Natural - v - Caesarean - a new thread

[JoolsToo]

sorry to be bossy but can we carry on here?

I'm for natural when possible

I had a c section, because my baby was breech, and i got bloody sick of people saying " oh you never really gave birth, and did you manage to bond ok. he's my baby it does'nt matter how he came out, i carried him for 9 mths and of course i bonded with him. some women seem to think if you have'nt been in labour for 10 hours and had your bits ripped open you don't get the benefit of childbirth, has long as the baby is healthy what the f**k does it matter how it got here

Sorry you had such bad advice. I too had an unplanned c-section, but did not find the recovery to be so traumatic. I was told by the midwives that I would not be insured to drive. So, I called my insurance company who said they had never even heard of such a clause and that I was insured to drive immediately. Never hear the bit about the bath, but I am a shower person so it wouldn't really have bothered me much. As for excercise, I think if you were physically fit before, than you should listen to your body. If something hrts, then you should probably slow down.

uwila, your experiences sound more like mine. I didn't take long to 'mend' after either of my sections, the first emergency the scond elective. I was up and walking after the first in the early evening (dd was born at 2) and although I was sore it wasn't that bad.

I think that sections , like natural deleveries, can very in te probelms that they cause people. I was fine after both of mine.

It does seem such a shame that some people are given such strange advice.

This really is a subject people are passionate about.... and rightly so, it's a very hard but amazing time and of course, everyone wants the best for themselves and their child.

I don't really think it's fair to do anything other than let each individual decide what's best for their child and for them, given the circumstances at the time. Sometimes, like myself. This has to be taken in a few minutes in hospital. I was very glad I had read some books beforehand. I think discussions like this are also brilliant in helping people decide for themselves.

DS is 9 1/2 months. I can't stop wondering how my split second decision affected him.

At 39 weeks, my midwife told me my baby was breech. The day after, my waters broke, I was taken into hospital and this was confirmed. I also have scoliosis, (curvature of the spine) adn metal rods all the way down my back. An added worry for the birth.

Because of these 2 reasons and from what I had read, I decided a C - Section was the safest option for us both. The staff at the hospital wouldn't advise officially either way at the time (because there seems to be this new drive on reducing C - sections) but I could tell that they thought it the best option, too.

DS's heartbeat was fine all throughout pregnancy and going into the op, too but by the time they lifted him out, he had a feint heartbeat and that was all, no movement, no breathing. They can't explain why it happened. He recovered after about a week in intensive care and is really healthy now.

I spend so much time wondering what would happened if I had the natural birth I wanted. Would he have been fine or would he have been in the same trouble, but for a lot longer while I pushed him out, with dire consequeses that I don't even want to think about? I know I shouldn't keep thinking about it because it's done now but I can't help it. What if I have to make the same decision again.

I was in labour for 52 hours first time round was slow to progress but i was really determined i was going to stick at it, and in the end got fully dilated and pushing but then baby got very very distressed and they rushed me down for emergency c-section (he turned out to be just short of 10lbs!!) and i was very very depressed about it afterwards! had PND for a long time before i realised what it was! had another section (planned) for my second baby but wish now i hadnt as he was only small, i am pregnant again and i am really not sure as to what to do this time! i am getting a little frustrated about it all to be honest xxx

I had a section with DS4 (he was breech, my waters broke, but no contractions so emergency section at 37 weeks). No2 is due in less than 4 weeks and my consultant was very keen for my to try a natural birth this time, albeit they'll keep a closer eye on me apparently! I presume a bit nearer the time you too will have a chat with your consultant and they will advise accordingly. Have to say though that at the end of the day I don't think it matters which way baby comes out as long as both it and mother are safe and well.

I know there is alot of debate about this, but part of the problem i had after my first c-section was that i felt robbed of my 'giving birth' and i know it sounds a bit silly but i didnt feel womanly about it! and it was the same with my second section (not as bad) i think i have got it in my head that if i had a vaginal birth i would get this new womanly identity about myself that so far i have'nt managed to achieve! i always feel annoyed if someone says "c-sections are not the same" but there is obvioulsy very much a difference emotionally.