Really thinking of having a c-section needed an opinion

MallardDucky · April 2013

Reason being is that I am looking to get my tubes tied right after this baby.

I am thinking this is a better way to go, so it could be planned, can have family already here to watch my other 2. Have help ready to go afterward. Dh could be 2 or more hours away for work. (last delivery was just shy of 3 hours) it takes 30min to an hour to get to the hospital. Closest family is over an hour away.

With all that above I think it would be better. Would you consider this? An opinions, thoughts or alternatives welcomed.

Edit because I really need to proof read more.

A37licia · April 2013

One question is are you 100% positive you are going to get your tubes tied? Is there any reason you might meet baby and decide another one is an option down the road?

MallardDucky · April 2013

A37licia:
One question is are you 100% positive you are going to get your tubes tied? Is there any reason you might meet baby and decide another one is an option down the road?

Yes, 3 kiddos is a good number for me and DH we went into TTCing knowing it would be our last. It was either I or DH and since DH travels a lot for work it seems easier that it should be me.

revlaurawittman · April 2013

I actually WAS considering this, this time around because DH and I always said we wanted two kids. But now we are both unsure of whether or not we may want to have another baby in the future so we decided to hold off. That said, though, if you are sure, it makes sense to me. Rather than going through the stress of having a baby and then doing the surgery the next day, just have it all done at once.

shakes · April 2013

I had an urgent c-section with my son and I wouldn't elect to have another one if possible. I am hoping for a VBAC with this pregnancy, if everything works out. The recovery was long and crappy for me. I know that every experience is different and some women had no issues, and I am quite sure a planned c-section is vastly different than a c-section after 17 hours of labour. That being said I assume it would be far easier to have a tubal litigation during a c-section than to have a second operation. I have considered a c-section with my last pregnancy (not there yet) because of those factors. I am interested to hear other ladies responses.

A37licia · April 2013

Gotcha - I for some reason wondered if this would be your first and only baby, which is largely what prompted my question.

What were your other births like? Have you had a chance to talk to your OB, if this would be your first cs, and it would be elective without a medical reason? Obviously if you have a prior c/s, most OBs would support a repeat. I'm really supportive of natural childbirth myself and sought a VBAC after a cs with my first, so my opinion would be to seek to have a vaginal birth and have the surgery later, but if you don't feel that way, I can understand why doing both together would be pretty appealing as far as recovery and support.

shakes · April 2013

MallardDucky:
A37licia:
One question is are you 100% positive you are going to get your tubes tied? Is there any reason you might meet baby and decide another one is an option down the road?
Yes, 3 kiddos is a good number for me and DH we went into TTCing knowing it would be our last. It was either I or DH and since DH travels a lot for work it seems easier that it should be me.

I am going to disagree that it's easier for you. A vasectomy is an outpatient procedure done in the Dr's office where as a tubal litigation is considered major surgery and I could be wrong but I am pretty sure you go under a general anesthetic for a tubal. No? Obviously not if you are in the midst of a c-section, but as it's own surgery.

A37licia · April 2013

shakes:
I am going to disagree that it's easier for you. A vasectomy is an outpatient procedure done in the Dr's office where as a tubal litigation is considered major surgery and I could be wrong but I am pretty sure you go under a general anesthetic for a tubal. No? Obviously not if you are in the midst of a c-section, but as it's own surgery.

Good point - have you guys researched the pros and cons of either one having a procedure/surgery? Anyone know what a woman's hormones are like after a tubal? Do they basically go into menopause?

EOB584 · April 2013

Personally, I wouldn't choose a c-section. I didn't have one with DD so I really don't know what it's like but that is major surgery and recovery may be rough, especially since you have other kiddos to keep up with. I was worried that DD was breech and I would need a cs - I wanted to avoid it at all costs. I'm not sure but can they do a laparoscopic surgery to tie your tubes at a later date? Less invasive and probably a quicker recovery. (??)

Either way, I would talk to your doctor and see what he/she recommends. Also tell them about your concerns regarding DH being out of town and needing childcare. Maybe as you get closer to your due date your doc would consider scheduling an induction to help ease your concerns if you don't go the c-section route.

MallardDucky · April 2013

A37licia:
Gotcha - I for some reason wondered if this would be your first and only baby, which is largely what prompted my question.
What were your other births like? Have you had a chance to talk to your OB, if this would be your first cs, and it would be elective without a medical reason? Obviously if you have a prior c/s, most OBs would support a repeat. I'm really supportive of natural childbirth myself and sought a VBAC after a cs with my first, so my opinion would be to seek to have a vaginal birth and have the surgery later, but if you don't feel that way, I can understand why doing both together would be pretty appealing as far as recovery and support.

