Why Choose Caesarean For Your First Baby?

[ballerini]

I am new to pregnancy and wondered for what the reasons would someone choose to have their first child by Caesarean section?
My friend mentioned it is more risky than a vaginal birth but I thought it was less risky because the cord would be less likely to get wrapped around the neck and it won't get stuck and stressed.

Oh god, all this talk of vaginal tearing, incontinence, vulval tearing, shoulders getting stuck ect is very, um, interesting for a woman who is pregnant with her first and hoping for a vaginal birth.....

I was a little nervous before. Now I'm bloody terrified

Yes, women are supposed to have a choice in delivery method according to NICE guidelines. The sad reality is that once you're pregnant your care becomes hugely paternalistic and you aren't trusted to make the decision for yourself. There is a cost push behind this but also a very strong lobby and culture around VB being the holy grail (especially if you can do it without pain relief).

^ This.

I'm having an ELCS with my twin boys.

It's not really 'elective' as the hospital thinks c section is best for identical twins and have just proceeded on the basis that I'll go along with it.

Fortunately I am quite happy as I have separately read some things that agree with their assessment. Also I have a good support system for the recovery. I couldn't give a toss about a scar and I do like the idea of having a date in the diary, even if it's only a few weeks beforehand.

Plus I really don't want to be the 5% of twin mums who give birth to the first and have an EMCS with the second because he's in distress/transverse. Worst of both worlds - all the pain and the longer recovery time.

CobaltRose don’t be terrified, it’ll be fine.
A thread title like that is going to attract people who want to answer the question with reasons why they would!
If you post a thread asking why anyone would choose a vaginal birth then you’ll get loads of people sharing their positive stories, and possibly saying why they’d never have a c section.

I had a vaginal birth, the worst bit was the contractions but the actual pushing was fine x

I think there are lots of reasons to be honest. I gave birth vaginally with my first and would just like to refute some of the claims upthread of an easy recovery - I was bedbound and catheterised for 48 hours afterwards, I could not stand or walk or sit without my ring cushion for 4 weeks after the birth, I struggled to hold/carry/feed my baby because of the pain, it took a while to feel normal down there (now 8.5 months pp and I still wouldn't say it's totally recovered) and quite honestly I was horrified at how awful I felt. Conversely my friend had an emergency c-section and was up and about the next day, had no problems and a quick and easy recovery. Of course it is different for everyone but I will definitely be requesting an elective c section should I have another baby.

My consultant explained it as for a delivery at term (over 38 weeks) then CS essentially transfers what is a very small risk for the baby during a VB to the mother. So providing the baby isn’t early (at which point their lungs can benefit from a VB) it’s actually the safest delivery option for the baby. I had an ELCS with my first; it was a lovely calm experience, recovery was fine. I’d definitely have a second if I were to have another baby.

And OP if you’re newly pregnant then this is probably the worst thread to start. Good to be prepared and research birth options but you’re going to get everyone’s horror stories which probably aren’t what you want to hear when expecting you first.

My friend is a specialist gynae Physio she opted for a elec c section.

So did my GP friend with her two.

I have no medical background just felt more natural to me to have as much medical intervention as possible

I'm going to request an elective c section and this is my first.
I have a long list of reasons but a couple include: extreme anxiety about being out of control, IBS issues, issues with panic attacks which increases heart rate and blood pressure, big babies with large heads run in my partner's family...I have more, but I won't go through them all. I know I'll have a battle on my hands but I'm going to fight my corner as much as I can. I'm going to mention it at my first midwife appointment.

I have one DC. Had ELCS due to tokophobia/abuse. It was that or an abortion I felt that black and white about it. It was just the way I wanted it and so glad the NHS supported me.

Good luck @spongecake23 I hope you are somewhere in the country where they listen to you

Those who choose c section over v-birth are just usually misinformed (as you can tell by previous posts). Your vagina goes back to normal with a v-birth, whereas c section is massive surgery and should only be done if medically needed.
I feel bad for women who have to have a c section done and struggle with that, then there’s women who come along saying how they chose it to save their vagina or for it to be “pain free”.
Recovery is MUCH LONGER for a c section, it isn’t to be taken lightly and people are wrong for trying to make out like it’s an easier option

There are many reasons why a C-section would be performed for a first baby...however it does have an impact on future pregnancies and deliveries. After watching many c-sections I just couldn't imagine choosing that option for the birth of my babies, it's such a clinical environment. I wanted my births to be really private so that I'd have time with my babies. I did hypnobirthing and perineal massage. Had two wonderful homebirths, no tears either time. Alot of women I meet that have C-sections choose so as they feel they have more control, but to me it's the least in control option - someone else decides when your baby is born, you are relying totally on someone else for pain relief, most people are unable to move for the first 12 hours.

