I had an emergency c section with my first. It is the recovery afterwards that is the horrible bit and like some of the other women have said you are very much expected by the hospital staff to get on with it striaght away.

The other problem I experienced is the excess skin I have on my tummy that no matter how much exercise I do will not shift(my daughter is now 9yrs old). It's not too noticable with clothes on but I know its there and having spoken with other women who have had C sections it is fairly common.

By all means I am not trying to put you off, I just would have liked to know all the facts before hand, it wouldn't have made much difference I still would have had to have the c section but would have been under no illusions.

I hope it all goes well for you x x

Hiya!
I had an emergency c-section as my baby was breech and i haemoragged at 36 weeks, i also was put to sleep as i have a cyst on my spine so couldnt have epidural/spinal. Obviuosly i cant remember the birth, i just remember waking up to my hubbie holding our little boy with a big smile on his face! As for recovery you need to be up and about in hospital as soon as poss, and dont expect any sympathy from the midwives! I went for a shower 2 days after in hospital and asked my hubbie to go and fetch me a towel and the midwife told me to stop being idle and go and get myself! They want to see you up & about before you go home, you'll have to fetch your own milk if bottle feeding, cups of tea etc. Its for the best as they want to see how you'll cope at home. Good Luck xx

Hi there im on baby number two first and this one were and are both planned c sections i also on the first was very scared and couln't believe how easy painless and relaxed it was. It was fabulous seeing my baby son being born. Depending on "the team" you can watch it on screen and my partner also recorded it im planning to do the same again. The whole process "process sounds like im making something ha" was fabulous and although i sufered some discomfort after i was at home within 3 days cleaning (leaving a man at home and expecting to come back to a clean house silly me). On the other hand my sster in law was in a lot of pain after her c section she couldn't move for a good few weeks i think it depends on your own pain threshhold. I eally hope everything goes well for you and good luck but honestly i cant speak for everyone but in my experience i wouldn't worry about anything. lots of love leanne baby levi and bump x

i had a c section 6 years ago n a natural birth 5 months ago. a natural birth is very painful n c section isnt(apart from the afterpains)i was awake 4 my c section n i loved seein my son bein born. but i wouldnt want 2 go thru a section again,they r 4 times more dangerous than a natural birth so i would recommend a natural birth every time.

i had 1st baby by emergency c-section, this one is a planned c-section , i dont think i'd want a vaginal birth ,ive been told its safer to be born by c-section

Hello
My first 2 babies were born 'naturally' -as the second got stuck (she weighed 10lb 7oz) I was dr advised to have a c-section for baby 3 (he weighed 11lb 3oz) (yes I get gestational diabetes). Whilst a planned cesarean can be daunting it allows you to plan. Baby no.4 was also planned cesarean and we felt like we were waiting for a friend to arrive - w e knew our baby's sex and therefore had a name, knew his approximate weight and had an exact date on which he would arrive - it was very reassuring (especialy with the other children to make childcare plans for).

You can take in your own music and as long as you convey any fears to your medical team (assuming you get a 'decent team') they can reassure you and you can lead the room (even though my last one was my second I was for some reason nervous) and I let my drs etc know - they were fabulous - they took charge of the sitaution and i felt very protected.

I hope it goes well! - at rhe very least you can sit down infront of vaginal delivery women with a satisfying 'plonk' - you won't have vaginal bruising!

Breastfeeding can be a bit tricky (due to the wound) - lay your baby on a pillow on your lap so he/she can't touch it.
Selena

I had sections with both of my boys but both where emergency sections not elective...I think there are pros and cons of each way (natural and section). A section is not an easy option as you will have a longer post-operative recovery time depending on how it all goes....you can have a section under a spinal anaesthesia (you dont have to be asleep) I was awake for both of mine and it is still a wonderful thing to see your baby being born no matter wot way if u ask me....afterwards you are sore so do expect this but you are also on a bit of a high from having a lovely little new baby! All forms of childbirth carry risks as i'm sure you know and you just need to decide what is right for you but a section can't be all that bad because people go back for more and it certainly hasn't put me off having a 3rd baby!!

Hi, i've had 2 c sections both times where scary as with any other operations i was put to sleep the 1st time and i was in pain afterwards but that was mainly due to trap wind and been sore, you can hardly get out of bed but the key is to start moving as soon as possible to help you move better and to recover quicker, so please expect that, i bought some windeeze tablets that helped! The recovery is around 6 months for everything to go back to where it should be and you still have to take things steady but you may start to feel better after a few days, you cannot lift things etc so make sure you have someone to help you! I had an epidural in both of my births that depends on how far you are into your labour and how quick they can get it in. If you have one it depends on how loing you have had it in to weather you are asleep or awake. my 1st was a emergancy section inwhich we sadly lost our little girl, but hte 2nd was planned and we have a lovely bouncing 22 weeks old baby girl. You need to go into it with your eyes open and make sure its what you want as it can be dangerous to both mother and baby. Hope this helps you and i haven't scared you each mothers experiance is different as you will see. keep me informed of how you both are doing and how the birth went. xx emma xx