37
answers
S.M.
asks from
Youngsville, LA
on
December 01, 2006
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.
Featured Answers
S.W.
answers from
Cincinnati
on
December 21, 2006
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.
1 mom found this helpful
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S.W.
answers from
Cincinnati
on
December 21, 2006
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.
1 mom found this helpful
N.H.
answers from
Cleveland
on
December 02, 2006
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.
1 mom found this helpful
C.C.
answers from
Dayton
on
December 04, 2006
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.
1 mom found this helpful
E.J.
answers from
Cincinnati
on
December 02, 2006
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.
1 mom found this helpful
A.C.
answers from
Dayton
on
December 10, 2006
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.
1 mom found this helpful
S.D.
answers from
Canton
on
December 03, 2006
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.
1 mom found this helpful
J.B.
answers from
Louisville
on
December 02, 2006
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.
1 mom found this helpful
S.P.
answers from
Cleveland
on
December 03, 2006
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.
1 mom found this helpful
E.T.
answers from
Canton
on
December 09, 2006
Make sure you weigh the risks. Nowdays it seem so safe to have a c-section, but it is still major surgery and not to be taken lightly. There are significant risks. Just make sure you research it compleatly, as you would any other major health decision. Good luck!!!
1 mom found this helpful
J.L.
answers from
Columbus
on
December 03, 2006
I usually don't tell pregnant women my c-section horror, but since you are asking... I opted to have a c-section with my son because at 40 weeks he was not making any traveling plans and the doctors were telling me that he was a VERY big boy and did not believe that I would be able to push him out. (He ended up just a few ounces shy of 11 POUNDS! His head was still in the 137% at his 9 month check up!!)
Well, it was nice to not have any labor pains, but half way into the cutting (this is a MAJOR surgury), I could feel the doctor cutting me and went into convulsions on the table! They had to knock me out completely and so I did not even get to be "present" for the birth of my son. I woke up 2 hours later and didn't even know if he was alive or not.
Then, I went home after my 5 day hospital stay, only to develop a nasty infection at my sight of my incision. I was in horrible pain and was running a fever of 102. (Consequently, my son refused to nurse, which my doctor feels may have been caused because of the heat radiating off my body. So I gave up trying to force him to be against me and started pumping and pumped exclusively for 6 months.)
I was not able to get in or out of bed on my own for more than 3 weeks and was really not fully functional for closer to 6 weeks. As far as healing goes, I am still, 2 years later, sometimes numb from the belly button down.
So for everyone who says that "C-section is the easy way out." my response is NOT ALWAYS!!! Sure for some it seems to go much smoother, but just like with any major surgery, there are always risks of complication.
If a c-section is not a medical necessity... DON'T DO IT!
By the way, number 2 is due in June and I was THRILLED to learn that I am going to be able to try a VBAC... unless baby #2 heads off the charts in size.
Good luck.
1 mom found this helpful
V.W.
answers from
Cincinnati
on
December 19, 2006
It seems that you already have your mind made up! I had a C-section...not by choice...and I feel it was the worst experience of my life. First of all, I actually felt the doctor cutting me open (due to the lack of numbing medicine). After trying my best to jump off the operating table and being restrained by doctors and nurses, I was overdosed with numbing medicine and I didn't actually wake up until the next day. Then before leaving the hospital, I developed an infection and I was given antibiotics through a vein in my left hand. I still have that horrible scar on my hand. Last but not least, after returning home eight days later, my incision busted wide open. Developed another infection. Not to mention that I still could not walk for about two weeks. Worst experience in my life and I will never give birth again!! Oh my daughter is now 7yrs old. If you can have your baby naturally, please do just that. Good luck and let me know what you decide.
1 mom found this helpful
K.H.
answers from
Columbus
on
December 28, 2006
I had my first child vaginally and my twins via c-section. I also took a LONG time to recover from the vaginal birth. Within 2 weeks after the c-section, I was back to my old self again (WITH TWINS)! I said after the c-section, "I don't know why anyone would have a vaginal delivery." If I had to do it all again and had a choice, I would choose a c-section in a heartbeat!!!!
I would definately go the c-section route (especially if you want your tubes tied). As for the scar, mine is about 2 inches long and razor thin. It really is not noticable at all.
Good luck and congradulations on the baby!
-K. H.
1 mom found this helpful
M.M.
answers from
Canton
on
December 21, 2006
If your getting your tubes tied, I would opt for the c-section. That way you won't have to have a separate surgery later. Get it all done at once and have it over with so you can enjoy that new baby!
