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LaciLeigh
member
Can anyone talk to me about natural versus c-section?
LaciLeigh
member
I don't want to cause any controversy or anything, I just truely want to know your experiences with each one. My dr does elective c-sections as well as natural delivery so I do have a choice, although I have no idea what that choice will be.
I have been reading up and they both seem to have a lot of pros and a lot of cons about that them, so in my opinion you will never really know which is actually safer. Althought I did read that the success rate of scheduled c-sections is so much better than emergency ones and those are the one's that cause the con percentage to be higher.
I really don't know and I am a first time mom and have absolutely no experience or knowledge regarding this. I just am looking for experiences 
And if you have an opinion feel free to let me know that too! Just I don't want to cause any hard feelings to anyone.
Thank you so much in advance I want to be informed as I can be.
EDIT: and when I mean natural birth I mean vaginal, not med free. No matter what I plan on getting an epidural
Our Princess! Born 37w4d 6lbs 1/2oz 18in
visit our house blog: My Blog
Adalee's Blog Adalee's Blog My Bio
m/c 1/25/10 5w1d
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Can anyone talk to me about natural versus c-section?
Although you are just starting your 2nd trimester it's good to begin considering delivery. Keep in mind it's still very early in your pregnancy and a lot can change between now and delivery time. The best advice is to talk with your doctor.
Here is the ACOG Committee Opinion on Elective Cesarean vs. Vaginal Delivery.
Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request
ABSTRACT: Cesarean delivery on maternal request is defined as a primary cesarean delivery at maternal request in the absence of any medical or obstetric indication. A potential benefit of cesarean delivery on maternal request is a decreased risk of hemorrhage for the mother. Potential risks of cesarean delivery on maternal request include a longer maternal hospital stay, an increased risk of respiratory problems for the baby, and greater complications in subsequent pregnancies, including uterine rupture and placental implantation problems. Cesarean delivery on maternal request should not be performed before gestational age of 39 weeks has been accurately determined unless there is documentation of lung maturity. Cesarean delivery on maternal request should not be motivated by the unavailability of effective pain management. Cesarean delivery on maternal request is not recommended for women desiring several children, given that the risks of placenta previa, placenta accreta, and the need for gravid hysterectomy increase with each cesarean delivery.
Cesarean delivery on maternal request is defined as a primary cesarean delivery at maternal request in the absence of any medical or obstetric indication. Cesarean delivery rates in the United States are at the highest levels ever, with more than 1.2 million cesarean deliveries (30.2% of live births) performed in 2005 (1). The incidence of cesarean delivery on maternal request and its contribution to the overall increase in the cesarean delivery rate are not known, but it is estimated that 2.5% of all births in the United States are cesarean delivery on maternal request (2).
Cesarean delivery on maternal request is not a well-recognized clinical entity, and there are no accurate means of reporting it for research studies, coding, or reimbursement. There are few studies that directly compare the intended mode of delivery (ie, cesarean delivery on maternal request or planned vaginal delivery). Most of the current knowledge is based on indirect analyses that compare elective cesarean deliveries without labor (instead of cesarean delivery on maternal request) with the combination of vaginal deliveries and unplanned and emergency cesarean deliveries (instead of planned vaginal deliveries) or outcomes of actual modes of delivery.
At the National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference on Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request in 2006, a panel of experts was charged with reviewing the available literature and expert opinions on the subject (2). A systematic literature review of 1,406 recent articles was conducted to evaluate the relevance of existing studies on cesarean delivery on maternal request and the quality of evidence. The panel concluded that the available information comparing the risks and benefits of cesarean delivery on maternal request and planned vaginal delivery does not provide the basis for a recommendation for either mode of delivery. The panel identified the best information available on the short-term and long-term risks and benefits of cesarean delivery on maternal request and planned vaginal delivery for both the mother and her baby.
Benefits and Risks of Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request Compared With Planned Vaginal Delivery
Maternal Outcomes
Potential short-term maternal benefits of planned vaginal delivery included a shorter maternal length of hospital stay, lower infection rates, fewer anesthetic complications, and higher breastfeeding initiation rates. However, at 3 months and 24 months after delivery, breastfeeding rates did not differ by mode of delivery (3, 4).
Potential short-term maternal benefits of planned cesarean delivery include a decreased risk of postpartum hemorrhage and transfusion, fewer surgical complications, and a decrease in urinary incontinence during the first year after delivery. Analysis of stress urinary incontinence at 2 years (3) and 5 years after delivery (5) showed no difference by mode of delivery. The benefit of a planned cesarean delivery may be eliminated by advanced maternal age and increased body mass index (5).
