Birth options

5 naturals, I had gas and air with my 1st, nothing with the others, I almost gave into having an epidural with my 5th after about 7/8 hours from waters but I’m glad I didn’t, I had to have the hormone drip with him and my god it hurt so much

I’ve never had a c-section so I can’t speak to that. I’ve had two inductions (first one used misoprostol and Pitocin and was medically indicated because of PROM, the second one used misoprostol and amniotomy and was sorta elective but also sorta not) and one that was completely unmedicated.

My totally unmedicated birth was probably my best experience, the Pitocin induction was the worst experience, and the amniotomy experience was somewhere in the middle.

I've had two unmedicated births and will do so for my third. Healing from that vs the c section incisions opening up or getting infected has g happened to every woman I know who has had a c section. One friend had incisions open up internally at 16 months PP and started peeing blood or else she'd never know. Another just got out of ER from a reopen after two restitches and an infection. The third had issues with the cut impacting future pregnancies and increasing miscarriage risk.

I'm never a fan of optional surgery, but obviously if it's an emergency that's different.

First birth was a ventouse in hospital, second was a natural water home birth. Am currently pregnant with my 3rd and 💯 want a home birth again. C-sections and hospitals terrify me!

I’ve not had a C-section so I can’t speak on that. However, no part of me wanted one. Generally speaking vaginal births are typically safer and recovery is shorter. C-section is a major surgery. Even though I didn’t have the best labor (was induced and on pitocin for ~14hrs which was awful and my epidural only took on half my body) I’d do it again to negate a C-section for both myself and my baby.

I had a vaginal birth with all the good drugs. Nurse and doctor decided I wasn’t moving along fast enough so they broke my water. Then I got real. Nurse talked me into an epidural at around 8 centimeters.
Didn’t feel a thing. I was also high as a kite on all the pain meds.
Glad I was able to do vaginal tho. Would not want C section. Next time I want to do it without epidural at a birthing center or at home

I had a natural birth. I needed a little pictocin to help progress labor between 4-7cm and got my water broken but I made it through with lots of movement and some gas. No tears. Nothing.

I wouldn't change a thing about it.

2 natural unmedicated births one at hospital one at home. Would recommend a home birth. X

I had two c-sections, and I would have another one again. My first one was emergency but my second was choice and it was so carming and relaxing! It was everything I could have asked for! I was lucky as I had my partner home for the whole 6 weeks that I needed to recover but I recover really quickly :)

I only had a home water birth and it was the best experience ever. Now pregnant with my second and I would love to have a similar experience. It requires a bit of learning and preparation tho.

I had a c-section because of my son’s placement. Vaginal labor was the most painful experience of my life. I was drugged up on pain meds, but they weren’t super effective.

I was nervous when I decided on a c-section when labor stalled. But the surgery went really well. My son came out in one piece, and I was walking around the hospital the next day.

Every woman is different, and every pregnancy is different. I’d discuss your options with your doctor. But the end goal isn’t to have a vaginal birth or a c-section or any specific kind of birth - it’s to have a healthy mother and baby. That’s the most important thing.

I had a c section with my first, he was breech so didnt really have a choice, it was the safest option and he came out fine, recovery was difficult though and i struggled with my milk supply to begin with.

With my second I opted for a vbac, I didnt want another section as i wanted to be up and about as quickly as possible for my eldest. It was exhausting and painful but I did recover faster second time round, my milk came in quicker, and I just generally felt happier with a more natural experience

I have only had a vaginal birth and was not really induced. At 39 weeks and 3 days I elected to try a cervical ripener bc I was not dilated at all and due to past cervical surgeries I knew I had scar tissue. First dose did nothing but they offered a 2nd dose and it put me into hard labor. I think I labored without meds (essentially natural) for about 3 to 4 hours and my cervix was still not dilated. They decided to admit me to L&D and got me my epidural within 15 mins. Luckily I went from 0cm to 8cm in 30mins after my epidural and the whole time I felt nothing. They had me start pushing 4 hours later and all went well. I tell all expecting moms that I recommend perineal massage starting when your doctor says is okay, then during pushes and have doctor do warm compresses during pushing. If you feel the epidural is really working ask to play tug of war to help push.

I tried both
I would choose natural with all the pain 100 times over c section pain
Everything was fine thank god once labour was done naturally even though stitches for 2nd degree took around 2 weeks to go away but i was able to move!! I could take care of my baby
But on my 2nd birth i had to go through c section and thank god it was a need as i had a huge fibroid and alhamdolelah the doctor was able to remove it in the c section but ooooh my god the first night my whole family helped just so i could stay alive and they give you the oxytocin after soo you feel contractions too!! And i am now 6 months pp and the scar still hurts thank god i had my baby and my fibroid is gone but i wouldn't wish it for anyone who dont really need it

It makes a difference if you want more than one kid. C-section carries risk of placenta accreta in subsequent pregnancies. It also carries higher risk of hemorrhage, infection, blood clots and damage to other organs. It’s likely to have adhesions between the layers of tissues which can sometimes be chronically painful and which get worse with every subsequent cesarean. It also takes months to recover from as opposed to weeks for a vaginal birth. The biggest risk factor for a primary cesarean is a subsequent cesarean.

i had a vaginal birth with an epideral, and a c section is pretty traumatic for most moms- its more intrusive on your body and takes longer to heal

2 c sections the 2nd was elective and was the best experience I would 100% opt for another. Healing has been fine both times tooo x

I loved the book “giving birth like a feminist” to make this decision. It gives information on both :)

Had an elective c-section as a first time Mum in 2024 and it was amazing and calm. Currently pregnant with my 2nd and May have a VBAC only because I now have a toddler otherwise would choose elective again

I would look into positive birth stories. You're getting some here.
I had 2 vaginal births, no drugs/interventions for either. With my first time, I had an episiotomy, which I wasn't thrilled with, but my son was an awkward bugger. Also, after 40 hours in labour, I was so tired.
2nd was vaginal and a lot quicker, I was in early labour for a few days, but was more tolerable, contractions came and went every night but were light enough I could easily sleep. She arrived very quick then and no interventions, almost wasn't quick enough to get to hospital in the end.
I was always scared of c-section recovery and having the epidural.

I had emergency c section with my first and then two back to back vbacs

I’d choose natural everytime

Really wanted a vaginal birth but my son was breech and at my 36 week check up, my doctor scheduled a c-section for 3 days later at 37 weeks due to high blood pressure. I was scared because I really didn’t want a c-section. I had the spinal so I was numb from the chest down. It stung like a bitch. The surgery was pretty traumatic for me. All the pressure, the pulling and tugging really freaked me out. after the spinal wore off the pain was pretty horrible. Right after in recovery they had to roll me over on each side and push on my stomach, I thought my guts were going to fall out. It was painful. But like a few days to a week later, it was better. I have no regrets because it gave me my son but if I had the choice, idk if I would choose a c-section again lol but this is just MY experience. my sister in law has had 3 c-sections and she loved her experiences! So it’s different for everyone! 🫶🏼

Planned a homebirth, ended up with an cat 1 emergency c-section due to surprise breech and concerns of distress 🤷🏼‍♀️

I had a vaginal birth with epidural and wouldnt change it for a c-section. I'd have only a c-section if it would be absolutely neccessary. Giving birth is natural, you heal faster after a vaginal birth. I saw mums at the hospital, they could barely walk after a c-section! But there are people who are really scared of natural birth, because they can control it. You can plan a c-section better. There are pros and cons for both options. You have to think about the way; that may be better for you