To C-Section or Not to C-Section? Advice, Please!

the future mrs. slicks

I'm 35 weeks with b/g twins and we're all doing great. Both babies are head down.  My docs are telling me to decide whether to schedule a C-section for 38 weeks or just wait to go into labor, then check their positions and if still head-down, try to deliver vaginally.  They're having me choose because there are no conditions forcing a c-section. I am aware of the pros and cons of both choices (safer for babies, more pain for me, longer recovery, etc,) but this is just too hard to decide. This is my first pregnancy, so I'm choosing between two unknowns here. Has anyone else been in this predicament? Is it weird that my docs are putting the decision on me? What would you ladies do? Thanks!!

 

cauli001

 Why wouldn't they induce at 38 weeks instead of doing a C? 

I had two breech babies so I had no choice but to have a C.  I am sure it was less painful than a V birth, but I kind of feel I missed out on the childbirth experience.  If everyone is healthy and they don't forsee any problems, I would do it naturally...but that is just me.  

 Having a C, I was strapped to a table and didn't get to hold either of my babies when they came out.  I didn't even see them!  That is all just my opinion, but do what makes you happy.  

MommyTeacher

Seams odd that your doctor are putting the decision on you.  My b/g twins are both breech so I don't have a choice but I am surprised that your doctor would not have vaginal birth as the first option and only go for a c-section if it was absolutely necessary.

Soon2beMrs.Sivert

I cannot speak from experience with a c-section but I vaginally delivered by twins and I'm glad that I didn't have to recover from a major surgery while caring for them. Good luck! Personally, unless medically necessary I wouldn't do the c-section.

ougrad1

May I be blunt?  Duh...section.   

I've had two sections and they are a breeze.  My fear would be to have one vaginally and then, have something happen and have to have a section for baby B.

I dilated to a 9 with my singleton and still had to have a section.  It's a very long story but, I was all about drugs and didn't get my EPI with Emerson until I was almost 8 cm.  IT WAS HORRID, AWFUL, HORRIBLE.   

.....Sections are a beautiful thing. 

 

Thisgirlslife

Soon2beMrs.Sivert:

I cannot speak from experience with a c-section but I vaginally delivered by twins and I'm glad that I didn't have to recover from a major surgery while caring for them. Good luck! Personally, unless medically necessary I wouldn't do the c-section.

This.   Even though I was still very sick from the preE..I was pain free right after delivery.

Thisgirlslife

Soon2beMrs.Sivert:

I cannot speak from experience with a c-section but I vaginally delivered by twins and I'm glad that I didn't have to recover from a major surgery while caring for them. Good luck! Personally, unless medically necessary I wouldn't do the c-section.

This.   Even though I was still very sick from the preE..I was pain free right after delivery.

nikinikinine

I had the same situation and I opted to go into labor on my own and deliver vaginally.

At my 38 week appointment the u/s showed that my babies weren't growing (the u/s was inaccurate, thank god) and they induced me and I delivered at 38w, 3d. 

They would have induced me during my 39th week if I didn't go into labor on my own though.

Honestly, I LOVED my delivery experience. I was in labor for 22 hours total, but only 6ish hours were active labor. I got an epidural and slept through the hardest part of transition. When I woke up they turned off my epidural. 45 minutes later I was in the OR getting ready to push. 

I pushed for 56 minutes with Baby A - part of that was because I couldn't feel my contractions at first since I still had a lot of the epi in my system and part of that's because I was literally in fear of giving birth. Once A was out and I had to push with B it was a BREEZE because I knew what to do. My recovery was so easy. I left the hospital with my babies after 48 hours and I was walking and standing in the shower with no problems. By 5 weeks postpartum I was back in the gym and felt great.

If you have the option to go vaginally, I would highly encourage you to go that route. Feel free to message me if you more questions Sorry my reply was so long!

Haven1

I always say that anyone who looks down on an elective c/s has never had one. Every time I read a vaginal birth story, I cringe. Things tear down there! No thank you. My c/s was a breeze. I walked over a mile on day 2 and only took Motrin. Mine were breech, but knowing what I know now, I'd haven chosen c/s all the way.

E&RMommy

My c-section recovery was very, very painful.  I've had many other surgeries and this was by far the worst.    I will definitely VBAC if I have another.   

Only you can decide what is best!

Good luck and can't wait to see pics in a few weeks.

techdg26

I've had 3 csections and would do it 100 times over before I tore down there. My recoveries have been easy,I haven't needed pain meds past the 2nd or 3rd day.

MrsLnt

Haven1:

I always say that anyone who looks down on an elective c/s has never had one. Every time I read a vaginal birth story, I cringe. Things tear down there! No thank you. My c/s was a breeze. I walked over a mile on day 2 and only took Motrin. Mine were breech, but knowing what I know now, I'd haven chosen c/s all the way.

