Emergency vs Elective

I havnt had both but i’ve heard that elective is soo much better than emergency. I’ve only had an unplanned

I’ve had both and found recovery easier as I just had to get on with it with a toddler in tow 😂 but you know what to expect too. The section Aslett is a lot calmer in the elective one xx

I had a emergency with my first and recovery was hard had an elective with my second and recovery is so much easier (touch woood) 😅 I'm 1 week 2days pp I'm already going on walks and helping do light duties x

Following as I’m in the same position. I’ve heard loads of positive things about elective. I spoke to my anaesthetist about the possibility of an elective section and she said it’s like night and day. Completely different. Everybody in the room will know everything health wise about you, rather than have 10 mins notice. Everything is planned out/music is allowed etc and it’s generally calmer. She also said that the risks involved are so much lower than an emergency and are actually closer to natural birth. I’m traumatised by my first emergency section so I’ve been terrified of an elective but I’m slowly coming round to the idea. My baby is growing big (again) and I’m so small so it’s probably the safest route for us. I just need to conquer my fear x

I’ve had 2 emergency sections. One awake and 1 asleep. I’ve had my baby 5 days ago from a elective c-section due to having to have it as my previous two I was full dilated and complications were made which is why this one was elective. My recovery this time round is much easier and I’m healing fast I would say to my previous too. Maybe because I know what to expect so you tend to get on with it. It’s meant to feel more relaxed as they don’t rush, it’s all taken very slowly and they Talk to you through the whole lot. Hope this helps xx

I’m 36.3 weeks, first time stressful induction ended up in emergency C-section even after 30 hours of water break. Hospital was full I can sense doctors stressed. This time I’m going for an elective C-section and hoping to be much easier than the first time. ❣️

I’m planning to have an elective in December so can’t tell you how it is but I’m thinking it will be a lot easier as I won’t have to go through 3 exhausting days of induction beforehand. Also I’ll be able to organise childcare the day/night before and chill relax before hand. On the other hand I didn’t have a toddler too care for after first time round. But I’d prefer to have an elective than the risk a long labour leading to another emergency plus a toddler to look after, after x

I haven’t experienced it yet but I’m hoping the elective is going to be a lot easier mostly not just physically but mentally 😫

I am in a similar situation, can I ask why people are choosing an elective over a VBAC if you have the option to have either.

Yes elective recovery is much easier!

Thank you everyone for your replies! @Ema for me personally I’m not sure I’m ready to commit to VBAC, I’m so scared of it going the same way as it did before. I found recovery really difficult after the emergency c section and I was hallucinating from the lack of sleep from attempting a natural birth.. I don’t think I’d cope with a newborn and a toddler if that were to happen again 🙈xx

@Ema I wouldn’t want to risk it ending in emergency again I’d rather have a bit more control. I don’t actually have a choice as I got pregnant so soon after my c section.

I had an elective and I actually found the recovery easy. Was out for pub lunch on day 3 and walked there x

I had elective and it was sooo amazing. That was the absolute best day of my life. Everyone in the room was so calm and friendly and making jokes. There was zero stress or rush because the bubs were safe and fine and they had time to prep everything to perfection. From the start of the first incision to when my two babies were out and I was sewn up took 20 min all up. About 45mins for the full surgery. Midwifes would come hold my face and tell me how beautiful and healthy the bubs were. The anaesthetic nurse was right there constantly making sure I had zero pain and keeping every single symptom in check. If I felt nausea he literally made it go away in 4 seconds with the drip. Some nurses would come take the camera off my partner to take photos of us both as the babies came out. God I’m literally tearing up typing this. I will always wish I could relive that moment again in my life. I don’t want to forget a single detail. Highly recommend.. such a beautiful day.

I had an emergency c section 6 years ago and an elective this year. Truthfully I found the recovery harder with the elective and I put this down to a number of reasons. 1) I was 5 years older 2) I was very aware of what was going on this time 3) I had another child to look after It wasn’t easy BUT it’s short lived. The first 2 weeks are hard but by day 10 there is significant improvement as the injections and stockings stop and your dressing comes off so movement is easier. By week 4 I was able to take both children on a day out by myself. ( school Easter holidays hit 2 weeks after my daughters birth and my husbands paternity leave ended- not ideal but we did it!). Whilst recovery wasn’t easy, the elective was the right choice for me as I did not want another emergency c section, so I still stand by the decision. Just be prepared with lots of support around you if possible, MAKE SURE you take the time to rest and stock up on painkillers and Lactulose. Xxx

@Stacey thanks so much. Reading your comment gives me encouragement. I ended up in emergency C-section after a very hard 30 hours labor. 😪 im pulling up strength. Thankfully I have got family to care for me for the first 7 weeks. We have already planned it. Waiting for the lil one now. 🥹