Which was worse...natural or c-section???

Oually · December 2011

I do not mean to start anything...I am just curious. For you moms that have had both...which was worse and why?

babypuplove · December 2011

I have done both (vaginal with my first, c-section due to previa with my second), and by far prefer vaginal. I plan to do a VBAC with this next baby if possible. The recovery time both at the hospital and at home was MUCH quicker for me after my vaginal delivery.

penguingrrl · December 2011

I had a c section followed by a VBAC, although I had an epidural for the vaginal birth. I had a reasonable recovery from the section but recovering from the VBAC was still much easier (and my VBAC was not easy, 3 hours of pushing and a forceps assisted delivery). I've heard stories of sections being easier than a vaginal delivery, but very rarely. Usually a vaginal delivery is easier and has a better recovery.

smerka · December 2011

For me, "natural" was way worse. I was induced, labored for 24 hours, pushed for over 3, and they had to use the vacuum. My second was breech and I had a planned c-section. Recovery from the c-section was a breeze in comparison.

aehwch · December 2011

I think it can depend on a lot of factors. I had an induced vaginal birth and pushed for 3 hours (before DD) was born. I had the Dr completely turn off the epidural after 2 hours of pushing b/c I couldn't feel anything. Crowning naturally was pretty painful. I also had complications afterwards (stitches from a repaired tear opened up and I had a collection of blood that closed off in my vaginal area, whiched created more pain than the delivery itself. It wasnt until 4 weeks post-partum that i could sit without pain. I have not had a c-section so I can't compare.

Oually · December 2011

Thanks ladies! I do realize it depends on each delivery. But I had one and SIL just had the other, so I am just counting the minutes before MIL tells me how much worse SIL had it than me. Yes...she is like that. So I guess I was just looking to see which one of us really did have it worse off! Petty...I know...but they really have irked me all throughout our pregnancies and I'd secretly like to think for once they realized what I went through was rough!

mrswright2006 · December 2011

for me, c-section was easier. My first was a natural birth and, although she was average height and weight, I tore so badly that sex was painful for almost a year. Plus, I was physically exhausted from pushing, and the tearing took as long, if not longer to heal than my c-section incision.

DS wouldn't descend because he was so large (11 pounds, almost 23 inches), and I ended up in a c-section. The pain wasn't that much worse, and healed faster than I would have imagined. My biggest complaint was that my arms were horribly sore for a few days from the pushing I did before they told me I wasn't going to be able to push him out.

I am so thankful I have done it both ways, but am actually glad that I can have a CS next time (I had to have pitocin both times for different reasons, and I am convinced my body doesn't know how to send myself into full fledged labor).

Daisy77 · December 2011

DD#1 was born vaginally after 27 hours of labor (the last 9 being suckier than all hell). I needed a few stitches so that was on top of the recovery from labor.

DS was born via emergency c-section after 11 hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing. My whole body was unbelievably sore after that.

DD#2 was born via planned c-section. By far the easiest birth and recovery of the 3.

A c-section is major surgery and a longer recovery. I think it all depends on how well your body responds to labor, meds, etc.

JimsBride08 · December 2011

For me, they both sucked. If we have a third though I'll be trying for another VBAC. C-section sucked due to obvious reasons-recovery took forever, and my muscles where the incision was are still not right. VBAC was a looong labor, 2.5 hours of pushing, 2nd degree tear, and hemorrhage. I guess I suck at birth.

LynsiBHM · December 2011

I've only had one and delivered vaginally. I was 41 1/2 weeks and was induced. Labored for DAYS, pushed for HOURS, and couldn't sit comfortable for WEEKS. It was a full 3 mos before I got the green light for sex. Rough recovery to say the least!

One of my work friends who was pregnant at the same time had a planned c section (breech.) Her recovery was a breeze.

