Question for C-section moms

lrw327 · July 2012

I did not have a C-section, I was able to have a vaginal birth.

I am just curious though, I am trying to understand, I know a lot of women have Emergency C sections their first birth (and others plan them for various reasons), but why do so many people get repeat C-sections instead of trying for VBACs?

I was very high risk and my OB kept telling me I was either going to need an induction or a C-section (or possibly both!). I put my foot down with him and told him that unless he showed me paperwork to PROVE that I needed one or the other or both, I was not doing that (now if it was life or death for my baby, that would have been different). I was borderline Pre-E and was warned it could turn into HELLP. I told him that unless it was ACTUAL Pre-E or ACTUAL HELLP then I did not want anything less than a vaginal birth. I lucked out in that my DD came on her own early (not induced) at exactly 37 wks so I guess my condition didn't really have much of a chance to get "worse" than it was b/c of her early arrival, so that all worked out. If I had had to have a C-Section though, I would in no way want a repeat, I would absolutely go for a VBAC!

Just curious, if you elected for a C-section, why? And if you didn't want a VBAC for your 2nd or subsequent birth, why?

I am so happy I was able to do it vaginally, but I know that isn't the case for everyone out there and there are a lot of women who can't.

stemms8810 · July 2012

There are risks with both but my H and decided it was safer to do a repeat c-section. I personally didn't want the risks with me or my baby. I was also at risk to develop pre-e again. I had it with my first and HELLP.

I did consider a vbac in the beginning and thought that's what I wanted but when it came down to the risks I chose against it. I know a lot of women have successful vbacs though. Each decision is personal.

Also, with already having one child it was nice to have a planned c-section date so I could make arrangments for her way ahead of time and it was nice to have everything in order around the house b/c I knew exactly when he would be born.

becketts · July 2012

My first was born vaginally- successful induction at 34 weeks due to severe pre-e. my second was a c-section- failed induction at 35 weeks due to low amniotic fluid/IUGR/start of pre-e. Her heart rate indicated she was too stressed to continue the induction so a c-section was safer.

We don't plan to have more kids, but I would do a RCS if we did. I have a bicornuate uterus and had to have an emergency D&C after delivering DD1 because of retained placenta. One benefit of the c-section is that my OB had more control of that complication. She said based on what she saw during the c-section, I probably would have had the same problem if DD2 had been born vaginally.

Linds1027 · July 2012

I opted for a c-section after my water broke, and I was in labor 6 hours, 7 cm dialated. The doctor explained to me that my pelvic bone was very low (I had been told this by every OB I have ever had), and baby would most likely have a hard time getting her head out. She did not say it was impossible, but I didn't want to push and push, and cause undue stress on baby and me if the chances were that I would need a c-section anyway. Part of me wishes I would have tried, only because getting a c-section and the recovery sucks bad.

pinkmoonlight · July 2012

I had an emergency c-section with my DD after 27 hours of labor for fetal distress and failure to descend. My daughter was 9 pounds 6 ounces. I pushed for a total of 2 hours before all this happened. It was very traumatic for me. I had to be put under and did not get to know what I had or hold my daughter for 5 hours after words.

With my most recent pregnancy I considered doing a VBAC, but knew due to the fact that I was unable to push my daughter out that there was a chance I would not get my most recent baby turned son out as well. In the end my H and I decided that since I had such a hard time with the fact of missing DD birth, that a scheduled c-section would be best for me. In the end it was the best decision I could have made. DS was 10 pounds, he had a 38 cm head and my OB (new this pregnancy and very VBAC friendly) said there is no way I would have gotten him out.

All other children (we want 2-3 more) will be born via scheduled c-section.

MrsSR · July 2012

Some doctors just won't... and some moms are worried about a rupture.

We are one and done, but if we weren't I'd go for a c-section. I don't want to risk having a horrible birthing experience again.

