C-sec or natural birth?

[jogger123]

I'm currently 23 weeks and I have a dd who I had to have a section with. After the section I had a lot of bleeding and nearly needed a transfusion.

Now I've been told I can have a natural birth or a c section but I'm not sure what to do for the best. If I go natural I won't get birthing pool due to risk of bleeding. I'll just be into hospital lying on a bed with a monitor on my belly for me and the baby. That makes it hard to move into different labour positions.

Or I could have a section and the 6 week recovery with a 2 year old!

Any advice xx

 

[Stacey_Ann]

Is it definite that you can't have a water birth and that you have to be constantly monitored?

I'm classed as a High risk pregnancy due to a history of DVTs.

Despite this my pregnancy last time and this time (fingers crossed) were both without issue (pregnancy, labour and post partum).

Last time I used the pool for pain relief and pushed while standing/squatting (I alternated) and was monitored just by the Doppler.
I wanted a water birth and although the consultant was happy with this the MW wasn't so we compromised with labour in water and birth out of it.

This time round I'm determined to have my water birth as I'm too High risk for home birth. My consultant again has said that all being well at my 38/39 week appt they will state this in my notes so I don't encounter the same issue as I did last time.

I didn't have PPH last time and I have everything crossed that things go as well this time.

It's worth checking/questioning/pushing to get what you want as if you can it means a more relaxed you and hopefully a smooth delivery �� xx

 

[sethsmummy]

most places dont allow you a water birth after a section unfortunately.

Tbh hun from what I've been reading there is no need for the constant monitoring... from what I've read they only do the constant monitoring incase your uterus ruptures which the monitor cant always pick up. I will be demanding time free from the monitors as i have chosen to go for a VBAC but if anything were to even look like its going to go wrong ill be taken straight for an emcs as i wont allow forceps.

The best thing to do is to sit down with your consultant and ask about the constant monitoring and if you have any leway on that... at the end of the day if you dont want to be on it i dont think they can physically force you. xxx

and on the other side.. my ds1 was 3 years 3 months when i had ds2... and tbh the healing was really good for me.. i was back to normal in around a week and had no issues. I could pick him up from day 2 without it hurting xxx

 

[PeaceLoveBaby]

Honestly, I prefer c-sections. I've done natural birth once and then had 2 c-sections.

The healing wasn't bad at all for me, and I was able to do most things in just a few days. Of course you'll have to take it easy, as you know, if you have a section. But I'm so afraid of uterine rupture that I can't risk it. I have a weak spot on my uterus (plus my c-section scar) anyways that won't allow me to even try.

 

[MamaLa]

This is my first child I Am hoping for an natural birth. So naturally I'm going to pick for you to go team natural birth!

 

[DocMcStuffins]

I've not experienced a natural birth, I had an emergency c section with dd1 then with dd2 I chose to have an elective. I'm opting for a elective again this time.

For me I loved my c section experiences! My recovery each time was no where near 6 weeks. With my elective I was back home within 24 hours of the procedure and up and about that next day. On day 3 we went on a day out and I was itching to drive again within a week but my doctor didn't ok it until 2 weeks in. I didn't take a single painkiller once out of hospital and genuinely didn't need it! It was such a lovely easy recovery. Half the time I forgot I'd had a big operation.

The recovery from my emergency was just as easy except I stayed in hospital 5 days, but that was because dd was in scbu, nothing to do with me.

Definitely hoping for an easy recovery this time too. When I was pain free and up and about the day after I had friends who'd given birth naturally weeks ago that we're still in agony down below from tears and stitches and what not so for me I don't feel I missed out on a thing as with my first I did get to experience labour and contractions and got to 7cm. Lol

After my elective I had skin to skin right away still in theatre and once they'd moved me from the operating table to the bed, still in theatre I began breastfeeding so was already breastfeeding before we were even out of theatre! We have some amazing pictures from inside theatre and it was just an unreal experience!

X

 

[kellyrae]

I haven't experienced natural child birth but I did get to 8 cm dialated in a failed induction which ended in an emcs with my first, so I am well aware what contractions feel like lol so I selected for an elective section with my second as I liked the idea of a relaxed quick experience with my second.

And I was glad I did, both section recoveries were fine my second was with a 2.5yr old too...she was great and understood that mummy couldn't lift or do too much.
Because we had dates and times we were able to plan childcare and help after my hubby had gone back to work etc

It just worked out better for us to do it that way.

I loved the second one more obviously as it was planned and not a mad rush like my first!!!

I had skin to skin straight away while the fixed me back up I breast fed once I was out of theater...all in all it was a great experience and I remember it all too...last time I was drugged up on gas everything was a blur!!!

This time I am having a planned section too and can't wait to do it again

 

[sashadoll]

I'm going natural. Had a horrible experience epi. I've never thought of a c section unless under extreme circumstances.

 

[Sunseal]

I can't really advise you too well, as I'm pretty much in the same boat.
With my DS I had an emergency csection, I don't remember a lot about it as I was in such a daze and still high from the gas and air probably, but I do remember it being such a relief when I was put on that operating table.. everything just seemed to calm down and become relaxed. My recovery was absolutely fab, I don't remember being in a lot of pain afterwards and was able to do most things a couple of weeks afterwards (I was picking up baby, doing housework etc pretty much straight away!)
This time round, an elective csection would be different in that it would be much calmer from the beginning, it would be easier for me to have a date to go with, but on a negative note, I do have a 3 year old to contend with during recovery and OH has said he would be disappointed if he didn't get that "ooh she could go into labour any minute" thing (not that I would let him make my choice for me).
On the other hand, there is nothing stopping me going for a VBAC, I'm in good health and had my section 3 years ago so it should all be pretty well healed down there. I am terrified of uterine rupture and will explain this at my consultant appt. I'm still in two minds... I would like to try for a VBAC and go natural, but I also feel like an elective section would be the most stress free, calm way to get baby out.
I don't know!
I hope you come to your own conclusion though, I don't think I will ever make up my mind!

 

[Gnomer]

I'm wrestling with this decision too. Although I'd like a natural birth, I can't help but associate labour with extreme fear and anxiety, and of course my emergency c-section freed me from that pain and fear. One part of me is all "labour will be lovely this time round! You will love experiencing it!", the other screams "don't risk it! Remember what you went through and avoid at all costs".

I'm going to see how I feel when I get to decision time. I'm researching and focusing on the positives of vbac, but if I'm still filled with as much anxiety about labor as I am now, I'll probably opt for elective.

 

[PeaceLoveBaby]

I don't know anyone that "loves" labor lol..but I can say it's a rewarding experience. I'm glad I'm a repeat c-section. Having already experienced natural labor, I earned my badge and I'm done!!

 

[MyLittleFish]

I've also got to make this decision and at the moment I'm thinking Vbac as for me the recovery time was slow due to blood loss/ transfusion. I was in hospital for four days then had to my husband het up in the night to pass baby to me as i couldn't just sit up and reach for her then he would have to go do nappy change (didn't mind that so.much and may make that his job again this time!). Also i have been told i will be allowed a pool birth as long as the waterproof monitor is available. Fingers crossed!

Good luck with your decision - its not an easy one!! Xx