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.

I had a forceps delivery with dd1.

When it came time to have dd2, many years later, I had in my birth plan and talked it over with my consultant that I was willing to try a natural delivery but should it turn out for any reason that they felt an instrumental delivery was needed I was not willing to go through another forceps delivery and wanted a cesearean section.

I was lucky though and delivered naturally.

My forceps delivery was also done in the theatre and I had to sign a consent form saying that if they didn't work they would do a c-section.
It wasn't until dd1 was about 8 I realised that forceps are usually done in the delivery room, not theatre. I thought everyone just signed the form and got trundled off to theatre.

yup definitely would choose cs over forceps, but I'm not having anymore babies.

Linnet thats what happened to me I had forceps in theatre! Its called a trail labour I am told now (by my lovely CM who is an ex nurse and mw!)

I had my consultants appointment today (17 weeks) and said I wasn't keen on a section but reading these posts and talking to my CM i'm swaying the other way!

I didn't realise how dangerous the Ventouse is, if used incorrectly it can cause brain damage (In extreme cases) I know thousands of babies are born healthy every day by Ventouse!

Although I had failed Ventouse and 2nd attempt at forceps I know I couldn't have that again! I recovered fairly well was in pain for quite some time after not as bad as some have mentioned though!

I'm trying hypno birth this time I have to goto consultant again at 36 weeks to discuss so think I'll know then if I can get myself through it with hypno birth however I think my birthing plan will say no instrumental!

I had a spinal block last time as my epidural didn't work I would go for a spinal again much better than the epi imho.

Crumbs, I hadn't considered risks to baby, etc.

However, I'd like to add my voice in full favour of forceps over c-section.

DD1 was an emergency c-section after induction. I realise now I'm able to compare the births that I was really traumatised afterwards. Maybe that is common to all first birth experiences which don't go to plan, regardless of the method of delivery? I found the c-section recovery awful, particularly the pain on getting into/out of bed to attend to DD, pain from pressure on scar when feeding, pain from trouser waistbands for months afterwards, etc., etc.

By contrast, my VBAC last week was a dream in comparison. I went in for monitoring after my waters broke, found DD2 was in distress, was whisked into theatre for a spinal and c-section only to find I was fully dilated and she was delivered by ventouse (for turning) and forceps. I've no idea whether it was high forceps or not. The whole process was calm and unflustered and the aftermath uncomplicated. My stitches haven't bothered me any way near as much as I thought they might, and by comparison to the CS this first week has been a breeze. I am up and about, fully mobile and able to deal with both DDs and lend DH a hand. I'm psychologically in a much better place.

I can't comment on any long term damage. DD looked like she'd bbeen in a boxing ring but within a couple of days her ventouse bruising had disappeared and so had her forceps mark. She still has a red mark on her eyelid and a bloodshot eye. My stitches are fine, but I'm definitely not as continent as I was. However it's still early days. Frankly compared to the likelihood of more internal scarring, adhesions and risk to subsequent births I'd take the forceps again any day.