Call me Mrs. F · July 2012

I chose a rcs for this pregnancy for a couple reasons. The first being, my labor with DS was 22 hours and when we finally got to pushing, his head was too big for my pelvis and would not come through. The stress of me trying to push him through a place he was too big for made his heart rate drop. I dont want to encounter that problem with this baby. Considering that the smallness of my pelvis was the problem, and that obviously hasnt changed, I didnt want another 22 hours of pain for no reason. Secondly, to be totally honest, safety for baby aside, I truly have no desire to experience labor again and feel no need to push out a baby. I will be perfectly happy with my rcs and having my new guy that way.

skio · July 2012

I hope that you're asking because you're open-minded and honestly curious as to the answers. Because there are many, many valid reasons that a woman would not choose to VBAC.

I don't think you can say that if you had a c/s, you would without question try for a VBAC the next time. Until you have walked a mile in her shoes...and all that.

Many c-sections are rather traumatic. Maybe mom went through labor and pushing, only to end in c/s with a hard recovery. Many emergency sections mean mom is put under and remembers nothing about the birth of her child. Sometimes the baby needs to be taken to the NICU for hours or days. And there is often a medical reason that the baby was unable to be delivered vaginally, and it would be unsafe for the mother and her future children to even attempt it again. It's completely understandable that a woman would want to avoid such an experience again and would therefore plan a c/s to avoid whatever it was that caused the issues last time around.

I labored for 23 hours with DD and pushed for 3.5. She would not descend and started showing distress. I had been awake for over 40 hours and had not eaten for over 25 hours. When they finally brought me to surgery, I was an exhausted, shaking, crying, emotional mess. And I had a horrible, long recovery. I hated my c/s. Many people in my shoes choose to schedule a c/s next time around because it's an easier recovery when scheduled vs. laboring first, and because it's very possible that the same issue could plague the next delivery. It is a completely valid, completely understandable choice, and I could never fault another woman for making it. I will most likely be attempting a VBAC next time, but there is a lot of emotional stress behind my reasons; I had a hard time coming to terms with my c/s and trying again, even if I end up in surgery again, is what's best for me. But it's certainly not what's best for everyone.

It doesn't matter how babies come into the world. It matters that mom and baby are healthy and that the mother had a birth experience that she was comfortable with.

tawillers · July 2012

skio:

I hope that you're asking because you're open-minded and honestly curious as to the answers. Because there are many, many valid reasons that a woman would not choose to VBAC.

I don't think you can say that if you had a c/s, you would without question try for a VBAC the next time. Until you have walked a mile in her shoes...and all that.

Many c-sections are rather traumatic. Maybe mom went through labor and pushing, only to end in c/s with a hard recovery. Many emergency sections mean mom is put under and remembers nothing about the birth of her child. Sometimes the baby needs to be taken to the NICU for hours or days. And there is often a medical reason that the baby was unable to be delivered vaginally, and it would be unsafe for the mother and her future children to even attempt it again. It's completely understandable that a woman would want to avoid such an experience again and would therefore plan a c/s to avoid whatever it was that caused the issues last time around.

I labored for 23 hours with DD and pushed for 3.5. She would not descend and started showing distress. I had been awake for over 40 hours and had not eaten for over 25 hours. When they finally brought me to surgery, I was an exhausted, shaking, crying, emotional mess. And I had a horrible, long recovery. I hated my c/s. Many people in my shoes choose to schedule a c/s next time around because it's an easier recovery when scheduled vs. laboring first, and because it's very possible that the same issue could plague the next delivery. It is a completely valid, completely understandable choice, and I could never fault another woman for making it. I will most likely be attempting a VBAC next time, but there is a lot of emotional stress behind my reasons; I had a hard time coming to terms with my c/s and trying again, even if I end up in surgery again, is what's best for me. But it's certainly not what's best for everyone.

It doesn't matter how babies come into the world. It matters that mom and baby are healthy and that the mother had a birth experience that she was comfortable with.

You said it better and more politely than I would have, so thank you.

