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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Why is C/Section such a 'dirty word'?

94 replies

Shoeshopper · 25/10/2006 13:45

Hi ... why is it so hard to get a C Section ... I asked at the hospital yesterday and you'd think I asked them for an abortion or something worse.
Is there anywhere one can go to have the choice?
I do realise this is fairly contriversial .. but shouldn't we be able to have a choice?
Also - as a preg Woman, are you allowed to choose the hospital you give birth at?

OP posts:
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Boowila · 27/10/2006 10:29

"You have got to wonder what world we live in that women are so scared to give birth and would prefer surgery!"

Exactly, Pupace. I totally agree. If we the people had a bit more faith in quality of the antenatal care in the UK, probably more people would be willing to give labour a try. This was definately a factor when I opted for my elective section.

pupuce · 27/10/2006 15:48

Shoeshopper - in your quest to hear more positive stories, can I suggest a book?
Ina May Gaslin's Guide to Childbirth... very empowering!

Boowila- sadly an elective section is not a guarantee either

Boowila · 27/10/2006 16:46

Nothing is guaranteed in childbirth, Pupuce. I do think the stae of the NHS is a big factor for a lot of people choosing sections. And others turn to doulas and private midwives, and yet other give birth at home. There are different ways to react. But, surely, a patient distrust of the system is the effect, and cause is the state of NHS.

You lean towards natural. I lean towards medical. But, still I think what you said in your earlier post was spot on.

clarinsgirl · 27/10/2006 17:09

I'd like to put a positive word in for the NHS. I only have my own experience to draw on but they were brilliant. My community MW looked after me throughout my pregnancy, she was great - especially when my Dad had a stroke when I was 38W pregnant. I was terrified of a c-section and ended up having a em c-section after 20 hours of labour (labour was fine - MWs and Docs were wonderful). I was kept informed and felt confident in those taking care of me. I was very ill after c-section and again - staff were great. Maybe its just luck of the draw but my experience of the NHS was very positive.

Smurfs · 27/10/2006 22:02

Shoeshopper

not had time to read all the postings so forgive me if I am repeating anybody!!

Firstly - elective c-sections are fab, (no experience of emergency so can't comment)Can have hair done the day before and also make sure bikini area and legs are waxed as know when darling baby will arrive and can be prepared!

Husband can be by side and calm not in another country trying to get flight back at some grim time of the morning.

You can have electives because you don't want to push without going through the private system - I have had 2 electives simply because I never had any intention of having a so called natural birth - find that idea most disturbing.

Don't worry about being labelled 'too posh to push' think of it as 'too smart to stretch!!'

Ultimately should be up to you as an individual. Talk to others who have been through a range of births and go with what feels right for you and husband! good luck with the rest of the pregnancy and relax we always get our way in the end!

3andnomore · 27/10/2006 22:26

Smurf, your post is so so sad!....getting your effing hair done and the bikini line, who effing cares at that stage anyway! sigh!
You ratehr hae that scar on your tummy then, well, let me tell ya, ubntil I had a C-section with ys no one would have ever guessed I had children, even thouhg I had them vaginally, unless I had them with me....the scar kinda gives it away I must say!

lulumama · 27/10/2006 22:36

smurfs -wondering why you were so disturbed by the thought of a natural birth..and if you ever considered getting to the bottom of it....and why surgery and its attendant risks were less off putting...

having had one c.s & one vaginal birth...i can say i would go the vaginal route every time....

too smart to stretch....you think every woman whos had a vaginal birth is stretched .....not i! pelvic floor excercises are a marvellous thing!

i find your glibness towards the process of childbirth unfathomable....

but you made your choices and that's worked for you....

kittythescarygoblin · 28/10/2006 08:01

Smurf, considering that the birth is such a small part of the whole children business I'm astounded that you've had any atall since it was too much for you to let your children inconvenience you by coming down the birth canal.
Your attitude repulses me.
I hope shoeshopper takes comfort and advice from people who talk sense.
Infact on reflection you post has to be a wind up.

