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?

I've had 2 electives and can't speak highly enough of them. Of all my friends those who've had sections fared much better. The vaginal birth stories sound horrendous

That sounds horrific @TheNewlmprovedMrsMadEvans, so sorry you had to go through that. Pleased you both made it through ok though x

I think some posters are confusing 'the best option you can pick' and 'the best possible birth'. You can't pick an uncomplicated vaginal birth, you can just choose to try for one. I had two very straightforward, spontaneous vaginal births with easy and full recoveries and I think that worked out better for me than if I'd had elective caesareans, but it was pure luck. I didn't actually realise at the time of my first what a gamble it was - I didn't have many friends who had had babies then and didn't realise what an outlier I'd turn out to be with my easy vaginal births. If I was choosing for a first again I might choose differently knowing what I know now - I might not roll those dice.

Anyone who thinks there is a “best” way to give birth is being ridiculous. People who have had a positive birth experience will obviously favour the way they did it. People who have had a traumatic experience will wish it had been different. That’s very clear from all the posts so far. You are not unreasonable to say a c section was the best option for you. You are unreasonable to assume it is the best option for everyone.

I have permanent bladder damage after my section so it's not true that you come out unscathed.

The vaginal birth stories sound horrendous

That’s because you only ever hear about the bad ones. Nobody ever talks about their straightforward vaginal birth because it’s completely unremarkable.

I think passport123 mentioned something quite important. The risk of a 4th pregnancy with 3 previous c-sections is v different from the risk of a 4th pregnancy with 3 previous vaginal births. I think there can be issues like the scar being a weak point and tearing - but probably need an obstetrician comment on the details. Each pregnancy has different risks - depending on the mum and baby (and factors like how many further pregnancies mum would want) - which may make one or other of the options better from a medical point of view.

But I do partially agree that we should discuss the risk of long term complications of vaginal birth vs c section more - so women can be more aware and make an informed choice. I believe there is some nice guidance out there for certain circumstances.

I've had 3 vaginal deliveries with no issues other than I found tampons uncomfortable afterwards but I'm post menopausal so no issue. I EMCS and I have had horrible issues and it was 30 years ago. I had changed sensation round the scar and itching sort of inside the scar that nothing relieves. So I think it varies, for you CS was better and for me it was the worst.

I have had two straightforward vaginal births without complications, recovered no problem, was walking my dog the very next day.

However, due to a big baby and long pushing stages I have been left with a prolapse which nobody medical seems to give a fuck about.

Im now pregnant with DC3 and am considering going for an elective (which I’m more scared of!) because I can’t guarantee I’ll be listened to or repaired afterwards 🙁

I also had burst stitches after CS, it was DH fault as he made me laugh and the more I tried to stop the worse it got until the stitches burst. It was like looking at a waterfall except the water was red. DH got thrown out and a telling off, I got alot of pain and with a 10lb baby I couldn't even pick her up and it made breastfeeding really difficult. Of course that won't happen to everyone, not everyone is married to a would by comedian.

Gawd, another anxiety-revving thread. MN is so in love with them. It doesn't help women to hear a heap of scare stories about how they give birth. There are challenges & hazards however a pregnancy ends. No zero-risk option.

Mine were two emergency Cs and it was awful. Neither of my pregnancies were enjoyable either. I was kept in for two weeks post both babies. I have all the problems you mention apart from torn bits. I think as mentioned it's the pre care and inducing to soon that causes issues. I'm not a good advert for it. I remember a lady who was in bed next to me. She was from Venezuela. She told me vb is very uncommen where she is from. It is all very much planned out and the mum gets measured for a corset to wear post Cs to support wound and help get back in shape. She said her mum was shocked when she had decided to have a vb and tried to talk her out of it.

That is so kind of you, thank you so much 💐

Having had both, I’d choose a c/section every time.

I find on these threads the women who've had a positive vaginal birth are totally ignored.

It's a race to the bottom of the worst experience possible OR how great sections are.

Woman can and do have positive experiences of giving birth vaginally.

