Changing from water birth to elective C section?!! 35 weeks

[laura2109]

Hey all,

I'm 35 weeks pregnant, and up until now I told my midwife that I wanted a water birth, or as I'm low risk, be in the birthing suite for a natural birth.

After doing research on the risks associated with vaginal birth vs elective c section, I don't want a VB anymore!!!! I'm aware that c sections do carry risks, but I'm much more comfortable with these than those with a vaginal birth!!!

I should have done this much earlier, but here I am.
Anybody else has been in my situation?!! Any advice??

You are aware of the post recovery difference and the need for some help with the baby in a c-section scenario right?

I so badly wanted a water birth and ended up with being put under and an EMCS. If you can have a water birth I'd say do it. Maybe because my body was so exhausted from labour made it more painful but c sections aren't fun and games. It's painful just trying to stand up and removing the dressing 😖. It can definitely also affect the bond with your baby. But at the end of the day it's your decision. C sections are a serious operation, nothing like giving birth.

Recovering from a c-section is an ordeal worth considering. I’ve just done it, and my future preference would definitely be for a VB. Even when all goes to plan it’s still major abdominal surgery to recover from - while caring for a newborn.

That said, if it is what you want you are entitled to request it. Make sure you’re clear about your reasons so you’re prepared to discuss it.

Which risks are you main concern?

I had a c section in feb 2019 and I’m due planned c section this year in June , not only is the healing process 10x times longer with a c section than a VP you have to stay in hospital longer I couldn’t do the first changes of my baby I just had to lay there it’s not like as soon as there done taken baby out that you can bounce up it took my 12 hours to feel my legs again I mean for 6 weeks sitting on a toilet and getting up off the toilet was a complete battle ! Not only that it brings a whole new set of risks when or if you want to fall pregnant again in fact I found out last Monday that my scar inside has fussed to another part of my stomach area witch is extremely painful I nearly passed out from sneezing the other day due to the pain ! I’m not trying to scare you but extremely hard knowing how much harder recovery is in a c section when someone thinks it’s the “ easy way out”

I felt like this too OP - and changed my birth plan a couple of weeks before due date. I felt such a sense of relief when my consultant agreed to it.

Ironically, it was after attending NCT classes that I had started to think about it seriously - up to that point I’d probably been in denial.

The recovery took some time as it is major surgery of course, but I expected that, so didn’t see it as a disadvantage. I was lucky in that I didn’t seem to have any complications. Also, being an older first time mum, I didn’t plan on a second child, so that factored in to my risk assessment too.

As you and other PPs say, there are risks and unknowns with both options.

Wishing you all the best whichever route you go down.

I had a water birth at a nhs hospital.

The room was huge, had an en suite bathroom to shower after, a king size hospital bed, large yoga mat if I wanted to give birth on the floor, several different types of stools/balls/bars for different birthing positions and then the tub. It was huge, warm, could fit two other people as well as me if needed. There was low colour light changing as well as relaxing music. I had gas and air and it was the best experience ever.

I'm all for everyone's choices but a C section (unless needed) seems too clinical, too impersonal and the recovery sounds awful(again not in everyone's cases but it's never easy). With my water birth I was up and ready almost straight away, some vaginal ache but nothing pain killers couldn't solve.

I'm not saying this to change your mind, you do you, but just wanted to tell you of a positive water birth story.

I think you need to consider if you really want it or if you've just scared yourself and can be talked around. Talk to your midwife about your fears and see how you feel then.

My first was meant to be a water birth but ended in forceps and episiotomy. My second was a planned c section because my experience with my first had been really traumatic. In terms of recovery, my planned c section was 10x better because I wasn't starting from absolutely exhausted and post hemorrhage and I was back to normal within 10-14 days whereas with my first born I was still struggling at the 8 week mark.

I am an advocate of planned sections and maternal choice given my experiences however it is MAJOR surgery so I would implore you to consider if it is what you really really want or if you've just given yourself the fear.

It's a pretty big change of mind.....I had an emergency c section for twins last week - on my feet in 6 hours, home after 2 nights, only had paracetamol and ibruprofen.....but this was my second c section. My first c section caused adhesions and scar tissue which destroyed my tubes and left me infertile from 2 near fatal ruptured ectopics......

It's worth considering that a vaginal birth has been proven to be beneficial for the babies immune system. During a natural vaginal birth, specific bacteria from the mother's gut are passed on to the baby and stimulate the baby's immune responses. This transmission is impacted in children born by caesarean section.

