Considering C-Section, anyone out there with positive experience?

[PinkyPromise77]

I'm a FTM but I am a little older. I know that everyone tries to push for natural birth and that our bodies are made to do that but at 35 I am definitely not going to recover as quickly as I would if I gave birth at 25 and the bits down there may never get back to normal :) Having a friend who worked managing maternity ward in a private hospital constantly dealing with operations for women who had natural birth that destroyed their vjayjays... she said if she ever gets pregnant there is no way she is doing it naturally :) I felt slightly bullied by my midwife to opt for natural birth but I don't like the unknown, whether there will be birthing pool available that I wouldn't want to do it without, whether the private room my husband wanted to book for me to recover would be available etc and I want this fear to go away knowing exactly what is happening when. I know it may be silly... but I would love to hear from any positive c-section experiences if there are any :) xXx

It’s all well and good wanting a c section and it’s a very personal choice... but imagine somebody coming on here and saying how a c section would ruin our bodies and professionals saying there’s no way they would do it. Harsh isn’t it?

There’s a lot of people here terrified of giving birth without this post just randomly going on about how it will ruin their vaginas.

Also you’re 35 not 75. You’d recover fine.

I've had 2 sections and both were positive experiences compared to my first natural birth which went horribly wrong.

However, they are not an easy option and I wouldn't have one if I didn't have to medically. Being worried your vagina might not be the same again, is not a reason to have a c section. A c section is a major operation and carries enormous risks. After both of mine I have had infections around the week 2/3 of recovery. The pain in those first few days post section is undescribable and you cannot do anything. I couldn't sleep lying down the first night home.

I would go for a natural delivery if I could, just so I don't have the recovery. My stomach has never been the same and I have an overhang that the scar has created.

I don't mean to sound patronising, I'm sure you're aware of all of the above. Maybe speak to your midwife about your concerns and they can arrange a consultant appointment for you

I had an emergency section under GA. Was a doddle. I was assembling flat packed furniture by the end of the week. After a rough start, I EBF for 16 months.

If I have another, I'm having a section.

My experience is possibly coloured by having the induction from hell before hand though.

Also to add to your other concerns about the facilities, you normally get a chance to attend a walk around of the birthing wards and you'll be able to see what's available.

Private rooms are not usually available at my hospital, i know some think it's safer to be on bay in a ward for many reasons. But when my brothers partner had their baby he was able to pay for a private room for them. At our hospital, partners are now able to stay overnight which wasn't the way when I had my sections!!

Well for starters it doesn't destroy your vagina. It changes it. Mine still works as it's supposed to and my husband has no complaints.

Second, my csection and the recovery afterwards was way more traumatic than vaginal delivery. It's not any easier, you're having major surgery.

I had both my kids in my 30's, I think you'll be just fine.

I am of course aware of all the complications and that it is a major surgery. I had a tummy surgery before and my recovery went very well hence considering C-section. Furthermore from family history there has been an emergency c-section for both my mum and my sister for different reasons and to be honest if this is to go by (plus the medical things I will be monitored for) I would prefer to chose it ahead of time rather for it to become an emergency. I also have a very small frame. I'm only 5'1 and quite slim and my hips are pretty narrow so slightly worried from that point of view that my body will be ruined apart from my vj...

I've had two sections. The first was an emergency one after a failed induction. I wasn't thrilled about it at the time, but after a while I decided that if I had another baby, I'd request another section. Pregnancy number 2 turned out to be twins, and a section is generally recommended anyway, so I was booked in. The experience was calm, and recovery (both times) was uncomfortable but painful.

However, unless you go to a private hospital, private rooms may not be available. My hospital had them, but there was a hierarchy as to who got them - mothers who were unable to have their babies with them, mothers who had an infection, multiples, other medical reasons, optional. I had a multiple birth and one baby in special care and still didn't get a private room. Some hospitals also insist on c-section mums being on the ward as it is easier to keep an eye on them.

I have had 2 section, the first was an emergency under ga, the second was planned. Good recovery both times, I recommend getting up and about ASAP after operation, even a slow walk down the hospital corridor helps.

Positive experience here but my wound didn't fully heal until DD was 13 weeks. I personally couldn't have had a baby vaginally and was very happy with my section but it's not an easy option and the more help you have around you the better.

It is your choice so don't let people bully you into a natural birth you aren't comfortable with because of their own prejudices. Just because some people have non complicated natural births it doesn't mean that everyone will and for some this isn't a risk they want to take. That should be respected.

Everyone I know who has had a planned section has found it to be organised, calm and straight forward. Two of my friends that have had planned sections are doctors and said they would never choose to give birth naturally as a result of some of the complications and trauma they had seen. I know far more people who have been left with birth injuriesfrom natural births that sections. incontenance, painful tears, prolapse etc.

Personally, I don't think that any amount of hypnobirthing or positive thoughts can protect you from the lottery of labour. It may keep you calmer but at the end of the day if you tear you tear. No ones going to give you a medal for giving birth naturally.

I don't think all hospitals will give you a CS just because you request one. My understanding is that it's up to the Consultant to decide (unless of course you are planning to go private). I think women at different hospitals have had varying degrees of success with their requests, some seems almost no questions asked and some much more of a fight on their hands. Just to prepare you for if you make the decision to request one.

