by biscuitbrown » Sat Apr 27, 2013 9:57 pm
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'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 cock-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