Vaginal birth or c-section??

[happygolucky6]

Just wondering what everyone's experiences where with both a vaginal birth and c-sections.

It's coming up to the time that I have to choose my birth plan and I just want to know I chose with all information rather than picking one just because I know more about it.

Also, if you have a c-section, do they book it from week 40 onwards? Or do they do them from 38 weeks onwards?

Any advice, information, experiences would be welcome. 💕

[happygolucky6]

Thank you everyone for your posts it's defo given me something to think about!

I just wanted to make an educated choice rather than picking one because it's the one I know more about.

I also didn't want to steer clear of c-sections purely because of the bad press they seem to get when quite clearly here there are a lot of positive things to be said about them.

🌟✨

[Lily2020]

My dd was over 9lbs, 9 days overdue, very long labour, suction cup failed flew across the room, ended up with episiotomy & forceps. More traumatic for my hubby than me as I don't remember every detail. Honestly the recovery was worse than labour, didn't feel 'normal' until she was 8 months. Currently 8 weeks pregnant with my 2nd, plan on asking for an elective section & hoping I don't have to fight too hard.

[Raaaa]

Vaginal birth here which was completely fine, baby was over 9lb, I had the lowest grade tear which healed no problem with a few stitches, no intervention eg forceps, suction one (can't remember the name) and didn't feel any pain with the gas and air.
I don't know if it made any difference but right up until the end I went to daily walks for a bit of fitness

[Whatelsecouldibecalled]

Vaginal birth - first baby. Whilst I’m pleased I’ve experienced it it was bloody hard. Had two black eyes from pushing. Ended in a third degree tear from front to back needed repair in surgery. Had more stitches than a section. Recovery was very very tough. They have said any subsequent babies will be a section as my bits were wrecked after this one. He was only 7lb 4 so not massive.

[HelmutShmacker]

I delivered all four of my babies vaginally, yet I would recommend you to have a c section. If I could go back I would have opted for a section each time.

[Lauren83]

I have only had 2 sections so can't comment on vaginal, both were a great experience and mega quick recovery, I was out within 24 hours. First was a failed induction that resulted in a section and second was elective, they wouldn't booked the elective before 39 unless an urgent medical need

[Marlena1]

*they did induction on the Sunday.

[Marlena1]

@BeMorePacific it was with drip. I was constantly told (by everyone) that they wouldn't do this but they did. I had been in early labour for days and was exhausted. Section was booked for the Tuesday post bank hol but they did it on the Sunday as I was so fed up. They constantly asked about the scar throughout (if it hurt) but there were no issues that way.

[june2007]

2 un assisted deliveries, Both with out pain killers. First had to have d&C for after birth which was worse then the birth but really no issues. (They were both between 34-35 wks.)

[BeMorePacific]

@Marlena1 how did they induce you? Was in pessary, drip, Cook’s balloon? I thought they might want to avoid induction, due to the potential of uterine rupture. It’s good to know it’s possible! xx

[New2020]

Following this thread for the wisdom

[vulvachips]

I've had a "natural" VB & elective CS. Pros & cons of both.

VB

Very very painful as it was back to back & very quick so didn't even get gas & air. But baby turned the correct way so I only had a small tear, maybe 10 stitches. Found the contractions much worse than the crowning, its a weird experience to be in so much pain & then it just disappears, the shower after felt amazing. No pain after, no incontinence, etc.

Dc2 elective at 38.5 wks, I personally didn't like the experience but I think I'm a control freak (didn't like the epidural, catheter, etc). Found the first few days after very painful but I think it's because I was expecting zero pain (was discharged next day with paracetamol). No issue with bf & did straight after birth. Definitely best decision for baby but I don't like the small bulge over the scar, it doesn't sit the same way if that makes sense. Wasn't scared to pee or pooh at all.

If I had another I would try for VBAC

[KayBM]

@SallyWD

So sorry to hear that. 💐

[mynameiscalypso]

You don't need to have a medical need for a c section; NICE guidelines are that you can chose the way you give birth. You might have to fight for it and some hospitals are more accommodating than others but it's perfectly possible.

[SallyWD]

My first child got stuck so I needed an episiotomy and forceps. It was only a couple of years later I realised I had a prolapse (3 to be precise: bladder, bowel and uterus). To be honest they don't really bother me or affect my quality of life but I would prefer not to have them. I've heard they can become much more problematic after menopause when oestrogen drops and the vaginal tissues and muscles become weaker. I'm 45 so not looking forward to that.

