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2nd Trimester
Vaginal Birth vs. C-section... I want everyone's thoughts!
Okay, so since becoming pregnant, my boyfriend has been pretty much hell-bent on wanting me to have a c-section. Now, I've told him the risks and done my research... and honestly, I agree with him 100%. If I am capable of it, I want to have a c-section.
Let me explain a little bit about me though before everyone starts "flaming" me. My mom had to have a c-section for both my brother and myself... her pelvic bones were not wide enough to pass a child. My aunt (her sister) also had to have a c-section for her son (same reason). My grandma (mom's mom) SHOULD have for both my mom and my aunt but they did not have the technology when she gave birth. My dad's sister has no kids. The doctor told me at my last visit there is no way for them to test beforehand if my pelvic bones are wide enough... there's no way to know if I will get halfway through labor and have to have a c-section anyway. Ontop of this, I weighed over 9 pounds when I was born. My boyfriend was pre-mature and weighed 3 pounds. So basically, there's no way to tell if this baby is going to be huge or tiny.
So firstly, I want to know what everyone's thoughts are on having elective c-sections. I want to know if anyone out there has requested it from their OB already (so I can sorta have an idea on how to go about asking for one).
Secondly, I want to hear from those of you who are strongly against c-sections... I want to know why you feel so strongly against it and how you feel about how you are going to stretch and tear "down there".
And lastly, I want to know from those of you who are on the fence about both... (not sure which would be better for you)... what is stopping you from making either decision.
For example: For me, I'm hoping to convince my doctor to give me an elective c-section because I'm terrified of tearing "down there" and I'm worried that when I go into labor, I'm just going to have to have a c-section anyway. Also I want to know when I'm going to be there, what doctor I will have, etc. (I am a planner by nature). But I also sort of would want to have a vaginal delivery because I have been told the healing time is faster and I kind of just want to get the pain over with and move on to being happy with my baby.
So please, enlighten me with your thoughts on the whole vaginal birth vs. c-section debate.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Vaginal Birth vs. C-section... I want everyone's thoughts!
Does your insurance cover you for choosing to have a c-section? I think mine will only do a c-section if necessary for medical reasons.
I hope to have a vaginal birth; but if I can't due to health reasons, I'll have the c-section.
Women get elective c-sections all the time. That's why the c-section rate has raised so much in the past few years.
I'm not sure if it will or not. I haven't contacted them yet. But like I said, I just wanted opinions from other ladies on what they are planning.
How did you find out that your hospital had a high csection rate?
Google your hospital and the csection rate. At mine it is such a baby factory, I've heard rumors that they ask you at the hospital tour if you want to schedule a csection. I've heard most insurances are for csections b/c of less risk of complications, plus most doctors prefer them b/c they can schedule them
Well that is good to know... but really, tearing isn't the full reason I want to have the surgery... it's more because I would rather know ahead of time when we're going and everything... and ontop of that, I'm assuming I'm probably going to have to anyway since the women in my family have had to. My body structure is a lot like my mom's side of the family... so I'm pretty sure even if I don't/can't "elect" to have a cesearan, it's still gonna end up that way because I should have one.
I am having a med free birth at a birthing house. I am not against C-sections at all if they are needed. And I think it is every womens right to choose how she gives birth without being torn apart or "flamed" because it is a personal choice. that being said I would not elect to get one if I didn't need it. I myself am a planner as well and I have had to force my self to let go of planning my birth. You never know what me or may not happen. I would go in with an open mind. And I am not sure as far as pittsburgh goes but I know her in florida...they don't do elective C-sections unless it is deemed mediclly needed and most insurance places will not do one with out a letter from your dr.
I myself am not worried about the streactching or tearing because that is what our bodies are made to do and if I don't do anything crazy during recovory then it will be back to normal.
I would talk to your dr. about your fears and your family history because honestly he/she may not even do elective C-sec. and they also may be able to calm your fears.
Sarah - 12/23/2008
Alex - 9/30/2011
"I say embrace the total geek in yourself and just enjoy it. Life is too short to be cool." - Shirley Manson, Garbage
Major surgery carries less risk of complications??? Do some research. There is great risk of complications to both baby and mother from a C-section.
Yeah but I've heard most doctor's have no issues with deeming them medically necessary. I'd be all for having a vaginal delivery if I could guarantee they wouldn't give me an episiotomy, matter of fact if I DO have to go the vaginal route, my birth plan specifically states no episiotomy. I'd rather tear and I will sue their asses if they cut me.
My opinion:
https://christenexpecting.blogspot.com/2009/07/c-sections-vs-those-crazy-deliveries.html
is this serious?
Elective c-sections aren't the world's best plan. It's a major surgery. With a pretty substantial recovery. Why in the world would you choose this instead of just going with what people have been doing for millions of years? (and FYI, you can get your vaginal muscles back in shape...otherwise 90% of moms out there wouldn't be having sex).
