C section or natural

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Hi all
I’ve been reading up a lot on women electing to have C sections recently as opposed to having natural deliveries. I thought this was only possible if there was a specific reason why you was unable to have a natural birth or have a history of possibly a difficault labour. After researching I’ve come to realise for some that it is the preferred choice of childbirth.

Do you mind telling me why you had an elected C section please?

No judgement here; I’m just genuinely more curious than anything.

I had a natural labour and felt great afterwards, but I understand everyone may have different experiences

My first was a planned home birth, but in reality was an induction due to stopped growth abs failing placenta, which ended in an emergency c section I was knocked out for, so I never witnessed my sons birth - it’s the oddest feeling and coupled with troubles after birth, really affected bonding in the early days.

19 weeks pregnant with #2 and I knew immediately it was a planned section this time - I want to be awake for the birth, and I absolutely do not want another emergency section.

I would love to experience a lovely natural birth, but there is too little to guarantee a good vaginal birth for me to risk an emergency section again, if that makes sense?

For me my aim was:

Keep me and baby safe, and preferably be awake for the birth - the only way I could guarantee that (as much as you can with these things!) is to plan a section from day 1.

After having such a bad birth with my son I also have no confidence in my bodies ability to keep my child safe and birth them properly - a world away from the hypnobirthing home birth I thought I’d have with my first!

Do you mean on the NHS? Some women will choose a c section for deeply personal reasons, for example if they have been the victim of sexual assault or rape in the past. But as far as I am aware, the NHS doesn't just dish out c sections for anyone who wants one. I could be wrong.

I had two emergency c sections, and felt great afterwards, no issues with recovery, was out of hospital within a few days, had no issues with bonding or breastfeeding. I think a lot of fear is put in the mind of women that C sections are bad and you will have problems with bonding with your baby etc to try to influence women to not choose a c section, which really has a huge negative impact.

It was an enormous relief for me when the consultants said, after a long and difficult labour (I had episodes of Bradycardia, very high temperature, my body was going into shock basically). I think the consultants should have offered me a c section hours before they did, it would have saved me a lot of trouble.

Fortunately when the same scenario started to develop with birth number 2, I was immediately transferred to theatre.

If you had a great natural birth, why do you ask? Are you planning for your second baby?

My first, a vaginal delivery, was fucking hideous and I had no plans to do that again! When I found I was unexpectedly and unwantedly pregnant with DC2 I insisted on a c section. DC2 was breech so ended up a non issue anyway but my god was it a totally different kettle of fish - calm, quiet, relaxing. Wonderful experience. I'd never even consider a vaginal delivery again. I'm sure they aren't for everyone but my experience is they're barbaric!

I've had two emcs. The first was a crash section after a long and very difficult labour, lots of intervention and the baby and I were both injured and I haemorrhaged. My second, I tried for a natural delivery but after an even longer labour, it was clear things were headed the same way and I had a much calmer, straightforward emcs. I didn't have a third but yes, I absolutely would have chosen a CS for my own mental health and wellbeing.

Physical recovery was easy with both BTW.

I've done both.

VB with dc1, but with shoulder dystocia. Luckily all was well. My recovery was fantastic and I felt great (but tired) shortly after the birth. BUT, had dc1 been hanging half in half out any longer, we could have had some serious issues.

Dc2 was measuring big. Consultant said fine to have ELCS, but up to me. I went with it. My recovery SUCKED, but it was less risky for us I think.

I had a number of 'justifications' for my ELCS but the reality was that I just wanted one. I liked knowing when baby would arrive and what the birth would be like in advance. I also knew that a lot of births end up with intervention which can sometimes lead to lifelong injuries. IMO, a straightforward ELCS is much more preferable to a complicated vaginal delivery and, obviously, nobody really has any idea if they're going to have the latter. No regrets 15 months on.

Are you sure you were reading about the UK? (Assuming you’re in the UK) I know c section is really quick to be offered in the states.

For me, I got pregnant the second time knowing I would ask for a c section. I asked for one during my booking appointment and was granted one no problem at all. I had been told to prepare to fight for one (on online forums, friends etc).

My first son was induced for post-dates, and I went from 2cm-born in 40 mins. Forceps with ZERO pain relief, 3C tear, episiotomy, year of physio, still have issues with continence 5 years on.

My second was born only 2.5 years after the eldest which actually is quite soon after such physical trauma.

My c section was elective but not easy - I lost half my blood volume.

Btw, if no strong feelings to have an ELCS and no medical history which would make VB trickier, I wouldn't choose the ELCS, because I'm a vain bitch and my stomach has never looked the same since my CS. Mind you, maybe that was just the pregnancy, so you never know.

I think, ultimately, it's incredibly personal. Either you don't want VB or you don't want CS. Sadly, you have to have one or the other ! Both have pros and cons, having done both myself.

