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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

C section or natural birth

142 replies

LisaSs · 22/08/2023 10:46

Hi,

just from your own experience, what would you pick? what worked better for you?

no negative comments, please :)

Thank you x

OP posts:
Sazza26xx · 22/08/2023 10:48

I was induced and ended up with a forceps delivery, personally next time I would opt for an elective c section x

Pollywoddles · 22/08/2023 10:48

I was only ever going to have one birth so I picked a c-section and I have absolutely no regrets.

SouthwestSis · 22/08/2023 10:48

I had a vaginal delivery with epidural, ended up needing forceps but didn't feel much due to my epidural, would still choose vaginal delivery again. I liked that the recovery was quicker and the chance of complications for baby were lower

monty279 · 22/08/2023 10:48

I had an elective c section and will definitely be doing the same next time. X

Eileen101 · 22/08/2023 10:49

I'd have a vaginal birth any day. Mine both were. My sister had an emergency c section for her first and the recovery was awful. She opted for VBAC for the second and recovery was far better in comparison!
My friend also had an emergency c section for her first which was also problematic, including infection and readmission :(
Completely anecdotal of course, but if I had another, there'd have to be serious risks to baby or me to opt for a c section.

Gigi89x · 22/08/2023 10:50

I had an emergency c section, the pain afterwards was very bad and i couldn't move, not even get up out of bed. The pain was awful and you need support from your family or friends to take care of your baby.

I don't believe you can choose to have a C-section without good reason and its quite difficult to get from friends experience.

If i were to choose id have preferred a natural labour

TwoShyShy · 22/08/2023 10:50

I'd rather save my fanny and have a c section if given the choice. I think they can do a mini tummy tuck with a c section, too. Nice planned and relaxed c section.

mosiacmaker · 22/08/2023 10:50

Every single one of my friends who has given birth recently has tried for vaginal, had to be induced and ended up with emergency c-section.

bakewellbride · 22/08/2023 10:52

I had 2 good vaginal births, one in the pool which was amazing. One was induced but again fine.

Mushroo · 22/08/2023 10:52

Following as interested in this as well.

buzzlightyearsgloves · 22/08/2023 10:54

Those saying elective c sections, how did you end up having them out of interest? I'm currently in my second pregnancy 34 weeks and neither time has it even been put out as an option despite pre eclampsia and gestational diabetics. Our trust seem very pro vagina.

Pollywoddles · 22/08/2023 10:55

buzzlightyearsgloves · 22/08/2023 10:54

Those saying elective c sections, how did you end up having them out of interest? I'm currently in my second pregnancy 34 weeks and neither time has it even been put out as an option despite pre eclampsia and gestational diabetics. Our trust seem very pro vagina.

I had no desire to have a vaginal birth.

colouroftherainbow · 22/08/2023 10:58

100% vaginal if you are what they deem 'low risk'. There is always the chance you may end up with interventions/c section but if you don't need it, the recovery is so much easier.

If you have other conditions/will need induction, I would balance risks of one against the other but would be inclined to go down c-section route because can plan for it rather than go through induction and end up with c section anyway

Teapleasebobb · 22/08/2023 10:58

Had a vaginal birth, needed forceps, pretty horrific birth, lost a lot of blood, ended up anaemic and had 3rd degree tear so needed lots of stitches. Had elective caesarean second time around and it was dream compared to my first birth.

Teapleasebobb · 22/08/2023 10:59

buzzlightyearsgloves · 22/08/2023 10:54

Those saying elective c sections, how did you end up having them out of interest? I'm currently in my second pregnancy 34 weeks and neither time has it even been put out as an option despite pre eclampsia and gestational diabetics. Our trust seem very pro vagina.

Have you asked if you can have one or did you ask and they said no?

TropicalTrama · 22/08/2023 11:02

Each to their own but Elective C section for me. More predictable, no risk of being poorly cared for and ignored by midwives in labour because they’re short staffed, you guarantee having a doctor there, saves your pelvic floor, no pain- soreness post op yes but I’ve had 2 and never felt actual real pain probably because they give you the good painkillers.

