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?

You won’t see the dr. You can tell the midwife, as I did and she arranged for me to see the obstetrician at 34 weeks. I explained all my reasons and she was completely supportive.

My SIL had a really straightforward VB and also has secondary infertility, have you been told it may be down to the CS?

Had two c-sections, one emergency and second elected as the first had been such a good experience. Loved them both. Not exhausted from long labors, no fucked up sleep patterns. Pain relief was excellent so I had no pain at all. Recovered quickly. Yes I couldn’t go on long walks with the baby after three days or whatever, but seriously, I ‘d just had a baby! Why would I want to do that?! Hunkering down at home and my local neighborhood was just fine by me!

I genuinely don’t get why they have a bad rep. I know loads of women with appalling vaginal birth experiences. My birth experience was brilliant, frankly!

I almost died having one - my heart went awry and I ended up almost needing life support so, not for everyone.

Plenty of women have straightforward vaginal births without horrible after effects. If a C section is necessary for the safety of mother and baby, fair enough.

I had three straightforward vaginal deliveries at home. V quick recovery but I suspect there would have been pressure if I hadn’t had independent midwives as first two labours long and third was over two weeks late. I think a lot of problems in birth could be avoided with really good midwife care. I had the sole attention of two midwives and trusted them totally- they were experienced and not bound by hospital protocols and routines- my overdue DS was checked on every day and no pressure to induce. A lot more could be done to avoid interventions that cause trauma such as forceps. Absolutely the best money I’ve ever spent in my life.

There is no ONE 'best' birth option

Different births are 'best' for different people

It may be that for you a planned c-section is the best, for someone else that would be a freebirth, for another an induction with an epidural from the start - what matters is the one giving birth is listened to and their choices respected and they are fully informed

I've had 3 vb - really easy births, no stitches/tearing. I was up pottering around - I remember popping to the supermarket in the evening after one of the births, to buy new comfy trousers.

I'm so pleased I didn't have a CS. I didn't want an operation. However, if I'd had a slog of a labour, forceps, 3b tear and manual removal of my placenta - I may well have thought otherwise!

I had the slog of a labour you described! Was absolutely horrific. I could barely move for weeks after. Had a c section with baby 2, was up and showering that same evening and at soft play with DC1 (albeit sat drinking a coffee) on day 3. I wish birth 1 had been a good birth, but I'm really glad my c section was so easy.

I think it totally depends, there's no right answer!

I had two vaginal deliveries, not straightforward and was left with significant tearing and pelvic floor issues. For my third birth I had to have a c- section as baby was transverse lie. I hated it. Weirdly I felt far more out of control than the other deliveries, and recovery afterwards was slow, very painful and complicated by infection and I still have pain in the scar area now, as well as the overhang which is really uncomfortable. I'm done with babies but if I had to chose for another birth I would avoid a C-section.

But my sister has had one emergency, one elective C-section and recovered quickly and easily from both and found even the emergency one was a good experience, so I think there is no right or wrong answer to this, I think there should be far more opportunity to really choose your preferred option though