Completely elective c section. If you've had both VB and a C, which would you do again?

[Soundbathfan]

Hi all
I am fairly sure I want a c section, currently no maternal indication for it and so docs are trying to persuade me into vaginal birth. It's my first pregnancy and I very much do have 'childbearing hips'. Im conscious baby could pop out fairly easily but I hate the unknowns of vaginal birth and almost everyone I speak to including my maternal family had a very rough time with major tears and stitches.

I'm only 20 weeks atm so got loads of time to mull it over.
I would have a skin fold over c section scar due to extra weight im carrying which I understand can affect healing.

My question is, if you've had both which would you have again?
If you've had a totally planned and elective c, what was your experience?
Thank you!

I was very much like you and refused vaginal birth. I had 100 reasons in my head as to why c-section is better than natural.

So I know no one will be able to convinced you otherwise. However, now due with my second one and I regret my c-section more than anything. It caused me so many issues, regular pains during the second pregnancy (as it is pulling on the scar). I also have a huge c-section scar niche, which means I am high risk of uterine rupture and they want to do a really early c-section this time around (at 37 weeks) as they are worried about the risks to the baby. Niches are rare, but they do happen!

I've had both. My emergency c section was better than my emergency and stressful vaginal birth.

However, for a first birth, if it seemed everything was on track, I'd aim for vaginal personally. The problem is the uncertainty - a "good" vaginal birth is by far the best option and you recover so much quicker, but a "bad" vaginal birth is awful and I'd choose a c-section over that.

If I had a 3rd (won't happen) I'd insist on an elective c-secton though on the basis that both of my deliveries landed up being very stressful and I am not putting myself or my (hypothetical 3rd DC) through that.

I’ve experienced both. I’d choose a nice calm elective section every single time.

C.

OP, it's your right to choose your method of delivering your baby. Be firm and demand what you are entitled to and escalate until someone gives you a surgery date. Your body, your choice.

FWIW, I've done both - DC1 was low risk, in a birth centre at a major teaching hospital, MW led care, no pain relief, gave birth naturally with only gas and air.

Had massive tearing and sustained permanent PF damage (rectocele prolapse) which may need a surgical repair at some point.

As a FTM who had done my reading and classes, I had no idea that the kind of damage I sustained was even possible! Just bad luck but definitely contributed to me getting PND with my first baby, which was tough.

When I was pregnant with DC2 I had the PF consultant letter stating subsequent births should be via ELCS to minimise any additional damage. Even with the letter, local OBs at the new hospital pushed back and queried my choice. I just stuck firm and repeated: "I have the right to choose how I deliver my baby and I am choosing an ELCS, thank you" about 20 times!

After that I got the c-section date through fairly promptly, was scheduled for 39 weeks.

All went very smoothly. I had a playlist of calming music which they put on in the theatre; I had prepared by doing "hypnobirth for c-section" recordings which I loved. Getting the spinal pain relief in wasn't totally straightforward but didn't hurt. Once I was on the table it seemed like baby was out in 2-3 minutes. I asked them to delay cord clamping as long as possible, which they did (though it wasn't super long).

Spent 1 night on the ward with lovely MWs taking care of us, home the next day. Recovery was straightforward - be sure to rest as much as you need and delegate everything to your partner except the baby! So you have proper time to heal (have a friend who popped a stitch doing too much too soon and that wasn't fun) - don't be a hero!

But compared to my 'natural' birth experience, ELCS was a walk in the park. Wish you all the best whatever you choose.

I know I can't really answer both as I've only had 1 baby through vaginal birth, but I wanted to comment because you said that you've only heard horror stories!

I am a first time mum too. I went into spontaneous labour and had my baby at 37+4 weeks. It was a quick labour (only in hospital for a couple of hours before she arrived!) and afterwards I was up walking around & showered within an hour. It did hurt obviously but I only had a shot of morphine and wasn't allowed gas and air.

I did tear but only a little bit and I didn't feel it as I was too busy pushing the little one out! The stitches were annoying for a week.

My friend had an elective section a couple of months before and she also had a positive experience but her recovery was obviously much longer. I think we both had the birth that was right for us though!

I've had both VB every time. Hated ELCS due to breech, hated the long recovery, hated feeling helpless, I like to get back to normal asap. Had VBACs after CS as a result.

Have had both. ELCS by far easier. Both the act of birth itself and recovery

I've had 1VB and 2CSs, for my 4th I'm hoping for a VBAC. I can't go through a CS again.

