Anyone prefer to have a c-section (or would never choose to have one)?

OCIrishBruin

I am not really sure what I think about this yet, so I thought I would ask you ladies.

On the one hand, a c-section is major surgery and generally more recovery time.

On the other hand, it is scheduled, it is quick and you don't risk many of the complications of a vaginal birth.

Anyone have an opinion on this?

 

jdoman

I would never, ever choose to have a c-section. If it was medically necessary, I would do it, but I would be dissapointed.

E&RMommy

I do them for a living and I will do anything to avoid one.

lax15bsu

I would only get one if it was absolutely medically necessary.  And since I know I'm going to be induced, I'm very fearful of this becoming a reality for me.

I'd rather the complications of a vaginal birth any day over the complications from a c-section.

MrsDCruz

I wouldnt choose to have one... but if I wouldnt be upset if I ended up needing one, I am very go with the flow... I pretty much listen to whatever my OB suggests because she is the medical professional, I am not.

Kelanne

I am personally terrified of a c-section and would never want one - unless medically necessary.  I wouldn't refuse one if my doctor said that was the best route, but I would never choose one if I didn't need it.

With my first birth, I had 3rd degree tearing, but I still healed great - it took awhile, but I did heal :-)

I've had some friends who had c-sections and they were fine with them and liked them - so really it's personal.

GL - can be a tough decision.

sydney0928

I've been debating this myself. After talking with my OB, I decided the only real benefit to having a scheduled c-section is relieving my own anxiety that something will go wrong with a vag delivery. I decided that wasn't worth the extra recovery time and missing the benefits to the baby (like squeezing fluid out of his lungs). If he's breech or we have to have a section for some other reason, I won't be upset, but I'm not going to plan it that way.

docmay25

I have had 2 c-sections and I would not choose to have one.  The recovery is not unbearable, but not easy.  My first recovery was worse than my second.  The pain of recovery is a down side.  There are also things I feel like I messed out on not having labor and regular delivery.  As someone who has had 2 c-sections, I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

xleslieraex

jdoman:

I would never, ever choose to have a c-section. If it was medically necessary, I would do it, but I would be dissapointed.

This. I don't want one, if I had to have one I'd be disappointed. It's not something I'd like to do.

DaisyCakes18

I would like to avoid a C-section if at all possible.

vickysirk2be

E&RMommy:

I do them for a living and I will do anything to avoid one.

 

Can you tell us why? 

katie9136

My plan was to go vaginal. I had the option to choose if I wanted a c-sec though. But I was still going to try vaginal. Well I only had like 8 contractions, but God bless anyone who has a vaginal delivery. I honestly don't think I could have done it. Too much pain. And since I ended up having the c-section anyways because of complications, I highly recommend it. The recovery was seriously so easy!!! And that is what I was scared of the most. Everybody is so scared of them, but I don't know why. They are so common and routine now, the professionals sure knew what they were doing with me.

ihearteddieboo

I've been thinking about this a bit lately.  I would prefer a vaginal birth but wouldn't be opposed to a c-section if necessary.  What has made me put more thought into this debate is my career (which, as you know, is the same as yours, OC). It would be easier "lawyer schedule-wise" for me to schedule a c-section so that I can plan my case load and make any necessary arrangements for someone to cover for me.  But, then I think that there are no guarantees that I would make it to my c-section date, and could possibly go into labor at work, court, etc. 

I have a lot of time to chew on this more (I'm only 9 weeks), but I see that there are benefits to having a scheduled c-section with my job. 

Also, my SIL had two c-sections and she recovered just fine.  She's a fitness beast though, who didn't even look like she just had a baby afterwards, so that could have a lot to do with it too. 

SandiR36

I am choosing to do a c-section.

E&RMommy

It's a personal thing.  The surgery is a major one and it is not a delicate procedure.  There are several layers of tissues disrupted.  I'd prefer not to have major abdominal surgery - unless of course I need it.  I have very bad scar tissue from my maxillofacial surgery, and it is likely that I will have very bad adhesions from a c-section.  The recovery is usually much worse (or harder) from a c-section than a vaginal delivery.  I have to take care of 2 babies and go back to working 80 hours a week only six short weeks after my delivery.  I really want the least invasive delivery possible.  I have plenty of colleagues who disagree and choose primary c-sections.  We are all different!  It's not the end of the world if I have one, but it would never be my choice.  There is a good chance I may have one; if baby A is breech I have no choice.     

katie9136

Plus... I'm not gonna lie. It feels good to still have my vagina in tact and my sex life back already.