Recovery from c section far, far easier than from that crazy first labour, not sure if that was clear or not 🤣

Jeez, I can imagine! Poor you. I DEFINITELY would have gone for CS too, in your circumstances. It was a harder decision for me, because my recovery first time was so good. In the end it came down to safety for the baby.

@StripyTigerTail

Jeez, I can imagine! Poor you. I DEFINITELY would have gone for CS too, in your circumstances. It was a harder decision for me, because my recovery first time was so good. In the end it came down to safety for the baby.

That was to @PolarnOPirate btw!

You're entitled in this country to a C section for medical or non medical reasons (ie, you just want one). However, this doesn't mean your consultant/trust will make it easy for you. It's usually down to cost why they would discourage a c section for 'personal choice' reasons.

Because my first was an emergency c section during which time my dd almost died. My second was also breach up until 37 weeks so all in all, the decision was made. When she miraculously turned one day whilst shopping in dunelm (it was the strangest feeling) and became head down, I decided to stick with the elective section regardless.

I'm looking at one, and have the consent forms ready and a willing consultant, as I need my tubes and ovaries out and a mastectomy after I've had my family. I cannot bear the idea of a bad birth and injuries impacting what few female bits I'll have left. They can also do the tube removal at that same time so minimising future surgeries.

No medical reason why I couldn't give birth though.

@TH22 is right - maternal request is sufficient according to current NICE guidelines though some trusts will try very hard to dissuade you.

OP you do realise "elective" is just medic-speak for scheduled in advance as opposed to emergency. So my gall bladder surgery was "elective."

In my case, my elective CS was on the recommendation of my consultant. DS was small for dates, and the consultant was happy for me to go into labour naturally but didn't want to put DS through the additional stress of an induced birth. When I didn't go into labour of my own accord by 41 weeks (older mother so raised risk of placental failure) we went straight to CS.

To be honest, given the number of women I know who've had failed inductions ending in emergency CS if I was doing it again I'd opt for the same even if DS wasn't small for dates. Inductions sound bloody horrible, with a high failure rate.

I see sawed between the two options, and was due to be induced. On the day of induction I changed my mind to an elcs.

Ultimately, I decided that my reasons for wanting a vaginal birth were selfish. They are ivf babies and I was suffering from depression, and was obsessed with doing it ‘naturally’ as I hadn’t fallen for them ‘naturally’. I had severe pe, DT2 was breech, there was a 25% chance of delivering DS vaginally then ending up with an EMCS to deliver DD if she didn’t turn and they needed to get the babies out quickly - the dr looked at my details and said that they’re getting the babies out today and that was that!

In the unlikely event that I have any more DC I will definitely have another ELCS. It was calm and controlled, and I felt so safe.

SIL had a 4th degree tear and shit herself for six months after giving birth. She had to wear adult nappies because she had no bowel control. It was humiliating and she was housebound and cried non stop. After reconstructive surgery she still has pain and issues from scarring. I had a c section and had absolutely no incontinence which I’m very happy about. I wasn’t even going to risk what she went through.

By 'natural delivery' I think you mean vaginal birth.
Whilst some VBs are indeed natural, others are anything but (induction, epidural, forceps).
Having had a VB that ended in hugely damaging forceps delivery I opted for CS second time round. Far easier recovery and no lasting damage. Much less traumatic and easier to bf after as a result.

Natural birth is very risky, I assume, as per the poster above, you mean a vaginal delivery, which rarely in the developed world equates to zero “unnatural” medical assistance or intervention.

I opted for vaginal delivery both times but I can see why others make a different choice. The risks and recovery from an elective C-section and more predictable and it is very safe for the baby. Planned vaginal deliveries have a vast range of outcomes from a small graze for the mother to fístulas, double incontinence and of course the possibility of labouring for 36 hours AND ending up with an emergency c-section.

and of course the possibility of labouring for 36 hours AND ending up with an emergency c-section.

75 hours here virtually all pain killer free because apparently I was coping fine up until I started seeing things (by which point I was too worried the giant snake was going to eat the student midwife to care I was in agony). After passing out in theatre mid emergency section following failed forceps and having a psychotic break whilst dc1 was in Nicu, absolutely I chose an elective for dc2 (although I still went into labour first).

I would have loved a quick easy vaginal birth but I have a suboptimal pelvis and all dh's family have 90 percentile plus heads. Whilst it didn't feel so at the time, given the injuries my mil and both sils picked up from those giant heads exiting vaginally, I think I got lucky in terms of physical recovery.

I had a traumatic instrumental birth first time round. It was really scary and quite brutal. Myself and baby were injured but made a good recovery. Even while it was happening I swore I'd never risk it again. I requested a c-section and this was granted easily at about 24 weeks. How it should be. I feel very strongly that women should be given the birth choices and pain relief they want, where possible.
I can totally understand why someone would choose an elective with their first.