Natural birth vs caesarian

cookiecrumbs

Hi

Just wanted to ask any ladies who have had experience of both types of birth what their opinions were.

I have one child who was born naturally - although I was induced early due to high blood pressure and am now pregnant again and due to see my consultant in the next 2 weeks to discuss options for this birth.

I am tempted by a c-section because it is more planned but I do understand the recovery time is longer afterwards. Having said that though, I had an episiotomy last time and it took a while to get back to 'normal' (whatever that is.)

I know people will have had horror stories with one or the other method and every birth is different but I was just interested in hearing opinions on whether you found the natural birth or the c-section 'better'.

Thanks

System

Why opt for a major operation if you can give birth naturally? I dont understand and certainly wasnt aware you had the choice.

cookiecrumbs

Well I do have a choice and that's why I'm asking the question.

Lily-Rose_3

cookiecrumbs wrote: »

Hi

Just wanted to ask any ladies who have had experience of both types of birth what their opinions were.

I have one child who was born naturally - although I was induced early due to high blood pressure and am now pregnant again and due to see my consultant in the next 2 weeks to discuss options for this birth.

I am tempted by a c-section because it is more planned but I do understand the recovery time is longer afterwards. Having said that though, I had an episiotomy last time and it took a while to get back to 'normal' (whatever that is.)

I know people will have had horror stories with one or the other method and every birth is different but I was just interested in hearing opinions on whether you found the natural birth or the c-section 'better'.

Thanks

I'm not sure that many women have experienced both. Every woman I know who has had C-sections, had one for their first, because it was an emergency one. And then they had emergency C-sections for the next one, and the next, because the doctors (usually) recommended it.

As far as I know, they didn't have had C-sections by choice. And as Judi said, many women were not even aware they had a choice when they were pregnant. Certainly no-one I know.

Similarly, every woman I know who had a natural birth, went on to have natural births after. I am sure there are women who have had both; I just don't know any. Maybe there are some on here who will come onto the thread later.

Basically, unless you have any problems, there's no medical need to have it, and unless you are prepared to pay for it, it's unlikely you will get one. They cost a lot more than many people think.

Some famous people do it because they don't want to go through childbirth, and they have the money to do it.

Do it if you want, but I think you will get a lot of negative responses for it. I think the saying for people who have an elective childbirth is 'too posh to push.'

I know a number of women who have had emergency C-sections, but not one who chose to have it. Even in this day and age, it seems a little strange.

Good luck to you though, if it's what you want. As I said though, you will more than likely have to go private, unless you have to have a C-section for some medical reason.

tomtontom

Are you going private OP, or is there a clinical reason for the c-section? As already mentioned, they are not available on the NHS simply because you find it more convenient.

MallyGirl

I had an emergency C section (extended breech) and my experiences recovering from that ensured that my daughter is an only child. I cannot imagine why anyone would choose to go through such a major operation unless there was an overriding medical need.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

Judi wrote: »

Why opt for a major operation if you can give birth naturally? I dont understand and certainly wasnt aware you had the choice.

I suppose some people don't fancy the idea of spending hours/days lying in your own filth whilst a succession of strangers peer between your legs ordering you to pant like a dog/push/don't push until eventually they rip your vagina apart. I can't imagine a c-section is too much fun either, but it appears slightly less horrific and undignified of the two.

Can you tell I don't think I'll be having kids!

If you have an approachable midwife, they should be your first port of call to discuss this, as your medical records should provide the basis for the discussion.

Mrs_pbradley936

C section have become popular and are carried out far more often than they used to be. If you are a private patient you can often simply choose that option. Most under the NHS are because of medical necessity either to the mother or the child.

Since you have already had one baby naturally I would do it again because it is likely to be far quicker next time.

A few years ago there was a doctor reported to the governing body because other doctors said she was neglecting her patients and putting their lives and those of the unborn babies because she did not do C sections when clinically warranted. It turns out that then women concerned came from a culture where they would be deemed "substandard" if they could not produce children and she felt that she had to protect them from this culture. Details about the aftermath here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1905177372?keywords=A%20savage%20enquiry&qid=1445593033&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2

Plus you might want to explore these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wendy-Savage/e/B001JP0Y42/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1445593271&sr=1-2

Jagraf

Judi wrote: »

Why opt for a major operation if you can give birth naturally? I dont understand and certainly wasnt aware you had the choice.

My opinion is purely theoretical as I only have one child, born naturally. The experience was, for me, traumatic, and if I did have another (which I won't) I would if possible choose a c section. I cannot comment on whether this would be less or more of a problem for me, but that it what I would do.

Lily-Rose_3

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

I suppose some people don't fancy the idea of spending hours/days lying in your own filth whilst a succession of strangers peer between your legs ordering you to pant like a dog/push/don't push until eventually they rip your vagina apart. I can't imagine a c-section is too much fun either, but it appears slightly less horrific and undignified of the two.

Can you tell I don't think I'll be having kids!

If you have an approachable midwife, they should be your first port of call to discuss this, as your medical records should provide the basis for the discussion.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: :rotfl:

You make it sound like something from the horror channel. Whoever told you it was like this?!

My GOD I feel sorry for them. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Mrs_pbradley936 wrote: »

C section have become popular and are carried out far more often than they used to be. If you are a private patient you can often simply choose that option. Most under the NHS are because of medical necessity either to the mother or the child.

Since you have already had one baby naturally I would do it again because it is likely to be far quicker next time.

Not necessarily. I know 3 women who have had 3, 4 and 5 babies. Each one said that their second or third births were the worst. One other woman I know who had four, said the fourth was the worst. It doesn't necessarily get easier with each one.

Rambosmum

OP- you would be better asking on a forum such as mumsnet. There are loads of people with experience of both on there. Usually VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean).