Am I wrong for electing a c-section?

rmbarry1 · August 2013

Because I feel very anxious and panicky about a vaginal delivery, my husband and I have elected a c-section. It seems like the right choice for me as it's a more "controlled" environment, which I think I need mentally. Everyone seems so opinionated about it. Am I wrong for wanting a c-section?

yinyang124 · August 2013

It's a personal decision. Do what you feel is best.

kgs0505 · August 2013

Of course not. You need to do what is right for you. you are the one having the babies, no one else.

Rynleigh · August 2013

^^^That. If you're choosing a cesarean out of anxiety over the birth, fears of complications, etc, totally understandable and nothing wrong with it - but if you're choosing it because you think it will be less painful or less physically stressful, you may want to reconsider.

SWA80 · August 2013

I'm somewhat torn on this too. I hate the idea of trying to deliver vaginally and ending up having one or both via c section anyway. I think because I've had pelvic surgery, a c/s doesn't scare me. I will still probably try vaginally if positions and everything look perfect but I'm honestly a little more comfortable with the idea of c/s because there is less unknown.

HattieDornbush · August 2013

It is a personal decision. What is right for someone else may not be right for you. I have had both types of deliveries and my vaginal recovery was much faster and easier for what it's worth.

pea-kay · August 2013

I think with multiples, it's a totally valid choice. I had a friend pregnant with a singleton and wanted to have an elective c/s. She was due a few weeks after my boys were born, and I wanted to call her after my section and explain JUST how painful it was. In the end, she was induced and ended up with a c/s anyway. :P

raraavis28 · August 2013

Agree w/ all the PPs. There is nothing wrong with making that choice, esp. when you're talking about multiples, but it is definitely not an "easy way out". Unfortunately, no matter how you give birth, there will be some risk and some pain involved. But I also think the more at peace you are with the situation, the better it will go overall, so if opting for a C/S now does that for you, by all means, do it. Good luck!

pinkmickey24 · August 2013

I agree that you have to do what you are most comfortable with and what you feel is best. I was originally a scheduled csection due to position, but A flipped and the csection was changed to an induction. I had much anxiety about the csection and was relieved, but then I grew anxious over a vaginal delivery and wished for a csection again because I had made peace with it. I did end up having a csection after trying to push for an hour due to A's head circumference and being sunny side up. Please be aware of the possible complications and recovery. DH asked in our birthing class the chance of needing a blood transfusion and the odds were low, however, I ended up needing one afterwards. I was not prepared for such complications and I wish I had been more educated. Granted the choice to have a csection was out of my control.

megs2011 · August 2013

I agree that with multiples that it's a valid choice. Both my girls were head down so I was going to try for a vaginal delivery and I always had the fear of ending up with one vaginal and one c/s delivery. I ended up having an emergency c/s due to HELLP syndrome anyways. C/S is not an easy way out, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It's a hard recovery (was for me anyways).

24karat · August 2013

Ditto what the PPs have said. Having had both a vag delivery and a planned c/s due to transverse positioning, I'd say it depends on where you want the "hard" part(s). For me vag birth was long and painful but super easy and nearly painless to recover from. C/s was fast but the recovery totally sucks, even with minimal complications, not to mention having 2 newborns needing my attention right after being cut open too. I would personally pick a vaginal birth over c/s any day for that reason alone.

Multiples change things and an elective c/s at term is understandable. An elective c/s is inappropriate IMHO is when there is no medical reason and it's done early for the parents' convenience or because the parents are looking for the easy way out.

Mrs. Alice · August 2013

Nope. I agree with everyone else, it's a 100% valid choice for a multiple birth. As long as you are making an informed decision with your Dr.'s advice I would never say that is "wrong". I didn't have a choice in the matter but I had similar feelings as you. My c-section recovery went very smoothly, better than I even expected but if given the choice I would want to avoid surgery if possible.

BabyCarryingVessel · August 2013

Nope, I elected for a cs as well. Totally valid with multiples.

Darcie Elicia · August 2013

No, I felt the same way too. You know what's right for you and your babies. Don't worry about anyone else's opinion. Trust your gut instinct!

carrotcake06 · August 2013

HattieDornbush said:
It is a personal decision. What is right for someone else may not be right for you. I have had both types of deliveries and my vaginal recovery was much faster and easier for what it's worth.

