To have a C-section or not

brita7869 · March 2015

Hello! FTM and 38 weeks 3 days pregnant. I just got the call this morning from my ob/gyn that based on measurements from an ultrasound and my body frame in general, I am being labeled intermediate/high risk for not being able to give birth vaginally. That is not to say there isn't a possibility that I could be fine delivering that way, its just a much higher risk. My own mom was told she would never be able to give birth to a baby over 6.5 lbs. and yet I was born 8lbs 11 oz. and my sister 9lbs. 4oz, so I know it is possible. My doctor (it is a practice of 7, so technically all 7 are my doctors), told me that the baby could have issues getting his shoulders out when being pushed. So, my ob/gyn told me she is giving me the option to have a C-section if I should want one. The concern I have is that I have Crohn's disease and had 3 abdominal surgeries within 7 months of each other a few years ago. I do have a fair amount of scarring both internally and externally (including a C-section type scar). I also know I have ulcers where one of my surgeries took place and they removed a foot of my large intestine (meaning my Crohn's is active). When I voiced my concerns to my ob/gyn, she said that they would make sure to have a gastroenterologist on hand in case of complications. Don't get me wrong, where I am delivering is a very good hospital and I have the option to go to well-known hospital as well that deals w/high risk if it should come down to it and I have major complications. Please also understand that I do not heal well from surgery at all and I am allergic to a LOT of medications (regular, painkillers, antibiotics...lucky me!!). Also, to add to ALL of this, I have a very large puppy at home, a husband who can't get off of work long (like he's allowed off 2 days) due to his work, and really no one to come over and help often.

My question is for women who have had C-sections or been told they should have one and still did it naturally or anyone w/input is more than welcome. What is the general recovery time for a C-section? Did you have a lot of pain afterwards? If you have ever had abdominal surgery of some kind, were there complications having a C-section? Did previous scarring cause complications?

I know they say try to go natural vs. C-section and I more than open to either option, but due to my home life, a C-section would make things very difficult as well possibly cause issues medically. So I am trying to weigh the pro's and con's of either option. Both my sister and mom delivered 2 children each vaginally, so I would like to do so as well, but if it would put either me or my son at risk, I want to avoid that if possible.

(I do have an appt. this week w/my ob/gyn and she said she would talk to me more about it then and I put in a call to my GI doctor )

Mic512 · March 2015

I had never had surgery before my c-section, and mine went very well. I was off all medication within 3 weeks except regular OTC Tylenol. I could not drive for 2 weeks, so getting baby to all the doctors appointments in the beginning would be a challenge. Also if your house has stairs, the recommendation was to only go up and down once a day for the first 2 weeks. I also do not have pets, so unless you could hire a dog walker for a few weeks that would be a concern. I would call your gastro & ask for his/her recommendation given the risk for complications. That way you would have a recommendation from someone who knows your medical history & what you would be facing. Good luck.

aprilk86 · March 2015

It sounds like you've identified a number of cons to having a c-section in your particular situation and a very high likelihood of vaginal delivery being possible. It seems that you know what you want to do so try not to let opinions sway you too much. I second getting your gastro's opinion though because they knew where your old incisions and scar tissues are

KD32412 · March 2015

I had an emergency c-section. Still wishing I was able to do a vaginal birth. I was off all meds 2 days after surgery, I rather be sore than be constipated. Recovery has been tough, not gonna lie. I would opt for vaginal, if at all possible.

erwallace089 · March 2015

I would just try vaginal and if you have end up getting a c section know that you'll be in good hands

Ardmhs83 · March 2015

I would most definitely try for a vaginal delivery. I would never 100% trust an u/s based on the size of baby, etc. A lot of times they are off by a bit. I've never had any other abdominal surgery other than my previous c/s, and honestly it sucked! I hated mine and the recovery was hell for me. A c/s is not an "easy" surgery as some people think. It is a major surgery with risks. Plus, if you have a c/s then you will be stuck where I am right now, praying for a VBAC if you have any other children. If that is something that you would want. I would try for vaginal and if things turn to an emergency situation, then the c/s would be a need. I think you would be less likely to beat yourself up too, knowing you gave it a shot and it wasn't in the cards. Good luck!

52803558 · March 2015

I was told my 1st was going to be a 10 pounder. They said she wouldn't fit and is be rushed to emergency c-section if I tried natural. She was actually 8pounds 4 oz. so don't put to much stock in size projections. That being said if you tear really bad or have a lot of complication vaginally your recovery could be just as difficult as c-section. I had a cousin who had a 10 pound baby vaginally and she tore really bad. She said she was in agony for 3 weeks and didn't feel fully back to normal for 3 or 4 months. I had a c-section with no labor and was off pain meds other than IBU/Tylenol after
2 & 1/2 weeks. My hubby went back to work after a few days home and I was ok by myself. I couldn't move quick but I could manage. At 4 weeks I could wear prepregnancy jeans. Everyone is different though. I had not had any prior abdominal surgeries. Sounds like a tough decision.

I hope you have a happy healthy delivery however it happens.

brita7869 · March 2015

Thank you ladies! I spoke with my GI today and the head doctor of the ob/gyn practice. I laid out all of my concerns, home life, and previous medical history. The head of the ob/gyn practice said to me that while he was leaning towards a vaginal delivery due to my previous abdominal surgeries and scarring, it was a very slight lean. He told me that my son's shoulders could get stuck and that while there is a possibility everything would go fine, by next week there is a 1 in 278 chance that there will be some type of complication, whether it is his shoulder is stuck, his shoulder breaks, or he has some sort of damage, etc. Again nothing is accurate and I know that. I would REALLY prefer not to have a c-section, but I will do what is best for my son. My GI felt there could be some complications from either delivery, but said to go w/whatever the ob/gyn said. The ob/gyn did say though that it would be better to schedule a c-section vs. to try vaginally and then need an emergency c-section because he would like to have a surgeon on hand ready to go just in case there were complications. Just stressful that I have to make a decision like this

clarkbaby65 · March 2015

I am in the same situation. My Ob gave the opinion of a c section due to soze of baby. I . Never had a c section but I know I. would not want to put my baby or I at risk. I would rather have a c section then be in labor for 5hrs no progress then a ultrasound. Vaginal was my first choice but there were more pros with the c section then vaginal.

sharice111 · March 2015

@brita7869 did he give you a possibility of induction at 39 weeks?? You could have epidural and in case baby doesn't fit go right to csection but at least you'd be ready??? I'd ask if that is an option. If baby does get "stuck" you'd be on monitors and ready for csection... If size is really a concern sometimes they will induce before 40 weeks. Maybe bring that up as an option especially since either way there could be complications for you. Then this way if you do end up vaginal and nothing goes wrong you will know... My OB told me we will deal with complications when they come. Right now it doesn't seem like you have "complications" just possible complications... Speak with doc again maybe?

ngolimento · March 2015

Scaring women into Csections they don't need is a specialty of American OBs, and why our section rates are higher than any other country. Like you said, your mom was rated for 5lbs, and she was a champion.

The truth is that it is impossible for doctors to know what you can give birth to until you do it. As many as one in three American women are being told they can't deliver. If that were true, the species would have died out ages ago.

Give this a read:https://www.improvingbirth.org/2013/06/bigbaby/

loubellmama · March 2015

I had a csection with my 1st and the recovery was bad at all. With my 2nd I'm having a RCS instead of a vbac. At the end of the day only the mom (and dad) can decide what is best for them to choose. It's a personal decision and one that only you have to live with! Good luck in making your decision!

Want a personalized experience?

To have a C-section or not

Re: To have a C-section or not

Choose Another Board

Search Boards