Why are so many women anti c-section?

[jivegirl]

Despite planning a peaceful waterbirth at home, I ended up having a very scary OP/ventouse delivery with my daugher nearly 2 years ago (delayed second stage, retained placenta, 3rd degree tear, plus internal tearing which had not healed after 6 months and required cauterising)

I have been offered a C-section and will see the consultant again to make my decision in just over a week. At present (35wks) bump is transverse, so the decision to have a section may yet be taken out of my hands. However part of me is secretly hoping the baby stays transverse so I don't have to justify having a section.

I can't understand why so many women seem to be anti-sections. It seems admitting a preference for a section is almost taboo.
I still get horrific flashbacks to delivering my daughter and can't think of anything worse than going through that again (my DP rates it as the most traumatic day of his life!! ) The thought of a calm, planned c-section sounds like bliss. Am I being naive?

I should also say that I will have excellent support from friends and family to help me cope with caring for an active toddler and a newborn in the weeks that follow - so I am sure I am luckier than many..

Would love to hear some opinions on this ladies!

I'm not anti-CS per se but it's more dangerous for you than giving birth naturally (although I can see that after a birth like yours it probably doesn't feel like it), the recovery can be very difficult for some women and it can be difficult to establish breastfeeding.

Having said that, I had one because my baby's life was at risk. Although it was planned, it wasn't calm particularly as I had to spend all day in hospital and didn't get my CS until 5.30pm although I'd been booked in for 8am. Not being able to walk for a day or so, not being able to lift anything for a bit and then not being able to drive for six weeks was a bit crap tbh.

DS was transverse right up to 39 weeks so I was preparing myself for a CS and TBH I was really secretly hoping to have one as I just didn't think I'd be able to cope with a 'normal' birth!

You're right though - there is a great taboo about discussing it, almost a perception that by expressing a preference for a CS you're lacking some maternal instinct - similar almost to the breast vs bottle debate IMO!

I've had abdominal surgery similar to c section.
but then I also had three very easy vaginal deliveries. So for me there is no comparison. But of course c sections are very important for many reasons, birth phobia from previous traumatic delivery very valid imo

I would have had a section if it had been necessary. But I would never plan to have one.

For me the thought of being awake while someone cut me open filled me with absolute dread. C Sections certainly have their place but unless it had been absolutely necessary for me, no thanks.

I don't know why, jive.

It's really no one's business what a woman does with her body, and that includes how she choses to give birth.

I had a c-section and it was brilliant!! My waters broke and when they tested at hospital there was meconium in the waters and so the 'augmented' my labour which meant I spend the next 13 hours on a drip on a bed (despite preparing for water birth, active labour, preg yoga etc etc). After 13 hours, even on the drip I had managed to dilate 2cm (woo hoo...) when the registrar/surgeon suggested a section on ds was displaying tiredness signs. My birth plan was to do what was best for me and the baby and so we did it, I LOVED it, and we had a lovely healthy baby. If we have another child I am going to have an elective as it was such an amazing experience.
Happy to discuss more if you want more details etc, but I thought it was great!
Gillian.

I think people are more anti section when people plan it as 'to posh to push' but that certainly doesnt sound like the case for you. consultants dont offer sections for no reason as sections are actually more risky than normal births, but if they think they is a change your birth wont be normal than the ideas of a section might be introduced.
You need to do what is best for you and your baby and dont worry about what anyone thinks. If you feel you have to say something but dont want to go into the in and outs just say its for a medical reason and if people ask why just say you would rather not talk about it.
Btw I had crash section for ds1 (not very nice, esp as had to be knocked out) I actually managed a vbac for ds2 but that went drastically wrong and I fell unconscious as they pulled him out with forceps. With my next I am definetly having a planned section, hopefully less risky for me and hopefully guarantee I will be awake this time

Lots of people are paranoid and agressive about anything that might benefit mothers. Because any wish to escape agony or servitude is, to some people (usually those who will never be in that position) a sign that you are Selfish (ie think you are a human being) and therefore a Bad Woman (not a breeding machine).

C-sections are not much fun. They hurt and thye recovery time is generally longer than the recovery time for an uncomplicated vaginal birth. However, vaginal birth isn't automatically easy and smooth: childbrith was about the single biggest killer of women up to a hundred or so years ago. IF you are PG and not sure what you want, get as much infor as you can, talk to your medical team and make the decision that you feel is right. and bollocks to anyone else.