PeetiePie

CLAYLIOVER

I have already been told I have no choice. A c-section is the only way for me to go because of my recently repaired uterine septum and the uterine perforation that occured during the surgery (even though minor).

OCIrishBruin

katie9136:

Plus... I'm not gonna lie. It feels good to still have my vagina in tact and my sex life back already.

Hahah.  Good point!

CoastieWife08

If my life or the baby's life is in danger, cut me open.  No questions.  Medical necessity is one thing.

Other than that, no way, no how.  I've delivered vaginally, and even with a horrid episiotomy to recover from, it wasn't really that bad.  My vagina and sex life are just fine, and had I been in the mood, we could have resumed relations at 6 weeks postpartum.   I have never snissed or had leaking issues.

I'll do everything in my power to deliver vaginally again.  Even though I didn't like the way my birth with DD went, I am still forever grateful that I delivered vaginally and would never choose anything else.

JaimieLee

meh...neither option really appeals to me.  Let's see - major surgery vs. possible blown out vag.  Sounds like a lose-lose argument to me Kinda wish there was some way to just burp the baby out or something.

OCIrishBruin

JaimieLee:

meh...neither option really appeals to me.  Let's see - major surgery vs. possible blown out vag.  Sounds like a lose-lose argument to me Kinda wish there was some way to just burp the baby out or something.

I'm totally with you on this one.

lindseyenderson

I will be having a scheduled c-section this time due to a 4th degree tear, and a VERY long recovery with my daughter.  I am looking forward to it!

jdoman

Vaginal delivery does not necessarily = blown out vag. The vagina is an organ, that like the penis, can change in size dramatically then shrink back to its previous size.

LaciLeigh

I had asked this question on my local board about a month ago because I was asking the same question. My BFF had an elective c-section and loved it. She had a great recovery. She was in the hospital at 11am, in surgery by 12pm, the baby was born by 12:10, and she was in recovery by 12:30. She was out of the hospital in two days. She was truely a easy patient. Seeing that made me consider an elective c-section, I even asked my dr about.

 

However, the more I read about it the more c-sections scare me. It is a major surgery for one. And not everyone has such happy stories like my BFF did. Plus there is a greater risk of uterine rupture with future pregnancies.

 My dr will do elective c-sections but advises against them. He is says your body will tell you what needs to be done and he doesn't see why I would want to have surgery if it's not medically necessary.

Both vaginal birth and c-sections have positives and negatives about them. There seemed to be more negatives regarding surgery and my final decision is to let my body do what it needs to do. If I can have her vaginally then I want to, but if something happens and I have to have a c-section I will not mind, but I want my body to decide.

CarrieLeigh84

Honestly, this thread has just made my vagina want to curl up and die.... especially the 'blown out vag' phrase.

LaciLeigh

oh and I meant add, my fears of childbirth are tearing, loss of bladder and bowl control, and of course my vag being all stretched out All of this is what I have read.

 

Still after all my research and hearing recommendations I think it's best for my body to decide and hopefully delivery vaginally. If I have to have a c-section I will not be upset either.

 

vlewis515

I picked my doctor because she would an elective c/s (I have an unnatural phobia of vaginal delivery) and after talking about my possible pg-related complications, she was very happy that I'm open to it! So right now we're still up in the air about whether I want to try vaginal or will even be able to!

Texas77again

I think it's your body and your decision. I would research both options, realize sometimes we don't have a choice, and go with it. There are horror stories on both sides.

grr_aargh

OCIrishBruin:

I am not really sure what I think about this yet, so I thought I would ask you ladies.

On the one hand, a c-section is major surgery and generally more recovery time.

On the other hand, it is scheduled, it is quick and you don't risk many of the complications of a vaginal birth.

Anyone have an opinion on this?

 

 

Definitely. (I have an opinion)

You don't risk the complication of tearing, but you DO risk the complications of any major surgery AND added complications with the child not going through the birth canal. 

