Would you choose a c-section over a natural birth?

miss_feminem

If this is more suited elsewhere, then please move

I was speaking to my friend about pregnancy (she knows a girl that is due soon) and she mentioned that her mother had a planned c-section and that if she ever got pregnant that she would also have a planned c-section because of the "not so nice" things that can happen during natural birth.

I was just wondering how many women would choose (or have chosen) to have a c-section and how many would (or have chosen) choose the natural birth? And why?

shellyboo

I think I'd want a natural birth... it's something I kind of want to experience for myself! "Natural" as in, giving birth myself, not "natural" as in no drugs. I'll be wanting the drugs.

miss_feminem

Well yes, I'd probably want the drugs myself and I agree with wanting to experience it for myself. I also hear it takes a while to recover from the section (since it's essentially an operation).

shellyboo

It's not essentially an operation, it IS an operation :P I'm not sure about this elective c-section business, to be honest.

metaoblivia

I would probably go with the planned c section as I have a genetic disorder that can make giving birth in the natural way quite dangerous.

miss_feminem

metaoblivia wrote: »

I would probably go with the planned c section as I have a genetic disorder that can make giving birth in the natural way quite dangerous.

Ok, well that's different. I mean women choosing the section just for the reason that they don't want the "gross effects" of natural birth.

shellyboo

miss_feminem wrote: »

Ok, well that's different. I mean women choosing the section just for the reason that they don't want the "gross effects" of natural birth.

+1. I meant the so-called "too posh to push" brigade. If there are medical reasons, obviously you go for the safer option.

metaoblivia

Oh sorry! I didn't know my genetic disorder excluded me from a conversation about having a planned c section as opposed to a natural birth.

miss_feminem

metaoblivia wrote: »

Oh sorry! I didn't know my genetic disorder excluded me from a conversation about having a planned c section as opposed to a natural birth.

How have we excluded you?

shellyboo

That wasn't the intention at all meta, I was obviously just clarifying that I wasn't criticising anyone who has to have a c-section for medical reasons... for your benefit, I might add. But thanks for jumping down my throat anyway.

Das Kitty

If I had been asked this 5 years ago I probably would have said I'd opt for an elective section.

I'm 6 months pregnant now and really really don't want a section. I'm at the point that I'm bouncing on my birthing ball and doing all sorts of exercises to try to make sure baby stays upside down! What has changed is that I have friends now who've done each and I've read a lot. My reasons for wanting a vaginal birth are really down to recovery time. My friend who had the section couldn't even pick up her baby herself to begin with. A C-section is classed as major invasive surgery (as with anything cutting into the abdomen) your uterus and vagina are designed to deliver a baby so you can be pretty much recovered in a few minutes.

I'm also swaying away from an epidural at the moment, don't particularly want to give birth on my back or not be able to walk around (I get claustrophobia and have been known to panic). I want to prevent tearing so I would like to be sure to be able to feel when my body wants me to push, not just go when I'm told. I also plan on breastfeeding and baby can be very groggy from an epi and can have sucking problems for days. Obviously on the day I may be drugged up to the eyeballs as they cut the baby out, but hopefully not.

metaoblivia

shellyboo wrote: »

That wasn't the intention at all meta, I was obviously just clarifying that I wasn't criticising anyone who has to have a c-section for medical reasons... for your benefit, I might add. But thanks for jumping down my throat anyway.

I'm just saying that the agenda here is obvious - and has been done before. You want to slag off on women who choose to have a c section for a reason you don't deem appropriate. I mean, I think you'll find that most people on this board will agree with you. So why did I bother replying? Because it's actually a decision I'll have to make, and one I'll have to think very hard about. Seeing it reduced to drivel like this time and again is tiresome.

miss_feminem

metaoblivia wrote: »

I'm just saying that the agenda here is obvious - and has been done before. You want to slag off on women who choose to have a c section for a reason you don't deem appropriate. I mean, I think you'll find that most people on this board will agree with you. So why did I bother replying? Because it's actually a decision I'll have to make, and one I'll have to think very hard about. Seeing it reduced to drivel like this time and again is tiresome.

I'm not slagging off on anyone who chooses to get a c-section. If they want to do that, that's fine. My reason for the post is "why" do they want to do this? Since its an operation, why would you choose to when you didn't have to?

