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11-22-2012 at 8:57 PM
SLaBM2B
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C-Section vs. Vaginal Delivery

This question is for ladies who have had both....

which did you prefer?

my doc is open to elective c-sections. This being my first child, I'm not sure which route to go. I know the risks are much higher with c-section and recovery is longer, however, all of the people I know who have had a c-section HIGHLY recommend it. 

Any insight you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!! 


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11-22-2012 at 9:03 PM
nycnola
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I've only had a c-section after a failed induction, but I would definitely not schedule a section for any reason unless you absolutely need one. As you said, sections come with the risk of all sorts of complications, and you could be opening yourself up to complications with subsequent pregnancies. Also, if you are working you would spend your whole 6 week leave (if that's all you get) recovering from surgery v. just taking care of baby, if that makes sense.  I am definitely trying for a VBAC with this pregnancy, but I am already planning 12 weeks of leave just in case. Good luck with your decision and have a happy and healthy pregnancy. 

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11-22-2012 at 9:09 PM
RedCherry1...
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I'll be having my third C-section and I would choose a vaginal birth over a c-section. If there is no medical reason why you need one then you shouldn't have it, sorry! 

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11-22-2012 at 9:17 PM
crogers19
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As light hearted as people talk about csections now a days it IS major surgery. The risks during a vaginal birth even medicated are much much lower. 

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11-22-2012 at 9:23 PM
kaylakim
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I agree with the others. I've had 2 vaginal births and no c-sections but from what I've heard c-sections are pretty difficult to recover from and not something I would want to do for no good reason. My vaginal births were relatively easy and recovery was very quick.


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11-22-2012 at 9:26 PM
Lissa832
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If your doctor is open to elective c-sections then he is a moron. If you continue to be seen by such an incompetent doctor, then you are just as stupid. C-sections shouldn't be a choice just because. They are absolutely essential in certain situations. Just because you feel like getting one isn't a reason. In addition, your insurance may not cover it unless your doctor is falsifying the reason. If you have a legitimate reason to get a c-section, don't hesitate. Otherwise, educate yourself and FIND A NEW DOCTOR!

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11-22-2012 at 9:50 PM
Idani
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I have had two c-sections, but certainly not just because.  There is no way I would choose a major surgery just because. Elective c-sections make zero sense to me. You really should do some research.

 
11-22-2012 at 10:25 PM
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::popping in::

I had a C-section with DD. It was a terrible recovery. You couldn't move well for weeks, getting the staples taken out sucks, plus all the extra pain meds, and if your lucky like me you get a lovely spinal headache where you can't sit up without puking. Then there is the drawbacks for you and your baby. You don't get immediate skin to skin, most of the time they whisk the baby and daddy away while the put you back together, and then some hospitals will keep them in the nursery for hours after birth. This totally screws with the 2 crucial time periods for bonding and BFing. I would of never chosen to have a section, ever. It was the worst experience of my life.

My recovery and the fact that the more sections you have the more likely for miscarriage, hysterectomy, and death to happen. Plus all the scar tissue can cause you to have placenta issues as well. Just not good things, in all. The risks are low with your first section, but if you want more kids then you increase the risks. These are pretty much the reasons why I'm fighting tooth and nail for a VBAC. I wouldn't opt for an elective C-section.


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11-22-2012 at 10:50 PM
hogrefea
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Your doctor is not very bright and is clearly choosing his own convenience over the lives of his patients.  But aside from that, having had two cs's, I can tell you they suck and I puked an extreme amount after DD, which made my incision open up under my bandage, which ultimately resulted in my husband having to shove packing into my open wound three times a day until the wound closed.  Not a picnic.  Also, you are on serious weight lifting restrictions after the cs, so you will need help with everything...including getting toddlers out of the tub/high chair/etc.  A random elective cs is a bad choice...and option.  r

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11-23-2012 at 12:10 AM
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Nana_Osaki06:

::popping in::

I had a C-section with DD. It was a terrible recovery. You couldn't move well for weeks, getting the staples taken out sucks, plus all the extra pain meds, and if your lucky like me you get a lovely spinal headache where you can't sit up without puking. Then there is the drawbacks for you and your baby. You don't get immediate skin to skin, most of the time they whisk the baby and daddy away while the put you back together, and then some hospitals will keep them in the nursery for hours after birth. This totally screws with the 2 crucial time periods for bonding and BFing. I would of never chosen to have a section, ever. It was the worst experience of my life. See, I totally have to disagree with this. I was walking within 12 hours, and making multiple trips to the NICU daily without issue. 2 weeks later, you would not have had a clue I had a c-section. Staples was a 5 minute inconvenience, I was off pain meds by a week post partum. Mine was an unplanned, non-emergent c-section. Had DS not had breathing issues, skin to skin still would have happened and he would not have spent a second in the nursery without our approval.