I would NEVER. EVER. EVER. voluntarily sign up for a c-section unless there was a medical necessity that was confirmed.  If my doctor thought my baby was big, we'd try vaginally (my last was 10lbs).  If my infant was breech, we'd try a version.   There is no reason to sign up for major abdominal surgery - especially for absolutely MINIMAL advantages in terms of tearing.  You have just as many complications with bladders and bowels (actually more) in c-section women, combinedc with difficulty in healing the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor, as well as all the risks of surgery.  No way man. 

That said, if my child needed it to survive, I wouldn't hesitate.  I just wouldn't volunteer.

sarahandeddiejune212008

I can see why a woman may choose a c-section.  I think a scheduled c-section would be nice in order to avoid labor, but then again the recovery could be a lot worse.  I have a higher risk of having a c-section, so I'm trying to be positive about both options.

grr_aargh

katie9136:

Plus... I'm not gonna lie. It feels good to still have my vagina in tact and my sex life back already.

I'm not gonna lie:  2 vaginal deliveries and my vajayjay's in fantastic shape.  Vaginal delivery doesn't necessarily = sloppy meat puppet.

 

grr_aargh

CarrieLeigh84:

Honestly, this thread has just made my vagina want to curl up and die.... especially the 'blown out vag' phrase.

Pfft.

Few kegels and a vag will magically plump right back up to it's beautiful former self.  Mine did - both times - even after the "OMGZ FER REAL" 10lber.

marisslyn

CarrieLeigh84:

Honestly, this thread has just made my vagina want to curl up and die.... especially the 'blown out vag' phrase.

I never post and just lurk. But bwahaha! I was thinking the same thing.

babes12

:butting in:  i've had both a vaginal and c-section and i'd never choose to have a c-section. 

recovery from my vaginal delivery was so much easier than recovery from my c-section.  the only reason i had to have a c-section was b/c Wyatt was breech and i had no amniotic fluid.  the thought of having a c-section constantly weighted on my mind when i was in the hospital and then unfortunately i had no choice, c-section it was.  ugh, the recovery was awful.  i couldn't stand up straight for days and it was just plain painful. 

i went out of my way to find a new ob & hospital that allows vbacs for the next time i have a baby.  i am still struggling w/ the decision to find a new ob b/c i really cherished the relationship i had w/ my old ob but i much rather have a vaginal delivery if possible for future pregnancies. 

vkbaby09

I really, really hope to have another vaginal delivery (with a much better outcome this time).  If there are complications though and my baby's or my life is in danger, I would want a c-section asap.  I think there are way higher risks of having a c-section than a vaginal birth.  

xnbride

katie9136:

Plus... I'm not gonna lie. It feels good to still have my vagina in tact and my sex life back already.

I have had two vaginal births and my vagina is intact and we started having sex 3 weeks pp so this is really not that valid of an argument. If I had to have a c section for medical reasons then I would be ok with it, but I would never willingly choose it. It is invasive, it is surgery, and there are risks involved. 

My birth experiences were amazing. I wish that all women could experience it as I have had the privilege of experiencing it. I was up and showering an hour after delivery and felt like a million bucks. I was very lucky to have been able to avoid a c section. However, the health of the baby is the most important so sometimes a c section is the only option.  

Mia07

I'd never choose a c-section... after being through a vaginal birth, there's just something about pushing our your baby, and really it wasn't that bad.

I know the non-scheduled thing is hard (at least on my need to control things), but its so worth it if you have an option.

I understand sometimes c-section is needed, and I wouldn't hesitate to have one if it was for my or the baby's safety.

hbkises

when I worked in an OB's office, it just always seemed that the Csections were a tougher way to go.

the vagina was made for this so I know it should be able to recover...I really want to try it vag...unless like everyone else says and my OB says I don't have a choice

hutch0830

I would never choose one. The only way I would ever have one is if it's medically necessary. 

KelleyBean

This is actually a sensitive topic for me right now b/c of my appt. today. It looks like I'll end up with a section and I'm struggling with it. I always pictured myself having a vaginal delivery. I'm hoping LO's growth will slow down and I'll still be able to do it.