Vaginal or c-section? Where’s your head at?

I had an emergency and I wouldn't wish it on anyone 🙈 I do really want to have a natural water birth though. I think my plan is that I'm going to refuse induction (this increases your risk for a ECS) and hope it all happens on its own, but if it just not happening I won't push it as far as i did last time and ill ask for a section before it gets too bad. (With my 1st I was leaking waters but not progressing past 3cm for 3 days, was induced 3 times and was exhausted and in agony. So if a similar thing happens where my waters are going but im not progressing in that first 24 hours ill just ask for the CS before it gets too crazy)

You don’t have to make a decision at the moment and there are lots of classes, books and lots of things you can do to see what feels best for you! We did a free hypnobirthing taster session last time and NCT which is very much focused around a vaginal delivery.

I had to have a c section with my first because I had placenta praevia. We found out so early on, 18 weeks, and even though everyone told me it would move, I knew it wouldn’t and it didn’t!

I have a consultant appointment Tuesday, standard if you’ve had a previous section, and I am going to opt for another c section. I have a low lying placenta again (less severe than the first and already on the move between scans) but I’ve had a few losses since my first, so mentally I feel more comfortable with a section than attempting a VBAC

I've been thinking about it since the beginning 🙈 I'm not putting pressure on myself just yet. I have my antinatal classes and chat with my midwife still to go before making a decision but I'm thinking vaginal. Here's what I've learnt so far.

- Vaginal births can be amazing but education is key. The NHS won't tell you a lot about how your body acts in labour which can make or break your experience. Things like tensing your body apparently makes contractions worse but breathing and using counter pain (like a tens machine or birthing comb) can help with pain management. So learn as much as you can to give yourself the best chance at a good vaginal birth if that's your choice.


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Continuing my above comment

- C section: a mama friend I met on this app had a breach baby and opted for a planned C section at 38 weeks because vaginal breach made her nervous. She said it was an absolutely amazing experience. They had music and her partner could be there. She almost sold me on it 🤣 but she didn't have a great post partum experience at the hospital, they kept forgetting her pain meds. At home was tough but like any surgery, you recover.

It really comes to what YOU want. I'm nervous as hell and the idea I could go into labour at any point freaks me out but one thing I do know, I don't want an epidural. That massive needle freaks me out so much.

I believe primary prevention of the c section is so important, especially for first time births. Important to be educated, including the risks of one or multiple c sections. I’ve had one due to placenta previa and will opt for a vbac if safe my next go

I had an emergency c section but would have preferred a vaginal birth. The recovery is no picnic. It’s major surgery. I didn’t take baby out alone until 6 weeks PP as no driving or heavy lifting. My friend gave birth vaginally the day after me and was up and about straight away. I pushed for an hour before the section. Yes labour is hard but the drugs really do help! On the other side of it, the section was so rushed and traumatising due to the urgency - I hear electives are much more relaxed and controlled. There is no right or wrong answer. Whether or not you’ll need an emergency section is luck. Of course the risk is greater with induction or a back to back baby. Remember if baby is overdue you can reject the induction and request a section instead. You will make the right decision for you.

I have had two full term inductions and both were fine! My first was a little more complicated, Propess followed by oxytocin drip, but my second was just Propess and he came quickly - my husband was in the hospital for 13 minutes before he was delivered 😂. I did hypnobirthing with my second which I found helpful. I wouldn’t say no to another induction if it was required again!

Yes you have the right to make choices at any point! Even if someone makes you believe you can it is your body and your birth. You can request to have a water birth the whole way through and then at 41 week be about to step into the pool then turn around and say actually no I want a c-section. Of course if the surgeons are all busy you might have to wait a little bit but you always have a choice. I think i got asked every 6 hours during my 3 days if I wanted a section and I basically told them to F off every time 😅🙈 I wont be doing that again though unless I believe things are progressing fine

I would highly recommend looking into inductions and how they often cause a lot more pain and the increased chance of c section. As soon as women get to 40 weeks they think they are overdue and people start talking to them about induction whilst in some countries, such as France, they don’t even class you as overdue until 42 weeks.

Obviously sometimes induction is a medical necessity and you may choose to do it anyway or you may choose to go down the c section route at that point. It’s all about making an informed decision based on what is right for you.

Just for reference I had an amazing vaginal birth that was very quick (4 hours from first contraction to birth). A C section would be my nightmare in any capacity but may women would much prefer it. I would highly recommend doing a hypnobirthing class with the positive birthing company. They talk about all options, possibilities, birth plans and give you tools to manage the pain/ worry that comes with every birth option.