C-Section due to age + #1 ???

[magda_s]

Hi ladies...

I have recently moved countries and so a couple of days ago I went to see a new OB.  As we were chatting, he asked how many weeks I was and I said "27" and he says "27... that means you have 13 to go... well... really only 11 because you'll be doing a c-section..." and I cut him off with a "WHA-A-A-A-A-AT?????"
He looked very surprised at my surprise and asked why I would want to risk NOT doing a c-section considering that the combination of my age (37) and the fact that this is my first baby could likely mean a very long labour.  He said a c-section in my case is highly recommended as it would be less stressful for the baby and also for me.
I have since asked another doctor who agreed that really, in my case, a c-section would be the best way to go.  
Are people here (I'm in the middle east) just c-section-happy or have any of you been told this too?
I don't have anything against doing a c-section per se.  I just never considered it because I always thought they were only done when it was absolutely necessary because of a breach position or some other complication and in my mind, the basic medical tenet of doing no harm and not operating unless it's necessary come into play.  But apparently - according to the 2nd doc I spoke with - the main reason doctors don't operate if an operation isn't needed is because of the risk of the anesthesia but with a c-section, you're not doing a general anesthetic but rather a spinal one or an epidural so there isn't any major risk.
But then, doesn't it take a lo-o-ong time to get over a c-section... during which you can't really hold your baby or do much of anything??
Info and opinions would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
magda

[alikat1205]

Your age is not a reason to do a c/s by itself, unless there are some other issues (which it doesn't appear that there are).  It is a long and painful recovery, and I don't recommend doing it unless you have to.

[magda_s]

Yeah, see, this is what I'm thinking! But I need to do some more research and get some more opinions and stories of people who've been there.  Plan to go see another doc too.

[stillwaiting52]

I have not heard of doing a C-section b/c of age before, my first was an emergency C-section b/c the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck, (thankfully he was perfect) and the doctor wanted to perforn a C-section the second time just b/c they always recommend one the second time. Just like alikat said, unless there is another reason you should not have to undergo a C-section! Best wishes to you :-)

[Helen72]

I know people who are much older having no trouble delivering naturally their #1.  C-section is an invasive surgery and you should talk to your dr about giving it a natural try at least.

[Courtcoop]

This DR is a quack...37 and need to have a C/S????  

My sister at age 42 delivered her last baby just perfectly fine naturally.  And long labor or not, it's a part of child birth. 20 years old or 40 years old, anyone can have a long labor regardless of age.

I swear these DR's just try and make it easier on themselves (or is it $$?)! Uggg

[allmymarbles]

What do you mean you don't have anything against doing a C section per se? That is all wrong because it is a surgical intervention with concommitent risks. American doctors love the knife. The high rate of C sections in America is indefensible and unethical because most of them are not necessary.

As to giving birth late in age. I was 43 when I had my last baby, one of my daughters was 44. A relative was 52!!! She had her first when she was 50!!! The wife of a doctor I know what 45. (There are plenty of others of my acquaintance.) All of these births were natural with natural outcomes.

I might add that I had a tendency to mal presentations. I also had a patient and very competent doctor.

[Miranda9]

Hello,
I concur with the other women here!  My twin sister, aged 42, just gave birth vaginally a week ago to a healthy baby boy.  She laboured at home over the weekend and then when her contractions were between 5 - 15 minutes, she went to the hospital and laboured for one more day before giving birth.  

She can't believe how easy it was for her and how much better was the outcome, compared to when she had a c-section for her daughter 3 years ago.  Back then, her Dr. said: "I want this baby out on my shift" and proceeded to c-section.  My sister was frozen from the drugs and could not properly hold her baby. She also had 6 weeks of painful healing.

She was determined this time around to deliver vag.  even though her Dr. had encouraged her to sign up for a scheduled c-section.

[40smama]

Unfortunately, I'm the queen of c-sections, Magda, as I've had five of them.  I'm amazed that they told you there's no risk about the anesthesia part because there's always, always a risk in that area - if the spinal or epidural doesn't work or if for some reason during the procedure it could always happen that you need general anesthesia.

I agree w/the others - age shouldn't be the deciding factor in the decision to deliver by c-section - there are too many women who delivery vaginally in the late 30's to 40's.  I've only recovered from c-sections and I can tell you first hand it is not fun at all but it's definitely doable.  

I don't understand - maybe the standard where you live is to go the c-section route after a certain age.  I don't understand though why they discourage you from at least trying labor and delivery.  Oh here's an idea - visit the hospital where you're going to deliver within a couple of weeks.  I know it's early but it wouldn't hurt.  Hope this helps!  jen

[magda_s]

Thank you ladies very much, all the comments are certainly helping as I was wondering if everyone was going to be coming back to me saying things like "Absolutely!  MUCH better to do a c-section in your case... blah blah blah".

allmymarbles, what I mean by not having anything against a c-section per se is that despite the high rate of unneccessary c-sections that may or may not be done, c-sections have a purpose and in some instances, they are the better option.  So, if I were to find that a c-section was truly going to be better/safer for my baby and that not doing one would constitute a risk to my baby then I would do it in a heartbeat regardless of it being invasive surgery or how long it might take me to recover or whatever.

