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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

C section or natural - wwyd?

43 replies

Teamkhaleesi · 10/08/2017 16:44

Jut looking for some advice really - and if anyone has been in a similar situation please share your experience!

My first labour was induced due to water breaking but no labour. My baby was 8lb 11 which isn't enormous but for my small frame it was and I had trouble pushing him out! This led to forceps and a 3rd degree tear. Everything seems to have healed well (he's 14 months) and there haven't been any ongoing problems (a weaker pelvic floor but I think this is down to forceps and not getting pelvic floors right). I'm due my next baby in October and have been offered a c section. Obviously only I can make the decision and

OP posts:

Original poster

Teamkhaleesi · 10/08/2017 16:48

Oops posted too soon! Obviously only I can make the decision so have been give no advice whatsoever just loads of information leaflets. I'm just wondering if anyone else has been in this situation or is in this situation and what decision you made? I'm not keen on a c section but if this baby is big and I tear badly again the long term "side effects" could be life changing - I'm so conflicted! Also any c section experiences are welcome too as I want to hear how it was, if there were complications, how bad the healing period was etc...I only know one woman who has had one and it didn't go well at all.

I will have a growth scan at 34 weeks to help me make my decision but I've heard these aren't reliable so I'm trying not to pin too much faith in that. Thanks for any replies

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ZooLanePetCorner · 10/08/2017 16:52

Can you ask for a consultant review and meeting? I would. I've a fair few friends who've had elective c sections and moody reported a bad experience - friends who had an emergency c section were in general more upset about it.

ZooLanePetCorner · 10/08/2017 16:52

Nobody not moody!

Original poster

Teamkhaleesi · 10/08/2017 16:57

I have had a consultant review already - I will get another after the growth scan. Problem is they really can't give any advice because if something went wrong I could turn around and blame them. They have just given the pros and cons to both. I ideally would like a natural but am so worried it will happen again...I've also heard emergency sections are awful and I know planned would be better but I'm really against this option in my head for some reason.

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ZooLanePetCorner · 10/08/2017 18:00

I'm surprised, mine had clear opinions about the way forward, did you ask what they'd do in your shoes? Hopefully you'll get someone along soon who's faced exactly this dilemma.

MrsG841 · 10/08/2017 18:05

I had a 3rd degree tear with DD 2 years ago...they said i can tty vaginal birth again but could have a c section....i chose c section (had DS 6 months ago) and c section was brilliant!

redphonebox · 10/08/2017 18:07

Presumably the problem is that it could happen again but equally it could all be fine second time round? You can't know which category you'll be in?

Personally I'd go for the natural birth because I think I'd find the prospect of a planned c section quite stressful and would work myself up about it in advance. Like a PP though I have friends who had very positive experiences of planned sections so there is no rational reason for that! It's just a really personal thing. I think you have to listen to your gut and be really honest about what you're most comfortable with. There is no right answer. Good luck with your decision.

Lumpylumperson · 10/08/2017 18:09

I've done both. First was an induced labour and, like you, had lots of trouble and healing was slow and painful.

The next pregnancy was twins and I had a c section. It was fab! Didn't feel a thing, recovery was quicker than I thought it would be. Yes it was sore at times but compared the healing of my stitches from first time around it was a walk in the park.

I know that everyone's different but I'd have a c section anytime.

friendlessme · 10/08/2017 18:16

I had elective C sections with both mine due to them showing large on growth scans. Can't compare with a natural but have had many friends traumatised through tearing and emergency c sections so I am glad I went with an elective. It's not the most pleasant of experiences and the second time my blood pressure dropped really low so that was a bit hideous but otherwise fine. Recovery is slow but not too bad.

Crumbelina · 10/08/2017 18:22

I had a terrible labour with DD1 - failed induction, hyper-stimulating on the pessary, failure to progress, infection and an EMCS - urg! I'm due with DD2 next month and I'm opting for an elective CS. If I have a natural labour then it might well be fine but I already have a CS scar and dread the thought of having another terrible ordeal with tearing etc. I'm due to see the consultant in 3 weeks to have it signed off and so far the hospital have been very understanding and amenable to an ELCS. Good luck with whatever you decide!

talonofthehawk · 10/08/2017 18:24

C section or risk incontitence

Crumbelina · 10/08/2017 18:26

Oh, and my EMCS was the best part of my first labour so I'm hoping a planned will be just as good. Recovery was fine for me. A friend has just had an elective after an awful first labour and it was all fine - very calm and a complete success.