This!  I had 2 breech babies so I didn't really have a choice but, even before they were both breech, I was thinking about wanting a scheduled c-section to avoid a double whammy or emergency c-section.  My section was low key and drama-free (other than me being a nervous wreck.) 

I was on the pain pump for 24h (but really, I didn't use it for the last 12h or so) and percoset for the next day.  Babies were born on Tuesday and by Thursday, I was strictly on anaprox.  I hosted Thanksgiving 2.5 weeks after they were born.  My doctor was careful to put my stomach muscles back together and, the stretch marks are worse than the scar.  I was scared to death of having an "apron" after the section but I don't. 

If I ever lose my mind and go for #3, it'll be a scheduled c-section all the way. 

missfire

I had a c-section with my twins and a vaginal med-free birth with my singleton. After my vaginal birth I felt better immediately - a little sore sitting on hard chairs that day, but that was all. After my c-section I couldn't drive, climb stairs, hold my older son, put on my own socks or get out of a chair while holding a baby for days (weeks for some of those things). I hated going through that during those first difficult days with my babies, trying to make breastfeeding work (unsuccessfully), etc. Oh, and my first poop after surgery was seriously as difficult as pushing out my DS!

leviandlandensmom

I'd try for a vaginal delivery. I had 4 vaginal deliveries, 3 home births, before I had my twins and the recovery is so much quicker and much less painful unless you're unfortunate enough to get 4th degree tearing. Tearing that bad is not that common though.

I had a "double whammy" with my twins and don't regret choosing to try for a vaginal delivery. I had a med free vaginal delivery for A and an emergency section for B. I don't feel like I missed out on anything - I have my babies, I get to hold them and kiss them every single day. I wouldn't have chosen to have an elective major surgery. There are so many unecessary risks associated with that just to avoid tears that may or may not even occur.

Ultimately it is up to you though and you need to do what you feel comfortable with and what you feel is best for you and your babies. Your OB can't force you to schedule and induction or a section so if you don't want to, don't.

GL with your decision and know that everyone on here will support whatever decision you make

Fancy3Face

I've only given birth once and it was via c-section.  It was a piece of cake.  I was off all pain meds by the time I was released from the hospital.  I felt like I was back to my normal self then too.  The second day was painful, but I also got behind on pain meds because of everything going on in the NICU with my babies.  

I've never given birth vaginally, but given the choice, I'd chose a c-section again.  Thats not the popular answer, but there it is

megs_glo

Obviously I have not delivered yet.  But I am opting to try for a vaginal delivery for several reasons, 1. I want to see them when they come out, 2. I don't want to be strapped down to a table, 3. Better recovery time, 4. Shorter hospital stay and 5. If we do decide to have more children I would like to be able to have the option of a vaginal delivery.

But I am trying to stay really open to all possibilities, several of my friends (PG with singletons) went in hoping for a vaginal delivery and for different reasons needed to have a c-section.  So you just never know.  

SoldiersGreenBean

I'm in the same boat as missfire - I had a med free vaginal birth with DD1 and a necessary c-section due to breech Baby A with the twins.

I would have chosen a vaginal delivery, though, had I been given the opportunity.  C-sections, while fairly routine, are still major surgery.  It carries a host of risks, most of which I cringe at more than the thought of tearing during a vaginal birth.

jennie13

I would absolutely try for vaginal if they are both head down.   If you go in and they are not head down, I would base my decision on the doctor's experience with non- head down babies.   

I was induced at 38 weeks (I was 3-4cm when I went in) and they practically fell out of me.    Vaginal births don't have to mean lots of pain and tearing.   I had virtually no pain at all because I got my epidural before the contractions got bad.     Even with my singleton, who was a tougher, longer, more painful delivery and recovery, I would not trade that experience for major surgery.

shellshavintwins

My c-section was not a breeze. I contracted a secondary bacterial infection in my digestive tract (caused by antibiotics wiping out the good bacteria in my belly and surgery allowing bad bacteria to enter) and starting the second day and I crapped my brains out (TMI) for two more days to the point my pre - e got worse and I stopped urinating because everything coming out the other end. I almost earned a 5th day and I wanted to go home so bad. That being said I am going to have an elective c-section this time around because in one year I lost a friend due to a uterine rupture (she had an amniotic fluid embolism which is rare but fatal) and 6 weeks later my niece was born blue due to another uterine rupture. I will not take that chance especially since I only got pg 13 months after my last c section.

iamrobyn

Like others mentioned, I'm surprised if both babies are head down that your doctors aren't giving you the choice to be induced.  Perhaps they just assume you want a c-section? Hopefully based on the answers provided here you can feel more comfortable going back to the OB and asking for an explanation which may help you with your decision!