3andnomore · 28/10/2006 11:54

Sorry about getting wound up last night about Smurfs post, but well, I just will never understand people like that!

Monkeychopsmummy · 28/10/2006 14:18

Isn't it more painful afterwards and a longer recovery process with a c-section? Smurf - didn't you find that disturbing?

madmarchscare · 28/10/2006 14:45

(pupuse, I meant you were rubbish @ links, as was lulumama )

The more I think about this, the more I think I would ask for a section second time around, even though I said below that I would prefer a difficult labour to another section (which is true), mainly because I dont think I could face another emergency section iyswim.

lulumama · 28/10/2006 14:51

i know what you mean..but would your 2nd labour be the same as your first, with the same outcome?

2nd time around, you body and you has a better idea of what is happening....

i had failed induction , emergency c.s first, then a very straightforward VBAC second time.....

it's not for everyone,, but for me, the feelings i had after pushing her out, were worth the transient pain....

hope your next birth is a positive one...whatever you decide

have learnt to do links now!!!

madmarchscare · 28/10/2006 15:00

I completely agree, but I cant get past it. I know an awful lot more about birth now (mainly down to MN ) and I do honestly think that is the way I would go.

I wont be finding out in a hurry anyhow because DH has had the snip due to hideous pregnancy as well. Pretty bad all round for me really.

fizzbuzz · 28/10/2006 15:22

No, it's not more painful. Post op scar was a lot lot less painful than hideous episiotomy. I was still getting pain from that when my ds was 3 years old. Had c section 3 month ago, no pain at all now, and much more mobile and up and about than I was after 1st birth. The bad thing about C sections is if they are done as emergency, because then the body has 2 things to recover from, a labour and a birth.

3andnomore · 28/10/2006 19:42

Fizzbuzz, I know what you are saying hence E-C-section and having to recover from 2 things, but must say, that that is something I am immensely greatful for, because I did experience labour and was 10 cm's dilated when I got that C-section, but at least labour released very important hormones which are known to help a bit along to succesfully Breastfeed.
Not saying it's impossible after elective C-section!
Must say, if I ever had another Baby I would again opt for Homebirth, and would want to labour, but hopefully should it come to a C-section I would be emotionally better prepared and would cope better....saying that, there is no way on earth I am having anohter one, lol...3 is plenty!

Toady · 28/10/2006 20:32

It is not surprising woman fear child birth, when I am asked about my third labour and birth I describe what a wonderful experience it was and how I loved every minute of feeling my baby come into the world. Yes it hurt, mainly because once again I was lying on my back with loads of panicing people around me (I had, had two previous sections) but I would definitely do it again, next time I will be staying at home.

Anyway when I describe childbirth as a great experience people tend to raise an eyebrow and look at me like I'm mad, if I told them about my first two experiences they would be far more interested I am sure.

If your fear of childbirth is overwhelming you then please get professional help and counselling before you make any decisions.

In the meantime read up on childbirth, look at it as a positive experience. Avoid as much intervention as possible when the time comes, it is very easy to just go with what your midwife tells you. Obviously listen to what she says, smile and then go home and research it to find out pros and cons. For example induction, I firmly believe if baby is not ready to come out induction will lead to a medicalised birth, I think most woman who have experienced it will agree.

This is your first birth so the unknown will be scary. When I have my fourth for what it is worth, I personally will avoid any intervention and stay at home where I can birth my baby in peace . I wish looking back that I had been better informed when I had my first.

Just to repeat, this is the birth of your first baby, it will be fantastic.

kittythescarygoblin · 29/10/2006 07:14

That's true Toady, I have found that people are much more interested in birth horror stories and their eyes tend to glaze over somewhat when you have a positive story. I think it's a matter of selective hearing

3andnomore · 29/10/2006 10:26

lol, I agree with you there toady....my most beautyful Birth was with ms, it was just fab, if only it had been at my chosen venue (home), but well...

Rochwen · 29/10/2006 22:21

I think women should have a choice. I think all the pro's and con's of all types of births should be clearly explained to them and then they should be allowed to make an informed choice.

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