Cesarean or (natural) birth

darrenon

Hi ladies,


My wife is pregers at the mo :D (CANT WAIT) and we where talking about which would be easier!!!

I know neither are easy:o:o but I was wondering what your experience,s have been...

And if you where to choose which way would you pick?????:o

THANKS

Ickle Magoo

The Ladies Lounge exists for women to discuss things from a female perspective, rather than as a place to poll for female opinion so I've moved your post to parenting. /mod

Speaking as a mother of two - au natural every time. Sections involve 7 layers of stitches, agony just sitting up or walking for weeks, numbness along my belly to this day, no driving for weeks...it's often viewed as the easy option by some but my reality couldn't be further from that myth.

All the best!

smelltheglove

I've had 2, one natural and one with epidural. For me the first was painful but not unbearable the second coupled with other problems needed some pain meds.

My sister has had 2, one natural and one c-section, for her the natural way, even with epidural, was unbearable and caused a lot of muscle damage so her second she was allowed to choose a c section which she was delighted with and although a different type of pain was much better suited to her.

Sister in law one has had all 3 types, c-section due to breech, completely natural and epidural and as far as I recall she preferred the epidural, then I have another sister in law who had no choice but to have c-section due to her size.

Anyway with the examples above the point I am trying to make is the fact that everybody is different, for me the eassiest was completely natural and I was lucky enough to have a 2 hour delivery but for someone else that would be torture whereas I couldnt stomach a section and others would dream of one.

January

Just going to move this into the Pregnancy forum. You'll get some better responses in here...

My opinion is natural all the way, I had an emergency c section on my first and a natural on my second and loved the way I could be up and about very early after having number 2.

wmpdd3

Natural (with epi) I was up an walking 5 hrs afterwards. I enjoyed all my visitors and had a great time. The 2 section ladies across from me were bed-ridden.

One lady had 3 kids all by section, she went home on the 4th day, that was the only day I saw her walk without obvious pain. The other girl has an emergency section and was not sitting up in bed talking for 3 days.

cbyrd

3 natural births with gas and air, up walking around and in the shower within the hour.. too quick for any other pain relief..:) Cesareans are major surgery and it takes up to 6 weeks before you can get back to normal like driving etc.. I wouldn't opt for one unless it was absolutely necessary.

liliq

Am keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get through it naturally with gas and air. Really don't want a c section if I can avoid it at all, and the thought of an epi freaks me out a bit!
In saying that I could be begging for one come August! :rolleyes:

dollyk

I have 6 children, 3 natural, 3 c section. natural with the epo is the way to go, as you are mobile very quick, but c section if necessary because of complications, it just takes longer to recover, and worse if you smoke, as the cough from stopping is a killer.:P

lonestargirl

Everybody is different and we have all had different experiences of birth. I had an elective c-section 6 weeks ago and I have to say I'd go that way again (it was my first so I have nothing to compare it to). I had a spinal anaesthetic and that is going to confine you to the bed for the day. I went into the hospital on Fri morning, was walking around on Saturday and went home on Sunday. I was more uncomfortable that in pain for the few days (I have a whole packet of vicodin that was prescribed but I never used) - I was out driving and shopping on the Wednesday with no problems.

My scar is about 4-5 inches long and currently a smooth red line that should fade to white. My doctor took his time sewing up each layer carefully and put Dermabond on it to seal it so I could shower. 6 weeks later and I have no pain at all and I have full sensation along my lower abdomen (this did take about 3 weeks to come back).

Now, my surgery was elective so I didn't have to labour before going into theatre. I also don't have anything to compare it too. As I said in the beginning everybody's exeriences will be different.

wmpdd3

I think it's minimum 4 days after a section here. Not sure about the dermabond.

I can't imagine trying to lift a baby from her crib into the bed with a wound in my stomach.

lonestargirl

wmpdd3 wrote: »

I think it's minimum 4 days after a section here.

There's no 'rule', although there may be hospital common practice it's entirely up to your doctor when he wants to discharge you.

wmpdd3 wrote: »

Not sure about the dermabond.

Again this is a doctor-specific kind of thing. I just mentioned it as it's much nicer to be able to shower and if anyone was going for a scheduled section they could ask their doctor to use it.

wmpdd3 wrote: »

I can't imagine trying to lift a baby from her crib into the bed with a wound in my stomach.

