How do I prepare for a planned c-section after two emergency sections are crowding my mind? My once trusty pregnancy ‘manual’ has only a short chapter devoted to c-sections and it mainly discusses the possible reasons for needing one. It’s not debatable that I will have a c-section in around 19 weeks time. It’s a fact. It’s not a dark cloud of fear hanging over my head this time. It’s a fact. It’s also a fact that I will once more feel a little bit of regret that my body was unable to perform one of its most natural tasks.
So, how the hell do I prepare?
I read this article on the BBC news website today, which speaks of the need for antenatal classes and pregnancy guide books to discus the reality of childbirth and the fact that some women will end up with a c-section. Whether it is an emergency section or a planned section, around one in four women in the UK will have one. And some of those women will feel terribly guilty that they were unable to join the natural birth brigade like all the other mums at baby group. Some will even feel traumatised by the fact that they had a section alone.
When did we decide that having a c-section was such a taboo subject? Is it really a taboo subject, or are we so focused on natural childbirth that we’re worried preparation for a c-section will have a negative impact on a woman’s attitude during pregnancy and labour? Personally, I don’t want to feel like a failure this time. I want to feel like I’ve done the right thing for my body and for my baby.
I meet with my consultant after my 20 week scan in a few day’s time. I will discuss the section and ask the questions that I already have flying around in my head. I will do all that I can to ensure that I understand exactly what will happen and why. I just wish that all women were given the opportunity to do this too. I wish I had been prepared for last time. Instead, I was told over and over that another section was not on the agenda and that I would give birth naturally. No wonder I felt more than a little let down.
Have you had a planned section? How did you prepare? What questions did you find it essential to be answered?
I blogged the whole way through my pregnancy about my planned section and have my planned section birth story there. Have a look back and if you can’t find them will email the links
Oh, thats brill. Thank you, will go over now XxX
I have had 2 planned c births. The second I knew more what to expect, as I’m sure do many for their 2nd child. I found putting that I wanted skin to skin Contact and to feed my baby immediately if demanded as soon as he was delivered meant the baby wasn’t whisked off to be weighed first and that I got amazing time with him.
Hi, thanks so much for your comments. I’ve never had skin to skin contact before, so this is really important to me. I will make sure to request it. Thanks again XxX
There is an excellent video for a “natural C-section” at the end of this. All of the first half of the artice sounds ever so similar to what you have said about feeling like a failure – you’re not. I hope this makes you feel a little better
http://cornwallmidwife.blogspot.com/2011/05/caesareans-choices-and-costs.html
@Sarah and the author – I’m really sorry you felt that my article contributed again to a feeling of failing in some way because of having a CS. This was in no way intended. The first part of the article was discussing the reasons for the first CS, which often is due to the way birth happens in our society. It’s not because a woman cannot physically birth her baby, yet she is left feeling that way sadly. The second part discuss how some places are trying to turn the high CS rate around.
As a midwife I have always supported a woman’s right to choose how she births her baby, and for some women it may be a caesarean birth. I believe that women should feel empowered as mothers and women through their birth experience, rather than disempowered. Elective caesarean can be that route. It’s just that sometimesI feel if we supported women well the first time round, they might not end up feeling traumatised and abused to want to undergo surgery the next time.
I have written a blog about Birth Trauma too, as sadly have met far too many women experiencing this, and not enough health professionals recognising it.
Best wishes,
Evony
It’s so nice to read that I’m not alone in feeling the way I do. I’m scheduled for an elective caesarean in 2 days time after an emergency caesarean first time round, which was so traumatising. I will be writing about the birth on http://www.motherhooddiaries.com but would love to hear your stories too. Please email me your websites so I can read them. Thanks so much and best of luck!