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October 2011 Moms
Scramblersmom
member
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Thoughts about C-sections (non-clicky poll)
Scramblersmom
member
The discussions in Kris's post got me thinking about my L&D and how it went. I don't want to start a natural vs. C-section debate and I hope no one will take that route. I am interested in people's thoughts about C-sections when they went into L&D.
1.) Did you ever consider that a C-section might become an necessity?
2.) How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a C-section (regardless if you had one or not)?
3.) If you had a C-section was it planned or an emergency?
4.) If you had a C-section were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally?
5.) If you had a C-section do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a C-section?
5.) Regardless how you delivered...Our local hospitals here will no longer do VBACs because they can not keep an OR staffed 24 hrs per day and the insurance co. won't let them take the risk anymore. However, if a delivery is imminent (extremely soon) when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC?
6.) Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? (No judgmental posts please!)
7.) Any other personal thoughts on the topic?
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This discussion has been closed.
Re: Thoughts about C-sections (non-clicky poll)
1.) Did you ever consider that a C-section might become an necessity?
It was a necessity, I was a repeat C/S, but with Oliver it did cross my mind and I looked up a bunch of C/S videos online.
2.) How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a C-section (regardless if you had one or not)?
I was perfectly fine. I gave it my all the first time. My Dr. did not recommend me trying for a vaginal birth when I brought it up when I was PG with Audrey. I was not a good candidate.
3.) If you had a C-section was it planned or an emergency?
Emergency, planned, planned.
4.) If you had a C-section were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally?
Only when I read articles like that (like I must not have tried hard enough), when other assume I took the easy way out (MIL), or that somehow I must have been left out of some wonderful experience.
5.) If you had a C-section do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a C-section?
Yes! especially with my first!
5.) Regardless how you delivered...Our local hospitals here will no longer do VBACs because they can not keep an OR staffed 24 hrs per day and the insurance co. won't let them take the risk anymore. However, if a delivery is imminent (extremely soon) when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC?
No, if your uterus ruptures most likely they can save you but probably not your baby. The end result is to have a healthy baby not to push something out of your vagina.
6.) Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? (No judgmental posts please!)
Only after going through my first labor experience. I really think I would have died if not for the C/section.
7.) Any other personal thoughts on the topic?
I guess I do get bent out of shape about the whole C/S thing. They were medically necessary and I always feel like I have defend myself. My MIL is mostly to blame. She has made so many comment on how lucky I was not to have to work to deliver any of my kids. I guess it is the same thing with breastfeeding. Some of us are lucky to be able to do it and other are not. It doesn't make you a better mom or your experience superior. My births were just as memorable and special as anyone else's.
1.) Did you ever consider that a C-section might become an necessity?
Yes, I've had several friends that delivered via unplanned CS and there was a lot of discussion on TB about fear of CS
2.) How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a C-section (regardless if you had one or not)?
I really wanted to avoid one and thought it was one of the worst possible outcomes of labor.
3.) Ifyou had a C-section was it planned or an emergency?
Emergency due to placental abruption and fetal distress
4.) If you had a C-section were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally?
Yes, because the whole birth experience was so traumatic. I was so drugged and debilitated afterwards and there were so many interventions in the recovery phase like IVC, urinary catheter, sequential leg pump and being confined to the bed. I did not get to really see or hold DD until 5-6 hours post birth.
5.) If you had a C-section do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a C-section?
Yes, it was a true emergency and we're fortunate to both have survived.
5.) Regardless how you delivered...Our local hospitals here will no longer do VBACs because they can not keep an OR staffed 24 hrs per day and the insurance co. won't let them take the risk anymore. However, if a delivery is imminent (extremely soon) when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC?
Well, I would wait as recommended til I felt I was past the early phase of labor when contractions are consistent and less than 5 minutes apart. They say labor progresses much quicker with second child.
6.) Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? (No judgmental posts please!)
Given my experience the first time and the possibility of it repeating again, not to mention the fact that VBAC may lead to other complications, I will only consider OB as my primary caregiver and birth in a hospital.
7.) Any other personal thoughts on the topic?
Although I did not wish for a c-section, I do not feel guilt or have second guesses over this decision.
1. Did you ever consider that a Csection might become an necessity?
Yes, I was one vacuum attempt away from a csection.
2. How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a Csection regardless if you had one or not? I was frightened to get a csection! It's surgery, so it comes with risks! Also, in my situation, if vacuum is attempt 4 times and doesn't work they take you right away for a section. I had no epidural so if I had a section I would have been knocked out completely and that scared me a lot!
3. If you had a Csection was it planned or an emergency?
4. If you had a Csection were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally?
5. If you had a Csection do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a Csection?
5. Regardless how you delivered...Our local hospitals here will no longer do VBACs because they can not keep an OR staffed 24 hrs per day and the insurance co. won't let them take the risk anymore. However, if a delivery is imminent extremely soon when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC?
