Would you judge someone for choosing to have a c section?

[ProudOtter]

I’m just curious as to why you would judge someone for choosing to have an elective c section?

For background I’ve decided I’d like to ask for a c section for baby number 2. Some people have made comments about me being insane, or that I’m missing out of giving birth “properly”

I am curious as to why some people have this view.

My first born was semi elective c section, was rushed into an induction due to minor fetal distress and escalated a bit so had to choice to attempt vaginal birth or go for a C-section and I chose the c section. Positive experience and no regrets.

No judgement (elective C-section here). Based on my experience, I would also suggest you to avoid the fellow C-section superwomen's comments about their superquick recovery. It's fucking painful afterwards, so feel free to insult anyone who claims to have been doing their spring cleaning 3 hours later.

Just putting this here again for the ‘it’s less safe’ squad. Again, most places don’t separate medical reasons C sections from maternal request sections in statistics. It stands to reason therefore that C sections have worse outcomes, because you have both babies and mothers with health conditions severe enough to require a C section. You would expect outcomes to be worse with women or babies who have health issues bad enough to warrant a C section on medical terms. But maternal request C sections, low risk pregnancies with no underlying health conditions and purely the women’s choice, are actually very safe, possibly even safer than planning a vaginal birth.

‘In 2021, a team of Canadian researchers found a hospital database in Ontario that, unusually, had logged MRCs (maternal request C sections). This allowed them to compare MRCs to other low-risk pregnancies where the plan, but not necessarily the outcome, was a vaginal birth.

The data shocked the study’s head author, Darine El-Chaâr, a perinatal researcher at the Ottawa hospital. In the planned vaginal birth group, there was a higher percentage of negative outcomes compared with the MRC group, driven by serious vaginal tears and babies admitted to intensive care. “I myself am challenged by the data,” she says, underlining that she believes vaginal birth is natural. “I wanted it to be the other way around.”

Brain damage during birth is more common during vaginal birth.

Not that I’m suggesting we should avoid vaginal birth as a result, just pointing out the evidence is not that compelling on allergies.

Speechless at this comment

With an attitude like that I’m amazed anyone liked you enough to get you pregnant.

Why do you care how OTHER PEOPLE give birth whether it's medically indicated or because in your words they are a "wuss"?

What the fuck is it to you?

My first was an emergency c-section which was quite traumatic. Then second was an elective c-section, I was 39 years old, diabetic, baby was in breach and they said the chances of a natural birth were unlikely. Even though it was an elective c-section I nearly died the second time during the procedure, so it is not a joke having a c-section. And if anyone said something daft they would be given a piece of my mind.

Nope: I chose to have one as I have Tokophobia. And I don’t give a fuck if anyone judges me

@Sofiewooi’m curious as to how you know @nodramaplz so intimately?

i couldn’t care less about what you choose - I was terrified of a c-section so did all I could not to have one. I know someone who had 5 c-sections - all elective.

Exactly this. I had 2 elective c-sections for medical reasons and almost died during my first as I had a major hemorrhage. Going into that 2nd one was the scariest time in my life but a vaginal birth wasn’t a choice for me. Having a c section doesn’t make you a wuss regardless of why you choose one

Scar massage eliminates “mummy ledge” (what misogynistic dickwad coined that term? Shame on you for repeating it, and for sounding like a smug cow).

As for the allergy argument, yes, statistically natural birth babies have lower incidences of allergies but it's not as if a c-section automatically gives them an allergy.
Anecdotal I know but my vaginally birthed DC has hayfever and asthma but the EMCS one has no allergies.

I couldn’t give a shit about anyone else, their child, how they chose to give birth, their health, their feelings. I only care about myself and my choices.

I’ve had three electives. I’ve only ever had one shitty comment and I told them to mind their own bloody business.

I keep my nose out of other peoples business.

I had a 36 hour back to back labour
after a failed induction and an emergency caesarean section as baby ended up distressed.
I chose to have an elective caesarean the second time as I wasn’t prepared to risk another baby being born so distressed and wouldn’t ever judge anyone for choosing the same.
i might add this was a few years ago and I really had to fight to get permission but it would seem it’s easier to chose now which it should be

Some people seem to believe they should have the authority to control what a woman can or can't do with her own body. Every woman deserves full bodily autonomy, and that absolutely includes the right to choose how she gives birth. If someone has a problem with that, their opinion isn't one that deserves your attention.

I do slightly judge if there is no medical reason, but only because I know the strain it puts on the hospital service. In some hospitals gynae surgical lists get cancelled to accommodate elective sections, and imo that shouldn't happen when the only reason is maternal request. Those patients waiting for gynae surgery are often in pain/suffering heavy bleeding, why should their surgery be postponed because someone doesn't want to give birth naturally?

You then see threads on here moaning (quite rightly) about long waiting lists. In an ideal world everyone would be accommodated but we all know this world is far from ideal

what a toxic person.

Just want to put this out there that I thank everyone for their comments, especially those who have been honest about why you judge woman and why you wouldn’t ask for a c section.

It seems like most people who judge are those who have never had a c section, and all the comments I’ve been given from judgemental people also have never had a c section - which makes me think, maybe people do just see this as the easy route? Until they have one

Lighten up heroin.

Emergency c-sections are not the same as elective ones.

I would argue that being forced to give birth in a way that goes against your wishes causes significant stress and anxiety, which can negatively impact both the mother and the baby. That makes it not just a mental health concern, but a legitimate medical issue.

I wouldn't choose to have a c section as the recovery time is longer. My friend had one and her scar got infected. I'm sure that's not that common but I wasn't envious of her and no I didn't think she was a wimp. No ones business as long as the mum has informed choice.

@nodramaplz

Imagine being an adult woman and using the term ‘mummy ledge’ about other women’s bodies. In a clearly derogatory way in context. How embarrassing.