Please comment im not sure whether to have a c-section or natural birth?

[ExpectingMomx]

Hey, its my first pregnancy and im only 21. im coming up to 20 weeks and my doctor wants me to decide whether I want a natural birth or c-section.

Im so scared about having a natural birth, because of the pain and stuff, but then Im worried about whether I will be left with a big scar from the c-section?

Please comment with your stories and any helpfull advice

Thanks Emma xoxo

 

[baileybubs]

Hi there,

Can I just ask why your doctor is suggesting you have a c section?

 

[SamsMum]

Hi there,

Can I just ask why your doctor is suggesting you have a c section?

Yes, assume there has been some kind of anatomical problem for them to be mentioned a c-section? xx

 

[Srrme]

I have had a natural delivery (mind you, my son was only 2 pounds 11 ounces) and a c-section, and I would prefer the natural delivery ANY day! The pain is ridiculous afterwards, and it takes a lot longer for you to heal after a c-section.

My c-section scar isn't that bad. You can barely see it, and I'm pretty small.

 

[Jaycrew]

I agree - why does your dr want you to consider c section?? I have had 3 vaginals first and then 3 c sections after - not by choice- I prefer vaginal to c section- I wish i had the option
But dont be down or anything if you HAVE to have a c section at all!

I vaginal healing is quicker healing and back on your feet quicker and getting your body back to me was easier with vaginal - c section is considered a major surgery believe it or not. Also because of the fact that its surgery - it takes a tad longer for normal activity to resume and longer to actually get your body back into pre baby shape.

Just food for thought too working for an OB GYN - and then in claims processing --they get paid a lot more for c sections- I dont want to be putting anything out there negative - but please make sure that you understand and your Dr is VERY CLEAR to you as to WHY he wants you to consider a C section. It will not be fair to you if you Dr is not honest about why it should be considered an option with this being your first.

 

[baileybubs]

^^^ I agree, make sure the reasons for c section are valid and are for yours and baby's benefit only. I had an emergency c section after going through a long labour and baby getting stuck an hour after pushing, you have no idea how much I wish I could have just pushed baby out myself rather than have a c section but at the end of the day it was what was best for baby. Recovery from c section has been hard, luckily I have a lot of help and support from df, family and friends or I wouldn't have coped. I am 6 weeks post section now and only just starting to feel relatively normal, although I still can't lift heavy things or exercise properly. If you have a choice to have vaginal that wont put you or baby at risk then go for it Hun, but at the end of the day you need to do what's safest for you and baby.

 

[Zfbaby]

I had my c-section on Wednesday. I'm so grateful my son is here, safe and sound but can not begin to say how much I wish I'd had a natural delivery. My son was predicted to be very big and as I have scoliosis and a fused pelvic bone on one side it was left that there was a good chance babe would get stuck and I'd end up with a emergency c-section so we had a planned one. My son wasn't 11lb but 8lb9oz and with the pain I'm in now I wish I'd taken the chance of a natural birth. I have to keep reminding myself that it could have been worse for lo but I can't help wonder.
I had a reaction to the anethestic which left me vomiting the whole first night, hooked up to an iv and a catheter with a newborn to care for. I then fainted in the shower the next day due to the pain of standing after bruising my incision with All the sickness. Trying to stand up straight feels like I've done a million sit-ups in a row, trying to look after nyself in anyway is cery hard and the gas pain is like nothing I've experienced in my life. That's all on top of the ftm things like trying to breastfeed ( my baby has lost more weight than they like as I can't produce any milk yet), baby blues, bleeding etc and most importantly learning to be a mother.
Ultimately if you NEED a csection then you need a c-section and your baby will be worth it but if you can do it naturally then try. Ill admit the fear of the pain of delivery probably helped my decision to have the section but I wish I could hve experienced a small burst I each type of pain before making the decision as I'd have a natural delivery if safe any day. All the women at the hospital around me and bouncing about looking after their babies and I have to have help to change his nappy,lift him and shift position to feed.
Oh an if you do hve the section pack some peppermint tea for gas pain, make sure you have someone to help put these damn compression socks on and off, take a soft pillow to hug to yourself when driving home, coughing and don't rush anything as you pay for it 10 mins later. Also A weird side effect can be stupidly itchy skin so pack some good cooling gel to relieve that oh and one last thing. Nighties are a million times better than phs as you don't need to bend. Avoid bending when it's not really needed it hurts far too much. Sorry for the essay. Good luck with your decision.

 

[tuckie27]

I had an emergency c section and never had natural birth to compare it to. I'm really grateful that me and my DD are alive & well, but I wish I hadn't had to have the c section. For one, I was 'under' during the first 2+ hours of her life and then I was so drugged up that I didn't feel present for the first couple days. I remember the first time I saw her and felt instant love and remember thinking she was so beautiful, but most of my early memories are clouded by a haze of drugs I think the experience would have been much clearer had I not been so heavily drugged. Also, the recovery is hell. Every time you cough, laugh, or sneeze it hurts like hell!

 

[seoj]

I had to have a planned c-section (due to placenta blocking my cervix)- but unless there is a legit reason for it- then you should try vaginal birth.

Personally, for me, the c-section itself was lovely- I know that may sound odd, lol, but it was a totally pain free experience- and all went great. I didn't get to hold my LO right off, but I saw her- they cleaned her up quick, and then once I was in the bed to go back to my room I got to hold her- it was quick There were for sure some rough recovery moments (which can happen with a vaginal birth as well- there's never a guarantee- but just in different ways). My recovery went smooth too- the scare is barely noticeable- I did bleed for 7wks PP. But that can be common no matter how your baby arrives.

I only have my one personal experience- I'd do it again- even though it was honestly my biggest fear when it came to child birth (c-section and spinal)- but both were easy. Just some rough recovery moments- like the itching when the spinal wore off (worst itch EVER and no way for me to describe it- but I suppose that could also happen with an epi)-- the first day after was rough, as it took the hospital some time to figure out pain mangement- but once they did, it wasn't bad. I was up walking in 2 days- and able to do most stuff by the time I got home (just had to be careful). I'll be totally honest- the worst part of my recovery was the drugs they gave me-- made me horribly constipated (sorry tmi)- but that was worse than the section for me! But otherwise- I healed well and felt pretty good all things considered.

I was back at the gym 7wks after my LO's birth- and just had to slowly work back to it. I'm sure vaginal is faster recovery (not a major surgery)-- but with all this said, if I had been given a choice, I would have gone vaginal- as that was my "plan". But I only know what I know and have no regrets as that is how my LO was meant to come into the world. So I can't fault that.

Best of luck!