Planned C-Section or natural delivery?

[Ineedadviceonnames]

In my first birth, I was induced at 37 weeks following multiple episodes of reduced movements. I had an epidural as I moved into established labour and following that I really struggled to know how to push baby out. I ended up with a forceps delivery and an episiotomy which it took me months to fully recover from.

This time around, I've been advised that if I go for natural labour they would want to give me an epidural earlier in labour (if I wanted one) so that there's more time for them to insert it between contractions. However, I was hoping to have an opportunity to see how my labour is going before deciding whether I wanted an epidural or not.

This is leading me to considering a planned c - section to avoid a repeat of my last experience. I'm under no illusion that the recovery would be easy, but then it wasn't last time either.

The question is, do I give myself the chance to see how a natural birth goes or give myself a more predictable (and hopefully less stressful) birth experience? I struggle a lot with the unknown and I feel like this is also pulling me towards a C-section but then I worry I'm making the decision with the wrong priorities in mind.

I had an elective section with my 1st 7m ago now. He was nearly 13lb at 39 weeks - I went off consultants advice to have one as he was my first and huge. I got 3 infections and couldn’t really care for him myself properly for about 12 weeks. If I could have a vaginal birth I would choose that. Especially as statistically second births pan out a lot better than first!

Firstly congratulations on having a little bean on the way.
I had my DD by elective c section 3 months ago, so my recovery is still very present. Mine was down to maternal choice, there were no particular risk factors in either option, I just went for elective C because I felt like it was going to be the experience I would be most comfortable with.
I was incredibly fortunate to have had a calm, serene and complication free delivery & recovery in the early period (I do not for a second take this for granted btw and I wish for all mums to have the birth that they choose).
We had a really lovely playlist playing in the background that we curated, travelling to hospital with parking booked and no rush or panic was amazing - it felt like such a special day. i was able to have a lovely "last evening" at home with a really nice everything shower and a cosy night.
As you mentioned it was very predictable and orderly in the delivery part. Even the recovery in hospital, things were all okay and I lost a pretty standard amount of blood and managed without any strong pain relief all the way through. Whilst recovery at home is certainly not easy, "major surgery" and all that, there are things you can do or have in place to make it easier. Getting something in place to help you out of bed, will there be someone to help with driving or lifting of things heavier than baby etc, will there be people to prioritise YOUR recovery from surgery so you can focus on rest and that newborn bubble.

Choosing how you deliver is completely down to the factors you most care about - if your a person who really wants to lean into that predictability then a c sections great, but if it's more important for you to lean into all of the beautiful parts of a natural delivery then that's the best bet too.

Wish you all the very best and hope that whichever way you go - it's a gorgeous experience for you;

I’ve had two vaginal deliveries followed by a c section (unplanned but not emergency, very calm and straightforward). The recover from the c section was horrible for me. She’s three months old and I feel like I missed the first 6 weeks of her life from the pain. I know lots of people don’t experience it as bad but for me it wasn’t great. I’m glad she’s my last because I wouldn’t have another if I had to have another c section. Much preferred the vaginal deliveries myself.

I had a planned C-section as I was 40+ when I had my only DC.

The whole process and recovery was ridiculously straightforward. So much so that when I read threads like this I wonder if I just hit lucky.

I was in and out of hospital in 24 hours and up and about with my baby as normal within a few days. It really wasn’t anything dramatic whatsoever. I probably had 2 or 3 days of taking things easy and was then back to normal.

I only had DH to help for a while until he went back to work. After that I did everything myself during his working hours but it really wasn’t a problem at all.

I don’t recall having any pain issues whatsoever.

I've had 2 elective cesareans and they were fab! Calm, lovely experiences, and my recovery was great, honestly - I had to take it easy, yes, and moving was slow and gentle for the first week or so, but I took my painkillers religiously (difene and paracetamol), and I didn't actually have any pain. I know I was very lucky.

