Why vaginal birth?

[SantaSusan]

Inspired by another thread. I'm really interested to understand the reasons for most women opting for a vaginal birth.

Disclaimer: I really, really want this thread to be a nice discussion to share views. I'd hate for this to descend into a judgy or unkind thread! Obviously, however anyone chooses to give birth is their choice alone. And as long as your precious little bundle arrives safely at the end, then who cares how they got there!?

I ended up with an elective. I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd have anything but a vaginal birth. However, for reasons I won't go into, it was decided during my pregnancy that a c section would probably be the best option for me. Everyone I spoke to absolutely loved their c section experience, and 99% of the comments online were so positive, so I wasn't worried about it at all once it was decided upon.

I had absolutely no pain during my c section or during recovery. I breastfed right away. I was up and about pretty much immediately. This seems to be the experience of most women who've had elcs. I would have an elective section again and again. If I'm lucky enough to have another baby, it'll be another section.

As such, I often wonder why more women don't choose to have their babies this way. It's so common in other countries. I think there's a lot of misinformation around c sections. The risks are also lumped in with those of emergency c sections, so electives are often painted to be riskler than they actually are.

You often hear people saying it's major abdominal surgery' in quite a judgemental way, which of course it is. But as far as surgical procedures go, it's generally very straightforward and in most cases, is easy to recover from.

I also repeatedly hear that vaginal is best as it's the most natural. But just because something is the 'natural' way to do something, doesn't necessarily mean it's the best. There's lots of things we do now with technology and with medicine that isn't the 'natural' way, and nobody bats an eyelid.

I can't quite put my finger on why I was so opposed to c sections previously. It's like it was subconsciously ingrained in me for no reason other than popular rhetoric. Which is why I'd be interested to hear why others decided a vaginal birth was best for them? Or why others knew they wanted an elcs? Has your subsequent birthing experience changed your minds at all?

Why do people chose to do something their bodies are physiologically designed to do?

Maybe the original question needs to be re-framed as I don't really get it?

I had two vaginal births and they were two of the best days of my life. I found giving birth really incredible and empowering and loved the experience. I’m glad I was lucky enough to experience a safe and non traumatic birth and I would never ever harp on about it IRL especially to people who’s births didn’t go well/weren’t as planned. But I loved it and would do it again 100 x over!

Well aren’t you lucky that you had an easy recovery from getting sliced open. Not all of us had it so easy.

Ive also got a nice scar running down my back from where the doctor cut me open during my own birth via c-section. Still hurts From time to time half a century later.

our bodies are designed to birth vaginally. We should be focusing on making that a better experience, not encouraging women to risk surgery.

I would have given anything to be able to have a vaginal birth.

Both of my sections were fine.

But my recoveries were horrendous. Painful. Deeply painful.
Long. Months.
Including post op complications and wound infections.

I wouldn't wish one of my worst enemy.

I didn't have a 3rd child because I couldn't face another section.

I don’t think anyone has to justify their birth choice, provided it’s a safe choice.

I planned to have a home delivery but ended up with an EMS for DD1 and ELCS for DD2 and DS. There was no way I was risking VBAC, having read the research. The recovery time was longer in some ways (but we predicted this and I made sure I had support around me.) but in other ways it was easier (no painful sex, which mattered to me.)

I am now 12 years post my last section and perimenopausal. One thing I have noticed is that friends who had sections seem to have avoided many of the issues associated with vaginal birth, such as prolapse and stress incontinence. I’m most grateful for that and think the long-term outcomes should be discussed more.

@SantaSusan I was up as soon as I could feel my legs, my stomach still looked like I'd done 10 rounds with Mike Tyson and was agony. Just very happy I didn't die because it could of gone that way.

Vaginal birth I was up minutes.

My second and third vaginal births were the most incredible powerful experiences of my life and I don't think anything will ever bring me close in life again to celebrating the sheer awesome physicality of my body in those final contractions.

I also think that although we don't fully understand the baby's benefits from vaginal birth such as microbiome seeding.

Stillbirth rates for subsequent babies have also been shown to be higher after a caesarean than a vaginal birth (very tiny but a doubling of tiny risk).

That said, if I was only going to have one baby and I had a genuine medical need which meant I had to birth in hospital if have an elective caesarean, so it's definitely not a never for me.

I was up at out of bed and showered 9 hours after my c section but I found it impossible to sit up from a lying down position for at least 4 weeks without searing, burning pain. It wasn't pleasant. I then had issues with the incision site healing and I've been left with a bit of an overhang despite being well within a healthy BMI range. I hated not being able to drive after as well.

I would have loved to have had a vaginal birth but after 48 hours of back to back Labour I stopped progressing and had to have an emergency section.

