Controversy over Regular Delivery VS. C-sections

You have obviously gotten a lot of different responses about this and I assume you will continue to. In our world of conveniences this is always going to be a debate. Yes I think c-sections are a great thing for those that need it however that is a much smaller number than you think. You also have to remember that it is major abdominal surgery no matter what anyone tells you. Women have been having babies for thousands of years and I think in our age of medical technology and interventions people tend to forget that.

Hi K.,
I've had 2 c-sections. I would do it all over again! You are up and about w/in days. Plus, when I was working if you had a c-section you got up to an extra 2 weeks of maternity leave b/c it was a surgical procedure. (Little added bonus...stay home longer w/ your baby). I guess it just boils down to personal prefernce.

My little edit.....
Another thing is a lot of the moms that have already commented had to have c-sections b/c of some medical issue w/ their child or husband. So the experience is a lot more stressful for them and not as plessant. Also, some have mentioned their bond w/ their child after giving vag delivery. Yes, fine I'm glad for them but that's not to say that mom's having a c-section have been robbed of a bond w/ their child or been robbed of the whole child birth experience. No matter how your child gets here you love them and connect w/ them just the same. (It's just like saying moms who don't breast feed don't have a bond to their child like mom's who do....it really depends on the mother!) There will be horror stories for vag delivery moms and there will be horror stories for c-section moms.
To be honest my first delivery was b/c my son was early and having a c-section was the safest way for him. It was an emergency situation. My son was in the hospital for 23 days before he passed away. That is 23 days that I had w/ him, loving him, being w/ him. He was 1 lb 1 oz when he was born. If I had had him vagainally the dr's said that it would have too much stress on him and he would have passed during delivery. My second c-section was routine and from this one I have the regualar bikini scar...not that I'm going to be wearing one anytime soon. Either way having a child is a very emotional time. You love your child no matter if they came out of your vagina, belly or thru your nose. You just have to figure out what would be best for you.

Hi K.,
Well, both of mine were C-section, but not due to choosing that route. I attended the Bradley Classes and they are so informative as is the book; "Childbirth the Bradley Way." There are so many controversies over delivery and our society now tells women that having an operation, scheduling the delivery, etc, is the way to go. I absolutely disagree. There are things that you can educate yourself on to help you make informed decisions during the process, so that whatever way it goes, you are comfortable with the outcome. Yes, with a vaginal birth you can tear...Bradley method does not recommend getting episiotomies, and it tells you how to push..you should not have to push so hard that you cause damage to your body. Some things will happen, but you definitely can minimize the damage by educating yourself and taking charge of your delivery; not allowing the doctors to. This is an area that I did not follow in this method, trusting the Doctor and nurses...yes they were wanting me to push with all my might--and I did and the baby still did not come down the right way..she went back up as I released the push. I ended up tearing internally, and having to have a C-section. Had I listened to the Bradley advice, as I did with my drug-free labor which was wonderful, I would not have had the tearing although it would probably still been a c-section due to my baby being stuck, so to speak, face up and head back--not a good way to try to deliver a baby.
I read "Supernatural Childbirth" also and it was so encouraging and reminding us that God created us to bear children. Having C-sections increases risks in so many other ways, and having a baby vaginally has so many benefits for the baby (and mom) than just scheduling a C-section.
It is a personal decision and with you so close one that may be made for you if you allow fear to rule your experience. I would love to explain my experience...I labored with my first child totally unmedicated up to the point of having the operation. Any experience I had I would share if interested. I am not saying to have an unmedicated birth, although if I could, I would do it again in a heartbeat. IF I were you I would look at Half Price for the books mentioned above.

Hang in there,
K.
____@____.com

O.k., I've had 4 kids & had all of them except the last regularly. I won't lie - when they told me I was going to have a c-section I was so happy! I thought to myself this is going to be great. It was a nightmare! With my 1st 3 I was shopping the next day. With my 4th one,I was in horrible pain. I couldn't move. It also got infected & left a really bad scar. She also had complications with breathing & had to stay at the hospital without me because I had a C-section. Now, I know everybody has a different experience & this is just my experience. Yes, it hurts to have them regularly - alot. With my 3rd one I had an epidural & didn't feel a thing (thank goodness because she was 10 lbs.)- they had to tell me when to push. Needless to say, if I had it all to do over again, if I could've prevented having a C-section, I would've. Just my opinion.