 Good luck with whatever you choose! 

daisybride78

I did not have a choice because baby A was breech, but I can assure you that my c-section was AWFUL! I was in so much pain and when I was in the recovery room, I kept crying to my DH that everyone who told me that a c-sect was easy and no big deal LIED! My recovery was really difficult and I think the extreme pain that I was in definitely contributed to my anxiety. Another reason NOT to have one is that if one or both of your babies are in the nicu and you have a c-sect, you won't be able to drive to the hospital to visit them. It was a pain to always have to get a ride up to the hospital.

Good luck with with whatever you choose!

LightBlue

My doctors gave me the choice to go vaginal or c-section as well. My DDs were breech up until 32 weeks when they both flipped to vertex. I had totally mentrally prepared myself for a c-section at that point so when they flipped to head down, I freaked out a little thinking about a twin vag birth, possible double whammy, tearing, ect... I talked to my doctors they they let me decide.

I chose c-section and have NO regrets! I didn't make it to my 38w 4d scheduled c, I had them at 37w 1d due to pre-e. After a 24 hr urine I was called in the afternoon on 1/7 to come into the office. At 5:00PM they took by BP (very high) and told me I would have my babies in the morning and to be at the hospital at 5:15AM. I called family, had a calm dinner out with DH, prepared the house for guests. Then I woke up on 1/8, went to the hospital and calmly walked up tp L & D. Less than two hours later, my babies were here!

The first 2-3 days were really rough with recovery, but DH and nurses were there the whole time. By the time I went home (3 1/2 days) I was off Percocet and only taking Motrin. I don't feel like I missed out on the birthing experience and wouldn't change a thing. I'm happy all my lady parts are still the same since it seems nothing else on my body is!

Whatever you choose, good luck!!

floridakat

I had an emergency C a few days before my scheduled one thanks to pre-E. My spinal didn't take which meant I felt the incision they made. Which meant they had to dump me full of ketamine for the surgery, which was the worst thing I've ever had to go through in my life. I didn't get to see the girls for four hours.

All that said, I would do it again tomorrow if it meant healthy babies. My recovery wasn't bad at all.

I don't think it matters how they get here; everyone's just looking for a safe, healthy birth. Do you want to try for a vaginal birth? I would have loved to, but it wasn't in the cards for me. If you prefer a C-section, then schedule one. Sounds like you're in the fortunate position to be able to choose your method of birth, which is rare for most MoMs. 

the future mrs. slicks

Wow, everyone, thanks so much for sharing your stories, thoughts and opinions.  DH and I just read all of your responses very carefully.  We definitely have a few more questions for the doctor thanks to you.  I'll be sure to post the final story once the babies come!! Thank you!

sweetnsinful1985

I had to have a c section with my first so they made me have c sections with my 2 i had after that and now im gonna have another c section with the twins and personally im glad i didnt have to push anything out down there the though of it scares me...i thought my c sections  were a breeze also..i was a little sore afterwards but nothing major nothing a painpill didnt take away...i could still take care of my babies fine and i got to see mine right after they came out i just couldnt hold them intill i got outta the recovery room

JesseKhloe&Me

I just had a "double whammy" a few weeks ago, and I would still try for vaginal if I had to do it over agian.

It was up to me and I chose vaginal and had baby A vaginally and then baby B was breech, so had him by c-section. This is not common though. If baby B was head down, everything would have gone a lot better.

I personally would choose vaginal if everything looks fine.

BeautyfromAshes

I had mine vaginally at 38 weeks. During the delivery I was crying to my husband asking him why on earth he didn't talk me into a C-Section...but afterwards I was really glad I didn't have to recover from major surgery while taking care of two new infants. And now that we are pregnant again, I am really happy not to have to deal with a VBAC.

 

MrsCali_Bride

I've given birth both ways and I would go for a vaginal delivery if at all possible. Yes, there is the chance for tearing or ending up with an emergency c-section anyway but my recovery from my vaginal birth was so much quicker and easier than my c-section. I felt great and like I was back to myself within days of giving birth. With my c-section I was swollen for nearly three weeks, I couldnt wear regular shoes or socks because of it, my feet and lower legs hurt when I even attempted to walk during the time that I was swollen, I had to try to take care of two newborns plus our oldest while recovering from major surgery (my first surgery ever) and had to worry about anyone/anything bumping into my abdomen while my incision healed. Definitely hard when our four year old wanted to give mommy hugs & love. My twins were breech so I didn't really have a choice this time around but I would have preferred to attempt another vaginal delivery had they both been head down. If we ever decide we're crazy enough to want to try for a fourth child, I'd be scheduled for a c-section again since my hospital doesn't do VBACs due to the risks involved, which is something else to consider if you are thinking of possibly having more children down the road. Good luck making your decision and can't wait to "meet" your little ones.