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Childbirth

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

Original poster

C section benefits please!

25 replies

Sunisshiningrainisraining · 20/08/2017 12:16

Are there any benefits to csections? I've heard that there is lower risk of prolapse and continence issues in later life. Is this true? Are there any other benefits? Is sex a bit easier to as there'll be no tears down there?

Note: please can we avoid the vaginal vs cs debate. I'm NOT interested in the pros and cons of vaginal deliveries. I've had a CS so that debate is completely unhelpful and irrelevant at this stage. I'm interested in info about c sections.

OP posts:
DuggeeHugs · 20/08/2017 13:54

The stat which stuck with me when I chose an ELCS was that the risk of stillbirth was halved.

Lower risk of continence issues was another important one for me - I was told that if you're over 38 and it's your first VB the chance of anal tearing is around 15%.

sashimiyummies · 20/08/2017 14:27

No discomfort in the vagina area because no tearing and no incontinence.

Ketchup123 · 20/08/2017 14:34

You don't wreck your vagina, you can have sex a few weeks afterwards, no risk or trauma from labour/childbirth, almost pain-free.

TheLegendOfBeans · 20/08/2017 14:39

As a poster said to me many moons ago, with an ELCS you know what the unknowns are if that makes sense? So with an ELCS you know that:

  • the odds are recovery will take longer than a VB
  • you can't lift toddlers/older kids for six weeks post partum
  • you need to check with your car insurance as to when you can drive
  • you will be recovering from major abdominal surgery and that's basically HARD.

However, I've opted for a ELCS vs a VBAC this time as I'd rather know from the off that my labour will result in a section as opposed to failing to progress (again) going through the waiting game only to get to x date and then PANIC WE NEED THIS BABY OUT, going through the fear of my cervix failing to comply (again), and the real fears I have around it all going Pete Tong and I end up with third degree tears and PTSD.

Sounds dramatic but I ended up with PND after DD was born and I'm not doing a damned thing that could contribute to derailing my mental health this time.

ANYWAY, go for it. And ffs please please take all offers of help. Xxxxxxx

LottieDoubtie · 20/08/2017 14:44

Planning for the day: knowing when it is going to happen.

Original poster
Sunisshiningrainisraining · 20/08/2017 19:48

DugeeHugs that's really interesting. I've heard something about cs being safer for the baby. Maybe that's the stat it's based on.

OP posts:
mimiholls · 20/08/2017 20:09

As above, plus risk to baby is lower. Delivery related perinatal death and still birth is much lower for planned cs. More predictable course of events.

DuggeeHugs · 20/08/2017 22:10

Sun it was in the literature from my consultant - I'll see if I can find a reference for it.

It came back to me at the birth as the surgeon told us in theatre that DD had the cord wound around her neck three times 'so it's a good job you had a CS as the other option probably wouldn't have ended so well'

MrsMac1397 · 21/08/2017 08:30

Here are the reasons I had for choosing an ELCS 2nd time round, maybe it will help:

  1. I could arrange childcare for my DD1, which allowed me to stop worrying about her.
  2. When discussing scenarios with the doctor, they all seemed to end with a c-section.
  3. I didn't want to go through a long labour again to end up with a c-section.
  4. Although it's rare I was concerned about scar rupture and the consequences of that.
  5. I could make arrangements for after the birth. The days I'd need help etc.

Hope this helps, everyone's situation is unique. I found I wasn't as sore second time round, maybe due to knowing what to expect/my limitations plus I wasn't exhausted.

LumpySpaceCow · 21/08/2017 19:09

In general, cs is higher risk for mum but lower risk for baby (compared to vaginal birth). Main pro was knowing when baby was going to be born so could arrange childcare etc.

megletthesecond · 21/08/2017 19:13

A planned cs means you can avoid an EMCS.

kingfishergreen · 21/08/2017 19:26

I had an EMCS for DD. Should I ever have a second child I'd absolutely, definitely and 100% have an ELCS.

Vaginal birth doesn't give you any control, no control over timing, injury, planning etc. With an ELCS your vagina will remain unscathed, you know exactly what you're going to get, and when you're going to get it.

Yes recovery can be hard, but much harder for an EMCS than an EL. And I know people who've been right as rain within a couple of days.

There is no 'right' way to give birth, I have a friend who has had two perfectly peaceful almost pain free, drug free, water births by moonlight. For me, there is a real benefit of being able to take control of the birth experience.

Her0utdoors · 21/08/2017 19:34

They hoover you out so the bleeding etc doesn't last as long.

kingfishergreen · 21/08/2017 19:51

heroutdoors they must've missed the memo for me, I bled for 800 years (only a minor exaggeration).

ShowOfHands · 21/08/2017 19:56

Bleeding post cs is no different to bleeding post vb. You bleed from the placenta site which leaves a wound the size of a dinner plate, regardless of method of delivery.

EdgarAllenPoe · 22/08/2017 16:07

Not damaging my pelvic floor or vagina was a big plus.

No hoovering allowed for 8 weeks! I was also banned from sit-ups/crunches for a year, which I complied with very easily.

Avoiding another emergency situation is a large factor in choosing an elcs with my second (I'm 6 months pregnant). Knowing I won't have to worry about shoulder dystocia is a huge relief. I make big babies.

Planned c-section recovery will probably be hard, but recovering from a long labour and an emergency c-section was likely harder.

Tiba · 22/08/2017 16:13

I always wanted a vaginal birth.
I ended up with an EMCS, next time (if there is a next) I will have ECS without doubt.

NerrSnerr · 22/08/2017 16:17

I have had two sections. I have no vaginal damage but sex was very painful for a long time as everything felt very tight, others I know have had this too.

Benefits for me were feeling in control especially as high risk and no tears so easier to go to the toilet.

Redken24 · 22/08/2017 16:19

Haha yeah I had an em cs and still have funny bleeding!

MunchkinJess · 22/08/2017 17:01

I had a planned section and I didn't feel pain after sex or that everything was too tight , everyone is different.

I also recovered very quickly and pain was minimal. I was up and about and back to long walks and exercise after about 3 to 4 months . I only did what I felt my body could do and didn't push it .

For me it was purely down to risk factor , i am due my second and having a planned c section again ( this is my last pregnancy ) . The risks of natural labour and the aftermath are just too high for me and my extreme anxiety . I need to be able to control what I can and that was why I chose a section . Biscuit

Athena404 · 22/08/2017 17:03

There are only benefits of there are preexisting conditions or issues

Ttbb · 22/08/2017 18:07

Well it could save your life if you are classed as 'at risk'

minifingerz · 22/08/2017 21:30

It's slightly safer for the this baby, but if you have a subsequent baby the risk of stillbirth is increased.

Unihorn · 22/08/2017 21:35

I had an EMCS and bled for 7 weeks. I was in a lot of pain and still had pelvic floor issues. Some people's experiences sound wonderful compared to mine! To be fair I was induced, fully dilated and pushing for 5 hours. My daughter was centimetres from coming out so I guess that's the difference.

I'm definitely having a planned section this time.

IlPorcupinoNilSodomyEst · 22/08/2017 21:40

Edgar I told my DH that hoovering wasn't allowed for 6 months! Oops!

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