Regrets about planned C-Section v. Induction?

Yelloskies

We are planning to schedule either a c-section or induction and based on babies positions right now, our doctor is letting us choose which one we prefer.  Anyone regret doing a c-section and not experiencing labor/vaginal birth by choice?  These are our first children so I have zero basis for comparison.   Thanks for any help.  

jennydmitchell

I was given the option as well because both of mine were head down. I would have liked to go through labor and try a vaginal birth, but I had also read tons of horror stories about induction (longer, harder labor - especially with first pregnancy, and the prospect of having one vaginally and having to have the other through c-section) so I chose to have a c-section. I was not freaked out about the prospect of having a surgery like that like lots of people are, so I think it depends on how you feel about it. All in all, I'm glad I had a c-section, it was easy and I had no complications (which of course is not always the case), but if I had gone into labor naturally without induction, I probably would have tried for a vaginal birth.

CaliDutchGrl

No regrets at all!

mrs.cam

My baby A was breech but I have no regrets regarding having a scheduled c. Happy healthy babies are so much more important then how they got here.

jenn_darrin1515

I regret having an induction!

foley bulb + 48 hours on pitocen = stalled at 4cm

I ended up with a c-section anyways and I was miserable an extra 2 days hooked up to monitors unable to really move around and I don't think all the pitocen helped the way I felt after the c-section (which was terrible)

In hindsight I wish I had just gone iwth the c-section...but who knew the girls were head-butted in there unable to drop...

rachelle2824

I know this isn't exactly what you are asking but I had a natural delivery with baby A and then when baby B wouldn't come for over 2 hours I got an epidural so my Doctor could get up in there and manipulate my cervix. True, I had an amazing patient doctor who wouldn't jump to give me a double whammy although she certainly could have! But my point: vaginal deliveries are soooo easy to recover from! I literally didn't need an ibuprofen or any type of pain med after delivery. I didn't need an ice pack (although I used them just in case) and had a beautiful delivery. Again, I know you weren't exactly soliciting this advice but if you can go for a vaginal delivery go for it! You can always try and then end up with a c-section but you can't go the other way. And I think if you are asking these questions you may be thinking you will regret it later if you go for a c-section. So any way...FWIW...GL either way!

Mrs.Greg

My Baby A was head down but Baby B was breech.  My doctor was comfortable with a breech extraction so he told me to choose vaginal or c-section.  I had a vaginal birth with my DD1 and I really wanted to attempt it again with the twins.  I knew that if I just scheduled the c-section, I would have always wondered if I could have done a vaginal birth.  I'm very happy with my choice - Anna (Baby A) was born and five minutes later, my doctor was able to deliver Fiona (Baby feet first. 

Temp6313048411121614

I had a vaginal birth with DS1 (water broke at 37w5d) and it was amazing.  Of course contractions aren't fun, but IMO it is something special that only women, and not all women get to experience.  

With my twins I had a scheduled c/s, I was TERRIFIED of the surgery (I had some irrational fear that the meds wouldn't work and I'd feel everything for some reason).  The recovery wasn't any better or worse than my vaginal birth, just different.  I didn't have a choice with my c/s because A was breech and my OB will only attempt a vaginal birth if both babies are head down.  

Given the choice I would go for a vaginal birth any day.  IMO you should never opt for surgery unless medically necessary or if you had a traumatic previous vaginal birth (nothing against those that do, it's just my opinion).  

cocojack10

I didn't have the option bc 1) I become preE, and 2) Baby A wasn't in position.  Yes, I do regret not having a natural birth, but it was for the best interest for all of us.  Next time around, I'll try for a VBAC, if possible.

MrsLnt

Not a single regret. My scheduled c-section was low drama; I got a good night's sleep the night before, I went into it rested and ready. I didn't really have a choice because both babies were breech but I would have wanted a scheduled section anyway, rather than running into the issue of laboring, being exhausted and THEN having a c-section. My recovery was very easy.  I realize that I was very lucky to not have any bleeding issues but that's a risk with any birth. 

klr210

I did not have a good induction experience with DD1 so I decided for twins either I'd go VBAC no induction or repeat scheduled c-section if I made it that far, which I did. I was rested (sorta) and the planning was nice b/c I do have an older DD. And I'm glad I didn't labor then have a c/s recovery.

