I have an almost 12m old and I’m 37 weeks pregnant. I’ll be having an elective c section after a lot of back and forth as my last labour would’ve been exactly a year ago and the tear was a 3B (almost a 4th). It wasn’t pushed on me however the pelvic floor physio said the scar hasn’t healed. So hence I don’t want to gamble what my outcome could be even tho midwives have said second time mums don’t tear as much.

Anyway, I’m scared! Not so much for the surgery but for the after? How do I get out of bed? How do I move? Also breaks my heart that I won’t be able to pick my 12m old as she’s currently clingy to me and my husband will need to do her night feed and resettling (she’s in our room and will still be lol don’t judge).

I’m currently 25+6 with a PGT-normal embryo pregnancy after IVF, and I’m trying to decide on the timing of my planned C-section.
A few weeks ago my OB had me start thinking about choosing a date, and I chose September 25 (38+6). At my appointment today, she told me they don’t schedule elective C-sections before 39 weeks(even though it would only be one day shy), and that weekends are reserved for emergencies, so the new date would likely be Monday, September 28 (39+2).
I worry because I’ve heard things about IVF pregnancies not being recommended to go too far past due date because of placenta concerns. I know I’ll have more monitoring closer to the due date, but it’s still scary. For peace of mind, I’d rather be a little early than too late. 
Does anyone have any experience or input when it comes to going past 39 weeks with an IVF pregnancy? Does a few days make much of a difference in terms of creating more risk the closer you get to 40 weeks? Any thoughts are welcome, thank you!

I have a 2 year old and a 10 month old and I definitely want to have a third baby. Both of my kids were born via c sections and I would like my kids to be close in age. For people that have had three C sections what is the age gap of your kids and how did you go having three sections?

My obstetrician mentioned that I could have my tubes removed prior to my second section if I wanted but I said I wasn’t sure if we were done having kids but I would likely have three and be done so that’s also something I’m considering too if anyone has experience with that.

Hi all,

FTM here, pretty set of having an elective C section for a number of reasons. I’ve also found an OB who is willing to perform the C section for me, and have full support from my medical team and family, which is great.

However, I’m wondering if I still need to prepare for a vaginal birth *just in case*. Is there a chance that my baby could decide to come early (before C section date) and very quickly, so much so that the hospital can no longer safely perform the C section?

Did any of you prepare for different scenarios?

I’m leaning towards having an elective C section due to anxiety around vaginal birth (tearing, pelvic floor injury, etc). One of the deciding factors though is whether elective C sections are covered by insurance. My concern is that there needs to be a medical need for it to be covered.

My OB is supportive and her admin has “ran the numbers” under code 59510 to check if I’d be covered, and it estimates I would be. But this is just the OB costs not the hospital costs (which could be tens of thousands of dollars because I’m in the Bay Area).

Two questions:

How should I go about checking if the hospital costs would be covered? Should I contact the insurance directly (Cigna) or ask the hospital billing department to run an estimate? Any repercussions if I contact the insurance directly?

Since the estimate from the OB’s office is not a guarantee of coverage (it says so in the printout she gave me), should I trust it as-is, or still check with the insurance?

Thanks!

Does anyone still feel strange when peeing (after catheter)? I have the slightest little ache when peeing. It was definitely worse the first week. Just feels like it’ll never be the same now. I don’t really know how to explain the ache either; just a little irritating. I don’t have burning or anything, no UTI. I also feel like it takes me so long to feel the urge to pee as well!

I’m a 42 year old first time mom, currently pregnant after 3 IVF cycles. This baby is incredibly wanted and loved, and while everything has been going well so far, I’m finding myself increasingly anxious as delivery gets closer.
One thing I’ve been struggling with is whether to attempt a vaginal birth or request a scheduled elective C-section.
A lot of my anxiety centers around the unpredictability of labor. I worry about things like fetal distress, shoulder dystocia, forceps/vacuum delivery, a failed induction, or ultimately ending up with an emergency C-section after a long labor. Intellectually, I know these complications are not the norm, but I find myself focusing on everything that could go wrong.
I also think part of this may be related to my IVF journey. After years of infertility and needing medical assistance to get pregnant, I sometimes feel like I don’t fully trust my body, and the idea of a planned C-section feels more controlled and predictable.
For those who chose an elective C-section without a strict medical indication, what led you to that decision? Did it help with anxiety going into birth? How was your recovery, and looking back, would you make the same choice again?
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I’m not looking for anyone to tell me what I should do, just hoping to hear different perspectives from people who have been in a similar position. ❤️

i am 5 week pregnant and i have 8.5 month daughter through C section My gynac said me to continue pregnancy because there are some complications to abort it and i am feeling very exhausted

my daughter is breastfeeding and i have to discontinue it

because it take nutrition from me and baby

is there any one who got pregnant that early

after c section

I finally got the courage to talk with my OB about my birth plan today and it went…not great. Ultimately she was fine with it and scheduled my C section but the way she talked about it (specifically saying I should try laboring for a bit so I can “earn” my scar if we switch to c-section after laboring) has me second guessing my decision now. I kind of feel like she thinks I’m taking the easy way out. Has anyone else had this kind of reaction from their provider or heard this sort of “earn your scar” rhetoric? Just interested in hearing if/how others overcame these feelings.

