Elective c-section

mttkiwi5 · October 2013

Is anyone having an elective c section or have you had one before? I'm a FTM and am considering it. Are c sections as bad a recovery as everyone says?

codec · October 2013

This will be my 3rd c-section. My 1st was a crash c-section and 2nd was planned and 3rd will be planned as well. Although not elective, I dont really have a baseline since I never had a vaginal birth.

As traumatic as a vaginal birth sounds, a c-section is major abdominal surgery. You usually are not able to drive for 6 weeks. Usually a hospital stay is 4 days or more depending on any complications. You can get infections at the surgery site etc. I was lucky to not get infections, but I was in pain for weeks. Also have a weight limit for how much to lift, coughing or walking hurts terribly.

C-sections are not really "easier" than a vaginal birth.

VineyardMel · October 2013

Just curious what your reasons are if you don't mind sharing. DD was a scheduled primary c/s due to a previous surgery. It was elective in a way, I guess, but based on what we both felt was best for my health.

BrideNamedMeg · October 2013

I think a lot of the recovery depends on the person. It's major surgery no matter what though! Both my sister and SIL have had three c-sections, the firsts were medically necessary and they both didn't want to attempt VBAC. My sister's first was her hardest recovery, my SIL's last was by far her hardest.

mttkiwi5 · October 2013

Control of the due date, anxiety over labor, worried about epistomy or tearing

codec · October 2013

mttkiwi5 said:

Control of the due date, anxiety over labor, worried about epistomy or tearing

Not to be a debbie downer but have you seen a c-section scar?

mttkiwi5 · October 2013

Yes

MA&CB · October 2013

Sure, those might be some pros of a c-section, but the cons and risks really outweigh those things, I think. Not to mention, you could go into labor before your scheduled c/s and have a c/s earlier - you can't really control that. It's major surgery - that's pretty anxiety-provoking in itself. And my c-section incision, scar, and the lovely pooch above it that doesn't go away, weren't so great either. I had an emergency c-section with my first and will have another c/s this time. I'm not a good candidate for VBAC and my hospital doesn't do them anyway, so it's not really an option for me. But absolutely, if I could have, I would have delivered vaginally that first time. I still get a little sad that I didn't have that moment where the baby was placed on my chest, that it took over an hour to hold my son etc.

ETA: With all that said, it wasn't terrible, but I definitely don't think it was better.

angelsnight · October 2013

I wasn't aware that doctors would do a purely elective C section where they are no medical reasons for it.

If you have very high anxiety that may be a medical reason, but I would never consider major surgery just so I could pick the due date.

JAck5209 · October 2013

Please please please don't choose a c-section because you're afraid to tear. A natural tear is painless and the recovery is easy. A c-section scar/recovery is so much more scary.

BrideNamedMeg · October 2013

mttkiwi5 said: Control of the due date, anxiety over labor, worried about epistomy or tearing
Anxiety about labor (if it's severe) might a valid reason to opt for a c-section but I would have a very detailed conversation with your OB about the risks, pros and cons, etc. before making a decision.

Some things that I had never heard about c-sections are that the incision site can hurt for weeks, months, even years after the surgery. You can have numbness/itchiness around the scar as well. Depending on how you're closed, the scar may not be very neat, my sister's had a weird bubbly look to it, I think her OB cut it out and basically gave her a new one after c-section #2. ::shudder::

You're not allowed to drive for like two weeks following the surgery, and often aren't allowed to go up and down stairs for a week or so which sucks if you have an upstairs bedroom.

Most OB's do not do episiotomies anymore unless it's REALLY necessary and many women don't tear. I didn't even with a 9lb 5oz baby!

BrandiF86 · October 2013

I have not had a cs but a very good friend of mine did, after which she decided she did not want to ever have another child, I know her recovery was very hard and she did get an infection, she had a hard time doing a lot of things, and spent quite a bit more time recovering, and a longer hospital stay then I did with either of my two..

a cs is a major surgery, recovering from any surgery is difficult at least.

I can tell you with both of my kiddo's I did not tear, and I left the hospital with my kiddos about 24 hours after they were born, we were at home resting and enjoying the chance to get to know each other.

