Who's had natural and planned C-section deliveries?

[Courtney555]

Had an elective C-section with DS 11yrs ago (he was huge, I was tiny, talk of pelvis fracturing...) The whole thing was an absolute walk in the park. Only pain was the scratch in my back to numb before spinal anaesthestic administered. Up and out in 48hrs. All good. Have been in full support of C-sections as a result of my experience.

Now, we're having twins, and they've booked me a planned 37 week C-section, booked in one of my first appointments weeks ago, based on preferred delivery last time.

The consultant we saw today asked "how prepared are you feeling in case you go into labour early and it's really fast (both highly likely with twins) and you are too advanced for a C-section by the time you get here?"

I replied "fine, if they're early, they'll be small, and therefore I'm not petrified of a long labour with a fractured pelvis, I'm happy to attempt a natural birth, but of course, if it's not a fast labour, they'll just do the c-section as planned"

She replied that this was correct, they would try and perform one as I was on the list as C-section delivery. But then went on to say, why on earth was I on that list if I was considering a natural birth too.

I said, I wasn't really considering one as my experience last time was so pleasant, so whilst this time, I'm not dead against a natural birth, why would I not want a C-section given the zero pain and home perfectly healthy with DS within 48hrs.

She then went off on one to be honest. Not in a bad way, but in astonishment it seemed. How could I possibly think a C-section was a good idea, there's so many more risks, the healing time is so much longer and I just got lucky before, I shouldn't look at that experience as normal, it's best for me and baby to have a natural birth, even when it's twins. How had I not been asked this question before? Why had I not been seen by anyone to discuss this and just been automatically put on a C-section list.

I've come home a bit overwhelmed. I appreciate she's seen 1000 births, and I only know how I experienced one, so I take what she says very seriously. But in balance, whilst I know every birth is different, why should I not think it plausible that my body will recover in at least a similar manner, plus of course, zero pain again.

Sorry for the essay.

I know many people have had bad experiences leading to, and resulting from, emergency sections, so I don't want to bring that into the mix. I understand it's very different to walk in very calm, ready, mentally and physically prepared for a planned C-section, to having "ok, we're going to perform emergency surgery" after you've been in labour 15 hours, wanted/expected a natural birth, then experience complications and get rushed off to theatre.

So, may I ask, those of you who have experienced both a planned C-section, and a natural birth, what was good/bad about each? Does one make you think, I wish I'd never done it this way, the other way was so much better.

Thank you x

My friend had twins, got the first one out naturally, tried with the second and didn't even stand a chance, his umbilical cord was too short and she never would have got him out. She ended up with an Emcs- I can think of nothing worse then having to recover from both at once.
I think if it was me and there was even a tiny possibility that would happen I'd go for the option I felt most comfortable with. Good luck whatever you decide x

It seems that whilst twins born after a prior vaginal DC, or twins as first borns don't result in emcs, twins born attempting a vbac seem to result in the second requiring a CS.

The two I know must have been really unlucky then as with one it was her first pregnancy and with the other she had an uneventful vaginal birth with dc1.

I had to push, then had failed forceps before dc1 was delivered by an emcs. For me the bruising from the forceps (no cuts/tears) was worse than the section wound however I accept that experiences will vary.

I’m really puzzled by what your consultant said. I’m not a doctor but I would have thought in your situation a planned caesarean would be considerably safer than a VBAC with twins - two major risk factors!