Maternal outcomes that favored neither delivery route include postpartum pain, pelvic pain, postpartum depression, fistula, anorectal function, sexual function, pelvic organ prolapse, subsequent stillbirth, and maternal mortality. Evidence for thromboembolism was conflicting. Potential risks of cesarean delivery on maternal request include greater complications in subsequent pregnancies, such as uterine rupture, placenta previa, placenta accreta, bladder and bowel injuries, uterine rupture, and the need for hysterectomy. A recent Canadian study of primiparous women with singleton pregnancies showed an increased risk of postpartum cardiac arrest, wound hematoma, hysterectomy, major puerperal infection, anesthetic complications, venous thromboembolism, and hemorrhage requiring hysterectomy in patients who had a planned primary cesarean delivery (6). These are also factors that may be influenced by parity and planned family size. Uterine scars put women at increased risk for uterine rupture in subsequent pregnancies. Although there is no difference between planned cesarean delivery or planned vaginal delivery in risk of peripartum hysterectomy in a woman's first delivery, there is a significant increased risk of placenta previa, placenta accreta, placenta previa with accreta, and the need for gravid hysterectomy after a woman's second cesarean delivery (Table 1). This emphasizes the need to consider the mother's total number of planned or expected pregnancies if cesarean delivery on maternal request is discussed during her first pregnancy, realizing that many pregnancies are unplanned.
Neonatal Outcomes
Potential neonatal benefits of planned vaginal delivery include a lower risk of respiratory problems, fewer problems with iatrogenic prematurity, and shorter length of hospital stay. There are limited studies on cesarean delivery on maternal request and neonatal outcomes, so literature on elective cesarean delivery without labor has been evaluated. The risk of respiratory morbidity, including transient tachypnea of the newborn, respiratory distress syndrome, and persistent pulmonary hypertension, is higher for elective cesarean delivery compared with vaginal delivery when delivery is earlier than 39?40 weeks of gestation (7, 8). The literature on elective cesarean delivery without labor also shows an increased rate of complications related to prematurity, including respiratory symptoms, other neonatal adaptation problems such as hypothermia and hypoglycemia, and neonatal intensive care unit admissions, for infants delivered by cesarean delivery before 39 weeks of gestation (2). Because of these potential complications, cesarean delivery on maternal request should not be performed before gestational age of 39 weeks has been accurately determined unless there is documentation of lung maturity.
Potential neonatal benefits of planned cesarean delivery include lower fetal mortality; lower newborn infection rate; reduced risk of intracranial hemorrhage diagnosis, neonatal asphyxia, and encephalopathy; and fewer birth injuries. In epidemiologic models, cesarean delivery on maternal request by 40 weeks of gestation would reduce fetal mortality because planned vaginal delivery could occur at up to 42 weeks of gestation, and there is a finite risk of stillbirth between 40 and 42 weeks of gestation. Rates of intracranial hemorrhage are similar for spontaneous vaginal deliveries and cesarean deliveries without labor but are higher in operative vaginal deliveries and cesarean deliveries with labor (2).
There is also weak quality evidence of a lower risk of neonatal encephalopathy and asphyxia with elective cesarean delivery without labor compared with the combined risks of spontaneous vaginal delivery, operative vaginal delivery, emergency cesarean delivery, and cesarean delivery with labor (9, 10). The incidence of brachial plexus injury is significantly lower for cesarean delivery than vaginal delivery, with the highest incidence for assisted vaginal delivery. The incidence of fetal laceration at the time of cesarean delivery is lower for elective cesarean delivery without labor (0.8%) than unscheduled cesarean delivery (1.4?1.5%) (11). Studies on neonatal mortality and long-term neonatal outcomes lacked statistical power and quality data to assess the effect of the planned delivery route.
Summary of Data
In summary, only five outcome variables have moderate quality evidence regarding delivery route: 1) maternal hemorrhage, 2) maternal length of stay, 3) neonatal respiratory morbidity, 4) subsequent placenta previa or accreta, and 5) subsequent uterine rupture. The remaining outcome assessments are based on weak evidence, which limits the reliability of the results. A potential benefit of cesarean delivery on maternal request as compared with planned vaginal delivery is a decreased risk of hemorrhage for the mother. Potential risks of cesarean delivery on maternal request include a longer maternal hospital stay, an increased risk of respiratory problems for the baby, and greater complications in subsequent pregnancies, including uterine rupture and placental implantation problems.