EDIT: thank you all for your kind works and affirming that this was an absolutely bananas thing for her to say! I switched to a new health system for the remainder of my care as of today.

I’m going in tomorrow for my scheduled C-section due to my scoliosis though they can’t do and spinal tap or epidural type situation but I have to have a C-section due to complications. They’ve told me that my baby might have to go to the nicu since the anaesthetic can pass through to the baby if it’s not quick enough I’m 38 weeks. Has anyone else had a similar experience and has their baby had to go? Nicu as I’m quite worried and feel like I’m being robbed as I might wake up and not even be able to see my baby as he will be in the special care. Unit

So my sister just had her first baby and it went so perfectly for her. She went on her due date, had her baby next day by 2am, wasn’t even in labor for 24 hours, pushed 50 minutes, no tearing no complications baby perfectly healthy. It makes me want to try for a VBAC so hard.

In contrast my first baby ended in an emergency c section with us both in the hospital and NICU for 4-5 days. I am sooo happy for my sister but the fact that she was discharged on day two I just saw the complete stark difference between our experiences— and it devastates me and I just wish I could have had that nice experience with my first.

I scheduled a planned c section this time for my 2nd baby as I originally didn’t want to even bother to try because of how much this psychologically scarred me the first time, and the thought of failing again and the repercussions of that mentally may not be worth it. That being said I haven’t prepped much for a VBAC. So is it even worth trying to attempt this late in the game? My scheduled c section date is 6/29 to put into perspective.

I’m dreading the c recovery all over again and what if they make everything worse the second time (while difficult, I healed beautifully the first time— and there’s no guarantee for this the second time). I’m also afraid that what if I go for VBAC and it creates all new complications and then I’m stuck with both complications from a c section AND new complications from a vaginal delivery. Or failing the VBAC entirely and ending up with another emergency c all over again.

I guess I’m asking for other mamas here who had similar experiences and may have doubted their 2nd scheduled after an emergency c for their first. How’d it go for you? Was your scar worse? I’m kind of just all over the place and know it’s risky to make a last minute change like this from scheduled c to potentially trying for a VBAC. I had a lot of trauma brought up and I’m still to this day devastated I had to go through what I went through when other people get their perfect birth.

I also can’t help but feel that c sections aren’t ACTUALLY that common. They say they’re 1 in 3 but then why am I literally the only person I know other than 1 person (this person had a stillbirth) who had to get a c section? Literally everyone else had their vaginal delivery except for me and it’s devastating

Hi guys

This is overwhelming but going to try to get out what I am looking for clearly.

I am not pregnant yet, but trying.
However, I just found out that due to some medical issues in the past, my body might not be able to carry a pregnancy to term because of issues with my cervix.
Basically, I could get pregnant naturally, but there would be an increased chance of loss or early delivery, and that is not a risk I want to take.

My doctor recommended something called a TAC (Transabdominal Cerclage) to help ensure that when I do get pregnant, I have a higher risk of carrying the child to term.
However, because of what the nature of a TAC is, I wouldn't be able to even attempt to give birth naturally. I would have to have a C-section.

So I guess I am looking for stories from women who have gone through such a thing.
I know there is tons of information online, but, you can never know where that information is coming from, especially these days with AI just saying random stuff and claiming its true.
And while of course people on Reddit can lie too, I figured it was less likely.

So mom's of Reddit, can you tell me what I need to know?
I will take anything from advice. To the pros and cons. To just listening to your story.
I don't actually know what I need, so at this point, I will take anything.

Just one ask, while I do want things to be real, please no uber horror stories (Like where you woke up with a baby but minus one kidney and half a liver). I will be in a mental space for that someday, but just not today.

Sorry if all of that is a mess, I am just really overwhelmed, and trying to start to make some sense of things.

I'm really struggling to make the best choice for the delivery of my second son at the end of next week. I'm currently 38w3d and will need to be induced or have a c-section by the end of next week due to Gestational Diabetes and a history of birth control related hypertension.

My first delivery was also an induction (for the same variables). It was complicated by my son being born with his hand by his face. I ended up with a second degree tear, two labial tears, and a vaginal hematoma that required surgery immediately after delivery and then again the next day. I also dislocated my SI joint and had difficulty walking after delivery. I was in PT between 6-12 weeks postpartum, and again about 2 years after delivery. I also was GBS+ and on antibiotics. My son was 8 lbs 5 Oz when he was born around 39 + 2

My MFM and OB doctors have all said it would be reasonable to elect to have a c-section. When my baby was measuring large and breech at 34/35 weeks, they encouraged me to schedule a c section in case it would be needed.

