VB vs CSection - advice please.

[Gardengirl1]

Dear All,

First post on MN, have always read your posts with great interest and thought I'd get good advice here!

I have to decide whether I want to have a normal birth or a c-section (first pg, all well so far, DH said he would pay to go private if I wanted an elective c-section). I'm well aware of all the pro's and con's medically, am a nurse, trained as a midwife but never went on to work there, opted for A&E instead . My question is this, to all the been-there-before mums out there: if you could do it all over again, with the benefit of hindsight and with a choice, considering all the goods and all the bads, would you opt for a VB or go for an Elective CS? I have always leaned strongly towards a c-section but, as decision time approaches, I'm not so sure anymore, am worried that I will miss out on a life experience so unique and special... and that I'll regret my decision later in life. What would you choose? Thanks so much for your advice.

PS not too posh to push etc., not what this is about.

Gardengirl1

I don't feel like I've missed a thing. I had my baby, established breast feeding and had an amazing time bonding with my son.

But before I had my c-section I was scared shit-less about cesarean sections altogether. If I hadn't needed one I would have never gone down that route....to be honest though, for the next few children (if I have anymore) I will be having elective cesareans, and I will always be private. (hopefully) if not I'll move back to the states and let my mother do my c-section.

I've had two VBs and one CS. CS is easier IME, far less painful, but recovery is longer. With a normal VB you can be up and about immediately after the birth, whereas a CS is major surgery. Also, I felt that I had really achieved something incredible after natural VBs whereas with the CS it felt like surgery (well, it was!).

thank you twinkle3869 i hope your doing well.

Done emergency section for DS1 and then VBAC for DS2. Natural gets my vote any day!! Yes it was painful but an amazing experience and bonding was so much better, as was feeding, which you just can't underestimate the importance of in the weeks following the birth.

Recovery was also so much quicker - up and walking within an hour versus 3 days. After DS2, watching the women who had had sections in the beds next to me hobble about and wince with pain everytime they coughed or laughed I was reminded that a section is not an easy option.

Have had 2 VBs and 2 emergency sections; one with severe complications and needing further emergency surgery a few hours later(massive post section hemorrhage) and I would choose VB anyday. I am due in a few weeks and would much prefer a VBAC2 but it doesn't seem likely due to my history and having lost 2 babies late I just want to do what is safest but I am so scared of PPH again.

Some people who had a great VB will advise you to have a VB and others who had a great el CS will advise you to opt for a cs.

I had an el c/s and had a wonderful experience, so if all went for you like it did for me then it'd be a breeze. I was up and about and 'back to normal' a lot quicker than other members of my ante-natal group who had straight forward VB.I had a date for my baby to born, so I didn't have to worry about going overdue, I had no labour pains to endure, I had a team of specialists all to myself during the c/s, so I felt totally safe and the whole procedure only took 40 mins. I t was totally brilliant and I guess I was very lucky.

My advice for you is to look at both the best and the worst case scenario for each option and then decide which would be easier to live with. e.g. for me the worst case scenario was tearing during a VB that would leave me incontinent, whereas a the possibility of a hysterectomy during a c/s didn't frighten me half as much. For other people it might different but that was me, so the choice was easy.

Good Luck !

I had 3 sections (and 2 labours, never got to pushing stages) whilst the sections themselves were fine staying in hosp after was not. With the last I took self DC, 2 days with no sleep was enough, but i guess if u went privately u wouldnt have those noise issues.

Hated the idea of a cs when i got pg.

Had an Emcs with DS. Recovery was awful / gruelling / uncomfortable etc and bf a nightmare.

Just had a elcs with DD. Recovery was very fast and bf has been fine.

Scar is fine though.

However I had no choice but to have the second cs as my cervix doesn't work. So I had to make the best of having a cs second time round. No more for me though, DP had the snip this morning ..

I've had 1 home birth, 2 hospital births and a c-section.

If I had my time again.....I would have gone for all sections. I wish I could reclaim my body.