Other Factors
When a woman desires a cesarean delivery on maternal request, her health care provider should consider her specific risk factors, such as age, body mass index, accuracy of estimated gestational age, reproductive plans, personal values, and cultural context. Critical life experiences (eg, trauma, violence, poor obstetric outcomes) and anxiety about the birth process may prompt her request. If her main concern is a fear of pain in childbirth, then prenatal childbirth education, emotional support in labor, and anesthesia for childbirth should be offered.
Further research is needed to get direct evidence for better counseling in the future. This includes surveys on cesarean delivery on maternal request, modification of birth certificates and Current Procedural Terminology coding to facilitate tracking, prospective cohort studies, database studies, and studies of modifiable risk factors for cesarean delivery on maternal request versus planned vaginal delivery. Short-term and long-term maternal and neonatal outcomes as well as cost need further study.
Conclusions
The available data on cesarean delivery on maternal request compared with planned vaginal delivery is minimal and mostly based on indirect comparisons. Most of the studies of proxy outcomes do not adequately adjust for confounding factors and, thus, must be interpreted cautiously.
Recommendations
Thank you so much! That article is very informative.
I will be talking to my dr more indepth about it of course, I did want actual experience as well so I can base decisions on that too
Our Princess! Born 37w4d 6lbs 1/2oz 18in
visit our house blog: My Blog
Adalee's Blog Adalee's Blog My Bio
m/c 1/25/10 5w1d
I had a vaginal delivery (induction 3 days past due date). There were moments where we thought I'd have a csection but it worked out where I didn't need one. I did have some tearing and some recovery from that, but I felt pretty good 10 days or so after delivery and felt completely normal by the 6 week check up. TMI but sex was painful for a while but it's been back to normal for a month or so.
Personally, I felt that vaginal delivery is natural whereas a c-section is a last resort (emergency, previa, for large babies, etc). I also didn't want an episiotomy and to tear naturally but I was all about the epidural.
BFP with no treatment!
I had two uneventful vaginal deliveries - one with an epidural and one without (because my younger daughter came so fast!).
The journal article posted above is super good. There's another magazine article I love to recommend to people that explains the evolution of the rise in c-section rates. It's really long but quite fascinating - there's a lot of detail regarding the history of obstetrics as well as the APGAR score. I love the article because I don't think it's slanted one way or the other - it appears pretty objective.
In case you're interested, here's the link:
https://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/10/09/061009fa_fact
I had a semi-emergency c-section a fabulous surgeon and a super-duper easy recovery with almost no pain. And I would never ever in a million years or for a million dollars have a scheduled c-section for a first baby. I won't have a scheduled section next time around if I can do anything in my power to prevent it.
The way I see it is this: option A) give your body and your baby the opportunity to do what they are designed to do to birth your baby. Or option
have MAJOR abdominal surgery for no reason. I wouldn't opt to have a perfectly healthy appendix (or any other organ) taken out either though so maybe that's just me.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
j+k+m+e | running with needles
When I was nervous about giving birth, my doctor always told me that, for a women, delivering a child is as instinctual as sneezing when your nose itches. Unless there is a medical reason for a C-Section, there is no need for it. Your body will do what it is supposed to do without any doctors, medications, breathing excercises...it just KNOWS. This was SO true for me. The instant I started active labor, I just knew what to do. I knew when I needed to go to the hospital, I knew how to breathe properly, and I knew how to push. I did have an epidural and had always planned on it. But, it was reassuring to me that my body knew just what it was supposed to do without my brain interferring.
I dont' know if that insight relates to your dilemma, but I remember being extremely concerned about giving birth. Could I handle it? What if something went wrong? What if i don't know how to push or don't have the energy to?! I am such a type A personality that it was difficult to just "trust" that my body would work properly.....but it did. And it has for a bujillion women before me.
My vote would be to let your body do what it was designed to do. As cheesy as it sounds, you will marvel at it after you give birth ;-) And, if you end up needing medical intervention to birth your baby, you will be in capable hands to do so.
I totally agree with what Suzi-G said. I had a vaginal birth and plan to do the same with the 2nd. I would not want my body to have to recover from major sugery unless absolutely necessary.
Also, you should check with your insurance company. They may view it as elective surgery and may not cover it unless it was an emergency and deemed medically necessary.
Collin Thayne 10.11.2010
I had an unplanned c/s with my first and a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) with my second.
