Elective c-section?

[JMmumtobe]

I am 32 when I am due to give birth in mid-October. I was wondering what people's experiences are with an elective c-section? To me, I cannot understand why everyone doesn't get an elective c-section? This will be my first child and I do hope to have three in total (if possible) so I was wondering if any one had all their children via elective c-section or if any one had any views? Noting also that I am low risk, healthy, fit etc.

I’ve had 2 sections and I agree with ur thinking. The thought of pushing a large baby out my vagina and my vag and bum being shredded is just absolute barbaric to me. I can’t imagine how bad that pain must be. Yeah a section is major surgery but so it’s having ur arsehole repaired if you have 3/4 degree tears! I was up and about fairly quickly my sections (one emergency one elective) I was then on my own as my DH had to work 3 days after section 2 and I managed a toddler and a baby. I drove 3 weeks post c section as toddler needed the doctor and I had no choice. U can drive when u feel fit to emergency stop, the 6 week rule is a myth

Yeah of course, you do what you have to do at the time. It was just my reason for not choosing an elective C-section (as OP said she couldn't understand why everyone doesn't have one).

Whatever makes you happy. Like I said, there’s no right or wrong.

I personally do not want the scar or the risks associated with surgery/epidural/anaesthetics etc if I can avoid it.

Our bodies were literally designed to do this so I’ll take my chances and hope for the best.

I do understand the appeal of an elective c section however.

OP I chose and elective section for my first and will again for my second.

I disagree that our bodies are made for it, otherwise women wouldnt die or be left with tears or incontinence issues from birth. I actually watched a documentary about this, that explained why humans have such difficulty in childbirth: since we became bipedal, our pelvis narrowed and our babies heads grew larger to facilitate brain development. For the weight of the mother we have one of the largest babies in the animal kingdom.

I personally hate the idea of vaginal birth and the vast vast majority of the women I know who went that route have some sort of birth trauma, some are saying no to more children, are getting counselling and a few have been diagnosed with PTSD.

Anecdotally I know quite a few women who chose sections after vaginal births due to trauma. All of this is just what other women have experienced and most of it I only found out when I met these women after having my baby.

The things that I considered were, look st your local hospital statistics for forceps, emergency sections and tears, I think all are available. I also thought about what would happen if my second child I wanted/needed a section then I'd effectively have 2 areas of my body with issues. My local hospital (which I work at and think is a good hospital) had quite a high rate of emergency sections, think it was 45% for first time mothers.
I also knew that if I was giving birth I'd not entirely trust midwives (nothing personal) but I'd want medical staff there. My local hospital pushes low intervention, birthing pools etc and I know I'd get pissy with that "breathe through contractions and visualise yourself on a beach" stuff. I did all the birth reading, yoga, classes but it just wasnt for me. I think if you are considering this then go for it just make sure you know some statistics.

My personal recovery was very easy, out in a cafe within a week and driving within 3weeks, before that didnt see much of a reason to. My pain was extremely minimal and recovery quite easy, much moreso than I thought it would be.

People seen to have very polarised views but all you can do is trust your gut.