The wound is much lower, if you were wearing low-rise knickers it would just be above the top of them. As I said I personally had very little pain and had no problems sitting up or lifting the baby by the time I got home - obviously it is still surgery and you have to be careful.

SanFran07

darrenon wrote: »

Hi ladies,


My wife is pregers at the mo :D (CANT WAIT) and we where talking about which would be easier!!!

I know neither are easy:o:o but I was wondering what your experience,s have been...

And if you where to choose which way would you pick?????:o

THANKS

Congrats to you both! It's such an incredibly exciting time. Putting aside whats considered 'easier' - the safest birth for a healthy Mum and baby is the old fashioned vaginal birth. Although with Ireland's rising caesarean rate you do have an excellent chance of ending up with one depending on where you give birth and what the policies of the hospital are (especially around induction of labour).

metrovelvet

lonestargirl wrote: »

There's no 'rule', although there may be hospital common practice it's entirely up to your doctor when he wants to discharge you.


Again this is a doctor-specific kind of thing. I just mentioned it as it's much nicer to be able to shower and if anyone was going for a scheduled section they could ask their doctor to use it.


The wound is much lower, if you were wearing low-rise knickers it would just be above the top of them. As I said I personally had very little pain and had no problems sitting up or lifting the baby by the time I got home - obviously it is still surgery and you have to be careful.

I couldnt get up to get to the baby for three days. I was on a catheter for kidney failure too.

I had an epi and general. Morphine and then vicoden too.

SanFran07

Just to add - there is a huge difference in having a caesarean in an Irish hospital and an American one. It's a regular occurance that post surgical Mums in Ireland are left to rely on other Mums to help them get their babies during the night due to lack of staff on the night shift.

Mezcita

SanFran07 wrote: »

Just to add - there is a huge difference in having a caesarean in an Irish hospital and an American one. It's a regular occurance that post surgical Mums in Ireland are left to rely on other Mums to help them get their babies during the night due to lack of staff on the night shift.

Got any proof of that?

Somehow I don't think maternity hospitals in the country would condone the practice of Mum's wandering around helping themselves to other people's babies.

Squiggler

We're planning a natural (oxygen and gas only) home birth (35 weeks plus 5 completed now so in the home stretch). From research I've done, from personal experience (my mother had my two youngest siblings at home) and from speaking to mothers I know who have experienced birth in all of it's various forms from no intervention to maximum intervention it seems the best, safest and most positive experience for mother, father (other children) and baby.

Hospital birth is always there as a backup option if there are any complications later in pregnancy or during labour.

However, I think that it also depends very much on the parents. I'm comfortable with my pregnancy, in good health and confident that my body is capable of carrying and delivering this baby and so is my husband.

Das Kitty

Will you have a doula or midwife with you Squiggler?

Squiggler

Das Kitty wrote: »

Will you have a doula or midwife with you Squiggler?

A self-employed community midwife, and the HSE are paying the majority of the costs (my health insurance covers all of the rest).

Our midwife is a man. He's great, and both me and my husband feel very comfortable with him. Another advantage is that all the antenatal visits are in our home and they last as long as they need to, if we have questions or concerns we can raise them and have a proper discussion about them.

January

Mezcita wrote: »

Got any proof of that?

Somehow I don't think maternity hospitals in the country would condone the practice of Mum's wandering around helping themselves to other people's babies.

I'm not sure that's what SanFran meant exactly but when I had my first daughter by emergency c section in 2008, I had to ask another mum if she could lift my baby to me because I had called the nurse 3/4 times and no help had come in nearly 15 minutes. It was the middle of the night so thankfully there was another mum awake at the same time as me.

Cat Melodeon

I had my boy naturally. I never considered c-section to be an option, it is what happens when things go wrong, not something you would inflict on yourself or your child by choice (in my opinion, others may have had positive elective experiences). C-section on a first baby usually comes about because of medical complications, not choice. The only time it should actually be a choice is where a woman has previously had a c-section due to complications or there is a risk to the baby, and even then, it's not exactly a choice. VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean) are difficult to come by in Ireland, so many women on subsequent births are offered elective sections when in reality a natural birth is not on the cards for them at all.

Personally, I hope never to have a c-section. I was induced on my lad and had him after 4 hours of labour using gas and air. I'm glad I didn't get the epi, there's evidence to suggest that it and other interventions can slow down labour a lot. Others swear by it, but I really felt I didn't need it. My labour was short and sharp but at least it was over quickly!

