c-section or natural?

[Madigan]

Help!

This is going to be my 1st baby and I can't decide whether to go for an elective c-section or try giving birth naturally. Baby due in August. Have been told it is going to be big. and am v anxious because from what I hear there is a v big chance of an emergency caesar if the baby is big - and would rather avoid an emergency caesar if at all possible, because it seems to be the worst of both worlds... i.e. long labour and then a caesar at the end of it.

I don't feel strongly that I want to give birth naturally - fairly happy either way. Whatever is best of baby and me!!

My consultant has recommended a caesar if baby if 9 lbs or over.

Any advice/comments please???

c/s is major adominal surgery - i wouldnt go for this as an elective straight away.

also 'big babies' are not always so - scans are only accurate to 25%, so what he is saying is 9lb - could be 7.5lb.

take a look at aims.org.uk, also sheila kitzinger and michel odent books.

good luck.

cx

Congratulations on your pregnancy Madigan!

What makes you think that you are going to have a big baby? With both of mine, after scans I was told that I was having whoppers and they both turned out to be tiny (under 5lbs). Scans are known to be rather inaccurate when it comes to estimating weight.

Why would your consultant recommend an elective caesarian for a larger baby anyway, is there something about you that would make it hard for you to deliver a large baby?

I think most people would agree that it is better for the baby and the mother to give birth naturally. Recovery is generally faster and often breastfeeding (if this is what you decide) is easier to establish.

Have you spoken to a midwife about this, you may find that they see things differently to your consultant?

why does your consultant think a 9lb baby will be a problem for you?

I have two friends at our local toddler group who are very slim (size 10) & 5'2 & 5'4 respectively. They both gave birth to 9lbers naturally without any problem. It's very rare for a woman to bake a baby bigger than she is able to physically deliver.

A c/s is major abdominal surgery, will take you weeks to recover from it, puts you at higher risk of complications, may affect future fertility and future labours. It should only be done if there are compelling medical reasons. (and yes I had a c/s for my DD due to fetal distress, but I would have preferred not to....)

i would go for a ceaser its not the dreadful thing people make it out to be at all

i was able to get down on the floor and wash my lo in a baby bath three days later as long as you have help at home and a considerate family go for it

i think you heal better if you are prepared for it and i would recommend having someone around to help you push your pram so you can get out and about but not over strain yourself

it was best thing i ever did

Sigh, my long message never took. I had a CS and would strongly recomend that if you can, you take a 'normal' birth instead. the operation is fine, 20 minutes of nothing, but the recovery is much harder and longer than a vaginal birth - 6 weeks rather than a few days. I was told my DS would be a very big 5kg, he was in the end a small 3kg, and the weight is something that Drs can just never get right. I am pregnant again, and definately going to try as hard as I can for a vaginal birth. I am reading Hypnobirthing by Marie Mongan which is VERY good - I really really reccomend you get it, as you seem very scared about the birth, and it's very reassuring about what is involved and how fear can play a big part in prolonging your labour, and what you can do to try to relax and get through it as pain free as possible. It's not as flekey as that just sounded, but please do read all you can about what birthing involves and how you can try to control it. I'd also ask your Dr why he wants you to have a CS, a big baby si not a valid reason IMHO, ask him what his rate of CS's are - he will prob be surprised, but I suspect it's quite high... Maybe he likes them because they are quick, rather than waiting in hospital for the birthing to be finished..?? It's not a good reason, even my Dr is suggesting I try for a vaginal birth, as CS's are/should be a last resort. Also I blame in part the drugs i was given for my Cs on why I had such issues BFing my DS, he was just a rag doll for 2 days and couldn't suck at all. Very scarey.. I don't want to scare you, but really, a CS is in no way teh 'esy' option. It has it's own drawbacks and benefits, and you need to read up as much as you can baout births, and relaxations, and perineal massages etc before you decide one way or another. Good luck.

I have had both.

IMO

A natural - the pain is mostly beforehand but when that gorgeous little bundle come out you feel no pain at all, you also recover much easier and quicker (i had a 3rd degree tear so saying that take some!)you are up and about almost immediately.

