C Section or Natural

[AstridAurora]

We are about to start trying for baby 3 after 11 and 14 years. It has been so long that I am terrified of the labour part, so much so, that it is part of my desicion making on whether to try or not. I had 2 natural births at the age of 24 and 27, but now I'll be 39 or 40. I have stress incontinence after both births as well as Group B Strep, so I'm trying to convince myself that C section is better. I'm so worried about complications during labour as I'll be a mature mum.....

I have given birth naturally and had a csection.
I can honestly say natural was by far the better for me! If I was lucky enough to have a third I’d be desperate for a VBAC.
The operation itself was ok for the csection, but the recovery was very difficult.
Hope this helps. Xx

Hospitals and midwife’s must now advise what’s best for you. They have also been told to stop using the term “natural” birth snd implying it’s superior. I had an epidural twice and no pain at all. It suited me. I was never going to scream the place down at 36 and 39. So ask for what suits you and no midwife should ever put you off a Caesarian. But a pain free birth is just the law best!!

I’ve had an emcs and a VBAC. The VBAC was so much better. I mean there were a few hours when it was bloody agony but recovery was so easy even with the episiotomy.

I think it would be a mistake to automatically think that a section is the best option but, presumably, the HCP looking after you will advise what is best in your situation depending on your pregnancy.

www.reuters.com/article/us-health-cesarean-idUSKCN1RN2SN
Mothers 35 and older who had C-sections without first going into labor were five times more likely to have severe complications than mothers who had vaginal births.

I've had two EMCS and an elective. Both EMCS were absolutely awful but that was mostly the labour and having to be on the ward afterwards.

The elective was an absolute dream in comparison. Special ward which was very quiet with very attentive staff, super speedy recovery (I was walking half a mile and back to town centre 5 days pp). The worst pain was gas pain the first night I was home. That was more painful than the actual c section wound!

I would go for an elective if I were you but I don't have experience of a straight-forward vaginal birth so can't give a perspective on that.

I had my one and only ds at 40, vaginal birth, no intervention, no issues.

I had a natural home birth at 41 with no intervention and no issues. My other two were born naturally 10 and 12 years prior. The latest was the 'easiest' and nicest by far.

My first birth (aged 35) was a vaginal birth and it was an absolute shitshow. I have just had a c-section (aged 37) and if I could have guaranteed a normal vaginal birth I'd take that over CS. I just couldn't face dealing with another situation like my first birth.
The recovery from CS was horrible, but I'm 5wks after surgery now and definitely feel better than I did at the same point after a vaginal birth with complications. I still feel crap, but for different reasons.

I've had an emergency and a planned section.

Both sections were fine. The recovery was awful. It was several weeks of severe pain and months before I was fully recovered. The planned section resulted in post op complications and some days in the high dependency unit and 10 days in the hospital overall.

Many have good recoveries but not everyone it's major surgery and the healing process can be long and painful. It was for me.

I have had two sections, both fine. Was up walking within a couple of hours and worked my way up to pushing the buggy round the park by about day 10. Was back running after 7 and 9 weeks each time. I was cautious with abs work for a long time but other than that did a full range of exercise

@TizerorFizz

Hospitals and midwife’s must now advise what’s best for you. They have also been told to stop using the term “natural” birth snd implying it’s superior. I had an epidural twice and no pain at all. It suited me. I was never going to scream the place down at 36 and 39. So ask for what suits you and no midwife should ever put you off a Caesarian. But a pain free birth is just the law best!!

Here Here!!

All birth is natural - I like to class it as vaginal or C-section.

I find when people say natural birth they take away from those who have had a c-section as if they have missed out on something.

As long as mum and baby are healthy, that's all that matters.

In a word: c-section!! An absolute dream in my experience

C section was wonderful.

Agree word "natural" should be banned when talking about birth.

You have a right to choose and to make a maternal request if that's what you wish for. I was planning to do that anyway for my own reasons but then things with baby made it become more of a necessity anyway and I chose a planned c-section. The Dr's and midwives were brilliant and v supportive. I had a wonderful experience - 36 yo, first baby -and my recovery had been great. 8 weeks pp now and I can barely remember the early days. I was home by tea time the day after, out for had visitors that night, out for gentle walks daily, driving after 2 weeks (with the ok from GP) etc.