C-Section or Vaginal?

[TallulahTaboo]

I know no one other than myself can make this decision but my God I'm struggling.

I had a very traumatic birth with my first, four day labour, forceps, episiotomy, PPH, surgery and surgery again, high dependency, it continues. Baby was absolutely fine but took me at least 4 months to physically recover and about a year mentally.

I'm pregnant again and need to make a decision on what the right birth option is but I don't know. I'm not being pushed by anyone, the opposite but have been offered a vaginal birth under the care of the head MW's or a planned section.

I've been made aware of the risks and know that both come with them especially since I had a bad PPH previously but does anyone have any good experiences of either options after a bad birth?

I think I'm leaning more to a section as feel that if something was to go wrong, then all the right people are there to help. But I know I carry a higher risk of PPH. However, I don't really care about how baby gets here as long as they are safe and I am also, mentally and physically.

Would love any positive stories or anything that might help! 🤍

I had a horrendous failed induction at 42 weeks that lasted 36 hours and an emergency cesarian
My second child I had an elective cesarian but it was a good few years ago and I had to fight for it .
I don't regret the second at all

I had a planned section after a first traumatic birth, though nowhere near as traumatic as yours sounds - but I still had flashbacks and nightmares for a year afterwards. The section was definitely the right choice for me.

@lovemycbf @Rightsaidme thank you for both sharing. I'm glad you both had positive experiences with a planned section. Maybe that's the route to go down... I've yet to hear someone who says differently. They can't guarantee that having a vaginal won't end up in an Emergency section either so.. 😵‍💫

Aww good luck with whatever you choose but as say for me it was great and no regrets whatsoever

My mum had a very similar experience to yours. She then went on to have another vaginal delivery and it was fine. I've only had one baby (vaginal delivery) and although the labour was very long, I found the recovery difficult compared to other women I've spoken to. However, I know women who have had c sections and they had a very difficult recovery too. They have a shelf and other issues and one had a PPH with her c section.

I had a planned c section after a fairly stressful first birth (that had ended in an emergency c section) and found it pretty civilised. Recovery feels a bit weird for a few weeks like youve been cut open in the middle and a baby pulled out of you… but that sensation passes and I feel pretty normal after a few weeks to a month. Just have to go easy on the painkillers to avoid constipation.

I had a planned caesarean after a traumatic birth the first time.

The caesarean was no picnic, I can tell you, but I needed to relaxed and calm environment more than I had even realised. I was an absolute mess for various reasons and it really helped.

Good luck.

C-section. Recovery after planned c section is much easier than a traumatic birth & emergency c section

I’ve had 2 C sections, 1 emergency and 1 planned. The planned onr was great, though in theater was the time i felt the safest both times as all the staff are around you.

2 of my friends had bad PPHs after their second vaginal births (apparently common if it’s a quick birth) so it could happen either way.

I had a horrific first labour that in total from start to finish lasted over 48 hours, infection in my uterus, projectile vomiting with every contraction, baby back to back. In the end I needed an EMCS after getting to 9cm dilated. I then haemorrhaged and lost 1900ml of blood and ended up with a transfusion and stay in high dependency. Had post natal depression and PTSD, it was such a joyous time 🤣

Fast forward 5 years later I categorically refused a vaginal birth and requested an ELCS. I didn't particularly enjoy the surgery, but it wasn't awful and very calm. I did lose 1000ml of blood, not that I knew about it. I am glad I went with my gut and opted for the elective, had I been faced with a vaginal delivery again it would have sent me spiralling. The midwife and my consultant were more than understanding and I didn't feel like they tried to pressure me to change my mind at all. This time around I've been told to have an elective anyway so decision is out of my hands.

I was lucky enough to have two fairly uneventful vaginal births but in your situation I think I'd opt for a c section. That way you have more control and know what to expect more iyswim. I'm sorry you had such a traumatic birth first time round

Sending love!

I had a traumatic induction with my first (he was stillborn) but not because of the induction other health reasons :(

The experience was traumatic.

So I opted for a planned c section with 2nd. The calmest thing ever! Popped into the hospital at 7:30am and had my son at 9:56. The control my partner and I had really helped with the high genes anxiety. Recovery was hard the first few days but by 2 weeks I was up walking about and pretty much back to normal. I've heard some mums were back to normal after a week!

I'm pregnant with baby # 3 and again opting for a planned c section without a doubt!

All the best with the choice you make xx

With our high anxiety * no idea why it wrote genes lol

I had an episiotomy and then a large PPH that they struggled to control with my first (including the registrar having his hand inside my uterus and compressing from the inside - much worse than labour). With my second the team were really on it, had a drip in advance to reduce bleeding and they were very aware at every stage. I only lost 118ml compared to the literal bloodbath of my first birth. I felt so much better second time around just because I didn't lose all that blood! Only a tiny graze second time around too.

Similar experience to you OP first time round, and this time I’ll be having an elective section. I don’t think I could cope with the same level of chaos and it really took a toll on me mentally first time round.

For me, I think the worst case would it be that the same happened again if I had another vaginal birth and a section is a lot more controlled. Neither are a walk in the park, so difficult to decide isn’t it. Good luck with whatever you choose x

PPH here first time round after a long old induction, episiotomy and forceps, and then sepsis after the event.

Induction again the second time but it couldn’t have been more different - vaginal birth with a tiny tear that didn’t need stitching and minimal bleeding. They were very ‘on it’ just in case with a drip ready to go, but it just went perfectly. So it is possible. I was very nervous too.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I went for a vaginal birth for my second DC, after a traumatic birth with my first DC - episiotomy, forceps, PPH, blood transfusions and high dependency. I also toyed with a planned section for my second, due to worries about history repeating itself.

Second birth was an absolute dream in comparison though, I actually found it quite cathartic. 5.5 hours, not even a stitch, and up walking around pretty much immediately after birth.

I think it's generally much easier second time round, more likely to happen naturally and your body already knows what to do - so don't assume a repeat of the first time OP 💐

I am a first time mum& I am due in a week&half!!

I have opted for a c section as they wanted to induce me because my baby girl has apparently a big belly and there is no way I am being induced as I've heard horrific stories I also have bad anxiety. Midwife's haven't questioned me and said that they've got to listen and allow us have what we want.
I've also had a few friends as well that's had a c section and would chose it over natural birth! And said that the recovery isn't as bad as everyone says it is!

I've had a vaginal birth and a c section and I would actually chose the section every time.

Not only are you covered for every eventuality as doctors and all equipment there already, I found it much calmer and easier after birth.

First few days were painful but I found with pain killers manageable. I also found I bled less and my post partum depression didn't return.

C section. You're older, you've already had a traumatic experience, you will be so so stressed in the lead up to it, it's not worth it. And with a C section you have all the medical professionals around you, you'll be fine.

Thank you so much for all your replies and stories, they've all been incredibly helpful!

And great to know you can still have a positive vaginal birth after a traumatic one too. And gives me comfort to know I wasn't the only one to suffer (these things do happen, I'm a realist in that respect).

I have another 2x consultation's so hopefully after those I can make a firm decision.

To those who are waiting on their babies to arrive too, good luck and I hope you all have a wonderful birth too 🤍