C-section - Well elective... quite simple, and completely pain free before baby born, but recovery is pretty awful to be honest, i was so agitated and frustrated that i couldn't pick my baby up from the cot the first day, i had to ring my buzzer or if dh was there he had to do it, more complications can occur for you and the baby (it isnt natural and the baby is very mucusy)

Walking is pretty terrible for at least a week after a section, sleeping is uncomfortable, you just feel so so sore.Risk of infection.

My dd was almost 9 lb's (natural birth) and yes i did tear, but it wasnt all that bad (a tear or cut is what i most dreaded) and there is no feeling like it when you have gone through that labour and pushing, and to look at that baby coming out and be soooo proud of what you have achieved! I actually felt quite let down by the section, i did no work so to speak.

I guess what i am trying to say is, go for a natural! nothing beats it, your body will know what to do even with a big baby.

Natural naturally. I had both and as the previous posters said the op is fine, it's afterwards.

If you have a section you will stay in hospital after the birth for a number of days - something that I personally hated. My dh went off home and carried on with life and I was 'cared' for by the nurses, I use the term 'cared' for with caution as some (not all) were downright bitches and seemed to delight in being unkind to those of us who couldn't move!!

I have since had a couple of natural births, the last one my baby was 10lbs 12oz, I am not a large lady (nor after 4 babies a particularly small one) but I had a midwife who helped me and told me when to grunt, pant and push. With her help I ended up with only 2 stitches and no episiostomy (sp).

TBH I am amazed you are being offered a section, google it and look at all the risks involved, both to you and the baby. Sections are sometimes a necessity in childbirth but they should never be looked at as the easy option, I speak from bitter experience they aren't all they are cracked up to be.

Congrats on your pregnancy.... natural all the way. Easier and quicker to recover from. I've had emergency and elective caesarean birth and vaginal births.

Don't understand why the consultant would want to frighten you and suggest a c-birth if over 9lbs. How silly!

Try to vaginal birth, you'll probably surprise yourself.

Am surprised at the weight thing. It's all guesswork anyway - no one can tell you the weight of your baby before the birth.

Both mine were meant to be enormous and were only 8.8 and8.7 lbs. Even when dd was first born the m/ws all shouted - "Wow she's huge definitely over 9lbs!!" and they were holding her at the time!

DS was an emergency section.
DD came out the right way way.

As others have said the recovery time is weeks versus days. You'll manage it if you have help.

I needed help to lift ds to feed him. WE cracked (no pun) b/f eventually, but the section made it harder. I literally had no abdominal strength.

With dd the recovery was a breeze and I felt as high as a kite - really, really great.

I must be weird cos i've had 2 sections and never had a days pain from either of them. I did get given painkillers which i took everything they offered, they didn't affect breastfeeding.

First section was done at fully dilated - DS was 10lb and got stuck! This will sound weird too but i have no regrets about having the labour then the section. I know that i gave it my best shot, had the experience, the birth story etc, and was in no way disappointed cos i know i did my best.

Second section was done quite early in labour - DD was premature and breech.

I can't imagine having an elective section and going in "sober" but i know of people who've had them and said they were great.

I'd try for a natural, and if it does end in a section trust me, it really isn't a terrible thing to be dreading, mine were great!

I am new to this and was just having a browse but when i noticed this i thought i would add a few comments...

i had an e.c.section at 32 weeks with my boys and was really poorly...

i was terrified i would need a section with my second baby as my m.w told me it was likely as i had had one already! she also told me i would be hooked up on a drip as soon as i arrived and they would do a section if they were worried... this really cheered me up - NOT!!

i'm glad to say this wasn't the case! in just over 4 hours from waters breaking to delievery my gorgeous baby J arrived - a mere 9lb 11oz!! Not bad for a first labour! I was in the bath within the hour, taking myself to the toilet in the night and home the next day..a far cry from my section!

