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Pregnancy

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

C section vs natural birth

3 replies

Ev95 · 29/05/2025 21:20

Hi all,
my situation is a bit unique so wonder if anyone can help or has been in this situation.
currently 29 years old, was born with Gastroschisis, lost a 1/3 of my bowel, had a colostomy bag for a year and then had that reversed. By 4 I then had a double hernia and abdominal repair with a patch.

so it was 25 years ago since my last extensive surgery - no issues throughout my life as a result of what I was born with.

I am now 31 weeks pregnant.
ive been told that I am able to have either form of birth, natural or section.

if I need a section either planned or emergency, I would need an additional set of surgeons in the room to deal with possible adhesions.
my scars/previous operation site is where your belly button would be so not near where they cut for a section but scar tissue can form anywhere so they wouldn’t know if my scar tissue would get in the way during a section.
it could, it could not.

speaking to my consultant today she said if I went to labour on my own there would be a 75% chance of having the baby normally with no intervention like an emergency section. This isn’t in the case of an induction - anyone around me at the moment haven’t gone naturally and resulted in induction then emergency section.

but there’s always a risk id need an emergency section and my worry is needing additional surgeons on call in the middle of the night. After asking about this additional team she said we’d have to book a section in for when they are available so if that was the case I’m not sure who’d be called in on call if I was an emergency? (only thought about this following the appointment otherwise I’d have asked)

met with a previous consultant a few weeks ago and he was awful he spent most of the time talking about the death rate in mothers and babies, didn’t go over risks mainly just wanted to deter me from wanting a section.
so the idea of an emergency section scares me even more now.

if you’ve had stomach surgery before how did you have your baby?

so hard not to think about the what ifs on both sides, I could opt for a maternal section to make sure the second group of surgeons are on site but they could have issues with scar tissue
or I could try naturally and then it results in an emergency section and with the possible complications I feel so nervous.
May be also worth mentioning I’m 5’1 and my baby is tracking on the 97.4th percentile and reading about that it seems there’s also a chance this could contribute to resulting in an emergency section if they can’t get baby out?

If you’ve had any similar experience I’d love to hear your story!
thank you so much

OP posts:
Happyasarainbow · 30/05/2025 05:44

Giving you a little bump as I haven't been in your position, so hope someone sees this who has.

But have you looked at the CQC maternity report for your trust? Any comments on staffing levels, c sections, would input into my decision in your circumstances.

misssunshine4040 · 30/05/2025 05:56

I have had 4 previous abdominal surgeries and had 2 c section fine. The scar tissue wasn’t an issue but it can make for a harder recovery and further adhesions.
In your case I would probably book the c section and then it’s planned and you know what’s what you and you won’t be worried.
Get a second opinion

Freshair87 · 30/05/2025 06:33

Not the same, but when I had my second c section they remarked I had a lot of adhesions from my previous section all over my insides. It didn't seem to hinder them in any way and baby was out quick with no complications - although recovery is more painful if they have cut through scar tissue.
I'd do what a pp said and look up the birth rates in your trust, how many result in C-section etc.
I absolutely wouldn't have an induction (that's what resulted in my first emergency section) second one was planned and was a great experience!

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