C-section or natural birth? Which to go for?

[Pinkandwhite]

If you could choose an elective c-section, would you do it and why? I'm currently 20 weeks pregnant with my first baby and I'm starting to consider my options. I am living in America at the moment and hospitals don't offer water births which is a shame. I could go to a birthing centre run by midwives and have a water birth there. In that scenario, if there were any complications, i would be rushed to hospital. Also, there are no epidural or other drug options available there should I find it really tough. At the other end pf the scale, my medical insurance will cover an elective c-section. It would be really good to hear from people who've given birth so that I can hear what you would choose given the benefit of hindsight. My instinct is to try and have as natural a birth as possible in a hospital but I want to consider everything.

[foolonthehill]

Personally i would not opt for an elective CS without a medical reason. The recovery and inconvenience from a surgical wound really affect your ability to look after your little one, drive, shop, bathe etc. If it's necessary it's a great life-saving procedure, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

[HolidayCriminal]

wow, this will kick off majorly (by the time I post I wonder how many others will have?)

I would never choose scheduled C-section without compelling medical advice. Even if I was in your situation with restricted options about vaginal birth. But to each their own.

[carolinementzer]

Trust your instincts, and if you choose a natural birth make sure you do some preparation.

I had a natural birth, although it was very long and arduous, it was amazing! I'd planned for a home birth but when my waters broke and there was meconium which could indicate baby in distress so we had to go to hospital. I'd done a course in hypno-birthing and practised it every day, I also stayed fit with swimming and yoga - those two things got me through the long labour.

The advantages of a natural birth were that I could walk out of the labour suite carrying my daughter. I did not have to stay in hospital over night, and although I felt exhausted and a bit bruised, I had no stitches/scars and recovered within a week or so. My friends who had C-sections took around 3 months to heal and could not drive, exercise or carry their baby in a sling for the first 6 weeks. Also for future births you have to be careful if you've had a c-section as there will be scar tissue on the uterus.

If you do decide to go natural I recommend this book - The Gentle Birth Method - by Gowri Motha. It gave me the strength and conviction to go through with my wish.

Anyway, these are just my thoughts and opinions. You need to decide for yourself what feels right. Good luck with it all.

[EverySoddingNameIsTaken]

Natural birth is painful, obviously which is why I understand first time mothers are scared - but honestly, it is an amazing experience most of the time - I'm excited to give birth again! And there is nothing like immediate skin to skin contact and being able to care for your baby easily. My best friend just had a c section due to breech baby and bless her she was in agony afterwards and found it hard to feed, her husband goes back to work this week and she still cannot drive, she is dreading being stuck in most of the time.

I don't understand elective c sections - if you have the opportunity to have a natural birth, you are very lucky and I wouldn't want to give that opportunity up for a major operation!

Good luck, whatever you decide

[Chocotrekkie]

Natural without a doubt.

My 2nd (both emergency) section didn't go so well and 6 years of repairs etc later basically had to have a hysterectomy. Couldnt have baby number 3.

[EverySoddingNameIsTaken]

Natural birth is painful, obviously which is why I understand first time mothers are scared - but honestly, it is an amazing experience most of the time - I'm excited to give birth again! And there is nothing like immediate skin to skin contact and being able to care for your baby easily. My best friend just had a c section due to breech baby and bless her she was in agony afterwards and found it hard to feed, her husband goes back to work this week and she still cannot drive, she is dreading being stuck in most of the time.

I don't understand elective c sections - if you have the opportunity to have a natural birth, you are very lucky and I wouldn't want to give that opportunity up for a major operation!

Good luck, whatever you decide

[Kelly1814]

C section every step of the way! I chose mine and loved it.

I did lots of research, read an amazing book recommended on here (will dig out). Once you hit 35 your chances of a natural birth (ie no forceps, ventouse or episiotomy) are 1 in 3.

I didn't want to take that risk, and have enough friends whose natural births traumatised them beyond all belief to know that it wasn't for me.

[NoIamAngelaHernandez]

I had a section with my twins, and it took me weeks to recover.

I am now 24 weeks with DC3 and hoping for a vaginal birth.

[FromagePlease]

No one but you will know what is best for you in your circumstances.

So what you will get on this thread are people's experiences of both (if you're lucky a direct comparison)

My experience is that I had a water birth. No pain relief apart from gas and air. It was the most brutal and painful thing I have ever done. Honestly, I was scared, and I went in with a really positive approach etc. But, I did it, the water helped, and the baby was perfect.

Unfortunately (and this is a rare thing) I had an unexplained internal 3rd degree tear in the process. The recovery from this has been really tough, and it hasn't healed as it should, so I am facing a further operation.

In my circumstances I will do everything I can to have a c-section next time (if indeed there is one as sex is currently impossible)

If your instincts are for natural as possible why not start there. You can progress up the medical scale in labour, but rarely go back

[BornFreeButinChains]

Without a doubt, c section,

Its a limited range of risks and even then, if something goes wrong you have a team round you, and pain relief right there and then.

You would have a small scar across bottom of stomach.

With natural, you just don't know what your going to get, its totally un predictable. You may get lucky, you may not and it is down to sheer luck.

You don't need to feel anything about getting the baby out, you need to get the baby out in the safest way.

I found my ELC to be incredibly calm and wonderful experience compared to my actually rather good first labour, which was short with no major complications except mind blowing pain and sore below after.

