C-sections versus Natural Birth

[Tegans Mama]

Hey Tegan I read your story in another thread the other day and felt surprised because I didn't think sections were generally done on just an epi, usually a spinal. So I wondered how it was yours came to be? It's an awful story. I certainly couldn't have had a section on my epi, I would've felt everything too.

On the scar thing, I am certainly permanently scarred by my vaginal birth. Physically and emotionally.

Tegan's head was nearly 10cm's bigger than the average newborns at birth and she got stuck in the birth canal. They were either doing it on the epi, or giving me a general. They did check extensively to make sure my epi had covered everything (I had the kind where you had the button beside you and you could top it up every 10 minutes, so I really couldn't feel contractions but could feel a small bit of my left thigh the size of a dinner plate), but it just stopped working once I was laid flat on the table.

 

[clairebear]

a section is not easier at all and can be more traumatic in other ways too.

I could not get up and see to my lo wen he cried for the first night. now that is an horrific feeling. i had to buzz midwifes to give him over to me and wait till tey came before i could comfort him

The nurses took Emma away to weigh her and do all that stuff and when they brought her back they just sat her in the little bassinet and she was crying and I couldn't get to her. I just sat there bawling my eyes out because I felt so worthless. I know exactly the feeling you are talking about.
I also hated that I had to ask DH for help all the time when it should've been me doing it all. I couldn't even get in and out of our bed without help. I got stuck for like 20 minutes and I just bawled my eyes out. It's funny thinking about it now but at the time I was pathetic.

i remember feeling like this too! felt so useless x

 

[PeanutBean]

Mine never got to my contractions from the outset. Topping up just completely numbed both my legs in the end. I wonder if lying down squashed it and stopped it getting through? Gosh you'd think there'd be ways to check wouldn't you!

 

[Tegans Mama]

I'd have hoped so before I had her! I found her birth extremely traumatic and I still get very afraid when I think of it now, but I DO think the doctors messed up and should have given me a spinal or just put me to sleep.

I would LOVE to experience a vaginal birth and will be aiming for a VBAC if we have another

 

[clairebear]

I'd have hoped so before I had her! I found her birth extremely traumatic and I still get very afraid when I think of it now, but I DO think the doctors messed up and should have given me a spinal or just put me to sleep.

I would LOVE to experience a vaginal birth and will be aiming for a VBAC if we have another

I cannot recommend it enough If your willing to try it can be amazing

 

[PeanutBean]

Reading this thread just reminds me how incredibly lucky we are to have modern medicine. Without antibiotics and syntocinon me and/or Byron could potentially have died. We're just so lucky in the developed world. Amnesty International have set up a maternal death clock in Piccadilly I think it is to raise awareness of maternal deaths in the third world. Heart breaking. Just ultrasound would make a fantastic difference. We're so lucky to get our babies however they come out.

 

[clairebear]

^^ i agree im very grateful that my section allowed my son to arrive safely x

ps congrats on your BFP!!!

 

[PeanutBean]

Thank you! Congrats on your still pretty new baby!

 

[trumpetbum]

Having looked after people who have had surgery for various reasons including c-section I would never opt for surgery for anything other than a clear medical indication. However, I AM extremely grateful that IF it was necessary it is available, much less risky and with a much quicker recovery rate today than in the past.

 

[leelee]

I had a hard natural labour that ended up with an emergency foceps delivery as LO got stuck due to an anterior lip.

I also agree that it depends on your own set of circumstances and what type of labour you had. I was in agony after my labour and didn't feel in anyway right until about 3 weeks later (physically). It took about 8 weeks before I could walk any length without having a dragging sensation. I will never forget the pain of the stitches and was shocked that they could hurt so much.

In comparison, my SIL had a c-section (planned due the size of the baby) and the photos of her just after the birth she looks amazing and every photo looks posed. Whereas, I looked an absolute mess after mine and would never show anyone the 1 photo that I had (in too much pain & too tired to think to take anymore). SIL recovered really quickly too.

But that is just my experience - everyone is different.

My friend had a c-section and a Vbac. She said the recovery was quicker for her with the Vbac but the pain after having the baby vaginally was like something she had never experienced before. She said she sat and cried from the pain of the stitches one day, whereas the pain from the c-section wasn't as bad.

 

[Sarahkka]

A section would be my absolute worst nightmare and i would only do it if either mine or the babies health were at risk, definatley not through choice, so to me its the "harder" option

The thought of someone rooting around in my stomach whilst im awake makes me feel ill

Totally feel the same!
I'd do whatever necessary for baby, but just hearing about that "tugging" and "pulling" pushes my squeamish button big-time. I think it's a pretty healthy self-preservation instinct, actually! It's not easy to be calm AND conscious while knowing you are cut open abdominally.

I had two straightforward vaginal deliveries with very minimal tearing, so to me, a C-section is a scary procedure.

