- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
C-sections
Vaginal delivery vs C-section... please help.
I had my first appt on Dec 18th, and we've moved since I had my daughter so I have a new doctor, clinic, etc. With the delivery of my daughter, I had a 4th degree tear, hemorrhoids, had to be cauterized at my 6 week check up, and didn't fully heal for 6 months. My daughter was also in the NICU for 4 days because the delivery was so rough on her, and she was only 7 lbs 4 oz.
My new doctor told me that I have a very small pelvis which was probably the reason for my complications. She also told me that when a woman has a 4th degree tear during a first delivery, more than likely she will tear along the same spot during 2nd/3rd deliveries. Depending on how many children I want to have, it can cause a lot of scar tissue to build up in that area and I could eventually damage the nerves & lose feeling. Anyway, she said that with my previous complications and how small my pelvis is, she would almost recommend that I do an elective c-section, especially if this baby ends up being bigger than the last. By the way, my husband was a 10 lb baby so if this is a boy, I'll be a little nervous!
Obviously, I know the pros & cons of vaginal delivery, and I know how my recovery went, but I don't know really know much about a c-section. She said I could ask her any questions I had, but I wanted to talk with some mama's who've been through a c-section to hear different aspects. How did your c-sections go?
Warning
No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Vaginal delivery vs C-section... please help.
I have had two sections. I did not plan either. They were both because of signs of stress on the babies during routine nonstress tests.
Emotionally, I wanted to experience a vaginal birth. But in all honesty, the sections were a breeze. Of course, it is abdominal surgery and you do have to let yourself heal but I was able to nurse immediately after delivery with both, was alert enough to be with the baby right after, was able to room in with both babies at the hospital and healed quickly at home. I was off pain meds in less than a week with both, had no trouble holding them, etc.. Back to work at six weeks with both. There is no indication that either section affected my babies in any adverse way.
I had a 3rd degree tear, required cauterization twice post-partum, and took 3-4 months to heal after having DS (7 lb, 8 oz, head smaller than 3rd percentile, but his elbow was up when he came out).
I was nervously anticipating a second vaginal delivery when we discovered DD was breech. She didn't turn, so I had a c/s at 39 weeks. It was great!!!! I healed very quickly with minimal pain. Breastfeeding post-c/s was a piece of cake compared to the pain I had when sitting post-vaginal delivery. I didn't pick DS up (he weighs about 35 lbs) for a couple weeks, but other than that, I was able to do everything I needed or wanted to do. There is no way I would even consider VBAC for future children.
Good luck with your decision.
I had my cs after 30 hrs of labor and no dilation (only got to 2cm) and began to run a huge fever. When they opened me up I had a narrow pelvis and it leans really hard to the left and it prevents a baby to be able to descend. I had a rough recovery due to my incision becoming infected, likely from the fever I was running during labor. I don't feel like I missed out on anything and even having the infection I am still happy with the experience and care I received during the procedure and recovery. I don't have any plans to try for a VBAC in the future. Recovery can be tough at times but with some planning ahead and a hand from some friends and family, its really not too bad.
I think there is a lot of pressure out there to decide against a csection, but its a really personal choice and gathering as much info is your best bet to make the best decision for yourself and your baby.
It's a tough choice because you can have a difficult recovery with either. In my case, I formed blood clots behind my incision and had to have it reopened. It took about 10wks for it to close -they can't close it again after it's open, it has to heal from the inside out. So I had the added bonus of dealing with wound care nurses coming to my house, a newborn, and 2 big dogs that hate strangers (wound care nurses). It was rough.
I am really hoping to VBAC next time.
Spontaneous pregnancy #1
DD1 July 31, 2011
Trying for #2 since Oct 11
Spontaneous pregnancy #2= Ectopic #2= lost left tube
Spontaneous pregnancy #3= DD2 January 29, 2016
Spontaneous pregnancy #4= Ectopic #3
Spontaneous pregnancy #5= Baby #3 is a BOY!!!
I had 2 vaginal deliveries and then a scheduled c-section 12/12 for our third baby. She was breech. Everyone's labor is sooo different and everyone's c-section response is very different, of course, but for me, the c-section was a breeze. I may even have preferred it! Labor can be TOUGH as you know, and especially with DD, I had a really rough time, so skipping contractions ROCKED! I also had a BETTER recovery in many ways this time. I pushed for 5 hours with DD and 3 hours with DS, and had episiotomies with both and some vacuum with DS, so I felt pretty roughed up afterwards for some time. I also had a lot more back soreness after vaginal deliveries.
I was prepared for the c-section recovery to be hard, but it went super well for me. I took the pain meds mostly just for the first week. I felt fine to drive after a week and was even lifting my 2 year old (carefully) after a week or so.
The only tough part for me is that I was fine for the whole delivery at noon, but then had nausea in recovery from 1:00 or so for about 12 hours from the anesthesia--but even that wasn't too bad, since I was OK as long as I held still. I just couldn't really talk on the phone or move my head much for those first 12 hours (but my legs were still numb anyway!). And, since I vomited a LOT during labor, it kind of balanced out. I also had to have my catheter re-inserted (which was super sucky) for a night b/c I was having trouble peeing, but things were "Working" again just fine when they removed it again the next day.