I didnt make a firm decision till the end though as I would have been happy to try VBAC and Im comfortable I kept my options open and didnt get married to one way too early sincethings can change day to day

klr210

I did not have a good induction experience with DD1 so I decided for twins either I'd go VBAC no induction or repeat scheduled c-section if I made it that far, which I did. I was rested (sorta) and the planning was nice b/c I do have an older DD. And I'm glad I didn't labor then have a c/s recovery.

I didnt make a firm decision till the end though as I would have been happy to try VBAC and Im comfortable I kept my options open and didnt get married to one way too early since things can change day to day

MamaCrystal

Are you leaning toward a C, but having doubts, and that's why you're wondering if anyone had regrets?

I think this may be a skewed way for YOU to decide what's best for you.  Most people here with a c-section are happy with it.  Hopefully they don't regret their experience, but that doesn't  =  a c-section being the best option for you, especially if you're already thinking you may regret your decision.

If you really are considering both options, you should ask for experiences from women who had each.  Plenty of women on this board have had great twin vaginal deliveries (myself included... even better than my singleton ones).  Goldie and I have similar experiences with our singletons and horrible tearing from those deliveries.  She had a c-section with her twins and LOVED it.  I had a vaginal delivery with my twins and LOVED it.  Just depends.

If you think you want to go for a c-section, then tell yourself that you'll go in with no regrets! : )  If you don't want to miss the natural birth experience, then you should go for it and you'll at least be able to tell yourself that you tried.

UsedToBeGoldie

i had a vaginal birth with DS1 and I would have been fine to never go through that... it wasn't HORRIBLE to get him out (1.5 hours of pushing and being 100% exhausted) but it WAS horrible to recover from... a 4th degree tear... every single muscle in my body ACHING b/c I had been on bedrest for 6mo not using muscles- to using them non stop for 1.5 hours --- omg- it hurt to just move my arm after i had him.

With the twins- i had a schedule c/s- and LOVED it.  It was so much fun to be wide awake during their birth- know what was happening- REMEMBER what happened - and my recovery was CAKE compared to my vag birth.

I LOVED my c/s.

violaplayer

MrsLnt:

Not a single regret. My scheduled c-section was low drama; I got a good night's sleep the night before, I went into it rested and ready. I didn't really have a choice because both babies were breech but I would have wanted a scheduled section anyway, rather than running into the issue of laboring, being exhausted and THEN having a c-section. My recovery was very easy.  I realize that I was very lucky to not have any bleeding issues but that's a risk with any birth. 

ITA. I did bleed for awhile but that can happen after a vaginal birth, because I had two placentas tearing away from the uterine wall. I recovered well and it really wasn't bad at all. 

Haven1

C/s all the way. I had no desire for a vaginal delivery. My c/s was wonderful. IMO, many of the "miserable recovery" stories you hear come from people who labored for hours and hours with a bunch of pitocin before eventually getting a c/s. I was happy to skip the miserable part.

google123

I chose a c-sec.  Both babies were head down and I had the option of a vaginal.  I didn't want to take any chances because with a vaginal delivery, twin B can be in distress, placenta can separate (in twin , or not move down into position, etc etc.  It's also less stressful on babies than a vaginal.  I don't regret my decision one bit. 

 

Had I had a singleton pg, I would have loved to have a vaginal.  If I get pg again, I would love to have a VBAC (with 1).  

