Advantages to scheduled c-sections?

mscandyman

I'm over 37 weeks along, and although there is still time, baby is still breech.  I've been scheduled for a c-section 4 days before my EDD.  Although I'm doing all the exercises and positions I've found on the web to get her to turn, I'm also starting to resign to the fact a c-section may be the only way to go.  That being said, what are some positives/advantages to delivering via c-section?  Want to keep these in mind as I practically hang upside-down off my couch.  :-)  Thanks!

mlf625

I loved my scheduled c-sections!  There were a few pros in my eyes, namely that I just felt very prepared for it all.  I was able to make pet care (and with #2, child care) arrangements well ahead of time.  My parents were able to make travel arrangements to be with us in time.  DH and I had a great date night the night before my first c/s, and it was really exciting to sit there together knowing our baby was definitely coming the next day.  I was never gung-ho about laboring, anyway, so I felt pretty content about just going in for the c/s.

Good luck to you, either way!  Be proud of whatever birth you have - you grew a baby and will go through pain to have him/her, and there's no right or wrong way to get a baby out. 

nikki_rob_weddingplans

Biggest pro for me was that my OB told DH he had to do all the housework for the first several weeks.  OB specifically said no vacuuming, laundry or lifting anything heavier than the baby.  DH did everything around the house for me for almost two months, it was awesome.

HannahO28

I can only speak for myself, but I had a great experience: 

It's great to know exactly when your LO is coming. Not laboring was pretty sweet too. And my c/s recovery MUST have been easier than a vaginal birth recovery because I felt great. Friends have told that sex is just not the same for the first year after a vaginal birth, but DH and I doing just fine at 7 weeks PP. The whole birth process was over in twenty minutes, I didn't have to keep waiting and waiting for LO to come.

JG362009

My scheduled c-section was amazing and when I was told that a VBAC wasn't really an option I was upset but my great experience made up for that. I was up walking 5 hours after the surgery. I had duramorph in my spinal but didn't have to have any other narcotics besides that and 10 days after I don't even need ibuprofen anymore.  

cmytutu

No labor, No pain, No guessing when baby would come.

It was great!!  Very calm, no emergency.  An ablolute breeze.

I was up and walking that night.  Very little bleeding. TAKE THE PAIN MEDS!

l_elizabeth

A scheduled c/s is nine billion times easier/better than an emergency one. It's calm, simple, quick, and recovery for me both times was a piece of cake. I was never in any pain, back driving in 4 days or so. You would have never known I had surgery, either time. I have two kids and I've never ever been in labor. I have no idea what contractions are like, what it feels like to have your water break, and I kind of love that. And ditto pp who said your sex life remains good and you never have bladder/leakage problems later in life.

My one problem with c-sections is what it does to your stomach. It creates this hideous flap because they cut through your muscles, and it's nearly impossible to fix without a tummy tuck. 

And at 37 weeks, I'd have a c/s. I just don't think that baby is going to turn. My older son was breech and I tried to get him to flip too-- everyone told me that after 36 weeks it becomes really hard.  

Strawberrywine

Way better than ending up w/ a c/section.

 Trust that your baby and body are helping to make the safest decision for his/her delivery.  There's a reason he/she's not head down.  

I've turned my kids twice, ended up w/ c/s both times, but what worked for me was the Webster Technique. I flipped both around 38/39 weeks. Best of Luck!! 

RayRay007

I wrote a post just like this on the natural birth board when I was around 35 weeks because I was trying to pump myself up because we thought DD was breech and I might need a c/s (and I was preparing for a natural birth). Turns out she wasn't breech, but I wound up with a c/s anyway! But, one positive that was pointed out to me was that her head wouldn't be mishappen! (I was trying to keep it light and entertaining)

stemms8810

I loved that I knew when my LO would be born so we could make arrangments for DD and the dog.  We both could say exactly when we would need to start taking off work which also made me know an exact date I would be returning to work before LO was born.  It was great to go to the hospital knowing that in a couple hours our baby would be here so it was easy to let family know ahead of time when to visit.  If you stay on top of meds and take it easy a planned c/s is great!

Frequent Flier

I am in the same boat as you.  My hospital offers vaginal breech birth but only under very specific conditions.  They gave us the option of scheduling a c-section for 39, 40, or 41 weeks.  The advantage with scheduling earlier is that you have less risk of going into labor and having cord prolapse or a foot come out before you're fully dilated (no joke this happened to a lady I know) which can be dangerous.  The advantage with waiting longer is that the baby will flip or get into a more optimal position, such as frank breech.

Our hospital won't allow vaginal delivery for an incomplete breech baby or a baby above a certain size.  They gave us the best odds of vaginal delivery if I go into labor on my own on or before my due date, so I chose to schedule our c-section for Monday, the day after my due date.  I am psyched because I've had early labor symptoms on and off for the past couple days with no progression (probably due to not enough pressure on the cervix since he's one foot down) and I am ready to be done!

There is a lot of confusing data about which is the best way to go, but good luck to you and trust your gut!

Eddy1

I have done a vag birthcand just had a scheduled c section a week ago. Both have recovery and both were neat experiences to bring my boys into the world. I am convinced if you have to have a c that scheduled is so much easier on the body. My recovery has not been that bad. And i went into the day well rested and healthy. I think that helps a ton verses exhausting yourself dueing a vaginal birth. Good luck!

Eddy1

Oh yes and you are forced to rest which is awesome. H has made me breakfast every day this week. That didn't happen with my vaginal birth :-)

Mrs.Barry31508

Not having to go through regular contractions! I ended up having a emergency cs a week before my schulded cs. I had to go through tough labor without any pain meds before I got my spinal ;(