Cesarean or natural birth?

[xXAbiXx]

I just wondered if anyone had experienced both and could give me an idea of the pros and cons from their experience?

I am trying to decide wether or not to have an elective cesarean. I can't have an epidural and would have to go under a general.

Thanks,

X

 

[cosmicgirl]

I've had natural deliveries and a section under a general.
I would not repeat the section for all the money in the world, especially under a general. By the time I came around, my lo had met the rest of my family except me. I was so groggy, I couldn't hold him properly and struggled to bf. the recovery is a lot harder with a section.
When I have birth in oct, I got up off the bed immediately, got a shower and went home.
When I had my section, I had a catheter in overnight, couldn't move around without pain for ages, couldn't drive for 6 weeks (this is law) and the pain leaning to pick up baby was horrible.
It was just a lot more painful. Don't get me started on the horrible scar!
Vaginal delivery for me every time!
This was my experience anyway x

 

[Mrs N]

I had a pretty rough delivery but I wud def choose a natural birth over a c sec due to the recovery time. Although I was Ill after having h I felt little pain afterwards and could walk as soon as the epi wore off!
Xxx

 

[Kathryn1977]

*I had an emergency c section 9 years ago and vaginal deliveryl 6 years ago both were traumatic as with first 24 hour labour, baby got stuck and hb slowed. All i remember was them running down corridor with me. Vaginal was only 7 hours but had only gas and air and a second degree tear which has now put me off vaginal labours. Took two surgeon to stitch me up and only gas and air it killed. Am seriously considering a c section with this one but they are saying i can do a vaginal delivery etc and i know after my first c section the recovery was hell!! I was hoping that having a second section it wouldnt be so bad. Anyone got any advice?? Xx**

 

[evie_smith]

I had an emergency section 5 years ago a vaginal birth with epidural in 4 years ago and a natural vaginal delivery 2 years ago and out of all the 3 the natural delivery was the best. I would not for anything repeat the section in this life! Bar 1 reason - the safely of me and my baby - otherwise no no no

I mean don't get me wrong - the section pros are

You will know when you are having baby

Pain free delivery
- yea that's it! Lol

Cons

Slow recovery
No driving for 6 weeks by law
More complications could arise during delivery ie - bleeding, nerve damage, back damage
If general everyone else will meet baby first
Breastfeeding is harder to establish

Natural

Pros
Instant contact with baby 9/10
Higher chance of breastfeeding
Will meet baby first
Faster recovery
Less chance of complications
Not as painful as people think
And experiencing both a higher instant bond with baby

Cons
Can result in vaginal tearing - but easier to manage than section scar
Can be lengthy and tiring
Is painful

 

[evie_smith]

Just read your last post with my first vaginal delivery I tore 2-3rd but with my last I didn't tear at all x

All my births have been traumatic x

 

[redbear]

can i just pop in and say i had 5 tares stitched on gas and air and didn't feel a thing so everyone is different. x

 

[Mrs N]

I never felt my stitches either, you are so out of it by then! Lol!
Xxx

 

[Kathryn1977]

I found the stitches worse than the actual labour, it scares me so much now. Consultant said that i can have an epidural so wont feel it if it happens again but will they as i was screaming for one last time and they said no as was already 7cm.

 

[cosmicgirl]

Get an epi nice and early then sit back and relax. Then you can actually enjoy your labour x

 

[Mrs N]

Get an epi nice and early then sit back and relax. Then you can actually enjoy your labour x

Completely agree! This will be my birth plan for next one!
Xxx

 

[charliebear]

I had a traumatic assisted birth with my first (I had an epi and didn't feel a thing) and an elective c-section with my second.

I'd chose the elective c-section again if I had to chose. My recovery was much easier, both physically and mentally. x

 

[Cazza]

I had an elective C section due to a medical condition.

I have to say that it was a fantastic experience and very relaxed. Yes the wound pinched a bit afterwards but I did get up and about asap and 5 days after I was back walking my dogs.

 

[xXAbiXx]

Thanks for all the replies.
I think if I could have an epidural I might not be so scared.
Is there a difference between recovery from an elective section as opposed to an emergency one?

