is a great choice for you! Is your doctor supportive? GL!

mesamyt

My first 3 were vaginal and my last 2 were c-sections. My second c-section was by far my easiest recovery. It helped me, mentally, to have everything planned. I learned as much as I could prior to scheduling my section. I only had c-sections because both of those babies were breech but am already planning on a c-section for this birth. Good luck!

KLP1982

Yep I've already discussed it with my doc and she thought it was a great idea. It's their policy to schedule at 39 weeks so that's all good to go! 

The hospital I will be at again did allow the baby to be held by my husband next to me throughout the recovery period but I was shaking so hard from the meds that I couldn't hold him! I'm hoping this time will be smoother- especially since I know what to expect in advance. 

Blueyedsky

That is exactly how it went for my best friend when she had her baby, plus they didn't let her eat while she was laboring so she was shaking so bad they had to hold her down. She's planning on a repeat and is really excited to be able to plan everything out and know what's going down ahead of time.

catnipskma

I'm planning a repeat csection this go round. Had my first baby vaginally, with forceps and a traumatic finish where we were seconds from being whisked off to the OR.... Second baby was an emergency csection, and Third baby I had a VBAC planned, labored and labored and had to go in for a damn emergency csection anyways.... So this baby, I'm going to try for a calmer route and just schedule it.
I am hoping because I'm planning it that I will not be as anxious and scared and can mentally prep myself for it!!! The emergency aspect of any surgery does a number on our nerves and adrenaline. I think planning it will ease that a little.... Notice I said a little . It's always going to be scary .... Good luck!!!

Paige6410

This will be my third c/s.

With DS1, I was stuck at 8cm for hours. Then the doc tried to do a physical dilation to get me the rest of the way. It was the worst pain I've ever experienced in my life, epidural did nothing for that pain. It didn't work and DS ended up getting stuck and went into instant distress so they took me in for the c/s immediately.
I opted for a repeat for DS2 and my recovery with him was so much easier and faster (probably because I wasn't in labor for an entire day leading up to surgery). I did develop a hematoma after, but I believe it was because I was with him in NICU 24/7 and didn't rest at all.
I have no desire to try for a VBA2C. I am nervous about a third operation, but I'm never going through what I did the first time around ever again.

monaclemere

I'm having my third c-section with this one, and I could not be happier.

With my first I labored, dilated and pushed for 1.5 hours. She never descended. Turns out she was 10 pounds and crooked, so she never would have come out on her own. I scheduled a repeat section at 39 weeks for my son because I wasn't an ideal candidate to VBAC, and I didn't really want to try. It ended up being the best choice, my son was 10lb 3oz and wedged in my pelvis (I'm not a big person). Chances are, he would've gotten stuck too.

A scheduled c-section is a lovely thing. You're well-rested, showered and mentally prepared. I shake a lot during the procedure, so my husband held the baby next to me until they were done stitching me up. Once they sat me up, they gave the baby to me to do skin to skin and wheeled me out. Overall, I had really good experiences and hope this one goes as well as the previous two!

mrussello

I am. With my daughter, I was induced at 40 weeks due to a severe skin rash caused by the pregnancy and my pleading with the dr. The induction went smoothly the evening before my daughter was born and I progressed quickly. Hit 10cm early in the morning and pushed for almost 11 hours. I was shaking so violently that I almost couldn't push. I was having back labor and my daughter wasn't progressing but I refused a c-section, adamantly. She was stuck and at 10pm the following evening, my dr said he'll try 2 last things. Forceps were a no go because she turned and he'd get her face so he tried the vacuum and she didn't budge. More hands were in my vagina then I've ever imagine and nothing. Finally at 10:30 my dr called it and i fell into tears of failure. I was so upset that I couldn't push out this tiny thing.

My dr really comforted me and explained what was going on. I was so delirious that I just hadn't known, I was just furiously pushing. I gave in and then I was bleeding and not clotting. They took my hubby and the baby out of the room. I remember passing out a few times and still shaking. They couldn't control it. I was so scared. I cried on the table every time they woke me back up. The dr said it was because my uterus was exhausted and wasn't contracting or clotting so I was just bleeding.

My dr suggested a vbac and I was contemplating it until we discussed why I had a c section in the first place. We decided against it. I couldn't do that again. I cried in the office just remembering how horrible the first time was. I can't believe I'm having another one after that trauma. Lol but he assured me a repeat c section is a way different experience overall.

I'm nervous and anxious but not scared. So I am electing the second c section and I'm ok with it.