Caesarian or Natural after a caesarian birth?

[Zak]

I had an emergency c-section for my first baby. I was in labour for 22 hours,was continually monitored and unable to move around duing contractions. I am now quite scared to have a second baby due to my experience first time around. The hospital should have detected that your baby was breach from your scans and also if it was a large baby. What was the birth weight? I think sometimes we should stick with our own instincts and do what we feel is right for us. Obviously you should listen to your medical advice but if you are not happy, don't be afaid to ask for a 2nd opinion.

I had an emergency c-section for my first, and delivered 'naturally' for my second. It was very quick - and extremely painful. I still have pain 'down there' and sex is really painful. If I do have a third it'll definitely be an elective caesarian. I was really scared about giving birth for the first time with my second baby. and I wish I hadn't been so determined.

Good luck with your decision & delivery. I don't mean to be negative, but as you've asked, you deserve honest answers from lots of different perspectives.

I am also expecting my second baby in October and had an emergency c.s first time round having had 2 days of labour and getting fully dilated but my son turned his head the wrong way in my pelvis and so got stuck.I didn't find the c.s scary (possibly because I'm a vet) but found the recovery slow afterwards and so am going to try for a natural birth this time.My midwife and Doctor are fully supportive but my sister who is a doctor though not an obstetrician keeps telling me horror stories of ruptured uteruses in women going for a natural labour after a c.s. So the more success stories I can hear the better and any advice on how to prepare would be gratefully received. I am currently doing yoga, does anyone have any advice regarding raspberry leaf tea?

chill, when you say your first section was an emergency, how much of one was it? i mean did you have a transverse (?) incision or a vertical? because if it was vertical the risk of rupture is far greater...

my first delivery was a non-emergency emergency section; i was 10 days overdue but nowhere near labour and had been having "stress tests" because the baby was so small, and at this point the ob decided the baby was stressed and should be delivered. (she was fine! just small...)

as i had a transverse scar i was allowed to have a trial of labour with my second (in this country) and my ob never mentioned rupturing; but a complicated combination of circumstances meant i never had the chance; the ob said she would let me go to 42 weeks before insisting on a c section, but scan date set due date 2 weeks too early so i was actually only at 40 weeks; it was easter weekend; my ob was on holiday and the consultant in charge was reputed to keep you in up to 2 weeks trying to induce; i had a 3-year-old at home...so after 2 prostaglandin pessaries had no effect AT ALL i actually asked for another section, which i had never intended to do. i was disappointed at the time but don't care now!

i must say, with ref to bo's comment, having had only sections and no labour at all i have never had any pain or problems "down there". obviously the immediate after-effects are quite unpleasant, especially once i got to the fourth, but once the scar and muscles had healed i was as normal as i ever had been...but i do heal quickly. as you had a slow recovery i can understand you wanting to avoid the same again but you don't know how a natural delivery, if it went through, would affect you. and might your recovery have been slow partly because of the 2 days labour first?

the one thing that was a problem, especially with the last 2 who were delivered at 38 weeks and 37 weeks, is that they were terrible suckers, presumably because they were nowhere near ready for birth. if you do decide to go for an elective hold out for as late as possible!

I thought you were only allowed to have 2 c-sections because of the amount of scar tissue?
My friend has had 2 c-sections and has been advised not to have any more children even though she did make a quick recovery. I had 1 c-section and came home from hospital after 3 days and was out shopping the day after that. It wasn't a pleasant experience, I was frightened to stand up straight incase my belly popped open! (of course it didn't but it felt it might at the time) but despite my experience I would definately opt for another c-section even though I am terrified of needles and would need an epidural or spinal block!!

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Bloss, I cannot believe someone was allowed EIGHT c-sections. I was told by the hospital 3 max.

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Yep, eight babies and eight caesareans! Owwww!

i am amazed at 8 too! i had heard that the record was held by a woman who had 5 caesarians including one set of twins...

i did find the scar tucked in further every time - they actually remove the old scar tissue i think - after 8 it would be halfway back to your spine!

Janh, thanks for your input, I did have a LSCS so hopefully from what else I have read on the net my chances of rupture are quite low. Have to say 8 does seem extreme, just imagine if you breastfed them all you would have had a longer lactating life then your average cow!!