Best thing you can do, because we can all give you our own stories, is to do your research on both. Look at the statistics for both. Examine what worries you about a VB and do some work on that. And then do the same for a CS. Then consider which one. Listen to podcasts, read peer review articles and talk to your consultant / MW (one that you can actually trust)

I’ve had one of each and I favoured the caesarean, so much more chilled and much easier to recover from for me! My first I had natural,no pain relief apart from paracetamol and I suffered a 4dgree tear the pain was immense! I’d never give birth naturally ever again. Go with what you feel comfortable with and don’t get swayed!

Have done both and would opt for CS every time. You're not guaranteed an easier recovery with VB and at least you're cutting out hours of misery if you bypass labour. I liked how the cs got the baby out quickly and was prepared to have a slow recovery afterwards. I didn't care. The pain recovering from a CS is absolutely miniscule compared to the utter agony of labour. One is like 'ouch, that hurt when I tried to stand up. Time for paracetamol'. The other was more like 'does anyone have a gun so you can shoot me a out me out of my misery?!' That was my experience anyway.

I had my one and only at 41 and I wish I’d gone for elective Caesarian, instead of the emergency Caesarian it turned out to be.

So (from my own vantage point) it might depend on your age, and also how many children you want. The first VB apparently prepares your body for further births, but if you’re planning just one child, why put your undercarriage at all that risk?

I’m a terrible over-thinker, but I’d also be worrying about the potential impacts of possible NHS industrial action when the time comes.

Good luck with it all!

Following as in the same position - low risk first time pregnancy but leaning towards a c section as it feels more that the risks are known. I hate the uncertainty of a natural birth.

Being in pain for a few weeks post c section seems preferable to a lifetime of anal incontinence.

Elective section only. Had both. Can you ask consultant why they are pushing for vaginal birth when it is more risky for both than a planned c section?

Had vaginal with first, awful long labour, instruments, episiotomy, long recovery. Elective c section second time, best decision I ever made, easy recovery, mental health was better and I bonded with the baby quicker. People say it’s not an easy option but it 100% was for me.

I have had 3 VB, 1 very straight forward, 1 induced, 1 last minute emergency but ok in the end. Some minor tearing. Recovered quickly each time and could get up within 1-2 hours of birth.
I also had one “elective” CS with my last child due to breech/transverse lie. Hated it. So bedbound, couldn’t walk upstairs, couldn’t drive for ages, difficult to lift baby. Got an infection and needed antibiotics. My scar is fine though. I even hated the local anaesthetic - made my heart race and I felt out of it. Also my baby ended up having lots of excess fluid on her lungs- VB tends to push the excess amniotic fluid out.
Essentially, I am a very active independent person who hates being out of control and I didn’t like the C section, it didn’t make me feel in control of my body. However, other people may say the opposite.

The doctor at the time said the C section would be safer for the baby, but is more dangerous for the mum. Things can go wrong with C sections as well, it is a major operation.

This!!

1st Induced
2nd Au natural
3rd Csection

Au Natural was the best birth, hands down, at home a few hours later doing the pots 😆

Csection meant the SPD I usually shake after birth stayed with me, pelvis still hasn’t closed up (20 months on), weight has been harder to shift!

@ReadtheReviews are you sure this is true? I was advised by medical professionals that in a straightforward pregnancy vaginal birth is considered to be the safer option. I've had a quick Google but can't see anything to suggest otherwise, happy to be proven wrong!

I do agree with you @applesandmares Peer reviewed article research and talking to my Consultant does indicate higher risk with CS.

It doesn’t matter what any one else’s birth was like. They’re not you. They don’t have your obstetric history, they don’t have your health and they don’t have your risk profile.

I really recommend the positive birth book. It will go through ALL the options, with evidenced based information which you can apply to your individual circumstances.

ELCS over VB for me !

@applesandmares my MW went through a lot of peer-reviewed study data during my birth reflections session (as I was trying to understand why I'd been given the advice that I had been about low risk VB but ended up so screwed!) The data seemed clear that mums outcomes are broadly similar but 'natural' VB is considered slightly safer, statistically, as less chance of infection type complications.

It's different for babies. The vast majority of babies who are healthy in the womb but sustain injuries at birth do so because of oxygen deprivation/placenta failure, both of which basically aren't possible (statistically zero risk) with an ELCS at 39 weeks. They are a risk only during prolonged labour or a pregnancy going well over due date.

I firmly believe that ELCS is safer for babies. Open to be shown I'm wrong but don't think I am.

Experienced two vaginal births and recently one c-section. My god, I'd opt for the surgery every time. Far less barbaric in my opinion and recovery no problem.

These threads are always the same. Either the OP is told she must do one or the other. She’ll be told she’s either risking her baby or her own health.

The crowd all shout that ‘she has a choice’ but only if she chooses the same as them.

@Soundbathfan its your birth. No one else’s. Look at your own health, no one else’s. Look at your own pregnancy, no one else’s. Look at the evidence for you, no one else.