No I wouldn't purposefully wait, I would want to be in the safest situation and that could take a bad turn.
6. Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? No judgmental posts please!
Yes! If I had been anywhere but a hospital one of us would have died, if not both of us! I originally wanted to go to a midwife but due to risks I was advised not too. I think birthing centers are a great resource, but I am happy I was in a hospital at the end of it all!
7. Any other personal thoughts on the topic?
Nope!
I wanted to do everything possible to avoid it, but I was prepared for the idea once I saw my baby wasn't going to flip.
2. How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a Csection regardless if you had one or not?
I don't know anyone who wanted a cesarean or had one out of convenience, because it's a scary idea. If it's medically necessary to keep mom and baby safe, then I can't be against it.
3. If you had a Csection was it planned or an emergency?
We went along as though we were going natural, but we were still planning on the section.
4. If you had a Csection were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally?
In the end, I just wanted my child to enter the world safely. Although I feel I lost out of the emotionality of vaginal birth, I don't love my child and my experience any less. I really had an ideal section, as far as cesareans go.
5. If you had a Csection do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a Csection?
Absolutely, and so did I. I went the holistic route to flip her. I didn't want to do a version, though. That scared me more than a c section.
5. Regardless how you delivered...Our local hospitals here will no longer do VBACs because they can not keep an OR staffed 24 hrs per day and the insurance co. won't let them take the risk anymore. However, if a delivery is imminent extremely soon when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC?
I don't plan to have anymore, so I haven't put much thought into the VBAC idea.
6. Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? No judgmental posts please!
I've never thought about delivering anywhere but a hospital tbh. It's just not much of an option here.
7. Any other personal thoughts on the topic?
I think Penny summed it pretty good.
I've been hesitant to talk about this because my feelings are quite negative towards my c/s and it took me awhile to see things for how they really were.
At the time, c/s didn't scare me and I believed everything I was told by my doctor. I followed his advice blindly - so mad at myself for that.
My doctor did not have a legitimate reason for scheduling my c/s but I was too naive to know that he was using scare tactics (his excuse: big baby that would cause major damage) to get me to see things from his point of view. I honestly think he's just another male ob/gyn who doesn't understand what it means to be a woman and go through labor/delivery and just how important that can be to some women. I turned out to be one of those women although I didn't know it at the time.
So I'm working through it and trying to just let it go but I feel stupid, ashamed, naive, ill-informed and just... really bad that I was talked into something I didn't really want (but was too ignorant to know I could advocate for).
I feel nothing but shame and disappointment with how my son was born. It wasn't intimate, it was completely unnecessary and I'm embarrassed I let it happen.
We don't have birth centers where we're at and I believe the hospitals in my area (although VBAC friendly) wouldn't exactly help me have a successful VBAC - so the next time around I plan on having a homebirth. A lot of thought, research, and discussions with new care providers has me feeling confident that my next birth experience will be the one I so desperately wish I'd had. I know things might not go as planned but at least I'll know I tried.
The thought of emergency doesn't make me hesitant, I'm confident my new care providers (midwives that I have started to see in preparation for my next pregnancy, whenever that may be) will be able to see if something is wrong with more than enough time to transfer me. I do feel like I get the side-eye when I discuss our plans... so I'm a little surprised I'm chatting about it here even if this technically is an "anonymous" message board.
So yea... I'm working through the bad feelings but will always be heartbroken that I was so... dumb. I will forever blame myself but at least the next time will find me prepared.
Having said all that, I'm very grateful that my c/s went well and that my baby is healthy/happy and arrived safely. I just wish I'd know better. And I'll always be ashamed of that fact.
1.) Did you ever consider that a C-section might become an necessity? Not at ALL. I never read anything on it at all because I smugly thought that I was going to do it vaginally.
2.) How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a C-section (regardless if you had one or not)? I was absolutely opposed. Don't know why now, though.
3.) If you had a C-section was it planned or an emergency? Last minute emergency. C's heartbeat was being compromised. It was super scary and very, very rushed.
4.) If you had a C-section were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally? At first I was, but quickly got over it since I wanted a baby that was born safely.
5.) If you had a C-section do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a C-section? Yes, absolutely. They had a nurse in the room monitoring the machines constantly.
5.) Regardless how you delivered...Our local hospitals here will no longer do VBACs because they can not keep an OR staffed 24 hrs per day and the insurance co. won't let them take the risk anymore. However, if a delivery is imminent (extremely soon) when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC? No
6.) Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? (No judgmental posts please!) Yes, after living through it once already.
7.) Any other personal thoughts on the topic? I'm kinda leaning towards doing another C-section if we get pregnant again. I know that I could live through that, I'm scared for vaginal birth now. Isn't that lame?
1.) Did you ever consider that a C-section might become an necessity? Yes, I knew that in extreme cases a c-section could become necessary, but I also knew that was very unlikely given my age, history, and low-risk pregnancy.