I had vaginal birth first time there was intervention second was text book. I had no aversion to C section but it definitely was seen by the medical team as plan b unless a medical reason was identified.

I recovered very quickly drove next day and was out and about. Back 17 years ago if you had section you had to remain hospital a week of five days, I think it was down to 3 days when I had a second child. You couldn't drive for six weeks and recovery information was scant.

I had Major abdominal surgery years before my children I wouldn't have fancied the recovery minding a baby.

I think you really would have to differentiate from planned to emergency section. I imagine with health complications such as rise in obesity will see sections increase.

Baby gets a dose of helpful microflora
The push through the birth canal helps squeeze fluids out of the lungs and peppers then for their first breath, likely the reason they're is a higher incidence if respiratory problems in C section babies (but if C section helps avoid other risks, on balance it's still a good idea depending on the circumstances)
C section cuts through your core muscles so you are more likely to be able to be lifting the baby etc quickly after a birth.
Home birth is not possible for C section and there are advantages to that for some.

Lots of reasons really.
But birth is risky whichever way you do it, so it depends on the situation which is best for each mother. There are pros and cons to both.

I had 4 vaginal births and I absolutely dreaded needing a c section. But I didn't need to have worry, my body knew exactly what it was doing. I didn't need a team of drs, I didn't need stitches or anything. My body just knew exactly what to do and to this day I'm in total awe of women's bodies and the magical portal that we have that not only creates life but then delivers it into the world. One day you are pregnant and then there is an entire tiny extension of your body that exists independent of you but is still so very closely entwined with your body and its functions. Your breasts respond to the baby, the baby knows your voice, heartbeat, smell, taste and body movements. It's amazing.

So I am very very glad that I didn't need a c section. But I don't judge Parker that chose that option, I know often it's medically needed as well as choice. I feel incredibly sorry for any woman that wanted to experience a natural birth but didn't get to. It's simply magical, just what our bodies can do. We are amazing.

Thanks so much to those who've replied kindly and given insight. I'm genuinely just really curious. I had such an amazing experience that it left me wondering why more women don't choose it. It then struck me that until I was thinking about my birth plan, I would've said no way to a C-section. Couldn't work out why that was though. These replies are so insightful.

To those who are commenting negatively (despite my watertight disclaimer😂) it's great that you feel so strongly about vaginal births. It's a really personal thing. Everyone has their own experiences which paint their own decision making. No one is right or wrong. Healthy baby at the end is all that matters.

Just to give some context: I had multiple miscarriages before my beautiful baby was born. That was the main reason I chose a C-section. I just did not trust my body to do what it was built to do. I can't overstate what the experience of multiple miscarriages can do to a person's confidence and outlook. This was how it affected me. My anxiety was too high. But it all worked out in the end!

OP ignoring my instinct that there’s something that reads like this is asking questions for a media article.

Why VB? I can only answer as someone that enjoyed labour but still needed an EMCS (as baby was in distress). I wish I could have VB.

BUT I wanted to respond to your “I was walking two days later in no pain comments” - while lovely and lucky - that’s your experience. I’ve subsequently had two ELCS and neither are an “easy surgery”. It hurts like hell for several days - meanwhile your home adapting to physically managing and feeding a baby (and often older kids you cannot lift, comfort, change a nappy for etc).

I’ve small age gaps. Did too much post sections. And now have a lovely ugly scar to show for it!! (Where healing was impacted by infection, caused by me just being a mom)

Theres also an increased risk of hysterectomy in subsequent pregnancies. AND CS then potentially limits how many pregnancies you can have.

As a person who experiences late loss in pregnancy, the impact of surgical scarring on my later chances to conceive, to carry to term, to be able to try for multiple pregnancies, was all a (fair) fear of CS/draw towards VBAC/VB.

I do think that there is a difficulty in some spaces where VB is promoted - as an unintended consequence is those of us for whom our bodies or babies “can’t” VB feel as if we’ve personally failed (which isn’t right). And I do believe in choice. BUT that choice should be a real one, with the risks acknowledged.

CS babies are more likely to need time in NICU - and as a NICU mom, immediate separation from a sick baby is something I’d love for everyone to be able to avoid.

CS is often spoken about as being the “savior” for being able to plan, but actually, 2 of my subsequent CS’s have technically been EMCS as many people don’t make their elective date (you can’t stop bodies starting labour naturally).

This isn’t a scare mongering response. Without CS, my own life and that of my babies would be at risk. I value it as a medical procedure. But I’ve no romantic ideas at all that it’s an “easier” route.

In reality - women’s health is under resourced and funded. Both VB and CS have benefits and risks, and it’s about personal suitability.