My husband also took the first 6 weeks off work each time, so lack of driving was not an issue, and I avoided lifting anything really heavy at the start (e.g. the full carseat + baby). Of course I did all normal lifting and baby care, breastfeeding etc. I was signed off to resume driving after four weeks each time.

For me, it was the perfect way to give birth, and honestly I have zero regrets.

It’s a tricky decision, and it really is down to what you believe you’d prefer. Completely empathise with fear of the unknown.

i was also induced at 37 weeks with my first, it was horrendous, took days, he got stuck, tried forceps, but then emergency c section at 10cm dilated 🙃 the healing from the c section took weeks, and I was in so much pain for the first fortnight and felt like shit. Had huge baby blues and mum guilt. I know a lot of other people breeze c sections, but this was my experience. It’s major surgery, and people seem to downplay it (or get away lightly, and lucky them!).

I’ve just had my second, who needed to be induced at 36 weeks. Whilst a planned c section did cross my mind for exactly those reasons (to feel more in control and hope for a better recovery than last time), but ultimately I decided to try the induction first. She was here within 10hrs or so, and it was so straightforward. I still feel very proud. Only a tiny episiotomy snip which is nearly gone in less than a fortnight.

I did have several consultant appointment to discuss my birth as I was high risk, as well as an appointment with a “birth choices” midwife. They all took the time to go through my options and recommendations based on previous birth and how this pregnancy was going. I was told by each of them that because this is my second, and I got to 10cm last time, then it’s more likely to be successful because my body had been through it before - so I imagine may be the same advice for you. Can you discuss further with a consultant/specialist midwife?

epidural is very much your personal choice. Don’t let them influence you beyond what your gut tells you. Some things you read say it can slow labour down, whilst the benefit is minimal pain. Most of the consultants, docs and midwives I saw in the weeks leading up to my induction told me I “had” to go on the hormone drip this time if no progress within 2-4hrs!! I pushed back and said no. I’d rather have had a c section than that drip again. But I’m pleased I advocated for myself and avoided it.

massive waffle, but bottom line - perhaps speak to a consultant further for tailored advice/reassurance based on your own case, and then do your own research/go with what your comfortable with. Maybe make a plan A/B/C. Like you’ll try natural until X point, and then perhaps an epidural, but then have Plan C as a trigger point at any point for a c section. Just an idea! May help you feel more in control/informed.

all the best.

Thanks for sharing - sorry to hear it wasn't a more straightforward recovery and hope you're doing well now!

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experiences! It's good to hear that it was mostly positive for you! When you say you're still recovering 3 months on, do you mind me asking what that looks like? For example, are you able to drive and take short walks now?

Bless you, sorry to hear this! It's good to have this info to help me make a balanced decision. It's just so hard to know what to expect I think! I remember feeling similarly after my episiotomy but obviously have no idea how it compares!

This is so reassuring to hear, thank you!

This is so reassuring! Thank you for sharing ☺️

I had an unplanned C-section for DD1 and it was fab.

I laboured for nearly 24hrs, even had an epidural, but ultimately baby was in a bad position so consultant decided on a section. I was in hospital for 3 days and on painkillers for about two weeks, living normally the whole time and back driving at 7 weeks.

For DD2 I had a VBAC. It was a nightmare, caused a lot of damage to my undercarriage and I really wish I'd insisted on a second C-section. In the first weeks post-partum I was on a catheter and couldn't even walk, much less drive.

Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences. It's so useful to hear different perspectives too. The episiotomy does scare me I can't lie 🫣 I don't know how significant mine was last time and I know they made a mistake with stitches but it took months for me to not feel any pain from it.

I'm ok with trying labour if it were to happen before a scheduled section I think, but I'm scared of going over my due date as well, I just want them here safely asap x

I had a planned c section for my first baby as she had IUGR, lovely experience but I felt I’d missed out as I’d never experienced contractions/labour at all. So second time around I went for a VBAC, ultimately it failed because my waters broke and I didn’t progress. I was given the option of being induced but like you I have a big fear of the unknown. So I opted for an emergency c section instead, again it was a great experience and I healed really well, no infections, was off any pain meds by day 5 and getting out and about by day 7. 2 weeks after I wasn’t even sore anymore, felt completely back to normal.

