Average reason for elective cesarean?

[Emme61]

Hi guys, so I'm wondering if it is normal to request a c-section due to personal problems, such as believing that vaginal birth could be unnecessarily painful and distressful to baby and mama. If anyone could help, it would be gratefully appreciated!

[msmoo775]

It can be quite difficult to negotiate a caesarean on such grounds however if you can prove that you understand the risks and benefits of both modes of delivery you stand a better chance of gaining agreement.

There is a great book 'Caesarean Birth: A positive approach to preparation and recovery' by Leigh East. It talks in great detail about the pros and cons and has a lot of research to back up the arguments. It also compares CS with vaginal birth so you can make an even more informed decision (the cons of vaginal birth are rarely discussed at antenatal classes in terms of risk rates).

The book is available on Amazon - for details of the book see the website www.csections.org

[KTowne]

I'm 4'11, and after 12 hours of labor ended up with an emergency c-section because my son went into distress. I have a very high pain tolerance, so I don't know if it was different for me, but I didn't think that my c-section was that bad. I didn't baby myself, but didn't overdo it, and I ended up healing within a week and a half, I've never had a baby so I don't have anything to compare it to being more painful or not (I'm SURE a c-section is) but it's definitely tolerable. Everyone told me all the horror stories about c-sections and recovery, and feeling like they were jipped on the delivery and newborn experience, and I didn't at all, I think it's all about your attitude and how you handle situations, because I was just happy to have a healthy, happy baby, I didn't care how he came into the world. This time I'll be trying VBAC, because of course I want the natural experience, but if it ends up in c-section again, I'll be fine with that too!

[Emme61]

Thanks everyone! Its inspiring to hear that it is easier to go with a vaginal birth, i think it is definitely what im going to go for now. Ive stil got a while to go, but so far so good!

[rachb11]

I didn't even think you could request one i thought it was emergency only....

[naborsh2010]

I have had 2 vag births and it really isn't that bad pushing and I was up and walking 1 hour later my sister had a c and said the pain is horrible after trust me try to vag

[crstl11]

My doctor told me a csection is not as safe as a vaginal delivery because it can cause breathing problems because all the stuff in the lungs are not pushed out by the pressure of the baby going through the canal. Didn't really know how to word it....

[sorenr]

I'm little and have delivered 3 babies vaginally...one was a little traumatic (which I reckon was to do with it being induced, I may be wrong) the other 2 went really well. My last baby was delivered at home 11wks ago today (6 days overdue, even though no-one thought I would make 40wks as I was huge!) weighing 8lb 9oz, I'm a UK size 8/10 and 5'3". No stiches, no problems at all...us little 'uns can do it!! :)

[laceylace_2004]

I am small framed, and I had a 7 pound baby which was big for me. I weighed 85 pounds before I got pregnant. This pregnancy, our second son is measuring a lot bigger. My doctor said that in all his years of practice, it seems that the smaller framed women can push out a 10 pound baby without any problem. So unless something changes between now and 6 weeks, its another vaginal delivery. I would recommend trying to have a vaginal birth. Your doctor will be able to tell as labor progresses what needs to be done. Everyone looked at me and said i couldn't deliver a normal size baby by my hip size, and I could only have a baby by a section. They also said I wouldn't be able to carry to full term. Well I made it to 39 weeks and 1 day and proved them all wrong, and so can you! Good luck!

[windyMae]

A ton of tiny ladies have a natural birth even with large babies. Your body is set up for it regaurdless if you're small or not.. C section is major surgery, Women who have a cesarean section without complications spend about 3 days in the hospital, compared with about 2 days for women who deliver vaginally. Full recovery after a cesarean delivery takes 4 to 6 weeks; full recovery after a vaginal delivery takes about 1 to 2 weeks. Cesarean section is considered relatively safe. It does, however, pose a higher risk of some complications than does a vaginal delivery.. Do some reading up on the subject so you can inform yourself of the facts and draw your own conclusion.. Best of luck to ya..

[LovemyKids86]

C-section is aot more painful than a vaginal birth and takes longer to heal.

[JazzJarv]

Im quite confused how anyone could think that a vaginal birth is more stressfull to the baby and mother than a c-section... Vaginal birth is the natural form of bringing a child into the world, a c-section has been proven to be a lot more stressfull. Especially afterwards during the healing period. Im recovering from a c section and if anything i feel ive been robbed of what should have been a natural birth. Dont rush into an 'easy' option. Trust me afterwards is a lot harder having had a c section and a lot more stressfull

[brandy07]

How small r u? I'm pretty small and I have fast and easy vaginal deliveries its painful but so worth it I had no prblms.

[TxMamma]

My c-sections were ok. But if I had a choice I'd go vaginal. I was on pain meds probably 2 weeks. With my 2nd I got an infection on the cut so I had to go to a wound care doc. I was on very powerful antibiotics for 2 week and baby couldn't have my milk.

[Emme61]

Thanks guys, i would really love to give a vaginal birth, it is something that is really important to me, but i have a smaller body and very poorly angled hips. Its never come up as an issue with my Dr. before, but it's something that im considering now unfortunately. Has anyone had GOOD experiences with c-sections?

[LeandraMarie]

I just had an emergency csection three weeks ago I was devastated cuz I got to 5 cm then my uterus got infected putting myself and daughter in harms way I rlly wanted to deliver vaginal and I wish I cld have cuz the pain after is horrible ): don't miss the chance to try vaginal I wld have to the chance n a heartbeat.

[babymakes04]

that is actually a good way to put it lol.  But I agree go vag if you can.  I am not looking forward to the pain again since its been almost 6 years

[Nadias_Mami]

I had a c-section but if it isn't necessary to have   one then I wouldn't recommend it cuz recovery takes forever and can be quite painful.

[nstocktonrn]

E womb to life in the world. You want to talk about pain? Think about the recovery after having your abdomen filleted. Go vag. At least try.

[nstocktonrn]

A c section is major abdominal surgery, and not only that, it is sub optimal for your baby. All of the forces associated w vaginal birth promote natural removal of fluid from baby's lungs and aid in the closure of heart valves to promote transition from life in th

[babymakes04]

I had a c-section with my first because I wouldnt dilate past 6cm.  It is painful yes but its not intolerable (its like any surgery - there is gonna be pain afterwards).  Then i scheduled my second one and it wasnt as bad or didnt seem so pain wise.  I will be scheduling this one as well.  A c-section was the LAST RESORT when I had my first one - I was in labor 17.5 hours and the doctor kept putting off giving me a section because its more recovery time.  Doesnt mean you bond any less with your baby....

[fluffybelly2]

If you have a c-section the only thing that makes having a vaginal birth after hard is the dr you pick. You have like a 2% chance to rupture. I am actually trying for a vbac, I had a c-section with my first because he was breech and I hated the recovery. It was the worse birth experience ever. Took like 3 months even with breastfeeding to bond with him. In the US at least the c-section rate is rising because its easier to schedule the delivery and a lot of drs will use almost any excuse to give them.

[deahh]

Depends where your from maybe? Im pretty sure in australia u can elect to have a c-section & majority of the time get one.. U should try a natural birth though, its the most beautiful thing (weird to say I know) but the pain is all so worth it, I actually loved it, it was like the pain was so intense my body released a natural 'high' or something, i could never explain it in words but il definately be trying it pain med free again.. I think if u have 1 c section and then have another baby your chances of not being able to have a natural birth are high, and u may never be able to experience natural birth. Just give it a go :)

[stacey10]

I wouldnt think that a good enough reason to have a c-section and a normal vaginal birth isnt stressful for the baby, best bet would be to talk to your docotr about it