I had natural (medicated) births with the first 2. With ds1 I was induced because my liver was shutting down, and he was having heart decells. With ds2 a gallbladder attack sent me into a very fast labor. He asperatied meconuim, life flighted to NICU with a rare stomach infection, he spent 2 weeks there.

daileym · April 2013

I would look into the Essure procedure before getting my tubes tied for permanent sterilization. It's fairly new but it's supposed to be more effective and it's an in office procedure that you are released to normal activity level the following day. I don't have personal experience with having a c-section but, my Mom had three, the last one with a tubal and she said it was a more difficult recovery than the first two. I would definitely talk to your OB about it though, because it does make sense if that is the route you want to go.

Here is some info on Essure:

https://www.essure.com

shakes · April 2013

laurelannie:
I'm wondering what sort of surgery just a normal tubal is, I've always assumed in a tubal they go up through the vagina, instead of making an incision in the stomach, which sounds like a much easier recovery, since your abdominal muscles won't be cut. But if they would cut into your stomach anyways, then go for it. I wouldn't want to recover from abdominal surgery with a newborn and 2 children to look after unless I had to. You can schedule the tubal for when life levels out a little, and your recovery would be quicker than that of a csection, and you would be able to fully enjoy a new little one for a bit without also recovering from surgery.

I c&p'd from wiki because it was easier to understand than my rambling explanation. I just spoke about this with my Mom a few weeks back. She had one after me and it hasn't changed much in 33 years.

After the anesthesia takes effect, a surgeon will make a small incision at each side of, but just below the navel in order to gain access to each of the 2 fallopian tubes. With traditional tubal ligation, the surgeon severs the tubes, and then ties (ligates) them off thereby preventing the travel of eggs to the uterus. Other methods include using clips or rings to clamp them shut, or severing and cauterizing them. Tubal ligation is usually done in a hospital operating-room setting.

Shanmarie1083 · April 2013

I wouldn't have a c/s just for the purposes of getting your tubes tied. It is much easier (and far less painful) for your husband to get a vasectomy.

If you are already needing a c/s for medical reasons then I say go for the tubal ligation, as long as your are 100% sure that you are done.

VitaLuna · April 2013

I personally would never choose a c section for convenience. Because they're common place, people don't think about the fact that it's major abdominal surgery. Not to mention that uncomplicated vaginal births are better for both mamas and babies.

If you're sure about the tubal, vs vasectomy or something else, I'd get the laparoscopic surgery later.

kdv77 · April 2013

I personally would never opt for surgery, especially when vaginal is better for baby (so they get your flora, etc). I only understand c/s when it's truly necessary. I would send DH for a vasectomy or get your tubes tied later.

shill0810 · April 2013

I'm having a C-Section. Actually this will be my third. Honestly even if I had the option to do a Vbac I wouldn't just because C-Sections really are not as bad as everyone makes them out to be. I am also getting my tubes tied after this baby and it only take an extra 5 minutes or so on top of the time it takes for the C-section, which really isn't very long.

I mean, it's obviously up to you, but if I were in your shoes I would do it.

kimmykaye · April 2013

Speaking as a person who has no choice but a 3rd c/s, I would not opt for one just for tying my tubes. My c/s incision is about 7 inches long just above the pubic hair line. It sounds like a tube ligation is only 2 smaller incisions, which may be easier (I'm not saying it's easy to recover, just not as bad) to recover from than a c/s. My mom had me naturally and then had her tubes tied the next day. I never saw any scars from that surgery, so I'm assuming they are below the top underwear line just like a c/s. I would definately talk about the pro's and con's for each option with your doctor. Your doc will be able to help you make the most informed decision.

dukeblue27 · April 2013

I used to work in a NICU and c-sections are hard on baby and really not the best option unless other medical events prevent a vaginal birth. If your only reasoning for an elective c-section is your convenience I think it is very selfish and can potentially cause a trip for your little one to the NICU.

MallardDucky · April 2013

I added this a little early

I had natural (medicated) births with the first 2. With ds1 I was induced because my liver was shutting down, and he was having heart decells. With ds2 a gallbladder attack sent me into a very fast labor. He asperatied meconuim, life flighted to NICU with a rare stomach infection, he spent 2 weeks there.

I do not know if this would make a difference or not. I am going to bring it up to the doc. and see what he says.