2.) How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a C-section (regardless if you had one or not)? I dreaded the idea of a c-section. Obviously, if it had been necessary for a healthy baby and my safety, that's that. However, it is major surgery that carries its own risks and scared the crap out of me.
3.) If you had a C-section was it planned or an emergency? n/a
4.) If you had a C-section were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally? n/a
5.) If you had a C-section do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a C-section? n/a
5.) Regardless how you delivered...Our local hospitals here will no longer do VBACs because they can not keep an OR staffed 24 hrs per day and the insurance co. won't let them take the risk anymore. However, if a delivery is imminent (extremely soon) when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC? That's a tough one to answer. I think if I was a good candidate for a VBAC and didn't have other complications during my pregnancy, yes I would wait at home longer in order to attempt a VBAC. Really, though, if I'd had a c-section I would be willing to travel pretty far to find a hospital that allowed VBACs.
6.) Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? (No judgmental posts please!) It was something that did make me a bit nervous, but after choosing my birth center and knowing their procedures and access to emergency medical equipment and close proximity to the hospital, I no longer have any fears about it.
7.) Any other personal thoughts on the topic? It's a wonderful thing that we are able to perform c-sections when they are truly necessary for the safety and well-being of the mother and/or baby. However, given that the US has some of the highest c-section rates in the world and yet some of the worst maternal mortality rates among developed nations, that tells you how over-used they are. I do feel that too often c-sections are used as a way for OBs to cover their a$$es against lawsuits and for their own convenience. A c-section is major surgery and is not always treated that way. Our bodies were made to vaginally give birth and it is a shame that so many women are made to feel they "can't" when that is not always the case. Sometimes, yes, but always, no.
2.) How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a C-section (regardless if you had one or not)? I really didn't want a C-section. I didn't want surgery or the additional recovery time that comes with a C-section. Luckily, my doctors were very willing to work with me in attempts to avoid a C-Section.
3.) If you had a C-section was it planned or an emergency? N/A
4.) If you had a C-section were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally? N/A
5.) If you had a C-section do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a C-section? N/A
5.) Regardless how you delivered...Our local hospitals here will no longer do VBACs because they can not keep an OR staffed 24 hrs per day and the insurance co. won't let them take the risk anymore. However, if a delivery is imminent (extremely soon) when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC? Eh, I'm a proponent of waiting at home for as long as safely possible regardless, but I don't know that I would do so solely to ensure a VBAC.
6.) Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? (No judgmental posts please!) Yes. Too many years working in medical malpractice. I saw awful things that happen to babies when C-Sections don't happen soon enough. It takes 6 minutes to prep for an emergency C-Section when you're in the hospital according to National Standards. And I've seen awful results occurring when that 6 minutes has expired. And sadly, most of these cases are FTMs who have perfect, normal, happy pregnancies. When things go wrong, they go wrong really fast.
7.) Any other personal thoughts on the topic? I think it was Elle who pointed out the difference in C-Section rates for FTMs for her hospitals, which brings up a really good point. It's important to remember how skewed the numbers are. The hospital I gave birth at has one of the highest C-Section rates in my area, but it also has a Level III NICU and is where many high-risk women are sent. The C-Section rates aren't usually broken down between FTMs, Repeat C-Sections, Elective C-Sections, etc. I think some people get scared off by numbers, without thinking about the fact that birth centers and the like don't deal with any sort of risk in pregnancy, those always get sent to hospitals. And as I like to point out, if something had gone wrong, I'd feel better in the hands of a doctor who had performed 100 C-Sections instead of one who had performed 2.
1.) Did you ever consider that a C-section might become an necessity? Nope. I totally didn't pay attention to that information in our birthing classes because I was going to have a natural birth. HA!
2.) How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a C-section (regardless if you had one or not)? Didn't even cross my mind as a possibility. I had a really easy pregnancy and aside from being 11 days late and having to be induced I still thought it wouldn't happen.
3.) If you had a C-section was it planned or an emergency? Emergency. 15 minutes into my induction I started having contractions and C's heart rate dropped to 50 and they couldn't get it back up above 80 so I was immediately taken in for surgery.
4.) If you had a C-section were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally? Yes. I felt like my body failed me. I was really disappointed that i didn't go into labor on my own and had to be induced and then to end up with a csection as well, was, at the time, devastating to me. BUT, now I am pretty much over that. I get wistful when I read natural birth stories but am firmly in the "healthy mom and healthy baby no matter how they arrive" camp.
5.) If you had a C-section do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a C-section? Yes. When C came out she was totally blue and had a bad set of inital APGAR's. The cord was wrapped around her neck twice as well as being totally wrapped around her torso as well. We got very very lucky.
