Planned c section versus vaginal birth

[duckling3]

Hi, has anyone here had both a planned c section and a vaginal birth and happy to share you experiences. Which did you prefer and what was the experience/recovery for both like?

I'm due with my first later in the year and reading up on birth options. I am pretty terrified of birth - all methods - and everything I read online is designed to make you think vaginal birth by far the better option in a low risk pregnancy. Thought it might be interesting to get some real experiences and thoughts to see if that really is the case.

Please no horror stories!

@quizwhitty I know me too!! Although at that point is it more risky to have an EMCS than forceps? I've heard that sometimes they have to push baby back up the birth canal?

@squashie34 😱

@quizwhitty it's your body, it's your choice.

Definitely recommend the positive birth book and birthrights is a good organization.

" Tell me a positive birth story" is also a good resource. Yes - there are lots of horror stories but that's because nobody talks about the good ones.

My first labour was such a positive experience. I was calm and felt completely in control throughout. I actually get emotional thinking about how awesome it was.

@BumbleNova thanks. I've been reading the positive birth book but am just not convinced by it yet...

@quizwhitty I feel exactly the same as you about the positive birth book. I'm not a 'low risk' birth and just feel it talks a lot about natural natural natural which is great for some women but it is t all. Have you tried the online course? I've just started it - hoping it helps!

I haven’t had a section, but I always like to chip in with my positive VBs. I’ve had two, including one 10lbs baby. Both were induced for diff reasons, and one was back to back. All meant to make birth really painful.

It wasn’t (did sting a bit), but I managed woth only gas and air for both. No major damage, small tear only. Really quick recovery.

There are positives for both ECS and VB and also drawbacks. very often people only like to talk about awful births (no idea why but I used to be terrified before I had my first).

I personally wouldn’t go near a section, but that was always my preference. I would have had one if medically necessary, but the idea freaked me out. Others feel that way about VBs.

Do you research, chat to others and medical staff and make your choice. But remember loads of people have no issues at all (with either method). You only tend to hear horror stories though.

Suggest looking into hypnobirthing - helps to explain the process and allay fears around birth. Fear of birth can significantly affect the experience as it actually increases pain of the contractions - PBC has a great affordable digital pack. Is useful for cesareans as well as vaginal.

Also remember we have a culture of fear built up around us about birth and it can be hard to get out of it. The horror stories abound while it can be hard to find positive stories. Suggest looking at youtube for positive birth vids, and following some positive birth accounts on instagram.

I also read the positive birth book by Milli Hill and thought it was fantastic.

Good luck! x

I finished reading the positive birthbook, and done a fair amount of reading online now. I definately agree a straightforward VB would be better than ELCS, but I've found it really hard to find any resources which dont seem biased. Everything seems to compare a straightforward birth with a cs including emergencies. I cant help but feel it would be a bit less clear cut if you compared a less than straightforward VB with planned section.

I think the thing is you can't guarantee what birth will be like - it is in its nature slightly unpredictable - but you can maximise your chances to an extent of having a good experience. A c-section is major abdominal surgery and can have risks for baby and mum, that a vaginal birth doesnt have, which is why I believe they are only recommended in some situations. A vaginal birth by comparison is 'natural' in the sense we are built and designed as women to be able to do this. Of course things can happen which will mean we cannot without help and that's when things like assisted delivery and c-sections are a blessing. OR, if you really want to avoid vaginal delivery for personal reasons - again, a c-section can be a blessing.

The way I see it is that if I prepare as much as poss for a positive vaginal experience, and also make a back up plan for a c-section if it becomes necessary, I am setting myself up well to have a straight fwd vaginal delivery. We can't tell the future but its been shown time and again that women who do make a birth plan and are informed tend to have better experiences in labour.

This is why hypnobirthing can be really helpful, as well as reading up on things to maximise chances of a natural labour e.g. increasing oxytocin production through control of your environment, etc.

And also, like vaginal births, c-sections are themselves also unpredictable. You might have a really nice elective c-section experience but then get an infection or struggle to heal. Or you might have an emergency c-section and heal well. I

FYI I am not pregnant yet. I have been hit with severe baby fever during lock down and using my extra time to get all the info i need before TTC hopefully later this year.

I have a number of health issues including hypermobility which has led to pelvic and vaginal pain in the past and I have also spontaneously broken a rib before which refused to heal and long story short i now have screws in my ribs.

I have been erming and ahhing over whether i would want a C-section to reduce the risks around these issues but concerned it feels less "Special" and "magical" than a VB. I'm not the type that would worry about having the perfect birth and my main issues would be what is the safest and best way to have a child. I have a long time to make these decisions but can i ask what made the c-section experience so much better for you?

(PS yes I know i am a little crazy - i am just the type that likes to have every bit of info and takes lots of time to research anything)

Horrific first birth for me, ending in an EMCS, leaving me with PTSD for 18 months. I’ll be having an elective if this one sticks!

@duckling3 I totally agree. Reading this now:

www.rcm.org.uk/media/2341/interventions-in-normal-labour-and-birth.pdf

I also agree with the PP who mentioned preparing for the birth.

For example with VB’s eating well, exercising so you are Physically fit, researching what you need to, visiting the setting so you are comfortable knowing where to go etc... Exercise is such an important one - labour can go on a while and is very tiring. The fitter you are, the better.

I’m not saying if you do all this your birth will be perfect, but it all helps to reduce chances of things going wrong and can help you feel in control.

@Tigger83 I had the exact same thing. Undiagnosed breech which only got noticed once I was in labour and at 5cm. So emergency sec. Am due in Aug and currently this one is breech, I know I have a while to go for the baby to turn but I'm not feeling particularly confident after what happened last time. At least they've picked it up early this time 😬

My recovery from my section was textbook. Struggled with feeding which may or may not have been helped by the section. But I still would prefer not to have one again especially with a toddler to look after now. You're advised not to drive for 6 weeks after.