Hope this is useful to someone x

Give natural a go. I had 2 emergency sections and the recovery was awful, especially afer the 1st when even afetr 6 weeks it was too painful to drive. I also lost alot of blood in surgery and had to spend 5 days in hospital. SIL was induced with an epidural, admits to feeling no pain at all, had a very relaxing and positive experience and was back to normal in a day. IAlso, I have a friend who gave birth to an 11lbs+ baby, with no pain releif and no tearing. Your body is designed for natural, give it a go.

I have no experience of c-sections.

But I know a lot of women who hav ehad big babies naturally. My Grandma says the bigger the better...because you can really push a big baby (I think she means like a big poo) and she is a tiny little woman who had 10lb + babies before the NHS existed.

I wish it was me saying I'm having a baby soon.

Enjoy your new baby however it is born.X

And let us know!

ok - the general consensus is to go for natural then!!! Think I will . I am quite nervous about it, but am going to try hypnobirthing/positive thinking ......

My consultant is fab/v experienced etc - I think his view was based on fact that (a) he knows I am nervous and (b) in his experience, women with larger babies tend to need an emergency caesar in the end up anyway. My midwife has said the same thing!!! I know we all know of people who delivered large babies naturally with no probs, but there are many who do not!
Of course I can't be sure how large baby is - just have to go by scans, and at the moment it is looking big.

So - I am going to gear up for a natural birth, and pray that everything goes well! Am just so excited about having a baby, that I can't wait for it to arrive .
Thank you for all your advice XX

Have had 3 large babies- first two vaginal (both forceps) and last one 3 weeks ago caesarean.

The scans for my last one had predicted a large baby and they were right (head 38cms).

If you have a large baby and have a vaginal birth with a tear or an episiotomy, then will you have discomfort while your pelvic floor area recovers. The length and degree obviously depends on the type of tear/cut. Not all large babies will cause a tear or cut but you won't know this in advance!

A caesarean involves a longer recovery generally but is IMO a safer option in the case of a very large baby. I found the first 3 days after my op very painful but was physically almost fully recovered by a week.

Emotionally, some women feel very strongly that a natural birth is preferable but for me it's safety first.

The strongest factor in your case IMO is the fact that it's your first baby. It's better not to have too many caesareans if you can avoid it so it might be better to aim for a natural birth bearing in mind that it might end up in an emergency c/s.

I would very strongly advise listening to your consultant as in my experience they tend to discourage caesareans so there might be a good reason why it may be best for you.

I would also bear in mind that women with big babies may not end up with cesareans just because the baby is big, but because the midwife/doctor is worried that he/she is big. The way labour is managed has a big impact on how likely you are to end up with a cesarean - ie if the medics are anxious and looking for problems, they will probably find them! That's not to say that a cesarean is never needed for women with a big baby on board, but if you think positively, remain active and upright during labour then this will all help.

Good luck.

Madigan, glad that you are going for the natural option. Even if you only labour for a little while it is much better for you and the baby than an elective section.

Just to reiterate what everyone else has said, I recovered from my birth far quicker than my friends did, they had all had C-sections for one reason or another.

I'm quite petite and I managed fine. I just went in without a doubt that I could do it, after all the human race wouldn't be here if most of us weren't capable of giving birth, so try not to worry too much. And one of my mates, who is quite small too, gave birth to a 9lb 9oz baby the other week in the birth pool at the local hospital and she didn't even need stitches or pain killers!

If I was you I would read as much as you can yourself and don't rely too heavily on the advice from your consultant or mw. The more informed you are the more confident you should feel.

And don't forget what everyone else has said about the scans being wrong, saw my MW today and she said its not uncommon for them to be 2lbs out, so that would mean you could be having a 7lb baby!

Also, I've heard too that bigger babies are easier to push out but don't know why.

Do everything you can to make yourself feel more relaxed, I've been doing pregnancy yoga for the last few weeks and this has given me lots of confidence. They teach you breathing and positions that really help with pushing those babies out.

Two things you haven't mentioned, and you don't have to answer of course, is there a reason that you are under a consultant and are you going on any ante-natal courses?

Oh, and one last thing, I'm due in August too, have you have a look in the Ante-natal Clubs at the due in August thread, they are a really nice bunch.

