DS1 was breach and I ended up with an elective C section.
Now 2 years later only 4 weeks pregnant with my second child I have been asked whether I would like a C Section or VBAC. I was assured I have plenty of time to choose but to be honest I didn't realise this would be offered to me and I honestly don't know what to choose,
My C Section went like a dream. I was up and walking 12 hours after, and the three day stay in hospital it necessitated gave me enough time to master breast feeding , something I'm sure I wouldn't have managed without the midwives and nurses popping in to help whenever I needed. My baby was perfect and healthy. Being in hospital for so long also made parenthood start off a little easier , not that it didn't hit me like a speeding train though. I didn't have PND or anything but it was a big shock to my system.
I am so scared of tearing down there, or my baby getting stuck or something. I won't even begin to talk about the pain. Last time, I never even got to experience contractions or my water breaking, and while I do kind of wonder, I don't necessarily regret it. My mum gave me dire warnings about getting a section, she terrified me actually...but in the end, it was bloody brilliant and I'd do it again.
Except now that I'm being asked, I feel guilty. It's probably a very expensive operation which the NHS is paying for, and I also feel like choosing one when I don't medically need one is selfish as a mother too. Being all medicated and having a baby surgically removed...certain kinds of people would judge me for it, and I worry about whether their reasons are right or not.
I'm also worried about my sex life. I already experience pain during unprotected sex as I have a rare allergy to semen and I have heard of women, including my mother, who experience pain now after getting cut during childbirth and it would just kill sex altogether for me if sex itself hurt, not just my husbands semen...because then even condoms wouldn't stop the pain.
Has anyone made this choice? Specifically people who are like me and not fiercely for natural childbirth, no pain relief etc. I admire those people but this is a modern age and I don't see the harm in making use of available technology. But a C section is a big choice to make lightly.
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Childbirth
VBAC or second c section?
36 replies
ParsleyCake · 18/10/2017 22:37
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