why DON'T people want caesarians?

[HPonEverything]

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.

For me the reasons why I would rather have avoided a section are:
Its usually better for the baby to be a VB, the scar, the overhang, the adhesions, the back pain that I had for weeks after the section, the fact that I had to stay in hospital when I would have much rather had the baby at home and gone no-where near a hospital.

The fact that it can limit the number of children didnt effect me (as I have had the number of children I wanted), but might be a concern for people wanting very large families.

I would have loved to be able to have a baby normally, but if I hadnt had a section I would have died, so I dont feel bad that I had a section,but it wouldnt have been my first choice.

THE PAIN! Can't bear the thought, absolutely terrifying. Would only do it if life depended on it. I'm sure the pain is nowhere near as bad as I imagine but can't get over the thought of being cut open and stitched back up again.

Then there's the fact that the baby gets colonised with the surgeon's bacteria first and all those other problems which interfere with the natural process.

I've only had one baby, that was a homebirth.

Just in the interest of balance, sometimes a person has no choice. I had two planned c-sections, and despite initial disappointment, it was by far the safest option for my babies.
BF was NO PROBLEM at all. I really looked into this and quizzed everyone. The collostrum has already formed, and it is the removal/delivery of the placenta that 'kicks in' the hormones for milk production. I BF both within minutes of two very calm and positive c-sections. The recovery is liveable with - I think that dangers aside, the thing with the issue is your personal feeling about it. Some people might feel 'cheated' - personally I was just glad to have 2 healthy babies. And my scar is tiny, 2 days in hospital was a bit rubbish though, and didn't like having to take pain killers...but did as it's pretty sore for a week or two.
I just don't think it's helpful to scaremonger about this method of delivery, or feel bad because it's what you had to have.

I have had 4 sections (not through choice) but it's really not that bad.

Recovery is different for everyone.

I had a horrible recovery from my forceps delivery - physically and emotionally (actually never really recovered emotionally, just blanked it out).

C-section recovery by comparison was a walk in the park. First time I went to the toilet after my c-section I had a flashback to peeing having been stitched extensively after forceps and tear (it was like a jigsaw puzzle apparently, lovely). My whole body tensed. The RELIEF when I remembered that the stitches were only on my tummy! I didnt have to sit on them either.

I had a toddler of 22 months too and I can honestly say that FOR ME the c-section recovery wasn't an issue at all. I was lucky that I knew in advance I was having a c-section so did things like get DD1 out of a cot and into a bed first, and set up a little table and chairs in the lounge for her to eat from so there was minimal lifting. Drove after 3 weeks.

Sorry Riveninabingle; let me correct- I had a emcs at 8cm dilation due to undiagnosed back to back footling breech. DS had was well on his way and had to be pushed back up the birth canal. He and I found the experience traumatic. I agree though, CS need not be traumatic and VBs can be.

Another reason - some people (inc my mum) are allergic to/react very badly to anathestic.

Because giving birth naturally can be an amazing and empowering experience.

Oh yeah, it rules out any possibility of a homebirth.

No, it doesn't rule out future homebirths. Any woman can choose to have a homebirth. In some cases the risks would be significant, but all birth carries a risk.

I had EMCS first time and choose homebirth for second, because I felt the risks of trying for a vaginal birth in hospital were unacceptable to me.

Golly, all very negative!
I've had three ceseareans in the last three years. The first was a real emergency and then the subsequent two were planned.
Having babies is risky full stop! I can't say the first was all that nice an experience but it wasn't dreadful and the two planned ones were really good.
Beforehand, when pregnant with my first I was adamant that natural childbirth was the way forward.
As long as mum and baby are both healthy then all is well.

I think its mostly negative because of the OP - "why DON'T.."!

Yes, it was unpleasant, but a hundred years ago I probably would have died in childbirth, so all in all not so bad - they asked for my permission and I gave it, and if I was in the same position now I'd do so again.

Whilst you are getting very valid explanations as to why people don't like c-sections, you are getting a lot of scare stories too

Eg c-section death rates higher than natural but that may because in so many EMCS situations there is a huge medical emergency associated with the birth and death would most certainly have occurred if an EMCS had not been attempted.

Yes there are always risks with major surgery, which a c-section is, but it is a routine operation carried out by professionals and should not be unduly feared.

I had one EMCS, the next was planned. First hurt for 2 weeks, took around 4-5 to get 95% better, the 2nd was a breeze. The catheter was wonderful in both cases (I was dreading this as a regular cystitis sufferer)

But as I say, watch out for the doom and gloom mongerers who are popping up on this thread. Stats are not your best friend, and ACTUAL risk rather than risk relative to something else is what you should focus on.

Please rely on medical professionals more than wacky and random MN advice!!

I'm in the horrid VB, will be having CS next time. I was "cut open" with a VB and needed a blood transfusion as a result. Remember that the stats are skewed - more of the intervention in VB will happen in first births and often CS is followed by CS.

Because it can take you ages to recover. My wound got infected and I was still going to the doctors for twice weekly dressings when DS was 4 months old. The nurse said she'd seen worse. Couldn't get out of bed or bath without assistance for a few weeks, struggled to bend over to change DS's nappy.