Hi K.
I know you've had so much advice already, but i had to throw mine in as well :)
C Section ALL the way. I've done both and the C Section for me was a much much easier recovery. I had a 4th degree tear with the vaginal and was never the same after. I had to have it surgically fixes 5 years later even. I wouldn't wish that on anyone!
My next (10 years after the first) was a csection and it was truly a breeze compared to the first one.
The reason why is you are not going to put your vagina and everything around it, into any trauma whatsoever. No pushing no tearing.
I can't stress it enough. Good luck!
J.

This has brought back both awesome and terrifying memories for me! Before I get started on my 2 cents, let me just say CONGRATS! Here's my story:
My water broke and was home alone so in the middle of the night I drove myself from Lewisville to Medical City Dallas. Hubby met me at the hospital but he was out of town and it was faster for me to go than him get home and take me. I didn't feel anything no pains or anything so I didn't think I was in labor. The nurse said "honey, you're water broke, you're going to have a baby!" lol So after they got me settled in and hooked up to the monitors I "still" didn't feel any pain and was thinking, ok, so the millions of moms before me obviously have a VERY low tolerance to pain b/c this was a piece of cake! LOL They said I was having contractions but needed to give me something in the IV to make the pains stronger. So they did and oh my goodness, did my whole world change! I hurt so bad that I never even knew when they gave me the epideral! But then, after the epi I remember laying back on my pillow and thinking, whew, glad that's over and felt totally relaxed and was just about to take a cat nap when bam! All "you know what" broke loose and all I remember was the nurses rushing me out of the room and hearing stat this and stat that and code blue, and emergency! They didn't have a chance to explain to me what was going on and I had no idea what was happening to me or my baby. The rushed me in to the delivery room and I know I faintly asked where my husband was and to get him in there. Never knew what happenend until later and my hubby relayed the rest. After they induced labor or whatever that was, my son apparently went haywire and got the cord wrapped around his neck. They noticed he wasn't breathing so rushed me in for an emergency c-section. My husband was allowed in but "wasn't supposed to be able to see anything" but him being him, just stood up and watched them! lol He said two dr's were there and one said to the other, "are you ready for a baby"? and the other said "go for it" and in under 7 minutes, they had me from one room to another, prepped for surgery and I had a baby son! That's some fast work girls! I remember coming around but was still so groggy and still didn't know if my baby was ok or not. But then, I looked over to my side and will never ever forget what I saw. My husband was holding my son and they were literally staring at each other's eyes (ok, I'm about to cry all over again)! lol I remember knowing at that very moment that all was good. And as far as the healing and bonding, well, it didn't seem like but just a few minutes and the nurse had me in another room w/ my son. She warned me that b/c of the trauma he & I had been through that he may not eat well (breast). She put him in my arms and was trying to finish explaining and show me what to do and he just clamped on and started eating like he was starving! She about had a fit laughing so hard and said well, guess he knows what to do! (he's eaten w/ ease everything since from infant on up) :-) We've been "bonded" ever since and he was also very bonded w/ dad from day one. So the moral to this very long story? (thanks for letting me re-live it by the way) It doesn't matter how your baby gets here! If I had had the choice, it would have been a vaginal delivery but let me tell you, I'm so thankful that procedure was available. I was up and about the next day - spent one extra day than normal in the hospital due to policy but I was fine. I was up and raring to go. I did have a two week restriction on driving and stuff but I did it anyway. I really had no complications from it. The scar is there but it isn't ugly. Sometimes when I get soooooooo frustrated w/ him (he is 6 now), I can look at that scar and remember just how blessed I really am. I wouldn't have chosen that option just to make things easier, but all that matters to me now is that I have my son. Best wishes to you and best of luck w/ whichever way you choose. Keep us posted!

Hi K.,

I really wanted a regular delivery and planned to go as natural as possible (aka no epidural), but ended up with a "scheduled" c-section. I never showed any signs of going into labor -- not even slightly dilating, etc. Everything was closed up tight!

