Elective c section or not

I know exactly what you mean it seems like hardly anyone has a successful vaginal delivery in hospital these days as hospitals are very intervention heavy… personally, a c section is my biggest fear. I was induced and during the pushing stage I was given the ultimatum of forceps or c section and I chose forceps, and Im SO glad I did. I found my whole birth experience incredibly positive and my recovery was very smooth and fast!

Everyone’s experiences around birth are so different. An ideal birth for one person may be traumatic to another and there’s no way of knowing how you’re going to feel. The difficult thing is that birth is SO unpredictable, so if you find peace with an elective c section where much of the unpredictable elements are removed and that’s going to be the calmest birth option for you then it’s worth considering. Good luck!!

I ended up having an emergency section (neither of us were in immediate danger but it was clear she wasn’t coming naturally) & I fell asleep while they were stitching me up it was that relaxing! I would recommend you do your research about what a section entails, the recovery (different from everyone but I thankfully had no issues) & if it sounds like it’s for you then ask for one. Next time round I’m definitely asking for a section over a natural birth.

Yeah Stephanie they were all healthy with no pre existing conditions. Possibly a couple slightly.overweight but so am I! I'm also older so more risky..

I was debating the same thing. I lost twins at 19 weeks and had to give birth to them. If the pregnancy was successful I would have had to have a c-section at 36 weeks.
This time I knew I had the choice.
A lot of friends have gone in for emergency c-sections and I was an emergency c-section plus my obstetrician said about 1 in 7 natural births end up in a c-section.
However on the flip side having a c-section means that I will need to rely a lot on those around me for the 6 weeks after birth whilst I heal and also can’t drive which I know I’ll really struggle with.
I’ve decided for my mental health I’ll go c-section because if something was to happen I think I would be an anxious mess but also I think I would be very worried about history repeating itself. If I hadn’t have had that experience I think I would have gone natural though. I also would have liked that he comes when he is ready

I had a ‘planned’ emergency section (45 mins notice) in October as I needed surgery and was quite poorly. Everything was fine with my LG and I was 36 weeks at that point so they chose to get her out to help me. To that point I had been so against a C Section (I’m 37 in feb) and this is my first baby too. I was so worried about the aftermath of a c section / the dangers etc but I have to say I found it so relaxing and actually a very pleasant experience. I had another surgery 5 days later and even with that my recovery was really good. I was glued not stitched and although there’s some pain after (just keep on top of meds) it was actually really quick to recover from. Aside from not being able to bath/swim/drive and lift heavy things I healed very well indeed. Still have a little tummy pain in my muscles when trying to sit up and hold baby but it’s minimal and after a few days I just took paracetemol - a week after surgery I had no pain meds at all. Changed my perspective for sure xx

I personally would do natural without epideral if I have the choice with this pregnancy again. I’ve had one naturally, tore naturally and healed up great. My second I was induced forced into epidural and I had back issues for 6 months due to the issues from it. My labor was longer and more stressful. This is my 3rd I’ll be 36 and hoping for a natural birth again.

I will be 33 having my first baby in March an have opted for an elective c section. I am healthy but very petite at 4"9 and have the same body shape as my mother who wasn't able to naturally give birth. I was an elective after my elder brother and sister both were born by emergency c section having gone into distress and the last 2 babies born into my family had to be resuscitated so I refuse to take the risk. Also my local hospitals have been on the news for their poor maternity care, all of the horror stories have been from lack of intervention during natural labour so an elective c section feels alot safer for myself and my son. Do your research and make sure you do what feels best for you and baby.

I can see why you’d be skeptical of a natural birth after hearing people you know say what they have. However if you are in good overall health etc, you should try and do it naturally. Your body is meant to go through that process and it will impact a lot of factors (for example milk production if you intend on BF or pumping, as well as just the overall process of your hormones balancing during and after birth). This is coming from someone who had an induction and emergency c section, it was very difficult to get breast feeding established because my body had no idea what was going on (just one example of the struggle after birth). The doctors told me this is often an issue with the nature of being induced and having a c section. At the end of the day, if there’s no legitimate reason for intervention then don’t intervene (I truly believe intervention introduces more risk unless necessary). Of course this is only based on my experience and personal option. Do what you feel is best!

