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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Advice needed, c-section or natural delivery

26 replies

csmw · 19/02/2020 14:18

Sorry for the long post but I need to make a decision soon on how I wish to give birth. I'm currently 34+1 and was planning a water birth however I have Group B Strep so have been advised I won't be allowed, as I have to be given antibiotics through a drip during labour.

I was induced with my last DD which was fine but I had 2nd degree tearing and it took about 8 weeks to recover I was in so much pain. I had a emergency section with my 1st which was a much shorter recovery time but was 19 years ago 🙈

I'm also currently having growth scans yesterday baby was estimated to be 5lb 13 and is on the 90th percentile so to me seems like she is going to be a whopper. My 1st was 5lb 14 and 2nd was 9lb 3.

I'm so stuck on what I want to do and DH has said he will support me either way. My DD is 14mths old so I'm worried a c section will leave me immobile for too long and I wont be able to handle both babies, but then I'm worried about tearing again with such a big baby and the group b strep risk.

What would you guys do? how do I make a decision its stressing me out Confused.

OP posts:
WinterCat · 19/02/2020 14:20

How much leave can your DH have after the birth or will you be able to get support from other family?

PotteringAlong · 19/02/2020 14:23

I had group b strep with all 3 of mine and 3 natural deliveries. I would go natural delivery because it will, most likely, be much easier for lifting / driving / getting around after you’ve given birth.

Original poster
csmw · 19/02/2020 14:25

@WinterCat Currently he has 2 weeks annual leave booked from my due date so depending on what date I give birth he will also have 2 weeks paternity. No other family live near me unfortunately.

OP posts:
ClubfootMaestro · 19/02/2020 14:27

How much support will you have in the early weeks? Is your husband taking paternity leave? Does your toddler go to nursery?

There is no right or wrong - I would suggest a section if you have the hands on support for the early part where you’re fairly immobile, but there’s no way of knowing how your recovery will be from either birth this time. However tearing and birth injury can cause long term effects so if you’re concerned about this I would consider a section of it were me.

Good luck whatever you decide Flowers

ClubfootMaestro · 19/02/2020 14:28

Cross posted with your update - the other advantage of a section is you know when baby is coming so your DH can plan his time off to be there for the maximum amount of time

Nowayorhighway · 19/02/2020 14:33

I had an elective c-section with my last baby after two traumatic vaginal deliveries and it was a much better and more positive experience. I’m 15 months down the line now and pregnant again, I pulled a bit of a Hmm face at the consultant suggesting a VBAC! I loved the CS and kinda wish I’d had them all along tbh Grin. Recovery time was shorter than it was after my vaginal births.

Original poster
csmw · 19/02/2020 14:33

Hubby will have 2 weeks paternity and hopefully 2 weeks annual leave, hopefully consecutively. DD doesn't go to nursery as I've had almost back to back maternity leave from work 🙈.

Beacuse I can't have the water birth (not sure it would help anyway) but I'm really scared of tearing worse this time as it's another big baby, I was in so much pain last time.
But then I'm worried about the c section recover as I was up and active after a week last time but I was also 19 at the time so my body would have been in a lot better condition lol.

OP posts:
cultkid · 19/02/2020 14:33

Section every single time

cultkid · 19/02/2020 14:37

I drove 10 days after my section btw

This second one was so much better then my first

BecauseReasons · 19/02/2020 14:42

Not had a section, but you can end up with adhesions which are basically scar tissue gunking all your internal gubbins together and can cause long term pain if you're unlucky.

I had a second degree tear and was out shopping a few days later, but different people heal differently and no one can tell how yours will go. It's a tough call. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Original poster
csmw · 19/02/2020 14:43

@PotteringAlong Thank you did the Group B cause any issues with your labour, moving around etc?

@ClubfootMaestro working his leave out to give maximum time off is definitely a bonus.

@Nowayorhighway @cultkid what type of stitches do you have nowadays. Back with my 1st it was like a long wire they pulled out.

OP posts:
cultkid · 19/02/2020 14:47

I had glue!!

WinterCat · 19/02/2020 14:47

I’ve had four c sections and they were all close together in my late thirties onwards. Recovery varied but even after the worst, I was very mobile within a fortnight and that was with other young children to look after. If your DH can get four weeks off, then definitely a c section especially since you don’t need to worry about getting anyone else to nursery or school so can have quiet days at home.

cultkid · 19/02/2020 14:47

I think If you're on the heavier side they use staples which can be so painful

BecauseReasons · 19/02/2020 14:47

OP, can I ask how you know you have Group B strep? Do your hospital routinely check for it or did you have to push for it to be done? Mine didn't check last time and I'm wondering whether to get it done privately this time.

Original poster
csmw · 19/02/2020 14:59

@cultkid Glue oh wow didn't know they did that, I wouldn't, I'm a size 14 so not sure if that's classed as heavier but I'm a giant at 6ft1 🙈

@WinterCat that's good to know whenever I've spoken to staff at the hospital they always talk about recovery times being longer than natural, but I found the opposite.

@BecauseReasons I went to triage for reduced movements and pain and they sent me a letter to tell me it had came up in my urine sample. I don't think they routinely test for it though

OP posts:
cultkid · 19/02/2020 15:05

I think they will use glue on you then or dissolvable stitches which I had first time and were also fine 🖤

WinterCat · 19/02/2020 15:07

I’ve never had a vaginal delivery to compare to but I’ve had friends who have had babies at the same time as me and I’ve always recovered quicker than some of them have. A longer recovery after a c section is not a given, especially with a large baby and history of tearing.

I think all woman are tested for strep b if they have their urine tested in the PAU during pregnancy whilst visiting for reduced movements or any other concern.

Original poster
csmw · 19/02/2020 15:16

@cultkid @WinterCat

How long do they keep you in hospital after a c section, I was in for a week with my 1st but believe it's not that long nowadays

OP posts:
cultkid · 19/02/2020 15:39

I went home the next day in the early afternoon. It took a while to get the meds from pharmacy but I was ready and threatening to leave in the night
You need proper pain killers to go home with so you can cope.
They wanted me to stay another day but I said I really wanted to get home

If I had my own room and toilet I would have coped ok staying longer

WinterCat · 19/02/2020 15:56

24hrs, 24hrs, 36hrs, four days but that was more because the baby was in SCBU.

Original poster
csmw · 19/02/2020 18:10

Oh that's good to know

OP posts:
Selfsettling3 · 19/02/2020 18:14

I was high risk for multiple reasons and expecting a large baby. I decided on a c section if baby hasn’t arrived by 39 weeks. I had a vbac at 38+1. I was cut but the recovery was so much better than my emcs. When leaving hospital DH took my things to the car first, as soon as he had gone DD1 (3 yrs) said she needed a wee, I could easily lift her onto to the toilet.

Original poster
csmw · 19/02/2020 21:03

I'm so conflicted as to what to do, seing midwife on Friday so hopefully will make my mind up

OP posts:
whatswithtodaytoday · 19/02/2020 21:10

I was a size 18 when I had my section and they used dissolvable stitches.

As you should have support I would go with a section, at least you know what will happen. I was in one night then went to a midwife led unit for two more nights for support as I had severe anxiety.