Is being scared of birth a good enough reason for CS?

[dinosaur2010]

So I was at my 24 week midwife appt today and I was saying to her how scared I was already about the birth-[basically with my first I had a horrible forceps birth after being induced at 35 weeks- I had a haemorrhage and I felt like death afterwards and the whole experience has scared me to death.]
She said to wait till 36 weeks and discuss it properly but said if I'm really and truly scared then a section could be an option!
I'm really surprised at this as I thought sections were only for medical reasons! Just wanted your opinions on this please!!

 

[cherrylips100]

I've only ever had a csec so can't comment on the difference between the two but a csection isn't as straight forward as It sounds. The op itself is painless but it is painful to move afterwards for a couple of weeks. This might be difficult with a young child to care for, so personally I'd prefer a natural birth. Maybe you should try and address your fear instead, read some positive stories and look into doing everything you can to make it as calm as possible for you. There's no reason why you can't have a positive experience this time around,.

 

[chicka.chicka]

My first baby was a nightmare experience, too. It was so traumatic for me, that I insisted on being induced with my next two before going into labor because I didn't want to go through that again. After that, I managed to get up the courage to have four home births in a row, all of which were lovely experiences and were emotionally healing for me. The next two were intended home births that ended up in hospital transfers for Pitocin enhancement due to failure to progress. Then, my latest one (born 4 weeks ago) was breech. My OB attempted for 3-1/2 hours to turn him externally, but was only able to get him sideways. Then my water broke and I ended up having to have a C-section.

Having had both, I will say that I MUCH prefer a vaginal birth. This recovery has been sooo much longer and harder and more painful. Thankfully I have had a lot of help from my mom, MIL, DH and older kids, but if I only had young children it would have been even more difficult.

So while I fully understand the fear of another traumatic birth experience, my advice would be to ask about an induction rather than jumping to a C-section. Good luck in making your decision, and I hope all goes well whichever route you end up taking!

 

[supertabby]

They class psychological reasons as medical as well - and a traumatic experience from a previous birth would be reason enough for the doctors to consider your request, though depending which doctor you see they may try to talk you out of it.

I'd also discuss with them the chances of having a similar birth experience again - did the problems occur because of a one off situation or something medically that's high risk to reoccur? Basically what I'm getting at is if you have as good a chance as anybody of a positive natural labour next time I'd want to go for it in your position.

The doctor will run through all the risks with you and pros and cons, but as someone who's got to have a section again this time I'm terrified of the recovery period with a toddler. I had relatively little pain by the time I got home (I was in for a week) but it was 6-8 weeks before I could do things like push the pram or walk more than 5 mins down the road, if I did much more the bleeding would get really heavy and I'd be cramping. So even though my scar healed surprisingly well (especially given my general health at that time) I had to really take it easy for weeks.

I can't say much for the rest of it as I was under general due to pre-eclampsia and HELLP - this time I should be awake which is somehow scarier even though I'll be glad to be awake to hear baby's first cry etc. I also spent some time in intensive care so I can't comment on immediate recovery.

I'd love to have the water birth with gas and air I always wanted, but I'll never have that now no matter how many babies I have. I'm too high risk. But after suffering PTSD and a lot of guilt over my birth experience, and fear of even having another baby, I've at last dealt with my anxieties about it and am at peace with the way things have to be. There's no right or wrong answer for anyone but I guess I'm trying to say you can face your fears and change your mindset if you want to - but there's also nothing wrong with saying that fear is too much for you and take control of a different type of birth this time.

 

[littlesteph]

I told my VBAC consultant I was scared of the whole idea of given birth but that's mainly because my 2 will be so close in age. I was induced at 36 weeks and ended up having a EMCS after my contractions went to every 28 seconds and fetal distress.
She said to go home and really think about it, and if nearer the time I still feel the same they'll book the section. If I got into labour before hand to try VBAC. This all depends on my growth scan on the 2nd. If baby is measuring ok then that's what will happen. if not then I don't get a choice of how I will deliver.

 

[kimberleyrobx]

You no longer need a medical reason to choose a c-section. My first ended in an emergency csection and my second was an elective, this time i want a vba2c but im not sure if they will grant me a normal delivery xx

 

[kanga]

My first was induced at 38 weeks and was v traumatic. Ended In forceps, pph, manual removal of placenta. I won't be induced again and am heading for a c section this time round. Which I do not want. But i absolutely won't be induced again due to my fears etc.