Honestly, I can not even fathom choosing to have a c/s for no reason whatsoever. Sure, have a c/s if it's an emergency or if there's some sort of complication with your health or the baby's health that could be made worse by a vaginal birth. But for no medical reason at all? Slice me open, cut my muscles and take the baby out? I think that's insane. (So, um, I might be a tad biased? lol)
However, I can tell you that if you end up with a c/s for your first birth, if you plan to have more kids there are increased risks and difficulties. First, having your uterus cut open increases your risk for uterine rupture during subsequent pregnancies. This is often mentioned as a reason to not try a vbac, but the risk is actually increased just by being pregnant - so you have an increased risk of rupture even if you plan a repeat c/s. Also, you have increased your risk of developing placental issues in subsequnt pregnancies. If you plan to stop at 2 kids, this probably will not be an issue, but if you plan to have a large family it could be - especially if you have even more c/s in the future. There are studies that give the risks, but I don't have the time to look them up right now. Just make sure to specifically ask your OB about the risk of repeat c sections.
From personal experience.... my c/s recovery wasn't horrible, but my vbac recovery was about 100x easier. I was home sooner, I could walk and move easily, etc.
And the belly pooch.... I think most c/s mamas will tell you that it's really really hard to get your tummy flat again.
Thank you Everyone so much for your input.
E&RMommy your input was very great and I appreciate you giving me a medical perspective
That article was very informative.
MrsMGR yes what you are saying is how I feel. I know I am so far from delivery but the thought of either csection or vaginal birth scares me to death!
I think once the time comes no matter which way I actually have to have it, it will come natural and I will just care about getting the baby out safely.
Everyone your opinions and information have helped me a lot. I am leaning towards what another poster said and why have a abdominal surgery if not necessary.
I have read the odds of complications...and one common on with vaginal birth is always loss of bladder control after birth. Is it really that common?
Our Princess! Born 37w4d 6lbs 1/2oz 18in
visit our house blog: My Blog
Adalee's Blog Adalee's Blog My Bio
m/c 1/25/10 5w1d
I'm not a doctor nor do I play one on the nest, but I believe that the cause of bladder issues is actually pregnancy itself, not delivery.
j+k+m+e | running with needles
I was unsure of this one? I read it in several places but here is one quote I have saved under vaginal births:
For the mother, a common concern is pelvic floor damage that leads to urinary and fecal incontinence and sexual dysfunction. But while urinary incontinence is higher at three months postpartum in women who deliver vaginally, the connection between vaginal birth and long-term or later incontinence is still unclear.
Our Princess! Born 37w4d 6lbs 1/2oz 18in
visit our house blog: My Blog
Adalee's Blog Adalee's Blog My Bio
m/c 1/25/10 5w1d
BFP with no treatment!
I felt the same way and feel the same way now. I was a nervous wreck about giving birth! I also think we had a similar birth story. Didn't you have to have a vacuum used? (thinking back to when I posted my birth story)
BFP with no treatment!
I had a pretty uneventful vaginal delivery (with epidural) though there was about 45 minutes where there was talk of a c-section if her HR and my BP didn't level off. I have had no issues with incontinence or any other problems you listed. I had no tears (just two "skid marks" that healed quickly) and pushed for about 30 minutes. Honestly the only lingering pain is in my right thumb...me thinks I squeezed DH's hand too hard because it still feels bruised.
There are risks with either delivery but I would take my chances with a vaginal over c-section any day. C-section is major surgery and I would never elect to have major surgery. Let your body do what it was meant to do and if a c-section is necessary for medical reasons, then have one.
There are a couple of studies that indicate the prevalence of incontinence is due to being a woman, not pregnancy or childbirth. Unless you exercise them your pelvic floor muscles sag as you get older and things don't work properly. Here is an interesting study that was done on nuns who had never had children, 50% of them suffered from incontinence later in life. Do your kegels.
As someone who hopes to go med free this time I simply cannot imagine choosing to have a c-section. I have seen so many friends have c-sections, some by choice, some as a result of a failed induction, some due to baby's size and unfortunately some due to emergency situations. Amongst my friends I've seen a variety of recoveries ranging from up and running 2 days later to weeks and weeks of pain medication and rest, it all depends on the person.
I had a vaginal delivery with DD and hope for another one this time just so I can replicate what I experienced last time (as much as possible). I had a tougher recovery than some of my friends who had c-sections, but there's still a level of knowing what I'm getting myself into that's comforting. I do ask my friends who had c-sections what they hope for on their next kiddo. Many say they want a repeat c-section because they know what to expect...the same reason I want a repeat vaginal delivery.
