Delivery Options For 2Nd Baby

[Chasingcars]

My friend had a very quick delivery with her 1st baby and as a result ended up with bad 2nd degree tears.
She is due to have her second baby by c section in case the second baby arrives as quickly.
I had a similar situation with my first with my little girl arriving in less than 20 mins and whilst i only had gas and air for delivery, i had to have a spinal when going for stitches.
We are planning our 2nd baby, so my question is 1) if my second arrived as quick could that cause further damage and would it be safer to have c section although i am aware c section is major opp and carries own risks and 2)if you can choose to have c section, does it get booked slightly earlier than your due date as if baby came unexpectedly surely there may not then be time to do a c section unless that counts as an energency section?
Thanks in advance x

[2sp_]

If you have a planned C-Section, you are booked in before your due date. I would imagine you will be monitored closely in the last stages of your pregnancy too.

There are risks with Sections, but these are usually outweighed by the risk of trying for a natural birth.

I had (emergency) Sections for both my children. #1 was lying the wrong way and refusing to budge and #2 was on her way (I was trying for a natural birth) but she started to get distressed and I was starting to rupture so it was far safer for them to perform a Section.

How is your midwife? Are you quite confident in him/her?

[Sqad]

\\\\1) if my second arrived as quick could that cause further damage and would it be safer to have c section although i am aware c section is major opp and carries own risks and \\\

Not my field but, my opinion for what it is worth.

After you first precipitate delivery and subsequent peroneal damage, it doesn't mean that your second will also be....precipitate.

You could opt for a "trial of Labour" a sort of "see how it goes" approach or opt for a CS at the outset.

\\2)if you can choose to have c section, does it get booked slightly earlier than your due date as if baby came unexpectedly surely there may not then be time to do a c section unless that counts as an energency section? \\

Yes if you choose a C-section then you would be admitted at the first signs of Labour.

Discuss this with your Obstetrician.

[Chasingcars]

Thanks 2sp, really useful.
My midwife was very good both the community one i saw upto birth for routine appts and also midwife in delivery.
Is this something i could agree with my Dr or midwife as and when we are expecting - does midwife have final say or am i free to choose what birth type we have?
The actual birth was so quick i dont remember so that doesnt overly worry me its more the thought of stitches again as now, even nearly 2 years later it can be painful after long walks or lifting etc
If labour started before planned c section ( my first was 3 weeks early) would it be quicker to continue with natural birth or would an emergency c section then take place?

[Ratty2E]

I had to have an elective c section as my stubborn little devil was breech and wouldn't be budged. It was booked for 10 days before the due date.

[Sqad]

LOL...I see i have wasted my time, so I will hand you back to the AB experts.

[ummmm]

I've had 3 kids. The births were all completely different.

I wouldn't opt for a C section.

[soapnumpty]

You've got some good answers there so I'll just add that c-sections are usually booked in at 39 weeks. I was booked in for a planned c-section but went in to labour a few days early. They asked if I wanted to continue naturally & I said no, so they arranged a c-section for that day, but then it was classed as an emergency, simply because it wasn't booked in for that day. The whole experience was fine. Yes I did feel like my stomach was going to open up when I moved for the first few days but it doesn't sound like your 1st experience was pain free! After about 5 days I was more able get about & it was quick to heal. Discuss it with your midwife & if you are considering asking for a c-section she should refer you to see a consultant at the hospital who will discuss it with you & say yes or no.

[2sp_]

Don't be huffy now, sqaddy! ;-)

I'm sure Chasingcars can accept professional advice as well as personal experiences.



Chasingcars, I can only tell you about my experiences. I was sent to see the Consultant at 35 weeks and I was given the option to elect for a planned C-Section or give labour a go (with my second baby). I had the final say, but when it came to me actually going into labour (at 36 weeks) I had to go with the medical advice given as we went along.

Tell your midwife that you have concerns, he/she should be able to give you all the info you need.

[Chasingcars]

Thank you all, Squad, sorry when I replied to 2SP earlier,your post hadnt appeared at that time so wasn't ignoring your advice and have only now managed to catch up on rest of the answers.
All advice greatfully received.
To clarify, I am not pregnant yet, but depending what our options are for delivery may decide if we have another one or not!
Do you think it would be possible to get a decision from midwife or obstetician up front as that will help us make our decision rather than get pregnant and then find out that we may be told what delivery to have?

[ummmm]

I don't know how your GP surgery works but mine does a call back for minor issues. Try and see if you can get the midwife to call you.

[black_cat51]

you can choose a c section nowadays