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.

Frantically Peaceful,, best of luck with your section of you have one.

Because it'll be a section, it'll be a really relaxed atmosphere (there was literally singing and dancing in mine), and you can have your own music playing.

Take the painkillers offered, and take them on schedule when you're home, to stop any pain coming through. If you have trapped gas, peppermint water is your friend.

If you have an accelerated recovery programme, you can hopefully go home the next day, so only one night in hospital.

I expect given your friend experiences, you are a bit apprehensive. Try to enjoy the advantages of it though - no contraction pain, you can perhaps even go for a meal as a family the night before to celebrate, and when you meet your baby (likely skin to skin contact in theatre), it will be with a clear mind, rather than exhaustion.

I hope it goes well for you, and that your place decides to move so you can have the birth you want.

Because its a planned section, is what I meant to say.

My midwife was also pregnant and said she would be having a section with hers because she’d ‘seen too much’. She didn’t work for the NHS though! And this was after DD was born (via ELCS) so didn’t influence my decision in any way.
I also read a stat somewhere about how over 50% off female American OBs opt for a section themselves. And I have a gynae doctor friend in the UK who is pregnant with her first and is umming with opting for a section, the only reason she can think of not to is that she’ll apparently feel like a hypocrite because she pushes vaginal birth on her patients

@FranticallyPeacefull I'm presuming that your post was written to deliberately rile people up?

For some women vaginal recovery is quicker than c section, for some women their vagina goes back to normal. Just like for some women have an apron after a c section and some women have nerve damage and numbness after a section.

Of all my friends, the ones who have recovered quickest and had fewest post birth issues are those who had sections. They were driving, going out, up and about much much quicker than I was and don't have the significant last damage I did.

A good vb is better than a good c section, but a good c section (and over 98% are good) is better than a less than good vb.

I won't be having any more due to my horrific VB and subsequent issues but if I did, it'd be c section all the way.

UtterIdiot I also enjoyed my planned section. I had a laugh with the surgeon...he was funny! DD was born and then DH went with her for a wash and then she was given to me....fabulous!

Litchen I can well believe those figures! Sensible if you ask me.

FranticallyPeaceful you don't sound misinformed, only ignorant.
If you go in to your section with this attitude, you are more likely to psychologically hinder your own recovery. Other people stories are just that, stories.
You sound almost as bad as one of the husband in my first child's NCT group - oh no we aren't having a c section as if he was the one giving birth. That's not misinformation. That's plain ignorance.

My first was a section due to breach. It wasn’t pleasant- it was painful during and I had a massive PPH. It took so long to recover, I couldn’t even shuffle in bed at first.
My second was a section due to increased risk. It was much better, no pain during, small PPH and much better recovery.

I have a c section apron that I have just started working on.

I really wouldn't consider American obs statistics as something to rely on....the whole system is screwed.

I'm currently being asked whether I'd like a c-section or vaginal birth due to a medical condition I have. I'm struggling as I really don't like the sound of the recovery from a CS but also know my risks (and the risks to the baby) are probably reduced if I have a CS.

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.....

Please don’t panic. I’ve had two vaginal births, the first was long and exhausting but no tearing, no stitches and I took DD for a long walk and to a pub for lunch on day 2.
Second was much quicker and less painful. Again, no tears of stitches. Very calm and even enjoyable birth experience. Just gas and air both times, and was home from hospital within 6 hours both times.
I know I was lucky, but a lot of my friends had similar birth stories to mine. Of course things can and do go wrong, but they can also be absolutely fine.

• Attempting a vaginal birth means there is still every chance of ending up with an emergency C-section, for 1st time mums this can be a 25-30% risk. Since an emergency c-section is generally riskier (as well as scarier and more traumatic) and recovery can be even longer, some women feel a planned section is better to guarantee this won't happen.
• No forceps or instrumental deliveries and the risks associated with those.
• Statistics show that those who have planned C-sections generally have the same birth satisfaction as women who have uncomplicated, straightforward vaginal births.
• No risk of serious tears and birth injury, fecal incontinence
• None of the other scary risks associated with vaginal birth like shoulder dystocia ect
• Some women feel like they are a lot more in control and the experience is much calmer. There is no worry about how you will be treated when you are in considerable pain, if you will be given adequate pain relief or not, if it will be a long labour
• Arguably a lot more dignified than a vaginal birth.

I didn't opt for a C-section although considered it for my 2nd birth due to a traumatic first experience. I'm glad I didn't as I had a very calm, straightforward vaginal birth with a really easy recovery..but I can totally understand why some women want to.

@Sassy306 Granted but they'll make you fight for it. And I know it's a bit controversial but I feel rightfully so for a free healthcare system to do so if you have no medical or psychiatric reason for one other than 'I don't want to damage my vagina'... 🙃

I think not wanting to live with a damaged vagina for the rest of your life is a valid reason. Men wouldn't want to live with damaged genitals and incontience issues.