L.S.
answers from
Cincinnati
on
December 03, 2006
First of all congratulations, children are a blessing. Now I had a c-section. And let me tell you it was simpler than a vaginal birth. I knew when my son was going to bee born. With my daughter, I had a vaginal birth and I still remember the pain!! I had to have an episotomy because her head was too big, when the doctor saw that I wasn't dialating he sent me home and told me not to eat!!( I ate anyway!!. I was in labor for 14 hours!!) Long story short, with my son I did not have a problem sitting and by the time my 6 week checkup came I was almost healed. The only thing I did not like is the fact that I was bed ridden for a least 24 hours after delvery so the medication can wear off. (The best sleep I had!!!!) The reason why I had a c-section was because my child was breeched. And you are right it is not tramatic to the child at all. And My doctor used stitches that dissolved so it left hardly a scar, just a smile at the bottom of my belly it is hardly noticeable. Everyone said before I had my child is to try to have a natural birth. but I do not recommed the pain of childbirth to anyone. I would used all the medication available to me because the pain is unbearable. And both my kids came out fine. Anyway, Let the doctor explain the risks, it is mostly the same with any other surgery, bleeding etc. and you decide for yourself don't let anyone decide for you.
Good luck with your decision.
take care
L.
K.S.
answers from
Cleveland
on
December 02, 2006
I had an emergency c section in sept 2005 and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was my first pregnancy, so I don't have anything to compare it to. Don't get me wrong I was sore but after two weeks I was driving again and feeling good. But the first week was a little hard because it was hard to bend to pick up my daughter from her cradle or to change diapers. Luckily my husband did a lot of the work! It was also hard to find a position that was comfortable to nurse the baby. So, the first few days we were home either my husband, my mom or my mother-in-law were always there to help. So my advice is if you want a c section make sure you have help when you come home. Good Luck!
K.
A.M.
answers from
Cincinnati
on
December 04, 2006
If you ask me a year ago I would have been torn because I was in a simialir situation. My first child, I had been in labor with her for a long time ended up having forceps delivery b/c she was not progressing, or lets say was stuck, she was 5 pounds 4 ounces. So with my second child I knew there was that option. We were 2 weeks from my due date and decided that we should go the c-section route. For a couple of reasons, he was measuring much bigger than my daughter and my bones would not let him pass through at that size. Well the day before the scheduled c-section I went into labor with him and at 4 in the morning he was born by c-section.
With that said I personally would have done the c-section in a heart beat. I was exhausted from the labor before had but not as exhausted as I was with my daughter.
You have to get up and move around and make your self move after the c-section, but you should know that from the other surgeries.
Couple of things, make sure you are happy with your doctor and that you and your doctor are on the same page. If your doctor has other ideas and you are not interested in you will be more stressed out at the surgery. Also be comfortable at the hospital you are going to deliver at and even though you have one child go ahead and do a walk through again to revisit the rooms.
Bottom line is that you need to decide what you feel is best for you. Not every c-section has a bad stoy attached to it and not every vaginal delivery is as angelic as some make it out to be. For me I would do the c-section in a heart beat.
Hope this helps in some way.
T.M.
answers from
Toledo
on
December 05, 2006
I just had my first baby 9 weeks ago, and I tried to deliver vaginal but after 24 hours I decided to have a C-section. I am actually glad that I had the c-section, Even after getting a tiny infection and a round of antibiotics I was healed in 3 weeks.
H.S.
answers from
Dayton
on
December 02, 2006
For baby number one I took 8 weeks to heal. Baby two took two weeks! I was lucky. My friend recently had a c-section and the anesthesia didn't kick in. Lets just say.....oh my GOSH! She could feel the edge of the knife and even pain as it went through her skin. My mom also felt her c-section. But you have some valid reasons and birth equals pain no matter which way you look at it. The baby will make you forget everything.
If it was me I'd go for another natural labor vs. feeling cuts like that.
R.D.
answers from
Toledo
on
December 03, 2006
Hi I wanted to tell you that I had a c-section with my 1st and vaginal with my 2nd and I would much rather have a c-section again. I't took longer to heal with the vaginal than the c-section. If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
R.
B.
answers from
Canton
on
December 04, 2006
I had a C-Section and I will tell you what really helped me was working out before I got pregnant and during the pregnancy. I would talk to your doctor about exercises, but here is what happened to me....
