C-Section Question

[People_Person]

Are any of you familiar with the concept of opting for or requesting a c-section rather than even considering giving birth?  I seem to be hearing more and more about ladies who are requesting c-sections and doctors are okay with this.  Just curious about your experiences.

[Heather3418]

Tricia,

There are two ways of looking at your early C-section, that might make you feel better, when you think back to the unpleasant experience.

One-it actually gave you four extra weeks, with Ian.

Two-If Ian had been born via vaginal birth at 40 weeks, the pressure on his head coming down the birth canal, (knowing now that he had a brain tumor) might have killed him.

Yes, the doctor was wrong to insist on a C-section, especially when he was so far off on Ian's weight, but when you look at the other side, it was a blessing in disguise.  More time with precious Ian.

All my Love to you, dearheart.  Still in my daily prayers,

Heather
from the MS Forum

[spade22]

A c-section is a surgical process and carries a significantly higher risk of complications than a vaginal delivery does.  Recovery time is also longer and a women is considered "disabled" for 2 months following a c-section.

I personally would never opt for an elective c-section and would only consider having one if medically warranted.

[melimeli]

risk to babies from repeat c sections

http://www.centersite.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=news&id=119230&cn=282

[Fugitive06]

I don't agree that c-sections should be considered a person choice when not medically necessary.  I believe, as some other posters mention, that physiological changes occur during labor that are necessary & beneficial to both mother & baby.  In my opinion, to deny this for any other reason accept medical necessity, for the health & safety of mother & child is (I'm sorry but) irresponsible.  I feel that Drs who pressure or lure a woman into induction or c-section are acting unethically - even when they are covering there legal *** but especially when it is to accommodate a schedule.

I think we are too quick to assume that the pain of childbirth will be akin to being tortured, having someone slowly break your leg, but it's not.  The pain has a purpose & is tolerable when managed & there is where the choices are & there is where they should remain.
Bradley
Lamaze
HypnoBirth
Calm Birth
even an Epidural (even though I believe it raises the risk of an emergency c-section)

We are doing something wrong!

Nov. 4, 2009  
Report: U.S. Trails In Infant Mortality
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120098242&ft=1&f=1001

[melimeli]

I had a vag birth.. then an emergency c and then opted for a VBAC instead of another C...  The experience of of vag birth is second to none and I would not miss out on it for fear of a vag birth...  a natural birth is the best unless there are reasons your baby could not be delivered this way.  I have done both and the emotional satisfaction with a natural birth is sooooo great!!!

[miraculous]

Hi there

I believe that it is a personal decision up to the mother. People when giving advice on this forum should bear that in mind when giving such STRONG views and opinions on this procedure. Yes it is considered major surgery but sometimes the benefits outweigh the risks in some people I had 2 c sections because being a small frame I decided that I did not want to risk severe complications from attempting a natural birth. I have seen cases where natural births don't always go as planned resulting in complications. the bottom line is it is a womans choice and she should not  be made to feel like a failure if she so chooses to have a c section. After all no one hands out a bravery awards just because a woman has wanted to have a natural birth. What is important utmost is that you safely deliver a HEALTHY baby and remember which ever way you go you still can proudly say you gave birth

All the best

[SoCalTricia]

I would NEVER want a c-section. I didn't want one when I had my son in July...but I had one, and I felt like I was pushed into it by my doctor. It was convenient for him. And, at that time, I was too tired and too bewildered to argue with him. I asked him what would happen if I refused the c-section, and he basically told me that I'd have to sign a form absolving him of any responsibility if something went wrong in a natural birth. So, I went ahead with the c-section. I regretted it immediately. I was angry. And now I'm even angrier because if I hadn't had a c-section, I would not have had my tubes tied at that time. And now I'm working like hell to figure out a way to get them UNtied. I had two children vaginally with no problem...not sure why this OB thought I needed a c-section. They thought the baby might be big...he wasn't. Even at the hospital, the NICU nurses were asking why in the world a doctor would schedule a non-emergency c-section at 36 weeks. Ugh. As you can see, I'm still pissed. So...to reiterate, I would NOT want a c-section if I didn't absolutely need one. And, having given birth both ways now, I can tell you that the c-section was more painful afterward, and a longer recovery. It's been almost four months now, and the scar and the area around it are still numb, but I get "ghost pains"...sharp pains in the incision area.

[oceanv]

First off I just want to say I don't believe in requesting a c-section like an elective surgery, if you need one you need one if not give a vaginal birth a try.  If you're going to be having more than one child then you should probably try even harder for a vaginal birth as you'll most likely have to have a c-section for the second if you have one for the first.

BUT
I had a c-section, the spinal sucked (I was a difficult case and anesthesiologist assured me that my next spinal wouldn't be like that), I was moving around pretty good by day 3, out of hospital day 5 (due to baby not c-section recovery), driving by day 13 and have felt pretty darn good about the whole recovery process, no infection etc..... the only thing that was a problem was like an idiot i helped by husband move the kitchen table (week two) for thanksgiving and sat on an exercise ball (don't do that). Also sneezing and coughing are a bugger so don't get sick.  I was at 6 lbs to my pre-preg weight by day 12 also.  I think both methods have their different recoveries.  My friend had a v-birth, au natural no drugs - came too fast, skidmark tear (she hates that term) one week after me and she still requires some tlc in the area.  Last time she had an episiotomy with her v-birth and THAT took six weeks to heal and had issues.