My recovery and the fact that the more sections you have the more likely for miscarriage, hysterectomy, and death to happen. Plus all the scar tissue can cause you to have placenta issues as well. Just not good things, in all. The risks are low with your first section, but if you want more kids then you increase the risks. These are pretty much the reasons why I'm fighting tooth and nail for a VBAC. I wouldn't opt for an elective C-section. Definitely agree with this though.

 



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11-23-2012 at 3:26 AM
ladybugpjb
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Are you going to have more kids? Electing a c-section could limit your options for future deliveries. What if you decide you want to do a vaginal birth for #2? VBACs are more risky than a regular vaginal birth. And repeat c-sections are also riskier than the first due to scar tissue, etc. Why would you elect to have those extra risks?

I had a reall easy recovery from my c-section, but I still would have done a vaginal birth if I could have. I would NEVER recommend a friend have an elective c-section.


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11-23-2012 at 4:59 AM
Kimbus22
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My mom had 3 c-sections because she has a male pelvis that does not spread at all to allow for a child to pass.  She loved them.  The first emergency one she said was rough to recover from.  The 2 planned ones she said were really easy.  She was up and throwing a party for 40 people a week after the 3rd one.

I have two friends who have had 2 elective c-sections each.  They both loved their experience and two weeks after they were feeling fine.

I had a vaginal delivery and it was horrible and II had a 3rd/4th degree tear and  couldn't sit down without crying for over a month. I had panned on an elective c-section when we decide to have #2 because I have zero desire to ever experience a vaginal birth again.  But I had surgery in July and my incision is still open so now I'm too afraid of elective surgery to attempt a c-section unless I have to.

I don't think you're crazy for considering it, nor do I think your doctor is negligent for offering.  If he was pushing you toward it and you didn't want to consider it, then yes he would be an asss.  But it sounds like he just said it was an option.  Yes, it is major surgery.  But so are all sorts of other elective procedures.  Like I said above, the moms who had c-sections all had faster recoveries than I did with my vaginal birth.  But I also know people who have delivered vaginally and bounced right back.  Unfortunately with labor and delivery, you really have no idea how your body will react so it's really a matter of weighing the options and choosing what you're most comfortable with.


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11-23-2012 at 7:11 AM
SLaBM2B
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You all are awesome. I really appreciate the info. I will definitely research a ton and decide at a later date. One of my good friends has the same doc as me and had a non emergent cs and was very pleased with the outcome. She also loves our doctor. My doc is younger, around 32-35, she's quite good, comes highly recommended, and is more open minded to elective cs. She didn't push it on me, but said as long as i am not planning on having more than 3 kids, she would consider.

i want what's best for baby, so that will be my deciding factor. I'm reading no skin-to-skin, so I will look in to that, and definitely take all of your advice before making a decision. 


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11-23-2012 at 7:31 AM
ChisenaBla...
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I haven't had a c-section, but my vaginal birth was very easy and relatively pain free.  I didn't have any tearing and would much rather have a natural vaginal birth than to be cut open, I would only do a c-section if I had to for the safety of myself or my baby.  That is just my personal opinion.

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11-23-2012 at 7:34 AM
Lil Kate
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I have not had a vaginal birth...just 2 c-sections but I would NEVER have picked that as my birth method.  It is so difficult to care for the baby afterwards and you are so reliant on others in the hospital.  I envy my friends who go home after 2-3 days and have a relatively pain free recovery (obviously it depends on the birth).  I am in so much pain after my c-sections....pain meds for 2 weeks and I always am miserbal;e in the hospital!

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11-23-2012 at 8:52 AM
ohdrama09
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I would never choose to have MAJOR SURGERY if I didn't have to. 

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11-23-2012 at 10:45 AM
tokenhoser
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I would switch doctors immediately if s/he provided elective c-sections for no medical reason.
11-23-2012 at 10:51 AM
transcribe...
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With my first, I was sent for an induction as I was getting pre-eclampsia, my BP was high and I was carrying around 30-40 pounds of fluid..So they sent me for an induction the next AM with Cervadil...The first round did not work so I got the 2nd cervadil and it did start working but I wasn't dilating quick enough and the baby was showing signs of distress so they decided I needed an emergency C-section..good thing because the cord was wrapped around her neck 2-3 times (thank God she is perfectly fine).  When I found out I was preggo this time around, I quickly decided I want to try a VBAC because all PP's are right, the recovery is longer, more painful and I was reliant on my Mom so much because I was BF'ing around the clock when I came home..So many of my friends and cousins have had scheduled C-sections for their 2nd and 3rd kids, scheduled 2 weeks before their actual due date so they get to pick the date the baby is born but I want to at least try for a VBAC, its in Gods hands on how everything turns out

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11-23-2012 at 11:03 AM
meimsx
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I had a vag delivery but my friends that have had both prefer the vag. Recovery is a lot easier. Your body for the most part was made to do this. Obviously there are exceptions and that is why c-sections can be life saving but if it's your choice, go with the vag delivery.

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11-23-2012 at 11:09 AM
ramy3695
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tokenhoser:
I would switch doctors immediately if s/he provided elective c-sections for no medical reason.

Agreed.