Novella

metaoblivia wrote: »

I'm just saying that the agenda here is obvious - and has been done before. You want to slag off on women who choose to have a c section for a reason you don't deem appropriate. I mean, I think you'll find that most people on this board will agree with you. So why did I bother replying? Because it's actually a decision I'll have to make, and one I'll have to think very hard about. Seeing it reduced to drivel like this time and again is tiresome.

For god's sake, you're making the decision based on the fact that giving birth could be dangerous for you. Some women are making it 'cause giving birth is "icky". At the end of the day, it doesn't even matter. C-section, natural birth, what difference does it make as long as mother and baby are happy and healthy?

metaoblivia

Novella wrote: »

For god's sake, you're making the decision based on the fact that giving birth could be dangerous for you. Some women are making it 'cause giving birth is "icky". At the end of the day, it doesn't even matter. C-section, natural birth, what difference does it make as long as mother and baby are happy and healthy?

Exactly. What does it matter what decision a mother makes as long as she and her baby turn out healthy?

Das Kitty

Too posh to push is a total media-created lie anyway. It's far easier to get your body back to normal after a vaginal birth. Anyone who actually chooses to have a c-section is doing it for a valid reason. No one picks it as an easy option, because in the vast majority of cases it isn't.

miss_feminem

Das Kitty wrote: »

Too posh to push is a total media-created lie anyway. It's far easier to get your body back to normal after a vaginal birth. Anyone who actually chooses to have a c-section is doing it for a valid reason. No one picks it as an easy option, because in the vast majority of cases it isn't.

Exactly, my mother had four kids and the my brother (the last child) was coming out backwards and she had to have a section. It took her ages to recover from that.

I only asked because my friend (who is only young and wont be having kids for a while anyways) was 100% sure that she would choose a section. Now, obv that may change if/when she does get pregnant. I was just wondering how many people would choose a section for no medical reason, etc.

I meant no offence to anyone and aplogies if I insulted anyone.

Khannie

Can you just choose to have a section anyway? I thought that whole "too posh to push" thing was all rubbish. I thought you needed a medical reason to have a section.

Malari

Khannie wrote: »

Can you just choose to have a section anyway? I thought that whole "too posh to push" thing was all rubbish. I thought you needed a medical reason to have a section.

I was just going to say this!

Do the doctors just let you choose?

miss_feminem

Malari wrote: »

I was just going to say this!

Do the doctors just let you choose?

I have no idea actually. My friend said her mum chose, but can't be sure of the truth of that really.

Gyalist

Khannie wrote: »

Can you just choose to have a section anyway? I thought that whole "too posh to push" thing was all rubbish. I thought you needed a medical reason to have a section.

It is not common in the UK & Ireland but in the US elective Caesareans are common.

Novella

I'm not offended anyway, I think it's a good topic! I'm probably coming across as a complete b!tch in TLL today actually, I'm sorry (to you and everyone!), just having a bad day (not that that makes it excusable).

Anyway, I wouldn't chose a c-section over a natural birth unless the baby was in distress during the labour and a c-section was a more viable option for medical reasons. I'd actually be pretty gutted if I didn't get to experience giving birth naturally.

However, if other women prefer to have an elective section, I think that's up to them and fair enough!

Nevyn

There has to be a medical reason but if you are going private and a reason can be found you can be scheduled for one.

The c section is very invasive surgry and you are stapled back to gether after it, there are higher chances of complication and infection as well and a lot longer recovery rates.

The storys of having a loose for ever after having a vaginal birth are wrong,
like the rest of your body it will go back into shape after wards if you do the exerises needed, really ladies daily pelvic floor excerises are good for many many reasons.

As for stories of tearing or having to be cut and needed sitches, that happens but again doing excerises before hand reduces that happening and any scaring caused by that is a lot less visible and a lot smaller then a c section scar.

If a c section is needed for actual medical reasons, phyical or mental fair enough but a lot of women who have not informed them selves properly about c sections seem to think it is the easy option and it's not.

Das Kitty

Khannie wrote: »

Can you just choose to have a section anyway? I thought that whole "too posh to push" thing was all rubbish. I thought you needed a medical reason to have a section.

Depends totally on the consultant but you can have an elective.

