C-Section: Planned or induced?

Clare - posted on 09/17/2011

I’m so glad to find other mums going through the same thing i still cant get my crash c section out of my head. I’d like to share my experience as I don’t have anyone to talk to about it (or at least anyone who understands). I had a really good pregnancy i felt brill and baby did well. My Waters broke 3 weeks early (the first day of my maternity leave – great timing) at 6am on sunday morning so all excited i went to hospital only to be told that the baby was still in head down position and that labour would start by itself so go home and if it didnt go back to hospital at 9.30 monday morning to be induced. Needless to say I tried everything on the sunday to get labour starter - nothing worked, so we headed to the hospital on monday morning (i was very excited about giving birth - to me its a big deal to push a baby in to the world especially as it was my first baby) At 1pm i was examined by the midwife who said the babys head was down and she started the induction and said it was going to take a while so I could go away have some lunch and head back every couple of hours to check in with her. We headed out of the hospital for lunch and after only 20 minutes my mum and hubby were laughing as the contractions came every 4 min, it was great. Got back to the hospital and excitedly told hubby to go and get the midwife as contractions seemed strong, so thought delivery must be close - she came and hooked me up to the monitor, and then left. Two minutes later there were 5 doctors around the bed, one of whom gave me and internal exam and explained that the baby was a footling baby and her leg had dropped come out (something the 2 midwife id seen from the Sunday morning had failed to diagnose) and sent the babys heart rate to saw and that my body was going in to shock and my heart rate was dropping. They then unplugged the machines from the wall and whisked me down the corridor – telling me I was going for a c section now. I didn’t even have time to ask could my husband come with me or was I going to get changed I was still wearing my dress and cardigan. I had a nurse run along side me as we went down the corridor taking my earrings out and then before I knew it I had a catheter placed and I saw the surgeon place the knife on my stomach and say are we ready to which I replied no as the general anaesthetic still hadn’t kicked in. My daughter was born 14 minutes later and given to my husband (luckily she was healthy after a little oxygen. When I woke 4 hours later I met my daughter for the first time but due to still being very sleepy couldn’t really look at her until the next morning. The nurses refused to change me in to a nightgown or hospital gown as they said it wasn’t there job so my mum had to do it (not that I remember). I know I am extremely lucky that we are both here to tell the tale and my little girl is now 3 months and doing well – but I still get angry that because of the mistakes of two women I missed out on a really important experience and basically the first day of my daughters life – I wasn’t even given the opportunity to breastfeed. I have had an apology from the hospital but I still feel really upset over it all – anyone taken this long to get over it? Sorry for the essay but I actually feel a little better sharing x

Stephanie - posted on 07/26/2011

When I was pregnant with my first child, my daughter, I wanted to have her naturally but I would not dialate past 2cm. So I had to have a c-section. Then when i was pregnant with my youngest, my son, my intent was to have him naturally also. My docotr had okayed it and I was prepared to have him naturally, but he was born three weeks early, and I found out that he was breached so I had to have a c-section with him as well.

Kelly - posted on 07/26/2011

I was planning on and really wanted to have a natural birth. I had to be induced and then when I went into labour I couldn't dialate past 4cm, despite being persistent that I didn't want a C-Section and being pumped with Oxytocin drug to speed up dilation. In the end I had to have an emergency C-Section. If I have another baby,I still want to try for a natural birth.

Thanks

Stifler's - posted on 07/25/2011

I had an emergency c-section after 8 hours of induced labour. I wish I'd just gotten an elective.

Sarah - posted on 07/24/2011

i had a c section with my first cause i wouldnt dialate past 3cm now im 22 weeks pregnant with my 2nd and im having another c section...i wouldnt have it any other way....i didnt think it was so bad...and the recovery wasnt that bad...i was happy to stay in the hospital for the 3 days because it gave me a chance to rest up before i went home

