Elective C-section

Hated labor, loved my c-sections! Recovery for me was completely fine both times. I think you’ll probably get a lot of people on here who have never actually had one saying ‘they’re horrible’ and ‘why would you ever Choose that’ and ‘it’s Major Surgery’. But having had two, I’d choose it time and time again.

Do a C Section then. Least you won’t be frightened or stressed over a natural also be happy that the doctors do it for free

I loved my c section. I was a little scared to try and push even with an epidural but in the end the doctor said c section would be best and I said awesome cool. Let’s do it😂😂 I will say the epidural made contractions way better but you do have to get through some of them before and they suuuuuck.

I’ve had two c-sections. They are painful after but if they are elective ones they are quite calm during the actual procedure. Mine were both planned but one was emergency planned so that one was a bit less calm. But my first one went perfectly well.

I had a natural birth and had a very small tear, and I can honestly say it was absolutely fine. I felt nothing and had 0 problem recovering, even sat cross legged the next day.
BUT waiting for baby to come was really nail biting. Sometimes I envied those who had c sections and could have a bit more of a relaxed entry into motherhood

I didn’t get the chance of a natural with my son and I hate that. If I can have the chance of a natural I will definitely opt for it even though my c section and recovery was fine no complications whatsoever

I was exactly like you! By the end midwives and people around me and just generally hearing about the benefits to the baby for a natural delivery convinced me to try natural but have it in my birth plan that there was a low threshold for c section. For example if anything was to change and I would need an intervention or if it was too painful instead of an epidural I would go straight for a c section.

The week before birth I was a nervous wreck, despite having done hypnobirthing.

But I went midwife led despite being overweight and being advised to go hospital ward.

Best decision I ever made.

It was such a good birthing experience.

I did actually have a 1st degree tear but it was minor.

If you had told me before the birth I would have form even a little I would have opted straight for a c section, but I’m glad I didn’t because i healed so quick . And all I needed was a couple paracetamol for like 2-3 days not even around the clock Just here and there and it was pain free.

The pain of a C-section is generally horrific, some people will say they were fine but it’s major abdominal surgery with absolutely no time for any rest or recovery. I’ve also been left with a shelf that I’ll never be able to get rid of and part of my body that’s numb forever.

I’m trying for a VBAC this time because I genuinely don’t think I could do it again. Just my opinion and story though, everyone will be different

natural birth no pain medication here! it is scary, i understand, but your body was made to do it. i didn’t do hypnobirthing or anything, i just surrendered to the process and trusted my body. when contractions got tough, i literally yelled out loud “I CAN DO THIS” probably for the last hour before pushing lol. i don’t remember much else but that, my eyes were closed the whole time. it was a blur.

if you want a csection, DO IT! but know that you are 1000% capable of a natural delivery and there is nothing to be afraid of. you are here because of a long & strong family lineage of successful births.

I’ve only had natural births but there’s nothing wrong with wanting to go the c section route just know that if you are planning on having more than one child there can be very real complications when having multiple c sections.

I’m very pro - women should birth however and wherever they want! But there is no “easy” way to give birth, and cesareans are major abdominal surgery, typically with added risk for mom and baby. Maybe take some birth education classes to learn all the risks and side effects of things, including vaginal delivery, and then decide? Feel free to message me if you’d like any suggestions!

I would rather push my babies out with an epidural. I've done both, c-section (im scarred for life BTW, I NEVER want to do that again.) My 1st was natural and he was out by my 5th push. 30 min tops active labor. My 2nd and last, was a planned c-section and it was really difficult, plus my incision got infected while I was in the hospital and they still sent me home, I was back within a week for another 4 day hospital
Stay to combat the infection

I was going to do a vbac but then I had a panic attack over the unknown and the fact I was 39 weeks with no signs of labour coming any time soon. I ended up having another c section and this recovery has been slightly harder due to having staples. I do not regret it though.

Had my 1st vaginal & 2nd was high risk no choice early c section. I'd always opt to go into labor like my body was meant to if I had a 3rd. I won't have any more lol. But birth is really beautiful. I was in zero pain.

Love my schedule c! Never had a vaginal birth though so I can’t really compare

C sections are a harder recovery than natural birth. Personally I've only done a natural birth with my first and idk what's happening with my second but my cousin had a c section and her recovery was a little harder and longer. I did tear with my first but it was a 1st degree tear and I didnt feel it after they stitched me up. I would recommend making padsicles to help with that as well.

I am personally planning to aim for a vbac with my second, but I am very willing to slide towards a c-section if necessary for any reason (medical or my own anxieties)

You really, really need to consult with a professional.

