- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
January 2011 Moms
freeatlast2014
member
Let's talk Pros of C-sections...
freeatlast2014
member
Are you or were you relieved to have a c-section? If so, why?
Background: LO is breech, u/s tomorrow to check AF & position, but dr. wants to schedule c-section 1 week before due date (1/7). She thinks he's basically "stuck" and won't be moving down. I'd like to hear about positive things about c-sections. I trust my dr. 110% and AM NOT looking for reasons of why I should doubt her...I have to go with my gut on this one. TIA.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Let's talk Pros of C-sections...
I've never had a vaginal birth, just two c-sections. To be completely honest, there are no pros for c-sections (over a vaginal birth) that I can think of, other than when it is best for you or the baby.
For example, I had a c/s 14 months ago, so I was recommended to have another to avoid the risk of uterine rupture.
If I could have, and DS wasn't breech, I would have chosen a VBAC.
But c-sections aren't bad, just not the same. The recovery is longer, yes. And it is actual surgery. But it's not that bad.
Let me ask you about recovery if you don't mind - how much help did you really need (like was your H enough, did you need family too, did someone come and stay with you)? Did you BF? How long before you could pick the baby up on your own? Thank you.
Great questions! I was wondering the same thing! I found out my baby girl is breech also and she seems to be stuck and my Dr doesn't do versions so a c-section is looking like my only option. Thanks for the post!
I'm sure you would pick a vaginal birth over a c-section, but the pro that I see is its a safe way to give birth to your LO when the situation would otherwise be dangerous for you and/or your baby. I've not had one so I can't offer any experience, but just wanted to say sorry LO isn't being cooperative and is limiting your choices. One advantage for you is you know the latest when your LO is going to be here. Fingers crossed LO proves everyone wrong and flips over. If not, I'm sure everything will go just perfect.
One thing I asked my hospital was if for some reason I need a c-section (because none of us know for sure until baby is safely out) can DH do the immediate skin-to-skin contact that they would normally do with me with a vaginal birth. Our hospital allows this. So if things go wrong and we need one, DH will remove his shirt when they take her out and they will hand her to him to place on his chest after they suction her. That way she is getting some bonding and body heat/contact with one of us.
I've never had a c/s and hope to deliver vaginally, but my best friend is a Physician's Assistant and swears she wants a c/s when she has a baby. She only has one reason that is making her want a c/s...she said with vaginal birth(s), you have a higher chance of vaginal prolapse later in life. Basically your organs in the pelvic region fall in? I guess if you would ever be worried about that, you could add the reduced risk of that to the list of pros for a c/s. That wouldn't be enough of a worry for me to want a c/s though.
No hemis, episiotomies or 3rd degree tears. Plus, your hooha won't get stretched out.
(Mine will snap back, right? Right? RIGHT???)
If cutting the cord is important to your DH, a lot of times with c/s, the doc will clamp/cut the cord close to the placenta, then let the DH cut the cord down to the length it's supposed to be. But immediate skin-to-skin contact would be a good 2nd option (or good in addition to cutting the cord).
If cutting the cord is important to your DH, a lot of times with c/s, the doc will clamp/cut the cord close to the placenta, then let the DH cut the cord down to the length it's supposed to be. But immediate skin-to-skin contact would be a good 2nd option (or good in addition to cutting the cord).
Oh, I actually completely agree, but forgot.
OP, I'll reply to your questions when I have 2 hands to type.
Like everyone else said the best pro of a c-section is a healthy baby and healthy you in the end for situations where your doctor thinks a vaginal birth is risky.
I had a c-section last time and my recovery was a breeze. My incision was so low so nothing ever touched it while carrying the baby. I didn't feel any pain, just once in awhile I felt achy like the flu and I would take the pain medicine.
I think your DH is enough help and you do not need anyone else, unless you want someone else. I wanted it to just be me, DH and baby for awhile so our families didn't come for awhile and when they did they were visitors and not 'helpers'.
