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Pregnancy

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:
Islandermummy · 23/08/2023 12:56

@sandberry this is what I would choose second time around!: natural birth, but in the event that it looks like intervention needed, switch straight to a c section. Was it on the NHS you agreed this? I had private healthcare for my first time (as have insurance through work) and always wondered if this would be possible on NHS.

MayMi · 23/08/2023 13:02

I had a vaginal birth after spending 2 days in induced labour. It was pure hell, but a big part of that was because my medical team was abusive.

Vaginal birth is generally easier to recover from than caesarean, and you may experience fewer risks with subsequent pregnancies/births if you give birth vaginally, so if it was me I would still choose vaginal birth. I did a research project once and found that vaginal birth is usually the better option but only if circumstances make it so that the vaginal birth can be carried out safely.

I think rather than having the debate about which type of birth is better, what's more important is that you have a decent medical team around you, who will help you in ways that you need to be helped. Most women who have caesareans have them not because it's 'better' than vaginal birth but because it is necessary in their cases.

colouroftherainbow · 23/08/2023 13:03

LisaSs · 23/08/2023 12:20

for those who had vaginal birth.... how is the situation down there look like? Stitches? etc? I am 1st time mum and really don't know what to expect

I had small tears both times, the actual stitching was uncomfortable but recovery was fine. Swollen for first week or two, I poured water over the area for every wee and made sure I didn’t get constipated.
All healed a month later and it’s more than 4 years since no 2 and all completely normal. My pelvic floor is still not the same but that’s pregnancy, not the birth (and I need to focus on exercises more!)

Survivingmy3yearold · 23/08/2023 13:03

@Islandermummy I wish I'd had the same midwife for my first as my second, she was just wonderful and so informative Smile Having said that, it could have gone the same way with or without the epidural, but I do often wonder how much it contributed

MayMi · 23/08/2023 13:10

LisaSs · 23/08/2023 12:20

for those who had vaginal birth.... how is the situation down there look like? Stitches? etc? I am 1st time mum and really don't know what to expect

I was given an episiotomy as I kept pursuing hard when they told me to pant instead (my mental state was not good and I couldn't follow instructions anymore).

It took a year to heal completely and now I'm pregnant with my second and had internal exams, the doctor couldn't actually tell I'd had an episiotomy previously. So the recovery was long but it was complete.

My biggest advice to you is, rather than focussing on whether vaginal or caesarean is better, is to make sure your medical team is both skilled and respectful. Somewhere where you fully trust the staff and know that they will take care of you no matter what happens.

MariaVT65 · 23/08/2023 13:25

PeeBeee · 23/08/2023 12:31

Really interesting thread! I had an EMCS 16 months ago after a failed induction and I would 100% go for another c section over being induced because my experience was awful.

I am now 13 weeks pregnant with my 2nd and initially thought VBAC but the more I think about it, the more I think I may push for a planned c section as thinking about my failed induction is seriously triggering me already x

I’m same :) I had EMCS after failed induction, partly because the staff messed it up. I’m going for a planned c section this time as I don’t think i have a good chance of a successful vbac and I don’t trust the staff to care for me through it.

Dyra · 23/08/2023 14:54

@LisaSs I had a second degree tear with my first. I'd had a cyst removed the year before around where I tore, so I wonder if I tore into the scar. Was stitched up with a little bit of local anaesthetic and gas+air. As far as I'm aware everything looks normal. My husband has never said anything about it anyway. Certainly feels normal. Just needed to pour warm water over the area whenever I peed, and regularly change my maternity pad.

Twizbe · 23/08/2023 15:39

@LisaSs tbf I never looked before I had babies, but I believe my vulva still looks like a vulva.

I have a scar from the stitches from my first delivery. The scar has faded now (it’s been 6 years) and you’d have to be really looking to see it. I didn’t tear during my second delivery.

Not many people spend a prolonged period inspecting my vulva.

I don’t feel any difference either. Orgasms are better and easier to come by with DH since giving birth.

You have a much bigger scar from a section and potentially more on show depending on your style / swimwear of choice.

RedRobyn2021 · 23/08/2023 15:46

Just a heads up, I don't think you're meant to call it a "natural birth" as it can upset some people, it's vaginal birth.

I recommend a Homebirth with water. That's what I did for my first (and only so far) outcomes for least intervention are good and you're also less likely to tear. It's a lot to do with feeling safe and comfortable. Apparently more women do transfer when birthing their first at home, but this is usually so they can access pain relief, not because there were any problems.

Also, if you have a home birth you have a midwife watching and monitoring baby the whole time, not something you get in a hospital.

MariaVT65 · 23/08/2023 15:52

RedRobyn2021 · 23/08/2023 15:46

Just a heads up, I don't think you're meant to call it a "natural birth" as it can upset some people, it's vaginal birth.

I recommend a Homebirth with water. That's what I did for my first (and only so far) outcomes for least intervention are good and you're also less likely to tear. It's a lot to do with feeling safe and comfortable. Apparently more women do transfer when birthing their first at home, but this is usually so they can access pain relief, not because there were any problems.

Also, if you have a home birth you have a midwife watching and monitoring baby the whole time, not something you get in a hospital.

This is interesting as in my NCT class, they said 50% of first time mums in our area who attempt a homebirth get transferred to hospital.

Of the 3 first time mums I know personally who attempted a homebirth, 1 was successful and 2 ended up with emergency c sections.

I always think a homebirth would be amazing though if you can manage it without any issues! I personally wouldn’t have attempted it though with my first. I would have done with my second if my first had gone well.

