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3rd Trimester
Guess what? Not every c-section is alike.
I am a bit tired of all the generalizations about c-sections. Just like not every vaginal birth is the same, neither is every c-section. Just like some people don't tear and some people do, some people get to hold their babies immediately after their c/s in recovery! GASP! And some get to breastfeed, and some only stay in the hospital a couple of nights, and some have easy recoveries, and some have babies that don't have ANY respiratory issues from not being "squeezed" out. Some people are even able to take care of their newborns when they get home. OMG!
It's true, some c/s recoveries are terrible. There are complications, there are spinal headaches, there is blood loss, etc., etc. Guess what? There can be very unpleasant and complicated vaginal births. So why isn't everyone making sweeping generalizations about exactly how their vaginal birth will go?
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Re: Guess what? Not every c-section is alike.
Or maybe it's not personal at all, maybe it's based on statistics that say that there are more risks involved with a csection.
This. Just because OP had a relatively "smooth" c-section, doesn't mean that others should use that anecdotal evidence rather than research, facts, and statistics to make a decision about whether to opt for a c-section over a vaginal birth. If a c-section is necessary, then it's the best thing mom can do for her baby and herself. But many people elect for a c-section without being fully aware of the risks and realities that the procedure entails.
If breastfeeding is typically harder, and recovery is typically more difficult, and babies born by c-section are more likely to develop breathing problems such as transient tachypnea, and a host of other respiratory issues, along with so many other risks, it only makes sense that when someone asks about c-section, that informed people will disclose that information.
Anyone with a "simple" c-section is an atypical example and should be viewed as such. Knowing what I know about c-section, it would be very unwise for me to make a decision about whether or not to elect for the surgery based upon your experience or the experiences of other atypical women.
There are no more risks to having a C-section than there are for any other kinds of surgery. And there's a BIIIIIG difference between CHOOSING to have a CS and HAVING to have one for medical necessity. BIG DIFFERENCE.
Physical recovery is different than emotional recovery.
I had a really easy c-section recovery with #1. I was up and walking around within a few hours and had no issues taking care of her when I got home. The problem I faced, as I understand many other CS mamas have, is that I felt completely detached from the birth of my child.
There may be more risks but not everyone has horrible c-sections and there are many that have horrible vaginal deliveries. A lot of the time it is personal and people will get negative comments towards them for going the c-section route. I say to each's own.
"Guess what" isn't a question, it's a statement or command.
Guess what.
Join our wiki and tell us what your baby eats for finger foods.
Totally lurking (reminiscing about being pregnant) but if I may just add.... I delivered vaginally, with an epidural (thank god). I delivered a TEN pound four ounce baby. he was "squeezed" out but came out not breathing. I ended up with a fractured tailbone and i couldn't sit "right" for about 6 months. My cousin was up and going four days after her c section, whereas I had to sleep on my couch because I also seperated my pubic bone so much that I couldn't lift my legs up the stairs. I don't think anyone should ever generalize in either direction.
In the previous thread it was asked what the big deal was between a c-section and a vaginal birth. When that question is asked people are going to respond with statistics and generalizations, which is not saying that every woman has a horrible c-section experience. Statistics are not personal.
As much as I appreciate your help, Saxy, you are incorrect. The phrase is typically written in the form of a question, because the complete question would be phrased something like this "Guess what [I am going to say]?"
And while there are women who do have horrible vaginal deliveries, it's just as true that not everyone has one, same as c/s. Our plan is to avoid c/s unless there are no other options to avoid the extra risks associated with a major abdominal surgery. I agree to each their own; I won't look down on anyone who elects to have their baby that way.
Also they happen under different circumstances. Last time was an emergency, it took less than 5 min for my DD to be delivered via c-section. This time will take 45 min to an hour. This time, after a short trip to the nursery she will be brought back to me. Last time they kept her for 12 hours. I did not see her at all, I was sick and she wasn't breathing well on her own right away. I spent 5 days in the hospital after delivery last time. This time will (hopefully)be only 2 maybe 3 nights.
I gave my own story in that thread. There is no generalization when I'm talking about what I went through. It is what it is. And truth is, some hospitals have policies where some things just don't happen like they should. Of course generalizations may result from that coupled with anecdotal evidence. It is major surgery after all.
LL, I'm really glad your c/s was so awesome. It gives me hope that this time around (with it being scheduled) I will have a similar experience.
This is the biggest factor as far as I see it.
My responses have nothing to do with the other thread. They are for this thread. Usually when anyone asks questions about c-sections there are people trying to sway them or looking down on them for considering.
I agree completely Pennilyn
You never know how each one is going to go and I also don't look down on anyone's decision.
Yep, every birth experience is different.
That's why I want to go with the one with the odds on my side if I can. I can't guess what kind of individual experience I'll have, so I'll take the one with statistics in my favour. If that doesn't work out, I'll hope I manage to have a decent c-section.
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Yeah I'm tired of c/s generalizations too. It's one thing to talk about statistical research findings (X number of moms who have a c/s will develop an infection, for example), and another to make sweeping statements about how awful cesareans are. Or how easy they are.
Birth is experienced differently by everyone and those experiences and feelings are all legitimate and should be respected.
lol - that is still not a question.
This conversation reminds me of the many, many discussions that I had with my mom before she finally scheduled her knee replacement surgery. My mom kept saying that "so and so I talked to in the grocery store had a bad experience" and I had to remind her of the actual statistics vs. generalizations.
By the way, she scheduled her surgery right after our BFP...coincidence? ) She had her knee operated on in October and has had a quick and smooth recovery. She now tells people it was "piece of cake." After all her years of delaying the surgery...