Three days of labor, almost three hours of pushing and finally a c-section because she was stuck. The hospital was so full I had to share a room with another C-section woman and that meant our husbands could not stay with us through the nights. The nursing staff was stretched so thin that they could not get to us very quickly. In short we were on our own for a lot of the time. That means you need to be able to take care of yourself and your baby (if she's a cluster feeder like mine was). Yes it was hard sitting up by myself, but because I worked out so much my recovery time was shortened significantly. I went home after a day and half in the hospital, versus the five days they were going to keep me there.
Working out and keeping as fit as possible is key I think. Of course chasing after your first child is probably helping you out already. :)
Just think Helathy Baby & Healthy Mom that's what you're going for. You also have a very fashionable smiley face when you're done.
H.M.
answers from
Youngstown
on
December 02, 2006
Hello S.,
Well I have had both first a vaginal delivery (1 baby) in 2003 and a C-Section 6 months ago to deliver twins. Like you it took me a very long time to heal after the vaginal delivery. And I cried everytime I would try to be intimate with my husband from the tear. So since I had both and like I tell all my friends. I would have another C-Section in a heart beat. The recovery was so much better. I felt great within days. Although you had more limitatins, no stairs and no driving for a few weeks. But let me tell you the first time you sit up in bed and get out of bed it feels like your whole insides are going to fall out. I don't want to scare you but I am just being honest. I you have any more questions you can e-mail me back. I would be happy to help. H.
____@____.com
S.Q.
answers from
Youngstown
on
December 06, 2006
i would say go for the c section. if for any reason, it is to get your tubes tied. you have already experienced a vaginal delivery, so youre not going to regret never having that experience. many moms who have c sections regret it because it may have been their only means of birthing a child. i had a c section and tho it wasnt great or natural it got the job done and a few weeks later i was healed. just do what you want most of all and if you turn out to regret your decision, deal with it then. either way you are going to be fine.
A.A.
answers from
Dayton
on
December 03, 2006
I work as a labor and delivery tech, and while c-sections are safe and commonplace surgeries, they are still surgeries. It's a fairly serious abdominal surgery- they cut through seven layers of your body to get to your baby, and with any surgery there's the risk of infection, complications, uncontrolled bleeding, etc. The second vaginal delivery is usually much easier than the first, since the first baby kind of "paved the way" for the second.
That said, I had my daughter by c-section after pushing with no results for 2.5 hours. I wished I could have done it vaginally, not only for the fact that surgery takes a long time to heal from. Though I knew my doctor and everyone else in the room, I felt a little left out of the whole process. I was the last person in the room to hold her, and while I knew rationally that she was my baby, it seemed to me that they could have taken anyone's baby from behind that drape and showed her to me. This made bonding with baby a little harder than it would have been if I had been able to do it vaginally.
Postpartum tubals are no big deal. They put about an inch incision, which usually takes one or two stitches, as opposed to the six or so inch incision that accompanies the c-section.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that your first vaginal delivery is always the worst. I think you'd regret doing the c-section if you knew how much easier this one would be. It took me nearly 14 weeks to recover from my surgery, and any subsequent surgeries won't get any better...
Good luck!
K.C.
answers from
Columbus
on
December 01, 2006
Hi S.
I say go for the c-section, like you said you want your tubes tied anway and your scar fixed so its sounds perfect. I had two c-sections. Yes, I did feel with my first one that I "missed out" on something but now I look at it like all I missed was PAIN!! I had no problem recovering from either c-sec, actually I was doing so well after the second one that my doc sent me home a day early!!! I always hear women saying it took them weeks or even months to recover but I was feeling fine within a week or two. Beleive it or not I was shopping 3 days after having my first one. GOOD LUCK.
K.
T.S.
answers from
Cincinnati
on
December 01, 2006
Let me start out by saying.....you are not superfical at all! Women think more about these things. Anyway.....I had a vaginal birth with my first and a c-section with my second. I feel (personal opinion mind you) that I healed and felt 10 times better with my c-section that my vaginal birth! Now....on the other hand my one friend had a c-section on both and has had problems with her scar for years now.....but each person is different. And doctors are different too! my scar is about 3 to 4 inches long, not bug at all....just enough for her shoulders. The one thing I do regret is I wasn't awake enough (13 hours later after being induced I had the c-setion so I was tired) to tell him to go ahead and tie my tubes. And my husband was too excited with seeing our daughter that he didn't say anything either! So I didn't get to have that done....IUD inserted a few months later! I think whatever you are happy with GO FOR IT! I know our daughter has the prettiest round head from the c-section! Basically after rambling on here.....if I was going to do it again c-section is the way for me 100%!!! Goo luck and CONGRATS!
