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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

why DON'T people want caesarians?

197 replies

HPonEverything · 14/09/2011 21:19

Apart from the scar and it taking a while to be able to drive and lift things, what are the other reasons?

I really haven't looked into a caesarian but it now seems to be looking like a bit of a possibility, and I know a lot of people are very against it so I just wondered why.

OP posts:

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rempy · 14/09/2011 21:22

Death. Simple. Risk of VTE (Venous Thrombo Embolism) greatly increased. Risk from anaesthesia (death/disability). Risk in subsequent pregnancy of placenta accreta and yep, you got it, death from uncontrollable haemorrhage.

Anything more low key that you're looking for?

Eglu · 14/09/2011 21:23

Apart from the serious things listed by rempy, I didn't want one because I wouldn't want an operation without it being necessary. I din't like the thought of being cut open whilst being awake either.

pruney1977 · 14/09/2011 21:24

Personally, I don't want one because, being overweight, there is an increased risk of infection and it could interfere with breastfeeding. I'd also need at least an epidural which I don't want either. I also don't want one because I'd prefer not to have an operation full stop. I'm not bothered about being left with a scar or not eing able to drive. I just personally prefer to avoid operations if there is another way to reach the end goal of what you want to achieve.
But they're my personal views, I don't know why people are against them in general.

Abra1d · 14/09/2011 21:24

I was told when I had mine that it wasn't as good for the baby. The view was that the process of being naturally delivered was good for the baby's respiratory system.

Perhaps this was all guff, though!

peggyblackett · 14/09/2011 21:24

Risk of problems TTC in subsequent pregnancies.

Sirzy · 14/09/2011 21:25

I wouldnt want any operation I didn't need!

If I was told having one would be the best thing then fair enough but otherwise why would anyone want one?

emsyj · 14/09/2011 21:26

I had an emergency C-section under general anaesthetic. I would have preferred a natural birth because:

A c-section involves some sort of anaesthesia, and there is always a risk with this. I had a general, but most are performed with an epidural or spinal block. There are risks associated with these methods of anaesthesia, from permanent paralysis to headaches etc.

My c-section involved being totally unconscious, so it was hard to bond with DD at first as I had no connection between my pregnant bump and the baby in the cot next to me. This may be different for mums who are conscious during the procedure.

I couldn't walk very far for quite a long time and the pain afterwards made it very hard to turn over in bed. You can't sneeze or cough without 'bracing'. Lots of things are painful or uncomfortable afterwards. It's not just a case of not being able to drive for a while.

It can make breastfeeding harder, and did for me although we did make it eventually.

I wouldn't choose another c-section but if I had to have one, I would remember that the hospital staff don't bother offering any pain relief (once morphine drip removed) so you have to ask for it.

If you have to have a section then it's not the worst thing, but I wouldn't choose it when the alternative is short-term pain with a faster recovery period. I feel it took a long time for me to recover from my c-section, but other people recover faster so it varies.

Bit of a ramble but hope that helps a bit.

gigglepin · 14/09/2011 21:26

Its major abdominal surgery 1st & formost.
Increased risk of death, infection, bleeding, DVT.
Nowt to do with scars tbh.

gigglepin · 14/09/2011 21:28

emsyj i had an emergency witha general anaesthetic, have very little memeory of the birth...apart from getting to 10cms...then being whisked off and put "under"

RitaMorgan · 14/09/2011 21:28

The physical risks, not as good for the baby, interfering with breastfeeding.

Mostly though, the recovery period. I came very close to having a c-section but just got away with forceps - but I felt fine within a week. A friend of mine had a c-section and her recovery was difficult for weeks.

bamboobutton · 14/09/2011 21:28

cs are not the easy option the media likes to make out.

apart from all the stuff rempy mentioned you are really, really bloody sore for weeks afterwards, it was 8 weeks before i could even manage to walk to the corner shop.

the scar can rupture and it can get infected.

and you can get scar tissue that adheres to other organs nearby and still hurts years later.

Flisspaps · 14/09/2011 21:29

Longer recovery time (generally) than a vaginal birth. Having major abdominal surgery. Increased risk of death compared to vaginal birth. Less chance of immediate skin-to-skin and having to wait until in recovery to attempt breastfeeding.

Taking a while to 'lift things' includes the possibility of finding it hard to lift the baby and/or any other children that you might have. Baby might be in the cot next to the bed but out of reach, and on a PN ward midwives don't always have the time to come to you straight away if you ring the buzzer for assistance - if you can't get out of bed and you've got a hungry baby, you're both stuck.

