Why is everyone so anti elective c-section?

[Gangle]

I'm only 7 weeks pregnant but am sure I want an elective c-section. I've read extensively around the subject and think I'm well informed on the pros and cons of elective c-section v VBAC but it seems there is so much stigma attached to elective c-sections and that people will do/say anything to attempt to dissuade you from having one. Just wondering why there isn't more respect for your wishes about how you want to give birth.

[Isababel]

I don't know, but I remember a friend of mine who is a doctor who fought all the way against one until she was told in no uncertain terms that her baby's life was at risk. She told me that if nature wanted the baby to be squeezed in such a way in her way out, there must be a very good reason for it. Hence her disapointment at having one.

[Desiderata]

I don't understand why anyone would choose to have a c-section. What are your reasons, out of interest?

[orangehead]

is this yr 1st preg? or will this b a vbac? i think people are anti ele csection when they is no apparent reason except to posh to push type of thing. but i just started a thread yesterday about my 2 previous labours going wrong and worried about having another baby and the majorty of responses i got was to have an ele section

[NomDePlumeCantFindTheCatch]

Most people who are against elective c-sections are against them because it is a major surgical procedure that takes a long time to recover from and is 'unecessary' (in the biological sense).

Obviously, I know that there are situations where a section is necessary and 'elective section' does not always mean that the mother has just decided she would rather have a section without any back up medical/personal reason.

I do think elective section Vs VBAC is a different situation though.

It's a hard one to call.

[Gangle]

Desiderata, I see it the other way around, i.e. why would anyone choose to give birth naturally when they can have a c-section. I just think the whole process looks awful - you have no control, no dignity, you cannot be sure the baby will be ok/won't get stuck etc. I also don't really get the whole "it's natural/bilogical" argument. Many things are natural but it doesn't mean they're positive. Isababel, I know a dr who was the opposite and had an elective c-section over a VBAC, plus the stats show that 1/3 - 1/2 of female obstetricians would have an elective c-section. Surely that says something.

[Tinker]

Yes, but most midwives woudl opt for a vaginal birth. Midwives see births when they're progressing straightforwardly, obstetricians when they're not. Usually.

[JodieG1]

Well for a start the stats for baby and mother dying are higher with a c-section, more chance of special care for baby after a c-section and other reasons. If it's purely elective for no reason then it's not the best for the baby. Pain is nothing you can get through that and forget it, I had 3 natural births and one of those was back to back.

[NomDePlumeCantFindTheCatch]

Gangle, your posts don't make it clear, do you mean vaginal delivery by 'VBAC' ? VBAC is used for Vaginal Birth After Caesarian (sp, I'm tired).

Vaginal birth IS better for babies in 'normal' delivery situations as the trip the foetus makes down the birth canal helps prepare the lungs for breathing air (it encourages the baby's lungs to get rid of the surfactant). Babies born via section often have respiratory problems.

[Isababel]

I think you are already very clear about what you want to do... why the question?

[NomDePlumeCantFindTheCatch]

A C-section is not the 'easy option', nor is it best for baby or mother (unless obviously there are health problems/physiological problems or a difficult/non-progressing 'natural' labour).

[Gangle]

sorry, meant vaginal birth not VBAC - also tired! I don't see it as the easy option, just as an option that is likely to be best for me. However, Isababel, I am not 100% convinced and wanted to hear some really compelling reasons NOT to have one. What about some of the side effects of a vaginal birth - stiches, possible incontinence etc etc?

[NomDePlumeCantFindTheCatch]

LOL @ 'Stitches' being on the list of side effects for a VB

What do you think they use to close a section incision ?!

Re, incontinence. If you have a C-section you will prob end up with a catheter inserted into your urethra. Yes, there are some bladder weakness issues in women who have delivered vaginally BUT a short course of physio with pelvic floor exercises will soon sort it out.

What are your other concerns ? Lack of dignity ? Having a nurse shave your pubes pre section can't be that great, nor can the whole catheter insertion thing. Having a section means that there is much more likely to be a larger medical team involved in your delivery, more people will see you looking, ummmmm, not your best, shall we say.

[MKG]

It's very personal for everyone. Personally I love giving birth. There is something about pushing your body beyond what you think its limits are that is so cool. I could do it 100 times.

All of my friends have had c-sections and none would want to go through labor ever again even though some of their doctors are supportive of VBACs.

[orangehead]

i wish i had the equipment to post a pic on here coz 1 look at the state of my stomach would definetly put u of an ele section. a few stitches down below, that not all women get anyway, is nothing compared to major ab surgery. incontience probs in 99 per cent of cases are easily treated with exercises. the fact that more babies die and have complications from sections should b enough. why do u want 2 put yr baby at more risk if it not neccessary? im sure more consultants would rather have section than vbac, but vbac is more risky than a normal labour that doesnt prove they would rather have a section than a normal delievery

[MKG]

You can still be incontinent even if you've had a C-section. Sometimes just the pressure during pregnancy can do it.

I've had stitches both times and really I had no idea the were there and the dissolved within the first week post-partum.

[Isababel]

Funny you said that MKG, I had this strange feeling of being able to do ANYTHING, and do it well, in the weeks after the birth. Someway I felt... very strong?

[NomDePlumeCantFindTheCatch]

sorry, SOME bladder weakness issues in SOME women who have delivered vaginally.

To me, it sounds like you have a phobia about giving birth vaginally, rather than a simple 'preference' for a section.

I can't believe that as a woman who is preg with her first child, so far an uncomplicated preg (I assume, and at 7wks still very early to know whether it continue to be uncomplicated), would read the info on sections and vaginal births, speak to antenatal medical professionals about it and still come out thinking that a section is the best option for mother and baby.

FWIW, I think you will find it very diificult to convince a doctor to deliver a first uncomplicated pregnancy to a healthy woman via section. Just because it's called 'elective' does not mean that you can demand one and it will automatically be granted.

[orangehead]

a girl in antenatal class wanted an ele section with her 1st the consultant laughed at her and said no

[NomDePlumeCantFindTheCatch]

FWIW, I gave birth vaginally. No stitches, no incontinence, no other unpleasant side effects AND I could leave hospital on the same day.

[NomDePlumeCantFindTheCatch]

with my baby

[MyMILisDoloresUmbridge]

I have had 3 CS's and honestly don't recommend them! After the first one I developed and infection in the scar and was very weak and tired for months afterwards. Also I was left with a saggy "overhang" of belly over the scar which I never managed to get rid of. If muscle is sliced through, it is much harder to tone up!
For baby, ditto what NomdePlume said, they are meant to be squeezed out, it clears their lungs!
Also my subsequent 2 deliveries for my next children were complicated by the fact that the first was a CS, ruptured scar on ds2 and placenta praevia with emergency section on ds3 at 32 weeks.

[MyMILisDoloresUmbridge]

Oh, yes and what Kerry said about the rotten tights!

[MKG]

Isababel--I totally get you-it's a weird sense of pride, empowerment, and feeling better than anything.

Gangle--I think you need to hear positive birth stories and that will help you decide. It's hard when all women talk about is how painful labor and birth are. Honestly in my experience it isn't that bad. During my first birth I had this idea that it was going to be so terrible. Well by the time contractions got to as bad as I thought they were going to be, I was 10 cm dilated.

What I'm trying to say is that sometimes the anticipation is worse than the actual thing.

I will also recommend hypnobirthing. I've had two hypnobirthing babies and it has been wonderful. It gave me a lot of confidence going in to my first birth.