What went wrong with the epidural last time? Normally the aim is to cut the pain but not all sensation of pressure so you can still feel when contractions happen but they just don’t hurt and any episiotomy, tearing or stitching are pain free. Did they dose it too high for you? Or did your body just react quite strongly to the drugs? Will having the epidural earlier as suggested lead to better control over the strength of the loss of sensation? Or could you feel the contractions but felt confused by how to push? Some antenatal classes could help with figuring out pushing. Obviously you don’t really push quite the same during class and during the birth but they can help you figure out which muscles you’ll be using.

I had a grade 3 tear with my first so for my second could have had an elective Caesarean. I chose to go for another vaginal delivery (after looking up the stats re risk of another bad tear) and am so glad I did. I had a straightforward delivery (very carefully managed by the midwife because of my history) and it was amazing, I was instantly recovered (night and day Vs first birth). I found having that experience very healing. Most people in my situation seem to go for the Caesarean so just sharing my experience.

obs anaesthetist pov... who's advised you to have an early epidural and why've they suggested that? Unless it was an anaesthetist I'd take it with a pinch of salt! Was it particularly difficult to get in last time? No one's going to make you have one if you're not really keen on one.

I was back to my usual activity about 3 weeks after delivery, but still now taking it easier with the lifting - if we are taking the pram up a steep hill for instance, I'm letting my partner have that responsibility. It is major surgery and the incision site continues healing for 6monthes. So whilst I'm able to do pretty much everything as normal - for the real heavyweight stuff I'm letting others do for me :)

This is great to hear! Thank you 🙏🏻

There are lots of things that went wrong tbh! I was numb from the epidural so couldn't feel contractions at all but after a while the pain started to return and they didn't realise at the time but the epidural had fallen out. By the time they found this out I had been on the drip for 12+ hours and hadn't eaten or drunk a thing except water (because that's what I was advised to do incase of c section), it was also a heatwave so I was completely exhausted and mentally gave up. That's when I was taken to theatre, given a spinal and forceps delivery.

Thank you! Really pleased to hear a positive experience ❤️

Yes it was an anaesthetist that advised this due to my high risk factor. They want to make sure there's enough time between contractions.

It's not that I feel I'll be pressured into having one, it's just that I wanted to be able to see how things go and make a decision in labour but if I need to have one early I won't have time to make that decision, if that makes sense?

I was induced with my first baby, and resulted in epidural, emergency forceps with episiotomy.

I told myself after that for any future births I’d have a c sec. Going into my second pregnancy I wanted a c sec and then had a birth reflections meeting. I knew my red line was another induction. The closer I got to due date the more I wanted a vaginal birth, and didn’t want the recovery of a c section to hinder my interaction with my toddler. I ended up with a vaginal birth and no pain killers!! Afterwards I was relieved the way it had gone.

have you had a birth reflections meeting?

I had similar to you with induction and epidural with first birth. I tore and recovered poorly, aftercare was extremely lacking, in and out of hospital, having corrective surgery 8 years later.

I couldn’t do it again, had planned c section for second birth and for me it was 24 hours in hospital and recovered really well. Comparatively to a traumatic vaginal birth and injury it was a breeze but the first few days were harder for sure. I was doing school run 8 days later and driving in 2 weeks.

If I could do it again, or if anyone asks I say to try for natural birth if you wish but to plan to switch to. CV section if any complications e.g if induction not kicking things off within 12 hours

Sorry you had that experience!

but stats for second births are different to stats for v bacs which can be more risky

also the infection is rare for elective and could also probably have happened if you’d had a vaginal birth with tearing which you would have done probably with your enormous baby

hope you’re ok now!