I am more scared of having to have a cs then anything else when it comes to birthing this next one, but at the same time, being a mom we do what ever it takes to at least try to get them here safe and sound.

Either way whatever you choose to do I wish you and your LO the best of luck.

And if you would like details on my two times through the ringer I would be glad to share as many details as you would like.

angelsnight · October 2013

Also, I don't think there is a mother out there that isn't afraid, or at least not looking forward to the pain of labor, but you do what you've got to do. I was basically fisted after my epi had worn off to get the placenta out, it was by far the most painful thing I've ever been through, and five minutes after it happened I would have done it all over again. I'm honestly more worried about the pain and discomfort of nursing than I am labor.

JAck5209 · October 2013

I agree with @angelsnight I had more discomfort with breast feeding than with my unmedicated vaginal birth that included a 3rd degree tear. Your body was built to give birth vaginally and in most cases everything happens naturally.

I didn't say this in my original comment but I also think that it's selfish to try to control the birthdate. Unless there is a special (medical) circumstance, wait until your baby is ready!

mttkiwi5 · October 2013

I suffer from severe anxiety and am on medication for it. Not just worried but lots of anxiety. I'm just trying to think ahead. I haven't decided. I just can't imagine spending hours of being hot and sweaty going through labor in lots of pain. Then getting torn from my vagina to my butt because some of us are just smaller even with stretching. It doesn't sound pleasant. With that said, I understand that c sections are major surgeries and I hear the recovery us difficult. I just want to know how difficult.

[Deleted User] · October 2013

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liamandlettie · October 2013

JAck5209 said:
Please please please don't choose a c-section because you're afraid to tear. A natural tear is painless and the recovery is easy. A c-section scar/recovery is so much more scary.

That is absolutely inaccurate. It took my over a year to heal. And by heal I mean not cry during sex, be able to use a tampon, to recover from a traumatic delivery where I tore without an episiotomy. Numerous trips to the doctor and physical therapist. Every delivery is different whether its vaginal or not. I don't WANT a csection but that may be my option (doctor is ok with either but we haven't fully decided). I think its best to take classes, be educated (I wasn't), find alternative methods/techniques for vaginal delivery. I'm not trying to freak anyone out just pointing out that one way isn't always easier or better than the other. And on another note...i didn't actually think women got to choose? But maybe just not here.

Edit to clarify

kz's_girlygirl · October 2013

mttkiwi5 said:
I suffer from severe anxiety and am on medication for it. Not just worried but lots of anxiety. I'm just trying to think ahead. I haven't decided. I just can't imagine spending hours of being hot and sweaty going through labor in lots of pain. Then getting torn from my vagina to my butt because some of us are just smaller even with stretching. It doesn't sound pleasant. With that said, I understand that c sections are major surgeries and I hear the recovery us difficult. I just want to know how difficult.

If your primary concern is pain, have you considered a vaginal birth with an epidural?

My sister had a c-section and was in pain for weeks afterwards, and still (5 years later) has ocassional shooting pain vs numbness in certain areas of her scar. My mom had to stay with her and her DH to help her shower, walk to the bathroom and hold her new baby.

Personally, I would never elect to have major abdominal surgery to avoid the pain of labor, especially if that pain can be managed with meds.

GL whatever you decide, and please do your own research and talk with your Dr.(s) about your concerns/options. Elective sections are definitely not unheard of, but be sure to know what you might be in for following the procedure.

acousticchick18.defunct635774992233236598 · October 2013

If you weren't pregnant but knew you were having a major abdominal surgery with weeks/months of painful healing ahead, wouldn't you be having anxiety about that?

