C section or vaginal birth?

[Benji1998]

Been offered a c section due to medical reasons.

Very anxious about this as have a fear of surgery, it’s the thought of being awake whilst they do it. Has anyone got any positive stories about c sections? If you have had both, which did you prefer?

Thanks in advance

I've had 4 csections. I've not had any vaginal births to compare them to but I'd say my experiences have been on the whole, mostly positive. I had a few minor complications with my third and recovery was slower with my third and fourth but that was probably because they'd opened up the scar so many times.

I’ve had one of each and I loved my Section so much more than a vaginal birth! It was so nice knowing what day and time baby was coming and so relaxed. I felt fit as a fiddle after compared to my vaginal birth where I tore sooo badly! Don’t be scared of a C-section, millions of women all over the globe have had one and lived to tell the tale!

Vaginal birth. But saying that I didn't mind being awake during my C-section.

I've had both, and both had complications due to my body being rubbish. The csection was an elective after the way the first went. If I had another baby I'd go for csection again.

It was a very surreal experience but overall it was nicer being somewhat in control. And its over very quickly.

Aftercare was no fun though but it soon passed.

I've only had a C section so can't compare.

Are you worried about pain? Or something else?

I’ve had 3 vaginal and 1 c section.

The recovery from the c section was the worst. But my friend had one and was up and about straight away. Everyone is different.

The vaginal births have changed my body way more than the c section.

If I had another one, I’d have a c section. It was really relaxed x

I've had 2 c sections. Both very relaxed. I was at home 24 hours after my second one.

Recovery is hard for the first few weeks but fine after that.

I had a c section 8 weeks ago - was up and about after 5 hours and felt great. Best experience of my life and would have another without a doubt x

Emergency c section = absolute hell and fear and problems afterwards for myself and my baby

Planned c section = absolute bliss. All calm. Doctors and nurses were even making jokes to make me relax

I’ve had two c sections and recovery both times was smooth. On my feet after around 6 hours, and home the next day after one of them (stayed in longer with my first as had a couple of other issues unrelated to the c section). Staying on top of your pain meds is key but both times I was off them after four days and just took it slow and easy.

4 emergency C Sections. Not a bother on any of them.

I was devastated about needing c-sections. I have a connective tissue disorder that makes v birth risky, and still haemorrhaged and needed a hysterectomy. There is no way either me or my twins (2nd childbirth) would have survived. I am so very grateful to be living in a time where this can be done safely and when I was educated about the risks and psychologically prepared for all possibilities. My little girl was able to have her mum home as well as two babies.
Since then my kids have grown and I have become a nurse. I’m also an old duck. My friends kids have grown. I have only recently become aware of the number of women I know who have suffered from very serious birthing injuries in silence due to the humiliating nature of the symptoms. Now that my girls are heading into that era, should they ask my opinion, I would ask them to investigate birthing injuries to weigh up all options as I do not believe there is enough information out there for us to be given genuine informed consent.
It’s scary, yes. It’s still beautiful. Sometimes it doesn’t matter what you choose, circumstances get in the way. The optimum choice is a healthy mum and baby and if it’s not what you planned, you can’t allow that to make you feel like less of a woman.

First birth was EMCS with a baby in distress, exhausted after 25 hours of labour, vomiting with every contraction but needed to drink water for a dry mouth with the gas and air. No other pain meds available to me as "so close" to giving birth which clearly did not happen.

Compared to Elective section for second baby, knew the date it would happen, lovely calm walk to theatre, talked through every step (unlike emergency where they just needed to get the baby out) lovely calm atmosphere in the theatre too, no one is rushing. You can't feel anything pain wise, more like if you had an upset tummy and you can feel your intestines gurgling.

The elective was a walk in the park. I couldn't imagine a general anaesthetic delivery, I would feel totally disconnected from my baby. Go to sleep pregnant, wake up not pregnant and they hand you a baby plus your partner/birth partner can't be in the theatre for a general whereas Dh was with me for both c sections.

Labour doesn't often follow the ideal birth plan we have in our minds, anything can happen and as my first labour shows, a lot can go wrong and did, far more than I have written. You honestly just want a healthy baby and the c section is the way to get that as advised by your doctors.

Had my baby via c section last Wednesday so still recovering. I am up and about and I'm doing fine on ibuprofen and paracetamol. Trying to be reasonably sensible as I know it will pay off as my recovery continues. I'm pretty sure my swollen boobs hurt more than anything else!! I have never had any operations, major or minor, so I was pretty nervous. The hospital were fabulous - the only thing I can honestly say was the worst was the wait as I was the third to go in (of three that day). I was in by 12.30, the operation started maybe 10 minutes later and my daughter was born by 12.50. As others have said, lots of feeling like rummaging in stomach but no pain. At all.

I demanded toast in recovery as I was so hungry having had to wait all morning! But again, as PPs have said, the calmness of it and the planned date were amazing and really took away the fear of the unknown. I have yet to read a negative story about elective c sections.

I did hypnobirthing targeted specifically at a c section birth so I think that's worth doing. lastly, her due date is tomorrow, which feels amazing that she's now one week old. Also she was a very wriggly baby so I am delighted she's now out!

Good luck, you will be fine, and I suspect you are stronger and braver than you think you are.