[KayBM]

@happygolucky6

If you want a c section- you can look at nice guidelines for c section requests and birth rights site for guidance. If you want a c section they can refuse but are meant to refer you to an obstetrician who will perform one. I've seen this mentioned on other mumsnet threads.

Fwiw I think in my case I would probably have been ok if the birth had gone normally and I hadn't had forceps. But women do face risks with a normal vaginal birth.

[Twigletmama]

Do you have a medical need to have a c-section?

[KayBM]

@Hileni

I'm so sorry to hear everything you're going through. I hope surgery works for you...💐

I have a prolapse. Every day nearly all day long I feel uncomfortable and have ongoing pain. You can imagine how that affects a romantic relationship.

It's not what I imagined life would be like after having a baby at this age.

Did you have a big baby? Forceps?

[passthemustard]

@happygolucky6
Are you going private or nhs?
In my experience the nhs don't really let you choose to have c section unless there's a very good reason for it.

[Hileni]

For the love of all that is holy get a C-section.

I had a vaginal birth. 2 years later I'm awaiting surgury. They want to use mesh and while I'm waiting I have to do a colonial irrigation every day because I can't push anymore or my womb prolapses out of my body too much. I can't run, I can't cough. Life is shit. They don't tell you that can happen in pregnancy class.

If I could go back, I'd get a c section. Yes recovery can be longer than vaginal birth. But it can also be a lot quicker if you have any complications like tearing, heommorage etc which I didn't realise are ridiculously common.

Your'll need to recover anyway so add a couple more weeks into it for the sake of it ruining the rest of your life!

[KayBM]

@happygolucky6

Well before giving birth...I would have said vaginal. In my experience they tell you you might have a tear but say it's nothing to worry about, that there's a slightly higher risk of incontinence but it's common after both types of birth... Do you know anything about risks or benefits of both types of birth?

I thought that I would just be a bit sore initially...

Thought I had a good chance of a straightforward vaginal birth. Well 1 in 3 first time mother's need an assisted birth the new rcog leaflet says. Quite a lot of women need emergency c sections.

I thought a vaginal birth was safer for me and my baby...then had a horrendous Kiellands forceps delivery, due to poor antenatal education and speaking with a midwife who essentially misled me. According to what I've read kiellands are used when they can do a c section instead without too much difficulty. If I had known...I would have refused.

I personally wouldn't give birth vaginally again, if I was to have another baby. Although physically, it wouldn't be a good idea to give birth vaginally again. No doubt that's not what the obstetrician conducting my delivery thought would happen...having forceps means you are a lot more likely to have a subsequent vaginal birth. They didn't tell me this was the reason they were going to use forceps...

You have to consider what's best for you in the short and long term.

I was told by a doctor that I would be having another baby soon...I felt like a vessel.

Some women have easy births if they're lucky. Some women feel cared for and respected during birth. Some of us don't feel supported, informed or cared for...and end up emotionally and physically affected.

It's not for anyone to tell you. But I am sure plenty of women here can give you our thoughts or experiences. It's a question of what risks or benefits you want to take. Also consider the frequency and likelihood of risks.

[CheesePleaseLoueese]

Good luck with your choice OP!

[mynameiscalypso]

I had an ELCS for a variety of reasons. It was booked for 39 weeks as I didn't want to risk going into labour and having to have an EMCS. I had a great experience, all very straightforward and quick recovery - much quicker than most of my friends a lot of who ended up being induced and having long labours and traumatic births/EMCS.

[Quackersandcheese3]

DS . Was offered elective section at 40 weeks because they thought he was measuring big. I leapt at the chance coz It seemed like the safest and easiest option, I still remember it so clearly 4 years on.

DD chose to have elective section again . Delivered at 39 weeks . Totally fine .

[CheesePleaseLoueese]

I've had two c-sections and I'm about to have my third. The first was one deemed medically necessary (planned but not emergency), the second was my choice (i was given the choice of vbac v c-section and I plumped for another section), and this third one I was sort of steered into because I've had two sections and I'm old!

All my c-sections were scheduled in for 39 weeks. They really don't like to book you in any earlier unless they have concerns for the baby/you...

So - I can't comment on vaginal deliveries at all. But - what I can say - is that my two previous c-sections went brilliantly and I was out of hospital the next day for both. Quick recoveries and I've had no long-term issues with either.