Natural birth vs caesarian

Lily-Rose_3

Jagraf wrote: »

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.

That's fair enough, and also understandable. However, if a C-section was not needed medically for your first birth, then it's very unlikely that a C-section would be allowed for a second child. Not on the national health anyway; you would have to go private I would think.

I have looked up the cost online, and although the cost is around £4K to the public purse; if you go private, it can cost between £8 and £10K.

neneromanova

I went Natural all 3 times. Mid Natural, I wished I'd gone the "easy" route and had a C-Section, But was so glad I did it naturally as the recovery time after was minimal compared to a C-section (So I've heard).

[Deleted User]

Natural birth almost killed my wife, so the second time she went for a planned c-section. Sure, it meant she was off her feet for a little while, but there was a lot less aftermath of problems. We don't think they did an awesome job of stitching her up though.

PeacefulSlumber

Can i be a voice in favour of natural child birth and say that the horror stries above are certainly not my experience.

I have had two babies, both born naturally with no pain relief and no interventions, forceps, ventouse etc. My second was born after being induced at almost 42 weeks, my first came on her own accord on her due date.

Both births were tiring but absolutely manageable with good support from my midwife and husband. I realise not everyone is so lucky but please don't think everyone has a horrific, painful, terrifying birth experience.

I personally would never have wanted a C section and of my friends who have had both, of which there are five or 6, none of them would have chosen the C section.

Lily-Rose_3

Re the recovery time for a C-section, I know one lady who was up on her feet and recovered really quickly, and was off shopping with baby after 2 weeks, and looked fabulous after 2 days! And another one who had a natural birth/episiotomy who took 6 months to get back to normal, as she took so long to recover, because she got infections.

Then again, many natural births go (relatively) smoothly.

It really does depend on each individual woman.

Lily-Rose_3

PeacefulSlumber wrote: »

Can i be a voice in favour of natural child birth and say that the horror stries above are certainly not my experience.

I have had two babies, both born naturally with no pain relief and no interventions, forceps, ventouse etc. My second was born after being induced at almost 42 weeks, my first came on her own accord on her due date.

Both births were tiring but absolutely manageable with good support from my midwife and husband. I realise not everyone is so lucky but please don't think everyone has a horrific, painful, terrifying birth experience.

I personally would never have wanted a C section and of my friends who have had both, of which there are five or 6, none of them would have chosen the C section.

:T That's great news.

Some births can be traumatic and difficult, but your story is more likely to be what will happen to many people.

And at the end of the day, it's all worth it, for what you get at the end!

(Until they start talking back. :rotfl: )

duchy

I was "under threat" of a C section as my son was breech and was an unstable lie.
I was given the choice of a trial labour with epidural (so if the trial didn't work they'd just up the epidural and whip me in for the C section) or straight for C section. I'd seen several friends find the first weeks post birth made much harder as they took a couple of months to recover from the op and were far more restricted after the birth as they couldn't go out and needed far more rest and pain relief was an essential.

For me a safe delivery was the priority but I also didn't want to spend any longer recovering than I had to -I do believe many people under estimate how long t can take to recover from a C section and my research showed that for me trying to avoid a C section was better for me, better for baby as I could focus on him and not my own recovery and had I already had another child- better for that child as things go back to normal more quickly.

As the OP already has a child I do think an aspect to be considered is that child too and the importance of things getting back to normal more quickly for them

duchy

Lily-Rose wrote: »

Re the recovery time for a C-section, I know one lady who was up on her feet and recovered really quickly, and was off shopping with baby after 2 weeks, and looked fabulous after 2 days! And another one who had a natural birth/episiotomy who took 6 months to get back to normal, as she took so long to recover, because she got infections.

Then again, many natural births go (relatively) smoothly.

It really does depend on each individual woman.

Two weeks is an eternity !!
Most women who deliver naturally are out and about with baby within days not weeks but a normal C section versus a normal vaginal birth will be weeks not days - there will always be exceptions at both ends of the spectrum though.

pollyanna24

I had my first c-section as an emergency (as people have mentioned on here) and my second was a planned section as I broke my neck while pregnant. My consultant still tried to get me to give birth naturally though. Told me i could push while in traction.

But anyways... Although I think you should avoid c-section if you can, I think the outcome for recovery can be more predicable with a c-section. They cut you open, take baby out, stitch you up.

I recovered quicker from my second c-section, but mainly down to my mindset I think. I was driving within 2 weeks.

With a natural birth, some can be simple, some can be horrific, and lots more are in between.

GwylimT

My wifes first was a standard birth, she tore very badly and needed two further operations to repair damage, until she has healed from both of these surgeries she was doubly incontinent.

Our second was supposed to be born via an elective c-section at 38 weeks but he had to be born via emergency c-section at 32 weeks. If we manage to concieve our third will be born by election c-section at 38 weeks unless there are any complications.

First birth minus the incontinence my wife was back to normal physically in around three weeks, it took 18 months to repair the other physical damage caused. She was back to herself physically two days after our second was born, she didn't have or need any pain relief, I think she had her stitches out after about two weeks. I don't know how true it really is but her doctor said the earlier the birth the worse the c-section as the wound has to be larger as smaller babies needs much gentler handling.