I completely understand how you’re feeling. I was so skeptical as well, but had my mind made up on a natural birth (a vaginal birth) then a week before my due date, I went in for my appointment, my babies heart rate was pretty flat and not fluctuating. Turns out her heart rate was dropping with every prelabor contraction even though I wasn’t in any pain. I was zero effaced and zero dilated, they gave me the option to get induced or have a C-section. They told me that if I were to get induced the baby might not handle the Pitocin very well given her heart rate was already dropping with prelabor contractions. I consulted with my family and my grandmother recommended I do the C-section. She was born at 4:52 and I nursed her around 6:30pm. I want to note that in the middle of my surgery my doctor let me know that we made the right choice that day. It turns out the cord was wrapped around her neck four times and she would’ve never made it down my vaginal canal, i thank god everyday…

That I went with my intuition and listened to my family. You have to do what’s best for you, your body knows what’s best. If you would like to have a C-section and your baby comes before then then, that’s meant to be. I was worried about not being able to nurse her as well because your body has no idea you’re about to have a baby but she latched on and I nursed her consistently for the three days I was in the hospital. I did also do placenta encapsulation, and I think that also helps with my milk supply. She was born on the 21st and I started taking my placenta capsules on the 23rd. It also helps tremendously with postpartum anytime I was incredibly emotional.

My c-section was pretty horrible, my meds weren't working right, but my blood pressure dropped, and made the babies heart rate drop. So the doctors had to rush and get him out. I felt way more then I was supposed to, I was puking and hyperventilating because of the pain. As soon as they were done it was instant relief though. I was up and using the bathroom on my own that night. And only spent 2 nights in the hospital. Recovery wasn't as bad as people made it sound, but the actual surgery was horrible for me. Many women say it's much easier but I was unlucky I guess.

My first csection was from a failed induction. Really overwhelming, scary and disappointing. My second was a planned repeat csection and felt like a spa day... I think the pain from that kind of surgery is shocking to the body the first time around, probably as birth would be anyway? The second time I knew what to expect and honestly never felt much pain. Went home 2 days later and was back to my routine, holding my toddler and vacuuming ✨️ I also think mentality and expectations played a huge role. At the end of the day, once your baby is out hopefully your heart is so full to finally be a Mama that it overrides failed plans. Best of luck!

I had a vaginal delivery with my daughter and I didn’t have any intervention or pain relief ❤️! I laboured at home and only went to hospital when I felt baby’s head drop right down (I was 8 1/2 cm when I got in)! I had a small tear that required a couple of stitches - which I was terrified about before hand but honestly at the time I didn’t feel it happen and my recovery was really straight forward and no pain from the tear. Labour was painful and it was hard (there’s no sugar coating it) but mine was quick,recovery was easy! I’m just sharing as an example that those births can and do happen! I know of 4 other women in my mum friend group who also had vaginal deliveries with no intervention. All of these were FTM and aged 27-36! That being said I’m a complete advocate for doing whatever makes you feel the most comfortable. This is your birth and you have every right to choose to do it how you want too so if a c-section feels less scary to you then I think that’s what you should do ❤️

Hey cat I'm very similar to you. Took us a long time to get pregnant and I'm honestly not for chancing anything.
The rates of interventions like you mentioned for FTMs are so high that I think it's just safer and less stressful to have a section.
You will find a lot of women are very pro-vaginal birth but as long as you've read up and discussed with dr then do what you feel is right.
I spoke to dr about my fears, that I knew the statistics about interventions that I was concerned about injuries etc and my own MH and I'm hopefully getting a date soon. I've known loads of women who have 1st vaginally and then choose a section for 2nd baby due to injuries or trauma. Obvs that's not to say women dont have great vaginal births but I'm personally dont think it's worth the risk. I keep being told I'm low risk but so were all the other women who had bad births, problem is you just dont know until you're in that situation.

I am 39 and torn between trying to go natural or a section. I had an emergency section with my first so I have an idea of what to expect but I know I’ll probably not bounce back like I did then because of my age now. A natural delivery now scares me to death but I might recover easier from that if all goes well so I just can’t decide! My consultant said it’s entirely up to me and he’s happy to go with whatever I choose but then reminded me that all vaginas are designed to push babies out so I shouldn’t be so worried (not him doing the pushing though is it!) so yeah I’m still undecided 🤷🏻‍♀️

I had an elective section and found it and the recovery easy personally.

Very calm and happy, didn’t even know it started, radio playing and skin to skin straight away.

I was in Costco shopping 5 days pp and took the tube home. Everyone recovers differently but I loved mine and felt back to normal very quickly x

I had an emergency csection and if I ever had another - I would choose and elective csection.

That's a personal choice tho due to my circumstances. I would have loved for things to be natural but it wasn't in the cards for me and that route was extremely traumatic for me.

Most of the woman I know have had beautiful natural births.

Csection recovery is no joke. It's incredible painful and exhausting and you'll need help for the first week or two for sure.