If you have had a c section and a vaginal birth which was the better experience overall?

[jungandeasilyfreudened]

I know it's different for everyone but I'm trying to gather as much info as possible before I make a final decision about how to approach birth.

I have primary tokophobia and despite lots of support from the hospital I'm still not sure I could face VB but I don't find the risks of CS particularly appealing either.

My friends have all either had one or the other so anyone able to make comparisons would be such a great help.

Many thanks.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/a1443854-Who-has-had-normal-birth-and-a-c-section

i am in same situ - this is the thread i posted ages ago with some interesting views on it - very positive mostly about ELC

I've had both- elcs for breech baby and successful vbac. Both were very positive, but if we were to have a third it would be a vaginal birth I'd go for, pending any other issues, mainly because of the recovery afterwards. Having said that, I think my vbac was better partly because I was quite chilled and had a 'what will be will be' attitude so if you're already stressed then the predictable nature of a cs might be better. I did the natal hypnotherapy CDs second time which were fantastic and I'd thoroughly recommend them.

Good luck!

I think women who are anxious about childbirth often prefer the predictability of ELCS. I don't have tokophobia (but am anxious due to high risk pregnancy and previous stillbirth) but have decided on ELCS for my third. My DD2 was ELCS due to transverse lie and that was a positive calm experience although the first 48 hours of CS recovery are a bit grim (especially post-natal ward). After that, I recovered well and fast though.

I have had VB as well but since that was a stillbirth I'm not that positive about it, although probably the physical recovery was faster.

If you are not sure you could face VB though I would caution against it. For myself, I think I would panic if it started going wrong (fear of losing another baby) and that would be bad for both me and whoever was trying to look after me.

I had a vb first, which ended in a 3rd deg tear. Labour and delivery were not great as I was monitored throughout and it felt quite intrusive. Then an hour in surgery after. Slow and painful recovery.

I had an elcs 5 wks ago. Loved it. Was anxious beforehand but it was calm, predictable and easy. Dd2 was born without any issues, breasted straight away and my recovery has been straightforward. 5wks on i feel totally back to normal physically.

So although I am glad I have had the experience of vb, the elcs was easier a d preferable for me.

I am currently in hospital recovering from an emergency c section. I had a vbac with my daughter 19 months ago. Even tho the c section wasn't half as bad as I'd imagine it to be, I'd choose a vbac every time. Mostly to do with recovery afterwards, felt a lot better after vbac and a lot more mobile.

My first was VB after induction, with ventouse delivery, my second ELCS. The first was much better. I'm not really into all that "childbirth experience" thing and I'm generally far more into control and medical intervention etc etc etc, but my first was so much better - I felt better, I'm sure the baby felt better, and it was an amazing experience.
With my second, the doctor recommended VB, but I'd had a few minor complications in the pregnancy, and just for some reason wasn't happy about things, so I insisted on an ELCS. At the birth, they "discovered" she was transverse and had I gone for a VB it would apparently have been touch and go for both of us. They messed up the OP though, and had to reoperate two days later to stem bleeding after I passed out. So all in all, they were both a bit crap, but I'm still glad I did what I did and really went with my utter gut instincts.
And that's about all you can do. Make your decision, stick with it, and know you're right. As one doctor said to me, if you're on edge about a VB, it won't be a relaxed VB. Then better go for the ELCS.
Good luck.