Elizabeth - posted on 03/10/2011

My first child was 10 weeks early, so a c section was the only option because of his size and the fact that he was breach. My uterus was cut both classical and bikini. (it was an intense operation) This is why I was told that my daughter would have to be born via c section in fear of my uterus ruptureing. Well, when I went into labor that is exactly what happaned:( After I was in labor for a couple of hours, the scar on my Uterus split open. (very painful!) My daughter was born 6 mintues later with a emergency c section. I always dreamed of having a natural birth without any drugs so I understand how disapointing it can be when that is no longer an option. I just keep thinking of all those woman who are unable to even get pregnant or those with whom have lost there children shortly after birth, and I no longer feel any disapointment. Even though it isn't always the method of choice, I will always be thankful that c section is an option. Without that procedure, niether of my children would have made it:)

Ashleigh - posted on 02/25/2011

I had a planned c-section organized, 4 days before the due date but i knew before hand there was a chance because I am 5'1 and my son was almost 10 pounds (4.4kg), up until 20 weeks he was measuring the same as his due date but from then on he had a growth spurt and was measuring 4 weeks bigger then his due date and they said there was a HIGH chance of him getting suck and causing serious problems for my son and me so as much as i wanted a natural birth I did not want to risk the life of my son. I was given a 20% chance (less by the time I had the c-section) of having a successful natural birth because he was so big and was getting bigger very quickly (I didn't have gestation diabetes) he still growing at a rapid speed he is 5 months old in 3 days and is already about 20 pounds/around 9kg and in size 0-1 clothes and walker nappies. Sometimes I wish I had of been able to have a natural birth but all that matters is my son is healthy. I had a c-section at 37 weeks as they did not want to risk me going into labour.

Shemika - posted on 02/23/2011

i am 22 weeks with my third child , i had a natural birth w/ my first and an elective c-section w/ my second b/c i also had to have an ovary removed and I did not want to have to recover from labor and then go back into the hospital 6 weeks later for surgery, at this point i am debating b/w a v-bac and a repeat c-sec b/c both of my experiences were positive, leaning towards the c-sec b/c honestly it was easier for me, but i am not looking forward to a three day hospital stay, i did not have bad recoveries with either, i was up and around minutes after my natural birth with no pain, and had only mild discomfort after my c-sec, silly me came home and started cleaning the house on my first day home out of the hospital in fact ( only because i was in the middle of cleaning when i left the house for what i thought would be my 36 wk check up which turned into, "ok you bp is up to high for my comfort so lets do it today at 3pm")but i am the type that needs to keep moving if I am in pain or uncomfortable, but i also think being up and about so soon contributed to my speedy recovery.

Kathy - posted on 02/23/2011

i am having a planned c-section for baby #2. my first child was c-section due to having full placenta previa. i was back in my garden the day i was out of the hospital and back at work in 3 weeks (not by choice) after having my first son. I am cut vertically and baby #2 will be a horizontal cut. i am choosing to do c-section rather than VBAC because the risk of tearing internally and also because i am a big chicken and don't want to be in labor for 30 hrs. haha. good luck

Sheneka - posted on 02/23/2011

i had a surprise c-section i planned to have my son natural too but my plevis was to narrow. My son kept turning the whole pregnancy and wasnt decending but he wasnt breech when i went in he was trying to come out correctly but just wasnt gonna happen i was in labor for 24hours. He was born on Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:30 am

Amanda - posted on 02/23/2011

I had to have an Emergency C-section because my daughters heartbeat kept on dropping. I was a week late and was induced because of my BP and that didnt make her very happy i guess and then she wound up in the NICU because she swallowed her maconium :-(

Amanda - posted on 02/23/2011

I had an emergency C-section with my daughter. After 15 hours of labour I dialated to 9 cm. The next time they checked me, I was down to 6 cm again. My baby's head was causing my cervex to swell shut. Here we don't have the choice of wether we want a C-section or not. You go natural unless a problem comes up. I was scared when I found out that I had to have one, but I was also scared of having her naturally because of all the stories I've heard about people tearing and having stitches. I was actually glad I did have the section. My daughter was born 7:31pm. I was in recovery for a couple hours, then I was able to hold my baby. I was up walking around first thing the next morning. I had very little pain. I even turned down the painkillers that were offered to me. I was in the hospital for 3 days, but that's how long they keep all moms and babies in. My sister in law had her daughter naturally and she was in for a week. When I decide to have number 2 I'll be requesting a C-section. My daughter was also 9lbs 10oz. Another reason I was glad for the section!!!