I was induced the first time due to pih and it's looking like I have pe this time. Some of us get all the luck!!

 

[lisawoop]

Im sorry u had a bad birth experience but C sections are not easy either so having one just because your scared is daft (sorry) I had a traumatic c section and instead of being scared about doing it again im not having another baby. Me and my hubby have been upset by this decision but I just cant go through this again. Recovery is taking forever and I feel a complete failure as I cant look after my son on my own due to the limitations I have physically. C sections are not the easy way out.

 

[dinosaur2010]

My first was induced at 38 weeks and was v traumatic. Ended In forceps, pph, manual removal of placenta. I won't be induced again and am heading for a c section this time round. Which I do not want. But i absolutely won't be induced again due to my fears etc.

I was induced the first time due to pih and it's looking like I have pe this time. Some of us get all the luck!!

What's pih/pe?

 

[charliebear]

Yes, it is a good enough reason. Especially if you've been through a traumatic time previously. You don't have to wait either, you can request an appointment to discuss it with someone higher up now rather than 36 weeks.

I had a traumatic birth the first time around.
There was no way We were going through that again. Everyone who we discussed our choice of elective c-section with was very supportive. Though we don't it as the easy option, it was what was right for us.
We had an amazing second birth and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

 

[dinosaur2010]

Yes, it is a good enough reason. Especially if you've been through a traumatic time previously. You don't have to wait either, you can request an appointment to discuss it with someone higher up now rather than 36 weeks.

I had a traumatic birth the first time around.
There was no way We were going through that again. Everyone who we discussed our choice of elective c-section with was very supportive. Though we don't it as the easy option, it was what was right for us.
We had an amazing second birth and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Were all medical staff supportive/ professional. I'd be a bit concerned that the staff would think I was a weakling or that my birth wasn't that bad or something!
When did you arrange to schedule yours?

 

[sweetmere]

A c-section is way worse than a natural birth. I don't understand why you would WANT one. I also know it is different in the UK but where I am from if you have a c/s it is a FIGHT to have a vaginal delivery later. C-sections also come with more complications and a risk of infection, they're far more dangerous. Weigh your options...you also don't get the "high" after a c-section that you do with a natural birth. You have a higher risk of getting post-partum depression and more trouble breastfeeding is possible.

I would do anything to have had a vaginal birth

EDIT: I don't mean to sound rude at all. I understand having a traumatic birth, but I guess I don't understand going for a c-section because of that because they can be traumatic as well just for the above reasons. You never know how ANY birth will affect you physically or emotionally...but c-sections are not a walk in the park. I felt traumatized, violated, and sick after mine. I'm 9 months PP and still feel sick over it. I am a completely different person and not in a good way...however I was deathly afraid of a c-section so I *can* understand being scared of something. I'm sorry about your first birth but it doesn't mean it will happen again this time around! I recommend a counselor, books, maybe getting your old surgery records and reading them. Find out everything that went wrong - it may just have been a fluke.

 

[kanga]

A c-section is way worse than a natural birth. I don't understand why you would WANT one. I also know it is different in the UK but where I am from if you have a c/s it is a FIGHT to have a vaginal delivery later. C-sections also come with more complications and a risk of infection, they're far more dangerous. Weigh your options...you also don't get the "high" after a c-section that you do with a natural birth. You have a higher risk of getting post-partum depression and more trouble breastfeeding is possible.

I would do anything to have had a vaginal birth

EDIT: I don't mean to sound rude at all. I understand having a traumatic birth, but I guess I don't understand going for a c-section because of that because they can be traumatic as well just for the above reasons. You never know how ANY birth will affect you physically or emotionally...but c-sections are not a walk in the park. I felt traumatized, violated, and sick after mine. I'm 9 months PP and still feel sick over it. I am a completely different person and not in a good way...however I was deathly afraid of a c-section so I *can* understand being scared of something. I'm sorry about your first birth but it doesn't mean it will happen again this time around! I recommend a counselor, books, maybe getting your old surgery records and reading them. Find out everything that went wrong - it may just have been a fluke.

I was induced early which ended in emergency rotational forceps. I wa very traumatised by the while labour and didn't want my child when he was born. My natural oxytocin had been suppressed by the fake hormones in the pitocin drip. I had pnd for over a year.

I suppose what I'm saying is that it's not black and white. I would never be induced again. Why start out a process that's going to fail and end In misery. There's no evidence to suggest c sections affect bf rates. My son had cranial problems from the foreceps that affected bf a lot.

