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?

Statistically vaginal birth is safer. C sections even elective ones do go wrong. Epidurals go wrong. When you have had a difficult vaginal birth and a straightforward c section it can be easy to forget the risks of c sections.

Of course c sections are an important medical intervention when needed but to offer them to all will increase complications. I was out shopping in the supermarket within 24 hours of having dd, I wouldn't have been able to after a section. I had no complications

OP it sounds like we had similar vaginal birth experiences, I ended up with forceps and 3b tear + episiotomy… my tear healed relatively ok but my episiotomy completely broke down and had to heal by secondary intention as they refused to stitch it back up. It took months before I started to feel like I could walk and sit normally and I also struggled with sex issues. I now have prolapses, a skin bridge and sensitive scaring down below - thankfully I’m 5 years on and I’ve recently found out that I’m pregnant for the second time. It took a long time to want to fall pregnant again as I was so scared I’d have to go through something like that all over again, I saw a really good counsellor/therapist who specialised in the trauma you can have after birth and I’ll definitely be asking for an elective c-section despite knowing it’s major surgery and to be honest I’d rather not have that either 😂. The idea of anything else fills me with dread.

Actually there no difference in risk between vb and elcs overall.

Both have different risks and benefits.

Neither is risk free or less risk than the other.

NICE guidelines are clear about that.

there should also be much better aftercare & physio for women post childbirth

This. Often the stats used are misleading because they don't distinguish between ELCS and EMCS. The latter are slightly more expensive and slightly more risky because of the circumstances in which they are often done. It stands to reason that an EMCS is going to be much harder on your body after a failed induction and 48 hours in labour than an ELCS where you just arrive at the hospital at 7am and have the baby in your arms two hours later.

I planed for a vaginal birth and ended up with a c-section, I was fine with that then and now. For several reasons I’ll be electing for one if I have another. It’s a super personal thing though, I know women who feel very differently.

Summer babies Elon Musk, Warren Buffett & Larry Ellison haven't done that bad 😆

wrong thread!

The issues are it's impossible to tell which side effects people will get in advance.

A close trend ended up requiring vacuum dressings to her C Section scar and it got repeatedly infected. Another had serious abominable issues caused by scar tissue. They all say vaginal any day.

I've also got friends who had terrible prolapses or loss or sensation who'd say go for a section.

Statistically vaginal is safer for women and baby.

4 C sections and the risk of adhesions etc is much higher. So for me, who was always going to have only two kids, yes C section would have been better than my first forceps delivery. but for you not such a good idea with 4 kids.

I think sweeping statements about "X is the best birth option" whether it's c-section, vaginal birth, epidural, home birth etc are a bit pointless because situations are so different.

What there should be is proper information, genuine options (nothing discouraged unless for actual safety reasons eg a home birth not being possible due to risk factors), and proper aftercare. But saying "c-sections are the best option" is as silly as saying "vaginal births are better than c sections". It just won't be true for everyone.

I've had a VB and 2 c sections and I'd opt for a c section any day of the week! My VB was horrible and I found recovery from a 3rd degree tear and pph far harder than recovery from my c sections. I'm fact, my second c section was really good - even the scar is neater now! However, I absolutely think women should be able to choose their births within the parameters of what's safest for them. I hate the push for "natural" births over anything else and the demonising of c sections that goes on. It's very unhelpful and definitely contributes to unnecessary fears and feelings of failure around delivery.

I have a seemingly silly question. Can a woman tell the doctors that she wants a c-section from her very first pregnancy appointments and that be that. For no other (medical) reason than just "I want a c section" and it's agreed to with no fuss?

I've had 2 sections and I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy.

Weeks (12) of excruciating pain, months (4) to feel better, longer to recover fully (6). Extended stay in hospital (both times) including a week in high dependency with the second thanks to a post op complication. Wound infections.

I could go on....

The outcomes for baby and mum are better statistically with vaginal birth.

Yes you are.

I've had two vaginal births and have no issues at all from them. A c section for me would have been totally pointless intervention, over medicalising a natural process and left me with scars and issues I didn't need.

Yes they are life saving and great for some women, just not for me.

Not all vaginal births are horrific. Mine were great, my daughters was particularly lovely and beautiful.

Completely agree OP. I'm having my first baby in 9 days and I chose an elective C section from the very beginning because I did my research. Of course an uncomplicated vaginal birth is the ideal, but anecdotally from the dozen or so women I know personally, only ONE has managed this feat. Everyone else has run into complications, and some really quite serious requiring an emergency C section. I realised very early on that vaginal birth is basically a crapshoot of taking your chances on what's going to happen and there's no way of knowing what complications you may run into and what consequences they may have for your body. Yes a C section is major surgery, but I was MUCH more willing to face the risks and potential complications of 'major surgery' than take my chances with a vaginal birth.

The obstetric consultant I spoke with at the hospital regarding my decision, after all was said and done, disclosed that if his wife were giving birth he'd want her to have an elective! He said that they are still not good at detecting the damage done to women at birth and he sees many women in their 40s and beyond who are just now running into the long-term consequences of problems stemming from VB that were not picked up at the time.

Really depends on weather you have a straightforward vag birth or not.
Ive had both c section and vag birth. Vag birth was at tree straight forward in midwife unit. I needed a few stitches but it was fine. Absolutely loved giving birth. Amazing experience. Up for a shower after 2 hours and walking that night.
Csection felt like my baby was removed during an operation which is essentially what it is.
Got none of the same feelings of elation. Hated being on the operating table in a sterile environment. Hated the thought of a knife cutting me open.
Awful Awful pain afterwards like I was being burned across the lower stomach with a blow torch.
Couldnt sit, pick up my baby hardly and it burned so bad every time I moved. Lost so much blood during the operation too.
Needed at least a week sitting and recovering with pain at the incision.
I remember having happy feelings whenever I thought about my vag birth looking back.
Got none of that with the csection.

@VladmirsPoutine yes you can request an ELCS for no medical reason, If that's what you want you can have one. Just make sure you tell your midwife this is what you want early on in the pregnancy

@StolenCookie 👏👏👏

Thank you!

I have only had two sections, never had a vaginal birth.

I am fortunate enough to have not had any problems. I found recovering easy, my scars are visible but not too bumpy or anything. Nothing in the way of prolapse, tears etc obviously.

It's anecdotal but yes, I'd say sections are better.

My c sections have left me with adhesions and scar tissue that have been problematic with later surgery, but I've not had a vaginal birth as comparison.

I’ve only had vaginal births but I would always choose that over a c section if possible. Although I support the right to choose either.

I don’t really think there is a “best” option anyway as there are too many dependencies.

Not everyone has issues. I’ve had two vaginal births with no lasting effects. I didn’t even have any stitches the second time.

I feel exactly the same OP , l nearly lost my life and my Dd2 after not being able to deliver her , she was facing the wrong way, 16 days overdue and 11lbs 4ozs born. They tried a Ventouse , forceps after 12 hours of labour and l still had to have a CS . It was hell just luck we are here to tell the tale tbh.