I’ve had 2 c-sections and I don’t regret either, my babies and I would not be here otherwise.

But I wouldn’t choose it ahead of natural birth. Even when it goes right it is not a walk in the park. It is better for both you and the baby to have a natural birth, if you can. Also there is a lot of space between water birth and c-section

I had a water birth in the birthing suite next to my hospitals labour ward - it’s was like a boutique hotel and an amazing experience. I would think carefully before opting for a section.

I won't comment on your birth choice as only you can decide that. I also have no basis for comparison as I've only had two elective caesarians (for medical reasons).

The births themselves were calm and enjoyable. I needed a blood patch after the epidural for the first one which wasn't pleasant although could have equally happened during a VB.

In both cases, I found the recovery fine, a bit painful for the first few days but was driving (with agreement from my GP and insurance company) by the time my husband went back to work after his paternity leave.

My sister had an emergency caesarean and had an infection in her wound so had to go back into hospital for a bit. There can be a difference in elective v emergency caesareans, her wound was a fair bit wider than mine for example and she ended up having a general anaesthetic.

What risks are you particularly worried about?
There are many reasons a woman might want or need a c section but there being less risks associated with them for a healthy low risk pregnancy isn’t one of them.

The general consensus would be that a section carries more risk so it sounds like you need to chat through your concerns with your midwife and get properly informed before changing your mind.

I had a section due to baby being breech. It was 20 months ago and I'm still in daily pain due to adhesions. I can't get them fixed due to COVID. There is a 1 in 4 chance of adhesions with a section, which would leave you in constant pain forever if they are not operated on again to be fixed. In my opinion if you don't need a section and don't have any medical or mental health reasons for it, then it's a really silly decision to have one.

I would opt for a natural birth. There is plenty of pain relief options such as epidural if you can’t cope with the pain.

I’ve not had a section but I had 2keyhole surgery’s and I tell you now they’ve put me
Off even contemplating a c section. I couldn’t walk for days, couldn’t sneeze, roll over in bed, needed help showering. Now think of that x2 when you have a newborn. Some of my friends who’s had sections cried as they couldn’t even lift or hold the baby which is something you’ll need to do alone when your partner is not allowed to stay overnight.

I’d really chat it through with your midwife

Thank you all so much for your replies!! I'm 31 and this is my 2nd pregnancy, had first ds 14 years ago. This in itself slightly worries me, as I'm thinking the huge gap might mean that childbirth will be similar to a first time.
I was much younger for ds1, had a VB in the delivery suite, some stitches and I don't remember any major problems during recovery.
If I'm honest, up until yesterday night, I was apprehensive about childbirth this time round, as you'd expect really, nothing overboard. Then, mumsnet lurker that I am, came across this thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/3899026-Birth-injuries

Safe to say that it seriously freaked me out!!! At 31, even pregnancy feels more difficult than when I was a teenager. In the same way, I'm thinking childbirth will be more difficult this time around. The horrendous things that I've read in the birth injuries thread made me question whether I've made the right choice!

I had a vb with my first and elcs with my second (9 days ago).

With vb, I was exhausted, I'd been in labour for days, then I had a 3rd degree tear and a haemorrhage and was rushed to theatre straight after birth, meaning I didn't see my baby for 2 hours afterwards. It was traumatic and led to pnd which lasted 18 months.

I chose an elcs after the above. I went into labour at 37 weeks and the still did all my elcs preferences. They dimmed the lights, dd was guided out until her shoulders were free then birthed herself, everyone stopped and let her take her time. Me and dh watched the birth of our daughter. I then had skin to skin straight away for as long as I wanted. I was helped by care assistants and midwives for 36 hours while on the ward. Nothing was too much trouble for them. They made me feel valued as a mother and looked after as a patient.

I was sent home with pain killers and everything I needed. It's 9 days later and yesterday I baked a cake, and went out in the snow with ds. Don't get me wrong, recovery is hard, but the emotional turmoil of our first birth was harder I would say. C section obviously has its risks that need to be carefully considered, but for me it was the better option. Having said that, everyone is different and I personally think a natural birth for a first birth should be attempted, unless there is medical reason not to. Those medical reasons also include anxiety
If I have another child, I will opt for another c section.

Instead of freaking yourself out with some anecdotes, speak to your midwife. Seek out positive birth stories (yes they are out there). And do the positive birth company digital pack. Learn what are the things more likely to lead to interventions (inductions, long labours etc) and think about how you would deal with each aspect.