The ultrasound showed my daughter to be more than 8 lbs. 5 oz. a week before she was due and my doctor said if I went a week past my due date, we'd have to do a c-section. My mother said the women in my family have a history of giving birth way past the due date (I came a month after the due date), and she advised waiting as long as possible. People told me that the u/s could be off, and my doctor confirmed that the u/s could be +/- 1 lb. My doctor offered to induce, but said that since I wasn't dilating/effacing at all, she said I had a high chance of having an emergency c-section. She said she'd do it if I wanted to try. I decided I didn't want to end up with an emergency c-section. If I had to have a c-section, I wanted everyone to be calm.

I scheduled the c-section for the week after the due date. Then I asked to move it another week because I really hoped my daughter would arrive naturally. I really hate surgery and didn't want to have an unnecessary one. But then my water started leaking very slightly on the original day of the scheduled c-section, and my doctor said we should go ahead and do it as she felt the baby was really large and I wasn't progressing fast enough naturally.

I was terrified and didn't enjoy any of the experience. I felt like I had failed somehow. The epidural made me shake uncontrollably and I started getting very emotional. My parents and husband were with me and worried about how I reacted to the meds.

Then my daughter was born. She was 22 inches and 9 lbs. 14 oz. and I was glad I ended up with the c-section. I hate to think what an emergency c-section would have been like. While I had a lot of pain during recovery, it probably could have been a lot worse. I don't know what a vaginal delivery would have been like, but based on my daughter's size, it probably wouldn't have been easy.

While I still wish I could have had a normal delivery, I feel like things ended up unfolding the best way that they could have for the situation.

Good luck with your upcoming birth!

I would say going the natural way is the best if you can. I had an emergancy c-section and I was in so much pain afterwards. I have heard from friends that natural is pretty easy (there still is pain) but your up and moving faster and eaiser since you didnt have surgery. I think c-section should only be the idea if there is no other way..just my opinion.

K.,
You've gotten lots of responses so I will keep mine short. I had a last-minute c-section with my first because she was "stuck". I didn't mind the recovery too bad, not as bad as I had read.

I opted for a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section) with my 2nd. For me the entire experience was much better. The adrenaline rush of the delivery made up for not sleeping for almost 30 hours by the time he was born (my labor only lasted 12 hours, but it started at 2am!). It was great to straight to the post-partum room and I loved being up and about so quickly. I just felt like super-mom, it was one of the best experiences of my life. [I cheated slightly by getting an epidural, but still...]

Given the choice I would choose a vaginal birth again. Best of luck with whatever you choose!

I am a mother of four. My first three were regular deliveries and my fourth a c-section. I had to have the c-section because I had placenta prevea and had no other choice. Yes, the c-section was a lot faster and we got to see our baby sooner but it was alot harder on me. I am use to being able to get up(2-4hrs.) after the birth, take a shower and get ready for people to come and vistit. After haveing the fourth it was much different. I was very weak and to tired to even hold or nurse her. My spirits were crushed when I ws not able to get out of bed the next morning and walk first thing. It takes much longer to heal after a c-section. My advise for you is to have a reg. deliver unless your Dr. recomends a c-section. If you need any more advise feel free to email me ____@____.com. Whatever you decide it should be your decission(unless you Dr. recommends). God bless and good luck!
V. S.

You've gotten a lot of great responses that probably don't make it any easier to make a decision, but since I've had both experiences, too, I'll throw in my two cents worth. :)

My first delivery was completely unmedicated, by choice. I was a 40 year old first-time mom, and from all that I read, heard, and researched, I felt like it was the best choice for both my baby and me. It was the hardest and most wonderful thing I've ever done in my life. Nothing compares to it!

My second child was born via a scheduled C-section, because her umbilical cord was marginally inserted into my placenta and labor could have caused a rupture, making her bleed to death before they could get her out. It wasn't worth the chance.

