Vaginal birth or c section

[Mamma2bee]

I know there's probably a lot of threads about this but genuinely interested to hear views on c-section vs vaginal birth particularly if you're in/were in my sort of circumstances.

I said this on another thread so apologies if you're seeing this again but I'm only 5 foot tall and was about 50kg before getting pregnant so very petite and slight and a size 6.

I was told by my GP a few years back that given my frame (very small hips) I'll probably need a c section when the time comes. I also had back surgery a few years ago and the wound had to be left open to heal naturally which took about 3 months so I have a big scar there and it's pretty weakened skin (It's actually very sore at the minute at 25 weeks pregnant but I think it's because all my weight is to the front and I think the extra weight is pulling on it)

Anyway - given the above (and obviously have to wait on midwife advice) I'm genuinely afraid of vaginal birth but then there's so many pros and cons regarding a section. I just want to do what's best for the baby. I'm not worried as such about the recovery of a c section if that makes sense more the procedure itself.

Just looking personal experiences of either/or?

There are pros and cons to both so I'd follow your instincts!

I think it depends on how important the labour experience is to you. Personally I really didn't care how I gave birth, so long as they were healthy, so when I had to have an emergency c section (breech baby...little bugger) I didn't feel upset or like I'd missed out. I only wish I had had a planned c section all along because I was exhausted by that point!

Of course it's a bit uncomfortable, but the moment he was born was incredible and I recovered really well, I was lucky. From memory, you have to inject blood thinners for 10 days and stay on painkillers for a week or so. I was up and moving within a day, I just couldn't bend over to load the dishwasher for a while. What a pity!

I would get as much research and opinions as you can and weigh up the options. I've had 3 births (2 natural 1 csection) and my favourite was my csection. Just because my natural births were awful after the actual birth. I'm 5ft 4 normal (fluffy) build and I don't have a big pelvis so my babies destroy me on the way out, and I don't make big babies! It was the calmest option for me and I'm glad I made that choice. Was slightly forced as my daughter was breech but I didn't want to move her I stuck with my decision for a csection and it was amazing! Hurts like hell after but they take such better care of you when you've had that operation than they do with natural with complications I found.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

Honestly how bad is getting an epidural? Maybe I'm being dramatic but would that be a big factor in the decision if you had to make it again?

Hi @Mamma2bee , I am terrified of needles and have a real thing about my spine and I was so freaked out about getting an epidural to the point I opted for an induction over a c section for my first. I ended up needing an epidural and a c section in the end anyway.

Its absolutely fine. Don’t feel the needle and then you feel nothing. No big deal at all. That being said I am still dreading it this time even though I know it’s completely fine though. I suppose phobias can’t be logically thought away!

To be honest that’s probably one of my biggest fears is the epidural so that’s amazing to know. My partner is able to take off the time for the recovery so I’m really edging towards a section. Thanks for everyone’s replies

I had an emergency c section after a 5 day induction with my first and it was absolutely fine. Yes it hurts after but just keep on top of the painkillers. I’ll be having a c section with my current pregnancy too. Only thing to suggest would be discussing the impact of your spinal surgery as I know from someone else that some spinal surgery can mean a general anaesthetic may be needed instead of a spinal/epidural.

Would definitely recommend a vaginal delivery over a section, lower complication rate for you and for baby too.
I have a vaginal delivery with epidural and was very well cared for during and after labour and if it would be my choice if I were ever pregnant again.

I am just under 5’0 and 43kg pre-pregnancy - I don’t see how being small would make giving birth vaginally impossible or even more difficult. Unless you had some sort of disease or illness. I don’t think our bodies are designed to grow babies that we can’t birth. I am doing regular osteopath to help ensure my pelvis has the alignment and space to move/adapt for baby, which I think is much more important.
I have 0 doubt about being able to birth- if you read into physiological birth, you will understand it’s what we were designed to it and alleviate your fears.

At 47kg and 5ft 4 my midwives had no concern about me giving birth naturally. I think its a myth being small means you wont give birth naturally...However DS got stuck by a shoulder and needed emergency section. 2nd son was also emergency Csection as breech. The epidural is nothing compared to the psin of contractions and I'd definitely opt for another one.

I'm your size and have had 3 vaginal births and 2 epidurals. All totally fine and it's nice to be able to get up and around after. In my experience, labour is intense at the point you get the epidural so you're just focusing on staying still enough for them to put it in - don't actually feel the needle at all.

I am 5'4 and my second baby was 9lbs 8oz and got stuck (shoulder dystocia). It can happen.

OP, I cannot advise you what is right for you - it is such a personal decision.

I'm going for an elective c-section this time round.