You need to weigh up risks and educate yourself in order to make a balanced and proper decision. Sounds like you're currently making a knee-jerk decision.

@laura2109 I really wouldn't base your decision on one internet forum specifically aimed at VB horror stories. Things can go badly in VBs but you are acting like there are no risks to C sections which is far from true. If you looked you could find just as many C section risks.

31 is really not "old" in terms of birth and you shouldn't find it harder just because of your age.

Have you taken any positive birth classes or anything? Something like this might be helpful to combat your worries and also speaking to your midwife. Your concerns are totally normal and everyone gets scared of birth to varying degrees, but definitely don't take one mumsnet forum to mean VB carry more risk than sections!

Recovery from ELCS is tough, but with a good support system not unmanageable. It’s one of the issues that really polarises women and we tend to get very “preachy” about it. I had to have an ELCS due to previous surgery and I could get around fine within two weeks. My sister had two vaginal births and ended up needing extensive physio with the first and was readmitted after the second due to some placenta being left behind causing infection. I still would have liked to try VB if it had been an option for me but I don’t feel like I’ve missed out. Birth is risky whatever route you choose, what I don’t agree with is the blanket “CS is dangerous and VB is safe/better” rhetoric and I think women should be fully counselled on the risks of VB. I found this article before my first section and I thought it was quite interesting, it also settled my nerves before I delivered.

The section itself was really good, everyone super positive, great atmosphere and each step was explained to me along the way. My DH was allowed to stay with me on the ward (I await crucifixion shortly for that), and to be honest I would not have been able to manage without him, so I would definitely consider your stay in hospital afterwards as part of the decision. With covid raging I doubt DP will be able to stay very long. I also had to stay two nights whereas if I’d had a straightforward VB (unlikely as my baby was over 11lbs and wedged into my pelvis), I would have been home within hours.

Hopefully you are able to get the outcome you want, whatever it is.

I'd say be very careful with your choice op, I had a c section in July and the recovery is horrendous. It is so so difficult to care for a newborn baby after major surgery. I still get pains in my scar and still find ds standing on my belly uncomfortable. C section carry's risks too, when ds was born I didn't see him straight away and could just hear him crying behind the surgical curtain and no one would tell me why they weren't showing me him. When I was in recovery I asked why again and they told me that I was bleeding so heavily that if they'd taken a moment to hold up ds I could have been very ill and lost way too much blood. I also was unable to lift my son when in hospital so he had to be placed on me and breast feeding was SO uncomfortable as he was resting on my belly. C sections are major surgery and carry huge risks.

Ultimately it is your decision and you should 100% go with what you're more comfortable with! It's your body and your pregnancy, but I just thought I'd come on to give my experience.

Good luck with whatever you decide! 💐

Just another note - i was in recovery for 7 hours due to the blood loss when you're only supposed to be in for an hour. So I didn't move to my room or have a better bed for that time. I was on one of the moving trolley beds which was so uncomfortable! Behind a curtain with everyone else coming in and out of recovery with not many people there to help me or advise. I so wish I was able to have a natural birth. (DS was breech so wasn't an option for me)

Speak to your midwife about your concerns but bare in mind that with covid if you have a c section if the wards short staffed then you ll likely have very little help and visiting might be quite restricted.

I had my son in November by VB, had an episeotomy and 2nd degree tear, he had to go to nicu for three days.
I was able to walk there by myself a few hours later when it was outside of the time my DH was allowed on my ward to meet whereas if I d have had a c section I d have been stuck on the ward waiting hours other ladies were for an assistant to have the time to take them to the NICU.

I was there for 8 days in the hospital so saw that situation wasn't just a one off, I even walked to nicu once my sepsis developed when I didn't have an IV in (because the staffing was that short at the delivery suite I was left for 2.5 days with my waters broken) so it was clear no one was going to have time to help me when DH couldnt be there so unless it was needed for mine or my son's safety I personally wouldn't have chosen a c section during covid even knowing what happened to us now.

@laura2109 they do class you more of a first timer if it’s been after 10 years but equally the body won’t forget.

I think we have to remember people won’t come and post the good stuff as it would look like gloating. People come for advice with worries and stuff.

There’s 9 years between this pregnancy and my last and like you I’m almost 30. Am I worried... a little but I won’t personally
Opt for a c section if your last birth was ok. I think you have to go into it with an open mind. My SIL is a midwife and I will opting for a natural birth as possible. Will I rule anything out... nope because each labour and pregnancy is different. I had a text book labour last time and I pray I’m that lucky the second time.

Hope you choose what’s best for you!