C-Section Vs. Vaginal Birth

jkrose10 · September 2012

Hi Moms!

I will be 39 weeks this Thursday and my husband and I are anxiously awaiting our first little boy. The Dr. wanted to induce labor this week because the baby is already very big and there is history of big babies in the family.

Today, she did another ultra sound to check on the baby and the baby is head down, but facing up toward my stomach instead of my back. Due to size and position she is thinking I am at high risk for having a c-section. She did give me some exercises to do tonight to try and get him to turn and wants to see me again tomorrow.

I really wanted a vaginal delivery and am scared of having a c-section. I am also concerned about not getting that bonding experience because I will be recovering from surgery. I will obviously do whatever is best/safest for the baby, but I wanted some opinions!

Are c-sections really that bad? How is the recovery? Any thoughts?

Thanks!

lovebug33 · September 2012

I had a c/s and was very upset because I had wanted a vaginal birth so bad. I am still getting over the upsetness of having a c/s. However, I didn't feel the recovery was so bad. I had a hard time sleeping and getting in and outof bed and up and down stairs and I couldn't get up out of a chair while holding the baby. I was feeling pretty fine after about a week. I was very disappointed that I didn't get to hold the baby after the delivery and was denied seeing my child for five hours after the birth, and I don't think that would have happened if I had a vaginal birth.

Zimger · September 2012

I had an emergency c-section. The recovery was somewhat painful but I managed rather well. I was able to hold LO after he was delivered. Then I went to recover for about 45 minutes. During that time my DH had our LO. Some hospitals do things a little differently. You can always ask for specifics.

I felt a pang of sadness before I was taken down for the c-section. However, after our LO was safely delivered and in my arms all that went away.

reneenearl · September 2012

I had a c-section, because at 40 weeks, my LO flipped breech. He was head down at 39 weeks. He was put on my chest in the operating room as soon as I was doing skin to skin in the operating room and while I was being wheeled to recovery. As soon as I got to recovery I began to breast feed. Having a c-section did not affect being able to have that bonding time with him at all. He never left me.

I had a very easy recovery. As soon has the spinal wore off I was walking around. I felt back to myself by 10 days PP. I had no trouble caring for him at the hospital or when I returned home.

Just wanted to share my good experience!

emberlee3 · September 2012

I had a vaginal delivery with DS and a c/s with DD. I had a horrible 3rd degree tear from the vaginal delivery, with delayed healing. My recovery was miserable and took months. I didn't bond with DS until he was about 6 weeks old.

With DD, the only bad day was the first day after the c/s, because I didn't keep up with the pain meds. I bonded with DD right away. I recovered much more quickly than I did with my first delivery. The c/s was for breech presentation, but I would choose RCS over VBAC for any future deliveries without hesitation.

RumbleLina · September 2012

jkrose10:
I am also concerned about not getting that bonding experience because I will be recovering from surgery.

I would not worry about not having a bonding experience. I had a cesarean under general anesthesia so I wasn't even awake plus my child went to the NICU and we still had bonding. No matter what happens you are this child's mother and you will have that moment, no matter when it is, where you look at your newborn and you are connected.

I also believe you can request your child does not leave you barring any complications.

CougFan · September 2012

My first CS was after laboring for 27 hours after being induced. Granted, he was big (10lb 4 oz) but since I know people who I had vaginal births with bigger babies I have always wondered if my body just wasn't ready and the induction lead to my C section. If I could do it all over I would wait to go into labor naturally unless an induction was medically necessary.That said, recovery was fine. At the time I didn't think ahead about a c-section and didn't have a plan. I was exhausted and fell asleep in recovery and they let me sleep...while the whole family held the baby before I did!! But you know what? DS and I bonded great and he doesn't even hold it against me

So take a moment to look at C section birth plans just in case.

jb2rn · September 2012

welcome.

if you do need a c-section, it will be ok. the worst part for me, was the emotional part, because I was unprepared for it.

make sure to tell your doctor and the nurses that you want to hold baby ASAP and do skin to skin (if you are concerned for bonding). and that your husband/partner is to go with baby to the NICU if there are any reasons for it.

this was what I specified. I got to hold and BF him in about 40 minutes time frame, and before that, my husband was holding him. he did not need to go the NICU, thankfully.

it will be ok! hopefully you do not need a c section, but if you do, it will be ok.