5.) Regardless how you delivered...Our local hospitals here will no longer do VBACs because they can not keep an OR staffed 24 hrs per day and the insurance co. won't let them take the risk anymore. However, if a delivery is imminent (extremely soon) when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC? I don't think this is an issue for me - at my 6 week pp appointment my MW told me I was an ideal VBAC candidate and my hospital is OR staffed 24 hrs a day.
6.) Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? (No judgmental posts please!) Yes. I had a picture perfect pregnancy and that should have translated to an easy delivery as well and then *** went bad fast.
ETA: After reading some of the responses I want to add some notes. My hospital has one of the lowest Csection rates in the state so when the Dr said I needed one I didn't question it. Being at an HMO hospital means that it's staffed all of the time, so there is no rush to get women in and out of L&D as fast as possible.
A pp mentioned that she didn't get to see her baby for 5-6 hours and that happened to me as well. That loss of time is the ONLY thing I regret about having a csection. I had a very easy recovery - only used the morphine pump 3 times and then had them remove it, was up and walking 12 hours after surgery and went home after only 2 nights. I also don't remember much of my recovery once we got home which says to me it wasn't that terrible. Not ideal, but not the worst thing ever.
I'm sorry you feel this way about your C/S but it makes me angry that you feel ashamed of it.
1.) Did you ever consider that a C-section might become an necessity? absolutely not. I skipped the part in every book and had my midwives and birthing tub and hypnobirthing... No way.
2.) How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a C-section (regardless if you had one or not)? Wasn't going to happen
3.) If you had a C-section was it planned or an emergency? emergency. The anesthesiologist didn't make it into the room before they started cutting. I was screaming in pain. I was knocked out and sedated really fast but the beginning was excruciating. And then it was such a dire emergency and I had been pushing for 2 hours and had him lodged so far down in my pelvis, that they had to pull him out. It felt like a pack of wild animals was ripping my body to shreds. I couldn't feel pain, but I felt my body being pulled and torn from side to side. All in all he was out in under 3 min, but it felt like it was hours.
4.) If you had a C-section were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally? No. I am grateful they were able to save us both.
5.) If you had a C-section do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a C-section? Absolutely. I turned septic and his heartbeat dropped in a matter of seconds.
5.) Regardless how you delivered...I wouldn't wait. Or I'd find another hospital. I am going for a VBAC this time and it is scary. I have nightmares of the same thing happening. If I knew it would go the same, I would have a repeat section, in a heartbeat. It was violent and horrible and I am still not over it. I'm scared I'll have uterine abruption, that the baby will turn (like N did) while coming down and he wasn't a candidate for forceps or suction. I want to be in the hospital well in advance and have plenty of time to make the section decision so as to avoid that scene again.
6.) Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? (No judgmental posts please!) I would never. N and I would have died before the ambulance ever got here.
7.) Any other personal thoughts on the topic? I'm scared. I thought it was going to be so natural and I experienced first hand how horribly wrong it can go and so, so quickly.
Her feelings are not a reflection on your experience.
Deez, you might seek out Iris427. She posts on natural birth a lot. She had a c/s with her first and an HBAC with her second. She's very well-informed and really nice.
I'm not reflecting on my birth, but she should not feel ashamed for what happened. That is a really harsh feeling to have about your birth, actually about many choices we make as mothers, a good mom does what she thinks is best and at the time she believed it was the best. In hindsight she feels differently but she should not feel ashamed for her past choices. It makes me angry that somehow she was made to feel bad about what happened. I can see the reaction of being sad or disappointed and wanting to do it different, but ashamed?
ETA: Deez I'm saying this as a friend, it makes me angry for you that you have these feelings. I hope your next time around is everything that you hope it to be and I hope you get past your negative feelings.
1.) Did you ever consider that a C-section might become an necessity?
I knew it was a possibility, but I had taken natural childbirth classes and really thought of ti as a last resort.
2.) How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a C-section (regardless if you had one or not)?
Scared, I did not want one and was scared I was going to be pressured into having one.
3.) If you had a C-section was it planned or an emergency?
Emergency, After 21 hours I had a temp and DD's heart rate was high. I had just reached 9 cm and they didn't want to let me push and I had lost my will to argue.
4.) If you had a C-section were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally?
Yes.
5.) If you had a C-section do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a C-section?
No, The doctor had just come on shift and didn't seem like she even wanted to let me try and push. She made me more worried than I think was necessary and I don't truly know if DD;s heart rate was high, my temp was a degree above normal.
5.) Regardless how you delivered...Our local hospitals here will no longer do VBACs because they can not keep an OR staffed 24 hrs per day and the insurance co. won't let them take the risk anymore. However, if a delivery is imminent (extremely soon) when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC?
Maybe
6.) Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? (No judgmental posts please!)
No, I think I would be comfortable in a birthing center, but I don't have that option with my insurance.
7.) Any other personal thoughts on the topic?