I had a lifelong fear of birth. I don’t even really know why but it was like a premonition taking over my body saying I would die if I tried to do it vaginally! I had all these awful thoughts of what would happen and knew from the second I was pregnant there was only one way out for this baby!

After a bit of a battle I got it booked and relaxed (a tiny bit). I made it to my section date. Like you, I was so scared of the procedure but not so much for the recovery. It was the recovery everyone kept talking about though but in my head by then the scary bit would be over so I wouldn’t care if I was sore or uncomfortable!

The procedure was amazing. So calm. Almost painless! The only nippy bit was getting a cannula in my hand. The spinal was just a little nip like a normal jag to numb the area then when the big jag was going in I didn’t know what they were doing so couldn’t feel it. I went numb, lay back, a bit of a delay while they got sorted then the curtain went up to start the operation. Less than 2 minutes later it was back down and there was a baby there! Getting stitched back up was completely fine. I was wheeled round to recovery in disbelief that I had just been given a baby 🙈 The recovery was better than I expected. The only bit I’m not looking forward to this time again is the first week or so when you can’t sit up in bed. It wasn’t painful (as long as you didn’t try to sit up) but it was just so annoying not being able to do it. I’d get myself into all sorts of states trying to shuffle/roll my way off without having to tense my abs and make it hurt. I expected when everyone said the recovery was so bad that it would just hurt the whole time. I was surprised that things like walking don’t hurt. You obviously have to walk slowly but it’s not painful. It was literally only painful if I sat too far back into a low chair and had to try to get up or if I was trying to get out of bed. By 2 weeks on I was able to do most things again but was just still aware of it. The getting out of bed thing was so much better though!

im having another section this time round and honestly given how much headspace it took up the last time, I’ve barely given it a second thought. Again I will probably be nervous for the procedure when I get to it but only just to make sure we’re both fine, I won’t be scared of it hurting this time 😊

@Mamma2bee
Also 5ft and was around 46kg before pregnancy and a petite size 6.

I have an appointment with my consultant tomorrow- they have been monitoring me and doing growth scans 28 weeks and 36 weeks and reassured me that if they deem the baby too big they will induce me or advise of a c-section.

I have decided that I would rather a planned c-section over an emergency one. So I will be discussing this tomorrow.

Rest assured that your medical team will advise you and give you options. I was also advised that the babies growth is plotted based on my pre pregnancy height and weight so if the baby is above average that's for my size not just a general person.

I have to take aspirin to support the babies growth and make sure that the baby is getting enough blood due to my size.

It's very daunting and I was told years ago it would definitely be an induction however things have moved on since then.

I am 5ft also and currently 37 weeks pregnant, 3rd pregnancy. 1st was vaginal birth, went very smooth, no issues at all, baby was small like me. 2nd was emergency c section, twin pregnancy, again babies were small but as there were 2 of them the combined weight was almost 13lb, got pre eclampsia, think my body really struggled with twins due to being so small. Now pregnant with a little girl, I'm having a planned section next week for a few factors, I'm 40 now (was early 20s with other 2 pregnancies) I have GD this time as well. Consultants don't want me to go over 38 weeks due to my age and GD, was given choice of induction or section, I have opted for section as after reading the material the consultant gave me and other research it seems safest for baby and me. I would still go for vaginal if baby decides to come before the section but I don't want to be induced. Good luck and do what's best for you

I'd consider if you want anymore children. I had a planned section, should of been really straightforward but the Dr made a mistake. Having another child was very difficult.

On the other hand I had a really fast and straightforward vaginal delivery of a 9lb baby, I'm 50kg and slim.

That in no way means your height was the cause. 5’4 isn’t even really short/small

I'm 5 ft 4 and was 48kg, very slim size 6 before giving birth to my first. I had a very straight forward birth, no complications or tearing etc. Would definitely speak to midwife though because of your back surgery, but your weight and height should not affect your ability to give birth. I've had one natural birth and one c section and would definitely opt for a natural birth if it is safe to do so. I found the recovery from my section really tough compared to my natural birth.

I have had three vaginal and one emergency c section. First birth I had an epidural and it was so relaxing and easy. I didn't feel the epidural going in because of the pain from the contractions.
My second and third babies vaginal births, I didn't get chance for pain relief as they were very quick, other than the after pains they were pretty easy although my second son I had to deliver myself on an induction ward because the midwives weren't taking me seriously.

My fourth boy was born by EMCS and was terrifying but not because of the c section but because he was only 26 weeks and I had a severe placenta abruption. I was under GA but the recovery time was quick, I was up and walking about that day and was back home the next day picking up my toddlers.