Elected C-Section Public Hospital

A

angelalegonidec

New member
Hi

We are expecting our first baby in March 05 and I just wondered if anyone has any advice on an elected c section at a public hospital. We are currently using PWH but they will not even discuss a ceaser at all.

Thanks
Angie
 
Hi there, I'm due at Xmas and am considering a c-section as well. I spoke to my GP about this and he said it'll be tough to get an elective at a public hospital unless I have a solid medical reason for doing so (which I don't). He suggested I be very firm and insist on it when we register and I might have better luck face to face. They still may not confirm it until the last minute though. I have a friend who gave birth public and had an elective at 38 weeks. She had an excellent medical reason for it and they still wouldn't confirm it until 2 weeks prior, which was nerve-racking for her. So, it could be a struggle but if it's really important to you then you'll have to be tough! Good luck!!
 
Thanks kiwimum for the info, I have heard the same thing. Apparently Pamela Youde is pretty good if you are admant that that is the way you want to go. I have a friend who just gave birth there and they confirmed here date at around 8 months, so it looks like there is hope yet.

Good luck
Angie
 
Because that is what we have decided we want and I want to make sure that it all goes smoothly without any surprises, as I would have had at PWH who are refusing to even consider a c/s.
 
Dear Annie,

Have you ever had any major survey? And do you understand the recovery time required?

I?ve had two normal births and two c-section births. There is a huge difference in the recovery time. With my last birth a C-section, it took me five days to be able to turn from lying on my back to lying on my side unaided. And so this made breastfeeding really difficult if there wasn?t someone there to constantly help me.

When my baby was two weeks old I met my husband for lunch ? we were going to resister the baby. I found it really difficult to walk from the restaurant to the bus stop ? only about 500 yards. Whereas after my first birth, a normal birth, I felt great. When the baby was 10 days old my husband and I walked on Lugard Road around the Peak without any difficulty at all.

My hardest birth was my first c-section. This one was with a general anesthetic and I went to sleep in the middle of a contraction. When I woke up it felt like that contraction continued for the next three weeks. It took me around five months to start feeling really better. I still feel cheated that I wasn?t able to enjoy this baby the way I enjoyed the others.

I remember that it was very scary when I was first pregnant and worrying about the birth. Personally I found that the labour pains, although horrible, were over quickly and once my baby was in my arms were totally forgotten. This wasn?t the case with the c-sections.

Best wishes,
Barb
 
Hi Barb

Thank you for your input, I am not afraid of the labour pains, in fact that is the least of my worries. It is a personal decision that each of us makes for personal reasons. I know alot of women who have had the exact opposite experience to you, so we really need to make the decision based on what we are comfortable with because all of us are so different.

As this is our first baby we are however always open to hearing different peoples experiences and hope to learn from them, so thank you for sharing your story with us.

Thank you
Angie
 
Hello!

Angie, if i had asked first about it, it was also because it seems to have more complications for both Mom and the baby with a C-section than with a natural birth.
And from the experiences I've heard, they are similar to Barb' ones. And many women are now even insisting to have a natural birth after a C-section..
As such, since I never experienced it and never knew anyone who made that choice, I was just wondering which reasons might lead you to choose a C-section..
but of course you are right, we are all different.. so I hope you can deliver the way you feel more comfortable with..just like for me.. even if I wish just the opposite of you..
good luck in your search and have a nice pregnancy:)
benjy
 
Angie,

Don't worried too much about the c-section operation. I had it for my son (I am also a first time mum) 6 months ago. As my blood pressure was on the high side, I have no chose but to have a planned c-section. I was actually glad that I did as Iain is a big boy, weight 10 lb 6 at birth. There is no way that I could have an natural birth.

As for my recovery, I was up and walking the second day. Although the wound does hurt, but sitting up and moving around slowly as soon as you can does actually help you to recover more quickly (told by my Dr). I was fully recovered by the time I got my stitches out. My Dr actually told me if she didn't know me, she could not know that I just had a c-section. So, if this is what you want and what you are comfortable with, let no one change your discussion. Most important is that you are enjoying your every minute of your pregnancy.

Michelle
 
Hello Michelle

Thank you for the support, I am not sure why there is such a stigma attached to women who make the choice to have a ceaser. I have believed all my life in doing what feels right to me so that is how I am aproaching my pregnancy too, I wouldn't have it any other way. I know of many people who ,like you, have had wonderful experiences with a ceaser and highly recommend it. I think it basically is down to your attitude going into it, as with anything else in life. I just hope I can convince the doctors at the public hospital of the same thing.