I guess what it boils down to is that each person is different and will recover differently from one option vs the other. Perhaps I would have had an easier recovery if I had a c-section with my daughter, who knows? I am grateful for the experience I had and I know that at the end of the day having a healthy baby is what's most important to me.
I had a completely un-medicated, vaginal delivery with a surprise breech presentation. I only pushed for 30 minutes, and from the time they figured out that C was coming out butt first until he was born, only 4 minutes elapsed.
He was born at 8:32 AM and I was home by 2:30 PM the same day.
I had no tearing, no complications, and I have no problems with bladder control. Kegel, kegel, kegel.
ETA: Oh yeah, I would absolutely do it the same way all over again. I just hope the next one comes out the right way! And no sexual "issues" at all.
My daughter is almost 6 and since she was about 5 weeks old I have had no strange side effects, pain, or anything that made me say, "wow I wish I did not have a vaginal birth." I had an episiotomy and still tore a little and had to have stiches. Other than the discomfort of that, there was nothing else I had to recover from.
I'd much rather recover from a few stiches 'down there' than staples and metal clamps in my tummy!
Oh, and the only issue I have had with bladder control was a little coming out the other day when I was sneezing and puking at the same time and really had to pee. It was a fun 5 minutes, lol. But, I think that is because I'm pregnant, not because I've had a kid.
As for sexually - everything is a-ok .. it all goes back where it's supposed to, and I've never been able to tell a difference from before and after. :-)
Collin Thayne 10.11.2010
I had a c/s with Maren as she was breech. I had a great recovery, but even still, I made plans pretty soon after to attempt a VBAC with my second child. A c/s is still a major surgery and it was something I just wanted to avoid again if at all possible. On a more personal level, I also felt more detached from the birthing process with a c/s. I felt a vaginal birth would be a bit more calm and intimate. (As it turns out, this was definitely the case for me.)
I was fortunate to have a VBAC with Blake, and it was like night and day. I have no lasting effects from giving birth vaginally, but I'll always be numb along the suture line of my c/s scar. I'll always get to see that scar every single time I look down. I mean, it's not the end of the world - but if we're talking lasting effects - my c/s from almost 6 years ago has left more "damage" than has my vaginal birth from almost 3 years ago.
I think I'm the only one who chose to have a c/s. I expected a big baby (macrosomia) and made the decision for a c/s. Cooper ended up being 10lbs and 6oz.
My OB was worried about shoulder dystocia (scared me) and I worried about doing damage to my right hip. I broke my femur bone as a child and have limited rotation in that hip joint. I was scared to death that I'd damage it in labor by over-rotating it and not knowing because of the epi.
I also had a great recovery. I walked quite a bit the next day and felt really good after 1-2 weeks. DS nursed well and still does - we had no issues with that. I had no nausea from the surgery and couldn't wait to eat a sandwich that night - I was starving. DS ended up being healthy as well. I was able to see him right away and his blood sugar was fine (a concern usually with large babies).
There were some down sides - I couldn't lift DS for the first 2 weeks because you're not supposed to pick anything up over 10lbs and he was. I hated not being able to drive (for 2 weeks) or take a bath (6 weeks) but those were trivial things. I think the restriciton of not being able to pick up things will be harder after I have a toddler and deliver my second child, but I'll worry about that later. I do have a belly pooch...but I also stretched my skin over a 10lb kid (see my blog for photos). Also, some of the are around my incision is still numb.
Overall I'm 100% ok with my decision. I do wonder if my hip would have done well or if DS would have been fine (no shoulder breaking) during delivery. But I had my c/s at 39.5 weeks and was only dialated 1.5cm. If I would have kept him in there another week he would have been huge! I also made the decision worried that if I tried for labor and failed my recovery may have been harder with an emergency c/s.
I did have major surgery and it's not something I would take lightly. DH and I agreed it was best for us based on the potential "what ifs" for DS and I.
I had 2 c-sections. the 1st was emergency and i was going for a vbac but my labor progressed (or actually didn't just like the 1st time) the same way so i had another one. i would never opt for that surgery without needing it. i still have nerve damage from them operations and while this doesn't impact my everyday life, why choose it? your body knows what it's meant to do. if there is an issue where it doesn't do it, you have a recourse.
as far as bladder issues, i have semi-serious issues and i had 2 csecs so they are not the answer. abstinence is the only answer there ;P
This doesn't bother me, but I have 3 other large scars from previous injuries - 1 on my right hip about 6" and 2 on my right forearm that are about 4" long each. Both are numb at the scar.