ILoveRunning · September 2012

I would recommend checking out spinning babies (can't link- google should work) with regards to the positioning issue. There are lots of useful exercises listed that you can do to hopefully get baby in a better position. I wouldn't worry about size since estimates can be pretty far off. There is still a very good chance that you can have a vaginal birth, so try not to let your OB's prediction scare you.

cjbelk · September 2012

I had a scheduled CS with DS (he was breech) - They put him on my chest right after they cleared his lungs and he began to cry - he stopped crying instantly - then I immediately started crying - lol. They wheeled us both back to my room and he was with me the whole time. Recovery was no problem for me. At the end of my first week at home I was up and about with no problem (never had to use of all of my prescribed painkillers - regular motrin was enough for any pain I had).

I thought I was going to be upset about not have a vaginal birth but I wasn't - plan on having RCS with this LO.

nosoup4u · September 2012

This is a good post about suspected macrosomia: https://birthsen.tmdhosting930.com/?p=1531

Babies move during labor. So just because he's OP right now, doesn't mean he will be when you're giving birth. Induction or c/s isn't recommended unless the baby is estimated at over 11 lbs or so. And just because you're baby might be big, doesn't mean you can't give birth to him vaginally.

I had a VBAC with my second (and he was 10.5 lbs), and the recovery from that was still easier than my c/s recovery with my first.

One last thing - do you want to have more than two kids? Your risks increase with every c/s that you have.

Good luck!

RayRay007 · September 2012

Check out www.spinningbabies.com for ideas on how to get LO to turn. Also, when babies are sunny side up, there are different positions to try during labour and counter-pressure and massage that will help with back labour. Try asking the natural birth board for resources. They will also have info about birthing big babies.

If you do have a c/s, it is not the worst thing in the world. I mean, myself personally, I would never choose to have one, but it was ok. The recovery was ok as long as I took it slow and took my pain meds. I held and bf'd DD right away in the OR, so if you have a plan or preferences with respect to that, let people know.

cmytutu · September 2012

I elected for my C/S. I have NO regrets. It was a breeze; never felt a thing. My vagina is still intact. I had interaction with baby. It was a Great moment for hubby and I. No agony, screaming or anger. It was birthing bliss. Recovery was a non-issue. Very little bleeding. Don't be scared.

lovebug33 · September 2012

LucyD1029:
FWIW, as long as there are no complications, you should be able to hold your baby asap after surgery. I was able to nurse and have skin to skin contact in the recovery room.

You should ask at the hospital. They take all babies away after a c/s at the hospital I was at. You just usually get them back faster than we did.

pepomntpat · September 2012

cmytutu@aol.com:
I elected for my C/S. I have NO regrets. It was a breeze; never felt a thing. My vagina is still intact. I had interaction with baby. It was a Great moment for hubby and I. No agony, screaming or anger. It was birthing bliss. Recovery was a non-issue. Very little bleeding. Don't be scared.

LOL at birthing bliss.

Anyway, recovery for me was pretty easy. I was taking only advil and tylenol once I was home.

I did miss the immediate skin to skin because in the hospital I used it was a security risk to have LO in recovery since it was not on the maternity floor. I do very much regret missing those hours. Not to mention my DH was terrified because they refused to update him on my status and they "lost" me for an hour (to him-I was well cared for, just no one in maternity knew where I was or cared). Emotionally it was very rough for me. Physically it was not a big deal.

salt78 · September 2012

I had a semi-emergency c-section because LO was stuck in my pelvis. Honestly, my experience with it was so good that I wouldn't even consider a VBAC if we were having another. As PPs stated, as long as there are no complications, you can spend time with LO while you are in recovery, but you just won't be able to hold them right away while they are finishing up the surgery. (It's not so bad I promise. It's not like it caused DD to not know that I'm her mom.)

RayRay007 · September 2012

pepomntpat:

I did miss the immediate skin to skin because in the hospital I used it was a security risk to have LO in recovery since it was not on the maternity floor. I do very much regret missing those hours. Not to mention my DH was terrified because they refused to update him on my status and they "lost" me for an hour (to him-I was well cared for, just no one in maternity knew where I was or cared). Emotionally it was very rough for me. Physically it was not a big deal.

Interesting. Our L&D and recover are on another floor in another wing of the hospital. Baby doesn't get tagged until in Maternity. But they let you have your baby in recovery.

