I hope this makes sense! Stupid question here!

[Mum&bubs]

Okay this is going to sound REALLY stupid so im sorry :o but because i know nothing about Ceasereans I am going to ask anyway. What are the differences between them? Like i've heard so many different names for them & I'm curious to find out why they all are lol so could someone please inform me here :o

[sam's mum]

Do you mean the difference between elective and emergency?

The midwife told us that they class an emergency caesarian as one where there is no time to try and put in an epidural, they have to give you a general anaesthetic and perform the caesarian.

An elective caesarian is one where you opt to have a caesarian, however this may be at the advice of your doctor. This may be pre planned or happen during labour if labour is not progressing well. They have time to put an epidural or spinal block and perform the caesarian while you are awake.

When they do the caesarian there are two cuts they can do. The classic old fashioned cut (hardly ever used anymore) goes up and down on your tummy. The cut used now goes sideways just below the hairline.

I hope this helped.

[lukaelmo]

Umm I had an emergency c/s... Just a little cut, from side to side, about 10cm long I guess...

I don't know what other types there are, except vertical cuts...

What other names do you know?

[Mum&bubs]

Yep elective & emergency i never knew the difference so thanks :)

[CarolineF]

I had a classic c-section. The cut was horizontal and below the bikini line on the outside, but it was a vertical cut on the uterus. So, people would not know looking at my belly.

But, one word of warning. If you have a classic c-section, any subsequent birth must also be by c-section. You cannot elect to have a VBAC for your next delivery like you can after a normal c-section. There are now worldwide protocols dealing with this issue. its to do with the risk of uterine rupture after a classic.

My recovery period was the same after a classic as a normal one. My next c-section is timetabled for about the 25th November. I'm not unduly concerned,

[SassyMummy]

"Elective" c-sections can mean two things - it was your personal choice to have a c-section, or you were "strongly advised" to sign the papers. 'Elective' is a bit of a stupid word for it...there should be THREE c-section categories..."Elective," "Planned" and "Emergency". (I'd fit into the "planned" category...a day before I had my c-sec, I signed papers to say I'd have one...but it certainly wasn;t something I WANTED!).

Emergency means just that...that a c-section was needed immediately for whatever reason. Could be fetal distress, or other such complications.

[OM]

The midwife told us that they class an emergency caesarian as one where there is no time to try and put in an epidural, they have to give you a general anaesthetic and perform the caesarian.


Not alot of emergency c-sections are done under anaesthetic. Alot of ppl have an epidural before the emergency arrises so they do the c-section via that or a spinal block.

[Mell]

I have had both, elective & emergency.

DS1 was elective because he was breech. It was all booked in at 37 weeks, i had the C/S at 38+3 weeks. I was awake and DH was with me the whole time

DS2 i was 11 days overdue. I had my waters broken at 11.00am, put on the drip about 2pm, laboured for about 15 hours all up and didn't dilate at all so i had to have another C/S. They classed this one as an emergency C/S. I was also awake and DH was with me again he whole time.

Both times, both boys were with us the whole time, they didn't take them away. DH just held them while we where in recovery. Both times i was in recovery about 30 mins then taken up to the ward.
Both C/S were the same for me.:thumbsup:

[Lila]

hi
well i had 2 em c/s- under general
and
one ele. cs with epidural

it was a HUGE difference- no hectic, no not seeing bubby ect, ect...

my recovery with the ele was much faster, although it wasn´t too bad with my em c/s. the first one probably was the worst as i had PE (preklampsia) and wasn´t allowed up for days after- kidney problems....

but i know, nowadays you fall under em c/s quite quickly, as soon as problems arise. so there are differences in em c/s and em c/s :yes: and then the ele. cs - which again you could sep. in ele. cs- because you want to, and then- because you HAVE TO HAVE IT- but they know beforehand....

quite confusing, isn´t it...:D

yes, and there are vertical and diagonal cuts. usually they use the bikini cut- can hardly be seen later, although it might depend what bikins you wear :p

[2s'nuff]

From my understanding and experience:
- An Elective is predetermined for some reason. Medical, patients request etc. You know that you are going to have a CS on a specific day.
- An Emergency occurs when you have to have a CS that was not planned on that date. Whether it be during an attempt at a VB, or (like me) we planned a CS, but had bub 2 weeks early due to abruption placentae. We had time (all day spent at hospital being monitored) to prepare for the Em CS and had a spinal block.