First time mommy to be, C-section or V-birth?

[Girl20]

Heloooo Ladies ....

So I am extremely happy to announce that I am 9 weeks pregnant!!!

And so far all is going great! Had a scan at 8 weeks with a lovely little heart beat and all and my gynea told me that everything is looking as good as can be, so you can imagine how excited we are - as this is our first baby . (though my second pregnancy since I had a m/c very early on about 6 weeks or so 4 months prior to finding out we are expecting this time)

Soooooo now decisions, decisions... I have decided that i'd really like an elective C- section because of all the horrar stories I have heard about V-birth but im just wondering if any of you ladies can give my some input from both sides??

This being our first I am extremely scared of giving birth!!

 

[Leopard]

The only horror stories I hear are about c-sections and major surgery.

 

[GypsyDancer]

Okay, i didnt have the most pleasant experience of giving birth but i would still avoid a csection until it was a last last resort! Infact after an hour of pushing the doctor incharge explained that my little boy was stuck slightly the wrong way and they would try forceps but was seriously considering a csection..i begged them so much not to give me one..luckily she listened and an hour later finally he was born...
I know what you hear is scary, but usually most people like to tell you about their horrid birth stories but ive seen alot of nice birth stories on here too!
A csection may seem easier but its serious surgery..going against something which is completely as nature intended..

I didnt have a nice birth with my son..but i still am desperate to have a natural birth this time round x

 

[Celesse]

I had a C-Section with my first and a vaginal birth with my second. My C-Section recovery was a straight forward standard C-Section recovery. My recovery from vaginal birth has been pretty complex, as I had a big blood loss, aneamia, retained products and was very ill and needed an operation...however it was still easier than my C-Section recovery, and I could have had all the same complications with a C-Section along with feeling like I'd been sliced in 2, which you really do feel like after a C-Section.

The pain from contractions during labour is constructive and doesn't last and when baby is here it is gone. The scar pain from a section is there all the time, and lasts for weeks. You can literally feel where you have been sliced and it feels like slicing. And the pain serves no purpose.


So having had both there is no way I would ever ever ever choose to have a C-Section over a vaginal birth.

 

[Fruitmash]

You were offered a C section at 9 weeks?? I honestly didn't know they could do that, I would have thought it'd be too early to see any complications... On youtube I'm subscribed to someone who recently had a section, she's documented the recovery of the operation on her blog. I found it very informative so maybe it'll help you
https://www.missbudgetbaby.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-i-healed.html

 

[aj11]

I had a wonderful vaginal birth, and would not dream of having a c-section unless I didn't have any other option! I am actually looking forward to experiencing labor and delivery again!! Please look into your options some more, and have faith in your body. It is made for having babies!

 

[shinona]

I agree with the others that I would choose a vaginal birth over a c-section any day. C-section is major surgery and I would hate to have to recover from that as well as dealing with a new born. Of course, if there was no other option then I would have a section but I would not choose it. I didn't have the easiest birth with my son but my amazing mw convinced the consultant to give me one chance with the foreceps rather than going straight to a section and I am so very glad she did. Although I had stitches and was sore, that was only for a week or so afterwards and my stitches gave me no bother at all. I had no issues with picking up ds and was out walking for miles and driving again within the week. I couldn't have done that if I'd had a section.

I'd urge you to read up on what having a section actually means for you - not just on the day but afterwards too. It is not the easy option. If you are very worried about the pain of childbirth I would recommend that you do lots of reading on the pain relief options available as well as looking into pregnancy yoga (the breathing techniques and relaxation I learned there helped me immensely) and I hear that hypno birthing can be very helpful too.

x

 

[Lina]

You may not get to hold your baby first, dress him, bathe him, take him out, bf successfully if you have a section. I had a section and it was the most awful and disabling thing I ever went through, whilst vaginal birth mothers got up minutes after birth I waddled in great pain weeks after.

 

[OnErth&InHvn]

ive had 2 c-sections and then an induced VBA2C and id GLADLY have another VBA2C ANY DAY! There is no way id have a c-section.

and yeah id find a new doc ASAP if they told me i could have a section elective and the fact they told me at 9wk not knowing what could happen between now and 40wk.

 

[NaturalMomma]

I'd strongly encourage you to have a vaginal birth. Statistics prove that vaginal births are healthier for moms and babies, have less complications and less recovery time. While not all vaginal births are great, and there are some complications that will require a c-section, a vaginal birth should be encouraged. In fact, most hospitals where I live will not even do an elective c-section, they only do medically needed c-sections.

I personally cannot understand wanting an elective c-section. A c-section is surgery, not only is it surgery, but it's classified as major abdominal surgery. It is not free of risks either. Here is a list of risks for both mom and baby.

Mom-
* Infection: Infection can occur at the incision site, in the uterus and in other pelvic organs such as the bladder.
* Hemorrhage or increased blood loss: There is more blood loss in a cesarean delivery than with a vaginal delivery. This can lead to anemia or a blood transfusion (1 to 6 women per 100 require a blood transfusion1).
* Injury to organs: Possible injury to organs such as the bowel or bladder (2 per 1002).
* Adhesions: Scar tissue may form inside the pelvic region causing blockage and pain. This can also lead to future pregnancy complication such as placenta previa or placental abruption3.
* Extended hospital stay: After a cesarean, the normal time in the hospital is 3-5 days after giving birth if there are no complications.
* Extended recovery time: The amount of time needed for recovery after a cesarean can extend from weeks to months, having an impact on bonding time with your baby (1 in 14 report incisional pain six months or more after surgery4).
* Reactions to medications: There can be a negative reaction to the anesthesia given during a cesarean or reaction to pain medication given after the procedure.
* Risk of additional surgeries: Such as hysterectomy, bladder repair or another cesarean.
* Maternal mortality: The maternal mortality rate for a cesarean is greater than with a vaginal birth.
* Emotional reactions: Women who have a cesarean report feeling negatively about their birth experience and may have trouble with initial bonding with their baby5.