R.H.
answers from
Cincinnati
on
December 02, 2006
Hi! I had both my kids via c-section. With my first, I was in labor for 18 hours, he got into the birth canal and got stuck, and then he started having distress. We had to rush and do and emergency c-section. I was totally against having one, had not read any of the books about c-sections, etc. So I was very stressed by it and had a hard time afterward. Well, with my 2nd, they decided to go ahead and schedule the c-section ahead of time. It was the best decision!! I was able to get the doc I wanted, schedule so my husband wouldn't be out of town for work, schedule for my mom to be there, and get a good caretaker of my son while we were in the hosipital. Because I was relaxed the 2nd time, it went so easily. My recovery was so easy too! What I am trying to say is, if you decide to have a c-section, just make sure you are informed and I think it will go much easier than you anticipate.
Also, from reading your question, it seems like there are good reasons to go ahead and schedule a c-section, so I say go for it. Only you know what is best for you and the baby! Good luck!
K.M.
answers from
Terre Haute
on
December 02, 2006
I have had all 3 of my children by cesection. I had a choice with baby#2, but the risks of VBAC were incredible, so it wasn't even a choice for me. I feel if your OB is giving you that option and it is something you want, then go for it. I will tell you however, it is going to be hard recovering with another little one at home, So I hope you have someone who can be with you for awhile. I hope everything works out for you to deliver a happy healthy baby no matter how he/she enters the world
L.D.
answers from
Columbus
on
December 02, 2006
If you have the option, take it. After 15 hours of labor and a baby in distress as well, I ended up having a C-section like some of the others. The scar is minimal, you're up and walking within a day and can drive and do stairs in a weeks time. And if you can have the baby in 20 minutes vs. 20 hours, why not?
I have also, since having my baby, found an interesting article on delivering a large baby...if you have reason to believe yours will be a big baby, do it C-Section!!! Mine was 10lbs. 5 oz. and turns out wasn't coming out vaginally anyways.
http://pregnancytoday.com/reference/articles/largebabies1...
T.M.
answers from
Dayton
on
December 02, 2006
I have two children also. With my son I had a vaginal delivery and received a 4th degree tear, which was all the way through. It was a very difficult recovery and I wasn't well for months. I opted for a c section with my second baby because my doctor told me that with my build that chances were pretty good I would tear again and if that happened I would have to end up seeing a surgeon to repair the damage. Personally, I had a much easier recovery from my c section than I did from the vaginal. It still wasn't easy because I had never had any major surgery, but the effects were different. So in my experience I was happy that I went with the c section the second time around. And if you want you tubes tied that is the best and least invasive way of doing it.
M.S.
answers from
Columbus
on
December 01, 2006
I have never had a c-section, but I also had a vaginal birth that was awful. My daughter became stuck, I tore horribly (from top all the way to bottom) so I too took like 4 months to completely heal. I have had 2 friends who have had both a c-section and vaginal births. They both told me the vaginal was a lot better and that they would never had had the c-section if they had had a choice. Honestly, though, if you are wanting your tubes tied, and have a scar removed, I would go with the c-section. I personally would not want to go back in to have another surgery or two if I didn't have to.
S.Z.
answers from
Cleveland
on
December 02, 2006
I think if you want a c-s and the doc is willing then go for it. Dr. are showing more favor to them anyway because it is, ins wise, less risky for them. They dont take the chance of hurting the baby with forceps or suction. It will less stress on your body during labor but recovery is difficult. As far as being superficial reasoning for wanting one, dont worry about that. EVERYONE wants to look good and if your scar bothers you then fix it. If your OB says he can make it better, go for it. I think you have a good case since it took 14 weeks to heal after a vaginal delivery. Just so you know though I think they can tie your tubes after a vag del. I talked to my doc and he was telling me something about a ring they just put around your tubes and your done having kids. I didnt look much into it, I opted for more children. Talk it over with your husband and doc. If they are ok with a c-s I say go for it!
S.