GreenTulips · 10/08/2017 18:26

I was c section first time round and I refused to do it again, against advice I had twins naturally. They were worried about the scar splitting

Recovery was quicker - I felt fine in myself and was mobile straight away

SS81C · 10/08/2017 18:27

I'm surprised they haven't given you more support. The recurrence rate with 3/4 is relatively low and if you've delivered vaginally once (even with assistance) there's no reason you wouldn't be able to do it again.
Its worth considering your recovery after CS with a toddler - not being able to drive or pick them up etc.

I had a decent size baby for me and a 3rd last time and my personal thoughts are to go for a vaginal this time.

You can always have a plan like if I labour naturally I'll aim for vaginal delivery but if baby is measuring large or I need to be induced I want an ELCS. You have time to decide - it's always so difficult to know what's for the best isn't it.

MrsG841 · 10/08/2017 20:03

Picking up toddler thing is not so bad as long as gentle...i was still able to pick up DD after my section.

MarklahMarklah · 10/08/2017 20:17

I only have experience of having a C-section and that was an EMCS. It was fine. I healed pretty quickly, although I made my overall recovery a little slower by doing too much in the first few days. I was an 'elderly prima gravida' too.

vlooby · 10/08/2017 20:19

Don't know how to link to it on app but there was recently a positive thread about c sections which might be worth a read. I think they sometimes get a bad press.

Original poster

Teamkhaleesi · 10/08/2017 20:22

Thanks for the replies. All my friends (excluding previously mentioned c section friend) have had positive labours so it's easy to forget there are loads of other women who have been in this situation! It's good to hear positive stories about c sections as I'm so against the idea in my head - I think I need to retrain my attitude towards them. It does seem like a lot of women chose to go down this roads after a bad tear....

I guess I have a lot of thinking to do! Interesting that a couple of people have commented that they're surprised at the lack of support/advice - I thought it was standard that they didn't get involved. Disappointing really as I would value their opinions greatly.

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Original poster

Teamkhaleesi · 10/08/2017 20:23

Thanks vlooby I'll have a look to see if I can find it

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Ketchup123 · 10/08/2017 20:25

C-section! Elective c-sections are the best! A completely pain-free and trauma-free birth. Recovery for me was a doddle.

vlooby · 10/08/2017 20:29

Anyone else had an emcs and been happy with it?
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/2971647-Anyone-else-had-an-emcs-and-been-happy-with-it

vlooby · 10/08/2017 20:31

I had a long and difficult labour followed by an emergency section. Turns out I can't deliver vaginally and I'm really happy any subsequent babies will be electives.
I think as long as you're 'ready' for the recovery, you can get through it just as well as a vaginal birth.

Frecklemcspeckles · 10/08/2017 20:35

@Teamkhaleesi I have done natural (induced) labour at 40 weeks, planned c-section at 39 weeks and emergency c-section at 35 weeks.
For me, my natural delivery was by far the worst experience. The pain, bleeding, aftermath etc continued for a long time and I'm still suffering some of the long term consequences 10 years on.
My planned c section went fine. A bit nerve wracking the night before and a long wait that day (emergencies taken first) then a catheter for 24 hours, not great. After catheter came out I headed for the toilet and the pain was really bad. It was probably acutely bad for the 2-3 days I was in hospital so I just took every painkiller they offered. Back home, getting in and out of bed was the trickiest thing, you have to roll on to your side and out. And that subsided within around a week. My dh was off on paternity leave for the next couple of weeks and by the time he went back to work I was fine to drive (check with your insurance company, some have specific length of time, others say when you would be able to plant both feet to do an emergency stop). My recovery beyond a couple of weeks was so much better than my natural delivery. Night and day!! I was a different person, in far less pain.

Baby 3 was an emergency c section, but not critical that moment just they wanted him out that day to prevent potential complication. So from that regard, it was nearly the least stressful (again mine wasn't emergency in the truest sense) but I didn't have time to think or worry, it was just done and he was fine. This time I took the strong painkillers from the word go and kept them topped up for first few days and I found it all really bearable.

It really does depend on your labour circumstances though, obviously a straightforward labour would be ideal over a cs but not always the case!

Have a good conversation with your consultant, they tend to be practical people who are good at weighing up risks and benefits and will be well placed to advise.

LastOneDancing · 10/08/2017 20:37

My ELCS was the best thing ever. I was genuinely traumatised after DS1s horrific long labour followed by EMCS.
DS2s lovely, calm, beautiful birth made everything better.

Healing was fine, left the hospital in 24h. It was tough not lifting DS1 for a week or so but we all survived.

hazeyjane · 10/08/2017 20:43

Dc3 was an elective c section and it was the most traumatic of the 3 births. I had done lots of research, but was totally thrown by how awful the whole thong was. It took ages to recover, and I still have issues 7 years on. Unfortunately there are no guarantees, and I think you can have good and bad experiences with both methods of birth.

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