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C-sections
Decision to make - input needed
Hi Ladies. I have never posted here before but have a few questions after my OB appointment today. After lurking around on here I thought this was the best place to ask. I hope you don't mind my dropping in.
I am trying to make a decision between a vaginal delivery and a scheduled c-section. My OB's reasoning for offering the c-section was that I have a history of vaginal tearing. She has been treating me for 8 years for vaginal tearing during sex. We have tried estrogen creams, dilators, lubricants, and hormone supplements. I have slightly less tearing with sex while using the estrogen cream but overall the therapy has been without much improvement. I have scar tissue in the vaginal canal from repeated tearing over the years. The tears are not severe and do not require stitches, but they do make sex quite painful and unpleasant.
Due to my history she has said that I may want to consider a c-section. Her reasoning is that with a c-section we know more of what to expect with recovery and to what extent to damage will be. the immediate recovery will most likely be harder but the long term effects should be less. However, superficial vaginal tearing does not 100% show that I will tear more that is common (3rd or 4th degree) with a typical vaginal birth, though it does make her think I will. She said I may still only tear superficially, but there is no way to know except try. She does feel that with the prior scar tissue I will most likely tear. If I do tear it will compound my sex issues by creating more scar tissue. She said if I were to tear 3rd or 4th degree that I could need reconstructive surgery and could have worsened pain with sex for months, years or forever. Or the vaginal delivery could go perfectly normally and cause no issues, no one knows.
So long story short, the c-section will most likely be worse recovery immediately but we will know what to expect and that my sex issues will not be compounded in the future or the vaginal delivery could be easier recovery immediately but may have more long term effects (which may last forever).
She is leaving the decision up the DH and I. I would love some input from women who have had a c-section. I don't think I am able to make a good decision right now because the thought of someone cutting me open while I am awake freaks me out! However, the pain and tearing during sex has always been and issue and is hard on a marriage. I really don't want it to get worse.
Knowing what you know about a c-section, what would you do? Any advice is truly appreciated.
(Sorry this is so long!!!)
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Decision to make - input needed
I can't speak about a normal c/s since i had an emergency but I do want to say that is a tough decision. If I were in your shoes I would be leaning towards a cesarean just because I would not be sure I would want to potentially jeopardize my sex life with my SO any further. I understand the hardships that medical issues can cause to a sex life and to a marriage so I definitely would be apprehensive.
I am a 'lurker' I am pregnant with twins and was told I will more likely then not be having a c sections because of some of my medical issues and the fact its less risk to the twins .. because of my medical issues. So I have been reading stuff on here .. here and there from time to time.
If I were in your shoes I think I would have to go with the c section. I think to me the unknown would be worse. At least from the c section you know you will heal and have no lasting effects. I have had all vaginal deliveries and I never had issues with tearing prior to being pregnant. However ... 3 of my deliveries I tore and had to have stitches to 'fix' me back up. Then with another delivery they actually were so concerned I would tare they cut me ahead of time so it would be a 'clean' tare. Yes it healed ... but like any scar its sensitive. Then when I was in labor with my one son who was premature with my contractions and pushing he would move down .. the second the contraction quit he would move back up. I was in labor for hours and hours with the pushing and nothing happening. After being in labor for hours they were about to switch me over to an emergent c section. Well at the last minute the doc tried to 'reach in' on a contraction and pull him down at the same time. Well .. again I tore! My son was only 2lbs but all the struggle of pushing and then the doc having to help him .. ugg. So without having pre existing tearing I still tore. =( Plus you could go through hours and hours of labor and in the end still end up having a c section!
I am not trying to scare anyone!!!! To be honest I am terrified of labor and delivery! To me all the contractions and pushing was exhausting and sort of traumatic! I did however have my water break two times prematurely and I lost both those babies so last time I did labor and delivery it was to deliver babies I would never get to bring home =( So some of my fear is coming from those losses. This time around I told the doc I am totally ok with the c section. Personally I just feel like it will be less traumatic on me physically .. and my twins. I know recovery is going to suck (from what I hear!) but I would honestly rather do that then chance the the trying to deliver natural and then have more complications! Plus I would have double the pushing! YIKES!
If I were you I would try to air on the safe side and opt for the c section. Like I said I never had issues with my vaginal tissue tearing but every time I gave birth I tore =( My scars from the tearing are still super sensitive too. Plus when it tore it was like a horrible painful burning feeling. It hurt!
I can only imagine what your going through and I feel for ya! Good luck ..
wow, you are in a unique situation. One that I don't think too many of us will totally be able to understand.
I usually am VERY pro vaginal birth, but in your situation, I would almost say go the c section route. Yes, it's riskier for both mom and baby, and recovery is longer. However, if you do have a 3rd or 4th degree tear, you could have a long recovery, and possibly have bladder or rectal issues that would require surgery for you down the line to repair.
I am sorry you are going through this. I wish you the best.
DS born via unplanned C-section at 40w6d
No it isn't as bad as you think it will be. The spinal is in and you are numb before you know it. You can't see anything either which helps. If you are truly having a panic attack they will give you something for anxiety.
OP- I was always pro-vaginal birth and very against C/S except in emergencies. When we found out DS was going to be over 10 pounds, my OB also convinced me to have a C/S. I don't regret the decision I made, but sometimes I feel like I missed out on the whole birthing experience. I think it just comes down to if the possible long-term effects of tearing outweigh how you feel about not having a vaginal birth experience. GL
That's a really tough call! All I can tell you is that I had really great c/s experiences and have never regretted my choice to go c/s for a minute. The recovery is not necessarily going to be any worse than if you go vaginally - there are easy and hard c/s deliveries, and easy and hard vag deliveries. I felt great by day 2 and didn't have any issues caring for myself or baby.
Best of luck to you!
(read it. you know you want to.)
anderson . september 2008
vivian . february 2010
mabel . august 2012
Yes! They will absolutely give you something to calm you, if requested. I was really nervous when I went in for c/s #2, and they quickly offered me something to chill me out. I was still aware and present at the birth, but I had a nice little buzz going on that made it all much more pleasant.
I didn't think it was scary at all the first time. I was just SO excited by that point to meet our son that I couldn't have cared less what they wanted to do to me!
(read it. you know you want to.)
anderson . september 2008
vivian . february 2010
mabel . august 2012