Good luck and I've got every faith that you can do it!

Forgot to say yesterday, have a look here:

www.nct.org.uk/bumps/

I ordered myself a copy and thought it was very good. This edition has a free DVD of natural birth that might help to put your mind at rest.

Like DaisyMOO says, the way the birth is managed has the biggest impact so the more informed, confident and relaxed you are the better the outcome should be for you all.

congrats on your first baby, i was told that i was having a big baby and they did a sizing scan and what not but just at the end of the day didnt really know.
i think that in all honesty when it comes to the naturally/cs you should think very carefully.
i laboured for 24 hours, 2 hours of pushing, then forceps, to then be rushed for emergency cs as his heart rate started to show distress. cs are not great its major surgery, i couldnt hold him after they got him out which was so quick less than 5 mins, cos was shaking so much from the drugs they gave. must say tho my recovery was good, was able to get about really quick just bit uncomfortable at times.
at the end of the day nature and your baby will decide what happens in the end.
just have to add the young anethatist looking after me was a dish told me after my surgery they had put a morphine pessary up my behind, its an embaressing time (blush) he he

Just wanted to add a couple of things.

My doctor was convinced that I was going to need a caesarian (supposidly large baby and I broke my pelvis when I was young, it healed badly) I was adamant that I wanted to have a go at natural. I had DD1 with no difficulty, a normal unassisted birth.

One of the reasons that I wanted to at least try for a natural birth is because I wanted to go into labour. I know it feels like a bit of a double whammy if you have to go through labour and a caesarian but there are reasons why it is worth it. Firstly if you go into labour naturally it means that the baby is born when the time was right, not when the hospital can fit you in. Secondly during the process of labour your body cranks up hormone production, antibody creation and all manner of other things, all these goodies are passed on to your baby.

Good luck with everything.

i was at a delivery of a 9 lb 5 baby..with no stitches ! it can be done

also, women tend to grow the size of baby they can birth

growth scans can be innacurate

as can palpation to determine size

labour is better for the baby..prepares them for the outside world, makes the transition from uterus to outside easier .....

9 lb plus, IMHO is not a reason for a c,s....UNLESS there is true CPD

i have had one c.s and one vaginal....would go for the vaginal route every time

why not look at having a doula with you who can support you and help you feel confident and empowered

read some Ina May Gaskin and Sheila Kitznger who are both great at reminding us that birth is a natural and achievable

also, having c.s can impact your choices for subsequent births and has its own risks ( and benefits too, but on the whole vaginal birth is better)

I was very anxious about the whole event but somewhere towards the end of it i just thought - he has got to come out and other people can do it so why can't i?

I also was made more determined by my m.w telling me i would prob have another section!

I drank plenty of raspberry leaf tea (cold cos it was better and i actually grew to like it!) I drank the maximum allowance until my due date and then a little over that for the next four days - i will certainly be drinking it this time round!

I also has some accupuncture on the day he arrived with a view to inducing me and it can also quicken labour - it worked!

I would say i am fairly-anti sections on the whole but there is certainly a time and place for them...I agree with DaisyMoo (loving the name!) it is ofetn more about what is easiest for the medics not what is best for you and your baby...

I had a planned c-sction. As a diabetic, a natural birth was never even discussed. (Babies are norm big for diabetics - ds wasn't !!! he was much smaller than they predicted at my sacns - which I had done EVERY WEEK). Best thing I ever did. Recovery was fine, no pain, lifted and bf ds no problem. Not suggesting that everyone has it this easy - because it is MAJOR surgery, but there is nothing wrong/bad/anyother word you can think of, about having one.

Oblomov, don't think anybody was suggesting c-sections were wrong, its just that in most women's experience the recovery time seems to be much quicker for natural births and the evidence also shows that the process of going through labour is more beneficial to mum and baby. So glad that you found your c-section to be fine.

Thought I was going to have to have one this time as baby was breech and I was dreading it after seeing my friends in so much agony after their sections, but thankfully the baby has moved. Know that this means that I still might have a c-section as its a possibility with all births but for me the shortest time I'm in hospital the better as I HATE them!