I had 2 EMCS deliveries. Recovery was fine and I coped pretty well with looking after the other one (although she was 3 so probably easier). Just make sure you have people around to help out in the first couple of weeks.

The best thing about the planned option (as others have said) is being able to organise childcare properly. Mine was all a bit improvised... Would have loved a planned C-section but they changed the guidelines just after I had no. 2! Gutted. FYI VBAC much more likely to go well if you really want to do it. Research shows that mothers that are motivated to do it (some of them really want to!) have a significantly better chance of succeeding.

I went through exactly the same decision last year with my second. My first was an emergency c-section and I didn't want to go through that again. I was also worried that I wouldn't be able to pick up my 2 year old for a couple of months if I had a c-section again.

I opted for VBAC and spent a lot of time discussing with the consultant to ensure that I minimised the risk of a second emergency c-section. I found her support and the support of a midwife team who understood my wishes was really great. I did have a VBAC however it was a really long labour 27 hours and after pushing for 2 hours, I ended up having an episiotomy. I have to say that I lost more blood than with a c-section and the recovery time was almost the same. While I am happy with the decision I made, I think a planned c-section would have been equally good.

Hello,

If you are very keen to have a natural birth and would like someone to hold your hand in making your decision, I'd highly recommend the birth buddy scheme called Tell Me a Good Birth Story that was been set up by my antenatal yoga teacher, who is also a doula. She does great work in helping women achieve the kind of births they want. You can find out more on her website at http://tellmeagoodbirthstory.com or for more stories check out the blog at http://tellmeagoodbirthstory.blogspot.co.uk/ where you can read the real-life experiences of women who have had VBACs. The birth buddy scheme will match you with someone locally who has been in the same situation as you, and you can email, chat on the phone or meet up - it's an amazing way to get support and the whole concept puts a brilliantly positive spin on birth, which you don't often get from the NHS!

Good luck with your decision, and your birth, and for getting your head around having two little ones. As someone else said, going from one to two doesn't seem quite as bad as you fear, since you've already made the big transition. That said, if you don't have family nearby to help and can afford a bit of extra help, go for it! 8 months in, I have just got an amazing girl to come and help from 5-7pm and it's a life-saver. It's supposed to be a short-term thing... we'll see!

Wishing you all the best!

I had a crash section with my first, recovery was very painful - took wekks, scar re-opened, had a hard little ball of a belly for ages.

I had an elective with my second, and I was terrified at how I'd manage ...... in fact, I barely felt a thing second time round. I was up and at it just a few days after (I did try to take it easy, so as not to cause too much stress on the scar) but really, I barely noticed it. And it was pretty flat too (I'm sure the midiwfe squished it down ). Honestly. I was SO pleased, as it had been my biggest fear (especially as we had a lot more stairs in home than at the time of the first birth).

I actually wish I'd had a VBAC now though, but that's just me doing my maternal guilt / second-guessing nonsense, and nothing at all to do with recovery.

Hi
I had an emergency c-section (I had pre-eclampsia) with my first after being induced and it all going very wrong. I was offered an elective Caesarian, but I decided I'd try and do have a Vbac birth, mainly because in my mind, being up and out of the horrible postnatal ward potentially in 6 hours (I was in for 6 days the previous time and hated every minute of it) was a massive plus! Also I felt that 6 weeks without driving would impact on my family life too much (getting daughter to nursery etc etc) and in my mind we would get back to normal more quickly, giving my daughter less chance to feel anything negative towards the new baby. It all went brilliantly, he was a big baby and I had some stitches but nothing like the pain of the scar from a c-section, i was just in overnight so minimal time in the ward and was in the park with my daughter the following day! I was really really pleased with having a Vbac and would recommend it!
Good luck with your choice and I hope all goes well x

biscuitbrown - I can't believe they have refused you and you are forced to go private. It sounds like with a previous c-section and traumatic birth you have good cause. Surely an emergency c-section (if it goes down that road) is far riskier and also more expensive.

I will be seeing a consultant at st.george's to discuss my 'options' and after a lot of deliberation, researching and agonising I decided I want a plan c-section (I started to think about it as soon as I found out I was pregnant).

Any advice on how to prepare myself for the appointment?
How much is a private c-section btw? In case it comes to that...

Although the pain recovery from a section the second time round was a bit quicker 12 weeks on and my scar still hasn't healed properly and I still get pain from it. I would of much preferred to of had a normal delivery. Sadly there is a lack or advice and support within the NHS to help prevent tears, instrumentals and episiotomies.

The hardest thing I found about having a section the second time round was my kids coming to visit me and their new baby in the hospital and all I could do was just lie there and not jump up and give them a hug. Even them climbing on the bed was painful. Not fun and nearly resulted in me becoming depressed as I felt like I'd neglected them.