I think what leeanne might also be referring to is the more popular concept of elective C-sections becoming so normalized: electing a C-section when you aren't really in medical need of one because it's more convenient or because it is somehow perceived as being a tidier, easier way of giving birth. That is definitely an erroneous perception, in my opinion. It's every woman's perogative to give birth as she chooses, but I agree that there seems to be a popular misconception of what a C-section actually entails.

 

[PeanutBean]

I had my booking in appointment yesterday and the mw remembered me from part way through my hideous labour. She promptly asked me, in total sincerity, so are we going for a home birth again? I said I'll plan for that and expect an emergency section. She was very positive about second labours being better etc and also informed me that though the emergency section was entirely expected in my case I wouldn't be considered for an elective section even given my history. Interesting I thought. I always think of merv's mum a keep hope fir a fabulous second labour!

 

[Tegans Mama]

I had my booking in appointment yesterday and the mw remembered me from part way through my hideous labour. She promptly asked me, in total sincerity, so are we going for a home birth again? I said I'll plan for that and expect an emergency section. She was very positive about second labours being better etc and also informed me that though the emergency section was entirely expected in my case I wouldn't be considered for an elective section even given my history. Interesting I thought. I always think of merv's mum a keep hope fir a fabulous second labour!

Hope everything goes swimmingly for you!! I would like a home birth with our next baby, not sure my OH would be so keen though! After having one section I am absolutely convinced I don't want another though, which is very likely if you give birth in a hospital when you've already had one section


Regarding the earlier post about babies health being the most important - I actually asked for a section instead of being induced when I about 34 weeks pregnant because I knew a vaginal birth could be detrimental to Tegan's health (due to her SB and hydro) but was refused on the grounds that "when she dies, I'll be able to try for another baby asap instead of waiting a year" (Another story there though!!) I am very, very grateful that we have the technology these days to save the children and mothers who would have died in childbirth only a hundred years ago!!

 

[cleckner04]

^^ I can't believe they would say that.


I am seriously so undecided about trying for a VBAC. I guess it depends on the circumstances. I was induced at only 40+2 because my BP was through the roof and I was swelling up and they thought it'd be best to get her out of there. I had to be on oxygen through the entire 25 hour labor and was also limited to being on my left side the entire time. It was seriously hell. I only got to 7 cm dilation and was stuck there for hours. Emma's heartrate kept dipping really low and they thought it was best to get her out. Aren't my chances really low of being able to have a VBAC after that? Does anyone know of any good books about VBACS? Another issue would be finding a hospital that would be willing to try it. My DH is in the military and I have no clue if military hospitals
will even go there.

 

[Missy86]

I would have another section and not try for a VBAC

I dont think nature meant be to have a normal birth, The Mws told me that that I wouldnt have a baby whose size my body couldnt handle but they were so wrong.
I am thankfull that we live in a world that lets me give birth and be a mum. a hundred years ago I or both or us would have died

 

[marley2580]

^^ I can't believe they would say that.


I am seriously so undecided about trying for a VBAC. I guess it depends on the circumstances. I was induced at only 40+2 because my BP was through the roof and I was swelling up and they thought it'd be best to get her out of there. I had to be on oxygen through the entire 25 hour labor and was also limited to being on my left side the entire time. It was seriously hell. I only got to 7 cm dilation and was stuck there for hours. Emma's heartrate kept dipping really low and they thought it was best to get her out. Aren't my chances really low of being able to have a VBAC after that? Does anyone know of any good books about VBACS? Another issue would be finding a hospital that would be willing to try it. My DH is in the military and I have no clue if military hospitals
will even go there.

I actually think that you're a good candidate for a VBAC IF you can manage to have an active and limited monitoring labour. There are some great VBAC resources online.

 

[Blah11]

I dont know why anyone would WANT a csection unless they have some sort of problem where baby gets stuck or something. Yes, its still giving birth but it's also major surgery with a long recovery period

 

[ShanandBoc]

I want more than anything to have a natural birth.

I dont understand why anyone would opt for a c section as a choice? But thats just me. I havent experienced either so im no expert lol

 

[Leesie]

I can easily imagine that a C-section can be much harder and more traumatic than a natural birth. My vaginal but unfortunately not totally natural delivery (induction , epidural and ventouse) was very easy and actually quite fun.

I was very afraid if having to have a C-section as I'm a bit of a control freak and also feared that a section might make BF'ing more difficult.

I also can't quite understand why someone who had a normal pregnancy and is expected to have a uncomplicated delivery, would opt for section over vaginal birth. I had a friend once who had a C-section just to keep her lady parts nice and tight and intact. Sorry, maybe just me but I don't find that a particularly good reason to have a major surgical procedure.

 

[PeanutBean]

Where do you live Leesie? In the UK you can't have an elective section on the NHS without good reason.