FTM here who has been mourning my crunchy granola birth plan due to my breech baby.

glad I have a healthy baby, but now transitioning from researching unmedicated labor techniques to preparing for a c section!

looking for all the tips, tricks, and positive vibes. I am especially worried about scarring 😞 and just the recovery afterward. the procedure itself doesn't seem to make me nervous, as everyone says it's pretty chill?? I had an epidural last week for my failed ECV, so I imagine the spinal block will be similar. TIA

I apologize if this is a really dumb question, I have some intense anxiety lately that makes it hard to tell whether or not I should be worried about certain things.
Basically, I’ve been trying to get back to exercising recently and I’ve been in pelvic floor therapy for a few weeks. I’m 6 months pp.
A few days ago I did some double leg raises alongside some lighter exercises.. at the time I thought maybe I overdid it a little but nothing crazy.
However starting today I’ve been feeling an ache in my lower abdomen and I can’t get the thought of my internal scar opening up out of my head. That’s pretty unlikely from a couple minutes of strain, right?? Especially this far out from my C-section?Of course Google fed into this worry so just trying to get some perspective from a real person 😅

For the people who can only have c sections how many kids did you have?

What is a good number amount of kids? Is it 1, 2, 3, 4+?

Tell me what worked for you and what you liked!

Does your second+ c section get easier than the first?

Also how do you get over the fear of having another c section. It is very hard (a major surgery of course) + recovery.

Edit: how do you know how many kids you can have without uterine rupture? I know doctors recommend 3.

Thanks everyone!!

So, long story short I had an emergency section back in April 2025, and I need to prepare myself for having an elective? csection in May 2027. I am terrified.

I ended up needing a csection because baby was having a hard time and she ended up being in the NICU for 10 days. Because of how the emergency went down, it was determined I needed a csection, they wheeled me out and my husband called his dad, then my dad, and then the nurse walked back in to show him pictures of the baby type of quickness. That quickness meant I got no type of pain support and I just remember waking up in just so so much pain that my baby was not even my first thought, which I feel so guilty for to this day. I still get nightmares now from that day. After I was discharged from the hospital they initially gave me a couple of pain pills to take with, but because baby was in the NICU and we live like an hour away I felt like even while trying to ration the pain meds I was in a lot of pain, and when I reached out I was basically told that I shouldnt be in so much pain to need additional meds (I cannot take Ibuprofen, I get hives) and if I wanted more I would need to go back in and get evaluated (at a clinic 20 mimutes away). The whole situation just made me feel like they thought I was drug seeking and I ended up taking a couple of pills from old prescriptions, which I know I shouldnt have, I just hurt.

I really want my next csection to be a healing type event, but I am just so scared and I dont know how I can advocate for myself when they tell me I should be fine with just Tylenol after 2 days. Plus all of the anxiety of the csection, and having a baby, and all of that. I want to think I will be more prepared mentally and I want to get as ahead of this as possible. I know its months and months away, but advice?

I had a c-section 3 years ago after pushing for 3 hours and not getting past station 0.

My c-section went fine. I love my daughter. I just still feel so ashamed I couldn’t give birth vaginally.

I’ve done therapy and support groups which helped some, but I still have feelings of shame around it.

Not ready emotionally to be pregnant again for lots of reasons, but I do want another baby eventually. I’d love to try for a VBAC. I would just rather die than fail at vaginal birth again. I know that’s dramatic and irrational, but it how I feel.

Does anyone else feel the sam way? If you are not ashamed of your c-section, what is your secret?

Hey all! First time mom here just looking for any tips, tricks, advice anything you’re willing to offer really. Little background info, I’m currently 34 weeks pregnant with a baby girl. Due to my pregnancy being highly complicated and also having a few complex medical conditions we’ve scheduled a C-Section at 39 weeks for my delivery as it’s the safest option for both of us. I don’t really have any family or friends to relate to so I’ve come here for any help you’re willing to offer. Some of my big questions are:

1.) What do you recommend I pack in our hospital bag specifically to help with the healing process after the C-Section?