ETA: VBACs sometimes fail. I know firsthand. So you may say you would without a doubt try for a VBAC, but it wouldn't guarantee you a vaginal birth.

Lots of women here are very sensitive about how their child(ren)'s births happened, and the VBAC vs RCS decision is not taken lightly. Unless you've ever had to do hours and hours of research and wrestle with which method to choose, please think twice about how you ask questions, as yours comes off a little holier-than-thou.

Congrats. You had a vaginal birth and never want a c-section. Hundreds of women here wanted the same thing.

lrw327 · July 2012

Yes I was just curious. I will be honest, I actually came very close to just "opting" for a C-section, b/c DD was projected to be over 9 lbs at birth (and if she had been full term or late, that would have been an accurate projection!). I talked to my OB about it and he said it was completely my choice, if I wanted it he would do it and if not he wouldn't.

Fortunately for me, my local board (not TB, but a TMN group if any of you are part of that in your local areas) gave me feedback about the situation and after talking with many women who were faced with a similar situation (one was just over 5 ft and delivered two 9-10 lb babies vaginally with no meds!! that really inspired me!!) they all really talked me out of just getting a C/S and really encouraged me to try vaginally. Def one of the best decisions of my life, I had an amazing birthing experience and can't wait to do it again and hopefully it will go just as well! On my local board we have a TON of natural birthing mamas (not that I was one of those- I got an epidural, I'm not that brave lol!) and a TON of VBAC mamas as well. Talking to all the VBAC mamas made me realize that if I end up with a C/S next time for whatever reason, after that I totally want a VBAC if I possibly can b/c of how much I enjoyed my vaginal birthing experience. I am sooo thankful that all those ladies talked me out a C/S but thats just me.

So with all that said, that was my experience but it isn't everyone's and people have C/S's for many many reasons as you said and I'm just curious what the reasons were and why people had them, if they opted to for a certain reason, or if it was medically necessary or a combination of both, etc...def wasn't trying to be negative or come off in a negative way!

kes77 · July 2012

Everyone has their own reasons for why they choose a repeat c/s over a VBAC. With my first daughter, I was in labor for 15 hours, pushed for 3+, forceps were used, my daughter's heartrate dropped so low at one point about 15 people came in the room and I was about to be knocked out for an emergency c/s. After everything got settled, I was wheeled into the OR and I had my daughter a few minutes later. I developed an infection in the hospital from my water being broken for so long and then another one at home four weeks later. Needless to say - it was a very traumatic birth experience for me. I know this is not the norm, but when I became pregnant with my second daughter I decided to have a repeat c/s because I did not want to go through another traumatic experience. A VBAC in my case was way more risky than a repeat c/s since it was confirmed that I had a convergent (narrow) pelvis after the birth of my first daughter. My repeat c/s was very easy to recover from, moreso than the first time around.

White0rchid · July 2012

Honestly, you sound kind of high and mighty with this post. I mean good for you, but not all of us had a choice in this. I had DD1 via emergency c-section under general anesthesia. I was going for a med-free vaginal birth, and things went down hill so quickly that all they could do was knock me out to get to her.

When I got pg with DD2 all I really wanted was to be able to be awake and hear my baby come in to the world. I opted for a RCS. When I had DD2 4 years ago, VBACs were only being done in my area by one OB. As it stands now, there are only 2 OBs in the area that will do them. I don't feel guilty about doing what was best for my family.

KitKat83 · July 2012

White0rchid:
Honestly, you sound kind of high and mighty with this post. I mean good for you, but not all of us had a choice in this. I had DD1 via emergency c-section under general anesthesia. I was going for a med-free vaginal birth, and things went down hill so quickly that all they could do was knock me out to get to her.
When I got pg with DD2 all I really wanted was to be able to be awake and hear my baby come in to the world. I opted for a RCS. When I had DD2 4 years ago, VBACs were only being done in my area by one OB. As it stands now, there are only 2 OBs in the area that will do them. I don't feel guilty about doing what was best for my family.

