37 answers

Should I Opt for a C-section?

Here is my situation. I am debating whether or not to have a c-section with this baby that is due in July. Here are my reasons for the section: 1. I had a vaginal delivery with my daughter and it took me 14 weeks to heal, yes 14 weeks!!! 2. I have an unattractive scar from a previous unrelated surgery when I was a teenager. It is right where a c-section scar would be and my OB said he could remove it and make it much better looking. This one is a superficial reasion, I know. 3. My husband and I only want two kids and by having a c-section I can get my tubes tied. You are probably thinking "sounds like a no-brainer." But here is my hang up: I have heard women say they weren't happy with their c-sections and would have rathered had a vaginal delivery. Since I have no basis of comparision I was wondering if there is anyone out there that can give me any advice. Thanks in advance.

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S., I had both my girls c-section and if i had another one i would do the same. It was still childbirth, but it was easier for me. I was stapled instead of stitched and the scare is almost gone 5 years later. It wasn't that bad as far as recovery i was up and about the same day. I wouldn't change a thing about my experience. Good luck in what you choose though it has to be a personal choice. Oh yeah, the other nice part, i got to decide when they were coming out so that was a huge plus as well.

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S., I had both my girls c-section and if i had another one i would do the same. It was still childbirth, but it was easier for me. I was stapled instead of stitched and the scare is almost gone 5 years later. It wasn't that bad as far as recovery i was up and about the same day. I wouldn't change a thing about my experience. Good luck in what you choose though it has to be a personal choice. Oh yeah, the other nice part, i got to decide when they were coming out so that was a huge plus as well.

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i've never had a vag. delivery but i was very very disappointed when i had my section. and the healing is no picnic. it is very very very difficult to sit up on your own. you cant really wear pants. and five weeks later i had a clot and the incision opened up a little and i bled out for two days. the doc said it was nothing to worry about but it was very scary. its been six months and i still have pain and irritation at the incision site. also, something to think about, you are severing muscles and your stomach will never be flat again. there will probably always be a bulge near the incision.

all that and the section itself was the scariest thing i've ever done. they tie you down in a cruciform position and hang a curtain/screen right under your chin and with the anesthesia i felt like i was suffocating.

so i really wish i could have had a natural vaginal delivery. hope some of this rambling helps in your decision.

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Honestly, I wouldn't opt for the c-section. Yes, it took you 14 weeks to recover but each delivery is different and I bet it won't take that long this time. As far as the tubal, why not have your husband get a vasectomy? You've had two pregnancies and endured a lot from that. A vasectomy is a simple procedure... much simpler than a tubal ligation.

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Although you've had a vaginal delivery i would do it again. In ways its nice to have that choice of which way to go, but you have to be careful that you don't regret it. I just say think about how long it took you to heal from the previous surgery that you had. If it was just as long as the vaginal then why not opt for the vaginal. If i were you I would opt vaginal.

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Hi S.! I'm sure you've had a number of responses by now to your post, but I wanted to encourage you to make an educated decision. I have had two previous cesareans, and my husband and I are expecting number three in July. We are trying for a VBA2C. There are risks with cesareans. It is major surgery. You are also guaranteed a long recovery. There are processes that happen with a vaginal delivery (i.e. fluid being forced out of the baby) that help the baby. Personally my first cesarean scared me to death. I had it because the doctor told me my baby was "too big." I was furious when she was only 8lb 9oz. During the section the nurses had a difficult time getting my daughter out, so they pushed down on my diaphram and they were trying to push her out. The wind was knocked out of me, and I could not breath. I panicked and started flailing. I thought I was dying. Then they cranked up the meds so I was completely out of it. When I finally got to see my daughter I was so drugged up I was literally falling asleep trying to hold her. I didn't get to bond with her at all until the next day. We have also paid dearly financially for having the cesareans. I'm not sure if you've heard of ICAN, but they offer a lot of information about cesareans. Here is their website http://www.ican-online.org/. Best of luck to you!

A.

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S.,
I have had two c-sections and would not do it anyother way. The first one was emergent after 22hrs of labor and pushing for 2hrs. It was uncomfortable but I healed very quickly. The second was planned. I had a spinal and didn't feel a thing and I was back to almost normal in about three days. So as long as your not freaked out about the surgery and you see it as a benifit I say go for it.
S.

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Dear S.,

I have several friends having babies right now and I had one in September. I opted to go the natural route which was a good experience for both me and my husband, I learned I can really count on him and he said watching our daughter's birth was the most amazing thing he has ever seen. I think he respects me more as a women and is more empathetic to what women go through.

Two of my friends had c-sections. One says that is the way to go and when she has her next she will opt for a c-section for many of the same reasons people have already said. My other friend hated it. She said it took forever to heal and the scar is still very sensitive 9mths later and she complains about how her stomach looks, she has pouch that she can't seem to get rid of right below the scar. Another friend had a home delivery. She was in hard labor for 7 hours and gave birth to a 9lb. 4oz. baby boy. She had no tearing and was sore but up and walking around shortly after delivery. Mind you she is very small built so that my explain the 7 hrs of pushing. She healed quickly and said that intercourse after six weeks was scary but not really painful like she thought.

I had a water birth and it was not bad either. Lets be real labor is not a cake walk. I did have some tearing and required 5 stitches but that was mainly because I had been up for two days having contractions and was extremly tired so once the baby started to crown they pushed the head on through causing me to tear. I still feel a little pain every once in a while when I sit and at first intercourse was painful as I am sure you are aware but it was where they stitched that was sore.

I think you should look into all of your options. A c-section is a major surgery and both of my friends who had them said bonding with the baby was not immediate. I am not sure if that was because of c-section or some moms just don't bond as quickly as others. They also had to stay in the hospital longer than I did. I was out in 15 hours after delivery.

You have some time to decide what is right for you. Keep in mind with your second child labor is SUPPOSE to go quicker than the first and recovery is supposively quicker too. There is also information about ways to stretch your "stuff" to help prepare you for labor. My Dr. and midwife showed me how but it was a little weird so I did not stick with it (probably should have). So bottom line, do your homework and decide what is best for you and your husband. Best of luck hope this helped.

J.

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Oh my gosh S., I personally would have the C-section. I have 3 kids, my youngest is 9 months old. I had all 3 by C-Section and would do it again! I also had it done intentionally the last time to have my tubes tied. I guess maybe I'm lucky because I've never had any problems w/my c-sections. I'm always mobile in the hospital, and am up and doing things as soon as I get home. I don't believe in moping around and complaining. Besides the fact I'm so excited to have my new little one home who wants to sit around and complain. If your dr. is willing to do it I say go for it! You already know what it is to have a scar there so that part won't be a biggy. Oh, and the big plus here is it'll be schedule so you'll know exactly when your going in, you can plan ahead. You get to the hospital, you have the surgery room booked for a certain time, you get prepped and have the baby in no time! No laboring and hoping the whole thing would be over soon. I say 100% go for it!

S.

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