 

Do whatever you feel comfy with.

missfire

I had an amazing vaginal birth with my DS1 - quick labor, water birth, out of bed within an hour feeling completely normal. I hated having to have a c- section for the twins and weeks of recovery after my singleton experience. I really think it's about having a choice and feeling in control of what's happening - it is scary to feel vulnerable and worried for the health of your babies, especially if you don't completely trust your caregivers. My main birth belief is to trust my body and babies and let nature do its thing (with competent caregivers right there to intervene if needed). But with multiples and high-risk pregnancies, things are often not so simple. If I were unsure, I would start with an induction, the lower risk option, because a c-section is always an option if needed in the moment. But whatever you choose, there's no way to know what would have happened if you chose the other option, so try not to beat yourself up too much about your decision.

ougrad1

No regrets whatsoever....NONE.  I loved both of my sections.  I was induced with my oldest and it turned into a section.  I would really have hated to have Landry vaginally only to have Hudson (baby by section.  That was my worst nightmare.

Always go with your gut instinct.  Also, there is a C-section bored you may want to visit.  My first time around I wanted a section and I was guilted out of it so, I was induced-it was the worst mistake of my life.  The pitocin contractions are ten times worse than contractions without meds.   My anesthesiologist didn't get to me to give me pain meds until I was almost complete ready to push.  I will tell you that it hurts like a mother.   Horrible.   

With my section I was wheeled out of the room at 7:18, had the spinal and both babies delivered at 7:36.  AWESOME compared to my induction experience.

GL whatever choice you make but, like I said, go with your gut! 

lrrb

 Both of my babies are head down but OB practice will not induce twins (I have NO idea why).  So we are going to schedule a c-section at 37 weeks if I don't go into labor on my own before then. If I do go into labor before 37 weeks I will try a vaginal.  I have to admit I will be a little sad if I have to do a planned c-section IF it could have been avoided.  I really had a great birth with my older DD and I hope to have the same for the twins but honestly all thats important is that they get here safe so I'm focusing on that first!

Fancy3Face

I was given the option with both babies head down and chose a c-section.  If I had a singleton first I would have gone vaginal without thinking twice.  I was afraid of the "double whammy" and I have a family history of delivery issues.  With twins I couldn't chance it. 

A very small part of me wishes I would have experienced vaginal birth.  I have a lot of good friends who went natural and reading their birth stories make me a tad envious that I'll never get to experience that.  I won't get the opportunity for a vbac b/c I have two prior abdominal surgeries and labor is too risky after those surgeries and a c-section. 

I still believe a c-section was what was best for us in the situation we were in and wouldn't have changed a thing if I got to go back and do it again.

GL!  All that really matters is that your babies get here safe and you're comfortable with whichever process you choose

NicoleeBonsai

i  had an induction scheduled for 38w1d which was pushed to 37w exactly for medical reasons (cholestasis).

my induction failed miserably (32 hours on cervadil and pitocin with only 50% effacement and 1 cm dilation, and that progress was after they broke my water, 3 failed foley bulbs attempts and stripped my membranes, amongst other things). my c-section was probably made worse by all the time on pit, i had lots of complications.

anyway, i would NOT choose an induction that was not medically necessary, knowing what i know now about how terribly inductions can go.

robynmoreland1

I haven't deliverd twins yet-- but I think I will try to have them vaginally if possible.  I just believe the experience of having a vaginal birth is amazing.  I haven't had a C-section, therefore don't know how to compare the two.  But I know that a womens body was made to deliver babies.  It must not be that bad or women wouldn't do it again   But what ever is the best for your babies is the most important thing.  I personally am way more nervous about a C-section then a vaginal birth.   I remember when I was pregnant with my first tha women ask me when I was scheduling my c-section.  When I told her I wasn't, she was appauled at how barbaric it was for me to have a vaginal birth. 

macchiatto

I had a scheduled induction and was really happy with my decision. Both boys were head-down when the induction started and Baby B did flip to breech, but my dr did a breech extraction and all went smoothly. No regrets at all!

macchiatto

Oh, and I think MamaCrystal's advice is very wise.

saverchic

I was induced, and I labored for 29 hours.  Then they realized that I had HELPP syndrome, and I had to have a c-section anyway, and I was on magnesium.  It was awful.  I wish I would have just done a c-section.  My recovery from the c-section was super easy.