The experiences were very different for lots of reasons, some of which were due just to life changes. But even after a very difficult, 33 hour labor, I had the most incredible high after giving birth vaginally! I also had an incredibly intense bond with my baby. With the C-section, it was all very anticlimatic and impersonal. My baby had to be taken away immediately, because of breathing problems (she was born 6 weeks early, so the scheduled C became a somewhat emergency C when my water broke early). She was in NICU for 10 days. As much as I loved her from the beginning, it (the experience as a whole) felt just very clinical and remote, compared to the first birthing experience. I don't regret it one bit, because I'm grateful we have that optional method of birthing - it saved my baby's life, most likely! But I was sad for it to feel so different. On the other hand, I don't believe that moms don't bond with their baby after a C section. I just think the bonding becomes a different process.

Hope that gives more perspective. It is not an easy decision, regardless of the reasons for considering a C-section. But if you are healthy, I would really encourage you to give lots of consideration to a vaginal birth, and possibly even without an epidural.

By the way, as just an interesting sidenote, my vaginal delivery was at 2 a.m. I was up the next morning at 7 a.m., had a shower, and energetically and enthusiastically walked down the hall to the breastfeeding class. Everyone was amazed! Most of the other moms were C's who could barely stand or walk, and most had not showered even a couple of days later. The recovery from the vaginal was AWESOME - I think the hormones released during birth had a lot to do with it, as well. The C for me was not as bad as for most, mainly because I have a high tolerance for pain, but it still was no fun. And I still have what I guess is phantom pain in the incision area.

Best of luck in wading through all of this and reaching the best choice for you! And congratulations - you're getting close to an incredible experience, regardless of which way you go! Being a mom is the best thing in the world! And that's the real point - the birthing experience is relatively short, one way or another - but the relationship is what lasts and what really matters. God bless you and Baby!

Wow, K., I bet this opens up a big can of worms! LOL Delivering babies can be so similar from one woman to the next and can be so different, too. I've been on both sides of the fence, a vaginal birth 8 years ago and a c-section with twins 21 months ago. For me, the c-section was the easier delivery method. Even with the vaginal, I didn't have pain because of the epideral but I had about 9 months of pretty hard recovery after it. This is probably too much info but basically I pushed so hard (you'll discover when pushing that you push in your bottom like you're having a BM - that was news to me)that I caused fissures (small tears) that would literally come open everytime I pushed to go to the bathroom for the next 9 months. It was excruciating. Also since I had the episotomy, sex was very uncomfortable for nearly a year but I had to grin and bear it for my poor husband's sake.
When I had the c-section, the few days of incision pain(and I wouldn't even call it that) was NOTHING compared to the vaginal and rectal pain from so many years earlier. I would do it again if I ever planned on another pregnancy. I've heard some women talk about not having the experience of the pushing and stuff but honestly that didn't bother me at all. My emotional attachments were more after my children came not in the process of them coming if that makes sense. But every woman is different, you'll get pro's and cons for both. Best wishes for a smooth healthy delivery whichever way you choose.

p.s. I was up and around in 24 hours with the C-section, yes a little longer than with the vaginal but it was worth it to me in the long run. After that,, I would say I was doing as much as I was with the vaginal

I had both my kids vaginally so I am biased, but I think it is crazy to have surgery unless it was necessary. Let's face it childbirth isn't fun so I don't imagine either way is much fun :) Regardless, it is completely worth any minor discomfort we have.

I had my twin boys via emergency c section. If I had had a choice I would go back and have a natural birth. I was in labor, then i was in recovery and my pregnant tummy was gone. It was so unreal and I felt like something had been stolen from me. It was also 10 hours before I could make it down to ICU to see my sons, they were 7 weeks premature. I think I would have really loved having that connection that comes with seeing a baby some into this world. My advice...forget the C section! Good luck and the best to you and yours!

Both ways carry risks, but there's no reason to have a c-section unless you HAVE to. If I had to do it all over again (I've had 2 c-sections -- first baby was breech), I'd look into a midwife and some really good relaxation and drug-free pain control techniques and have a go at natural birth (with every expectation of calling for an epidural!).
In the end, however, a c-section still might be necessary, and that's fine. Really. I have two healthy children, I'm fine, and my hospital stay was pleasant both times. As long as the baby gets out and you're both ok, you won't care how it happens.
My friends who used midwives have the most pleasant natural birth experiences and least amount of tearing "down there." (which is why I'd go that route if I had it to do over again!)