I think that The Business Of Being Born might help ease some of your fears about going through natural childbirth. I had a big episiotomy with DS (medically necessary) and it was painful for a few weeks, but I'd take that over abdominal surgery anyday.

megs68 · October 2013

I have had two c/s. the first was due to a failed induction, the 2nd was because I hit 42 weeks and had zero progress. PLEASE inform yourself of the risks of c/s to be aware of what you're asking for. It is major abdominal surgery. as such, there's a risk of infection, of cuts into your other organs, of maternal death. Do not take it lightly, just because its so common. And, if you're thinking of future children, you may have to fight tooth and nail for a VBAC or accept added risks of additional c sections. Each additional c/s adds more and more scar tissue, leading to higher risks, including risks of placental abruption, which can be fatal for infants. My cousin had placenta accreta, where the placenta leaked through her scar tissue and attached itself to other organs, she ended up with a hysterectomy and she and the baby nearly died at 24 weeks pregnant. It's a miracle they are both alive. Even if all goes well, PP discussed the inability to drive. I couldn't get in and out of bed by myself for a week. I had to wake DH up to help me get DS to feed him and to help me go to bathroom. I couldn't pull my own pants up for nearly a week, so DH had to help me when I got dressed or went to the bathroom. Those were not high points of my life. I couldn't put on socks on my own, couldn't put on my shoes, couldn't get in and out of the car, couldn't wear anything but elastic pants for several weeks, had to wear a binder on my belly for several weeks, have an awful scar I will have for life, I have the c/s pouch, lost all abdominal muscles so that now I am 15 weeks pregnant with #3 and look about 30 weeks. Trust me, I'd so much rather have the "inconvenience" of not knowing my baby's arrival date than suffer a placenta abruption, placenta accreta, or a hysterectomy.

jwls84 · October 2013

mttkiwi5 said:
Control of the due date, anxiety over labor, worried about epistomy or tearing

I can't imagine a doctor doing a c-section for these reasons. Where I live you can't even get induced without medical necessity.

Recovery from a vaginal delivery is easier one your body (in most cases). I had horrible tearing and episiotomies with my son. I got up and walked around and within a week had no pain at all. With a c-section you won't have that experience.

roxi9020 · October 2013

Maybe you could look into hypnobabies to help with your anxiety. We are created to do this naturally, you have to have faith in yourself!

NorBar39 · October 2013

I'm going to be that person and just say that I think pain is not a reason at all to have a c section. An epidural will allow you to rest before you have to push and chances are your pain will be minimal-obviously there are exceptions. True anxiety over this will probably not be solved by having surgery-unless surgery is the type of thing that makes you calm down? I'm not trying to be rude but I guess I am just really having trouble understanding why you want this if there is a chance you are capable of delivering vaginally. Please do your research on your risks and future complications with any pregnancies/deliveries in your future.

NorBar39 · October 2013

**fear of pain*** my apologies

megmac15 · October 2013

Had a c section type incision for a dermoid cyst removal, everything went well. Sent home, after 4 days in the hospital fighting a fever. i was in pain, like a lot of pain. You can't move very
Well at all with that type of insicion. I came down with a horrible fever(104) the same day I was sent home and mom took me back to the hospital where they readmitted me. I had contracted MRSA in the operating room, and it was in my open wound. You can't resew an area that has been infected, so I had to get a wound vac which was attached to my abdomen 24/7, so it would heal from the inside out. After my 14 day stay in the hospital, I Had to have a home care nurse (i was her youngest patient!) come 3 days a week to change the vac and tape around it. It took me around 3 months of wearing the vac and not movin much to heal...my scar
Is horrible. at that point i was 29 with no kids and I literally could not imagine that happening if it was during childbirth. It totally sucked. I'm not saying this happens all the time, but infections are just another thing to consider...but other than that good luck with any decision you make!

springbaby03 · October 2013

I suffer from severe anxiety and am on medication for it. Not just worried but lots of anxiety. I'm just trying to think ahead. I haven't decided. I just can't imagine spending hours of being hot and sweaty going through labor in lots of pain. Then getting torn from my vagina to my butt because some of us are just smaller even with stretching. It doesn't sound pleasant. With that said, I understand that c sections are major surgeries and I hear the recovery us difficult. I just want to know how difficult.

Sorry my quote didn't work

I have had a vaginal birth and a emergency csection.
My vaginal birth was bad, my son wasn't turning properly so he wasn't descending smoothly at all, we were near an emergency csection with him.
My second (my daughter) was having problems with her heart rate during contractions that turned quickly to an emergency csection.

Anxiety: I have anxiety, have had it for 10 years. I am also very claustrophobic, nice combo. The only problem I had with these during the vaginal birth was from the arm cuff constantly checking my blood pressure.
I was moving around just fine hours later. My biggest pain after the birth was from the catheter, I felt normal a few days later.