[Miranda9]

Hi there.  I, too, have heard that increasing numbers of American women are requesting c-sections.  I'm in Canada, and women here only get to choose c-section if their first delivery was one.

I've never experienced giving birth but I can tell you that childbirth has always frightened me, to the extent that it's one - of many - reasons why I never conceived when I was younger.  Unlike many women, I do not relish the thought of having that experience.  That may sound shockingly unfeminine but there you have it.  It's how I still feel.

If you're at all like me, you, too, might be scared of childbirth and think that c-section is the way to go.  You'd be out of it and in two minutes your baby will be born with a perfect round head.  

But I learned from observing my sister's experiences that it's not the better way. My sister had a c-section for her first born.  She was told that she might need one because of her narrow uterus. But the actual experience left her cold.  Her veins felt like icicles, she felt drugged and was not able to hold her baby girl that first night.  She was in pain for over 6 weeks.

My sister gave birth again this past August to her baby boy and this time she was determined to do it differently.  She didn't want to be in pain for 6 weeks while taking care of a toddler and a baby.  She was in pre-labour at home over a weekend, and then gave birth vaginally in the hospital on the third day.  Beautiful with the epidural.  She was out the next day with her new baby boy and moving around.

Her baby boy came out when he was ready to come out, and his temperament is so much calmer than his sister's, who was forced out of the womb.  I know this sounds whimsical, but who knows.

Good luck!

[rubyinparadise]

Elective c-section is very trendy where I live. As a result, the hospitals in my county have a 50% c-section rate. I would highly, highly recommend that you do your research before requesting this. There are several down-sides that are, sadly, not discussed enough. New research is showing that every week in utero counts to the baby's development! Most c-sections will happen between 37-39 weeks, rather than letting the mother go to full term at 40-42 weeks. (Often there are medical reasons why the baby really must come out sooner, but why elect to take away a week of in utero development if you don't need to?)

Also, research is suggesting that there are very powerful chemical (hormonal) processes happening during labor and childbirth that really should not be interrupted with drugs or surgery if they don't have to be.

Finally, a c-section is major abdominal surgery. Certain risks to mother and baby go way up with c-section. These risks are considered necessary if there are reasons why a vaginal birth would be dangerous or life-threatening, but there is absolutely no reason to take on these risks by choice.

There are some very interesting films on the subject. These films are openly "biased" in favor of encouraging women to give birth naturally, but the information they present is solid. They interview OB-GYNs and officials from the World Health Organization. The ones I know of are: The Business of Being Born, Orgasmic Birth, and What Babies Want. The last one can be seen on YouTube if you don't want to buy it. I believe the first two are also available on Netflix.

The images we're given in the media all suggest that natural birth is excruciatingly painful. End of story. There is so much more to it than that. Women are frightened into thinking their bodies can't handle it, but our bodies were MADE to do this! :)

Women really need to share their positive birth stories, not just watch horror story after horror story on shows like Deliver Me, etc. where it seems a c-section is almost *always* necessary... It's sad to me that we are all terrified into thinking that birth will be an awful, painful experience. (I share in this fear!!) So much of it is in how we prepare ourselves and how we think about this experience. It's a rite of passage for both mother and baby. I wouldn't skip it for the world.

[tinkerbell101]

I completely agree with the ladies above, my first child was born naturally and although my labour was lengthy and complicated needing foceps and then ventouse I was soon up and about even after recieving lots of stitches, which is more than I can say for my last 2 births which were unavoidable c-sections (1 breech/transverse lie baby & 1 partial rupture of previous c-section scar).

The recovery time after a c-section takes MUCH longer and is very painful. You also resume your pre-pregnancy weight much faster following a natural birth as you are much more active. My last baby also ended up in special care for a few days as the fluid in his lungs which is usually pushed out during a natural birth was pooled causing him to have a breathing difficulties and a chest infection.

I am currently 16 weeks pregnant with my 4th baby and sadly have no choice about the birth which will be another scheduled c-setion and I am already dreading it. If I could of opted for a natural birth with all of my children I would of taken that over surgery any day.. it is certainly NOT the easy option

[Jeanie20]

I agree 100% with momof8215.  I had twins naturally and I am planning on having my next set of twins naturally too if all goes well.  I would never have a c-section if I didn't have to have one.  I told the docs do not let me get a c-section please.  It is very painful and the recovery is longer.  Besides you could develop and infection from the stitches and all.  One of the ladies from work her sister-in-law had such a hard time after her c-section b/c she had all of these infected pockets that the docs had to keep on cutting her open to drain them out.  It's your choice but I wouldn't do it unless I have no choice to save my babies then I would do it but other than that no way at all.  Good luck with your decision and pregnancy.  Let us know what u decide.

[momof8215]

There is no way I would "choose" a c-section. Although it's faster the recovery is longer. Besides, childbirth is you working with your baby to bring him/her into the world. Why would you opt for the easy way out? There is no doubt that childbirth hurts but it is sooooo worth it and the pain is gone instantaneously once you deliver. That's not true for a c-section. I hope this helps. Best of luck to you.