Toni - posted on 02/23/2011

I had a planned c.section wiv my daughter as she had gone breech n could not be turned due to reduced water aroind her. I did not like the catheter but only had it in 24hrs n i was encouraged to get out of bed n walk a little which was tiring but im glad they got me up because i wa allowed to come home after 1 niight in hospital which i was glad of. My midwife told me about risks n benefits of having a natural birth afta a c.section n i am def goin natural next time if i can

Kelly - posted on 02/23/2011

Hi, yes I had to have an emergency C-section too. I didn't want it and tried to go into active labour for hours with the hormone drip, but it didn't work. So they talked me into it at last minute. But atleast I have my healthy 18 month old son :-).

Khanyi - posted on 02/22/2011

Well I did'nt have a c-section but had planned to have 100% natural birth. Little did I know of the pain so right in the middle of the delivery I asked for an epidural. Did'nt work though, Just numb my left leg only. How weired was that, felt all the pain there was.

Laverne - posted on 02/22/2011

I was told that everything was fine and my baby was lying in the correct position, i was in labour for two days, they induced me but nothing happened but i had the most terrible pain at a stage i asked the nurses to feel how far the baby was as i thought i was gona go give birth any moment but she was only still 2cm dialating, it was the most terrible pain, they then realised that my baby had feotal distress and had to have an emergency c-section, the epidural in my back was painful, but within seconds i saw my beautiful bay girl.. but if i do consider having another baby i will definately go straight for a c-section..

Jade - posted on 02/22/2011

i had a surprise emergancy c-sect ... i spent about 9 days on and off in hospital over the two week period before have bub and they were talking about inducing me due to complications but the decided against it. The afternoon before have bub I went into hospital due to bleeding and they tried to induce me overnight but it wouldn't take :( so that morning they told me they were going to have to operate and with in half hour of finding out i was having surgery I had my daughter beside me in my mums hands.

Kaara - posted on 02/22/2011

had an emergency c-section with my first, i was 2 weeks late and nothing was happening, i wanted to go natural with my second but his head circumfrence was the same as my first so i decided on a planned c-section.

with my 2nd i was in hospital for just on 24hrs, i had everything removed and was up and showered and walking around by 8am, the next morning. i left that afternoon at 5pm. i was admitted at 10am wednesday morning and was out of hospital with my new baby by 5pm thursday afternoon!! im from Queensland, Australia.

Liz - posted on 02/22/2011

mine was very simalar to lindsay's i was in for a week with the cathata and because of iron levels were really low.
i was wanting a natural birth but at 34-35 weeks lil one stopped moving having loads of monators hooked up to me over a course of a week and plenty of blood tests i was in slow labour but something in my blood levels werent normal so i was sent in to be induced after 3 days of it my labour werent progressing and because of the things they use to induced(some pessary tablet thing)had 3 of them i was no longer allowed to go home due to risk of infection so ended up with a c-section.worse day of my life when i found out i had to have one, it was one of the things i never wanted aswell as the epidurial.ended up getting knock out cold to have the c-sec stuck in a bed for a day unable to see lil one as she was whisked to special care.when and if i have another one it will be wat they call a VBAC no more c-sec's hated every min unable to do the simplist things like going to the loo myself or even a shower.my back is still messed from the attempted epidurials(3 in all) as when was preg i became immune to anesthesia.
ill be the one pegging it over the horizon in my hospital gown if they say i have to have another one lol

if anyone who is pregnant is reading this sorry if i scared you but all pregnancies are different and you may never experience it the way i did,so dont let it put you off of how you want your birth to go.

Ashley - posted on 02/22/2011

I was 9 months pregnant when my "water" and something else broke (not sure what its called rite now) but when i went to the hospital my mom was told that i had to have a c-section and she asked when they said now. Lol i was so calm didnt really now what going on and my mom so scared i will never forget that day :)

Sunila - posted on 02/22/2011

I had an emergency C section, cos of very slow dilation after my water broke. And i guess, I'm ready to take more of that if i have to. The thing is i didn't plan my birth - saying i will have a normal birth or a C section. I believe in taking things as it comes, or I'll b in for too many surprises than wat i can take. I don't like to feel disappointed cos of my over expectations or impractical plannings. So, i prepared for both. I took some more clothes for me and baby, so if i have to stay in the hospital for long, i wont have a problem. It was my first ever operation in life, but I wasn't unhappy after the C section. All i knew after i woke up at the Recovery room was that i was a mother, and that was enuff n more to forget everything else:)