Also, I got to hold the baby/feed her almost as soon as with my vaginal deliveries. They showed her to me right away in surgery and then I was in recovery nursing her about an hour after delivery. Good luck! I think in your position I would choose the c-section.
Yikes- sorry you had such a rough delivery and recovery with your first. I had an unplanned c-section with #1 (fetal distress and head stuck), and had an amazing recovery. I was up and walking around about 12 hours after delivery and was able to shower and change into sweats as soon as they pulled the catheter. For the first 2 weeks, I had to be careful when sitting up, getting in/out of chairs and bed, but once I was up (or down), I was fine. I also needed DH's help getting DS out of the bassinet for the first 2 weeks, but once he handed him to me, I could change his diaper, nurse, etc. just fine. We left the hospital early (2.5 days) and I was able to go for 30-45 minute walks each day. My incision healed well with no issues.
Personally, if I had to choose between an incision on my abdomen and one on my vag, I'd go with the abdominal one every time.
I experienced something similar, although my incision had to be reopened because of infection. I was miserable dealing with the open wound + daily wound care.
OP, if you are trying to make a decision, I would recommend getting a second opinion. I think that you have valid concerns, and it might help to get another professional perspective.
I went into labor on my own, labored for about 12 hours, and pushed for 2 and a half hours. Couldn't get DS past my pelvis and I was exhausted after pushing for that long, so we did a c-section. DS came out weighing 10 lbs 9 oz and his head was huge! I would've been a very unhappy lady if I had had to push that out, so I'm very very thankful for my c-section! Recovery was a breeze, I was up and moving about 12 hours after surgery. Incision was sore but not unbearable (certainly not when compared with those contractions, WHEW). I took Motrin 600 mg about every 6 hours for about 4 days, no narcotics. Worst part after a week was the staples - I was SO.GLAD. when those came out. They stabbed and poked in the most uncomfortable way.
Good luck with your decision. Feel free to ask if you think of any more questions!
I'd say that you've already earned your stripes and a C-section doesn't sounds bad. My advice is stay on top of the pain-meds and DO NOT get constipated!
My C-section was elective but for reasons that the doc overlooked. My DD was frank breech (feet in face, bum down) but her bum was often mistaken as her head until I mentioned it to the doc and got another ultrasound at 36 weeks. Aside from being frank breech, she also had low amniotic fluid so an external version was dismissed as an option. Recovery wasn't a ''breeze'' but it was quite manageable with a newborn.
Randomly, I found this post...just clicking around. Never had a C section but my experience with tears.
With my first, I had a 4th degree tear that reopened at 1 week pp. It had to be "packed" for ONE freaking month in order for the tear to close from the inside out and prevent infections...lovely. It was a 4 month recovery. DD was also born blue and not breathing and spent 3 days in the special care nursery. She was 8 lbs 2 oz. At the time (prepregnancy), I was 5 feet, 90 lbs.
When I got pregnant with my second. We did discuss and elective C section but in the end we chose to "wait and see." Baby measure 1 pound lighter and we chose to induce 2 weeks early. He was 7 lbs 7 oz and his birth went off without a hitch though I did have a small retear.
With my third, we opted to induce early again. This baby was measure even smaller than his brother. I ended up getting bumped by a diabetic and rescheduled a week out, as fate would have it, DS2 couldn't wait and I got experience the whole going into labor. It was perfect! Again, one small tear.
One large tear, doesn't necessarily mean another. Perhaps you can take the wait and see approach also. I don't have any real lasting effects from the tear although there could have been possible rectal issues, I've read...that sounds no fun...
I had Bailey in October, elective C-Section. Maybe I just got super lucky, but I didn't think it was too bad at all. Tearing was a huge fear for me, and one just one of the many things I considered when making the decision to have an elective c section. I had to be at the hospital at 4:30am and hung out for a while before they took me in. I got a spinal, which wasn't bad at all. Getting the IV put in my arm was worse than the spinal. Bailey was kind of stuck in there, my belly muscles must've been tight around her. I could feel them pulling hard, the table was shaking! They ended up using the vac! I did get the shakes after they got her out. They gave me demerol and then I was on cloud 9! I was in recovery for a bit, and Bailey and husband got to stay with me. They had me start breastfeeding right away. Then to my room.
Stay on top of your pain meds, don't try to be a tough girl. Get up and walk as soon as and as much as you can. I think that was a huge help in my recovery. I went in Monday morning, and they gave me the option to either leave Thursday or stay until Friday. I stayed until Friday only because the hospital was SOOOO nice (brand new) and the food was actually really good. When I got home Friday, I was a little sore, but nothing serious. I was able to get in and out the car and up and down the stairs just fine. My scar isn't bad at all. Also, I was going to buy a belly binder, but my doctor told me to save my money and she would order me one. It was a huge help. I felt a lot more comfortable with it on and flattened out my belly big time!
I've read so many posts from women (not necessarily on here) completely bashing people who choose to have elective c sections. My father in law (not sure why he thought it was his business) made it very clear that "real women push out babies the all natural way" Next time he has dental work, maybe he should go all natural, no pain/numbing meds! It's your choice. Do whatever you feel most comfortable doing!!