I had DS vaginally and had a great experience. I would gladly sign up for it again someday! Granted, it hurts like nothing you will ever experience but it is simply amazing. Recovery for me wasn't bad at all. I had an episiotomy and still tore but it really wasn't that bad.
I think someone would be lying if they said they didn't have the tiniest bit of fear of the unknown when it comes to delivering a baby. I really like how MGR put it...you will be AMAZED at how your body just takes over and knows what to do. Personally I would think long and hard (and discuss with your dr of course) about an elective c-section for anything other than a medical reason. I have several friends that have had c-sections and their recovery was a lot harder. Good luck with your decision!
I completely and totally agree with this. I think I had a pretty picture perfect (emergency) c/s. Very very little pain, roomed in with DS and nursed in recovery, no issues with the scar, fast recovery. But I would never opt for surgery if I had any choice in the matter. Partially because I do feel fairly removed from my son's birth (my DH claimed about a month ago that he didn't come in the room until after DS was born and I was being stitched up - totally untrue, but shows how removed *he* felt from the birth!) and partially just because I don't see the need for a major abdominal surgery if it's not medically indicated. I'm sure labor is hard, but so is surgery.
Amber
TTC since March '06
MFI, LPD, possible PCOS
3 chem pgs * m/c identical twins at 9w 10.06
IVF w/ICSI #2 - beta - 187! (9dp5dt), beta - 367! (11dp5dt)
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I had what some might call an elective c-section, although I didn't take it lightly, and we truly felt it was the right decision (my husband, my doctor, and myself). It was considered medically necessary by the end of my pregnancy. I have a tiny frame (as in 4'10", waaay under 100 lbs soaking wet), and my son was estimated to be 8 lbs at 36 weeks, with a ginormous head of course. He never dropped. My mom had c-sections with both of her kids because we would not fit through her pelvis, and she is average-sized. I will never know if I could have delivered my son vaginally, but I do not regret my decision. I have since switched OBs, and he agreed with the assessment made by my previous doctor.
I felt very "present" at the delivery and for the entire time my son was in the room with us. They put him on my chest for several minutes, we took pictures, they did his footprints, weighed him, etc. After he went to get cleaned up, things do get a little foggy. I snapped out of it not long after they sent me back to my own room.
I certainly wouldn't choose a c-section for convenience. The weeks following are certainly not convenient! I had a relatively easy recovery, but the pain was intense. I have never experienced white hot, burning pain like I did those first few days.
I often feel judged by other people who wouldn't make the decision I did, but it is very personal, and all that matters is that my husband, doctor, and I agreed.
Our stories/ decisions are very similar except add in that he was breech and I'm 5'2''. My recovery was exceptionally easy. No issues with breastfeeding, no nausea and ready to eat that night. The next morning I was sitting in my bed indian style (with the compressions to keep circulation in your legs on). Even the nurses made comments at how well I was doing and they quickly took them off and had me moving about at 6 am. I went in on Friday morning and was home by 12 noon on Sunday. I did stay on top of my pain medicine those first few days in the hospital, but the pain wasn't unmanagable.
I have no bladder inconsistences, no pooch, and no numbness around my scar at 8 weeks post-delivery. MGR said it best, but there were to many "other" factors that played into our decision and I'm very happy with it!
I had a c-section with my first, because he was breech with very low fluid (which means no chance of turning). It was a hard recovery. My second was also a c-section. It was easy-breezy recovery (thank god).
I don't feel removed from the birth experiences. I have nothing to compare it to, but I could feel through the epidural what was happening enough. I asked my husband to take pictures of the entire procedures so I could look at them if I wanted. (There isn't too much gore because surgeons work cleanly.) I love looking at the ones showing the moments my children entered this world - one head up, the other head down.
It is a different experience, and I don't know if I'd elect it. However, it wasn't the worst thing ever. I would never advocate avoiding it at all costs. Healthy babies is the goal.
Wait and see where you are toward the end and talk to your doctor. If safety weighs in favor of a c-section, I'd pick it every time. (They get them out really quick; it is you who suffer more increased risks.)
The baby can have some breathing issues by not being forced to expel fluid by being squeezed; my second did. They got him all put right, though. So, again, not the end of the world. That's what the NICU is for. My first had no issues at all.
My second's breathing issues are small potatoes compared to many other potential risks, really. Of course, if it's your baby it's always a big deal.