This exactly. I was completely unprepared for how awful c/s recovery can be. I also had an easy vag delivery w my singleton and a scary emergency c/s under general w the twins, so there's that.

katiebenes · August 2013

rmbarry1 said:

Because I feel very anxious and panicky about a vaginal delivery, my husband and I have elected a c-section. It seems like the right choice for me as it's a more "controlled" environment, which I think I need mentally. Everyone seems so opinionated about it. Am I wrong for wanting a c-section?

people are ALWAYS opinionated. seriously. if you're having that much worry about the delivery you probably wouldn't be really relaxed... and that makes delivery harder.

YOU know all you are feeling. therefor YOU are the only one who really matters in the decision making...

Mamavogel · August 2013

After 12 hours of getting nowhere I had a c/s with my son. By the time I left the hospital 4 days later I was in fairly food shape. This time around my Dr told me we would schedule one 2 weeks ahead of my due date. He didn't give me an option, although if I argued I bet he would let me try. However, for me it also is my preference to have a c/s. My personal experience was good and I don't care to try natural birth, I would like to avoid the tearing, pushing, labor pain, etc. My recovery wasn't bad the first go, I am hoping for the same this time, and I will have lots of help at home. I hope hours goes smoothly, make the choice that your are most comfortable with and don't worry about others, it's your body, your babies your mental health that counts the most!

Dragonfly1226 · August 2013

Rynleigh said:

^^^That. If you're choosing a cesarean out of anxiety over the birth, fears of complications, etc, totally understandable and nothing wrong with it - but if you're choosing it because you think it will be less painful or less physically stressful, you may want to reconsider.

+1

Having had a vaginal delivery and a c section I can say that my c section was much, much more difficult. However I also think a lot of people with strong opinions are basing their opinions on a singleton pregnancy. With multiples it is a different ball game all together so if you and your doctors feel a c section is best I think it is valid.

ShopperKristi · August 2013

Not wrong but just make sure you are making an informed choice, not just one out of fear! I was TERRIFIED of giving birth to two babies but I delivered at 35 weeks and my vaginal delivery was so fast and easy! I pushed about 10 minutes total, didn't feel pain thanks to an epidural, and recovered pretty quickly....the things I was terrified of turned out to be a breeze and I wouldn't have had it any other way! This isn't the case for everyone it just know that a quick and easy vaginal delivery is quite possible too!

Venti29 · August 2013

I know it's not the same for everyone, but I loved my birth. My body took over and it was amazing. I labored for 12 hours, pushed for 20 min. I'm so very glad I was able to have the chance to do this. I was scheduled for a c, but decided to 'see what happens'. at any time I was able to change my mind, but it was so amazing I didn't want to.
Good luck in whatever you decide.

xoexpat · August 2013

I struggled with the same decision and decided to go with the c/s. in the end, the babies weren't in cooperative positions so would have ended up with one anyway. It isn't easy, a d the recovery is draining, but I wanted to go with it so I would not be "taken by surprise" if it same down to an emergency c/s. apart from having my wisdom teeth removed, id never had surgery before. GL

somewhereincali · August 2013

You have gotten great advice, just wanted to add that if your worry is about "emergency" vs planned c/s I would t let that bother you. I had a "emergency" csection in that I was trying to deliver vaginally, had laboured for 12hrs but was starting to develop complications.
But it was a very calm process, there wasn't any running or rushing or anything like the term emergency brings to mind
I have also heard of people planning for a csection but waiting to go into labor naturally first because of some of the benefits of early labor on the babies as well as not taking them earlier than you need too. That might be another option to consider

Hunter22 · August 2013

After having my son first vaginally and having his cord wrapped around his neck and blue, the second they said twins a c-section was all I would consider. For me I was afraid too many issues could arise (ours are identical) and I wanted them out the safest and most controlled way possible, no matter how much pain I would be in after. It's a personal choice, but if it's what makes you comfortable do it. They are your kids, doesn't matter what everyone's opinion is of their evacuation method - you're the one having to do it, not them

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