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Childbirth

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

Why is everyone so anti elective c-section?

443 replies

Gangle · 26/08/2007 23:54

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.

OP posts:
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barbamama · 27/08/2007 10:36

dal21 - don't get stressed, I'm sure it will be fine. All the women I know who have had ceaserians including the elective one have gone on to bf - just make sure you get lots of help and support and don't let them ignore you in the hospital. It is difficult as the OP wanted to know the facts so by it's nature this thread is going to contain every bit of negative info there is - so I can see why that is upsetting - sorry! Any one of us could end up with an emergency C section and I think any kind of birth can go tits up in the extreme cases - majority of vag births and sections will be fine though.

LadyOfTheFlowers · 27/08/2007 10:38

so do you mean fio, that you had a natural labour but it would have been better if you had had a section?

elesbells · 27/08/2007 10:39

on the bf issue, i am still bfeeding dd3 and shes 17 months now

FioFio · 27/08/2007 10:40

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FioFio · 27/08/2007 10:40

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elkiedee · 27/08/2007 10:41

I was terrified about giving birth in lots of ways, but I was so relieved not to have had to have a c-section. My stepsister had to have an elective CS 7 weeks before, not by choice but because baby was breach, as others have mentioned "elective" means planned in advance, and not that it would have been the first choice by the woman. I was induced - on grounds of baby being overdue and being a rather old first time mum (37 at time of birth) - which often leads to emergency CS (I am rather glad I didn't know the stats for that).

My vaginal delivery was quite a long one and involved a ventouse at the end and some stitches. Because of induction methods I was far more wired up and flat on my back than I would have liked. But I am really glad that I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to have my first baby that way. It wasn't the perfect natural birth, I'm now rather jealous of home waterbirths, but I was happy with that experience.

There are lots of things there that involve a feeling of loss of dignity, however, for me the excitement of having a baby made the embarrassment of having huge numbers of medical staff look at my bits.

Good luck whatever you decide, but I'm one of those who can't understand wanting an elective CS at this stage.

LadyOfTheFlowers · 27/08/2007 10:42

because if 'yes' then i dont really know why you are quoting me?
you did what you thought was best and it didnt work.
i have said, i think sections are fine if they are needed.
if my mate knew her baby would get stuck 3 months ago, she would have had a planned section, instead of an emergency one.

FioFio · 27/08/2007 10:42

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LadyOfTheFlowers · 27/08/2007 10:43

i dont want to get wound up as its nobody elses business is it, the way women choose to birth?

FioFio · 27/08/2007 10:44

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Blandmum · 27/08/2007 10:44

I was given the option of VBAC for ds, and elected a section. That said, my medical situation (pre eclampsia) and his position (footling breech) would have heavily indicated a section delivery regardless.

Re the driving thing Ladycake, I was driving 3 weeks after the delivery of ds.....I was fine. The catheter was out within about 24 hours.

I'd already had an epidural during dd's longe labour before I had the section, so all I needed was a top up. The spinal I had with ds was less pleasent, as it dropped my bp, and made me feel a bit sick and shivery, but that was swiftly sorted out.

Dd and ds were both handed to me in the operating room, and as I said, I BF both of hem in the delivery room. I was walking about the next day, a little like groucho marx (smile] but then some of the ladies with a vaginal delivery were stitting down on a rubber ring, so that evened it out a bit!

My plan was always to have a VD, but thanks to the medics, I'm here and so are both my kids. I wouldn't underplay the possible consquences of a CS, that would be stupid, but both of mine were amazignly positive experiences. maybe the NHS needs to look into what makes a CS positive, and extend the practice that I had (both times, in different hospitals BTW) to all hospitals.

LadyOfTheFlowers · 27/08/2007 10:45

as i am talking about 'choosing' to have csection.
which youpointed out, is not very many, unless you are rich.

Blandmum · 27/08/2007 10:45

VD being vaginal delivery, not a dose of the clap BTW!

LadyOfTheFlowers · 27/08/2007 10:46

thats alright then fio - i thought we did.
you were confusing me! i was thinking - 'im sure i agree with what this woman saying!!?'

FioFio · 27/08/2007 10:46

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FioFio · 27/08/2007 10:46

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barbamama · 27/08/2007 10:47

I really don't see that misconception here - as far as I can see the only people mentioned for choosing one are the OP who is considering choosing and my friend from my NCT class who chose C sections twice. Maybe we need a third category, emergency, elective and chosen? I would never choose a C section to avoid vaginal birth but if my baby turns breech today or starts to get into difficulties I could end up with an elective C section next week. That clearly isn't the same thing as choosing one isn't it? Like you say, the vast majority of people that have caesarians must either fall into this category or the emergency category.

orangehead · 27/08/2007 10:48

dal21 - i had crash section with 1st and was still able to breastfeed, although did have more problems with it but got through it. if you determined to breastfeed you will still do it if u have a section. dont forget to put in yr birth plan, my ds1 was very hungry when he came out coz it is in my birth plan they put me on my side and latched him on whilst i was still unconscious, it was sad that i missed it but if it wasnt in my birth plan they would of given him a bottle

sandcastles · 27/08/2007 10:48

Eids, Yes all around my scar was numb for ages & now it is just small areas above the scar.

Not something I am overly concerned with tbh.

FioFio · 27/08/2007 10:49

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barbamama · 27/08/2007 10:50

Fio - you're right - we all do agree!! Sounds like we are all too heavily pregnant for these types of threads today

harleyd · 27/08/2007 10:50

i think csections are great. they save thousands of womens and babies lives every year. i dont think they're so great though when they are being performed on a woman simply because she doesnt want to go through a vaginal birth. if it is simply a case of being scared to do it the way nature intended its daft - my god i think every woman gets scared with their first as they have no idea what to expect.
i have had 4 vb and no incontinence. of course its entirely your decision but really the best option for you and your baby is vb

Bewilderbeast · 27/08/2007 10:54

Dal I wasn't trying to be unnecessarily graphic or scary. People on this thread have posted exactly what happened to them in vb and cs births. That is exactly what happened to me unfortunately. I can;t dress it up and make it sound pretty and nice and comfrting because it wasn't but it was medically necessary and therefore i had to do it and i have to put up with the long term effects. But i cannot for the life in me understand why someone would choose to do so if there is no medical need. I find it upsetting. VBs can (as many threads on mnet show) be equally gruesome. Am I not allowed to post my experience? SOrry if i have offended it wasn't my intention I was just being honest from my experience. And I did say can be not it is.

MyTwopenceworth · 27/08/2007 10:54

Everyone isn't. I'm not. I don't care how other people give birth. Not even a tiny bit! I only care how I give birth.

I would not choose to have a c-section because it is a major operation that hurts for ages afterwards, unlike labour, which is over when baby is born!

My sister had to have a cs because her baby was breech, she was in pain for weeks, couldn't hold her baby, couldn't do much, missed out on the early days. I, on the other hand, was walking around the next day with my baby slung under my arm, while I went in search of coffee!! My sister's scar still hurts her at times, 9 years later. And she doesn't want another child because of how much pain she had. I am broody, although I can't have another child. [sulk]
After ds1 was born, I was in the ward in the bed opposite a woman whose cs stitches burst right there and that was bloody awful!

I know which I prefer!! (and my first labour was HORRENDOUS, and I still would not choose a cs)

However, these are just my reasons, I don't think anyone else should have this or that or the other - because it doesn't affect me. I don't care about things in people's personal lives that don't affect me.

Blandmum · 27/08/2007 10:56

C sections are not always like that though, mine wasn't. C sections vary, just like vaginal deliveries.

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