1026pumpkin · April 2013

I had an emergency csection with DS and am planning a RCS with this baby. With a scheduled c, you can't be scheduled any earlier than 39 weeks unless there is a pressing medical reason for it, so it's very possible you could go into labor beforehand, so from a convenience standpoint, you really still are at the baby's mercy for arrival times.

I had a great recovery from my first c, but I also didn't have any other kids to take care of and was able to just sit on the couch and nurse for most of the day, with a daily walk thrown in....I think it might be a lot more difficult now chasing a toddler who likes to be held and taking care of the baby...not sure how old your older kids are, but it's something to consider. That said, if you wind up with a c anyway, it would be worth it to have discussed it with your doc in advance and get consented for it. If I were in your shoes, I'd do an IUD postpartum, and then think about surgery once the kids were bigger and didn't need to be carried, lifted into car seats, etc.

CDMay2006 · April 2013

The recovery from a tubal ligation is going to be a lot easier than from a c-section, since it is two (i think; maybe three) small incisions, instead of one very large one, and it won't involve the uterus. If a c-section is already a medically-preferable route for you, then combining the two may be a great idea, but i wouldn't opt for a c-section simply so that the tubal ligation could be done at the time of delivery.

MallardDucky · April 2013

1026pumpkin:
I had an emergency csection with DS and am planning a RCS with this baby. With a scheduled c, you can't be scheduled any earlier than 39 weeks unless there is a pressing medical reason for it, so it's very possible you could go into labor beforehand, so from a convenience standpoint, you really still are at the baby's mercy for arrival times.
I had a great recovery from my first c, but I also didn't have any other kids to take care of and was able to just sit on the couch and nurse for most of the day, with a daily walk thrown in....I think it might be a lot more difficult now chasing a toddler who likes to be held and taking care of the baby...not sure how old your older kids are, but it's something to consider. That said, if you wind up with a c anyway, it would be worth it to have discussed it with your doc in advance and get consented for it. If I were in your shoes, I'd do an IUD postpartum, and then think about surgery once the kids were bigger and didn't need to be carried, lifted into car seats, etc.

My youngest will be just shy of 4 when this baby comes, and the oldest will be almost 7. As far as IUD I have had one after ds1 and it profrated my uterian wall and told that I could not have another one.

I am just considering options on things and looking for opinions and advice, and seeing what else is out there.

jeapplegate · April 2013

I would not consider a c-section outside of medical necessity. There is an increased risk of death with a c-section vs vaginal birth and the is recovery rough. You won't be able to pick up your other children, drive, etc...I had a "easy" recovery, but I still get twinges of pain from my incision over a year later.

Other sterilization options are MUCH more attractive. Having a tubal at a later date is an out patient surgery. A vasectomy is an even shorter procedure. From what you have said about your past deliveries, it doesn't sound like a c-section would have changed anything and the convenience isn't really there considering that recovering from a major abdominal surgery isn't very convenient.

luminousbluestar · April 2013

As a hospital mother-baby nurse let me tell you that people don't know the full myriad of risks involved with c/s. Of course it's a perfectly valid option if there's a medical necessity but please don't do it electivelly. You increase your risk of hemorrhage, infection, blood clots, and urinary tract infections. You dramatically increase your pain level and will need prescription meds for much longer after you go home . You would be in the hospital for twice as long. And not to mention the risks to the baby. Your baby is much likely to have respiratory distress after a c/s because the chest wall isn't compressed as it is in a vag delivery.

If you absolutely feel the need to have things pre-planned because of your other two kids why not just plan a scheduled vaginal induction? It's not ideal but at least it would give you peace of mind to know exactly when you will deliver but avoid all the difficulties of a c-section.

NNGnome · April 2013

I had an emergency C-section with DS, and will have a RSC with this pregnancy as I am not able to have a VBAC. With the first I was not in labor and that makes a big difference in the recovery times, most people who say recovery was difficult went through labor before their C-sections. I was up and about in a few days and felt fine apart from a few twinges here and there after a week, by a month I was pain free and have had no problems since.

Having said that, if you have the option, vaginal birth is better for the baby, although with your history I can see how it would be scary.

I second the pp's post about Essure, it seems much less invasive, if DH wasn't getting a vasectomy it is what I would do , even though I am having a RSC.

jgengo0 · April 2013

I had a csection and I am sorry, but I loved it. I was up walking the next day. You can just barely see my scar. Easy peazy. I will definitely be having another.

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