For your recovery question:
Vaginal 1 csection 10
I'm not even exaggerating.

With my emergency csection movement was restricted, being carted off by a group of drs and nurses without your husband or anyone by your side is scary. The first thing I had to do was hold absolutely still hunch my shoulders forward and lean on a nurses chest while I hugged myself, all the time hoping she wouldn't drop me off the edge of the table while they numbed me up. Next i had to scoot from the bed to the operating table, that was scary because it feels very unstable and i was the size of a baby hippo. Then they do a catheter and strap you down to the table arms straight out. Talk about anxiety and claustrophobia freak out, it sucked. I saw my dd for a second then apparently I freaked out so they medicated me I woke up hours later. My recovery was a bitch. I could not sit up under my own strength my husband literally had to pick me up so I could hold my child. It was that bad for seven days. I had to wear a binder around my stomach for weeks, without it I felt more weak. I felt better around 4 weeks out.

Sorry for the novel. If I could have a choice I would go vaginal with this baby. You have more control over the situation when you aren't completly drugged up and strapped down.
I'm already anxious about having a panic attack in the operating room.

avigailandcharlie · October 2013

BrideNamedMeg said:

mttkiwi5 said:

Control of the due date, anxiety over labor, worried about epistomy or tearing

Anxiety about labor (if it's severe) might a valid reason to opt for a c-section but I would have a very detailed conversation with your OB about the risks, pros and cons, etc. before making a decision.

Some things that I had never heard about c-sections are that the incision site can hurt for weeks, months, even years after the surgery. You can have numbness/itchiness around the scar as well. Depending on how you're closed, the scar may not be very neat, my sister's had a weird bubbly look to it, I think her OB cut it out and basically gave her a new one after c-section #2. ::shudder::

You're not allowed to drive for like two weeks following the surgery, and often aren't allowed to go up and down stairs for a week or so which sucks if you have an upstairs bedroom.

Most OB's do not do episiotomies anymore unless it's REALLY necessary and many women don't tear. I didn't even with a 9lb 5oz baby!

@bridenamedmeg - did you have an epidural or natural when you didn't tear with such a big one? I am terrified of tearing.

PinupMomma08 · October 2013

I would imagine it would be difficult to find a doctor who will do an elective c section. Plus, recovery is usually difficult and long. I couldn't lay on my side for months.

There is good reason for a vbac community to be growing so rapidly.

clo1982 · October 2013

Labor is usually less than one day of pain which can be controlled by epi, cs recovery is weeks of pain. Fear of tearing...I get this but They cut your stomach area in half. So a few inch tear that is stitched and which your body was meant to do and heal from vs major surgery that is not natural....not much of a choice here! I had a cs due to dd being breach and if my dr was supportive id do a vaginal birth in a heartbeat to avoid that recovery again. Not saying natural is without pain by any stretch but a cs recovery f'n sucks! I'm surprised a dr would support it for the reasons you listed.

clo1982 · October 2013

Also if you go into labor or your water breaks, scheduling is out the window anyway.

[Deleted User] · October 2013

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BrideNamedMeg · October 2013

avigailandcharlie said:

BrideNamedMeg said:

mttkiwi5 said:

Control of the due date, anxiety over labor, worried about epistomy or tearing

Anxiety about labor (if it's severe) might a valid reason to opt for a c-section but I would have a very detailed conversation with your OB about the risks, pros and cons, etc. before making a decision.

Some things that I had never heard about c-sections are that the incision site can hurt for weeks, months, even years after the surgery. You can have numbness/itchiness around the scar as well. Depending on how you're closed, the scar may not be very neat, my sister's had a weird bubbly look to it, I think her OB cut it out and basically gave her a new one after c-section #2. ::shudder::

You're not allowed to drive for like two weeks following the surgery, and often aren't allowed to go up and down stairs for a week or so which sucks if you have an upstairs bedroom.

Most OB's do not do episiotomies anymore unless it's REALLY necessary and many women don't tear. I didn't even with a 9lb 5oz baby!