If I were you, I'd focus now on getting the right kind of antenatal care. Midwife-led care is amazing if you are in an area that offers it. Go to antenatal classes, try hypnobirthing (both of you), get your wife to do pregnancy yoga etc. C-sections should only figure as a worst-case scenario. There is only a small chance that one might feature in the very last 20mins of the last day of this 9-month journey - definitely not something to be stressing about at this stage. Enjoy the ride!

Hannibal Smith

It's seems to be a common assumption that c Sections are the easy way out. I know I certainly did, before I had one. But oh my god, if you can give birth naturally, do it! I found the section so awful. I assumed that you would feel nothing because you'd be numb, but whilst there is no pain, you do feel what's going on and it nearly made me hurl!

For me the pain element didn't come in to it. I was up and walking around the day after, the wound is so neat and so low that it only causes a problem if underwear grazes off it. And I had no probs lifting my son. In fact the people who had episiotomies seemed to have been in far worse state than me :D

For me the problems are psychological, I often wonder if you've given birth naturally do you feel a sense of accomplishment more...like you've earned every hair on the child's head, that you didn't have to be helped out.

i guess I'll have to try again and find out

Hannibal Smith

SanFran07 wrote: »

Just to add - there is a huge difference in having a caesarean in an Irish hospital and an American one. It's a regular occurance that post surgical Mums in Ireland are left to rely on other Mums to help them get their babies during the night due to lack of staff on the night shift.

i completely disagree with this. I was checked on and helped out whenever i needed it. Even having showers, one nurse sat with the boy and fed him while I had one. The night after a section the baby is taken off you because you can't leave the bed and the nurses look after him/her.

I hope you don't mind me saying, but you seem to be very critical of midwifery care in Ireland and I'm not sure why?

Das Kitty

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

i completely disagree with this. I was checked on and helped out whenever i needed it. Even having showers, one nurse sat with the boy and fed him while I had one. The night after a section the baby is taken off you because you can't leave the bed and the nurses look after him/her.

Yeah the staff in UCHG were great too. I had my magic button to summon them whenever I needed them and they came. Kept my baby with me though and just had him in the bed with me (I didn't have general anaesthetic so this was fine)

I hope you don't mind me saying, but you seem to be very critical of midwifery care in Ireland and I'm not sure why?

I don't think there's a problem with pointing out shortcomings in the Irish system, even if they're not universal. Someone above said that this tallies with their experience. I'm of the opinion it's good to know these things might happen beforehand.

Hannibal Smith

Das Kitty wrote: »

Yeah the staff in UCHG were great too. I had my magic button to summon them whenever I needed them and they came. Kept my baby with me though and just had him in the bed with me (I didn't have general anaesthetic so this was fine)

I don't think there's a problem with pointing out shortcomings in the Irish system, even if they're not universal. Someone above said that this tallies with their experience. I'm of the opinion it's good to know these things might happen beforehand.

lol, the magic button wasn't the morphine one was it?

My comment to SanFran wasn't solely in relation to this thread, but just something I've noticed on a general basis. I was just curious as to where it stems from. But I'm sure s/he is capable of responding, if s/he feels like it.

metrovelvet

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

It's seems to be a common assumption that c Sections are the easy way out. I know I certainly did, before I had one. But oh my god, if you can give birth naturally, do it! I found the section so awful. I assumed that you would feel nothing because you'd be numb, but whilst there is no pain, you do feel what's going on and it nearly made me hurl!

For me the pain element didn't come in to it. I was up and walking around the day after, the wound is so neat and so low that it only causes a problem if underwear grazes off it. And I had no probs lifting my son. In fact the people who had episiotomies seemed to have been in far worse state than me :D

For me the problems are psychological, I often wonder if you've given birth naturally do you feel a sense of accomplishment more...like you've earned every hair on the child's head, that you didn't have to be helped out.

i guess I'll have to try again and find out

I didnt want a section. I wanted my son to come out fighting. I wanted him to have a normal birth where he screams so his lungs get clear. Instead he got the crap beaten out of him and stuck under a jaundice lamp. I wanted him to have the normal hormonal release so he could be placed on my chest immediately and start rooting. Instead he was taken from me and a bunch of strangers were the first to handle him, not his mother and he didnt have contact with his mother for hours. I wanted my body to get a signal that the baby was born, so that the appropriate hormones kicked in and my breasts would work. Instead I had a fourth trimester and a child with some symptoms of pre maturity and defunct enormous breasts.