2.) Is there anything you wish you knew BEFORE you had your C-Section?

3.) Any advice for my partner on what he can do to help before, during and after the C-Section?

4.) What was the worse part of the experience?

I’m 5 weeks postpartum after my c section. I thought i almost done bleeding as it was tapering off and brown two weeks ago. But then started bleeding bright red and still bleeding bright red on a thin panty liner. From what i read online it said it should be mostly brown but it’s been red so I’ve been a little worried. I thought maybe i started my period but it’s been two weeks of the bleeding so i don’t think so

5.5 weeks postpartum, is it common to feel unsteady when walking? Also feeling pressure under the scar? Does this feeling go away ? I also have blurry vision due to pre eclampsia, could this also be a contributing factor? My bps are normal now but my ophthalmologist won’t give me glasses because he says I have to wait it out

Im 36 weeks and today have been experiencing cramping (which I have been on and off) but also pain at my C-section scar area. Like it hurts to walk sometimes, hurts to Stand up at times, almost the feeling I had when I was only a few days post-op from my first c-section. Is this concerning??

I’m 5 months pp and recently have been experiencing more pain and discomfort by my incision. I’ve heard it could be scar tissue so I’ve been trying to massage it after showering. I also started exercises to strengthen my pelvic floor in case it’s from weekend muscles. lately it’s been feeling like cramping/bloating and sometimes even like I have to poop but can’t. If anyone can share any experiences they’ve had. It’s my first c section so not sure what to expect.

Does anyone know how is triaging done at Joan Kirner Sunshine Hospital. I recently sent my referral and heard back from them and it says “Maternity Booking Assessment ORANGE”

I am keen about the color coded system for triaging.
I recently lost my firstborn sweet boy to unexplained stillbirth in April via c-section and I am currently 10 weeks pregnant and my first appointment is at 14 weeks via video call teleheath. I want the best care for myself and my baby where all my concerns are heard and for which I was wishing to be triaged as highest risk pregnancy so the healthcare team takes my pregnancy seriously.

If anyone knows what orange means, please help me out.
I just want to know if I am triaged as high risk or low risk because, me and my husband has decided that at any stage if we feel like we are not being heard or taken seriously, we might consider going back to Werribee Mercy where I had my firstborn (we didn’t go their because of trauma) because they promised us they would take care of me however I would like (at our meeting after the birth with the head of obstetricians)

Hello!

I just took off my c-section silver dressing. Admittedly a few days after instructed to, but I was nervous.

It looks fine. A little scabby, but not angry. I am terrified of standing up now. I feel like if I stand up everything’s gonna fall out without the support of the dressing. I know i need to wash it but it really seems impossible.

Can anyone help me ground myself so I’m able to actually do anything??

If it helps you understand, I have extreme medical anxiety and this was a very traumatic birth and unplanned emergency c section. I got stitches that are internal so it really just looks like a slit.

Thank you

I’m a FTM approaching my due date, and I’ve decided that I would prefer a planned C-section over attempting a vaginal delivery. I’m curious if there are other women out there who made this decision purely because it was what they wanted, rather than because of a medical necessity.
For some context, my baby is measuring on the larger side, which does play a role in my concerns, but ultimately my preference comes down to wanting a more controlled and predictable birth experience.

The thought of going through hours of labor, potentially experiencing fetal heart rate issues, shoulder dystocia, complications involving the umbilical cord, or ultimately needing an emergency C-section after an exhausting labor genuinely scares me. I understand that these things aren’t guaranteed to happen, but the unpredictability of it all gives me a lot of anxiety.

I’ve also heard so many traumatic vaginal birth stories from women around me. Ironically, almost every woman I’ve personally spoken to who had a scheduled C-section has described it as an overwhelmingly positive experience.
I’m also a registered nurse, so I’m not going into this blindly. I fully understand that a C-section is major abdominal surgery. I’m aware of the risks of infection, hemorrhage, blood clots, longer recovery, and potential complications with future pregnancies. I’m not under the impression that a C-section is risk-free or necessarily the safer option for everyone.