Personally, I was up walking 24hrs after the C-sections (when they first allow it). It was moderately painful and I was dragging an IV (a must after a c-section), but it sure helped speed up recovery.

K.,

I had a c-section and if things could have been diffrent I would do it the natural way. My Daughters cord was wrapped around her neck three times, so I didn't have another option. I had so many complications afterwards with it getting infected. The first two weeks I was home I could not do anything. It hurt so bad!!!!! So to me unless you or your baby is in danger I would not have a c-section.

It seems like I hear this comment quite a bit. As someone who has had two C-sections, I would not recommend an "elective" one, if that is what you are considering. It is major surgery and the recovery takes longer than a typical birth. I think that you have enough to deal with once the new baby arrives. Recovering from surgery is not fun and it limits what you can do. You can't drive for a couple of weeks, climb stairs, etc. Most of the time, you have to take some kind of pain medication, which they say doesn't affect your breastmilk, but I always had my doubts. Also, in most cases, doctors will insists that you have a repeat C-section, if you have had a previous one because of the risks involved in a VBAC - they don't want the liability of a potential uterine rupture and who can blame them?

I know there are issues with a regular delivery as well, but from what I hear from friends, those issues aren't that problematic.

You'll probably hear the opposite from someone who had a terrible experience the other way, but that's my two cents.

I have had both amd let me tell you for me C-SECTION was a God sent! I had an 8 pound baby girl 21 inches long (my first) I am 5 foot and weighed about 92 pounds before I got prego my doc didn't think she would be so BIG. Anyway, I ended up with 3rd degree tears they only go to 4th. I was literally in the most pain I have ever been in I could not walk normally for one month. It was awful. With my second....who is almost 6 months I opted for the c-section, my new doc let me since I went through that with my first. I am so thankful that I chose c-section. Yes I was in pain and it is considered major surgery but the recovery was 100% better. If your doc gives you the option I recommend it. My case it pretty drastic though most of my friends and fam who have had natural had no problems recovering what so ever. I would think it over and go with your gut. If you don't forsee any probs with natural go for it. good luck to you!! ( :

I personally had both experiences and would definitely choose vaginally before having a C-Section unless it is definitely out of your control.
When I had my 1st son 16 yrs ago I had been dilating and having contractions for 5 days not knowing. I went in for a scheduled stress test because of high blood pressure the day after New Year's Day when come to find out I was having contractions every 12 min and was 3cm dilated, so they hospitalized me and tried to stop the contractions but they were still very regular because I was only nearly 34 wks pregnant. I didn't feel a thing, didn't even feel like I was having any contractions. I was put on a catheter(sp?)and couldn't even take a bath or go pee or anything it was the worse. It was a military hospital and my husband came to see me twice a day and had to shave my legs and help me w/the bed pans. I felt so disgusting. The transferred me to a civilian hospital and took out the catheter(sp?) and did a amnio so see if his lungs fully developed and the were, so we had the choice of going home and going in labor within 2 days or inducing so we decided to induce which at this point I still didn't feel any contractions until shortly after I was induced and was in labor for 4 1/2 hrs and tore because of the pressure from pushing. He was so beautiful and I was so wore out and shaky. He was 7lbs 14oz and 19 1/2" long. I was in the hospital for 2 days because they wanted to make sure the baby was ok cause he wasn't breathing like he should of been when he was 1st born. I was fully recovered within 1 1/2 wks.

I am sorry this is so long. I just want to let you know that anything is possible.

