[Angie]

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

[kiwimum2b]

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!!

[Angie]

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

[benjy]

Hello
Just one stupid ? but why are u considering a C-Section so early in your pregnancy?
Thanks
Benjy

[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.

[barbwong_130]

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

[Angie]

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

[benjy]

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