Islandermummy · 23/08/2023 15:58

RedRobyn2021 · 23/08/2023 15:46

Just a heads up, I don't think you're meant to call it a "natural birth" as it can upset some people, it's vaginal birth.

I recommend a Homebirth with water. That's what I did for my first (and only so far) outcomes for least intervention are good and you're also less likely to tear. It's a lot to do with feeling safe and comfortable. Apparently more women do transfer when birthing their first at home, but this is usually so they can access pain relief, not because there were any problems.

Also, if you have a home birth you have a midwife watching and monitoring baby the whole time, not something you get in a hospital.

Ah yes, thanks. I didn't exactly mean "vaginal birth" (as the point I was making is that I would want to avoid a vaginal birth on a hormone drip or with epidural and lots of interventions, and would take a c section over that). I think maybe I should say "physiological" or "unmediated" instead. Although I'd happy have gas and air again so unmedicated might not be quite right either.

Apologies all. I support whatever people choose and I'm so glad women have a more choices (including elective c sections) these days than used to be the case.

I suppose a really "natural" birth would be to free birth and deal with the cord myself, without so much as a paracetamol... I don't fancy that! So you're quite right and my terminology was inaccurate as well potentially insensitive.

Florenceatemycake · 23/08/2023 16:13

I've had two easy inductions. I'd be very disappointed if my third ended up as a c section. The recovery for me has been super quick (like 10 mins).

Original poster
LisaSs · 23/08/2023 16:51

RedRobyn2021 · 23/08/2023 15:46

Just a heads up, I don't think you're meant to call it a "natural birth" as it can upset some people, it's vaginal birth.

I recommend a Homebirth with water. That's what I did for my first (and only so far) outcomes for least intervention are good and you're also less likely to tear. It's a lot to do with feeling safe and comfortable. Apparently more women do transfer when birthing their first at home, but this is usually so they can access pain relief, not because there were any problems.

Also, if you have a home birth you have a midwife watching and monitoring baby the whole time, not something you get in a hospital.

oh, I am so sorry never meant to offend anyone! Silly me, did not think about it this way. Sorry if I made anybody upset!

OP posts:
stripeyjug · 23/08/2023 17:32

for those who had vaginal birth.... how is the situation down there look like? Stitches? etc? I am 1st time mum and really don't know what to expect

Absolutely fine, I only needed a far stitches. My pelvic floor was strong as I did a pregnancy yoga course. Didn't have time for that with 2nd pregnancy & I defo noticed the difference even though I had a CS.

stripeyjug · 23/08/2023 17:37

@I get the actual meeting your baby bit, but not sure why you have to love the process?!. Perhaps it's just me but I didn't love my contractions, pushing etc during my VB nor my CS epidural or my appendix operation 🤷🏻‍♀️

stripeyjug · 23/08/2023 17:37

I didn't love pregnancy either

stripeyjug · 23/08/2023 17:40

@Pollywoddles I wasn't excited! I was anxious. Again it may just be me but being cut open or having contractions are not on my list of excited things! 😆

Oh & during other operations staff are nice to you normally.

stripeyjug · 23/08/2023 17:42

@MariaVT65 I can see that angle but normally it's said by people who have only had a CS.

MariaVT65 · 23/08/2023 17:47

stripeyjug · 23/08/2023 17:42

@MariaVT65 I can see that angle but normally it's said by people who have only had a CS.

Yes, but many of us only had/needed a c section because of a failed vaginal birth. Plus I’m also going on the experiences of my friends, and hospital complaints data :)

stripeyjug · 23/08/2023 17:59

I'm just going on my experience & that of my friends/family. A few of us have had both options but no one loved it.

I just don't love the process of giving birth whichever way baby comes out!

BananaSlug · 23/08/2023 18:04

I've had 2 of each and preferred the vaginal births. The csections were emergency

Totalwasteofpaper · 23/08/2023 18:22

If i was young and healthy I'd go for vaginal.

I was overweight amd 38 with my first and went for ELCS- it was great and gave the best medical outcome for me and baby.

Noodles4Me · 23/08/2023 18:38

Still so many myths trotted out about ELCS.

They don’t cut any stomach muscles - the muscles are separated. They go back naturally within 10 days or so.

You don’t have to wait 6 weeks to drive.

If baby latches, milk comes in. A good midwife will latch baby on whilst you are being stitched up.

Not everyone gets the “overhang”

One thing that is true - DO NOT SNEEZE until at least 48 hours after surgery 🫣😩

stripeyjug · 23/08/2023 18:44

I had no probs bf straight after CS.

elm26 · 23/08/2023 20:46

I was offered a C-section due to severe anxiety as I'd had 13 unexplained miscarriages before. I ummed and arred over it for a long time and finally decided to go with natural.

For me it was a mistake, I needed to be induced at 38 weeks due to my placenta failing, it took 5 days of dilation rods, pessaries, sweeps, intervals before I dilated to 2cm and they could put me on the hormone drip, then I had 2 epidurals fail. I'm sure you know the stories of how much more painful an induced labour is (with the drip) it's absolutely violent and my body went into shock and because my epidurals failed, I had to do it with only gas and air, baby was also back to back and came out with the umbilical cord around her neck. By the time she was born, I was emotionally and physically ripped apart, so sore before I'd even started pushing or got her out due to all of the different pessaries, rods and sweeps.

If I'm ever lucky enough to have another, I'll be having a C-section.