I was offered a section by my consultant but declined, she said I was high risk for shoulder dystocia as he was measuring big, I declined and took her offer of an induction instead which failed after 4 days in hospital of them trying to get things going, ended up with a section anyway which was a dream with very quick recovery, had I had known I would of taken the section

I had a VB for my first DC and I would honestly consider a caesarean if I had another. The whole process left me a little traumatised and while I thought beforehand that I’d be ok with the pain, I now know I absolutely can’t cope. I thought I was losing my mind. Gas and air didn’t work, theee failed epidurals and diamorphine worked for only about an hour. I had SPD and definitely shouldn’t have been put in stirrups but I was, as well as being strapped to the monitors so was stuck on my back for 8 hours. I also tore and lost a lot of blood.

I have had two sections. The first was an emergency and the second was my choice.

Aside from the emergency aspect of the first, I would say that CS is a great way to get a child out of yourself.

I healed and recovered very quickly from both but I was very fit....might not be the best choice for anyone with extra weight to carry as that can complicate healing....but planned sections are fabulous.

Those who choose c section over v-birth are just usually misinformed (as you can tell by previous posts).

And this is obviously coming from someone who have had the experience of a CS right?

Frantically Peaceful, lol at misinformed. I'd say it's the opposite. We are more aware of the risks of vaginal birth.

And yes, my recovery dad quick and almost pain free. I've had worse period pains than having a baby through section. I was up, going out for the day etc within a few days, some of my friends with vaginal births were carrying a ring around for months.

But it's fine because your vagina goes back to normal right? Except for the significant proportion of women who have permanent issues of pain, sensitivity, continence, those that required extensive stitching or reconstructive surgery.

I make it out like its the easy option because it was for me. I was pain free before having my baby. Having her was painless save for the cannula, which I'd have required regardless. Recovery was virtually pain free save for getting up for the first couple of times. Back to doing stuff within a few days. Totally back to normal within 1-2 weeks.

@Miffyiffy I’m more than likely having one this time due to my placenta, can’t imagine it will move in two weeks. Most (note most, not all) people who claim c sections are great have either had an overly traumatic birth or never given v-birth. My first birth was traumatic but the second was lovely.
My friend is currently fighting an infection from hers 2 days ago, another one had her stitches rupture twice, my mum had one with me and said it was the worst decision of her life, my sister in law had one and couldn’t look after her baby for over a week due to complications. I don’t know anybody personally who’s had a lovely experience like the ones in this post.

Obviously it does happen, and obviously there will be good stories, and I’m glad because I know people seem to really struggle with the fact they’ve had a c section.

My point is people really shouldn’t be telling people to endure major surgery when the recovery from a birth is more than likely going to be far faster and with no lasting changes... just because they did it and it was fine. People fear birth enough and for most it isn’t an option until it’s an emergency anyway, so why scare people? It’s totally unnecessary

I’m glad you had that experience @Blueskyrain

I'm all for maternal choice but some of the comments about vaginal birth are pretty dismissive and read as though it's a stupid option.

I read an article somewhere that says that the risks between an elective section and a vaginal birth are minimal. I will try and find it but the gist was that in terms of recovery there wasn't much in it. Obviously both can result in complications but most don't. Oh and anecdotes are just that- other people's stories, Not evidence.

I've always said this...if men were the ones who gave birth, vaginal births would be rare.

They'd all book c sections and not think twice about it.

It's bloody awful....the whole idea of squeezing a 9 pound baby out of your vagina! I tried...couldn't. Had a c section and then wouldn't have dreamed of trying a vaginal again.

@DuggeeHugs could you let me know where you got your stats from please? I have an appointment with my consultant next week to discuss methods of delivery as this baby is massive and I had a bad tear with my first.

I'd really like to do some reading to be well informed. TIA