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?

Each time they have struggled to get my spinal in and at my first and second birth it took over 20 attempts by two different anaesthetists. I have pictures that show how bruised my back ended up. I complained and received an apology, for my third birth I was attended by the consultant anaesthetist and it was overall a much better experience. Previously I had felt like an inactive participant in my births but the last time they greatly considered my physical and mental health. Of course all we want is our baby to arrive safely but the mother matters too!

You've just reminded me to request my birth notes from a VB last year OP so thankyou. I was left in a side room (as I was induced) by myself because of Covid. I thought it was all fun and games until the contractions were close and no one was checking me :( I was 9cm when the midwife checked and rushed me down to delivery suite ... still alone obviously

Although I didnt have a 'complicated' VB, I was scared and alone for most of it and then bled very bad after (aswell as a lot of stitches) My recovery felt long and I bled for a long time after aswell. Ive never had a C section so cant compare but my labour was enough to put me off having any more children which is sad I think

@lucywho123 how scary!!! To be alone and in pain. It’s unacceptable.

I suppose it depends what they're classing as a complication. Are we classing instrumental deliveries, prolapses etc as the complications or are we also including grazes and 1st/2nd degree tears. A minor tear or a graze I wouldn't say is a complication but I am expecting to be corrected on here.

Horrible @WellThatsMeScrewed tbh - obv too late for any pain relief also so that probably didn't help my lack of memory of the whole thing. I think its safe to say we're all heroes tbh, whatever way we give birth

I had an emcs and while it wasn’t exactly pleasant on the day the recovery was actually really quick. The surgeon did comment on my abdominal muscles being of a woman 10 years younger and said my recovery should be a breeze, so I’ll be dining out on that until the day I die 🤣😂

I’d choose cs if we ever had another.

Maybe not the best option for every woman but elective c sections can certainly be the safest option for a lot of women.

I've had 2 and one vaginal birth. My elective c sections were a walk in the park in comparison to the vaginal birth. Recoveries were smooth.

A few of my colleagues/colleagues wives elected to have c sections (medical profession).

@LilacSky95 the thing is, if you’d had all births as CS, by the 4th you would likely be running into complications/ problems and it wouldn’t be smooth sailing. Once you get to the 3rd c section they start becoming a bit more difficult, not all obviously but most Drs wouldn’t recommend 4 sections due to the possibility of surgical complications.

I have no agenda here as my vaginal birth was horrendous and an elective CS would have been much better. But just saying it’s not as simple as just giving women multiple sections.

Haven’t read all the replies so sorry if it’s already been pointed out.

2 vb, then 1 csection, csection was a bloody breeze!

I had two very straightforward VB with no issues at all to deal with afterwards. I would not have wanted CS at all, the scar and the healing time sounds awful.

I've clearly stated the odds for our local hospital in my comment

Less than half of women who enter in labour had an instrument free vaginal birth, and avoided an emergency c section

Those stats look in line with the national average

So, again, based on the odds you're more likely not to have a smooth sailing VB.

They've compared just that in Canada which has a better health care system than here

ELCS still takes the 'crown' just about over vaginal births for maternal outcomes including complications and long term medical needs

Someone has just called people who have vaginal births as having ‘wizard sleeves’ for vaginas. So yeh it’s me being mean

wizard sleeve is a vile term I agree but as someone with a significant birth injury from VB, I didn’t much like “we don’t all have a broken undercarriage you know”. I found broken undercarriage derogatory.

As I said upthread, there is no right or better way to give birth. It should be about empowerment and choice for each women. There is no doubt that many women face obstruction in their choice to have a caesarean because VB is pushed as being objectively better and safer. In fact, either is a perfectly valid choice which should be respected.

After an EMCS with my third I was discussing what to do with my obstetrician. I said I'd prefer a VB but if things were going to go wrong and end up with an EMCS I'd prefer an elective. He said he'd like a crystal ball but we'd have to manage without. I went for the VB, almost ended up with an EMCS but a very nice registrar said, "Right, if you move this baby with the next contraction I'll deliver him, if you can't move him its the CS." So I moved him and he delivered him and apart from epic bruising all was well.

For people who know the stats how does it compare for the babies, is one safer than the other? There was a big difference with chest infections with my one that was EMCS, years of terrible chest infections but starting the day after she was born and someone told me that was more likely with CS but I have no idea if it is true.

An instrument birth isn't always a problem though, mine resulted in a lot of bruising and piles which all healed so for me although I had a forceps delivery I wouldn't say that was as big an issue as the CS.

@ancientgran

Then you're in a minority

Studies find that forceps and vacuum deliveries can lead to more physical trauma for a mother and baby than a C-section would.

LilacSky95 the thing is, if you’d had all births as CS, by the 4th you would likely be running into complications/ problems and it wouldn’t be smooth sailing.

true. Although I know women on their 4th and 5th(!) sections, Including some celebs who have had no problems, so theres no way of knowing what would have happened. My point is that the VAGINA and pelvic floor would be undamaged. I would happily take the other risks that come with CS , and have an intact, scar free, continent vagina.

I'm not sure that means I'm in a minority, it just says it can lead to ....... Doesn't say how likely that is. For some, I'm sure I'm not unique, you could also say forceps deliveries can lead to more physical trauma than a C section would because that was my experience.

Obviously there might be more stats to show it is more likely but that doesn't say so.

I will say the swelling and bruising was awful for the first week but 30 years on it hasn't caused any other problems whereas the EMCS has.

Oh come on you know that is not a term I would use. It was my emotional reaction to what others were saying!!!

Has anyone read studies about C sections and an increase in autism? A nurse stupidly brought it to my attention when I was pregnant and had me worried but there is some evidence there. Obviously hard to fully know and some research papers dispute it too! 🤷🏼‍♀️

This is quite an interesting article about urinary incontinence and if it is actually anything to do with childbirth. www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/news/20051202/urine-leakage-not-childbirth

The bit I found interesting from a personal point of view is right at the end Galloway offers advice for how women can know whether their pelvic floor is well suited to withstand the rigors of vaginal delivery.
"The nerves and muscles that enervate the feet are adjacent to those responsible for the pelvic floor," Galloway says. "If you were trying to distinguish whether you are at risk or not, look and see how complete is the form and function of your feet and toes. Those with the best, most versatile feet who can spread their toes like fingers are more likely to have better function in the pelvic floor."

I can spread my toes like fingers, my husband says it's being like a monkey, and I've had 3 vaginal deliveries of big babies and one being with forceps and I'm also over 20 years post menopause and I don't have incontinence issues and my vagina is in pretty good nick if I do say so myself. Is it connected to my toes? What a strange idea but maybe we should do a survey and see if everyone who has reported good vaginal births have "versatile" feet.

How useful would that be if it is true as women would be able to make more informed decisions. I'm looking at my widespread toes with new admiration.

I've never heard that. I wonder if there is any research.

I wish I could vote twice. I completely agree. It's scandalous that the medical profession is not more honest with women about this.

I think what this whole debate shows is that women feel so defensive about the choices they made/didn’t make (and I include myself in that).

I am curious about why that is. Why we do it to ourselves?

I can hear all the pros to C-sections but I can’t help but say ‘but my choice was valid to and Ok’.

I appreciate that others are saying women need to be told the full risks, and they absolutely need to be. But women may still choose another decision and that is also ok.