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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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

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!!

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.

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!! ( :

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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!

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 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.

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!

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!!