FWIW, I went into labor, pushed for 4 hours, and had a c-section in the end. I would never have chosen to just have the section to begin with, even knowing that it might end that way.
The vagina is intended for birth. It is made to go back to normal. If in some freak instance your vagina stays so big that sex is no longer pleasurable for you or your SO then you can have an elective surgery to fix it then - when it won't affect your baby.
It sounds like there is a lot of fear out there about birth and it isn't suprising due to our culture's obsession with medication and quick fixes. Someone else posted a link to an article about the pain factor of childbirth that you may find interesting. It is totally up to you how you choose to bring your baby into the world but personally I want my baby to arrive as naturally as possible. C-sections can be a life saver (literally) when necessary but I will do everything possible to avoid it. Educate yourself and make the decision you feel is best for you and your baby. Don't make a decision out of fear.
Okay, I didn't want an episiotomy either, but I never got that far. That said, I'm not following the logic that involves wanting a C-section, but also saying you'll sue the doc if they "cut you" for an episiotomy.
Sarah - 12/23/2008
Alex - 9/30/2011
"I say embrace the total geek in yourself and just enjoy it. Life is too short to be cool." - Shirley Manson, Garbage
That is BS. Just saying.
If you don't believe me, ask my cousin who just came out of a coma due to complications (a nasty infection) from her scheduled csection. She now has memory loss and heart problems. I'm sure she will agree that there are some sh!tty complications.
lol I can see it now...The people vs. ILOVEMYGEEK
THE CUT MY ASS!!!!!! lol
Actually this was one of the reasons I choose a birthing center. iam so not for having my ass cut either
and neither are they. i have heard that a lot of dr.s are just letting women tear now though as the healing time is better and quicker.
I must say, I LOVE this.
::breathes a sigh of relief:: oh thank God. lol
I'm not judging here ladies. Its your body and your baby. I'm just surprised some of you have access to doctors who would do a c-section for cosmetic reasons only.
There's a risk for complications, no matter what you do.
This is YOUR decision, not everyone else's on this board. Talk to your doctor and do what's right for YOU.
B/c I don't have sex in my stomach. I don't want to be cut b/c I don't want to have a walk in closet as a vagina.
Ditto this...I have a friend who just had a c-section 2 weeks ago and she just spent nearly a week in the hospital due to infection that couldn't be controlled.
Yeah but there was a woman here who gave birth vaginally. Got an infection and ended up a double amputee.
Childbirth carries a risk no matter what. But the truth is Vaginal deliveries do carrie less of a risk than C-sections
Did everyone skip over everything I wrote? I did not say I am wanting this for cosmetic reasons. I am wanting a cesarean because I'm pretty damn sure I'm gonna end up having to have one anyway. Why bother trying to have regular birth when I'm going to more than likely have to have a c-section anyway?
It wasn't the birth, it was b/c the hospital infected her with MRSA. She sued and won b/c she lost her arms and legs.
My doc said she HATES doing episotomies and will NOT do one unless the baby is in complete distress and NEEDS to come out NOW. Talk to your doc...
I am and it isn't MY doc I'm worried about. It is if he isn't available and I get some random doctor that wants to play edward scissor hands on my nether regions.
If this is what you want then as I said before I really think it is something you should talk to your dr. about. but he/she may not schedule one and insist on you trying vaginally. honestly what have you got to lose? There is a chance you could deliver vaginaly and not have the recovery time. i understand the fear of tearing and the family history of C-sections behind your wanting to schedule one and I really think that your best bet would be talking with the dr and calling the hospital where you are giving birth and finding out their policy as well as info about the dr's on staff. GL!
You never know. Just because other women in your family had to have one doesn't mean you will too. Everyone is different. If I was you though I would at least try for a vaginal delivery. Seriously do some research. Csections are from from easy and carry more risks. It is major surgery, KWIM?
Yeah, and do you actually think that having major surgery (where? IN THE HOSPITAL) is going to put you at less of a risk for an infection than a vaginal delivery?
Jesus H. Christ...
Sarah - 12/23/2008
Alex - 9/30/2011
"I say embrace the total geek in yourself and just enjoy it. Life is too short to be cool." - Shirley Manson, Garbage
Exactly!
Seriously, my cousin almost lost her life due to an infection from her csection. Does it happen all the time? No. Can it? Yes.
Pretty fvcking scary if you ask me.
I wouldn't wish a c-section on anyone. I had a vaginal delivery. I had a couple of stitches but that was it, and I was not in any pain. In fact, despite having severe pp pre-e, I felt great that first week.
As for sex, I felt a lot tighter than I had before (DH said it felt tighter too), and it took awhile before sex felt normal again. Nothing feels loose down there.