Weekend Debate: Natural or C-section

Hey ladies.  Seems like everyone got Friday off! Where y'all?  Anyway, I have been unable to decide whether I want to have a natural birth or a c-section (we can decide in South Africa).  My biggest concern would be the tearing, and it's like...if you gonna stitch me up then let it be on my terms (c-section). I have heard so many sroeies but would love to hear from the ladies who have had both and which they prefer.  I know this has been discussed before, but humour me and lets discuss it again. Have a great weekend!

[baby4Staci]

Hm... well.. Me and surgery dont mix well.  I dont like the thought of being cut open.  I have had surgery before but never anything intrusive.  The recovery to a c-section is just terrible and your body (abdomen) is never the same.  I would rather have the episiotomy then an elective c-section.  Our bodies are built for having babies and Labor.  It is extremely painful but they have great drugs for that if you are afraid of pain.  

on the c-section side of it.. it would be great to know when your baby will arrive.  also, you know your baby will make it safely through birth and have a nice perfect little head.. hehe.  

Oh.. i wanted to say.. my downstairs neighbor (i live in an apt) is from South Africa.  Love the accent.. ;-)  She will be visiting "home" for the month of December.. I live in NJ USA.. :)

[stephd]

If I had a choice I would go with the natural birth.  I had a c-section and it hurts like h*ll afterwards.  I have to have a repeat due to a narrow pelvis.  But if you have a natural birth you heal faster!!  Good luck!

[luv_babies]

I didn't know you could pick?? I would rather have a vaginal birth also.

[Agiesmom]

I had a c-section 10+ years ago and I'm now pregnant with my second at 42, so my doctor really gave me no choice--this one is going to be a c-section, too.  And I'm totally ok with that (I actually wanted it to be this way).  I didn't have a hard time recovering from a c-section.  Especially after hearing of my friend's recovery from her vaginal birth during which she tore to her rectum (and she is still incontinent to this day, five years later).  I have a doula friend who insists that I'm going to have a VBAC home water birth, but there's no way I'm going against medical advice and doing that.

Good luck with your decision!

[Lilu]

I had to have a c-section with DD because my pelvis is too small. So now I'll have to have a c-section every time. I totally wish that I can experience a vaginal. The recovery time is less and they don't have to cut you open. Also when they get the baby out you'll get to see the baby for a little while then they have to stitch you up. I had to go to the recovery room and had to wait a little while to see the baby. If you had a vaginal you see the baby right when he/she comes out. I also had to stay in the hospital more days and I just wanted to go home. My opinion is I would have a natural birth. The only nice thing for next time for me is that I can just schedule the time and not have to wait to go into labor. Good luck and Congrats!

[Crritter]

Not to scare you but I had a long labor and a rough delivery.  My son was over 10 lbs., but they didn't realize it till he was crowning that he was so big.  (He turned breech at 36 weeks, was turned by the Dr.,flipped breech again and turned at 39 weeks.)  I was told that he would not be so active if he were large and no way could he have ever turned or be turned...they were so wrong.  I tore through my rectum and had a long recovery I also went to a physical therapist to help with stress incontinence and pain when my son was 1 1/2.  I should have had a c-section, but was so determined to have a vaginal birth.  I would still rather have a vaginal birth, I was sore, but could move around and take care of my baby just fine.  I am expecting #2 in the spring and am planning on a vaginal birth unless the Dr. recommends otherwise.  The idea of being cut open freaks me out.  I think it's up to you and what you are comfortable with, just remember that you are going to have a little one needing you, so you want to feel the best you can.  Good luck either way.

[cugirl]

Great question...when are you due? Im due November 1st and the possibilites with each one are rolling around in my head.  I dont want to tear or be cut either and if I have to be cut Id rather it be a c-section.  The Dr is predicting me to have a baby somewhere around 8lbs based on all the measurements. I havent heard any bad stories about c-sections like I have about natural.  Everyone I know has had good recoveries and was only in the hospital a day or two.  Everyone I know with natual stories either ripped or were cut.

