Let me just say that for everyone who hasn't been in labor, don't say what you will and won't do until you are. A healthy outcome for mom and baby is by far the most important thing. Do your research and have realistic expectations. Sometimes things don't go according to plans and your birth plan goes out the window. Trust in your medical professionals and yourself to make the best decision given the birth scenario you are given when it's your time.
The only time I judge a C-section is when it is done purely for convenience of the mother or doctor. There certainly are very valid medical reasons for having one done. For those that have had them, I can't believe people told you it was the easy way out! Though common, it's still major surgery and I'm terrified of having one for that reason! People are crazy. If it makes you feel any better, people have said stuff like that about me choosing to have an epidural. SMH.
That said, I will try to avoid one if at all possible. I will also try to avoid inducing if I can. I was induced with both DD and DS for medical reasons so am not opposed to it, but I would prefer to go into labor on my own this time. I didn't enjoy being strapped to the bed the whole time. Although I'll do whatever is necessary for a healthy baby!
IMO, it isn't my place to judge how someone chooses to give birth, no matter what.
Eh, it is what it is. My SIL scheduled a C-section because she didn't want her baby to be born on Christmas. I judged that pretty hard core. It's a surgery and nothing to be taken lightly. I really question the judgment of a doctor who is ok with non-medical reasons.
Yes! No one on here was overtly negative about it. I just wanted to throw it out there to show the other side. Because you wouldn't believe the kind of comments you get about having a c-section... From "I'd never do that" (as if I had a choice?) to "Don't you regret that you didn't REALLY give birth?" (Uh, my baby is here in the world, isn't he?) to "C-sections are the easy way out...it isn't birth, it's surgical extraction." So yeah. Although my surgery went well and I didn't have much trouble with recovery, nothing about my birthing experience was "the easy way out" trust me. :P
Anyway, this is veering off topic, sorry OP. Talk to your doc, do lots of reading about vaginal births AND c-sections so you're prepared for anything, and see how it goes. That's my best advice. If you don't have a medical reason for a c-section (breech baby, placenta issues, etc.), prepare for the vaginal birth and if it changes, your doc will be right there to monitor and explain everything should you need surgery.
How is major abdominal surgery "the easy way out"?? I've never understood that. I very much wanted a vaginal birth with my twins for multiple reasons. Some were for them (I have ulcerative colitis and there's some research suggesting that the bacteria passed to babies during vaginal birth can prevent against gut diseases) but largely for me. I was terrified of having to recover from surgery while trying to establish breastfeeding with two babies. I would never choose a c-section over a vaginal birth with no medical reason for it, even if I thought it was easier, because I think it's riskier and there are potential benefits to the baby of vaginal birth, and I think it's kind of strange when women make that decision (but, hey, do what you want with your body and baby. It's none of my business) but to suggest that most women choose a c section without compelling medical reasons or that it's somehow cheating or easier is absolutely absurd. I'd push two babies out again any day over surgery. And Id obviously have a c section if it was going to be safer for me or my baby.
Re: C-section or natural?
DD 12/20/99, DS 12/14/12, M/C 9/2014, M/C 1/2015