Judy - posted on 02/22/2011

Hey Courtney, you should still be able to try a VBAC for your next baby (if you have one) so you can experience labor? I have experienced labor and a c-section. I will pick the c-section over labor anyday! haha. I know a lot of ppl will disagree with me, but whatever. I don't feel like I have missed out by not having a baby naturally. Who cares! I have carried a baby in my womb (3 times) which is special and have held a newborn in my arms. Does it really matter how the baby made it's way into the world?? It doesn't make you any less of a woman/mum having a baby by c-section.

Courtney - posted on 02/22/2011

i went a week late with my daughter so they tried inducing me overnight with cervidal which thinned my cervix but didnt jump start labor so they started potiecn in the morning.....when they checked me the second time my dr couldnt feel the head....my daughter was a little stinker and moved out of the birth canal...at that point we decided it was best for myself and my daughter to have a c-section.....to this day i still feel like i missed out on something (labor)....i wanted that experience but i did what was best for my daughter

Judy - posted on 02/22/2011

My 1st was an emergency c-section as his head was tilted back and my cervix was swollen. I recovered really well and quickly. 2nd time round I was going to go VBAC but when I was 8 days overdue, I discussed with my DR and decided that it would be best to book in for a c-section rather then be induced (which would put extra strain on the uterine scar that could rupture!). Thank goodness too! Coz he ended up being 9lb 11oz!! Not exactly a nice size to have "naturally" for the 1st time! haha. So obviously my 3rd (she is now 7 months old) was a c-section too. I have no problem what so ever about having to have had a c-section. At least my babies are happy and healthy and I recovered well. My Drs & nurses were great and very helpful & supportive. I wasn't in much pain (nothing a couple of panadol can't fix) ;). BTW - I live in Australia.

Keri - posted on 02/22/2011

First let me say I've never heard of an induced C-section. mine was a "surprise" as you call it. My son wasn't in breach like your baby was, but I had had labor inducing drugs and when they "backed off" of them so I could sleep - my son fell asleep too! He had something called "deceleration" which meant every time I pushed he would come down a little, but when I would rest he'd go back up. MY doctor said she would have taken extra steps to see if this could have been solved without a C-section, but she was in surgery and sent one of her colleagues to attend me.

Hailey Stent is right - as long as your doctor examines your uterus for any issues with the lining that may cause it to burst during a natural labor, you can have any number of children naturally after a C-section. My doc told me I'd healed nicely and that I could have any other child naturally if it would be my preference and barring any other emergency that would make it needed.

Starla - posted on 02/22/2011

i had an emergency c-section with my first even though i hadplaned to go all natural. i was in labor 14 hrs and finnaly they deided he must be tangled in the umbilical cord , and he was. it was hard to get over! with my 2nd that i just had in november we planned the c-section and it was so much easier !!! i think if their is no reson that should cause you to have a hard time then go for natural, but if their is anything that could cause problems go with the planned c-section. also if you try for natural and things don't go well agree to have the c-section sooner rather than latter. from talking to other mom's i think the emergency c-sections are bad because yor in labor for so long then are cut open.

Jennifer - posted on 02/22/2011

With my 1rst it was natural . I had a emergency c section with my 2nd, and my 3rd was scheduled. No i thought i was going to have my 2nd natural. But after you have a c section the first time the next child you have it hasto be a c section.

Terra - posted on 02/22/2011

My first child was born VIA unplanned (and unwanted) c-section because she was breech presentation (and I didn't know I had other options) but my two births since then have been VBACs.

Amanda - posted on 02/22/2011

I planned to have a natural birth with our daughter. But she was just about 2 weeks late, so they induced me, and then when I contracted, her heart rate would drop and take a really long time to recover. So they gave me an emergency C section.