I would only agree to a cesarean if it were a life or death situation. It is a major surgery and can cause very serious complications to both you and your baby. 


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11-23-2012 at 11:14 AM
tokenhoser
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ramy3695:

tokenhoser:
I would switch doctors immediately if s/he provided elective c-sections for no medical reason.

Agreed.

I would only agree to a cesarean if it were a life or death situation. It is a major surgery and can cause very serious complications to both you and your baby. 

And incidentally more convenient and more income for your doctor. Really, I think elective c-sections are unethical. It's impossible for there to not be a conflict of interest with the surgeon.

11-23-2012 at 11:33 AM
meimsx
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tokenhoser:
ramy3695:

tokenhoser:
I would switch doctors immediately if s/he provided elective c-sections for no medical reason.

Agreed.

I would only agree to a cesarean if it were a life or death situation. It is a major surgery and can cause very serious complications to both you and your baby. 

And incidentally more convenient and more income for your doctor. Really, I think elective c-sections are unethical. It's impossible for there to not be a conflict of interest with the surgeon.

Yes

I just don't see how any self respecting doctor would even offer. Way to drive up our health costs.

 


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11-23-2012 at 11:34 AM
bluelovin
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I had a c-section with my first only because she was breech. I had VBACs with all my all other pregnancies. I would never have an elective c-section and I would never recommend that anyone have an elective c-section either. It is major surgery. I had a LOT of complications after my c-section as a result of the c-section. I will never have another c-section unless it is a life or death matter for the baby or for me. In my honest opinion, those who choose to have elective c-sections, especially with their first baby, are idiots, and the doctors who allow women to choose to have an elective c-section are even bigger idiots. A c-section should never be an option unless is it medically necessary.

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11-23-2012 at 12:21 PM
SLaBM2B
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bluelovin:
I had a c-section with my first only because she was breech. I had VBACs with all my all other pregnancies. I would never have an elective c-section and I would never recommend that anyone have an elective c-section either. It is major surgery. I had a LOT of complications after my c-section as a result of the c-section. I will never have another c-section unless it is a life or death matter for the baby or for me. In my honest opinion, those who choose to have elective c-sections, especially with their first baby, are idiots, and the doctors who allow women to choose to have an elective c-section are even bigger idiots. A c-section should never be an option unless is it medically necessary.

this is the exact response I was hoping for! I wanted to hear from a person who had both. Thank you!  


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11-23-2012 at 12:49 PM
Bubs06
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I have also had both.
DD1 was vaginal and honestly one of the most amazing experiences of my life. DD2 I ended up with a c/s after a failed induction.
I felt better during early recovery following the c/s, but in the long run it took a long time for me to get back to normal. I had to sleep downstairs on the couch for a couple weeks because I couldn't handle the stairs too often bathroom is downstairs. I couldn't pick up or play on the floor with my older daughter for a while and to this day my scar still feels different.
I hope to have a VBAC this time, but I don't know yet if it will be an option.

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11-23-2012 at 5:49 PM
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I had a c/s. I don't recommend it. 

I certainly see the benefits, but I don't think they outweigh the risks and I hope with this LO I can VBAC. 


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11-23-2012 at 8:15 PM
Samazing
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My c-section was a nightmare. Everything I did not want from my birthing experience. I truly feel it had a massively negative effect on my relationship with my baby, and my failed induction really had a bad effect on my breastfeeding ability. I am praying and working very hard to have a VBAC this time.   As other posters have commented, I would seriously consider a new doctor if this one is offering elective cesareans. 

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11-23-2012 at 8:23 PM
erbear
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I had 2 c-sections (both after laboring and pushing...awesome). They weren't awful, my recovery was pretty easy and I felt like myself within a week. I had no restrictions on holding my kids, driving, walking, stairs, etc.

That said, I would have chosen a vaginal birth any day. C-sections are a major surgery. You have to stay in the hospital longer. The risk of infection is higher. You don't get to experience birthing your baby in the same way (it's a much less active process). It's not the worst thing in the world, but given the choice, I would have chosen a vaginal birth.


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11-23-2012 at 9:42 PM
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ChisenaBlasko:
I haven't had a c-section, but my vaginal birth was very easy and relatively pain free.  I didn't have any tearing and would much rather have a natural vaginal birth than to be cut open, I would only do a c-section if I had to for the safety of myself or my baby.  That is just my personal opinion.

 

this. and I didn't have an epi either. (not saying having one is bad). CS are my biggest fear.  

 
11-23-2012 at 9:45 PM
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I was lucky and was able to have 2 drug free vaginal births.  I was out of the hospital after 23 hours with the first and a couple of days with the second (I had chosen to stay in).  I had my appendix out about 2 years ago and I can't imagine having that surgery and then having to take care of a newborn.  I really think that major surgery as an "option" is not a good one.  I work as a nurse in community care and I can tell you also that infections from c-sections are probably more common than you think, and not necessarily from the surgery itself but from not being able to rest properly and recover from surgery because you are caring for a newborn......it's a personal choice, but for me, only in an emergency.

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