@bridenamedmeg - did you have an epidural or natural when you didn't tear with such a big one? I am terrified of tearing.

avigailandcharlie No epi, I was at home! And he was posterior. My midwife was really impressed that I didn't tear, though I'd imagine some of it is genetic. My grandmother had 7 kids - she's 5' nothing and weighed about 100lbs (I'm not built quite like that, lol, though I'm only 5'4'') and she never tore, even with her largest (10lb) baby.

jazzyexpo · October 2013

Reading these makes me terrified of another cs and I liked my cs, though I didn't have a choice. Dd was breech, which we found out at 38.5 weeks. I will say recovery is longer. I have a high pain tolerance and felt great 2 days after, up walking around the hospital, in and out of bed. I won't go into more detail, but not all cs are horrible. Talk it over with your doctor, you may regret not having a vaginal delivery later on.

TradeMama · October 2013

I had two vaginal deliveries and one csection. Compared to the cs, the vaginal deliveries were a piece of cake. With the second vaginal birth I had a 3rd degree episiotomy and it was still so much better than the cs. With the cs I couldn't get in and out of the shower, in and out of bed, or even pick up my own baby without help. Stairs were excruciating.

I've done both and csections are definitely last resort.

Jmom10 · October 2013

I would do anything in my power to avoid another csection at all costs. It was traumatic, recovery long and miserable. I have a disgusting scar that I hate not to mention my stomach will never be flat again without cosmetic surgery. On top of all that, I think it's harder to bond with baby at first. I would have really had a hard time had I not nursed, that's was my bonding savior.

coreyeliz · October 2013

I just went to a lecture by the head of the Maternal Infant Research Institute at Tufts. It was fascinating and really changed my perspective about a number of things. One of the things she stressed was that babies are better off when they are able to gestate as long as they need (obviously to a point) and she strongly urged against elective c-sections. That said, I've never given birth either way. The only "experience" I can offer is that my sister-in-law had to have one and she said breast feeding afterward was really painful.

rachmckenna · October 2013

I had a c-section with my first because my labor was not progressing. I know someone mentioned you can't drive for 6 weeks, but I have never heard that. I was walking around the next day and healed amazingly. I don't think I would have elected to have a c-section, but I am having another one with this pregnancy and am hoping it goes just as well.

KariB509 · October 2013

mttkiwi5 said:
Control of the due date, anxiety over labor, worried about epistomy or tearing

I personally don't feel like these are good enough reasons to choose to have a major surgery when our bodies are made for vaginal deliveries. Your vagina will heal much faster from a tear or epistomy than your abdomen will from a c section. Also, is your OB on board with elective c sections? Mine are not. C sections are also more expensive.
Anyway, I would always choose a vaginal delivery over a c section. I think asking other women is a good start in the research process. Discuss it with your OB too. Good luck.

ring_pop · October 2013

Threadjack @avigailandcharlie don't forget that it's as much about head circumference as it is size.

You could have a huge baby with a narrow head, or vice versa.

KariB509 · October 2013

mttkiwi5 said:
I suffer from severe anxiety and am on medication for it. Not just worried but lots of anxiety. I'm just trying to think ahead. I haven't decided. I just can't imagine spending hours of being hot and sweaty going through labor in lots of pain. Then getting torn from my vagina to my butt because some of us are just smaller even with stretching. It doesn't sound pleasant. With that said, I understand that c sections are major surgeries and I hear the recovery us difficult. I just want to know how difficult.

I'm sure my experience isnt the norm but I also suffer from anxiety and am on medication for it. I was nervous about labor too, especially because I didn't know when it would start or what to expect. However, when it started, I knew right away and I kind of went into survival mode. It was "operation get baby out" and that drive overpowered my anxiety. Like I said, I'm sure this reaction isn't the norm but it may be something to strive for or focus on. I found that taking birthing classes was helpful too. I like being prepared for things and knowing what to expect. As I said, I found that helpful. Good luck making your decision.

avigailandcharlie · October 2013

ring_pop said:

Threadjack @avigailandcharlie don't forget that it's as much about head circumference as it is size. You could have a huge baby with a narrow head, or vice versa.

I'll add it to my worry list! I will no commence to get a head measurement at every single ultrasound. Lol!

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