C Section is 'not a real birth'

I regret nothing about getting my babies here safe and sound. Ridiculous to think otherwise. My friend is just home after giving birth vaginally and she was torn to shreds. I know which I’d prefer.

I had one moderately awful vaginal delivery (14 days overdue, protracted induction, theatre afterwards for stitches) and one peaceful, planned C-section.

I know which I would do again in a heartbeat.

Both my DC are older, and apart from one DC having to see a paediatrician some time ago and type of delivery being asked as a question, I have never been asked about it since.

I couldn't give a flying placenta how babies arrive as long as it is done as safely as possible for everyone involved!

Mine were around 10 years ago and it didn't feel like there was much choice then.

The only person that ever said that was someone who hadn't had a section

Mine was because the baby was breech. Yes I could have insisted on a vaginal birth to feel like a real woman but it was strongly recommended I have a c section.

With the subsequent babies it was assumed I would have a vaginal birth - I was told I would have to make a case to the consultant for another c section.

It certainly didn't feel like I had a choice.

Just want to let you know that this is incorrect. In the UK you can have a c section becuase it’s your right to choose. You don’t need to have a medical reason x

I had a friend (no longer friends for other reasons) once tell me that it’s a shame I didn’t get to give birth and I missed out because I had a c section.

I had a c section after my induction failed (wasn’t emergency I asked for it on day 2) which I found a positive experience and loved. Friend had a traumatic vaginal birth, lots of bleeding.

Both of us gave birth to a baby, I couldn’t imagine why she thought I missed out when my birth was not traumatic like hers.

I know you can have a positive natural birth too. Every experience is individual.

It’s a shame you feel like you’re missing out on something, it’s a shame society has made woman feel like unless you go through a vaginal birth it’s not real.

That's not true though anymore is it? I certainly requested mine, had a medical reason but not one that would have made it impossible.

Even your thread title is a bit of an insult to all mothers who had c sections. When you are mothering your dc throughout their childhood and adolescence, how they arrived on the scene will not be in your thoughts much at all. How you mother them is surely more important than how they arrived in the world.

@YankSplaining it's the dream! 😂

Also, I love being super organised so knowing exact time and date was great.

I never once thought I didn't "give birth". I think that's really really silly

But most planned are for medical reasons. I wouldn't say it is elective. You can't choose a section because you want one unless you have a good medical reason in the UK.

Did a baby get from inside of you to outside of you? Yes? Then you’ve had a real birth. Every birth is different but they are all real.

If you’re being offered an induction and want to try for a vaginal birth, you can. Other peoples opinions about ‘real births’ are irrelevant.

I've had 2 planned c-sections and recovery was fine, although I was lucky to have DH on hand for the whole recovery period. It never crossed my mind that it's less of an experience than vaginal birth. Around here it's seen as preferred as rhe pain is more controlled, you can plan the date and it's nice not to risk damage to your private parts.

Also, I'm guessing from a judgement perspective, those who have a planned C section are thought of differently from those who are deemed in need of one due to emergency.
I think the key word is "elective".

It's easier to recover from a planned section than an emergency one. I rested more with my second one and hey presto, it healed quicker with less pain.
A definite planned CS is a much better option than all the hassle of an emergency one.

I had a planned then two vbac. Honestly, the c section scar isn't visible. The damage from the vaginal births is there forever. Prolapses and infections from stitches is not fun.

I'd have had 2 more c sections but had very little support post delivery so had to opt for vbac.

My first was an emergency CS three days after being induced. Second was planned CS. Totally different experiences from quite traumatic to being able to plan childcare, quite calm etc. that's all I've done and I'm just glad I have two healthy DS. I do know how some people may feel like you think you may feel though.

You did give birth. Have a read up on types of giving birth, it's definitely on there.

I think it all stems from the "too posh to push" brigade that was prevalent in the 90s. I don't even know if it was a real "thing" just think it started when Posh Spice started having her babies and (I'm guessing) had C sections. It fuelled the whole natural vs surgical birth debate.

You've written that your new baby will be a 'newborn' in your opening post. Not a 'newly sectioned'...

Emergency c section followed by a vbac a year and half later, I found the c section easier to recover from. Ultimately, imo, a healthy baby matters more than how they arrived.

Planned c-section much easier to recover from that traumatic vaginal birth in my experience. In fact it was a comparative breeze.

Birth is whatever method gets the baby outside of the mother's body. Ideally, that is done in the safest way possible for both parties and if that's a c-section, then that's a c-section. You are no less of a woman, no less of a mother for giving birth via caesarean. You do what is best, what is safest for both of you. Congratulations on your pregnancy and all the best for the birth .

I had a natural birth (water pool & gas and air) followed by an emergency c section for DC2. I recovered more quickly from my C section and have no lasting health issues from it, whereas I tore terribly with the natural birth and recovery was terrible. Please don’t worry about how you get your baby out, it really doesn’t matter.