Well, this time around is a bit different than last time. With DD, I only had DH home for one day out of the hospital then he had to go back to work. I did have my sister and my aunt and my dad help when I needed to go to a doctor's appointment. I.e. one of them would accompany me and DD, and they would carry DD's carseat for me, since I wasn't allowed to lift it yet. Looking back, I really didn't need them, as I could have just taken DD in and out of the carseat to the appointments, and leave the carseat in the car.
This time, however, I have DH around for another week still (so he's been at home with us for almost 12 days out of the hospital, not just 1 day). This is essential for us right now, since with DD being only 14 months, she needs a lot of lifting (to the crib, change table, high chair, etc) and I am not allowed to lift her yet. I also have my sister around a lot, since she loves to visit, and it's nice to have her help.
I tried BFing for a few days in the hospital with DD, but totally decided to exclusively FF for DS.
You are allowed to pick up your newborn from the second they are born. Your weight restriction is basically them. So you can pick up your LO, but not your LO in their carseat. (I can pick up DS - my newborn - , but not DD - who's 14 months - right now.)
Just another few thoughts about the recovery process of a c-section:
Get out of bed as soon as possible. I wasn't told I could get up until 12+ hours with DD, but with DS, I was out of bed within 6 hours.
Expect it to hurt, it will, but push through it!!! Don't lay in bed all day and refuse to get up. The more you move, the better it will be. Also, the getting in and out of bed will likely be the worst part, so I'd suggest buying a stool to help climb into bed. It helped me with DD's c/s recovery.
Stay on top of your meds. WIth this recovery, I was only at a "pain level" of about 2/10 a few hours after the surgery, since the spinal was still working, but I requested the drugs I would be given. They asked if I wanted to wait until I had more pain, and I said no, since I knew I needed to keep on top of them. Similarily, don't wait for the nurse to bring them to you or ask you if you want them. I set an alarm for every 4 hours, and requested the nurse to bring them every time my alarm went off.
Get help if you can for "other stuff", like cleaning, laundry, shopping, etc. You can take care of your baby, but you might also want help for that too, so you can get a break. DH is great for this.
Although I do say to get up and move as much as possible, you do need rest and time to put your feet up. I had a lot of swelling in my ankles in the 3rd to 5th days post partum, and some extra bleeding, which told me I was doing too much. I wasn't just getting up to move around (this is a good thing), I was going out and doing too many errands myself (I probably should've asked someone else to do errands for me).
Anyways, feel free to ask me any more questions.
I don't see any pros unless medically needed.
I was nearly begging for one during my horrific induction in 2009, but my OB didn't want me to go through the pain of recovery from a c-section and the real possibility of never delivering vaginally in my life.
I'd say pros are:
--there's no mystery around when your baby will come. You know you'll be somewhat rested (since it's not like they will do surgery in the middle of the night after a long work day or something)
-- it's really quick! Baby is out in 10 minutes, and surgery is done 30 minutes after that (assuming no complications).
-- you don't experience the pain of contractions, labor, or a vaginal tear.
-- there's a pediatrician in the room to take care of LO as soon as the come out (not true with vag births)
-- baby won't have mis-shapen head/face from pushing through the birth canal
-- your vagina doesn't get stretched.
-- you get an extra 2 weeks of maternity leave
(these, of course are just the pros -- not the cons! But I think there's a positive and negative side to both options. The main thing is doing what's best for mom and baby!)
Whatever hospital does that is taking a big chance cause DH isn't usually sterile and the space where they are working is. I have had 4 c-sections and that was never a option.
I just had a c-section 2 days ago b/c LO was breech and my water broke...it was a breeze. I never had on contraction so no pain
So far the worst part was getting out of bed the first time b/c my pain meds had worn off...but as soon as they kicked back in I was fine. I've been able to breastfeed with no problem and hold LO with no problem.
I was upset at the thought of having one but it was really easy
Thanks for posting this and all of the responses. I am in the same boat as MrsLynnyD and was getting nervous about everything.
Thanks ladies and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I dont have one scheduled but these are the pro's i can also think of