[twinsmommy]

When I was pregnant with my twins I really wanted a c-section. I was thinking the way you are and I had the excuse that the pressure for the second baby can be bad. (in the end baby B wasn't growing well and my dr. said I had to do a c-section anyway). BUT you have to realize that there can be problems in your next pregnancy. I ended up with a placenta accreta the second time which cost me my uterus and olmost my life (I don't mean to sound dramatic, but I had a 40 unit blood transfusion which is 2 gallon and a 12 inch scar to prove it). Of course things don't have to go wrong, I have several friends who had more c-sections and everything was just fine, but be aware there are added risks!

[HIS GIFT TO US]

I've always heard a baby born by vag is less likely to have wet lungs at birth due to coming out of the birth canal. This was my main concern!!!
I've been wondering which is better to tear or be cut w/ a vag birth. I've only had a vag birth but I tore, I'm pg again:) on all this birthing stuff it's so hard to know w/ all the diff stories. W/ the vag birth you are sore but lots of ladies say you heal so much faster. I'm just a wuss when it comes to major surgery though :) LOL

[AndiJ78]

Given the choice, I would go vaginal. A c-section is still major surgery that carries all the potential risks associated with surgery. I had a rough delivery with my first, long labor, 3rd degree episiotomy (nearly cut to the rectum) and even with that being said, I would still prefer that route than the risks associated with a section. Now if it is medically necessary, you look at the risk versus benefit, but I would never elect to have a section.

Andi

[sherryroberson]

whewwwww brave if you actually 'choose' a c-section, i can say! I had a c-section with my 1st 7 years ago and it was no easy thing. It was hard recovering from it, the next day i tried standing up, and didn't realize it was going to be so painful, wow, i dropped to my knees and had to have the nurses (2) help me up and walk me to the bathroom. And it was like that for about 3 to 4 dayz after. I mean it was painful! So I told my dr i really want a VBAC this time, and he said that we will definitly try for that, so i hope to god it works out for me, plus i want to experience vaginal birth. Well good luck in your decision!

[Momoftwogirls]

I've had one of each...and I believe everyone recovers differently - but I would BY FAR prefer the vaginal delivery. My recovery was MUCH MUCH slower with the c-section. I did have an episiotomy with the vaginal delivery too - so it wasn't like there wasn't any recovery goin on down there.  It was sore - but I could move around, get out of bed, etc. W/the c-section, getting up from the toilet, getting out of bed, climbing stairs, etc. were all so so difficult for 2-3 wks. And you can't drive for awhile either.  yuck - I hated it.  AND, I didn't know this before-hand...but you STILL have the bleeding like you have w/a vaginal delivery - just not as long or quite as bad....but you still bleed. Anyway - my vote hands down is vaginal delivery.

[Liza55]

I had a c-section and mine was an absolute breeze!!! Everything was planned and under control. My pain and bleeding afterwards was virtually none! I was up walking, pushing her little bassinette and picking her up hours after!!! I went home a couple days later on Motrin. My scar is barely noticable. I would not even consider doing my next birth any other way. Your goal is a healthy baby, how she/he comes out is your decision. I'd c-section all the way! I'm pretty healthy and fit so that may have played a part in my quick recovery...

[ange800]

I had c section with first preg due to failed induction and having gd I actually didnt find it that bad at all I had no labour baby was out quick and I was up out of bed the same day it was a little painful but not that bad I have to have another c section due to gd again I would of liked to try natural birth but have no choice my safest option is c section the recovery is longer but I had no problem with getting out of bed or lifting my baby first time its just my toddler now that I will have a challenge on my hand but if you have no medical reason to have a c section definitely try to go vag birth I think c sections should only be done if necessary.

[siren of the sea]

i pushed for hours, they tried the vacuum, and still had a c section due to him being face up. the pain was ok and they get you up walking soon. i dont remember exactly what is it but its better for the baby to go through the birth canal. maybe someone can shed some light on this. as long as you know all the facts and risks before making the correct choice. i have had problems lately with pain and they say it could be from all the scar tissue. my girlfriend had 3 c's and she and the babies were all fine. there seem to be more problems with the epidural from others i know than the actual c section.