Allison - posted on 02/22/2011

I found out my LO was in a frank breech position at my 36 week ultrasound. At 37 weeks they tried to turn her and it was unsuccessful so I had to have a scheduled c section at 39 weeks. I'm so thankful her position was checked b/c I would've had to have an emergency c section and I think that would've made my recovery harder. I'm hoping with this one (I'm 24 wks pg) I can try a VBAC. But my daughter was born healthy and I was well taken care of and to me thats all that matters.

Angela - posted on 02/22/2011

I had an emergency c- section a month early. I wish I was able to do it naturally, but it all worked out...I have a happy healthy 2 year old :)

Emma - posted on 02/22/2011

after a long 2 1/2 day labour i ended up having a c-section as i was just to tired to push him out. i definatley wasnt prepared for what was to come and most of the pain relief just didnt seem to work as he was back to back. id love another child but im just to terrified of going through it all again. can you ask for a section? if thats an option then maybe ill think about it. my sister has had 3 children naturally and never seems fazed by it so i feel like such a whimp. x

Corinna - posted on 02/22/2011

I had an emergency c-section under a general with my 2nd 5 weeks ago and i'm now suffering from PND! I will never be having a c-secton ever again! I was knocked out and didnt see my bundle of joy for 2 hours after he was born, and i was not the first to hold him! Even my mother got to hold him before i did (not that i begrudge her of that in any way!!) I didnt get any skin to skin contact with him and i still feel so disconnect with him. Its almost like i dont know him! I am very depressed and upset about the whole thing and i am even more upset that at the time, it was left until the last minute to decide. I was 10cm dialated for 4 hours and after 15 hours (total labour) they took the decision out of my hands, had i bee given the otion 4 hours earlier i would have been able to have a normal c-section (worst case senerio) and would have had all that above thats important to me!

Amanda - posted on 02/21/2011

Well the plan for me was Vaginal during the entire pregnancy. The day before I had my son via c-section, i went in for an ultrasound. The dr said that he was going to weigh 10 or more pounds and sent me to the hospital across the way to have a another ultrasound done. So went there and that ultrasound said he was going to be 11 or more pounds, so my docter told me that she would be doing a c-section tomarrow. And he only came out to be 8ibs 9oz. I did not care which way my son was born as long as he was healthy. I would difinatly do it again.

Joey - posted on 02/21/2011

I totally understand, i had a three day labor and when i started to push, my little one got stuck. They tried the forceps and suction, but her heart rate became erratic. So they decided to go a emergency c section. But everything turned out well

Miza - posted on 02/21/2011

Hi Angela. I was induced at 9pm and after 13 hours of labour I was still 1cm dilated. Bub's heart rate was static no matter what they do, she remained static. They say if her heart rate was going up and down, responding to them, they wouldn't be worried but she was in distress. So at 4.30pm the very next day I had an emergency C-section. I got to hold bub straight away even while they stitch me up. I was up and walking the very next day. The skin on my wound was closed up on the 4th or 5th day. It was a breeze :)

Carly - posted on 02/21/2011

I sort of had both LOL. My c-section was planned because of my bad back, they didn't want my already herniated disk to rupture with the pushing.

However, my water broke the night before and I was in full blown labor within about 2 hours (by the time they wheeled me into the OR I was contracting every 3 min, but only 2 cm dilated, so thankfully I wasn't too far gone to have the c-section) so it was sort of an emergency c-section, I had him 10 min. before midnight. It was actually pretty funny. I also had to have a full spinal block because of my back and because of prior surgery, they had to put it sort of high up so I was numb from my neck down and felt like I was just a head.

Shannon - posted on 02/21/2011

With my first born, my water broke and went thru everything up until i wouldnt dialate past 3cm and the doc said either a c-section or wait to see what happens...i chose a c-section. My second child I chose to have a planned c-section....

Lindsey - posted on 02/21/2011

I asked for a c-section around 5-6 months. My mom went through 36 hours of labor and 3 hours pushing before having an emergency surgery along with 3 of my cousins had similar experiences. We are very slight framed women and after doing my research I thought planning for it would be safer in the long run for both of us. I have no complaints as far as my surgery went. I knew what to expect and wasn't disappointed with the process. I understand that my choice isn't for everyone. I just knew there was a good chance I would end up there anyway so saved myself the worry and more eminent risk of ending up there in an emergency.

