Why is everyone so anti elective c-section?

[Gangle]

I'm only 7 weeks pregnant but am sure I want an elective c-section. I've read extensively around the subject and think I'm well informed on the pros and cons of elective c-section v VBAC but it seems there is so much stigma attached to elective c-sections and that people will do/say anything to attempt to dissuade you from having one. Just wondering why there isn't more respect for your wishes about how you want to give birth.

i have had one emergency and one elective section, the second was my choice, however ds was also a footling breech so it was sort of a given (I also had pre-eclampsia twice)

I would agree with the points that people have made about a C section being surgery and obviously having risks that come with it. My initial plan had been to have a vaginal birth,m but nature disagreed with me.

However I do feel that I should say that my experiences of sections were both very positive. I wasn't in masive pain, I was on patiant contoled analgesia after the first, I was mobile very rapidly after the birth. I was catheteriased, but it was removed in less than 24 hours. I could pick up my baby and I breast fed both of them in the recovery room. I'm very very sorry that everyone's experiences of section are not as good as mine.

Vaginal birth should be the norm, a good vaginal delivery carries much less risk than a section. But neither are all sectopns horrific invasions, leaving women in massive pain.

In answer to the OP.

I don't think anybody is particularly against Caesarian Sections per se. I think there a lot of women have difficulty undertanding why anybody would undertake major abdominal surgery unless it was absolutely necessary.

I don't think I have ever met anybody who could honestly say that a CS delivery for medical reasons was a bad thing - millions of mums and babies have this life saving operation every year. I just think that it should be reserved, for just that - a life saving operation.

Martian bishop - thanks for sharing your more positive story on csections. I may have to have a csection and some of the posts on here have not been the most positive of views - to say the least.
Am at the poster who suggests that women not choosing to give birth naturally shouldnt even fall pregnant!! This thread is as emotive as bottle vs. breast.
Welcome to land of choice.

Sections should be done purely on medical grounds, for no other reason and certainly never because the woman simply does not want to give birth vaginally.
Giving birth by section because you don't fancy having a normal birth should simply not be an option.

LOL Fio - think we should both not read this thread any longer!

kittywits, thats a bit harsh

Why is it harsh?

Why not? You both have said you have to have c sections for medical reasons - no one would have a problem with that surely - could happen to any one of us at our next vaginal birth. I think this thread is quite specifically about someone that wants to have one for (so far) non-medical reasons, just personal choice and wants to hear all the possible arguements for and against I think so they can make an informed choice. Don't see what's wrong with that. I say good luck to everyone about to give birth (including myself) by whatever method - getting them out safely is the ultimate goal!

I would hope so Fio, I would hope so.

i dont think its ever a case of 'dont want to give birth' i often find that there is some element of fear with giving birth.

BECAUSE YOUR BODY WAS DESIGNED TO GIVE BIRTH!?!!
If there is no medical reason to have a c-section, why have one?
It is better for the baby and for you to give birth naturally.
One of the first things I thought about when Dh and i decided we wanted a baby was 'Okay, in 9 months time, this baby has to come out the way it went in' because I am a total wimp when it comes to pain and blood etc. And the thought of the baby 'damaging' my dainty bits was awful.
I went on to have 2 waterbirths as I believed, correctly, that as everything was fine, this was certainly best for my babies.
I don't understand why anyone would not do what is best for their baby if there is no medical reason not to?

I think Gangle that perhaps some people are so elective C section because they have had them (non-electively) and know what a complete nightmare it can be to recover. You are sliced open, you are entirely naked from the chest down in a room full of women and men. The operating theatre looks like a blood bath afterwards. You have no control of your muscles from the waist down and they shove morphine suppositories up your bum so you will probably sh*t yourself as well. You will never be able to feel the bottom half of your stomach again as long as you live (and its a very odd feeling). Your stomach muscles will never repair themselves properly and you will probably end up with a pouch. Oh and your scar ca get very badly infected and burst. Other than that it's a very positive experience! I don't know where people get the idea that c-sections are the easy option from. Bloody celebrities being too vain to give birth the way nature intended.

Barba mama - i know mine may have to happen for medical reasons, its just that there isnt many positive stories about how a csection is ok - when i know people who have had experiences/ recovery / babies that are fine. The views on here all seem pretty one sided. And am getting more and more stressed about side effects of not delivering vaginally. I will be gutted if i cannot breast feed!

Gangle - here is a link for information regarding caesarean section

A caesarean section can have health consequences for you or your baby and can have an impact on your future fertility.

It is therefore not viewed as a good option unless absolutely necessary.

It may be that for your own circumstances an elective section for maternal choice is best but it would be better to explore your issues surrounding vaginal birth.

Remember that female obstetricians rarely ever see a normal birth and therefore have lack of knowledge of normaility.

Midwives are experts in normality and therefore they would not choose to have caesareans as first choice.

I am a midwife myself, have had 4 births and no continence problems - oldest child is 20 years old, so it can be done

I agree with that and the antenatal support is pretty rubbish atm. Women are not helped to see birth as a positive experience and they are not helped to overcome the quite natural fear of labour.

i had two v births and elective csection with my third.

i had a back operation 10 years ago. doc said i could have a v birth. i wasnt to posh to push... more like to scared to push, so they agreed to the section.

i was fully alert (unlike my labours..i was so full of drugs i forgot i was having a baby) i was up walking that evening. very little pain and was home in two days.

i have clear memories of seeing her for the first time (something i dont have with my first two) for me, it was the best birth of the three.

exactly like that horrific post by bewilderbeast. Obv, anyone is welcome to post whatever - but that is just unnecessarily graphic and unneeded IMO! Am leaving this thread once again emphasising that these posts are not reflective of all csection experiences!

what about the catheter?
not driving for six weeks?
epidural? (i have fear of needles btw!)

my 1st was crash section, on day 3 to say i got baby blues is an underestimate, more like severe deep depression and it never lifted for over a yr. my hv said more likely to get bad depression with section, as the actually act of giving birth vaginally triggers of hormones to start milk production start reducing uterus etc. she said when you give birth by section these triggers sometimes doesnt happen and yr body is thrown in2 confusion, detecting the baby has gone but the body hasnt been through birth so yr horomones are not sure what has happened or what 2 do and can lead to very bad baby blues and depression (btw i have never heard this theory anywhere else). My 2nd was a vbac and although it was traumatic i had no depression at all not even baby blues, i dont know if this is just cocindence.
I am also still numb 5 yrs after section, from my tummy button downwards

not all but some experiences.
Both should be described, no?

BTW - just to clarify - I am responding to the issue of women choosing to have caesarean for first birth with no medical reason. That is not the same as an elective section which is planned due to known reasons.

There is a risk benefit ration that needs considered.

Caesarean sections are performed for the safety of mother and/or baby and that outweighs the risks of vaginal births for these women.