Hi everyone - it's me again (who started this message) Had an elective caesarian after all as my placenta was too low. Anyway, we're planning to have a third attempt soon and I understand an elective is essential for the third CS, which is great news. The elective compared to the emergency was absolutely fantastic. Wheeled in to the theatre 2 days before my due date and 5 mins later there she was! Also, with the new European guidelines and your doctor's and insurer's approval, you can now drive 2 weeks after the op and I recovered almost immediately. I was shopping at Bluewater the day after coming out (unlike my first time)!

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that my midwife says she knows of a woman who had TEN CS's and I personally know two people who have had four. My pregnant sister inlaw who had an emergency CS a year ago is now petrified as her midwife told her she could only have 2 CS's and then would have to have a natural - what a load of rubbish! I think these people shouldn't be allowed to hand out unreliable advice like this and scare the living daylights out of us! I definitely recommend getting a second opinion if you are in any doubt whatsoever!

I had an emergency c-section with my 2 1/2 year old daughter and I am now 16 weeks pregnant. I asked my doctor last week about having a planned c-section this time round because I am still afraid after the last time but his cool response was I have to wait until am 36 weeks to "plead my case" as he put it. Has anyone got any advice because I really don't feel that I could go through with a natural birth.

Kid, try and arrange to see the consultant before 36 weeks to discuss this with him/her. Do you have any friends who have had c-sections at your local hospital and if so, do they know the names of c-section amenable consultants?
I am also expecting Baby Two and my GP was very supportive about the possibility of me wanting a caesarian. She said that I shouldn't be talked out of it by anybody if that is what I wanted. I am still not sure what to do, as I am worried about the recovery after such a major op and having to cope with two children.
Could you possibly see a different GP in your practice who may be more helpful?

I have had 3 C sections.When I was 16 yrs I went to a female doctor ,and I remember her telling me I would never be able to have children naturally due to a tilted pelvis.I had my first son when I was 21.The doctor(different one) let me go through 25 hours of labour before he did a C section.Then after that he said sorry,and then had 2 more elective C sections.My babies all weighed around 10 pound which didnt help.Now I have 3 precious sons.I now have a big tummy,but thats the price we pay!

Dear Kid
I was exactly the same as you - emergency first time round and petrified second time round. My GP was suprisingly supportive but she'd seen what effect a bad labour had had on me. At the hospital I 'put my case' early on and they too said wait till later - I think it was 34 weeks and see how I felt about it. When the time came I took my husband in ( a lawyer) who was all ready to sue the pants off them if they refused a c section (as they'd cocked up so badly first time round). In the event it wasn't neccesary. I told the two (male) doctors in the bluntest possible terms what effect the last labour had had on my sex life and mental health and there was no way I was leaving that room without an OK to a c section. So just stick to your guns, I don't think legally they can refuse you and if one does just keep on asking for a second opinion. The birth experience was fantastic in comparison to the emergency - no pain and quick and calm and lovely. The pain coms afterwards and although I seemed to have made a quick recovery - out and home on two days and at a party I think I took it too fast and my surface wound started gaping after a week and I had to lie down for a few days - so do go for it but do get all the help you can with the two and a half year old and don't rty and do too much too soon. Good luck. PS the woman opposite had just had her fifth c section - and had chidren aged 18, 17, 10 and 8 and a new baby. She was tired but fine!

I had an emergency c section for my first son and thanks to the support of the midwives had a vaginal delivery for number 2, with the help of forceps. I am now planning number 3 and would love to have a home birth but to the risks outway the benefits?

I had an emergency C section with my first child, which was absolutely awful (everything got infected and the cut had to be reopened), and 3 "natural" deliveries after that, although for the second child I had to beg the gynaecologist to allow me to have a natural delivery as there is only a 21 month gap between the 2. It took me months to recover from the C section but the recovery after the "normal" deliveries was much faster and much easier.

Nickiw, if you are interested in a home birth there is plenty of information around. NCT can put you in touch with support groups and give you data about the risks. Contact them on 0870 444 8707 or look at their website www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com

I agree with you that the recovery is so much better, but I had piles, and I mean piles of piles, which was a shock but after sending hubby out for anusol (a source of great amusement to me, not him..) after 7 days felt much better. I will sound out the midwife if and when conception occurs but feel quite positive home birth would be fine. Labour for no 2 only took 5 hrs, and car journey was horrendous even then. I just have to convince my other half that the risks are not that great, hopefully....

Well well well, I'm now 17 weeks pregnant, doesn't time fly. I was so worried when I started this message about having a 2nd C/S which was wonderful and I'm already booked in for my third in June. My consultant says no choice about having a C/S which is fine by me!