X

Sent from my ANGB using Tapatalk 2

 

[tiaflame]

Get an epi nice and early then sit back and relax. Then you can actually enjoy your labour x

If your bloody midwives will give you one, I begged for one as soon as I got to 5cm and they wouldn't do it!! They said after the emergency section, oh in hindsight we maybe should have given you an epi when you asked for it, you probably would have delivered naturally then!! Grrr xx

 

[Kathryn1977]

I will be putting it on my birth plan believe me.

 

[Hunnie]

I feel robbed from the birth I wanted because I ended up with a c section. I didn't bond with LO at all at first and couldn't establish breast feeding because of the pain. The recovery time crippled me and I was in absolute agony for the first few days afterwards. A c section is something I hopefully never want to repeat.

 

[tambo1976]

I have had 3 c sections. My first was emergency and I was put to sleep following a horrendous traumatic 3 day labour including an episiotomy. That first birth was horrendous but I put that down to the labour beforehand and also being asleep. Recovery was slow and I felt like shit for many reasons, main one being the fact I was last to meet my son and the general anesthetic knocked me about.

My last 2 were elective and I honestly could not have wished for better births. They were calm, planned so I knew the birth date long before, I was awake and couldn't feel a thing, I was the first to meet my baby and I recovered tremendously well. With both I was up and about later the same day. I breastfed my second son, I do not understand why people say c sections affect breastfeeding?

The scar really doesn't bother me and normal knickers hide it because it is so low down. Even in bikini bottoms it is hidden and it really isn't very big at all.

I know I have never had a natural birth to compare to as like I said my first was a c section after I had tried to give birth and my son eventually got stuck, I got cut to free his head and then they wanted to dislocate his shoulders to get him out! I found out a few years later that my maternal Grandmother had died during my own Mother's birth due to pelvic problems, my Mom had to have c sections due to the same problems and I guess the same problem prevents me from ever giving birth naturally. So c sections are my only option anyway.

I can honestly say I do not feel robbed in any way because I have to have sections. I do not feel inferior and I am chuffed at how my last 2 sections went. I also bonded perfectly with all 3 of my children 100% instantly. I have no fears really concerning number 4 that is due in May, especially after a chat with my consultant.

Also not driving for 6 weeks is barely a hardship. It never bothered me at all. That's what online shopping is for lol

All that matters to me is that bubs is safe, I am safe and I am pain free which is something I have achieved twice and I am confident will achieve again with this one

It is always of course going to come down to personal choice and only you can decide what is right for you xxx

 

[Gayle30]

I had an elective csect and everything was textbook. Only thing was I felt quite sick at the very end but I'm always always sick with any medication so it wasn't really an issue. I had my catheter out within 12 hours, was walking about my room, showered the next day and even reached to paint my toe nails (consultant came To see me the next day and caught me bending and couldn't believe it-i got a telling off!!). I never have felt any pain from my wound, no discomfort at all. I had a sore back in the early days but not sure if it was Due to the spinal or if it was just from carrying my baby for 8 months. 4 days after the op I went shopping, pushing the pram, 5 days and I was picking cat food off the kitchen floor. I attribute all that from being mobile as fast as possible after the delivery.

Had it not have been for the feint line along my bikini line you'd never believe I had a csection.

For me it was perfect. No pain, calm, relaxed and as I imagined. All round a lovely experience with only paracetomol/brufen as pain relief after the initial dose of oramorph. Please don't let people scare you into thinking you will be in agony, confined to bed etc etc as its not always like that for everyone. Everyone is different at the end of the day but it was an absolute breaze for me really. But I know I've been lucky. Just getting over a sinus infection and honestly its been more painful!! Xx

Sent from my BlackBerry using Tapatalk-its rubbish tho so can't see tickers or upload pics!

 

[tiaflame]

My c section was emergency but also pretty painless. I was up and about the next morning, would have been earlier if not for the catheter! I got told off for walking to the toilet on my own lol. I told them I didn't need pain relief but they made me take it! I was out an about the house within a week and when the midwives did the first visit she said have you really just had a baby you look amazing and look how you're moving around! And everyone who saw me said the same thing. So I agree with Gayle don't let people scare you, even tho mine wasn't planned, I choose it if I was to have another baby xx