I had a terrible birth experience and recovery from my c-section which probably makes me feel the way I do about C-sections. DD was in the NICU because I had an infection even though she had no temp, no infection and was perfectly healthy. She was given formula even though the doctor had asked me if I wanted to breastfeed only adn I said yes. Since I had a fever they wouldn't let me go to the NICU so I couldn't see or hold DD for hours. At 3 week postpartum I went for an incision check and my incision had reopened down to the fascia and I had emergency surgery and ended up in the hospital for a week and then had to let the incision close up on it's own with no stitches or staples so I had to go to a wound clinic once a week and DH had to pack my wound daily up until January 12th. I was on meds that were not compatible with breast feeding for over a month. I pumped and dumped for a couple of weeks, but couldn't mentally handle doing that. I still wonder if I had been allowed to try and push would I have been able to avoid all of that. I am scared to death of a repeat c-section.
2. How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a Csection regardless if you had one or not?
Whatever needed to happen for me and the baby to be safe, I was fine with.
3. If you had a Csection was it planned or an emergency?
Emergency
4. If you had a Csection were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally?
I did somewhat feel badly about the fact that I didn't witness her being born and we didn't get to do skin to skin right away. But they had to give me extra drugs and almost knock me out, she wasn't breathing and the NICU team had to deal with her, etc. With our next child, if we have another, my SO is going to video tape everything on the other side of the curtain so I can "watch" the baby being born after.
5. If you had a Csection do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a Csection?
Yes. My doctor has a low csection rate. She will try anything to get you to go into labor naturally before inducing and refuses to induce before 41 weeks....hoping your body will go into labor first. Gator wasn't coming down when I was pushing but her heart rate was dropping to the point that it was almost stopping. I pushed six times and it was called. The cord was around her neck, she was big, her head was turned sideways, and her hand was up by her face. My doctor likes giving women the option of a VBAC if they so choose.
5. Regardless how you delivered...Our local hospitals here will no longer do VBACs because they can not keep an OR staffed 24 hrs per day and the insurance co. won't let them take the risk anymore. However, if a delivery is imminent extremely soon when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC? No
6. Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? No judgmental posts please! Yes
7. Any other personal thoughts on the topic? We went in with no birth plan. I think that planning out something too much, will make someone disappointed if it doesn't go as planned. As things happened during labor, we made decisions. I also think too many doctors do things according to convienence for them. My insurance company has the doctors on a rotating shift at the hospital so you get a midwife unless there are problems, then you get the doctor that is working. You don't call your doctor when you go in, and your doctor isn't "done" after your labor/delivery. My doctor happened to be on shift when I started having problems and therefore the midwife working my room sent in my doctor and she took over the rest of my labor/delivery. But she didn't do anything to speed along the process so she could go home. If my labor would have gone passed her shift, I would have just gotten the next doctor on shift.
For me, I exist in a very crunchy world where c-sections are the devil and women who get them are weak or uninformed dupes of greedy hospitals. My boss is a doula on the side and nearly everyone I know had these magical natural births. I spent $350 on a 9 week natural birth class and planned a natural birth.
Then I found out I had a fibroid tumor blocking the "exit" for my dd and that I would have to have a c-section. I was beyond devastated. To their credit, my friends were super supportive, and quickly changed their tune about how important natural birth is. I reached out to the people I knew who had had c-sections and the love and support that came pouring in was amazing. By the time the surgery day was scheduled I was 100% calm and at peace with things.
The morning of my c-section I walked into the OR knowing exactly what to expect and with no fear. 20 minutes later I had a baby. The next morning I was up, showered, dressed and out for a walk around the hospital grounds. I kept waiting for the horrible recovery all of the natural birth moms told me would come. It didn't. Aside from some numbness around the incision, I had zero after effects, and bonded with and nursed E just fine.
We're one and done, but if I were doing it again I would clamor for a c-section. It was easy and literally painless and the recovery was a breeze for me. My nether regions are intact, and I didn't have to go through tearing etc. A few of my natural birth friends have confided in my since that things are still not the same "down there" years later. I'm so happy that a c-section worked out well for me. I used to cringe when I would hear women talk about how they elected for a c-section and think of them as having been brainwashed by the "system". I was so sure that natural birth was the only smart and right decision. Now I know that c-sections are not the enemy. I respect people who want a natural birth, but I no longer believe that they are the only reasonable choice.
2. Both times I hated it and was absolutely terrified. I had a really bad recovery the first time but this time around it would have been OK if we hadn't had to go to extra doctor appointments so I could have rested more.
3. E was a true emergency, they gave me a spinal and had to put me to sleep because they didn't have time to wait for it to kick in and I could feel everything.
4. Both times I felt a huge loss. I can't read birth stories or watch movies where people deliver babies. I've never seen the end of Knocked Up.
5. If I had no reason to believe I needed a section then I would do everything I could to avoid one. VBAC can be successfully done. I deliver at a Catholic hospital and will ask my OB about VBAC after a repeat section. She is very pro VBAC so I'm hoping she doesn't rule it out.