I refused a c-section while I was in labor (they only recommended it for my energy level and the estimated size of the baby- he was not in any distress.) I don't regret it at all, but I do wonder how my recovery would have been had they just cut him out of me!

pinksweetpea2 · December 2011

Just curious what you mean by natural- do you mean no drugs or just vaginal?

MAprincess · December 2011

I had a c/s with my first and VBACed my second. The c/s was WAAAY worse to me. Nothing particularly terrible happened during it but I did not like needing help with things afterward, being restricted in my movement, etc. With the vaginal delivery, yes- it hurt more leading up but I was packed and ready to go home an hour later (the hospital required me to stay for 24 hours, but I could have gone home much sooner). I was able to care for both of my children immediately and with no other issues. I did have a small tear from delivery but it did not really hurt and did not inhibit things like the c/s scar did. C/S's are major surgery, so it makes sense that the recovery would be harder- they literally move around your internal organs while they are in there!

albl508 · December 2011

I've had both. First one ended in 3 hours of pushing, vacuum and a 4th degree tear :-/...it was awful yet so amazing. Second we went with a C-Section after my doctors advised it because of my previous tear. At first, I thought the operating room was a little overwhelming and I felt as if I was going to vomit but when she came out fast I knew I was relieved that I didn't have to do much but recover. However, I have to admit that I feel like I missed out a little on the C-Section. After having the natural I just didn't feel as empowered and I didn't like how they took my husband and the baby away so fast. And recovery was annoying for both so.... Don't ever let anyone tell you they had it harder than you. I can't stand when people use that as a bragging point anyway.

Cherryblossoms07 · December 2011

Hands down c-section!!! I have told this to a couple of IRL friends already, but I would take a completely natural child birth over a c-section any day!

I had a completely natural child birth with DD and it really wasn't that bad. I had a short period of time of intense pain but I was back to my old self 2 days later. I had an emergency c-section with DS and the recuperation was worse than natural child birth in my opinion. I could not walk straight for 3 days. I was on heavy medication for nearly 2 weeks (high dose motrin and oxycodone). I still have pain at my incision once in a while. I am no where near back to normal. Plus, I will have a horrid scar now.

pinksweetpea2 · December 2011

I have not had a c-section, but I can safely say that I would NEVER prefer major surgery over natural birth...and I am talking about actual natural birth- no drugs, no episiotomies, no forceps, etc- basically no major interventions.

Truthfully, a lot of mainstream vaginal birth stories make me cringe and I would totally understand why someone would prefer a c-section after having a vaginal birth like that...and mine was less than perfect without all of that.

Honestly, I don't think you are going to get a real consensus on this post because you are going to come across a lot of people who have had c-sections with their seconds because they had such a horrible vaginal experience.

I think to get a good even perspective you would have to post on other boards and don't forget to include boards such as the VBAC board and the natural birth board where women are choosing/have chosen to have a vaginal birth after a c-section.

Statically, a c-section poses more of a risk to the Mom than a vaginal birth...even VBAC are statically safer in most cases than repeat c-sections (despite what mainstream medicine say- that is more of an insurance thing than medical).

Like I said, I understand why some people choose to go the c-section route after having a traumatic vaginal birth, but I cannot imagine why anyone who had not give birth before would choose that route unless medically necessary.

Sharon21 · December 2011

Oually:
Thanks ladies! I do realize it depends on each delivery. But I had one and SIL just had the other, so I am just counting the minutes before MIL tells me how much worse SIL had it than me. Yes...she is like that. So I guess I was just looking to see which one of us really did have it worse off! Petty...I know...but they really have irked me all throughout our pregnancies and I'd secretly like to think for once they realized what I went through was rough!

Please do not compare your birth to someone else's experience, and don't allow anyone else to compare it either. Childbirth shouldn't be a contest for who had the worst experience it should be an empowering joyous event. You should be proud of your accomplishment of bringing a baby into the world regardless of the route taken. Don't allow someone else's experience to take anything away from your own. Just because their's might have been difficult doesn't mean that yours wasn't also.

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Which was worse...natural or c-section???

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