RayRay007 · September 2012

salt78:

I had a semi-emergency c-section because LO was stuck in my pelvis. Honestly, my experience with it was so good that I wouldn't even consider a VBAC if we were having another. As PPs stated, as long as there are no complications, you can spend time with LO while you are in recovery, but you just won't be able to hold them right away while they are finishing up the surgery. (It's not so bad I promise. It's not like it caused DD to not know that I'm her mom.)

Not necessarily; I held and bf'd DD in the OR while they sewed me up.

OP, talk to your provider about all of the possibilities and make your preferences known. Usually there is no real reason why you can't hold your baby asap.

Mama-Bear · September 2012

I've had a vaginal birth, followed by a c/s. Neither was easier or more difficult to recover from, just different. I don't think that you should ever opt for a major surgery without really thinking about it, but in your situation I would start my homework to make a better decision. If your OB thinks you have a high chance of ending up with a c/s anyway, do you really want to go through all of labor, hours of pain, maybe hours of pushing, then be exhausted when they take you in for an emergency c/s? I'm not saying that's what would happen, but if there's a high probability of that happening, that will negatively impact your bonding IMO. I had a scheduled c/s with my twins due to A literally using my cervix as a chair, I was able to hold them as soon as I was stitched up, I nursed as soon as I was able to hold them. If you decide to try for the vaginal birth, I wish you a great birthing experience and hopefully your baby will turn and cooperate, if you opt for the c/s, just know that you'll have your baby, it's not a failure on your part to have a c/s, just how the stars aligned. Good luck!

pepomntpat · September 2012

RayRay007:
pepomntpat:

I did miss the immediate skin to skin because in the hospital I used it was a security risk to have LO in recovery since it was not on the maternity floor. I do very much regret missing those hours. Not to mention my DH was terrified because they refused to update him on my status and they "lost" me for an hour (to him-I was well cared for, just no one in maternity knew where I was or cared). Emotionally it was very rough for me. Physically it was not a big deal.

Interesting. Our L&D and recover are on another floor in another wing of the hospital. Baby doesn't get tagged until in Maternity. But they let you have your baby in recovery.

Not interesting. Devastating.

mrs.jenRN · September 2012

I had trapped air in my upper right shoulder blade area and couldn't lie flat for 2 weeks. I had to sleep in the glider. That pain was worse than the c section incision pain and the gas pain. I am hoping for a VBAC this time around, and am terrified to have another c section. The thought of just walking into the OR, fully awake.... Crying

I was so tired for my cs because I had worked all night the night before.

Worcbride · September 2012

Loved my csections (had 2); I dont feel I missed out on any bonding at all. My recoveries were great.

Parkness2010 · September 2012

I was 40 wks and 3 days with my son...Dr said i had a very large baby and would not be able to push him out. I was naive and agreed for to the c section. I regret it...... DS was 10lbs 4 oz...but that doesn't mean i would not have been able to push him out.

I missed out on the first moments..he had trouble breathing because he fluids were not pushed out going through the birth canal. I had him at 7:55 am and did not hold him until 3 pm that day.

Recovery for me was awful. To roll from one side of the bed to the other was so painful, even with meds. I felt drugged up. Needed help using the restroom and showering...had no energy or appetite...and full of gas pains from surgery.

If you CAN have this baby vaginally....TRY!!!! I am expecting my 2nd baby and wanting to try for a VBAC....but there are so many risks....

This is MY experience...this may not be yours. Good Luck!

discohiker · September 2012

I just had the same scenario... read my birth story here:

https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/68885669.aspx

SoxFan777 · October 2012

CougFan:
My first CS was after laboring for 27 hours after being induced. Granted, he was big (10lb 4 oz) but since I know people who I had vaginal births with bigger babies I have always wondered if my body just wasn't ready and the induction lead to my C section. If I could do it all over I would wait to go into labor naturally unless an induction was medically necessary.That said, recovery was fine. At the time I didn't think ahead about a c-section and didn't have a plan. I was exhausted and fell asleep in recovery and they let me sleep...while the whole family held the baby before I did!! But you know what? DS and I bonded great and he doesn't even hold it against me So take a moment to look at C section birth plans just in case.

This is exactly what happened to me and I wonder the same thing about the induction....

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