6. After everything I went through with both kids I would never consider birthing anywhere but a hospital. We had a friend who wanted to use a birthing center and ended up having to be transported to a hospital for an emergency section because the baby got stuck.
7. I wish there was a term for an unplanned but not an actual emergency csection. I hate having to explain that my baby could have died or had serious brain damage had I not had the csection. If I had thought it was the easy way out I sure as hell wouldn't have sat in a hospital bed for days on bed rest hooked up to IVs and getting steroid shots. FFS I had to piss on people when his heart rate dropped because they were sticking crap up my vag, I had to pee so bad I started crying and the nurse was yelling at me to just go. Not to mention I was so out of my head I couldn't stop crying because I thought someone stole my baby and I couldn't see him for almost 12 hours and barely saw him for days because I couldn't stop throwing up from the spinal and pain meds. I have loss of feeling in some spots and over sensitivity in others and I firmly believe its what caused me to start having migraines.
Lopes, you really hit a nerve with your response. It brought me to tears. I still have a very hard time talking about my birth experience and I Thank you for sharing.
Yeah. Never say never.
Penny - I am not ashamed of my c/s, please don't misunderstand me. I'm ashamed that I was naive/ignorant and blindly followed my doctor without doing any sort of follow-up of my own with regards to why he felt I needed a c/s.
Overture - thank you very much for the suggestion. I will do that.
Everyone's stories and thoughts are very educational, insightful and interesting to me. I wanted to add that I am not against birthing centers in any way and my SIL's experience was in a hospital. I was just so terrified from seeing that I knew that if I ever had a baby I wanted it in a hospital, with an MD, period (not that there aren't incompetent MDs too but anyway). SIL had 3 perfect births but I was still freaked out. I have known women who had their babies at home with huge success but again I am too much of a chicken!
I was also "old" thus at higher risk.
Deez, I feel so sad that you feel ashamed because you didn't know better. I hope you can find peace with what happened and forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn't know. I am so glad you found the courage to share your story with us and I commend you for doing that. By sharing your story you have given others insight and knowledge.I understand that it was very hard for you and I can not tell you enough how proud I am of you for sharing.
1.) Did you ever consider that a C-section might become an necessity?
I hadn't really thought much about it. When I was diagnosed with pre-e, my mom thought that I would have trouble with blood pressure and other issues during labor. My ob stated that I had a narrow pelvis, and was "closed up like Fort Knox. She didn't the that induction oils be a positive experience.2.) How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a C-section (regardless if you had one or not)?
I was not opposed to a csection. I was more concerned about experiencing both types of labor. I rally didn't want to go through a long and uncomfortable induction and still requiring a csection.3.) If you had a C-section was it planned or an emergency?
It was planned.4.) If you had a C-section were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally?
Not really. I didn't get my hands on my baby until several hours after birth because they were concerned about her respiratory status. She ended up being fine.5.) If you had a C-section do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a C-section?
No. I honestly think my ex-ob led me towards a csection because it was easier for her. She is no longer my ob.5.)However, if a delivery is imminent (extremely soon) when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC?
Nope. I would be terrified of having a baby in the car. Plus, I'm a wuss and would need drugs.6.) I'll just repeat that I am a wuss and need drugs.
7.) Any other personal thoughts on the topic?
even though I feel like my old ob led me to a csection to make her life easier, it was a great experience and I opted to repeat it. My recovery was easy and my daughter came healthy and happy. Also, I apologize for formatting or spelling issues. I've been typing this only iPad while holding a grumpy kid.I didn't consider a c/s as a possibility up until weeks before my planned induction. For any who don't know, Samuel was born with a congenital heart defect and *was* going to require surgery after birth, so we had to be down in Denver (hour away) to deliver so he could have those surgeries at Children's Hospital. So my delivery was to be a planned induction. Several weeks before I was told c/s was a better choice, but my doctor who was to deliver told me I could try naturally if I wanted. So of course that was my "plan". Samuel's heart rate was spiking every time I had a contraction, so natural was a no-go. I was immediately taken back for a c/s.
I was scared as hell. In my head, I was definitely NOT going to have a c/s, ever. When those words came out of the cardiologists mouth, I was sick to my stomach. Mostly fear.
Like I said, I knew c/s was the back up plan, but it was not the plan in my head... ha.
I do feel a loss that I could not deliver vaginally. I've heard lots of horror stories, but I guess I just hoped for that good experience.
And yes, my child's life was at stake. There was no questioning. He was more important than my fear of getting cut open.
I would aim for a VBAC, although we are one and done, so who knows what my pregnant mind would do. Without a doubt, I would do whatever was best for the baby.