Regarding OBs/gynaecologists being more likely to choose c-section for their own birth, it's worth mentioning that most midwives would opt for a vaginal birth. OBs arguably have a skewed perception of birth as they constantly attend emergency situations and rarely see calm, natural, straightforward births

I've had a vaginal birth and a section. The vaginal birth was extremely traumatic and due to complications my recovery time was over 16 weeks. My c section on the other hand was lovely, calm and positive. My full recovery time was probably around the 6 week mark but I honestly felt pretty much back to normal after 2 weeks. I'd pick a section hands down every time were I to have more children.

My request for a section for my first delivery was granted due to abuse as a child.
Unfortunately I went into labour before the date given, went to the hospital where they denied I was in laboir and by the time I convinced them I was it was too late.
Then had months of PND/ flashbacks etc.

My cousin is a obstetric gynaecologist consultant and popped out 3 kids through her vagina in her 40s. I don't think it's a given in the medical field to prefer a c-section in any way shape or form. I'd love to find the actual statistics for the UK not the anecdotal stories quoted....

Anyway, the point being, you want one due to not 'fancying' a vaginal and you pay. I think that is kind of fair personally!

All bar one of the midwives I know have had vaginal births. One emergency c-section.

CL your post is horrible. There are many reasons why someone might opt for CS without a medical reason as such like an extreme phobia of vaginal birth, being a sexual abuse survivor, a traumatic delivery with a previous baby. It’s never the case that someone just doesn’t ‘fancy’ it. I suggest you read the rest of the thread and take note of other people’s experiences, some of which are horrific. It’s incredibly patriarchal and offensive to suggest that women shouldn’t have a say in what happens to their own bodies and worse still to suggest that choice is something that should only exist for the wealthy.

It's 50% of gynaecologists who chose a c-section mainly because they see all of the trauma during birth. It is literally their jobs to fix things that go wrong every day so it's not that surprising their view will be skewed. Midwives are far less likely to chose one (there is no statistic on them that I could find) apparently I assume because they don't get all the horrific car cash scenarios (or as many).

I'm not saying the choice shouldn't be there for women and I am also not saying that people who have had traumatic births in the past or who are genuinely fearful about an upcoming birth shouldn't be given the option (I'm leaving aside women who need one for medical reasons).

I'm saying a free health service has to consider what is best for the many and people need to be a little responsible about this. C-sections are major surgery and they cost almost double the amount of a normal birth (around £3k per woman/child plus prolonged after care and not including costa if something goes wrong afterwards).

I can fully understand why people want them-I'm not thrilled at the idea of my vagina getting ruined either. However I chose to have a baby knowing it was a possibility that it could happen, I have done all research necessary to minimise the damage and I'll have to deal with the consequences. I understand the limits of my free health service.

I think if it's for a clear cosmetic reason and your pregnancy has been formally uncomplicated just 'wanting' one is not a good enough reason. Use private health insurance and have one privately.

I'm sure there are stories good and bad about all types of birth but we have to keep a clear head on this one! Our health service won't cope if everyone decides they'd rather keep their vagina the way it is.

Just trying to look at it from a practical standpoint!

@TroubledLitchen ok, take a big step backwards, breath for a minute and try reading back over the thread at what I have said before without jumping on the 'you're being mean' bandwagon. You'll see I have been fully understanding of people who have genuine fear of birth and medical needs. I am actually identifying those who have clearly stated 'I don't want my vagina messed up'. I am not attacking anyone I just disagree that it's a valid option for those who fancy it. I am not saying it's not an option for those who need it or those who honestly have a phobia about childbirth. That is real and those women need supporting.

Women should be offered choices but we also have a clear responsibility to make sensible, fact based decisions.

I don't have a dog in this particular fight - I'm pregnant with my first and imagine that, like the vast majority of women in the UK, I'll try for a vaginal birth but would very happily have a C-section if medically indicated. But can we all please stop insulting other women's bodies to make our points? It's perfectly possible to have a discussion about VB vs. CS without deliberately trying to make women feel insecure, whether about 'C section aprons' or about 'ruined vaginas' after vaginal births.

TL, to say sections cost more is incredibly simplistic.

An Elcs costs less than a straightforward vaginal birth. Fine. But emergency sections cost even more, and there is an increased cost for inductions, instrumental births, epidurals etc. Less elcs, means more of those, increasing the cost.

Also, things like reconstructive surgery, continence surgery, physio etc for vaginal birth injuries also cost money, and it's a cost you don't tend to get with sections.

I believe the reason the guidelines were changed so anyone can have a section on request was because once you factor in all costs, there's very little difference.

@MargaretCavendish agreed and I'll accept that one. Apologies if any offence was taken-it wasn't meant.

It feels a little like OP has enough views now anyway tbh on this one. It's a debated, emotional issue and like many things baby related people have clear opinions which is 100% valid and fair. It also touches on a number of social and economic issues connected the NHS which makes it more complicated.

Hopefully OP got what she needed from it ❤️