I also found it beneficial to come at the baby well rested and calm myself, as oppose to being awake for three days and nights before normal labour with contractions and so on.

I think you have a gift there to have an ELC.

[BornFreeButinChains]

I didn't want to take that risk, and have enough friends whose natural births traumatised them beyond all belief to know that it wasn't for me

This was my experience too.

I only literally heard of about 2 good births, all have been horror stories, two NCt groups, close friends, friends of friends, family, work collegues and so on.

[whereisshe]

I was quite petrified of a medicalised vaginal birth, so stayed at home where I felt safe with my own birth pool and independent midwife. If I couldn't have had a home birth my next preference would be an elective c-section. Much less risk to the baby. If I have another baby and can't have a home birth I will absolutely push for a c-section.

But it's a very personal thing, and comes back to what makes you feel safe.

[Kelly1814]

Born free....am so with you! The actual section was so calm, lovely, I walked into theatre.....relaxed, happy. It was a very positive experience. Compared to my friends who one year are still having corrective surgery to sort out their ruined bodies....who have no love life with their husbands...who are utterly miserable....and there's a lot of them in my group. Grim.

I'd take a few weeks of recovery (and I honestly didn't think it was that bad) over the rest of my life being ruined any day of the week.

[whereisshe]

I had a lovely home birth btw. Quite quick for a first one (10 hrs), not unbearably painful, no complications. People just prefer to discuss the horror stories I think.

[HolidayCriminal]

Whenever I look at the outcomes (statistics & correlations) I'm convinced that vaginal is much better. In dozens of ways. Maybe that's confirmation bias at work.

Someone who wants CS might see completely different evidence.

Good luck with your decision.

[Wolfiefan]

I have two kids and have always been relieved I didn't need a CS. No scars. No pain ongoing. Walked out the hospital a day after. Able to drive as soon as. No GA or epidural.
But then my son was born 2 1/2 hours after I got to hospital and DD was a speedy delivery!

[TalisaMaegyr]

I've had a 27 hour labour vaginal birth with forceps, and an emergency c-section - and I would still choose the vaginal delivery. A c-section just takes aaages to recover from, and I've always been fed up that I wasn't the first one to bathe or change my ds.

[TheNumberfaker]

Having spoken at great length to mums who've experienced both, vaginal is much better than c-section.
I had two vaginal, first was with forceps. It took days to recover from episiotomy/tear stitches but it took my friends weeks to recover from major abdominal surgery.

[Indith]

A section is major, major abdominal surgery, yes you may recover well and easily but that doesn't mean that the consequences of that surgery will not be there for life.

Sections are great for saving lives, for women who have had a previous section and who do not wish to have a VBAC, for babies who refuse to cooperate and insist on remaining in awkward positions, for women who have previously suffered birth trauma. The list goes on.

However I would never suggest a section just because you think you might fancy it.

Don't discount the birthing centre. WE have stand alone centres here in the UK or small maternity units where you have to transfer if you want more pain relief or in case of complications and many women use them and like them. In a hospital in case of complications they can leave you and monitor you until the 11th hour because theatre is just round the corner. In a small unit they tend to transfer you much earlier on in that process. The human body is an amazing thing too, many women find that they basically stop contracting during the transfer.

Pain relief wise water is great. YOu might not want anything else!

Statistically, a vaginal birth is safer for both you and baby.

[DownstairsMixUp]

I'm having a c-section this time with my DS so nothing to compare it to but my vaginal birth was... difficult. Painful, lost an immense amount of blood so was severely aneamic for weeks after, had to have a ventouse as well... The stitches they did a bit tight and sex was painful for quite a while to. I would do it again but I'd have an epidural I think though I have no choice this time and am having a c section so I'll guess I'll know in september..

[wightjellybaby]

I had emerg c section after unsuccessful induction I wanted a go with the flow natural birth

I now suffer shooting pains up my spine on a regular basis from the spinal I was given and when they made the cut they cut my dds head to the bone she now has an inch long scar above her ear

I wouldnt do it again bit dont regert the decision to do it as the alternative was possible loss of one or both of us

[purpleshinyone]

Was desperate for natural births but 20 years down the line, wish I could go back and change my mind. All lovely at the time but less fun when you're facing prolapse..

[HauntedNoddyCar]

I've had a gas & air waterbirth and a planned section.

The section was easier but I hated the recovery period. And I had a good recovery.

The waterbirth was harder work but I only tore a tiny bit and left hospital the same day. I didn't have any problems moving around or sitting.

I preferred the vb.

[Lj8893]

If I was having my first, I would go for natural ( as I did with dd)

If I was to have another, I would go for a cs. But that's because I had a very bad birth experience first time round. The majority of women have good (if painful) experiences

[Pinkandwhite]

Thanks everyone. This is REALLY helpful. I've heard SO many horror stories about natural births turning into emergency c-sections. I think I'm becoming a bit anxious because of that.

Indith it's interesting what you say about birthing centres, I hadn't considered that. I had just been worrying about what would happen in an emergency. If I was still in England I would definitely be opting for a water birth in a hospital as my first choice so maybe I shouldn't discount this option.

I've had a bit of a tough journey just to get to the point of being 20 weeks pregnant so I think I'm more anxious than your average first time mum to be...