Question about stillbirth.

[Lilliput]

I know this is a sensitive topic and I feel strange asking about stillbirth because I have never been through it. But I would really like to know why a woman is induced to go through labour when her baby has died in the womb, why is a c-section not done?

sometimes C-sections are performed to deliver a stillborn. I think that generally they are far less than natural deliveries because a far longer stay in hospital is required

I always assumed that it was because - while a 'natural' birth would probably be more emotionally traumatic, a c-section is more physically truamatic. Like tiredemma says, you need to stay in hospital longer.

Right, that makes sense. It's just the thought of going through labour for hours and hours in such an emotional state that made me wonder why sections aren't done.

Also the body "recongnises" better that the baby has been born and hormones start adjusting. The length of the labour is hugely varient. I had my middle DS at 20wks (stillborn) and labour was 4 hrs. DD was 8hrs (first), DS was 1 hrs (third)

There's also the fact that a vaginal delivery is still less risky than a caesarean section - less likely to have complications.

I was induced at 21 weeks as doctors told me was best thing for me physically -weirdly going through the pain as pivotal for me in trying to come to terms with what has happened adn saying goodbye to our baby.

I was induced at 24 weeks as my dd had died in womb.

My other dd was a c section so I had never had a natural birth before.I was induced at 9am and she was born at 6pm

It was painful but bearable. I recovered physically quite quickly.

I am now pg again (the dreaded 24 weeks) and Ihope to have another natural as I feel it will give me some kind of closure (I am desperate to deliver a live baby)

I wish you lots of luck, try to stay positive.
I appreciate everyone posting replies, I'm sure it is a pretty difficult topic to discuss but I am training to be a doula and am researching all aspects of pegnancy and childbirth.

Also, a c-section has implications for any future births - it will effectively make future vaginal delivery much less likely.

In my case, I said I really wanted a c section as I found the idea of giving birth naturally to a stillborn baby too horrific. There was an extra issue in that the stillborn baby was a twin and there was a live baby, DS, to come out too. I guess the fact that DS was breach swung it with the doctors, but they assured me that I wouldn't have to do it if I found the prospect too distressing. They explained all the options and the pros and cons of both, and I really felt I got what was best all round.

Don't worry about asking, Lilliput. It is sensitive but talking about it can often help too.

I had to be induced I asked to be operated on but the doctor said it was much better phyically to give birth! emotionally it was the most horrific way ever, its torture when you have to give birth to a dead baby,very cruel!!!!!

My initial response was to want a c-section, which they refused, for the reasons already listed here. Also because it gives more chances to have future babies- from the other people I know who have had a stillborn baby, they have mostly gone on to have c-sections rather than vaginal deliveries.

I have had 2 subsequent babies via sections, which were quite complicated and traumatic. I can really only have one more and definitely cannot have a vaginal delivery. I'm really proud that I delivered my first son naturally, in a way it is a special experience between me and him.

I thought the idea was horrific until I had to go through it (21 weeks). I'm glad I gave birth "naturally" to my first daughter - it made me feel like a mother, even though I had to leave my little one behind. At the time I was scared I'd never have another child, and wanted to at least experience labour (if that makes any sense). Very very glad I did.

That is very true to Habbibu, even though I could never take her home, giving birth made it seem that she was their and not just taken from me !!!

I agree with what habbibu, chocolatepeanut and poppy34 say. Delivering the baby naturally, however harrowing and painful at the time, makes the child who died more real to you. I'd hoped for a VBAC for Tom. Even though he never made it, I gave him the birth I wanted for him. It was also my only experience of labour (two elective sections for my other children) and it's something - the only thing really - special between him and me.
Being able to walk out of that hospital the next morning was a huge plus as well. Being able to stand under a stinging hot shower for ages within hours of labour...being mobile, being able to escape.