This exactly. I had an extremely traumatic delivery and had to be knocked out suddenly so they could get him out, long hard labour before and it was all and all an aweful experience that I wouldn't wish on anybody. Glad yours was all roses and butterflies, pretty sure all of us would have wanted that experience but just because yours went so well doesn't mean they are all the same! I will never VBAC after what I went through (he was emerging out frank breech and they didn't know he was breech until they looked down and saw his bum when I was pushing). Would have loved a natural birth but my son would probably not have made it if I pushed him out like that due to cord around his neck. Sensitive topic and you do come off a little bit "holier than thou" as previous poster mentioned.

HotChocolate79 · July 2012

I had a C Section because in spite of having two inductions, I was never able to dilate. I was almost two weeks overdue at that point and DS needed to come out. He wasn't in immediate distress so I could have kept going but it was pretty clear to me and my OB at that point that nothing was going to happen. As it turned out after the surgery, the reason I didn't dilate is because my cervix is covered in scar tissue. I wasn't even surprised to hear it because I had loads of issues with my cervix prior to getting pregnant.

We are at least 2 years away from trying for another baby, and I'll discuss options with my OB when we get there, but if I had to make a decision today, I would go for another C Section. I've never been hung up on a vaginal delivery anyway and all I wanted out of the experience was a healthy baby. That's exactly what I got - and I refuse to feel bad because my son's birth didn't conform to someone else's idea of the right way to birth a baby. Plus, I feel like I recovered really well. By day 8, I was off all meds and walked a mile with the stroller. That's better than many of my friends who had natural births.

RaeAnt · July 2012

I was told after my 1st that subsequent births would be c/s due to the distress the first one was under resulting in an emergency c/s. My doctor told be DS couldn't come out due to my internal size. No, he wasn't a big baby,either. People mistook him for a preemie. he just couldn't fit threw at his shoulders.

With DD, I barely got there in time. I was scheduled for a c/s for 6/1 and she decided to come 5/29. I went into labor Memorial Day night and by the time I went to the hospital early the next morning I was 8cm dilated! I ended up getting into the OR right before they would have been telling me to push. Not something we wanted to have to deal with again since DS almost didn't make it.

imimahoney · July 2012

Although I have not had my second yet, I am unsure if I will try for a vbac when the time comes.

I developed HELLP at 38 weeks and ended up with a failed induction resulting in a c-section. If the next pregnancy follows the trend of my last one then I will probably not risk a vbac and just go with a rcs.

While I wish I had a vaginal birth the first time around, you can't change the past and can only do what is best for you and the baby.

Stick Around · July 2012

I have a brain disease that means if I pushed during labor, one of the blood vessels in my brain would likely pop and I would stroke out and die, so I had a scheduled c-section for DD and will be having a scheduled c-section for DS.

lrw327 · July 2012

Thank you for those of you who are not flaming me, I appreciate it!:) If its any consolation I wasn't able to BF at all (and I was pretty set on that, but DD came early and not a drop of milk ever came in!!), and at first I had some guilt over that, but I've since gotten over it, b/c as you all said, all that matters is that you have a healthy happy baby!!

emberlee3 · July 2012

I had a med-free vaginal delivery with #1, but had a horrible 3rd degree tear that took months to heal.

I was planning a vaginal delivery for #2, but she was breech. I ended up having a c-section, and the recovery is actually much easier than my recovery for #1. I would absolutely choose RCS if I decide to have another child.

sokoyo · July 2012

lrw327:
I told him that unless it was ACTUAL Pre-E or ACTUAL HELLP then I did not want anything less than a vaginal birth.

the use of the word "less" is a tad judgmental. a c-section is not "less" than a vaginal birth. it's a different and often difficult path.

mlf625 · July 2012

My question is why do you care?

