If it came to it, would you rather a CS or Forceps delivery?

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I was reading another thread where the OP mentioned something about avoiding an instrumental delivery and maybe going for a CS if that (instrumental delivery) is looking likely. To avoid my taking the OP thread off at a tangent I started this one to ask you just that. Would you rather a CS over an instrumental delivery?

I am early pregnant with DC3. DC1 was a forceps, DC2 was a cs.

With the forceps I had a large episiotomy that felt raw and sore for a couple of weeks but I was a lot more able and in less discomfort etc than after my CS even though with the CS I wasn't in pain just felt vulnerable and restricted and took about 9wks to feel recovered.

Thanks for your opinions/experiences.

If I had a good epidural block and a really, really good doctor on the end of them possibly forceps but tbh (and I've only seen them from the midwife's perspective never had either myself) I'd opt for a section.

CS. I had both, and CS would win any day!

Still suffering the after-effects of forceps 7.5 years later...

Hi, my experience was similar to yours.

DS1 was ventouse with some really sore episiotomy stitches. DS2 was a c section with the usual recovery but no complications.

The fact I was mobile and able to care for the baby and do things within hours of the birth meant that I would not choose a CS again.

I am due to have baby number 3 in November and am going for a vbac.

Yes, think I posted on that thread too. I would prefer a CS to another episiotomy. My episiotomy resulted in painful sex for almost a year. CS recovery was difficult but not significantly worse. I know a CS has more risks associated but tbh I just couldn't bear another episiotomy. But you have experienced both so you know what's best for you.

blimey - forceps any day. Had forceps with dd1 and the episiostomy was not nice but recovery quick and fine. CS with dd2 recovery much harder - mainly because dd1 was only 18 months old so still needed a lot of carrying etc.

Maybe it depends if it's your 1st child - if you don't have other children to look after maybe a CS wouldn't be so bad.

had both, ds was forceps, dd elective section which was done precisely to avoid a repeat of the damage done byt he forceps.

tbh both were pretty grim but at a push i'd go for the CS

I am the same as OP. Forceps for first birth. CS for second because damage from forceps delivery meant if I tried natural birth again, I would be permanently incontinent. It was a no brainer.

I preferred the forceps delivery though. It wasn't so clinical, I wasn't pinned to an almost crucifix shape to get DS1 out. DH said the forceps delivery was positively medieval but I didn't anticipate the extreme pain of the first 3days after CS.

I had no choice for medical reasons.

Not had a c section before but had forceps before and would choose a section over forceps, defnitely.

I don't at all underestimate the recovery from a section though - DH and I have already put savings aside so that he can take full paternity leave and annual leave (just took annual leave last time) in the event of me needing a section to assist with recovery.

I had ventouse with my first, then 2 elective CS.

Ventouse delivery was the most violent experience of my life, I was in shock afterwards not to mention agony from being too tightly stitched up. I couldn't move for weeks without wincing.

With CS I was up and about within 6 hours each time, and was able to care for my baby without any problems.

I would happily have another CS, but NEVER a ventouse delivery.

I had the choice and went for CS with my first. Or rather I refused point blank to have forceps, given that the consultant predicted 30% chance of a successful outcome.

And I would do the same again.

I had 2 failed attempts at ventouse, followed by forceps delivery with my first (2nd was a lovely natural delivery). Was very sore for a couple of weeks after and it wasn't pleasant but would choose it any day over being sliced open awake. I have never had a section but the thought terrifies me.

Thanks for all your quick replies.

I don't know anyone in RL that has had forceps so I have never "compared notes". After reading Bettybubble I think I might well have been lucky though as apart from the episiotomy I didn't suffer any damage internally. It's a great insight reading your experiences as I would hate to be so naive to think that if I ended up with forceps again that it could be the same as DC1s delivery.

The CS was traumatic as it was a crash section and DC2 was then in SCBU for 2 wks. I was very mobile after it as I had to be to get round to feed DS from my ward but at the time I didn't spare a thought for my recovery as I was too concerned for DC2.

I dont think its usually a straight either/or decision - by the time the baby is in a good position for forceps then a C Section is more risky, and if it is in a good position for a C Section the forceps are less likely to work.
If I was choosing between the two I would have a CS, but being in the situation where both would be equally safe for the baby must be fairly unusual.