I know someone who after 2 natural births that were very difficult won't have another (although she wants one) unless the consultant can guarantee a c-section. She's so petrified of the complications and the babies had. She just had the misfortune of being very unlucky twice.

the_syco

miss_feminem wrote: »

My reason for the post is "why" do they want to do this? Since its an operation, why would you choose to when you didn't have to?

Maybe they don't have a choice, or have a family history of sh|t going wrong at child birth that has been shown can be avoided by a c-section.

From Wikipedia:

Complications of labor and factors impeding vaginal delivery such as

• prolonged labor or a failure to progress (dystocia)
• fetal distress
• cord prolapse
• uterine rupture
• placental problems (placenta praevia, placental abruption or placenta accreta)
• abnormal presentation (breech or transverse positions)
• failed induction of labour
• failed instrumental delivery (by forceps or ventouse. Sometimes a 'trial of forceps/ventouse' is tried out - This means a forceps/ventouse delivery is attempted, and if the forceps/ventouse delivery is unsuccessful, it will be switched to a caesarean section.
• overly large baby (macrosomia)
• umbilical cord abnormalities (vasa previa, multi-lobate including bi-lobate and succenturiate-lobed placentas, velamentous insertion)
• contracted pelvis

Other complications of pregnancy, preexisting conditions and concomitant disease such as

• pre-eclampsia
• hypertension[13]
• multiple births
• precious (High Risk) Fetus
• HIV infection of the mother
• Sexually transmitted infections such as genital herpes (which can be passed on to the baby if the baby is born vaginally, but can usually be treated in with medication and do not require a Caesarean section)
• previous Caesarean section (though this is controversial – see discussion below)
• prior problems with the healing of the perineum (from previous childbirth or Crohn's Disease)

miss_feminem

the_syco wrote: »

Maybe they don't have a choice, or have a family history of sh|t going wrong at child birth that has been shown can be avoided by a c-section.

Well I was more curious why someone would choose it with no mecidal reasons. And again, I've no problem with it, just curious.

Lollipops23

I think I'd want to at least try a vaginal birth, but don't think I'd have a problem having a c-section if I got into trouble. My cousin's missus had to have an emergency section because she was simply too small..."there". :eek:

My step mam also said to avoid epidurals if at all possible, she found the not-being-able-to-walk part hard to deal with!!

SeekUp

Das Kitty wrote: »

Anyone who actually chooses to have a c-section is doing it for a valid reason. No one picks it as an easy option, because in the vast majority of cases it isn't.

I don't think this is the case at all. I agree to a point with metaoblivia about agendas; I find that what sometimes happens in here is that we like to rally around the anti-popular choice and scorn those who don't. (Spray tan? Fad diet? Fake orgasms? Why on earth would I ever do anything like that?! We're so much better than that!!)

Disclaimer -- I agree that we are better than that, and I'm sometimes guilty of doing that as well . . . perhaps it's like attracting like.

This situation, however, strikes me as a bit different. In much of the Western world, childbirth is just as much a medical process as a natural one, and the decision regarding cesarean births isn't just a medical decision anymore. The length and effort behind vaginal births are seen by some as being "unnecessary" when you can just pencil in the procedure and pull out the baby. Furthermore, there's a growing interest in vaginoplasties and vaginal rejuvenation, not necessarily to reshape the vagina but to "restore" it to a pre-childbirth state. I think rather than just saying that women who make these choices are delusional, we need to look at why these choices are being made, and why they're being presented.

I'm all for choice, especially when it comes to reproductive issues. We can choose how not to become pregnant, we can choose whether or not to stay pregnant, and we should be able to choose our method of childbirth. But it just doesn't sit right with me when we begin to opt for riskier elective surgical procedures when it's done simply to shy away from a potentially scary process. Vaginal childbirth can go horribly awry, as can a cesarean birth . . . and both can go smoothly. It depends on about a jillion factors.

I guess my point is that whatever decision a woman makes, it should be an honest one, where she's aware of the risks in her particular situation, what she can realistically expect both during and after childbirth, and taking into account the opinions of her doctor (or even her midwife or her doula). Imo.