With my second I had a lot of complications throughout of pregnancy due to stress cause husband left me when I was 4 months pregnant. I was dehydrated, had preterm labor several times, high blood pressure.
I went in at 36 wks to the hospital for preterm labor and high blood pressure so they admitted me. We had been talking about scheduling a C-Section due to the stress and complications.
I ended up going in labor the Friday before the scheduled date for C-Section which was the original date that we had set but then changed it for the following Monday.
The Friday before Mother's Day the on call Dr came in and checked on me and not even 5 min later after he left I was having contractions and had the bloody show which I never experienced with my first.
I wasn't dialating fast enough, the gave me a Epideral which gave me a lot of anxiety and a lot of stiffness and pain around my neck and shoulders.
It came time to induce and finally to push after 10-11 hrs of labor but he wouldn't budge and I kept on pushing and pushing and then his blood pressure was sky high so we had to do an Emergency C-Section which was very difficult cause of the pain I ha in my neck/shoulders plus I am allergic to latex so they had to use latex free gloves so that caused the baby to keep on slipping but finally was able to get him out.
It took him a bit to breath like he should but he was so perfect and so beautiful 7.5 oz and 19 1/2" which I was very scared cause they dr who did my sono's kepyt on telling me that he had a very big head and that there was too much amniotic fluid but he had such a beautiful size head.

Recoverey was very difficult. It took me a few days to be able to walk and eat and have a bm. I went home after 4 days and It took me about 12 wks to recover and be able to gain my strength but It took me a long time to have a normal period. I bleed for 6 months straight due to dysplacia which is out of the norm and not meaning to scare you. My hair still falls out in clumps and my scar still gets irritated and inflammed on occassion and it is still numb in the area of my incision and tummy after 22 1/2 months and I also had and still have fissures from the stress of me pushing and him not budging or coming out. Fissures are very painful.

If I were to do it again I would not have a C-Section if I had a choice.

Good Luck and hope you have as plesant as you can delivery.
Congrats on the new arrival:)
M.

Recovery can be bad for either. I had to have an emergency C-section, and my recovery was awesome. I would have much rather given birth vaginally, especially after seeing the hospital bill. I feel as if I missed out on something extremely miraculous. God made us women to bare children, and I think many doctors rush women into C-sections when they don't really have to. On the other hand, I realize that they are sometimes necessary and save a lot of lives.

I say just go with the flow, and whatever happens is supposed to happen. Don't plan a C-section just for convenience, but if you have to have one, it isn't the end of the world.

I, myself, look forward to trying again for a vaginal delivery, with a doctor that doesn't push C-sections.

Good Luck and congratulations!!

I had a vaginal delivery and over all I thought it was a good experience. I went into the hospital at 9 PM on a sunday for a scheduled induction but was in labor and had no clue. I had to have 2 Epidurals; the first wore off to fast, the second wore off completely about 5 minutes before my son was born. That was the worst pain I have ever experienced, I pushed for 2 hours (my contractions went for 2 minutes to 5 mintues when I started pushing, so it was frustrating) and finally had to have an Episiotomy (with no pain meds). But was up and moving around with out pain meds with in hours after my "Sea legs" (epideral) wore off completely. I think having him with out pain meds has actually helped me be more resiliant to pain now.

I hope all of the advise helps you. I would talk to your dr also, most drs. won't to a c-section to just to a c-section there has to be a reason.

Good Luck and Congrats

K.,

I don't get it myself. I can't imagine opting for major abdominal surgery over the NATURAL process of birthing a child vaginally. I am very pro-natural & vaginal birth anyway & I feel it rather sad that we as a society have given up so much to technology, medicine & convenience, shunning natural processes.

If memory serves, we in the north Texas area has a higher rate of C-sections than other parts of the country, and America has a higher rate than any other nation.If you HAVE to- isn't it a wonderful option! But if you don't....DANG! If anyone's going to cut into my abdominal wall, I'd rather he be performing a tummy tuck!

I had two very different births. The first was as natural as I could get, based on my knowledge & the schmuck of a doctor I chose. Stadol in my IV, a narcotic, knocked me out completely during transition & I was looped out of my mind for the birth, as I refused to have an epidural ("My grandma could do 7 natural births, I can do this!") It was a 14 hr. L&D. Crummy nurses, crummy dr., ignorant me- & a grade 3 tear!

The second time around, I got really educated, went through Bradley Childbirth classes, had a wonderful doula (O'Brien) & OB (Flowers)...but it was a 46 hours L & D... & It was still all me. Baby was OK, labor was weird, OB was supportive & I knew what was going on. But being able to IMMEDIATELY bond w/ my baby girl vs. waking up three hours after the fact was priceless. ZERO tearing, no epistitomy- Thank goodness for perineal massage!