I am lucky in that I had two good births and never needed instruments. Although my first birth I had a nasty tear which took several months to heal properly.
I suppose a lot depends on the circumstances. There is a huge difference between a planned elective c-section, a c-section with an epidural and a crash c-section under general ga.

I also had SPD which would put me off an instrumental labour. An instrumental labour can cause long term disablity to a woman with SPD as it has to be done on the the woman's back. However I would be devestated if I had to have an c section under ga and missed the birth of my baby.

The most important thing to me would be the health of the baby. I think I would have to put my trust in the health care professionals looking after me.

Its really interesting reading everyone's different experiences and views now that they have had the births they did.
I know if I mention forceps to any of my friends they cross their legs and make a grimace on their face.
After my CS it seemed like everyone's reaction was a sympathetic face and a sort of "oh dear, never mind" response.

The other day I was quite keen for VBAC but I am starting to change my mind. I wonder if emotionally I am strong enough to go for VBAC as it's so unknown if it would go ok whereas with an elective section I could mentally prepare and have childcare in place for the DC and DH could take annual leave and paternity and possibly take a month off.

You've really opened my eyes, thanks for sharing with me

I had ventouse, but DD was almost out. Stitches hurt when put in at 10.30pm, but next morning (8ish) I was up and about and healed v. quickly. May have been harder if I wasn't almost there myself (doc said the ventouse had only been 10% of the work to get her out). I would only CS if had to, e.g. breech or baby completely stuck.

I had a forceps delivery with DS and had a 1500ml PPH afterwards. Then was sewn up in theatre (was given an epidural for this part).

Was in quite an amount of pain afterwards but not sure how much was due to being really weak due to blood loss (although did had transfusion the next day). Legs having been in this position -- during the two hours of sewing up probably didn't help.

I think I must have been lucky compared with many people here though as I never considered having an elective csection with DD born 22 months later - and the birth was a lot easier.

I would hate the idea of high forceps - if that had been the choice then I would much have preferred a csection.

BST/Reallytired yes you have hit a few nails on the head with your replies. It's hard to not go into a huge essay about DC1's birth and DC2's as well. Briefly though: DC1 was back to back with head flexed. They told me they would attempt a forceps delivery but if they couldn't turn her then it would be a CS. so off I went with a spinal block. The consultant managed to turn her with his hand and then guide her out with the forceps (as I was still able to push somehow - think the MW was excellent at telling me what to do).
DC2 - Immediately his heartrate before labour was dipping then went sky high so that was a section under GA and very scary experience in how urgent it was, things people were saying etc.

About the trust in the health professionals, maybe that's where my problem truely lies, I am due at the beginning of May which is apparently a really busy time and our hospital is already over stretched and seem to have too few MWs, I think I am too scared to risk a VBAC for all the unknowns and the possibility of another emergency situation, even though I would love a normal delivery!

Idris yes, I know what you mean as when I was expecting DS an elective section didn't enter my thoughts at all, I was going for a normal delivery again it was just circumstances that I had a huge stabbing pain at term +5 days went into hospital for them to monitor me and immediately they said the baby must come out now. I wasn't expecting it at all but my goodness how glad I was as opposed to risk a stillbirth.

I am off to bed now, thanks very much for sharing your experiences.

I've had both and in the very unlikely event that I have another baby I would opt for a CS.

I had no pain whatsoever with a CS and the recovery was a piece of cake. With the forceps it actually felt very violent. It took at least 6 months for the throbbing pain in my fanjo to go away. I actually couldn't walk for 3 weeks. I was using pain killers, constantly, for at least 4 months.

Thankfully all is well but I do feel very mislead by the medical profession regarding the benefits of a VBAC.

CS. Definitely.

Never had forceps or even a vaginal delivery.

Emcs the first time before I got to the pushing stage. Elective cs the second time because I specifically wanted to avoid instrumental delivery.

In theory, you can request a cs to avoid a high forceps. But in practice, if the medics say the baby is in serious danger, you would consent to any procedure. I did not believe there is a real choice when you get to that stage of labour.

So went for the tried and tested cs - both times recovered quickly.