Ginny

I would never choose a c section, Its a serious operation with numerous internal and external stitches, I remember seeing a documentary on c sections years ago and the surgeon place the womens womb on her stomach to stitch it. After seeing that I don't understand why anyone would choose that, coupled with the fact you can't drive or sometimes even lift your baby for a few weeks, it' just not something I'd voluntarily choose.

AFAIK if you go private there are a few consultants who would facilitate a c section.

joeduggan

im glad i stumbled across this threa. all the BITCHING in the early parts are great. we had our first baby 11 months ago and my girlfriend had a section. but they onlty gave her the section because the baby got distressed. she didnt demand one.

Nevyn

Lollipops23 wrote: »

My step mam also said to avoid epidurals if at all possible, she found the not-being-able-to-walk part hard to deal with!!

Epidural have come along way over the last 20/30 years, my own Mam didn't want me having one due to her experience and experiences of other women form when she was having kids her self but that was a long time ago.

shellyboo

metaoblivia wrote: »

I'm just saying that the agenda here is obvious - and has been done before. You want to slag off on women who choose to have a c section for a reason you don't deem appropriate. I mean, I think you'll find that most people on this board will agree with you. So why did I bother replying? Because it's actually a decision I'll have to make, and one I'll have to think very hard about. Seeing it reduced to drivel like this time and again is tiresome.

I don't want to "slag off" anyone, meta, least of all someone with a medical issue. If you choose to take offence, that's your shout but don't make me out to be a judgemental bltch because I tried to clarify a post that could have come across badly.

I said I "wasn't sure" about elective c-sections because I don't know if it even exists as a practice medically, and I don't know if any/many women actually even want do this, or if it's a media-created phenomenon - I wasn't looking down my nose at anyone or their choices. If you'd have bothered to ask me to elaborate instead of attacking me, I'd have explained that.

Lollipops23

Thaedydal wrote: »

Epidural have come along way over the last 20/30 years, my own Mam didn't want me having one due to her experience and experiences of other women form when she was having kids her self but that was a long time ago.

Her epidural was only 13 years ago!She didn't have one on her 2nd baby and saod it was waaay better!

pikachucheeks

Khannie wrote: »

Can you just choose to have a section anyway? I thought that whole "too posh to push" thing was all rubbish. I thought you needed a medical reason to have a section.

My mum's a nurse and trained midwife. She told me that if you opt to go privately, you can chose to have a section.

Madame Razz

Public or private are not all women encouraged to have a natural birth(+/- epidural) for their first birth experience? And that a c-section is only carried out under extreme circumstances(or prevailing medical reasons) in this instance?

pikachucheeks

Madame Razz wrote: »

Public or private are not all women encouraged to have a natural birth(+/- epidural) for their first birth experience? And that a c-section is only carried out under extreme circumstances(or prevailing medical reasons) in this instance?

Perhaps they are encouraged to have a natural birth but not necessarily forced. My understanding,from what I've been told by nurses and midwifes I know, is that if you opt to go privately, you can choose to have a section, if you want one.

Sections are carried out within extreme circumstances and for medical reasons too, but seemingly, they can also be carried out due to personal choice.

Xiney

metaoblivia and shellyboo, you are both welcome to post in this thread as long as you are not being passive aggressive towards each other, otherwise please cease posting in this thread altogether.

Cookie Jar

Em... When I went into labour... I was induced and they wanted to get her out as quickly as they could as I had really high blood pressure.. Was going for the natural thing.. wasn't going very well for me as I'm only ickle.. so then they decided they were going to give me a section... but then it was too late for a section... So she was born naturally.

After that experience if I was to have another baby and could choose I would go with a section. Not just for the fact that I was afraid of the pain. Just because it took my body so long to heal I wasnt able to do a lot for the first few weeks:(

Khannie

Cookie Jar wrote: »

it took my body so long to heal I wasnt able to do a lot for the first few weeks:(

You'd face a similarly uncomfortable and long recovery from a section as I understand it.

Cookie Jar

Khannie wrote: »

You'd face a similarly uncomfortable and long recovery from a section as I understand it.

Yeah but 8/9 months later I still wasn't healed properly.
For the first year I was to and from doctors:(

Khannie

Ouchies! That's pretty bad alright.