But why does it feel like choosing a C-section simply because I WANT one is so controversial?
I’m honestly getting exhausted by the constant negativity, unsolicited opinions, and disappointment from people when I tell them my decision. It’s almost as though some people believe that unless there’s a medical emergency, I should have to attempt vaginal delivery first.

I completely respect women who want an unmedicated birth, a vaginal delivery, or the full experience of labor. If that’s something meaningful and empowering to you, that’s wonderful! But personally, I don’t feel any desire to experience labor or vaginal childbirth. I don’t feel like I’ll be missing out on anything by having a C-section. My priority is having a healthy baby and feeling as comfortable and confident as possible with how I give birth.

Why is bodily autonomy so widely supported until a woman decides she would prefer a surgical delivery? Why does my decision need to be justified by a medical emergency for people to respect it?
I’m not asking anyone to tell me that C-sections are risk-free or that vaginal births are inherently dangerous. I understand the medical considerations, and this is a decision I’m making with my healthcare team.
I’m just tired of feeling like I have to defend a very personal decision about my own body.
I’d really love to hear from women who elected to have a planned C-section without a medical indication.
● What made you choose it?
● Were you happy with your decision afterward?
● What was your actual surgery and recovery experience like?
● Did you receive judgment from family, friends, or even medical professionals?
● Would you choose an elective C-section again?
I’d especially love to hear positive experiences, but I’m absolutely open to honest experiences and regrets as well. I’m just hoping to hear from women who have actually been in this position rather than another lecture about why I should want a vaginal birth.

Thanks in advance!

My massage therapist recommended getting a manual lymphatic massage 2 days before my scheduled c section & I was wondering if anyone else has done this and has felt it was beneficial (or not)

Had an emergency C-Section about 3 weeks ago. My husband is still on paternity leave, when did you guys feel comfortable leaving the house for a quick solo trip or drive even to get a cup of coffee? I'm only taking Tylenol and ibuprofen - no longer taking narcotics (been off for about 10 days). I've only left the house once to take baby to first pediatrician apt with my husband.

My first was an emergency c section after spontaneous labor at 39w, I had a good amount of colostrum right away and no issues nursing. Milk came in fully about 3 days post c section. This time around I have a planned c section for 39+5, and I’m wondering if milk comes in any later with a planned c section or what everyone else’s experience has been?

How long are you taking pain meds for? I’m 7 days pp, taking 500mg paracetamol every 6 hours and 600mg ibuprofen 3 times a day. I tried skipping my 2 am dose of paracetamol yesterday but woke up with a lot of burning pain at the incision. I want to wean off as soon as I can but not so soon that I’ll be in constant pain.. when did the pain fade for you?

Hey all, so I’m 38 weeks pregnant with my second first was via planned c section and having my next the same way and to be honest even know the first was fairly smooth and I know what to expect this time I’m nervous. It’s mostly because I ended up during the procedure feeling really “high” just out of it and that made me feel detached from the moment and I’m scared this will happen again also the fact my baby needed to go to nicu for a few hours to help clear some fluid from her lungs even know it wasn’t an emergency and she was healthy etc just something that occasionally happens with c section babies apparently so yeah I didn’t get much skin to skin and we went to different rooms once the procedure was done. I’m scared, there’s a few things the team is gonna do differently this time to try prevent me feeling like that again as maybe it was to do with the fact I’m short so the anaesthetic rushed up my body fast, maybe a dip in my blood pressure with a mix of anxiety.

My question here is there anyone here that experienced similar and came to find the next c section was much better? Was it as daunting as expected? I’m really hoping it’s different this time and not as “bad” again medically me and baby the procedure was positive but yeah mentally it wasn’t pleasant. I’m so excited to finally know when I’m gonna meet my baby but scared to have to go through this again. I know I can request some music or what not but I’m generally a fairly anxious person and very hyper alert with my body so I’m not sure just like music is gonna do the trick. I’m also abit sensitive to some calming medications which I’m curious if that’s what contributed a little last time too.

Thanks all I would be so grateful for any tips and positive experiences 🫶