There's risk of infection with any surgery but in today's day, we have antibiotics and very experienced surgeons who do many c sections every week. The risks are Low in my eyes compared to the destruction that can be done by a failed induction and the cascade of intervention.

 

[Eternal]

A c-section is way worse than a natural birth. I don't understand why you would WANT one. I also know it is different in the UK but where I am from if you have a c/s it is a FIGHT to have a vaginal delivery later. C-sections also come with more complications and a risk of infection, they're far more dangerous. Weigh your options...you also don't get the "high" after a c-section that you do with a natural birth. You have a higher risk of getting post-partum depression and more trouble breastfeeding is possible.

I would do anything to have had a vaginal birth

EDIT: I don't mean to sound rude at all. I understand having a traumatic birth, but I guess I don't understand going for a c-section because of that because they can be traumatic as well just for the above reasons. You never know how ANY birth will affect you physically or emotionally...but c-sections are not a walk in the park. I felt traumatized, violated, and sick after mine. I'm 9 months PP and still feel sick over it. I am a completely different person and not in a good way...however I was deathly afraid of a c-section so I *can* understand being scared of something. I'm sorry about your first birth but it doesn't mean it will happen again this time around! I recommend a counselor, books, maybe getting your old surgery records and reading them. Find out everything that went wrong - it may just have been a fluke.

That's a big generalisation. Although I would never encourage someone to have major surgery, I do disagree, I've had natural and c section, they were VERY different experiences, both with pros and cons.

I've advised on your other post before, c section may be an option, but regardless of everything you NEED to sit down with a consultant and review your previous birth and ask all the questions, pros and cons etc etc and way before what your midwife suggested.

 

[Dragonfly]

You have a genuine fear and one of many mums. My first was an emcs and 2 vbacs after. I was more scared of a c section again. I can say natural birth was easier to recover for me. The docs here wouldn't even entertain my fear when even I asked for a c section due to breech. I am glad he turned though. I think only c sections for serious reasons.

 

[dinosaur2010]

I've never experienced the natural oxitocin either. I didn't want to even hold my daughter until the 2nd day. Breastfeeding took 3 weeks to establish so I'm familiar with bf problems and I know it takes time. I think a lot of people are comparing normal vaginal birth with emergency section and of course there's no comparison. I'm comparing my past experience of induction and forceps, haermorrage, anemia, explosive diarreha (sorry tmi) caused by a suppository that they had to give me to stop haemorrhage with a planned c section! It's about feeling in control and feeling in safe hands, being informed what's going on and knowing what to expect!

 

[Dragonfly]

I hired a doula to get the birth I wanted last time. And each birth is different too. I have 3 different ones and forceps was one of them too.

 

[emsie_123]

My first was induced at 38 weeks and was v traumatic. Ended In forceps, pph, manual removal of placenta. I won't be induced again and am heading for a c section this time round. Which I do not want. But i absolutely won't be induced again due to my fears etc.

I was induced the first time due to pih and it's looking like I have pe this time. Some of us get all the luck!!

I feel the same. Induced, forecep delivery and promised myself to not go through that again.

 

[sweetmere]

I've actually read MANY things that say c-sections can cause breastfeeding problems (and almost every mom I know who had a c-section had breastfeeding issues including me) - it is because you don't experience the oxytocin release and most mothers don't see their baby for a few hours or more. Breastfeeding is most successful when the baby can breastfeed right away.

I also took MONTHS to really bond with my child. Again, mostly because of the c-section...partly because of the PPD (which was mainly caused by the c-section). I do see how your birth was traumatic for sure. I am so sorry. However, I don't think the c-section would be the "easy" way...if you feel best about getting a c-section, go for it. But don't expect it to be easy peasy either. I just don't want you to get one and feel the same way afterwards, you know? Praying for you.

 

[mummy2be...]

My first was an induction, 19 horrendous hours on pictocin before she arrived, and 4 days on the ward before that with pessarys etc trying to get me into labour. I also had a pp haemorrhage that was pretty scary as well- it was pretty traumatic but.....

My second ended up in an emergency c section and it was horrendous, absolutely foul! Even if you took away the emergency aspect of it I would never have a section again. I didn't get to hold my little girl for 41minutes!!! It's clinical and horrible and it takes all the magic and naturalness away. As a pp has said I don't understand why anyone would want a section, request a section - traumatic first birth or not...

Eta - tbh I can't think of a single pro of a section... Literally not one. It's not even painless during- it's tugging and pulling.