This. In a stretched NHS elective Caesarian’s are using valuable resources and money.

To me it’s a bit like saying why don’t more people have a manual evacuation rather than pooing in the toilet. I mean it doesn’t matter to anyone else what method you use assuming it doesn’t risk anyone’s life but Labour and vaginal delivery are fairly independent so default .

I aimed for, and got, 2 natural vaginal deliveries. I would never choose unnecessary surgery, for this or anything else.

i wouldn’t judge someone who did need a c section, there are many many reasons women may choose them, and they are a part of the reason that infant and maternal mortality rate is now so low. But it’s still surgery.

C section impacts the baby's microbiome (gut bacteria) in a way that can have lifelong consequences. It's also often accompanied by antibiotics that do the same. And it takes longer for milk to come in, makes breastfeeding less likely and again impacts microbiome.

I had long labour ending in emcs first time. Birth surrounded by about 8 people and I was too tired and shaky to hold my baby. Then recovery and feeding were both very hard. Catheter, hard to get out of bed, surgical stockings etc.

Second time vbac, painful but then absolutely fine once he was out and a big hormonal rush, felt amazing. On my feet right away. So much more empowering.

You take a risk of something not going according to plan either way. Cs is not without risks. Squeezing the baby down the birth canal helps push out mucus, without that their breathing can be impacted.

There's also a limit to how many cs you can have safely.

All in all, or pros and cons to each but still plenty in favour of vaginal birth.

VB is how we evolved to birth, for most it's the safest way- obviously c-sections have saved a lot of lives and are an equally valid choice for any mother. The following is generalised and not including medical or any other reasons VB isn't desirable or possible. There are too many.

VB does help babies transition, any birth comes with risks but IMO you know what they are when making the decision to have a baby and adding CS just adds more. EMCS is an entirely different experience to ELCS and can be an awful experience. If birth was likely to end in EMCS I would 100% opt for elective having experienced emergency.

I absolutely see the benefits and appeal of electives, but personally would choose vaginal birth wherever possible.

I was terrified to have a vaginal birth prior to it. I did wonder if an ELCS was the way to go. I'm so glad I went ahead with vaginal. I had such an easy and quick birth (4 hours in total). The only pain relief I had was gas and air for the final few minutes of pushing, and for stitching up (only 2nd degree tears so nothing major).
The only one who was struggling on the ward afterwards was the one who had a c-section. She was the only one not up and about, showering, etc, and she was moaning a lot (even about all the other babies crying!!)
I will definitely opt for another vaginal birth with the next one. My birth experience totally changed my view of them. I do appreciate others have a bad time with them though, and C-sections have their place. For most people though, vaginal is the better way.

I had a vaginal birth as I felt a bit pushed to by the hospital (I thought a c-section was only for medical emergencies). I was terrified at the prospect of something going wrong in my birth I put both me and baby under a lot of stress during labour and had a forsteps delivery. Now pregnant with DC2 and considering an elective. Unfortunately and very unexpectedly I ended up having to have birth trauma counselling from my vaginal birth, it was very quick and when rushed to theatre it sent me into major panic (I sound very dramatic, I don’t know what I was expecting but it wasn’t that, hence the shock). Was your c-section recovery ok, OP? I have a 4 year old, who will be 5 around 4 weeks after baby is born, the only thing I’m reluctant about is not being physically healed enough to be with him to celebrate his birthday. Could anyone shed any light on your sort of how recovery was in the first few weeks?

I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience. I really hope you've healed as best you can and that you still managed to enjoy your bundle of joy 💙

There was nothing during the pregnancy that pointed I needed a C section.
That was confirmed upon arrival in labour to the hospital.
It means going under GA and cuts in your abdomen and womb. Once you have one, most likely you will need them for all your babies.
A vaginal birth allows for your body to go through the hormones changes. And for your baby too. Great that you werebreastfeeding straightaway, but may not be tge same for everyone.
I was awake when my little one made it to this world and I held her straight away. I was with her since, they just took her a few minutes in the room's corner to get her cleaned and dressed. I will never forget those minutes of my life!

Financially, c-sections are a heck more expensive.
Physically, c-sections are lot riskier and take a lot longer to recover from.

I didn’t even know choice was an option- I don’t understand unless you had a medical reason why you wouldn’t opt for vaginal. It used to seem unusual that in America so many people had electives but it must be coming normal here too. Choice is good though

I didn't want:
An ugly wound that could get infected
To struggle bending down and lifting baby
Scars
A shelf
Blood clots
Organs accidentally getting damaged
Pelvic adhesions

I did contemplate having an elective c section but I'm glad I had a vaginal birth. My body looked how it did before pregnancy within a few weeks.