J.H.
answers from
Cleveland
on
December 02, 2006
hello! I have one child who is 7 months, and I had him by c section at 32 weeks...I healed perfectly! after 24 hours I was up and walking, within a 7-10 days I was driving by myself, so of course with me having only one child I have no basis or vaginal delivery, but...people that have had both, I can think of 3, love the c sections so much better! and if you are more comfortable with it, and your doctor says ok, then go for it!! lot of luck to you!! I cant wait to have baby #2~
A.B.
answers from
Dayton
on
December 01, 2006
I think that the birth of your child should be a personal decision and the you should prepare yourself for whatever you decide on...in that being said, you should know that a C-section is considered MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY, and should not be taken lightly. There are risk factors to consider in having one and you should definitely research having a c-section, before you opt for it. Remember you body is meant to give birth vaginally...(by the way, I am not against C-sections, I have attended quite a few in being a Doula)
If you want a tubaligation, you can still have that done with a vaginal delivery IF you receive an epidural during your labor. The Doctor will go in laperscopicaly through your belly button, it is a quick procedure usually done while the nursing staff is checking out your newborn baby. I am a Doula and I have been present for several of these, so I know that it can be done.
In addition, it may have taken you 14 weeks to heal the 1st time (it took me a long time to heal too), but that doesn't mean it will be the same story the second time around. Fortunately, you have already had one baby so you and your body will know what to expect.
There are several excellent books to read to help you make this decision. 1) Birthing from Within (great book) 2) What if I have a C-Section? 3) The Birth Partner, 4) Pregnancy, Childbirth and Newborn. All four of these books are excellent and are great for resources...You can also check out ICAN.com (website for International Cesarean Awareness Network) and BirthSource.com, both provide great information.
If you decide to have a C-section, consider having a Doula. That way someone can stay with you in the OR (it take 10 min to deliver the baby and about another 45min, to put you back together) while someone else goes to the Nursery with the baby. You will also want someone to keep you company while you are in recovery (about 1-2 hours) and to help you breastfeed (if you choose to) when your baby is brought to you. Doula's are a great source of emotional, physical and informational support. You may want to consider having one there....I hope that this helps and that it didn't offend you. You'll make the right decision for you and your baby because your are a good mother and mommy knows best :)
Take care!
A.
M.D.
answers from
Cincinnati
on
January 21, 2007
I had c-sections with both of my births and if I could have delivered vaginally, I would have. With my first son, I was in labor for 14 hours and just stopped dilating. My OB wanted to take him C-section and I agreed. It ended up being a good thing because he was 9lbs, 7 ozs, and my OB said there is no way I would have be able to push him out, my pelivis was too small. I scheduled a C-section with my second child only because the small risk in a vbac was too much for me, especially since I know a woman who lost her baby during a vbac. I had no complications with either surgrey and recovered just fine. AT the same time seeing how fast my sister and friends healed with vaginal births is definatly something I am jealous of. I would have a vaginal birth unless the doctor feels it is dangerous for you or the baby. Good Luck with whatever you choose.
S.C.
answers from
Lima
on
January 25, 2007
It is totally up to you but I know a friend of mine had her tubes tied after having her daughter and she had a vaginal birth not a c-section so all I know is that you can have the surgery even if you choose not to go c-section.
J.G.
answers from
Cincinnati
on
December 02, 2006
Dr's don't usually let you choose to have a c-section, it is usually the on;y way to get the baby out, like in emergencies. Studies have shown there are way to many c-sections, b/c the dr's don't want to wait for the natural way. By the way this is major surgery
K.
answers from
Dayton
on
December 02, 2006
Dear S.,
I've had two c-sections. The first one came after the fetal monitor showed my daughter was going through serious distress. During the c-section they found that the placenta had broken into bits, and we are so lucky she made it and is healthy.
With my second pregnancy I kept telling the doctor that I wanted to just do the second c-section, but she insisted we try to go VBAC. When they broke my water a nurse came rushing in and shoved my second girl back up, because the cord had come rushing out with the fluid. She got the cord safely back in (I'm so thankful for the great nursing staff both times!). Then the farther along labor progressed the more my scar began to hurt, even through two epidurals, so we went ahead with another c-section.
If I had it to do over I would have insisted on a second c-section no ifs, ands, or buts. I can tell you from experience that the first c-section will take about 8 weeks to heal (you can't lift anything heavy during this time because you won't want to tear your incision). A second c-section will take longer, but you're not worrying about that anyhow.
You'll save yourself going through labor, be able to plan and pick your baby's birth date, and avoid emergency situations that we encountered with both babies. And it would be great for you to get rid of your old scar. My incision is just a small thin line and (if I was in great shape of course!) I could wear a bikini - though not a Demi Moore ultra small one of course!
Good luck, please let us know what you decide. A c-section isn't too comfortable while they're shoving everything around and popping the baby out, but that's only for a few minutes. And recovery with the first isn't bad at all.
Sorry this is so long winded too!