C-Section vs. Natural Child Birth

tumpkin · May 2009

Had my 30 week appointment this past Friday. My doctor, who I love, asked me if we'd be going natural, or would I be scheduling a c-section. I was kind of thrown off by the question, seeing as though he is so conservative. I guess he is giving me the option to choose. Now, I know I am terrified of the pain with natural childbirth (yes, this is my first), but I am also terrified of the recovery period after a c-section. Just want to hear your advice/opinions/stories. This baby has to come out SOMEHOW....just don't know which choice is best.

blf722 · May 2009

I'm not speaking from experience, so keep that in mind, but I have no idea why anyone would choose c-section unless medically necessary.

cmyers6278 · May 2009

I have done it both ways. First time with zero drugs, second time C-section. I would do no drugs again any day. Dear god, no question.

BadaBing327 · May 2009

I wouldn't opt for major surgery unless it was a last resort, but that's just my opinion.

K-I-S-S-I-N-G · May 2009

As someone who has had a c/s (and had a great experience with it) my opinion is that they should be only done for emergency/out of necessity. I would never elect to have one.

MBNB · May 2009

It's really your personal choice. I want a natural childbirth but with an epidural. I'm not about to go through the whole thing without the help of the epidural if I need it.?

C-sections are major surgery but plenty of people have them and are glad they did. I would do your research and figure out what's best for you. But if you haven't had any complications or issues then there's no reason for you to need a c-section. ?

thatgirlang · May 2009

Do drs get paid more for performing c-sections? I don't get why they offer/suggest them when they aren't medically necessary. I'd prefer to skip the major surgery of a c-section unless it was the best choice for the baby and/or myself. I know a vaginal delivery is scary... but it's my preference. Imagine being able to hold your baby right away instead of getting sewn back up first! Smile

lvisser · May 2009

For a first child I would at least TRY to give birth vaginally.

I did have to have a C/S after my induction with Rylee (CPD - pushed for 2 hours) and will schedule a C/S for this baby...

But I would never have considered a C/S at 30 weeks with Rylee.

tumpkin · May 2009

I agree, I thought c-sections were the last resort, again, I was surprised he spoke of it so freely. He did tell me that my baby seems to be on the larger side. I am tiny (5'1" and 130 lbs- 7 months pregnant/ 115 pre-pregnant) and my husband is a big guy (6'2" and 225 lbs). At my last ultrasound (this past Friday) it seems as if the baby is going to be on the "big" side. Maybe he is just getting me ready just in case I can't go naturally.

Mama Jan · May 2009

Before you make your decision you may want to check with your insurance company. Most do not cover elective c-sections. Are you willing to pay upwards of $50,000 for a c-section when you could have "gone natural" as your doctor puts it ("natural" technically means no drugs not simply vaginal).

jdavis0719 · May 2009

I am going with a csection because it is safer for me and the baby. I am extremely nervous about this but I feel it is the best decison. I think the doctor may have asked you this because more people are choosing to do them now. To each their own, but I know I wouldnt have scheduled one if it was not in my best interest and the babys.

JCM083009 · May 2009

thatgirlang:
Do drs get paid more for performing c-sections? I don't get why they offer/suggest them when they aren't medically necessary. I'd prefer to skip the major surgery of a c-section unless it was the best choice for the baby and/or myself. I know a vaginal delivery is scary... but it's my preference. Imagine being able to hold your baby right away instead of getting sewn back up first!

In a word, YES, they do! It's the easiest thing for them (OBs are surgeons!) in terms of time, making money, and legality. They can play the "we did everything we could card" without a thought.

BelleBaby · May 2009

I'd prefer to deliver vaginally, but Baby A is breech and not going anywhere, so we have to have a c/s. They won't even attempt a twin delivery if Baby A is breech.

tumpkin · May 2009

or "vaginally".

HeyyRed · May 2009

Natural without question. C-Section is major surgery and should be avoided if possible or unless medically necessary.

Temp159135562506975 · May 2009

i would not choose a c/s unless there was a reason....

and that is coming from someone who IS choosing a c/s this time b/c my vaginal birth was so horrible to heal from - i had a 4th degree tear that took over 8w of pain to heal from- and i still have issues down tehre b/c of it... which is why i'm having a c/s this time.

BUT- that is not very common ... and would always go with vaginal for a first birth with no medical reason not to.

byrne15 · May 2009

i honestly dont know why anyone would CHOSE a c-sec. it's really not great at all...

DNK777 · May 2009

I had to have an emergency c-section. Recovery has been really tough for me. My incision opened up 5 days pp and is still not completely healed. I am still having pain and am still having restrictions (no lifting, no stairs). I wasn't allowed to drive for 4 weeks pp since I was still on pain meds. I didn't get to see DD for a while after delivery. The hospital stay wasn't too bad though. I didn't like not being able to get up until the next day, but I didn't really mind the longer stay. I didn't have a lot of pain as long as I took the pain meds regularly. I wouldn't choose an elective c-section.

LadyKTBride · May 2009

I've had both, and personally found that recovering from the c-section was easier than recovering from a vaginal birth (that may just be because I expected a long recovery with the surgery and was surprised by the recovery time of the vaginal birth). That being said, If there was no medical reason for a c-section, I wouldn't even consider it.

cupcake_queen · May 2009

C-sections are a last resort for me, I'd rather have a vaginal birth.

karin&ben · May 2009

K-I-S-S-I-N-G:
As someone who has had a c/s (and had a great experience with it) my opinion is that they should be only done for emergency/out of necessity. I would never elect to have one.

Same here! Although I did have one for my first (emergency c-section) and with my other babies, we made the decision for the repeat sections for safety at this point. I was too afraid of rupturing during delivery. Having labored for 3 freaking days with my first, I know I could've handled a vaginal delivery. Our bodies are supposed to be made for this, so I couldn't see not giving it a try first. I am kind of surprised your doctor offered you the choice. Good luck!

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