@LaurG thank you so much for making me feel so much better about this. I guess that's what I've seen on other threads people preaching and being patronising but I believe that I should have a choice and again the medical professional I know also said she would never opt for the natural birth for the sheer fact of how unpredictable it can be and as you say pot luck whether it goes smoothly or not...

Ive has vaginal birth and emergency c section and an elective c section and although the elective c section was best I terms of knowing what was happening I’d never have one unless I absolutely have to , the recovery is shit and immleft with a strange puckered pouch where as my stomach was flat after vaginal birth . It’s definitely not an easy option I also got sepsis from my wound and couldn’t drive or really walk the length of myself for weeks .

My vagina went back to normal after my vaginal birth absolutely no difference apart from a tiny scar

I've had three babies, I'm average size..my biggest baby was 10lb8oz. My vagina is fine, not 'ruined' at all thanks. I've recovered really well after them all. I think people that see a c-section as the easy option are naive. My cousin is 5" and have birth to a baby weighing almost 9lb, everything went really well. I don't think height is an indicator of people having issues in birth

Hi there,

I had my first with csection at 35 year old. My recovery was fast and great but I do believe this varies from one to another as our bodies are different. One of the things I didn't want was to stay in bed, so after the c-section when they told me I could get up, I did. When I was home, I tried to walk around. I didn't go out walking as i would get tired quickly but I tried to keep up and I'd say my wound healed very fast. I didn't have any trouble at all with the stitches, or swelling or anything. Like I said, if I went to the supermarket and wanted to walk around, I would feel a discomfort and tired but pretty much that was it and that was the first week after it. By the end of 3 weeks, I remember doing everything I used to do before and back to routine.

Also, my scar was quite low and I didn't have any extra skin bu then again, that has to do depending on the person, I suppose.

@PinkyPromise77

You are welcome. I am intending to have a natural birth with an epidural so my comments are not pushing c-sections by any means. What I do push is choice for women. You came on here asking for experiences not judgement and Im sorry that some people feel the need to criticise you - especially when their criticism ism based on personal experience.

I'd check whether you can actually just request a C-Section in your Trust before anything else, without a medical reason for doing so? Definitely can't in mine (admittedly I'd be tempted).

I'm also not sure why being 35 is any different to any other age? If anything, wouldn't being older delay your healing after surgery just as much as your vagina healing after birth? (I may be completely wrong here but I will be 30 at time of birth and not sure how that's different to 35).

You came on here asking for experiences not judgement and Im sorry that some people feel the need to criticise you - especially when their criticism ism based on personal experience.

What she actually did was come on and ask only for one particular type of experience - not a rounded view - accompanied with stuff about how women who gave birth vaginally have 'destroyed their vayjayjays', and scaremongering from a random friend. It's not surprising she got some hostile responses!

I had to battle constantly throughout my pregnancy for an ELCS despite having twins, severe tokophobia and lots of family history of severe prolapses following vaginal birth. Consultants completely patronised and disregarded my mounting anxiety until they finally agreed to book me in (but I was already 30 weeks by then).

I actually ended up having an EMCS at 35 weeks and from my perspective the recovery was fine. As the spinal wore off the pain was extreme (speaking as someone who’s had seven abdominal surgeries in the past) and I needed a lot of pain relief. My twins were both in nicu, so I didn’t have to take care for them. I was discharged less than 48 hours after my section and it was another two weeks before the first baby came home by which time I’d recovered well. I really don’t know how I would have coped if I’d had to look after my babies myself post op. Also, my spinal was genuinely horrific and I’m not sure I could do it again.

Then again, I know I could have been physically and mentally in as much of a state after a vaginal delivery.

Thanks @LaurG. I'm not really phased by being criticised there is always someone judgmental or patronising :) I may not have expressed myself very well but I also believe in having a choice REGARDLESS of the reasons, even if you genuinely believe it's easy choice (which I don't).

I should be able to choose whatever option I decide and based on a number of my friends who are medical professionals all opting for ELCS and based on their advice I am more inclined to follow similar path.

Just to throw a positive VB in the mix. I had an absolutely horrendous Labour but positive delivery outcome. I’m in my thirties and had a mild tear which was stitched and it healed fine and im actually the same as I was before if not tighter (could be due to slight scar tissue I don’t know but it feels it). I was surprised as you hear so many horror stories. I like you wanted a c section but I am relieved I would have had to jump through hoops to get one now because I’ve avoided a nasty scar on my stomach and major surgery. Obviously if I hadn’t have had a positive experience I may feel differently. I think there are risks with both and it just depends on what risks you’re prepared to take over the others.

Also op I know you mentioned birthing pools but in my area I don’t think they allow women over 34 to use them.

I was also in the shower within a couple hours of giving birth and walking around (could have gone in sooner but was too in love with my baby.) I’m going for a VB again second time around (when I’ve brave enough to try for a nother). Good luck OP; what ever you decide. I was pro c section all through my pregnancy and really pleased I didn’t end up having one in the end as for me it would have been the worst of the two options

@PinkyPromise77 I wasn't judging you I was just trying to let you know that not everyone has an easy time getting their request accepted so that you would be aware and hopefully get to ask the hospital in plenty of time.