You do have to choose, but I'd research it. Start here... http://www.childbirth.org/section/CSFact.html. There are so many natural things about a vaginal birth, and a even more about a drug-free birth that make it the best choice for you & your baby. It you have to c-section, that's one thing, but geeze- to choose it??? Not this crazy lady! ;)

OH! And- with c-sections costing around $20K, I think, & vaginals about $5K- what an uneccesary tax to our healthcare system & possible part of the problem w/ increasing insurance rates for everyone!!!!!

D.

Let's just say, that it I were given a choice, I would have had my twins naturally! The C-Section just sucked! Besides the fact that you don't get to see what's going on, you can't even really hold your baby like you want to until the Dr's finish the work on you. It hurts like heck for the next week and the scar...not pretty! It really keeps you from enjoying the time with your new little ones. My sisters all had reg deliveries and they were out of the hospital the next day, no pain, no problems. I wouldn't do it unless you have to. Good luck.

Wow, you know how to open a can of worms... This one will probably get a lot of differing opinions.

I am at 27 weeks and will be having a c-section because my uterus is not strong enough to have a baby naturally. Can't say that I was too disappointed in that fact. I have had many surgeries in that area and know the stress of recovery. I don't have any children yet. This baby will be our first successful pregnancy.

What I have been told about the c-section is that it's easier on the baby, it's easier on me because of my condition, and it takes a little longer to recover from. It reduces the chance of cord wrap, it takes less time, and there is no chance of an episiotomy (sp?).

Either way, you are not knocked out unless there is serious complications. Both ways, you get to see your baby immediately again unless there are complications.

I don't think there is a right or wrong way to have a baby as long as it comes into this world healthy. If you want to have a regular delivery, go for it. No one has the right to make that decision for you.

Congratulations on your coming adventures! It will be great whatever way you go!

Jodi

K.,
I have been an ob nurse for a lot of years as well as an educator. Let me tell you the difference. First I would like to say that a c/section is a wonderful option if vaginal delivery fails or baby becomes stressed and requires immediate delivery.
However, the recovery from a vaginal delivery is much less complicated both immeadiately after birth as well as weeks down the road. Your IV is out in a few hours, you are up and walking around, eating & drinking your choice of foods and beverages, showering and basically caring for yourself and baby in a few hours. In 2 weeks for most people you are really tired(all new moms are it is quite an adjustment period)but the physical challenges are rapidly falling behind you. Many women feel great by then.
A c/section just made a surgical patient out of you in addition to being a new mom for the next 6 weeks at least. It may take as much as 3 months to really get your energy levels back. You have 24 hours of IV, Foley catheterization, slow pacing on your diet with clear liquids only for the first day, and a need for increased pain medications as the incision and your body heal from surgery. You will have to get up frequently (at least 4 times daily) for walks in the hall to try to clear the gas from your system and it can be challenging depending on your personal pain tolerance levels.
For these reasons and many more most insurance companies will require a trial of labor unless there is an underlying medical reason that makes labor hazardous for mom and/or baby.

I hope this helps, it was not intended to frighten you. If you have not already had a childbirth class it is not too late. We have openings at The Nesting Place.
____@____.com Nestingplace.

Have you talked to your doctor about this? My OB would not even consider a planned C-section an option (unless of course it was a safety issue). So you may want to talk to your doctor as you are trying to make your decision. I had a vag birth and the recovery was hard but it was a pretty cool experience now that I look back on it. A lot of my friends have had c-sections and most say it was a pretty easy experience, and fast! The only negative thing I have ever heard is a woman saying she wished she knew what it felt like to be in a labor, she thought it would be a neat experience.
I think it is totally each womans choice!

I had a c-section 5 months ago and didn't have a choice...I had placenta previa and natural childbirth wasn't an option. The recovery wasn't bad, but I wasn't moving freely for a few days either. My scar is long but the color is fading fast and all low rise pants and bathing suits I own cover it totally. So while I have nothing to compare it too...I can say my c-section experience wasn't bad. Plus, I checked in at 2pm, went in to surgery at 3:00pm, my son was born at 3:17pm and we were back in the room at 3:45pm. Good luck!!