People can be a bit strange though, as although I thought it was great other people often think you must be 'devastated' not to have had a vaginal delivery, but for me this was not an issue at all. I signed the consent papers for the section, it all went a bit 'ER' (people running everywhere!!) and 14 mins later there was the baby...
I would recommend shaving or waxing yourself before you go infor it though as I had a very unflattering rush job by a midwife which took a while to grow back!!!

I am not anti c-section, but I am anti women electing to do it as a choice when there is no medical reason.

I had 2 elective c-sections and definatly have a preference for c-sections. I am not convinced an elective c-section is less safe than a vaginal delivery either. I have 4 children and my 2 elective sections were the most peaceful, relaxed,calm, beautiful deliveries. I would definatly say if that's what you want, then go for it.

Applauds madamez!

So women shouldn't have a choice about what they do to their bodies unless there's a medical necessity then, Abbey?

I don't know why jivegirl.

I have had 2 elective sections - both of which I requested as I have honestly never fancied a vaginal birth. There is an alternative to a vaginal birth which I opted for, my decision. I found them both to be fantastic, calm and lovely experiences. Recovery is quicker than people like to scare you with and you can drive a car soon after it, with DC2 I was back driving after 11 days.

Can you tell I am a big fan

I loved my elective c-section experience and would absolutely recommend to anyone. Recovery was far far easier than I had expected too, although maybe I was just lucky with that. Go with your gut instinct and do what is right for you.

Ho ho - I wouldn't get very far then with the 'anti's' - I had gas and air, an epidural (decided on once i was informed I was going to be augmented - hey - if I was going to be stuck on a bed I was going to be comfortably stuck on a bed...) AND a c-section!
Although in my first trimester I was set on a home birth with pool, but after 24hours in after a nasty vomiting bug I chose to go to hospital as the hosptial and all the staff were so nice!

I don't think it's any one else's business how you have a baby. It's a bit like breast vs bottle - good reasons for encouraging women to have natural births and giving them support to achieve this, but not really for anyone to make you feel bad if there are good reasons why you decide you want to have a c-section. C-sections have saved lives of mothers and babies many times - my dd probably wouldn't have made it if they hadn't done a c-section when they did.

FWIW, like jessicart I remember hoping when pg for the first time that I'd need a c-section for some reason as the idea of giving birth naturally terrified me. After the event, which was pretty horrible, I decided that next time round I'd give natural birth my best shot, but that was mostly because I was highly motivated to avoid the hideous recovery knowing I'd have an active toddler to look after as well. I had a lot of support from various sources and had an amazing VBAC...but I would never judge someone who decided to opt for an elective c-section. Just not sure it's any of my business!

I'm a big fan too as my section was painfree and recovery time quick - I was out of hospital in 3 days and out and about by the end of that week with only a short scar along my bikini line to show for it!

C-sections aren't so bad in my experience and I have never felt bad about having had mine. Childbirth is a messy old business any way you look at it.

Statistically the risks are there but pretty small.

Wanted a water birth first time round, had an emergency CS. Next time round, fought for a natural birth in a midwife-led centre (was DESPERATE not to have to spend time on the post-natal ward afterwards which is the only REALLY BAD THING about having a CS). Had an emergency CS.

Will always wonder what a natural birth would have been like but am so grateful there was a 'plan B'.

Have to say I was surprised at how quickly you can be up and about after a CS.

Would choose a CS next time round if I was to have another.

Good luck with the birth goes well whichever way you wind up with.

Essentially i am pro-Choice but unfortunately this debate polarises.but a live birth & live happy mum is what matters.

Totally agree with scottishmummy!!

I have had 2 sections and 2 vaginal/natural deliveries.

The vaginal deliveries were just that natural. They were safer both for me and my babies. I walked out of the hospital hours after their births and was able to look after my other children without fear of my scar opening.

Your body your choice, I do find it interesting however, how many post section mums complain of complications, it appears to be more than post vaginal birth

good luck whatever you choose

I think the key to success in childbirth is not to worry about what anyone else thinks about your "performance". I remember getting a lot of praise for giving birth vaginally to one of my children without any pain relief, but it wasn't really a difficult birth. I was lucky. I think birth is a lot about luck and people make it into a performance instead.

whatever mode of arrival eg CS or squatting chanting an incantation -you are still a mum