What you also need to remember is if you have a c section then it puts you at higher risk for future births, so if you think you'd be ok with only having c sections then go for it. I'm sure you need medical reasons though for your first, unless you were to pay privately. I might be wrong and maybe it different for different trusts.

Thank you to everyone who has shared their story, it's made me feel so much better about having a future C Section. I have a few health conditions which would make a VB very difficult for me and the guilt I felt from not doing it "the natural way" (as people keep saying to me) was immense. Thank you all again

@Luna321 I’m due my first in a few weeks and have opted for ELCS, despite having no medical reasons for doing so. This is on the NHS, not privately. It took a bit of convincing and I had to have several appointments with various doctors and midwives who tried to scare me out of it, but I just kept insisting it was what I wanted and they have eventually agreed.

Hi @Minmah that's great that they've agreed to it. Can I ask at what stage in your pregnancy you're having it?
Many thanks

@cafedesreves @Luna321 I'm also having an elective Csection without any medical reasons for doing so other than severe anxiety about the birth. I saw the consultant last week at 36 weeks and explained my reasons for wanting a section - I actually wrote it all down in a letter and handed it to the nurse beforehand so she could read it. She came in the room and said I completely agree with maternal choice, talked me through the risks and benefits, asked me if I was still sure then got out the diary and booked me in for 39+3!

@squashie34 your doctor seems like they were a lot more understanding than the one I saw. They really tried to talk me out of it and did not seem happy at all about agreeing to it, but I just held my ground and said it was what I wanted.

@cafedesreves The doctor told me it would be between 39 and 40 weeks. I’ve just had a call confirming the date which will be exactly 39 weeks (assuming I don’t get bumped).

@Minmah I was very lucky that the consultant I saw had chosen to have electives herself and was the consultant that had written into my hospital's policy on sections the maternal request section.

Well done you for holding your ground! 🙌 I'm not sure I would have without getting upset (hence why I wrote the letter) how long until your date?!

I’m due my first in August and despite the dreaded fears that come with the prospect of a vaginal birth I don’t intend of having a c-section unless I have to. I think it’s right that hospitals discourage elective c-sections as I think a lot of women’s hesitations towards a natural birth are based on fear of the unknown (which is natural, when you’re pregnant I don’t think you’ll ever be completely convinced that the baby is safe until they’re there in your arms, that coupled with all the horror stories you hear). I hope I have no complications and can proceed with a VB because I’d be really sad to miss out on the experience of a vaginal birth and I’ve always been put off by CS’s because I really don’t like the idea of my baby having no idea what’s coming, me being physically sedated and numb, being prodded around with and then handed a baby. I want to respect the physiological process as much as possible (of course a c-section is a brilliant innovative procedure and has saved many mummies and babies lives). But I want to respect the natural process being that only a baby can tell you when he/she is ready to be born and I like the idea of them instigating that and then us completely the process together.

I’ve done a lot of reading and I also randomly came across a documentary called ‘the Birth Reborn’ on Netflix which I found really informative.

I’m really happy that I now feel brave enough and have the confidence the face a vaginal birth despite the uncertainties (and I take comfort in the fact that if i need a c-section I’ll be provided that) because up until a couple months ago I was dreaded with fear and like the idea of a c-section as it seemed the safest option at the time.

I’m now even considering a home birth 🤣 (If someone told me that a couple months ago I would’ve laughed!)

Is there any choice over the date or are you just allocated a day by the hospital?

I’m booked in for a section next week. I saw the Consultant at week 35 and we talked about my decision and he booked the appointment there and then. I had highlighted my choice from the early days but I did honour the medics request for me to keep an open mind and be open to the pros and cons of both. He knew I had done a lot of research into vaginal and section deliveries (risks and benefits) and said once is decided they would honour my choice and I wouldn’t have to fight for my wishes. I did not have to ‘justify’ my decision or be psychologically evaluated in any way! My Trust respect the right of the woman to choose. My Consultant totally understood and is of the opinion that you don’t know what you’re getting into necessarily with a vaginal birth - they can be great but can also not go well. For my section, I had a choice of dates. I’m booked in for 39+1.

NICE guidelines state that you are entitled to choose a section and it doesn’t need to be for medical reasons. If your hospital won’t grant an elective section you are entitled to be referred by them to a hospital who will give you one.

The organisation Birth Rights lists all the hospital Trusts and their rates/policies on elective sections so you can be informed as to what your options are.

There have been some very protracted natural births in my family and one ended up in a permanent learning disability relating to oxygen starvation to the baby during the process. Another cousin had a 36 hour labour, only to require an emergency section at the end because the baby was distressed. Her baby had to be whisked away to a different hospital overnight with the necessary facilities and have testing for the first month to check for brain damage.

I’m not trashing natural births here and I genuinely hope these don’t classify as horror stories because that isn’t my intention. There are many many uneventful natural births and I am unlucky to be surrounded by several negative birth events that have massively shaped my own decision. I would love a natural birth but the risks of the unknown are too great for me. I just want my baby to be safe - the risks of a section are mainly to me really and I’m ok with that. I think a straightforward natural birth probably is preferable to a section but an elective section is preferable to a complicated birth or emergency section. I think we’re just all trying to do our best here and everyone’s opinions/choices should be respected.
Sorry for the essay!

@PoodlesAreMySpiritAnimal I could have written your post- these were my exact reasons also and I'm so glad you felt that you had the choice too without trying to be talked out of it. Wishing you the best of luck!