I am terrified to birth anywhere but a hospital, but I love hearing of and reading home birth stories. I think its amazing, and I would love that experience, but it just couldn't happen with us having had a heart baby already, possibility of other complications. And also I am just terrified and a wuss.
Like I said, I love hearing of natural births, home births, and everything in between. Those, an some of you women, are amazing. And I wish I could have some of those experiences. I am perfectly fine (NOW) having had a c/s. I don't mind the scar, and haven't had any issues since other than slight pain here and there, but nothing super noticeable.
My little CHD warrior. Born 9/29/11. Got his new heart 10/20/11
BLOG :] & Shaping Up
Morsey and Lopes...I agree that there needs to be another term somewhere in the middle as mine wasn't an emergency but it was imminent.
I was very nonchalant about the whole process with the only real goal of having a healthy baby. I just figured that I did not have any control over nature so I was prepared either way. My birth plan was very generic; it only listed who could be in the room during delivery and who they could release info to. It also made clear that I wanted mobility but I also wanted an epi within a reasonable time when requested.
I was induced at 39w5d due to my age. It didn't go smoothly but it wasn't horrible either. My biggest complaints were the horrible back labor (DS was sunny side up), I wished someone would bring in a fan as I was sweating like crazy, and I hated the post op cath, compression cuffs, and IVs...oh and I was still sweating and wanted a fan or AC; recovery was NBD.
Anyway, I knew that most people did not have a similar experience to mine or even to each other. As for having my baby in the hospital, I would have chosen that regardless since I was chicken and scared of L&D no matter how it went.
I know a couple that choose to do a planned C-section because they were high risk and wanted to deliver at a hospital that had a NICU. The closest one was 1.5 hours away. A planned C-section made sense for them.
I am not sure how to phrase this but I guess I just wanted to understand everyone's own thoughts on how they approached L&D and how they felt about what is usually a non-preferred method of delivery. I guess I was wondering too if I was the only one that was too nervous to take anything but the hospital route (not that other routes are bad). The VBAC question was just a kind of survey about WWYD if your hospital had this policy like mine does.
You have all taught me a lot and I appreciate you sharing such personal opinions.
Yup. My friend had 30 hours of labour and then an emergency c-section and it took her completely by surprise. Her experience made me realize that anything was possible for my l&d (although the thought of it being quick, which it was, didn't really enter my mind).
2.) How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a C-section (regardless if you had one or not)?
I felt that I would do whatever was necessary to have a healthy baby. I would prefer to do it vaginally, but it wouldn't upset or scar me (emotionally) if it ended up being a c.
5.) Regardless how you delivered...Our local hospitals here will no longer do VBACs because they can not keep an OR staffed 24 hrs per day and the insurance co. won't let them take the risk anymore. However, if a delivery is imminent (extremely soon) when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC?
Probably not. I don't think I'd be comfortable trying for a VBAC knowing they weren't used to them. Plus I don't think I'd want to wait too long to go in, especially with a history of needing interventions.
6.) Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? (No judgmental posts please!)
Absolutely. I had a very easy, quick l&d, but I'm still not sure about doing the next one outside of the hospital, or even in the hospital with a midwife. I'd love to give it a try, but I think I'm too much of a worrywart and would be really nervous that something would go wrong.
BFP #1: July 12, 2010 Natural M/C: July 26, 2010
BFP #2: January 30 ,2011 Born: September 29, 2011
BFP #3: January 5, 2013 Born: August 25, 2013
Just to stand up for midwives...giving birth with a midwife in a hospital is not any less safe than having an OB deliver you. CNMs are very good at recognizing when a delivery might not go as planned and if they need an OB to step in. They are not any less skilled as baby-catchers than OBs.
Personally, I think midwives are better at handling normal, low-risk pregnancies and deliveries than OBs. Average births are their specialty. OBs are surgeons and have a greater wealth of knowledge in dealing with complications. Their training focuses on what can go wrong. I think most women who don't require many interventions will have a better experience under the care of a midwife. In general, I think they're more supportive and better listeners.
And like I said, midwives are very good at anticipating problems and grabbing an OB if one will be needed.
Overture, I'm glad you posted this. Regardless of anyone's opinion on birth centers there is no reason not to use a midwife in a hospital. There is no additional risk in that case. And you're absolutely right that most midwives actually have much more experience with normal vaginal deliveries than most OBs. I hope that we get to a point where people realize midwives are a very safe choice for low risk women with healthy pregnancies, and frankly, birth centers can be too.
1.) Did you ever consider that a C-section might become an necessity? not really w/ my first. After Wyatt it became a reality that somethings your just not in control over.
2.) How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a C-section (regardless if you had one or not)? I definitely did not want a c/s.
3.) If you had a C-section was it planned or an emergency? I guess it was kinda planned w/ Wyatt b/c he was breech and no amniotic fluid so that was our only option per the ob and i spontaneously went into labor a day or so later and ended up having an emergency c/s.