I haven't had to make that decision but I had 2 natural births, 1 with an episiotomy and 1 with quite a bit of tearing. All I can say is with a c section you have already 'ruined' your tummy muscles. Do you really want to risk ruining those down below too?! I was tempted with a c section second time around as the recovery was pretty hard from the first birth, but decided against it as figured one area was enough to have damage!!

I was in the same situation, sooooo frustrating, hang in there and good luck!

Katskii1 wrote:Bisciuit brown - the NHS make you jump through a lot of hoops to get an elective, I was at StTs which is notoriously against elective (although aren't they all) but they are obliged to give you one if after all the hoop jumping it is still what you want so if you can hang in there it is worth it and will save you lots of £££ I expect - don't worry it really will all be fine

I know, thank you - I'm still persevering with the NHS route until the last moment, but I had to have a plan B in my back pocket so I didn't totally freak out! I have 4 weeks to go and still no sign of agreement - although as you say every woman is entitled to the choice under the NICE guidelines. We'll see...

Bisciuit brown - the NHS make you jump through a lot of hoops to get an elective, I was at StTs which is notoriously against elective (although aren't they all) but they are obliged to give you one if after all the hoop jumping it is still what you want so if you can hang in there it is worth it and will save you lots of £££ I expect - don't worry it really will all be fine

I'm feeling your pain! I am due to have an elective in May, my little girl will be 20 months old.

I decided to go for an elective after a lot of deliberation, mainly because I had a very traumatic labour and emergency c-section with every hospital ****-up and intervention under the sun with my first. She was in a bad way and so was I, recovery was horrendous.

Yes, I was worried about not being able to pick her up, put her in the bath, in her cot etc. but as the consultant I'm seeing pointed out, I wouldn't be able to pick up a large toddler straight away after a natural birth either. In the end, I just couldn't deal with the thought of going through another terrifying emergency c-section - I wasn't prepared to live with even the smallest chance of that.

I have booked a post-natal doula as suggested above, because we won't have any family support. I'm hoping that is the solution to getting my little girl into her cot for naps, and bath time. And anecdotally, everyone I know who has had a planned c-section has had a much better and quicker recovery. Most put it down to not having gone through a traumatic and exhausting labour before the surgery.

Something to note, we are having to go private because I was told there was no way I'd get an elective at Chelsea and Westminster, they went so far as to say they have run out of money and don't have any budget for electives. They will make you wait until you are 40w + 10 and even if you refuse an induction (which I said I would as I'm sure it was the cause of my obstructed delivery) you will only get one if there is a serious cause for concern... (they even made me see one of their psychiatrists to prove I was traumatised - which although she said I was, didn't seem to make much difference?!) I know people who have got them quite easily at St. Georges due to previously traumatic births though.

I think you have to go with your gut - and which option will make you feel safer and happier throughout your pregnancy. Don't stress, you'll find a way that you are happy with. Best of luck x

I had an elective C with my second one after an emergency C with my first - best choice ever was very relaxed and was able to plan someone to be with my 15 month old (yes small gap) when I had Number 2.I was walking around 48 hrs later and picking up the active (and big) 15 month old within 3 weeks - after some of the horror stories I hear of natural delivery you could be far worse off. One bit of device - get someone to help with bath and bed for first 3 months, a lifesaver and after a busy day with 2 babies knowing someone is going to come and help at the end of the day is great

Hi,

I dont know if it will help or not but i ve had 4 c sections and they were all with general anesthetic as it was a few years ago my youngest is going to uni soon but the recovery time always got much shorter with each one. after my 4th I was up taking myself to the loo by the time he was 4 hours old. also my husband when to the georgia the day after I came home for 3 weeks working and I managed to carry on working obviously not at full time just organising, phone calls and arranging different things as we had a business, by the way I am not superwoman I just had a plan but I did have help from my mother with the baby feeding him and nappies etc also two of the children where 2 and 4 years old as well. Personally I think you should go with whatever you want to do and feel comfortable with.

Hi - I recently decided to have a scheduled C -section for my second pregnancy (baby turned breech). I have a 22 month old v active boy and so it was a hard decision to have to make as I was v concerned about how I would cope/ recover with no 1 jumping about the place plus I had had a home birth planned! I also attended one of the BabyCare Company's courses and this helped me make an informed decision together with giving me some practical tips on how to deal with 2 children generally!
Ultimately I went with the scheduled c-section because I was concerned about having a natural breech delivery (which could have ended in an emergency C which I was v keen to avoid). At least with a scheduled C the recovery is generally quicker and you can get out of hospital on a fast track programme (at least that's the case at St Georges). It also means you can put plans in place to care for bubba no 1. The recovery v. a natural delivery is longer and can be frustrating especially if you want to drive, pick up a toodler etc. but 6 weeks goes by v quickly second time round. Just make sure you get some help in place!
Good luck.