Good luck with your baby
Angie
 
Hello Benjy

Everyone of us is exposed to so many different experiences and people in our lives which influences the various choices which we make.

I have personally had dealings with a few doctors who specialise in repairing women after natural child birth. These women spend their lives dealing with incontinence and various other complications. Of course if you are lucky and your birth is uneventful then great, but if it does go wrong there is nothing you can do about it and you are then placing yourself and your child in an unecassary emergency situation. I am also concerned after having seen the dangers that babies are exposed to during natural childbirth eg. stress due to long labours, problems from vacuum and forceps deliveries, umbilical chord complications etc. In MY opinion, because that is all it is, I would feel more comfortable avoiding these situations.

But as I said before these really are just my feelings, it is really daunting with a first pregnancy with so many decisions and so many people giving advice. The best advice I have ever been given is to follow what I feel is right for me. I think as long as you inform yourself well on all the available choices you can make the best decision for your family.

Good luck
Angie
 
Hi there
I have a slightly different experience--
I chose to have a C-section for my baby at a private hospital last year. Labour and natural delivery has never appealed to me - and when I found out I was pregnant I knew I would have a C-section. As it turns out I ended having a medical reason for it (placenta praevia - a low lying placenta). The procedure went extremely smoothly (under epidural) and recovery was surprisingly easy - I was moving about pretty much as soon as I got back to my room and could turn over in bed and walk around without any problems at all. Of course there was some mild pain around the wound area but the pain killers they gave me worked fine. It was such a hassle free experience that I would have one should I get pregnant again and wouldn't mind recommending it. But as has already been said - do whatever you're comfortable with and enjoy the overwhelming experience of childbirth - be it natural or operative.

Good luck
 
c-section questions

HI , I was readin gthis site and found this discussion very interesting, I am curreently pregnant with my first (and second) pregnancy- twins. I am hoping I can deliver vaginally- does anyone klnow my chances? Also, if I end up having to have a c-section- how long until I am up and able to take care of my newborns? Also, I heard a c-section cuts through your tummy muscles and they will never be the same? Is this true??
 
Wow scary stuff - I sure as hell hope I never have a C-section (already pushed on out the standard way).
 
Hi Benjy
Ignore the previous reply, preggo brain here managed to figure out how to read it. Thanks for the info, have you seen any of the lists of complications from natural childbirth? They are not as easily found but just as scary and from what I have seen far more extensive and longterm.

I wouldn't get too caught up in it all and don't let people scare you out of what you are comfortable with, as I said before good to be informed and then to make your own decision.
Angie
 
sorry Angie..
I didn't write much because I am also more busy with my own birth which should arrive pretty soon..
I know you are informed but since I am also re-re-reading a lot these days, I thought about you.. but I don't think I ever condamn you for choosing an elective C-section.. or If I did, i apologize because here was not my intention..
As I said previously, I was just being curious because it is something I would never think about .. and something which I have difficulties to conceive maybe because I am too scared about 'operations', maybe because I prefer the natural way or maybe because I did not get the relevant information..

finally to respond, yes I could give you other data /statistics on c-section/vaginal child.. but I m not sure it is the point ...
one thing is certain about what u said, vaginal births can be unfortunately lived in a much worse 'state' than C-section .. but u also could have a marvellous and painless labor..
and in one way, considering pregnancy and birth as something really magic, somehow maybe it's difficult for me to see that women prefer not to live this..
but i respect your choice because I know that my birthchoice is even more difficult than yours so ...

take care
enjoy your pregnancy :)
benjy
 
How about in my case - my first was elected c-section privately. Im planning a second baby (not preggors yet) and wondered could i go elected easily in a public hospital.

I have read all the posts here about to go or not to go c-section. My op. was brilliant and i have no visable scar to see. The recovery process is more difficult and i was able to walk the next day from the op. But to have a baby without all that pain, screaming, labour etc. was like delivering baby dumbo - i'd do it again anyday, alhthough a part of me says try it the natural way this time round.
 
I have two kids who were both delivered naturally in a public hospital. My experience is if you are very keen on breast-feeding, natural birth at a public hospital is better as your baby will be always by your side after birth. Baby's cry is the stimulator of milk production. However, you must be well-prepared to have inadequate sleeping time during those days in the hospital.
 
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