I don't consider c/s "less than a vaginal birth". I think it's a birth, a way for babies to be born. I didn't care to labor or push out a baby, I wasn't wrapped up in some magical experience, I just wanted my baby out and this was the quickest and easiest way. I liked my c/s experience.

mlf625 · July 2012

lrw327:
Thank you for those of you who are not flaming me, I appreciate it!:) If its any consolation I wasn't able to BF at all (and I was pretty set on that, but DD came early and not a drop of milk ever came in!!), and at first I had some guilt over that, but I've since gotten over it, b/c as you all said, all that matters is that you have a healthy happy baby!!

Confused For real? "To make you feel better about your failure births, here lookie, I failed at something too!" You're a piece of work.

KitKat83 · July 2012

I'm also curious as to why you want to know. You got your vaginal birth so why does it concern you enough to post a question like that on this board. Not trying to flame you, I just think it is quite insensitive, as for many it is not a "choice". I am not easily offended but i am bothered by this question and the wording for some reason. And it doesn't make me feel better that you couldn't breast feed.

White0rchid · July 2012

mlf625:
lrw327:
Thank you for those of you who are not flaming me, I appreciate it!:) If its any consolation I wasn't able to BF at all (and I was pretty set on that, but DD came early and not a drop of milk ever came in!!), and at first I had some guilt over that, but I've since gotten over it, b/c as you all said, all that matters is that you have a healthy happy baby!!
For real? "To make you feel better about your failure births, here lookie, I failed at something too!" You're a piece of work.

Yes

OP, surely you can see why your post would get you flamed. You came on here essentially asking all of us to justify why we had c/s and why we decided to have a RCS instead of a VBAC, which you clearly think is superior. If you were genuinely interested in our experiences and choices you wouldn't have included your own birth story. Your posts are a slap in the face to everyone on this board. And, then to bring up your BFing issues. No, I don't feel sorry for you at all.

llizzyb · July 2012

You came close to "just opting for a C-section"? You wouldn't "accept anything less than a vaginal birth"? Your body failed you in terms of breastfeeding-->what does that mean to me? You probably should have chosen some different wording for the C-section board if you wanted open discourse.

FWIW, I'm sorry breastfeeding didn't work for you. I know that can be a big disappointment, and it would have been for me.

nealbl · July 2012

I had an emergency C-section. LO's heart rate got too low and it was time to get her out. My csection went really well. My recovery was awesome and easy. Much easier than a few of my friends who had a V birth.

For me that is what I know. Csection is what I experienced and it was a good experience so I want that again. I did feel some pressure to ask about VBAC and I did. My OB said he didn't consider me a good candidate and that was all I needed to hear to say ok RCS it is.

I never once felt my birth experience was cheated or that I missed out on something. I was absolutely content with the ways things went. Honestly I didn't care too much from the beginning about the birth process all I cared about was that baby and I were both healthy. I see a lot of women on here put so much into the birth I just didn't really care.

michnthecity · July 2012

lilnightmusic:
GTFO troll.

yep. go away, no one wants to give you stuff for free or hear about your stellar birth experience.

firegirle1 · July 2012

Maybe she needs one of us to pay for her c-section next time.

kle0113 · July 2012

You sound very condescending and judgemental and I don't know why you care how anybody else's child comes into this world other then your own. How does any of this impact you?

To answer your question - I've had two c-secions because my daughers were both breech. Would, I have liked to have had a vaginal birth - yes, for my first, but that did not happen. I've had two great c-sections and my recovery was very easy for both of them. Far easier then some of my friends had after having a vaginal delivery. Would I now try for a VBAC, no! After have two great c-sections - I would never try for a VBAC. If my second child was not breech also - I may have tried, but I did not have the option to try.

I really have to say that I hate when people have to preech about how much they would hate to have a c-section; especially when you have no idea.

bpwife&mama · July 2012

You have no idea the circumstances behind why these women had a c/s or not. Stop going to every board and starting a post that you think may have slighty something to do with the board, because chances are, it doesn't.