Congratulations, Jennyb! Hope everything goes just as well this time, and a Happy New Year to all of you!
(Positive note - I found going from 2 to 3 was less of a shock than going from 1 to 2. Except for being outnumbered of course! [])

During my son's birth 2 years ago, I suffered pre-eclampsia and was induced to try for a natural birth, after reaching 10 cms, the epidual having virtually no or any effect I was told an emergency c-section was required, I was scared as the epidural hadn't worked already and they were going to top up with more and perform op, which they assured me would be fine, it wasn't and I was given a general. I am now 4.5 months pregnant again and simply petrified of the thought of giving birth at all.. Any advice would be much appreciated natural or elective and would I have to do a general again etc - thanks..

Minxi - have had same experience & am also 4.5 months with number 2. Am petrified... no-one seems to realise when you say you are scared it means you are really SCARED. Dh also worried to death so no help there. Really want another c-sect. to stop all the worry & let me sleep at night knowing that things are under control but am feeling guilty now as everyone (gynie, midwife, friends etc.)points out that I really should be brave & try for a 'natural' birth. You're not alone.

It absolutely infuriates me when people try to persuade women that the 'natural' birth option is the one we should all opt for. Everyone and every birth is different. If a c-section will put your mind at rest for the duration of your pregnancy, decide to go for it and don't tell anyone else!

My dd's birth was a truly traumatic experience. My waters broke without contractions starting so after 2 days I was hooked up to the syntocinon drip. After 4 hrs they realized the forewaters hadn't broken so ruptured them and I went from 2cm dilated and no contractions to having 5 contractions in every 10 mins (I think 4 contractions in every 10 mins is established labour) because of the build-up of syntocinon in my system. Soon after I had an epidural (I had been offered one before induction but due to my desire for a natural birth I refused. BIG MISTAKE!!! Ended up having a forceps delivery with episiotomy and a 3rd-4th degree tear (they couldn't decide which).

For those of you not acquainted with 3rd degree tears, they are a tear from the vagina right up to and into the anal sphincter e.g. your anus. A study at Whipps Cross Hospital found the following: Primary repair is inadequate in most women who sustain third degree tears, most having residual sphincter defects and about half experiencing anal incontinence, which is caused by persistent mechanical sphincter disruption."

The RCOG recommends counselling and offering a c-section to any expectant mother who has suffered a third-degree tear. They go on to say that any subsequent vaginal deliveries may worsen anal incontinence symptoms. They also recommend that all women who had a third- or fourth-degree tear in their previous pregnancy should be counselled regarding the risk of developing anal incontinence or worsening symptoms with subsequent vaginal deliveries.

Taking all this into account, and on the recommendation of my obstetrician, I have decided to go for an elective caesar this time round. However, I have come under enormous pressure from friends and relatives to opt for another vaginal delivery. This makes my blood boil...being asked to explain the reasoning behind my choice of c-section means I have to talk about my problems with anal incontinence, often to people I don't even know very well. Many friends have spent hours trying to persuade me to have another vaginal delivery. Coincidentally, these are of course the people who had a 5 hr labour and were in Sainsbury's 3 days later.

As a result, I'm not even telling most friends that I've booked the caesar. They can mind their own business! I recommend you do the same!

Sorry to air my grievances like this...probably not in the right place either, but just hearing about pregnant women being pressured to listen to everyone else's opinion drives me mad. C-sections are a personal, not political choice!

Hear hear anto. What a horrific experience. I think you will enjoy your section - it's a world away from what you had to endure with your last birth. Minxi - you can have a spinal block instead of an epidural for your section and also there's no rush as you aren't in labour so they will be able to make sure you are numb before they start. An elective caesarian is, IME, a calm and peaceful, and painless experience. It's incredibly quick - baby out in five minutes and half an hour later (goes like a flash as you contemplate your wonderful baby!) you are in a ward, moving your toes and b/f your baby. The recovery is usually pretty fast because you aren't tired (you can have a lovely lie in the day of your section) and you haven't been in labour. You can ask for your baby to be delivered onto your tummy and given to you right away - though you might want to hand the baby to your partner fairly quickly so you can get a good look at him/her and count the fingers and toes. I did! You may have to be very assertive in order to get your section and lay it on a bit, but I'm sure it will happen for you. If your consultant is obstructive, change. Change hospitals if necessary. Tuscany, don't feel guilty. It's none of their business - so nerrrr!