C-section or not?

[MrsParsons]

I’m expecting my 2nd child at the end of March. I suffered a 3rd degree tear with my first, so saw the consultant to discuss this. He threw a curve ball at me and said it was up to me if I wanted a c-section I could ! I bottled it and couldn’t decide so he has booked me in for a scan at 36 weeks to check on babies size and position. I suffer from piles and am worried about further damage if j go for vaginal birth again,. I’m now wondering if I should have just said I’d go for a c-section there and then rather than now waiting until 36 weeks (first baby was born at 38 weeks).

I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts and from those of you have been through both birthing types

Thank you!!

Hey @MrsParsons. I had a third degree tear with my first and a pretty traumatic delivery and had the same choice with my second, who is now 3 weeks. I ended up opting for a c section as i wasn't confident about another natural delivery (didn't get much in the way of aftercare so didn't really know how much damage was done in the first birth!).

Obviously everyone is different but my section was a really positive experience. Calm staff and I actually had a chance to 'enjoy' the birth and really be aware of what was going on. I felt so supported both during and after the surgery. The recovery really hasn't been that bad - painkillers for the first week or so but I'm managing to get out for a walk most days now and feel pretty good.

I hope this helps - whatever you decide, it sounds like you have a good consultant who will listen which is great!

Thanks @Kaytees! I didn’t realise at the time how severe my tear was either, other than the nurses whispering to me ‘was I the lady with the tear?!’ I had to google it when I got home, eek!

I wasn’t expecting the consultant to say it was up to me, I thought he’d say yes or no!

When did you decide to have the c-section and how far in advance did you know the date it was going to happen?

I think to ease my anxiety I am leaning toward c-section, how long were you in hospital for this time and last?

Sorry for all the questions!

@MrsParsons don't apologise, it's a big decision to make!

Sounds like you didn't have much fun first time round, I can totally understand your wanting to ease anxiety. I took awhile to make the decision but I met with consultant at 34 or 36 weeks (I wish I could remember the exact time but my head is a bit newborn fuzzy). I was given the date by 37 weeks and had my son at 39 weeks.

With my first I was in one night (they wanted to keep me longer but I was a bit overwrought and insisted I be let home) and this time 2 nights. The extra night gave me time to ensure I could get up and move about and also get more support with feeding.

My section is planned for a few weeks so can't tell you about my experience yet, however I had a terrible labour with my first and I chose to have a section this time.

Of course it's your choice, but I am so glad I've made this decision! I know it won't be a walk in the park but I honestly haven't heard one had one bad story about someone having a planned section. Of course there are risks etc (and I'm sure you'll want to look into it) but it's certainly the best choice for me and my baby.

Good luck xx

I too was torn about this, at first I was adamant I wanted a section so really pushed for it and my request was granted.

Then I started to think that second labours are generally better, I should try again etc.

However, baby is breech so the decision has been made for me!

On balance though, considering my issues, I think I'd go for the section.

3rd degree tears are very unlikely to happen again but they will always offer you section in case had a traumatic time or had ongoing issues (like incontinence, not piles - the pregnancy causes that more than the birth!). So if you had a vaginal birth before very likely you would have the same again, did the tear heal well? Remember that a planned cs is calm and great if right for you but also you will be recovering from surgery and have another child so not the best option for everyone.

My first two deliveries were traumatic but third was fine. You can’t always predict how labour will pan out but that’s what I didn’t like and after a traumatic missed miscarriage which lead to a scary haemorrhage I wouldn’t take the risk again and opted for a ELCS with DC4.

It was the best decision for me and it’s weird to say I enjoyed the experience hut compared to my VB’s, I definitely did.

Go for it. The consultant has seen your notes and will have suggested this based on your specific circumstances.
My friend has just had DC2 via ELCS (also 3rd degree tear with DC1) and her experience was exactly like kaytees a calmer more manageable birth that was easier to recover from.
There's always the danger that if your labour is not well managed, pre-existing damage can be made much worse.

I’m the opppsite. I had to have a c section with my first and hoping to have a natural birth this time. I hope that’s the right phrase I wasn’t sure.

The c section was restricting. It took ages for the stomach muscles to recover and I couldn’t drive.

Hi Op, I'm in the exact same position as you, expect only 10 weeks. I spoke to the mw about it yesterday and she said that if I went for another vaginal delivery they would be very careful when the baby passes by the perinium, that I would have to really listen to them and control my pushing and that if it looks like it won't stretch enough they will elect for an epistiotemy, which not ideal, is the lesser of two evils. She was very confident that the mw team were good at dealing with this situation. I'm going to opt for a vd again, and hope for the best.

I'm on baby 3 after a 2nd degree tear with number 1 and third degree tear and bladder prolapse with number two.
My consultant recommended a section which I am booked for in two weeks.
She said it was important to look at why my vaginal deliveries had ended up this way and in my case, both boys were back to back and 9.5 lbs. She said this was likely to be due to pelvic shape and therefore likely to happen again and so she would not recommend any further vaginal deliveries. She also said that the recovery from a third or fourth degree tear can actually be worse and more problematic than a section recovery.
I did wonder if I was doing the right thing but happy now I have made the decision to go with the section.

I had a C section with my first baby, she was breech and I felt like it was the best option for me. I did have concerns about not feeling like I had had a 'proper' birth, in that I would never experience a contraction or that it might feel like an anti climax without all the huffing and puffing - but the whole experience was so positive I am really pleased with my choice. I had great midwives, everything was planned and ready for us when we arrived, we picked our music, and the birth was happy, positive and emotional. They did delayed cord clamping and I had plenty of skin to skin. I had a good recovery too, I was in hospital for a couple of nights and then after a week at home I was up and about and going for walks in the park with the pram. For my second baby I didn't hesitate to ask for a c section. Good luck!

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