03bertie · July 2012

I had a c section because I thought I would get more sympathy at home. I am sure I could have pushed this guy out vaginally, but I didn't want to drive for two weeks and thought it would be good to live on the couch and have DH wait on me hand and foot. I also hid in the bathroom for hours trying to push a #2 out, no one could find me there.

firegirle1 · July 2012

03bertie:
I had a c section because I thought I would get more sympathy at home. I am sure I could have pushed this guy out vaginally, but I didn't want to drive for two weeks and thought it would be good to live on the couch and have DH wait on me hand and foot. I also hid in the bathroom for hours trying to push a #2 out, no one could find me there.

Bahahahhahahaha. HA

luckylindy · July 2012

I pray to God this is a sorry attempt at MUD and that you aren't really stupid enough to post what you just did.

That's awesome that you had this magical vaginal birth in which unicorns jumped out of your vag over rainbows singing beautiful songs, but it's not like that for everyone. My birth experience was horrific, to put it nicely. I labored for 16 hours, confined to my left side only. My contractions were never regular even with Pitocin and it caused my son to throw decels the entire time. My BP crashed twice, to the point that they left the crash cart in my room just in case. After 16 hours of that, my OB felt like it was too dangerous so it was decided that I would have a c-sec. As they were wheeling me into the OR my son's heart rate tanked. My epidural was not placed properly the night before and there was no time to fix it because my son's heart rate was down to 50, then 40, then 30. The OB cut me open while I felt every slice, tug, and pull on my right side. My anesthesiologist apologized the entire time as I sobbed from the pain. It was the most traumatic experience of my life.

I do not want to go through that again. When I have my second, I will be scheduling my c/s so that we have the time to ensure my spinal catheter is in the right spot and that I don't feel my abdominal surgery. I want to schedule my next one so that my BP doesn't repeatedly tank to the point that I get no rest because the nursing staff has to take my BP every 10 minutes. I will schedule it to ensure the safety of my child, because my experience could have easily turned into a tragedy had the OB been 5 minutes late.

So, again, congrats on your wonderful birth. I really appreciate your condescending tone and the reminder that my body failed me. And no, sweetheart, being unable to BF pales in comparison to what I went through so don't you dare tell me you understand what it feels like when your body fails you.

So seriously, save yourself some trouble and GTFO.

floodbbyxo · July 2012

luckylindy:

I pray to God this is a sorry attempt at MUD and that you aren't really stupid enough to post what you just did.

That's awesome that you had this magical vaginal birth in which unicorns jumped out of your vag over rainbows singing beautiful songs, but it's not like that for everyone. My birth experience was horrific, to put it nicely. I labored for 16 hours, confined to my left side only. My contractions were never regular even with Pitocin and it caused my son to throw decels the entire time. My BP crashed twice, to the point that they left the crash cart in my room just in case. After 16 hours of that, my OB felt like it was too dangerous so it was decided that I would have a c-sec. As they were wheeling me into the OR my son's heart rate tanked. My epidural was not placed properly the night before and there was no time to fix it because my son's heart rate was down to 50, then 40, then 30. The OB cut me open while I felt every slice, tug, and pull on my right side. My anesthesiologist apologized the entire time as I sobbed from the pain. It was the most traumatic experience of my life.

I do not want to go through that again. When I have my second, I will be scheduling my c/s so that we have the time to ensure my spinal catheter is in the right spot and that I don't feel my abdominal surgery. I want to schedule my next one so that my BP doesn't repeatedly tank to the point that I get no rest because the nursing staff has to take my BP every 10 minutes. I will schedule it to ensure the safety of my child, because my experience could have easily turned into a tragedy had the OB been 5 minutes late.

So, again, congrats on your wonderful birth. I really appreciate your condescending tone and the reminder that my body failed me. And no, sweetheart, being unable to BF pales in comparison to what I went through so don't you dare tell me you understand what it feels like when your body fails you.

So seriously, save yourself some trouble and GTFO.