Hey jen,  thanks for the suggestion.  In fact, the hospital where I plan to deliver is a very highly regarded maternity hospital with primarily British docs and midwives so you probably are looking at whole other school of thought.  I haven't been able to go there yet as it's a gov't run hospital and as an expat, you can only go there if you have a residence visa and I haven't got mine yet.  As soon as I have it (in the next few days), I'll head down there and see what they have to say.  Just wanted to be armed with some first hand info before that so thanks again.  Actually, I you've told me a couple of useful things.  I had no idea that the spinal or epidural could fail and you could need a general anesthetic and I didn't realise that you could 'try' for a vaginal birth with c-section as a backup.  That's something I'd be more inclined to agree to if the docs at this other hospital also say I should be doing a c-section.

Thanks everyone.

[adgal]

I'll be 41 at delivery (if he makes his debut on schedule) and we are going to do vaginal unless a reason comes up not to.  My OB agrees.  Pam just had Olivia vaginally at 45 and I know alot of the women here have gone that route.  I personally think vaginally with the c-section as back up is the way to go.  BTW, where are you in the middle east?  My best friend was living in Dubai for several years and has just returned. I never did get a chance to go visit...it must be an amazing experience!  Good luck to you!!

[magda_s]

Thanks Amanda.  I was just telling Dh that I'm leaning more and more towards that option - of choosing to go with a normal delivery with c-section as backup - assuming that no one  gives me a very convincing argument why I should go with one or the other.
I'm actually about a 1.5 hour drive from Dubai.  Same country, different emirate... I'm in Abu Dhabi.  The funny thing is I grew up in Abu Dhabi.  My parents were here for 36 years from 1968 and I have pics of me surrounded by nothing but desert and sea and now it's all huge, great big, tall buildings and malls and what have you.  
I left here to go to Canada for uni in 87 but I kept coming back as my parents were still here and then I took a year off and came back.
It broke my heart to leave and now my DH's work got him transferred out here.  
I find it very ironic particularly as, my mum travelled to Egypt to give birth to me at a time when, IF she had given birth to me here, I would have actually been granted citizenship.  This is virtually unheard of but as I was born in 71 (the year the UAE became the UAE) I would have had it as they were granting citizenship to people born within the week of national day and I was. And now here I am, about to give birth to my daughter here!
Hey, if you ever till want to visit...!!!

[allmymarbles]

i had my three of my four babies in Tehran where there were very fine doctors. I chose a conservative doctor for the births, one who only performed C sections when natural birth was impossible, or when the life of the mother or baby was at risk. My first was a persistent posterior. The baby finally turned and was born naturally. My doctor was prepared to intervene if the baby had not turned within a safe period of time, but he waited as long as he could without endangering us.

My second baby was born in New York and I had to look very hard to find a doctor with the same attitude towards C sections fearing a second mal presentation.  It was not easy and no surprise when the doctor I found was a foreigner. It was a second posterior, but again the baby finally turned. Magda, the responsibility for our health lies with us, because legally we make the decisions. So we have to gather as much information as possible. Research, research, research - that is the answer.

[magda_s]

allmymarbles, that'd be precisely why I'm on here doing some research!

[katarina777]

My sister lives in Holland, where most women have their babies at home with the help of a midwife. this is followed by a week of total service by a person who clans, takes care of the children, drives, shops, cooks, and helps the mother, paid for by insurance and everyone has it.. so, my sister had all of her 4 babies in her own bed. Not even a tylenol. She tells me she is a pro at giving birth. C-section is major surgery. I had two of them and I live in the US. And the worst is the spinal, or at least it can be and was for me the first time. it was horrible! kat

[magda_s]

Yeah, good point you make Kat... different countries certainly do have different thoughts on the way to go about things.  Isn't it Sweden where the majority of births is in fact by c-section?  Not sure if I have the right country but I know there are a couple out there where it's the norm.
However, as I said before.  I feel very strongly that c-sections are a necessary and good thing.  I just have to figure out if it is necessary and good in MY case.  So far, I'm thinking, no.  And I'm leaning more and more towards the option of going with a normal delivery but having c-section as a standby.  Still a lot I have to learn about the details of that but assuming all my questions are answered and my assumptions are correct, that's the way I think I'd like to go.
Thank you all for your help.

[katarina777]

I think a c-section should always be an option, too
Neither my children, nor I would be alive if it had not been for medical intervention, including c-sections and neonatal ICU. (intensive care unit)

[sherrysb]

C-section should be used as a secondary option for an emergency.  Good luck!!!!!