I don't have any issue with having one myself if it was medically necessary, but I wouldn't have one over a VB if I didn't need one. They can be a wonderful thing and save the lives and health of many women and babies, but I'd need to be sure that there was a really good reason for me to have one before signing a consent form.

wannaBe · 14/09/2011 21:30

it's major surgery.

I am way past that part of my life now, but for me the thought of lying there while someone cut me open was terrifying. Why would anyone choose to go through that if it wasn't necessary?

SansaLannister · 14/09/2011 21:30

Plenty of possible complications: postpartum haemorrhage, infection, Asherman's Syndrome, potential for injury to other organs and tissues in the pelvis, placenta acreda in subsequent pregnancies. Having to deal with all the postpartum blood loss AND a CS wound.

Have to stay longer in hospital.

The anaesthetic comes with potential for risks, too.

Ever had a major operation? It doesn't feel good and if you're BFing you won't be able to take all the pain med you could if you aren't.

IQuiteLikeVodka · 14/09/2011 21:30

I cried when I was told I'd have to have one at the last minute,I wanted to go home and be with my other children straight away. After the op I couldn't walk for a while and I was hooked up to a drain and a catheter.My son was put in special care for 18 long hours,I was distraught. The catheter was horrendous and made me very uncomfortable. For me, natural birth beats c-section any day.

ToriaPumpkinPasty · 14/09/2011 21:30

The non necessary surgery aspect is the main one for me, along with anaesthesia being not a good thing in my eyes, though it's also looking like a possibility for me atm and I have said to the midwives, doctors and consultant to do whatever it takes to get my baby here safely.

There are other reasons, as Abra1d said there is some research to suggest that the journey down the birth canal squeezes fluid from the baby's lungs and helps them breathe easier, risk to possible future pregnancies from scarring etc, risk of not being able to have a VBAC etc.

piprabbit · 14/09/2011 21:34

As well as all the affects on the mother, it can also cause problems for the baby - including being cut (during the delivery), respiratory problems and possibly asthma in future life.
It could also go on to impact any future babies I might have.

So all in all, I'd like to give the conventional route a fair go, and only have a CS if it was medically necessary.

SoupDragon · 14/09/2011 21:34

Personally, I didn't want to be cut open and have my baby removed.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how you get your baby though. I certainly don't care how others manage it.

TheDetective · 14/09/2011 21:35

There is an increased risk of stillbirth in subsequent pregnancies.

Plus the problems the baby may face - respiratory distress syndrome, or a cut to the face from the blade.

Add those to the many other reasons above!

I have had a caesarean after a failed ventouse. I had what you would call a traumatic delivery. I had an episiotomy as well as a caesarean section to recover from. I would still choose to have a normal birth any day over a planned or otherwise c/s. The risks to a c/s in my mind are too great to consider unless there is a threat to mine or my childs morbidity or mortality.

naturalbaby · 14/09/2011 21:35

a lot of scary reasons you probably don't want to hear/read if it's likely you're going to get one. i wanted to be in control, i'm a totaly control freak so a csection would be the ultimate loss of control for me.

LynetteScavo · 14/09/2011 21:36

Personally it's something I would only opt for if it was medically advised, as I don't fancy being operated on unless I have to be.

Also,

I wouldn't want to spend any longer in a hospital than I had to.
I would prefer my baby to enter the world in the way nature designed, if possible.
I have noticed (just my own personal observation at baby/toddler groups) that mums who have had cesareans find breast feeding more difficult.

The midwife did suggest a cesarean when I was pg with DC2, as I had a difficult birth with DC1. At the time the thing that put me off most was having to care for an active 4 year old and a baby with very little help after an operation.

Having said that, if I had needed a cesarean, I wouldn't have felt I'd missed out on any beautiful, natural experience.

wigglesrock · 14/09/2011 21:36

I'd worry about the recovery period. I've been really lucky and been up and about, going to the loo etc an hour or so after my 3 births, so wouldn't fancy being restricted. Also I can be a bit heebie jeebie about stitches.

emsyj · 14/09/2011 21:36

Same for me gigglepin - sighed big sigh of relief at being told I was fully dilated, then got flipped onto a trolley and wheeled off into the night for section.

Woke up having no idea where I was, hearing a midwife say 'do you want your baby?' Thought to myself, 'wtf?? What baby?'

A very strange experience all round!

fishie · 14/09/2011 21:37

It does interfere with bf. The baby isnt properly squished down the pelvis. And when they sew one up it isnt nice and neat, it is QUILTING.

Riveninabingle · 14/09/2011 21:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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