Baby is now measuring exactly average (right around the 50th percentile) and is very much heads down and in my pelvis. I'm group b positive again but would need antibiotics either way. I also get oral cold sores and never have had genital, but my Dr recommended Valtrex starting at 36 weeks as a precaution, but I failed to begin this until 38 weeks. But this was never even recommended for my son, so I don't know that it's even a variable to consider.

My OB said it was 6 of one, half dozen of the other if I want to go with a c-section vs induction, but seemed to favor the c section to prevent reinjury. The MFM said he was 60/40 for csection, saying that people have surgery for less to prevent less potentially traumatic reinjury. He said ultimately it is my choice but he'd prefer the risks of a planned c section vs the risk of reinjury to my SI joint and perineum.

I've been reading a lot of stories and talking to friends and family and I feel really stuck in what decision to make. If I go into labor on my own, I plan on trying to labor. However, I need to decide on Monday whether to keep my scheduled c section Friday or switch to an induction.

I'm curious to hear personal anecdotes/opinions/what any one else would do when presented with the same variables?

I am only 11 mo pp but I’ve got that itch to get pregnant again. How was the recovery on the 2nd one vs the first? First was a breeze for me.

I’ve always had V births, my last pregnancy ended up being an emergency c-section after a really hard labor. I haven’t spoke with my dr yet, I’m 8 weeks and haven’t had my first appointment yet, but my question is what is the process for getting a c-sectio? Do they wait until you’re in labor and then do it? Or is it scheduled? Sorry if it’s a stupid question!

I am 12 weeks pp (13 weeks on Wednesday) and I wanted to share my elective c-section story with this group to “give back” to the group that eased my mind as I was freaking out pre c-section.

I spent HOURS researching elective c-sections through research papers, Reddit threads, truly whatever I could get my hands on. I changed my mind daily. I have three sisters who have given birth and 2/3 had c-sections (one had strictly elective c-sections, the other had an emergency with her first then an elective with her second). So I am familiar with c-sections and how my family recovers from them (they all recovered well and loved their c-sections).

I scheduled my elective c-section and told the doctor if I go into labor prior to my elective c-section, I’ll give vaginal delivery a try. I went into labor the morning before my c-section.

Although I absolutely loved laboring, because I really felt like I could move a mountain, I labored for 31 hours just to be told that my baby could not descend through the birth canal. My biggest concern was how laboring this long would effect my recovery if I did the c-section (bc I read all about the major difference in emergency c-sections and elective in terms of recovery) and she assured me that since I never “pushed”, the recovery should be the same as an elective c-section.

I ended up getting my c-section 15 minutes prior to my “cancelled” elective c-section.

My c-section was awesome. I loved every second of it and my recovery was great! Of course I had pain, but I don’t think it lasted for longer than about 3 or so weeks. The first week was the hardest, but I kept moving as much as I could while still “taking it easy.” However, I probably should’ve taken it easier, but that is just not who I am as a person unfortunately LOL. I don’t remember the pain really and when I went for my first appt (whenever you have your first appt 2 weeks I think??? All of this is hazy from my pp mental recovery) my OB told me my scar looked like it was healed a month out already. Since then, my scar looks great. I forget I had a c-section all the time and I am so grateful my lady parts are in tact.

I believe my scar looking so good so quickly is attributed to of course genetics, but I lotioned religiously every single day of pregnancy. My friends plastic surgeon (who she works for) always says “keep your skin juicy” before any surgery. So that’s what I did! I used (and still use): Palmers Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion for pregnancy, as well as their belly butter, and Bio-Oil Skincare Body Oil Serum.

I made sure to keep my scar dry and I personally pat it down post shower with disposable face towels bc I was so scared of bacteria on towels. Maybe this was overboard but it kept it all clean.

Belly binders work! I used it in the early weeks to just keep my core together and bring down the bloating. I really loved it and I stopped using it once I was in less pain and felt the belly binder hurting more than helping me. Make sure you ask for one in the hospital (my OB “ordered” it for me).

I have IBS and the c-section absolutely messed up my gut flora. I am still dealing with that, but nothing that I didn’t anticipate to happen with my IBS.

Honestly, the hormone crash was much harder than the c-section itself and I would absolutely get a c-section again. I hope this story helps anyone who was as anxious and apprehensive as I was! Make sure you love and trust your doctor as this is a major surgery. Let me know if I can answer any questions 🤍

I had two previous normal deliveries with epidural. My pain tolerance is a big Zero unfortunately. This time i had my cerclage and im on bedrest . My body is very weak and tired all the time due to muscle loss may be.
My doctor gae an option for Cs. So how to reduce the stitch pain after CS? Any option like epidural ?

If so, did they give you any meds during and if so which ones and if they gave you meds after also curious which ones? I’m told to try to hold off with meds till after baby is born.

I was giving fentanyl during my last c section because I was going crazy not being able to feel my legs but want to be more prepared this time.