Yes the recovery is longer than an uncomplicated vaginal birth but you know what’s coming and can plan for it and besides, I don’t know how common an easy VB is because I’ve never actually met anyone that’s had one (and my friends are not shy with their birth stories!).

Also you shouldn’t really compare emergency to elective sections. It’s quite different when you arrive at the hospital in the morning well rested, everyone can take their time and there are no medical concerns about you or baby.

donkra · 22/08/2023 11:02

I've had two amazing, straightforward vaginal births with no recovery period, no tearing, no scars. So easy question for me.

caerdydd12 · 22/08/2023 11:04

TwoShyShy · 22/08/2023 10:50

I'd rather save my fanny and have a c section if given the choice. I think they can do a mini tummy tuck with a c section, too. Nice planned and relaxed c section.

In the UK, no they can't. A c section isn't an indicator on the NHS for a tummy tuck.

Bheatrice · 22/08/2023 11:06

Can anyone explain what does it mean?

thank you advance!

C section or natural birth
Cloudsandrainnotsunandsand · 22/08/2023 11:08

We are designed to give birth via the traditional route! I had all of my dc naturally until a medical emergency with my last dc ended up with emcs. Def would never have chosen that. When I had dc3 at 6am I collected dc1 and 2 from school at 3pm.. Last dc I needed help having a wee 6 hours later! It's major surgery. When I had vaginal deliveries neither had pain relief or stitches. It can be a lovely experience op!

Hufflepods · 22/08/2023 11:12

In a world with exact choice I would pick an easy natural birth. However after an EMCS and a higher chance of that same scenario repeating I will choose C section for every future birth.

Lavender14 · 22/08/2023 11:13

I had a planned section due to GD and some back and forth over baby's estimated weight. I felt they would be bigger and indeed they were! I was very nervous about vaginal delivery as it was.

For me it was absolutely the right decision, had a wonderful experience and all very straightforward. Recovery was better than I expected but I would advise you make sure you have at least 3 weeks of someone with you during the day to help you with lifting and bending etc. I did pull my wound trying to build my pram on day 15 out at my midwife appointment first day dh went back to work. The more you take it easy and rest the better you will heal.

YouHoooo · 22/08/2023 11:16

I’ve had two c sections, with brilliantly easy recovery.

I really didn’t fancy the uncertainty associated with vaginal birth - clearly it can be great, but it can also be horrific and you’ve got know way of telling which beforehand.

The risks are lower for c section babies if they are otherwise healthy - if you look at the raw outcomes then it seems as if c sections bring risk, but that’s actually because more babies who are sick to begin with are born that way.

If you want an elective section you can have one, just ask. If they push back quite NICE guidance at them.

Original poster
LisaSs · 22/08/2023 11:26

thank you all for your thoughts and for positive responses - I was actually really scared to post this and be attacked for it.

I am terrified of natural birth. I wasn't like that before pregnancy, I had 6 miscarriages, and the baby is so wanted, but the thought of the pain, scarring, my down there being teared... just scares me so so much I am actually considering opting for a C-section.

I am currently 23 weeks pregnant so still got time to make a decision, but I am in two minds about it and wanted to hear your stories

OP posts:
Geminiii · 22/08/2023 11:30

I hoped for natural births but had C sections both times.

The first time was super easy to recover from and I had a neat scar that healed brilliantly.

Second time wasn’t as great. I have had three infections in my scar, more pain and it has also only just started to close over at 6 weeks post partum. Until now, I have had to walk around with the wound essentially open on the outside which has caused me a lot of anxiety.

I think that c sections can be great for planning but they can come with their own complications that aren’t always expected such as the repeat infections I experienced this time.

Natural birth is something I longed for and I am sad I couldn’t progress to the pushing stage, however, you aren’t guaranteed an easy ride that way either! I suppose it’s about what makes you feel comfortable and perhaps having a think about the pros and cons/risks of both. I know someone who has had a natural birth and a c section, and both went brilliantly, no complications with either birth!

It’s luck of the draw a lot of the time I feel.