Because you are not the same after. Due to all the painkillers I was put on in the hospital didn't do a number 2 for six days. When I finally did go it was excruciating and I've been plagued by haemorrhoids ever since. Scar ached regularly, particularly if I was on my feet for a long time, until maybe about 6 months ago (DS is nearly 3) - now I just get the odd twinge. Some of the skin on my belly is numb so when I touch it it feels like I'm touching somebody else - weird! And of course I have the caesarean 'pouch'.

And, finally, because they're bloody terrifying! I shook like a leaf throughout mine.

Having said all that, I may try to have an elective caesarean if and when I have another, just because I would rather go through it when I'm fresh than spend 31 hours in labour again and then be told I have to have one.

Answering the 'why don't' pArt, because you have to rely on other people, first in hosp then at home, and half the time people are horrible and unsympathetic and there's nothing you can do about it. Plus the pain relief was crap and I had to beg for more. That's why I avoided another c section

Tastymuffins "The Pain!"

Nope. Doesn't hurt AT ALL if you're able to keep on top of your pain meds. Regardless of your preference for VB over CS, it's universally accepted that natural VB HURTS and CS is under heavy anaesthesia.

And could you explain this bit, and why it's important? Surely it's the same as a baby delivered by VB?

"Then there's the fact that the baby gets colonised with the surgeon's bacteria first and all those other problems which interfere with the natural process."

Eh?

I would choose a CS over a VB any day. Had EMCS with DD and recovery was a doddle. No pain relief needed other than the occasional paracetemol. Was walking pushing pram everywhere after a week and driving after two.

DS was a VB with an episiotomy and forceps. I was in pain for months after that and nine months later still have ongoing issues which require more surgery to rectifiy.

One big reason was fear.

I was frightened to death at the thought of being cut.

A couple of years after having my youngest (both vaginal births) I had to have an operation.

I vomited before I let the house and they had a valium tablet ready to hand me when I got to the ward.

I couldn't cope with the build up to labour if I thought I was going to have a caesarean!!

Fwiw all my 3 children were born by calm lovely planned ELCS, by the same surgeon. I had very good post natal care and was never in any pain.

Leicestershiregirl There is absolutely no of course about having a Ceasarian Pouch. I don't have one. And I have had 3 CSs.

I strongly suspect that those people who were wrecked by a CS would have also been wrecked by a VB. And those who were fine after a VB would have been fine had they had a CS.

"There is an increased risk of stillbirth in subsequent pregnancies."

I unfortunately know quite a lot about stillbirths, and have never seen any evidence of this.

"problems conceiving subsequent babies"

This can happen if scarring to the uterus makes subsequent implantation problematic.

Bike 'they had to push him back up the birth canal'

sounds horrific, poor you.

I would like to respond to this post and to the masses of negative feedback on it. I am a type 1 diabetic and a section was always a possibility because of my condition. I was given a lot of info regarding the risks and came to the decision that altho I would have like a natural birth all I wanted was my baby to arrive safe and sound. In the end the decision was taken out of my hands as I developed serious pre eclampsia and altho they decided to try to induce me baby got into distress and I had to have an emergency section. I was anxious of course but was more concerned for the safety and well being of baby girl. It took just 20 mins from entering surgery for her to be born and altho i didn't get to hold her straight away she was given to her dad who brought her up so i could see her. Once i was in recovery she was given to me and we had an hour of skin to skin contact which was all i needed to bond. We did have some troubles breastfeeding which did upset me but my baby was alive and well so we worked thru it.
Yes, the stitching was messy, the morphine disagreed with me and i did get an infection about a week later but it was nothing some antibiotics couldn't deal with. I was up and about later the next day, (altho very carefully ) and had no trouble picking baby up or doing what i had to do to care for her. Unlike my friend who had an episiotomy and couldn't walk or sit comfortably for over a week. I was in hospital for four days after birth but that was in part to do with my blood pressure still being high. i received fragmin for helping reduce risk of DVT and was shown how to inject it myself so i could go home.
I do have a scar and it is ugly and there is always the chance that the same will happen next time but at the end of the day my DD is here, safe happy and growing well.

I would have preferred a VB but at the same time i don't think the piles of negative posts re sections is giving a very balanced argument. There is risk in natural births too.

Personally, I saw labour as part of the journey to motherhood, pompous as this sounds. I always found the way we give birth really fascinating and I wanted to know what it felt like to push a baby out. Also, I would not want to undergo any unnecessary surgery.
However, I am no doubt a little biased because I was lucky enough to have a brilliant, uncomplicated VB. Less than an hour after I pushed my 9lbs2oz DS out, I was standing under a hot shower and a few hours later DH and I walked out of the hospital carrying sleeping DS. Yes, I was a little uncomfortable for a few days but honestly I had thrush which felt worse than my post-partum recovery. I may be weird, but I actually loved the whole thing!

@thetasigmamum - I had a CS and 2 VBACs, and indeed I am wrecked in both areas.