Baby-
* Premature birth: If gestational age was not calculated correctly, a baby delivered by cesarean could be delivered too early and be low birth weight6.
* Breathing problems: When delivered by cesarean, a baby is more likely to have breathing and respiratory difficulties. Some studies show an increased need for assistance with breathing and immediate care after a cesarean than with a vaginal delivery7.
* Low APGAR scores: Low APGAR scores can be the result of anesthesia, fetal distress before the delivery or lack of stimulation during delivery (vaginal birth provides natural stimulation to the baby while in the birth canal). Babies born by cesarean are 50% more likely to have lower APGAR scores than those born vaginally8.
* Fetal injury: Very rarely, the baby may be nicked or cut during the incision (1 to 2 babies per 100 will be cut during the surgery9).

Source https://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/cesareanrisks.html

Not everyone who has a c-section has a horrible experience or any complication. And it should also be said that if you have a elective c-section with #1 and then opt for a vaginal birth with #2, it can be hard to find a provider who will allow you to have a VBAC.

I've had 2 births and both of my babies were born via vaginal birth. My ds1 was born with an epidural and my ds2 was born with no medicaitons at all in my living room. I will always pick vaginal birth if I can help it. Birth is not an easy and normally not a painless thing, which is why it's called labor, but the moments after birth make it all worth it.

 

[Tazi88]

I think you should do whatever makes you comfortable but would recommend reading Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth. It really helped me understand all the changes in my body and what to expect from labor.

 

[ebayfreak]

V birth all the way! All the pain with a vaginal birth is over once you have the baby but if you have a c section the birth will be pain free but you will be in lot of pain afterwards and take weeks to recover.
If you are scared of pain you can always have an epidural which will take away most if not all the pain.
Also look into Hypno birthing CD's they are good for positive thinking towards giving birth.

 

[lizardbreath]

I would never in a 1000 years have a c-section I'm glad I had my kids naturally. I hear more stories about the pain and complication after c-sections . I had two very positive birth stories never tore never had to be cut . I recovered really quick. My first was a fastish labour my second happened really fast. In all honesty if I was you id try for a natural birth with drugs

 

[emilyjade]

Both of my births have been Vbirths and i actually loved both so much! Personally id never have an elective c-section if there wasnt any medical need x

 

[ohbananas]

When I was induced, I begged for a c section, but had a vaginal birth, so glad I did, yes the stiches were horrid for a few days but I was up and walking around less than an hour after giving birth!

 

[amjon]

I would not even consider a c-section unless it was medically necessary. I had a breech vaginal birth (dr actually recommended it over a section which surprised me). The birth went great. I was induced, yet never even knew I was in active labor. I delivered quickly (once my cervix finally started to open) and had no problems. I was walking around a few minutes later. I've had no pain at all since the birth. They gave me a script for pain meds, but I never even filled it.

 

[Beccagal]

Had my 1st c section after 2 natural births.
OMG....the pain/recovery is incredibly hard !!!!

I highly recommend natural.
Plus after a natural birth, you feel good and all the attention is on the baby.
But a csection, it's all about 6 weeks of recovery. Trust me, it hurts after being cut open.

 

[NashiPear]

I've had c-sec (breech) and then v-bac. I had complications with both. Not the norm, but things can happen. I am fine now!

I would have a vaginal birth again any day. Much preferred it. Chance of a bad tear for me again (I had 3rd degree) is 5%. Chance of wound in c-sec 100%. Plus I still get a good little feeling on mu tummy knowing I did it all myself with my vaginal..... must be a v-bac thing to think that way!

 

[goddess25]

I had 2 v- births, the first one was difficult and the second was utterly perfect.

You made your baby and your baby will grow inside you, personally I feel that labour is wonderful, yes its painful but its all about bringing your baby closer to you, feeling the contractions, pushing the baby out is such a incredible empowering experience that I cannot imagine not having that experience.

Yes its scary and painful but astonishing too what we as women can do. I would recommend that over an elective C section for sure.

You need to do lots of research into both and closer to your DD decide what is right for you. I did not think you could get an elective section for no reason. I 2nd the above poster.. Ina May is awesome. Her books are so positive and informative.

 

[Girl20]

You were offered a C section at 9 weeks?? I honestly didn't know they could do that, I would have thought it'd be too early to see any complications... On youtube I'm subscribed to someone who recently had a section, she's documented the recovery of the operation on her blog. I found it very informative so maybe it'll help you
https://www.missbudgetbaby.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-i-healed.html

Heloooo..

Thanks for the link i'll definatly have a look at it. Like i said its an elective c section... Basically in South Africa the decision is totally up to you.
Im really torn between the two but im feeling more scared of having a v-birth.. really dont know why i just cant picture a big baby comming through that tiney hole lol im weird i know but it scares me to death!