Whispered

I think I'd prefer a natural birth, but my OH would have to stay RIGHT by my head.

pookie82

Think I'm the first one to say this and controversial as it sounds I'm pretty sure if I could elect for a c-section I'd choose that. Firstly I guess because I have had numerous invasive surgeries in my life time one more wouldn't seem too daunting. But mostly because I have been utterly scarred and traumatised from listening to the multiple post vaginal birth complications that can affect women for a lifetime after giving birth.

Most people would have you believe that the female body is a wonderful and magical entity which snaps back from childbirth like a rubber band, leaving little or no side effects. I know numerous women who have testified behind closed doors that they've never been the same since. From internal stitching that never ceased to hurt, looseness and lack of feeling, haemorrhoids that stayed with them for life, weakened bladders and all round saggy vaginas, there's enough info there to make me not want to risk it.

Maybe when/if I become pregnant I'll change my mind and if I do, I do, but at this moment in time I think it'd be c section all the way. All you have to do is watch one of those embarrassing bodies programmes to see what natural childbirth can do to some women. I wouldn't be one to usually base a stock opinion on a small percentage of telly patients, but couple that with chatting to the women I know who have given birth naturally, there are few who come out of it without some nasty and often life long side effects.

I'd love to be wrong - maybe some people here who have given birth naturally can tell me everything pops back perfectly????

stovelid

To me, it seems bizarre that anybody would choose abdominal surgery over birth unless there is a obvious reason for it.

pikachucheeks

pookie82 wrote: »

Think I'm the first one to say this and controversial as it sounds I'm pretty sure if I could elect for a c-section I'd choose that.

I feel the same. I don't care to explain my reasons here, but I've explained them to the people in my life who need to know, should I fall pregnant.

That said, I don't plan on having children for a long time - and in time, my mind and / or reasons may change.

Cookie Jar

Khannie wrote: »

Ouchies! That's pretty bad alright.

Yup.. I guess I just dont have those "child bearing hips":pac::pac::pac:

Snowie

I was a c sectioned baby bassicaly my mum wasnt really supposed to be having children she broke her back... So we came out through her how ever it works

princess-lala

I would have always said I was "too posh to push" but after seeing my cousins stomach and wound last week the day of her section and then 4 days later and now shes turned me - if and when Ill be pushing them out

ash23

I would. Given the choice that is.

I had a section on my little un and that was nearly 7 years ago. If I had the option of having a section I think I'd choose it.

For a few reasons. Mainly because it's what I know. After such a gap (and I'm single so I'm guessing it'll be another few years before more babies are on the cards), i would feel like a first time mum all over again. It'd all be new and scary again and the only thing/way I know is c section. So for me, that'd be a plus.

Also, I found my section quite a positive experience. I had no pain during surgery, a fair bit after but by morning I was walking (well, shuffling) down to have a shower. By day 2 I was able to get up myself and pick bubs up myself. By day 3 I was able to bend and lift.

The following are lesser reasons as the 2 above are my main ones but these are other "perks" I can think of. Yes, my tummy is wretched now, I have overhang over my section scar but it isn't going away. So another one won't do any harm to that. However, my hoo ha is the one part of me that is still grand. I've been with guys who were "surprised" by it when they knew I had a child. I'm not saying it happens to everyone but I have always placated myself with my tight hoo ha when looking at my scarred, hanging tummy pouch. I don't want to risk losing that too!

I also like the idea of not having to go overdue and being able to get organised for the due date, knowing when bubs would arrive. Especially with work and my other little one. Babysitters, time off for the dad etc could all be arranged in advance.

There is also the risk of uterine rupture when having a vaginal birth after a c section which scares me.

And I never felt I missed out by not giving birth vaginally, nor do I feel it affected the bonding process with my daughter.


So to sum it up, I'm pretty happy with the way my daughters delivery went and if I were given the choice I think i'd prefer to have as similar an experience as that one as was possible as opposed to dipping my toe into the great unknown!!

Seonad

Apologies for my ignorance but what exactly defines a "baby in distress"?

Is it raised heart rate or something?

Joey the lips

My wife just had a child. A planned C Section was performed. The section went great but the after has been very painful. Its 2 weeks since my wife had the child and she is only starting to move this week. The pain was bad. As she is breast feeding the panadol is sh1t for pain relief. I am out of work at the moment. We give thanks for this. They say you cant life a kettle. They are not wrong.