Hannibal Smith

metrovelvet wrote: »

I didnt want a section. I wanted my son to come out fighting. I wanted him to have a normal birth where he screams so his lungs get clear. Instead he got the crap beaten out of him and stuck under a jaundice lamp. I wanted him to have the normal hormonal release so he could be placed on my chest immediately and start rooting. Instead he was taken from me and a bunch of strangers were the first to handle him, not his mother and he didnt have contact with his mother for hours. I wanted my body to get a signal that the baby was born, so that the appropriate hormones kicked in and my breasts would work. Instead I had a fourth trimester and a child with some symptoms of pre maturity and defunct enormous breasts.

I didn't want a section either and it sucks that that's their first experience of life, that the baby is whisked off and you don't get to hold him/her for hours and then you go to recovery and the baby is with who knows, instead of it's mum. My hubby knew more about him in his first few hours than I did. But it makes it all worth while when you finally do get to hold him/her.

If the OP reads your post, I hope it convinces them to go for the natural route xxx

Das Kitty

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

lol, the magic button wasn't the morphine one was it?

No the buzzer.

My comment to SanFran wasn't solely in relation to this thread, but just something I've noticed on a general basis. I was just curious as to where it stems from. But I'm sure s/he is capable of responding, if s/he feels like it.

Well if it's not in relation to this topic maybe PM would be the way to go, it would be dragging the thread off topic otherwise.

SanFran07

Mezcita wrote: »

Got any proof of that?

Somehow I don't think maternity hospitals in the country would condone the practice of Mum's wandering around helping themselves to other people's babies.

AIMS Ireland have done quite a bit of work in relation to improving Irish maternity care - you might find this article interesting on the 'rooming in' policy and how some Mums were left to cope alone with very little staff support. There's a severe shortage of Midwifery staff in nearly all Maternity units.

http://www.aimsireland.com/files/AIMSI_Rooming_In_Survey_October_08.pdf

For anyone interested in the findings of the HSE funded KPMG report on the 3 Dublin hospitals and how understaffed they are.

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Publications/services/Hospitals/Independent_Review_of_Maternity_and_Gynaecology_Services_in_the_greater_Dublin_area_.pdf

Hannibal Smith

Das Kitty wrote: »

No the buzzer.



Well if it's not in relation to this topic maybe PM would be the way to go, it would be dragging the thread off topic otherwise.

I never said it wasn't in relation to this topic, is said it wasn't SOLELY in relation to this topic. Either way, it was a question directed at San Fran. I don't see why you saw fit to answer for another poster, but if San Fran feels she wants to address my question that's up to her, it was a simple observation on her posts, no need to make an issue out of it or drag the thread off course with it.

Das Kitty

Hannibal I was giving instruction as a mod of this forum. I will ask again, please do not drag this thread off topic by challenging another user in relation to their general posting style

Hannibal Smith

Das Kitty wrote: »

Hannibal I was giving instruction as a mod of this forum. I will ask again, please do not drag this thread off topic by challenging another user in relation to their general posting style

I didn't drag this thread off topic, I asked another poster a question, which you answered and I replied to your reply to me.

You maybe a moderator of this forum, but that does not give you authority to reply to answer for another poster. Nor does it give you authority to accuse a poster of 'challenging' behaviour simply because they posed a question to another poster.

I have said to you time and time again, if San Fran wants to answer my question or not it's up to them. I do not see why you are taking issue with this. I am not breaching any rule, or disrupting the forum in any way, I asked another poster a question.

I'm going to report this to other moderators for their feedback, because it seems you are using your position as mod totally incorrectly here.

Das Kitty

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

I am not breaching any rule, or disrupting the forum in any way,

Yes you are:

The Charter wrote:

Arguing with a moderator
- Do not argue with a moderator in a thread after they have given a warning or a ban etc. If you have an issue with a moderator's action then PM the mod in question. They will discuss it with you. You can then, if unsatisfied with the PM route, take things to the Dispute Resolution Forum.

I'm going to report this to other moderators for their feedback, because it seems you are using your position as mod totally incorrectly here.

Feel Free during your week off.

bulmersgal

I had the experience of getting my baby whisked off and not getting to see her for the first half hour of her life and its pure torture. Even to this day 11 months on, i still dont feel like we've bonded enough.