:)

I haven't had a c section. But both my vaginally births were great. The first was a bit stressful as it was premmie at 31w 3ds but all straight forward. The second was full term and so relaxed and just amazing after I really felt like I wanted to do it again for the experience! Not for another child! I had a graze with my first and I think one stitch with my second it could have been two. But I didn't know I tore, i didn't feel especially in pain and it was over quickly. I feel like I only had to push about 3 times with each birth! Recovery was fine too. My body was back to how it was before within a few months.

Planned c section , never had any other , was lovely calm , wouldn’t have wanted it any other way . Recovery was fine . I imagine a planned is so much more calmer and less scary than emergency , by which point you’ve nearly done both ….. on some occasions.

Congratulations!!

I’ve had two c sections, one emergency, one planned. Both were fine. Although you’re awake, you don’t see anything if you don’t want to. I asked for the sheet to be lowered so I could watch the baby come out but you don’t have to if that’s freaky. It’s totally painless, you just feel a kind of odd rummaging around but it’s fine.

I had skin to skin immediately and breast fed my second baby in the delivery room. First one was whipped away as I had GDM so he had to be tested (he was fine).

Recovery was worst on day 2/3 when you move onto normal painkillers although I didn’t love the Endone I was given as I felt totally high with it and I don’t like that feeling. Pain was fine though, I could walk about (albeit a bit hunched got the first day!)

Worst thing was the post op poo. Worse than the birth by miles as I was so scared to bursting stitches (although they said they wouldn’t) so eat plenty of prunes and take movicol as the painkillers can also cause constipation which is not a good combo with a c-section!

I had a good recovery and was back driving within a couple of weeks, and felt basically physically normal within a couple of weeks. I had some numbness around the scar for ages but then I had a second section and they did a better job seeing me up and I had no numbness that time.

If you're worried about having a section, ask to speak to a consultant midwife at your hospital. They will be able to discuss your worries and help you feel comfortable with the mode of birth that you choose. It is your decision, but if it's being suggested for medical reasons I would explore it properly especially if anxieties are the reason you are not sure as they can really help you with that.

I am old (very).Never had a vaginal birth, both of mine born by emergency c section, I think mine today would be known as crash sections as both babies almost dead at birth and both under GA which was routine then for all c sections.
Today it would of been differant,I dont think I would be allowed to go into labour.I would have two planned wide awake sections both calm and controlled, unlike the car crash deliveries I had.Also a nice neat bikini scar. instead of the deep line going longitudinally down my abdomen.
This was brought home to me again last week when I had to be seen in hospital for an ongoing unrelated issue I have been diagnosed with.The doctor on seeing my tummy commented on as he put it ''The mess some surgeon has made of me''I replied that is the way my two now grown up sons entered the world.He said c sections leave you with a much neater scar now.I told him that both were done in a great hurry no time to waste about the mess and I have two live children one of whom is now a grandfather's well as my children none of my grandchildren or great grandchildren would be here now.

1 x EMCS and 1 x ELCS

The actually surgery bit was fine for me, as I felt safe due to having lots of staff around me. The staff member that will actually be closest to you and reassuring you is the anaesthetist.

They do thorough checks to make sure you’re numb before they start surgery. I had no idea they when had started it either time.

The only main issue I had was blood pressure dropping, so felt a bit dizzy. This is a common effect of the spinal. They give you fluids to help it.

I would say the most important factor is how much help you receive in the following 24 hours on postnatal ward, so do ask your hospital about this. My first EMCS was in the pandemic and my DH got sent home straight away, it was absolutely horrific being left alone to look after a baby by myself straight after major surgery. My EMCS was done in the morning, and I was in a private room where my DH was allowed to stay all day and night. Made the absolute world of difference.

I would also recommend taking strong painkillers and keeping on top of them. Don’t wait until you’re in pain.

This! (OK, maybe not quite relaxed)

And I have a massive medical phobia so on my birthing plan for the first one I wrote something like "no CS unless complete emergency". For the planned CS I said "just get us both out of it alive". Deep breathing etc but it was over so quickly really. If there's a medical need then personally I would do it. And that's from someone who honestly has such terrible medical anxiety.

I had two emergency ones.
First was ok, out next day and frying steaks in the afternoon.
I was so tired after 60h of labour I just wanted baby out as it was not ok anymore after induction.

Second one was failed tolac and I needed short icu time. Home three days later and feeling great.
Both times no issue bonding with baby and they are well. You can ask for a swab in some hospitals to mimic natural birth bacteria.

If you feel nervous about staying awake have serious conversation with your midwife and ask if hospital will consider giving you something to relax or puting you in total.
You have medical need for csection so they cannot really refuse total as it would put you and baby in danger.

If you generally struggle with pain have some help around amd be aware you should not drive or pick up heavy stuff untill you heal. Somw do it sooner, some after 6 weeks.

In any case munch on ibuprofens, paracetamols (bring yours to hospital). Don't wait for pain to return, make a schedule and take them in alterations to be covered. And in case you are in serious pain ask for something stronger!

In any case munch on ibuprofens, paracetamols (bring yours to hospital). Don't wait for pain to return, make a schedule and take them in alterations to be covered. And in case you are in serious pain ask for something stronger

This is great advice. Defo bring your own!

@Yozzer87 I hope all is well!
just wanted to find out when it was your 3rd c section , did consultant offer a VBA2C or it was a case of after 2 you will be sent a date for your c section ?