To think C section is the best birth option?

[LilacSky95]

I've had 3 vaginal births and 1 c section. The recovery from the vaginal births was a breeze, but I've been left with a host of issues from those that will last a lifetime.

My c section recovery was harder, but after the initial pain etc were off I was ok, and it was so nice to be intact 'down there' afterwards.

AIBU to think surely it's better to risk any of the problems that can arrise from having a section, over all the awful things that women often have to deal with for a lifetime after vaginal birth?

Yes I know c section is major surgery, but loads of women end up needing surgery to correct the damage done by vaginal birth too, and even then will never be the same again. At least your problems that come with a c section will be sorted out at least 12 months after delivery, and tour vagina is unscathed.

I've already had one lot of surgery to try and fix my prolapses, and will need more surgery in the future. I cant help feel jaded that if I'd had c sections I wouldn't have to go through all of this so maybe my views are skewed. What do you think?

They are hugely expensive, I think - is that right?

I had an elective c-section last year and a vb with 3b tear five years ago. I would rather have not had the tear, and I would rather have not had the c-section. I have been very lucky with my recoveries… we are just not that well-designed to give birth.

Yes they are expensive

But so is repairing all the damage done during VB!

I think it depends on what the issues are from a vaginal birth as to what’s safer for the mum. Statistically I believe a vaginal birth is the safest option for the baby and better for lungs etc.

In order, I think it would go:

1. healthy, straightforward vaginal birth with easy recovery


2. elective section


3. emergency section


4. complicated vaginal birth with complications ie forceps / 3rd degree tear

Was your section before your vaginal deliveries?

My 2 planned c sections were a breeze. No pain. No long term issues. Less risk to the baby.

Caesareans aren't hugely expensive compared to vaginal births when costs for postnatal issues are taken into account.

Well I agree, but my first two vaginal births were a bag of shit. If I knew then what I know now, I’d absolutely have three c-sections.

@Crunchymum 3 VB followed by a section

@Juicesausagecake

I think these figures are old but if I remember correctly a elcs was costed at about 1400 and an uncomplicated vb about 800

So not a huge amount of difference and of course, most births aren't uncomplicated.

So its not really that easy to compare.

I doubt very much most women care how much their birth costs.

We dont tell women who want home births they're too expensive

Every type of birth has pros and cons, risks and benefits.

The most important thing is the safety of the mum and baby. And that the mum is supported to get the birth she wants

I had many vaginal births without issue or stitches.
In fact with dc 3 I collected dc 1 and 2 from school after a 6am delivery.
Cs I couldn't even drive for 10 days.

No contest ime.

@FarmerRefuted exactly.

First birth vaginal with forceps and lots of stitches! Absolutely horrific.
Second and third planned sections and I was back in my jeans shopping within two days .
I know which I would choose.

I had 3rd degree tear after dc1 and yet there is no way I would have chosen elected c section without very good reason for subsequent deliveries.

I had two vaginal births and one emergency caesarean, in that order. The first vaginal birth was extremely traumatic, with episiotomy, ventouse, difficult epidural which took ages to work and finishing with a very large tear and dozens of stitches. It was six months before I could move easily or sit down comfortably again.

If I could have my time again I would have all three by caesarean. It was the best of my births by a country mile and I recovered much more quickly.

No, I think the best option is continuity of care throughout pregnancy & labour & a culture of listening to the mother.

Having a VB doesn't mean that down there isn't in tact. CS reduce the risk of prolapse & incontinence but they don't eliminate it, pregnancy alone does damage.

I think it depends too much on the vaginal birth - our maternity system at the moment is too quick to induce and give epidurals so then there’s a lot more risk of needing intervention like an episiotomy for forceps or ventouse etc.. and then a much higher risk of long term damage. I had two straightforward vagina births, no tearing or stitching and was up and about same day so no I definitely wouldn’t switch them for major surgery.

I had a uncomplicated VB & planned CS, would take the 1st option everyday.

I had a C-section and still had a prolapse caused by pregnancy so it's not all plain sailing. I also haemorrhaged no idea if that was to do with csection or not it was never explained why it happened

I’ve had both and would chose vaginal birth over cs

Three straightforward vaginal home births here. No hospital appointments ever so no waiting around, same midwives so I knew them well, no internal examinations ( no one ever tells you they are largely unnecessary), speedy recoveries and no stitches. I’m firmly of the view that many of the complications come from fear and medical interventions/mismanagement. Obviously I’m not talking about high risk, pregnancy .

It's fantastic some women are happy with their vaginal birth, i just think women should be more informed of what you could be potentially dealing with for the rest of your life if you choose vaginal birth. The midwifes make it sound like it will all go back to its pre pregnancy state with no issues, and that c sections are awful. I was utterly shocked by the reality. No health professional ever told me I could end up with severe prolapse, painful granulated scar tissue, and issues with sex following a vaginal birth. I think if I'd been given that information I honestly would have chosen C section first time round

tbh I don't think they explain anything much just expect women to get on with it.

I went Christmas shopping in Central London, navigating multiple tube changes, 4 days after my emcs. I'm glad I refused forceps. I think my c sec was a much easier decision that birthing a 10lb breach baby.

I've had two c sections - one planned and one emergency. The second one was significantly harder to recover from. The wound got infected and even now several months on I still feel sore. I think the more sections you have the worse the recovery gets because you are going through scar tissue again and again.

That said, both of mine were painless and necessary. I am a big advocate of them and don't buy into the whole 'you didn't really give birth' bullshit. A baby came out of me so yes I did.

There's huge issues in maternity care with hospitals and the rcm being in hot water over promoting vaginal births above all else causing birth trauma and even fatalities.

Of course all women would opt for the easy, uncomplicated vb with no horrendous posy birth issues

But that's not reality.