Tasha - posted on 02/21/2011

i ended up having a c-section with the twins..they were both head down and ready for delivery but i never got past 3 cm...i was enduced twice for vaginal delivery and after laboring for 11 hrs the dr finally decided to do a cesarian.

with this one its the same dr and she said that she wont enduce me but if i go past my due date she will schedule a c-section because if my body didnt natually go into labor with twins that it probably wont either this time

Angela - posted on 02/21/2011

My daughter didn't turn, she laid in the same position for the last 3 months & my gynae tried to turn her twice, so @ 38wks, he told me i'd be having a c-section the following Friday

Koree - posted on 02/21/2011

I had a emergency C-section with my second. I had planned on a regular delivered until about a week before her due date. I went in for my regular check up and the doctor discoverd that she was sidways like a football. my doctor told me i had no signs of going into labor, so i left and went to work, while my doctor tryed to find someone to turn her. about 7 that night i went into labor. when the hospital checked me she was no longer sidways she was now breech and way to high to be born anyway but c-section.

Alisha - posted on 02/21/2011

I was told my entire pregnancy I would be able to have my son naturally, I came down with pre-clamsia and had to be induced. They put the pill in my cervix to help me dilate that was at about 10pm the next day at 6am my water broke, my doctor got there 15 minutes later to break my water they didn't think I would go that fast and then about 45 minutes to an hour after I got my epidural the doctor came in and told me I couldn't dilate past 3cm and my sons head was stuck and as I was contracting his heart beat was droping cause it was squeezing his head so they got me into the OR in about 15 minutes and got my son out. They said I had to have an emergency c-section since his heartbeat kept dropping. It was very scary and I cried but he came out completely healthy with no problems and he was only 6lbs 4oz.

Jessica - posted on 02/20/2011

I was induced six weeks early because I had two gallons too much fluid and I had had 20 aminos at that point and it was getting dangerous for me and the baby. I was induced on Wednesday night and at the same time they gave me an epideral and they started the meds and my sons heartrate kept dropping by 5:32 thursday morning I was having the emergency c-section

Kathryn - posted on 02/20/2011

I had c-sections with all 3 of my children. The first one was unplanned, i was in labor 19 1/2 hrs with my daughter and still hadnt dialated past 4cms, and her heart started going down with every contraction. I live in Ny and when i got pregnant with my son they gave me the opition of another c-section or a VBAC, but the only issue with that is the only hospital near me that does them is 45 mins away. So I choose a second c-section. That one was much easier than the first. With my third child i also had a planned c-section, and with him it was even easier than the second. I only stayed in the hospital 48 hrs and than they sent me home.

Jacqueline - posted on 02/20/2011

Out of my four girls with one on the way... My first was an emergency csection, second was planned, third was adopted, forth was planned and my fith will also be a planned csection. As a mom I have learned that its not always about what I want or plan to happen. Nothing is storybook about being a mom although its wonderful, amazing, tiring, and even sometimes irritating. Things happen and you have to roll with it. All those things you read in books or chat with other first time moms about are not always best for your situation. Learn to smile and roll with the punches. Learn how to cope with any given situation and not be upset about what works best for you and your family. Thats the best advice I can give another mother. Good luck & best wishes from one mom to another.

Vicki - posted on 02/20/2011

Mine is a similar story to yours. Went in to be induced and still ended up with a section as baby's heart rate dropped. Im now 10 weeks with my second and i honestly wouldn't say no to another c section as I know what to expect this time round xx

Allie - posted on 02/20/2011

I had the same circumstance. My son became breech at 38 weeks. I had every intention of having him naturally but God had his glorious way and my son was delivered by csection the day after his due date.

Brittany - posted on 02/19/2011

I had an emergancy C-section... it was no fun. I had a major panic attach on the OR table and they had to knock me out completely; because of that it took a lot of work to get my daughter to breath after she was born.

I really don't want another one. It reminds me of a horror movie.

Casey-lee - posted on 02/19/2011

I had an emergency c section with my daughter due to failure to progress but i have choosen to have a c section with baby number 2
I wonted to have a c section from the start with Daughter but due to me being healthy and not having any complications during pregnancy wasnt allowed to have 1 till i was in labour