4.) If you had a C-section were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally? Yes, i was not pleased about having a c/s.
5.) If you had a C-section do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a C-section? Yes unfortunately in my situation i think it was the only option.
5.) Regardless how you delivered...Our local hospitals here will no longer do VBACs because they can not keep an OR staffed 24 hrs per day and the insurance co. won't let them take the risk anymore. However, if a delivery is imminent (extremely soon) when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC? This is exactly how my hospital was and exactly what happened to me w/ my DD. I had my membranes stripped for the second time in a week and went into labor at home. I labored at home (not knowing i was in labor) and ended up getting to the hospital 5-6cm dilated and had DD an hour later, not time for an epidural so that's a risk you take too w/ waiting at home. ouch!
6.) Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? (No judgmental posts please!) well i almost had DD at home so now that i think about it, it could have been a scary situation w/ having DH deliver our baby. lol
7.) Any other personal thoughts on the topic? I would definitely do a VBAC again if i had the choice. The recovery for me from my c/s was the pits! After i had my VBAC w/ DD i couldn't believe i had just had our baby, it was like nothing and i could get up and walk. crazy!
1.) Did you ever consider that a C-section might become an necessity?
I didnt really think about it much.
2.) How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a C-section (regardless if you had one or not)?
It scared me more than having a vaginal delivery.
3.) If you had a C-section was it planned or an emergency?
n/a
4.) If you had a C-section were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally?
n/a
5.) If you had a C-section do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a C-section?
n/a
5.) Regardless how you delivered...Our local hospitals here will no longer do VBACs because they can not keep an OR staffed 24 hrs per day and the insurance co. won't let them take the risk anymore. However, if a delivery is imminent (extremely soon) when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC?
I barely made it to the hospital in time... but I didn't do it on purpose. It was scary and I thought I was going to have DD in the car, so we had to call an ambulance to meet us half way. I would not purposely put myself in that position in hopes to have a VBAC (but this is coming from someone who had a vaginal birth)
6.) Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? (No judgmental posts please!)
yes! I had some severe bleeding after having DD and they had a hard time stopping it. I have definitely thought about the fact that if I had not made it to the hospital in time, I very well may have died from the bleeding.
7.) Any other personal thoughts on the topic?
Married 08/18/07
BFP 02/15/11 EDD 10/27/11 Born at 35w3d on 09/25/11
BFP 10/13/12 EDD 06/25/13 Born at 37w0d on 06/04/13
BFP 12/11/15 EDD 08/23/16 Early miscarriage
BFP 02/02/16 EDD 10/16/16
DD was breech so I had no choice. Was I upset at the fact? Yes, however I got over it fast. With this one, I'm seriously thinking of going for a VBAC. Not only do I want to actually know what it feels like to push a baby from my vag (
), I think the recovery would probably be better than what I went thourgh with DD. Since I will be dealing with a serious lack of sleep + a new baby + a crazy-mad woman (DD), I want the shortest recovery period as I can get.
The birth canter we go to is actually attached to a hospital. If there are any issues, the OR is right there.
"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." -- Dale Carnegie
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." --Thomas A. Edison
1.) Did you ever consider that a C-section might become an necessity?
I had a vaginal birth with my son, so I was planning on the same for my daughter. I found out at 18weeks that it was a possibility since I had complete placenta previa.
2.) How did you feel about the possibility or thought of a C-section (regardless if you had one or not)?
I was pretty scared of the thought of having a c section, but I expected the previa to resolve.
3.) If you had a C-section was it planned or an emergency?
My previa didn't resolve, so I had a c section scheduled for 39w. I was in the hospital for an NST at 36w and they found that I was having contractions that couldn't be stopped. She was born that day. Not emergency, but definitly not planned for that early.
4.) If you had a C-section were you disappointed or feel a loss that you could not deliver vaginally?
I've done both so I was able to have both experiences.
5.) If you had a C-section do you think your Dr. did everything they could before resorting to a C-section?
Yes
5.) Regardless how you delivered...Our local hospitals here will no longer do VBACs because they can not keep an OR staffed 24 hrs per day and the insurance co. won't let them take the risk anymore. However, if a delivery is imminent (extremely soon) when the woman comes in to the birthing center then they have no choice but to let the VBAC occur because they wouldn't have time to transfer them to a VBAC hospital. If you went into labor early would you purposefully wait at home so you could force the local hospital to allow a VBAC?
Nope. We are done having babies, but I would have to have another c section if I wanted to stay with my dr/hospital. They don't do VBACs and I wouldnt want to wait to go in.
6.) Does the thought of an emergency make you hesitant to birth anywhere but in a hospital? (No judgmental posts please!)
I would only do a hospital birth.
7.) Any other personal thoughts on the topic?
While I was disapointed to need a c section, I am very thankful that I was able to have one and deliver a healthy daughter. If it was not available to me the outcome could have been very bad for both of us.