C-section can also leave you with debilitating issues ..but years later when most symptoms don’t get near obstrectric follow up data. I just don’t think the stats are being recorded as they don’t manifest as gynae issues

many women get adhesions- these can grow into bowels, in my case, leaving me with major obstruction issues, particularly since menopause. They darent operate as that would just cause more adhesions. I don’t even remember being told anything about adhesions (in 1990s) - was news to me when I was told it was likely this and pretty common amongst c-section women by gastroenterologist … they’d tested for everything else etc. symptoms cause me to have violent bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting . It tends to be worse If I don’t eat regular meals and fast …but it starts 1-2 hours after a meal and then continues for 3-4 hours during which I can’t leave the bathroom . Not great when I was working and travelling as part of my work.
I also now have a slightly twisted spine that has got worse over last 30 years. This now causes sciatica - at times I can barely walk because of the pain . Luckily I can limit the attacks by physio and knowing positions I sit/stand in that set it off. The same issues cause the front of my legs to go numb and pins and needles if I walk more than 2-3 miles to the point it becomes a stabbing pain.

ok, I agree many of these are not as bad as bad effect of bad vaginal births. But they’re not to be dismissed. Just cause you don’t feel anything bad in first year doesn’t mean you get off Scot free. It can take years for issues to develop. Just as many women don’t get incontinence or prolapses as a result of vaginal births till peri menopause. And women with c-sections aren’t immune to incontinence issues or prolapses- these aren’t always caused by just a vaginal birth but as a result of pregnancy and then poor pelivic floor control as c-section slices right through thos3 key abdominal muscles that help pelvic and core stability. I don’t know if it’s different now but I had no physio advice or sessions at all after my c-section to help properly heal and regain strengths in those muscles.

I’ve had both and much preferred the vb. Both were tough recoveries in different ways.
Cs has left me with a pouch that I just can’t shift.
Being induced can make a vb a horrible experience.

I've had two sections. First was emergency. Recovery was fine generally. Had an elective 8 weeks ago and it was an absolute breeze. Back driving at 10 days PP, no need for any painkillers once I got home after 24 hours, was out and about straight away, baby latched on before we even got to recovery room.

Honestly I've been amazed by how easy it's been this time. I thought I'd had an easy ride with my first section but it was night and day this time, I'm guessing due to the difference between emergency and elective. I'm so glad I chose a section. I've got no incontinence or any issues of that kind (I know you can get those with sections too but IME everyone I know with postnatal continence issues has had a vaginal birth, generally an instrumental one).

Obviously everyone has their own story, but sections have been great for me.

I loved mine, best experience ever! Discharged in under 24hrs. Was out walking in a few days, no complications and the birth experience was fantastic and magical. 10/10 would do again!

It seems to be drummed into women that vb is the way to go, I totally disagree. The chances of being damaged is way to risky, I had a cs and recovery was super quick with zero recurrent issues.

I had one uncomplicated VB. couple of stitches, no big deal. That seems like the 'best' ... but it's luck more than an 'option', isn't it.

There is no best birth option.

what is right for one is not for another.

there were lots of things that were very important to me about the process of labour, childbirth and postpartum and none of those needs could have been met by having a c section.

Others will differ.

I had a horrific birth (first baby) tears, cuts, still unable to hold a poo a year on (so will most likely poo myself upon returning to work what fun!) and the cherry on top a whopping prolapse. Yes if I’d known I would have wanted a C-section. As it is my body feels so horribly destroyed I will not be having another child which also upsets me.

I’ve had three c-sections - not by choice - complications and premature births. The first two were fine, the third was really hard. Bowel issues / bladder issues etc. As was told to me, repeating the same surgery in the same place comes with additional risks/issues. More scar tissue/adhesions to sort out etc. I was really shocked how bad the third was in comparison to the others. I would now say it depends on what sort of size family you want. I suppose a straightforward vaginal birth will always be better than a section, but no guarantees for that.

And for a weighted argument - my mum had many vaginal births. Never had a tear and in her 60s now with no issues re toilet and never had a prolapse she practically cartwheeled out of the delivery suites