My hero. Yes

KitKat83 · July 2012

floodbbyxo:
luckylindy:

I pray to God this is a sorry attempt at MUD and that you aren't really stupid enough to post what you just did.

That's awesome that you had this magical vaginal birth in which unicorns jumped out of your vag over rainbows singing beautiful songs, but it's not like that for everyone. My birth experience was horrific, to put it nicely. I labored for 16 hours, confined to my left side only. My contractions were never regular even with Pitocin and it caused my son to throw decels the entire time. My BP crashed twice, to the point that they left the crash cart in my room just in case. After 16 hours of that, my OB felt like it was too dangerous so it was decided that I would have a c-sec. As they were wheeling me into the OR my son's heart rate tanked. My epidural was not placed properly the night before and there was no time to fix it because my son's heart rate was down to 50, then 40, then 30. The OB cut me open while I felt every slice, tug, and pull on my right side. My anesthesiologist apologized the entire time as I sobbed from the pain. It was the most traumatic experience of my life.

I do not want to go through that again. When I have my second, I will be scheduling my c/s so that we have the time to ensure my spinal catheter is in the right spot and that I don't feel my abdominal surgery. I want to schedule my next one so that my BP doesn't repeatedly tank to the point that I get no rest because the nursing staff has to take my BP every 10 minutes. I will schedule it to ensure the safety of my child, because my experience could have easily turned into a tragedy had the OB been 5 minutes late.

So, again, congrats on your wonderful birth. I really appreciate your condescending tone and the reminder that my body failed me. And no, sweetheart, being unable to BF pales in comparison to what I went through so don't you dare tell me you understand what it feels like when your body fails you.

So seriously, save yourself some trouble and GTFO.

My hero.

Mine too!! Wow, you are truly amazing woman!!

anewmrsS · July 2012

Teresa and Family · July 2012

lrw327:
Thank you for those of you who are not flaming me, I appreciate it!:) If its any consolation I wasn't able to BF at all (and I was pretty set on that, but DD came early and not a drop of milk ever came in!!), and at first I had some guilt over that, but I've since gotten over it, b/c as you all said, all that matters is that you have a healthy happy baby!!

I had a c/s after 36 hours of labor and not progressing enough. I also had a super low milk supply that caused her to almost lose a pound in two weeks before we figured it out since I was in denial. So no, it is no consolation.

fancefpp · July 2012

I had a c-section after a three day failed induction, and I was actually happy about it. I never wanted to go into labor and deliver vaginally but I tried because everyone is so anti-csection. I will definitely be having a RCS with zero guilty about it. I don't give a sh*t how you gave birth, you shouldnt care about how I did. My experience after the induction was very smooth.

You can't seriously thinking you aren't coming across as judgmental! FWIW, my milk almost didn't come in because DS wasn't nursing at all but I made sure to pump for fifteen mins every two hours, 24 hours a day until it did. I don't think I would have been able to do that if my CS was horrible. I even stopped taking pain meds right after leaving the hospital.

jjhp2018 · July 2012

I had a great vaginal delivery with DD1 and wanted that for DD2.

Due to GD, though, my little one grew too big to drop down. I dilated just fine but she stayed in the highest position. They did allow me to push to see if I could get her down but her heart rate was dropping and we ended up having to do a c-section. She was 9lbs 6oz and apparently, for my body, it was too big.

I have to do a repeat because there are no docs in my area who support VBAC. I already drive an hour just to be with them and at the hospital so I don't have much of a choice.

jb2rn · July 2012

skio:

I hope that you're asking because you're open-minded and honestly curious as to the answers. Because there are many, many valid reasons that a woman would not choose to VBAC.

I don't think you can say that if you had a c/s, you would without question try for a VBAC the next time. Until you have walked a mile in her shoes...and all that.