I had a last-minute c-section with basically zero complications. But every woman and every pregnancy is different.

I felt the exact same. I was diagnosed with pre eclampsia and they wanted to induce me which I declined due to the increased risk of requiring intervention such as forceps so opted for a section instead. In a way I was glad it was taken out of my hands and decided for me tbh. Some of my friends talk about their births and I personally cannot imagine having my vagina torn apart 😵‍💫 I spoke to my midwife in depth about it before and they were very open to elective sections anyway, you can have one just cause you want one. I had an elective 2nd time and it was amazing. You need to speak to someone and look at all the risks etc and make an informed decision what’s right for you x

I would say have conversations with your midwives to gain knowledge and understanding of Birth and labour.
I was scared of tearing but didn't even think of it when I was pushing.
Youve got a while to go, arm yourself with knowledge and birth is unpredictable

I went for elective C-section and would 100% do it again. Lovely and calm experience (even though I went into labour before the scheduled date) in my experience if you want a C-section make sure you stand your ground because they do try and sway you towards a vaginal birth, but ultimately it’s down to you x

I had an elective C-section as a first time Mum for similar reasons and other (baby was measuring big). It was amazing, super calming, you can have your own music play, you know when you will meet your baby, my husband got to be with me through the entire thing even the spinal, I was out walking 2 days later, off pain meds by week 1 or 2 and never had an infection or anything. With this pregnancy I'm only going to TRY for a VBAC due to having a toddler, but will be perfectly fine if I need a C-section

I’ve had two natural and one c section. Honestly yeah, a c section is major surgery and you’ll definitely need support after without a doubt. But I gotta be honest recovering for me was no different than natural. Just instead of my vagina hurting and needing to do sitz baths I had to take care of my wound. Instead of being uncomfortable sitting down I was uncomfortable trying to get down. I was up and walking and showering on my own the very next morning. I pooped the next morning too with no problems. I will say though, I have an extremely high pain tolerance. The worst part of the whole thing for me was the gas that came after I got home.

I had to have a scheduled c section for medical reasons, but I'm so glad I did. I felt much better knowing there was a concrete plan in place, and everything was so much calmer. The worst part was honestly getting the canula in my hand. Recovery wise, I was pretty sore, but I was given good pain relief and was able to be up and about in a few days. The only negatives were I couldn't do skin on skin until I was in the recovery room (but that might be different for you) and I do feel like it prevented my milk from coming in properly.

I had an unplanned c section because baby did not like labor and I would never want to deal with that type of recovery ever again!!!!

You do what’s right for you. I can tell you the recovery from an unplanned c-section was awful. I don’t think I truly felt better until almost 6 weeks. I got a bed rail to help pull me up out of the bed. It has also really affected my ability to breastfeed to where I’m not producing enough milk to feed my son so he is formula fed (which is not what I wanted but he is fed and that is important.)

C sections are a much worse and more difficult recovery. Average tearing isn’t too bad and is only really sore for a few days to a week. It’s actually really easy to minimize or prevent tearing with pelvic floor therapy/exercises and with certain pushing positions! Look up pelvic floor exercises and perineal massage to prevent tearing and research different pushing positions. The safest way to give birth for most people without complications is to use these preparations to get your body ready and recovery is much easier. I did this and didn’t tear. I felt better after only a few days

Had a csection and would never want one again. A tear and csection pain are WAYYY different.

I tried both
If everything is going well and nth indicates a C-section
Natural birth is way better as the pain goes completely eventually
But c section scar won't go and it will affect almost everything

If it’s your first birth a lot of doctors won’t do an elective c section just because you want to or at least not where I’m from. There normally needs to be a medical reason that they see fit or it be a subsequent pregnancy where the first one may have ended with a severe tear.
I had a 3rd degree tear and it was definitely traumatizing but it’s not a common occurrence. I know A LOT of women that absolutely loved their c sections and say they wouldn’t want it any other way even without experiencing severe tears. Personally, as hard as a 3rd degree tear was I’m still trying for another vaginal delivery this time around because my fear of the unknown outweighs the fear of the pain I’ve already experienced. Plus there’s no promise I’ll tear like that again.

i’m glad i had a vaginal birth but mine was admittedly very easy. labor sucked but birth went great. i didn’t tear and i was back to my regular schedule immediately. people were very surprised to see me at my usual activities when i’d just given birth 2 days prior lol but i felt great.

Have had an emergency and a VBAC and honestly natural ALL the way. Felt like I'd cheated the recovery as it was so much easier having natural. Able to walk about relatively pain free the same day! I know everyone is different but my c section recovery was tough.