Many c-sections are rather traumatic. Maybe mom went through labor and pushing, only to end in c/s with a hard recovery. Many emergency sections mean mom is put under and remembers nothing about the birth of her child. Sometimes the baby needs to be taken to the NICU for hours or days. And there is often a medical reason that the baby was unable to be delivered vaginally, and it would be unsafe for the mother and her future children to even attempt it again. It's completely understandable that a woman would want to avoid such an experience again and would therefore plan a c/s to avoid whatever it was that caused the issues last time around.

I labored for 23 hours with DD and pushed for 3.5. She would not descend and started showing distress. I had been awake for over 40 hours and had not eaten for over 25 hours. When they finally brought me to surgery, I was an exhausted, shaking, crying, emotional mess. And I had a horrible, long recovery. I hated my c/s. Many people in my shoes choose to schedule a c/s next time around because it's an easier recovery when scheduled vs. laboring first, and because it's very possible that the same issue could plague the next delivery. It is a completely valid, completely understandable choice, and I could never fault another woman for making it. I will most likely be attempting a VBAC next time, but there is a lot of emotional stress behind my reasons; I had a hard time coming to terms with my c/s and trying again, even if I end up in surgery again, is what's best for me. But it's certainly not what's best for everyone.

It doesn't matter how babies come into the world. It matters that mom and baby are healthy and that the mother had a birth experience that she was comfortable with.

Thank you for saying all that.

OP: I personally would try for a VBAC. BUT..I understand why women go for a RCS. There are so many medical reasons for a RCS, and as poster I quoted said, other reasons as well.

I hate that I had a c section. It was not what I wanted at all, and I was not prepared in anyway whatsoever. I most likely will not get pregnant again, due to age, fertility dx, but also because I fear another terrible delivery senario.

valerieanne9015 · July 2012

What you are asking would be a valid question, if you had had a c/s and were wondering why others choose to have RCS because you are doing you're research, but no, you're just here bragging about how great your vaginal birth is, to a bunch of women who, more than likely, had extremely traumatizing birth experiences where they were scared for their babies, and their own, lives.

I was told it would be my decision, next time, if I wanted VBAC or RCS. I haven't made a decision of what I will do but I'm leaning towards RCS. When you are traumatised by your experience, choosing the option that gives you the most control, even if it's a major abdominal surgery, is a great idea to me! I had an emergency c/s after 15 hours of labor and pushing for 45 min. I went into labor naturally, but contractions stopped almost all together so they broke my water, then had to give pitocin because water breaking didn't do anything, In that 45 min that I was pushing, DD's heartrate sky rocketed and was not dropping down. They brought in the doctor, and the room filled with NICU nurses, the doc immediately brought out the vacuum, he told me we needed to get DD out and that i was still doing 90% of the work, the vacuum was just going to help the last 10%. Well after it popped off 2 times, he gave me an episiotomy cause he thought DD was coming, her head was so close! Sure enough, 3 pushes later the vacuum popped off for the third and finally time, and before I knew what was going on I was in the elevator being rushed to the OR. She was so wedged in, because she was so close to coming out, that they had to do additional incisinos on my uterus to pry her out. I was shaking and crying, throwing up, and when they pulled her out, I felt it all the way up to my shoulders and screamed in pain. DD wasn't breathing right away, had a fever, and her heart rate was still high, even though she was out. So she was rushed to the NICU. She was only there for a few hours, but it was the longest 3 hours of my life!

Oh yeah and then, 1 wk PP I got a massive internal infection that lead to more pain than labor and the c/s combined, and 5 days back in the hospital on IV antibiotics. So you ask why I might choose RCS. Because the day DD was born was the best, and scariest, day of my life. It's not worth the chance of going through it again. With an RCS I will have control and won't have to be exhausted physically and emotionally when she is born, and I won't have to be recovering from a vaginal and c/s birth all at once, as my OB put it. That sounds like a much better birth experience to me, than not settling for anything "less than a vaginal birth" and having to go through all of that again.

And how dare you compare not being able to BF to being scared for your LO's life because you weren't able to get them out fast enough! It's not even close to the same!

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