I had a natural birth with a failed epidural baby was whisked off because my waters had baby poop (not sure correct name) in it and she was distressed. Labour is tough but i'd do it any day off the week compared to a section. The thought of somebody taking your baby off you while you get stitched up makes me feel very sad.

Also because my epi failed i was able to get up within the hour and have a shower.

lonestargirl

bulmersgal wrote: »

The thought of somebody taking your baby off you while you get stitched up makes me feel very sad.

My husband was holding our baby while I was being stitched up, he was sitting on a stool beside my head so I was right beside the baby and could touch and kiss him.

The baby came with me to recovery where we had about 2 hours of skin-to-skin time. I also had the lactation consultant visit me and help get baby to latch. Only when I was being moved to the ward did the baby go to the nursery, for about an hour where they washed and dressed him and did their checks. I had my baby room in with me too.

I'm not advocating a c-section, my personal circumstances made it the best choice for me. However I feel that women who have a section shouldn't in any way feel that they have 'failed'. It is also clear that some Irish hospitals should really be examining their procedures so that women who do end up with sections have the most positive experience possible in their situation.

Grawns

There are several strong arguments for and against each choice. I could write a thesis on it. Personally I chose to have an elective section. It was fabulous. I never ever wanted to have a vaginal birth and had to research all the arguments to best present my case for Elective Section.


Here's an example of some of the very interesting stuff out there.

source = http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9175681

Survey of obstetricians' personal preference and discretionary practice.
Al-Mufti R, McCarthy A, Fisk NM.
Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London, UK.

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine obstetricians personal choices in relation to Down syndrome screening and mode of delivery for themselves or their partners.

STUDY DESIGN: Structured anonymous postal survey. All 282 obstetric consultants, senior registrars and registrars in NHS obstetric units within London's M25 region were surveyed.

RESULTS: The response rate was 73% (206). Fifty one per cent (105) chose to have elective amniocentesis/CVS without a previous screening test when maternal age was > or = 35 years and 11% (23) when < 35 years. Of the remainder, the majority wanted both maternal serum screening and nuchal translucency rather than a single screening test. In relation to mode of delivery, 17% (33) of obstetricians chose elective caesarean section (CS) in the absence of any clinical indication. Of those who chose CS, 88% did so out of fear of perineal damage. However when faced with a mid-cavity instrumental delivery in the second stage, only 5% (8) wanted CS, the remainder choosing operative vaginal delivery. With an uncomplicated breech presentation, only 27% (55) opted for external cephalic version while 57% (114) chose elective CS.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates interventionist attitudes among a sizeable percentage of obstetricians in relation to antenatal screening and their own preferred mode of delivery. It suggests that obstetricians regard management options not normally available to pregnant women as valid choices for themselves or their partners.

metrovelvet

lonestargirl wrote: »

My husband was holding our baby while I was being stitched up, he was sitting on a stool beside my head so I was right beside the baby and could touch and kiss him.

The baby came with me to recovery where we had about 2 hours of skin-to-skin time. I also had the lactation consultant visit me and help get baby to latch. Only when I was being moved to the ward did the baby go to the nursery, for about an hour where they washed and dressed him and did their checks. I had my baby room in with me too.

I'm not advocating a c-section, my personal circumstances made it the best choice for me. However I feel that women who have a section shouldn't in any way feel that they have 'failed'. It is also clear that some Irish hospitals should really be examining their procedures so that women who do end up with sections have the most positive experience possible in their situation.

Ok, you had an optimal experience of a c section.

I have absolutely no idea who was holding my baby or where he was when I was being stitched up as I was still unconcious.

Had no skin to skin time.

Was tied to a catheter for two days and too stoned on morphine to process anything.

Nurses did not mind the baby at night or during the day when I could not get up to get the baby and I had the baby with me in the room for the five days I was in the hospital.

I would all in all say it was horrendous and I cant bear the thought of walking anywhere near that hospital again.

Nice clean scar though. Obviously a good surgeon, whoever it was that sliced through those eight layers of muscles and fat.

And I had my baby in the US.

Cat Melodeon

Have to say that while in general I have nothing bad to say about my antenatal & delivery care, my experience on the postnatal ward was somewhat different. There was no lactation consultant to be seen. I was the only one in my ward of 4 breastfeeding but apart from the lovely midwife who brought me to the ward and set me up immediately after the birth, no one else offered support or advice until I met my PHN at home 3 days later.

There was no help on the ward for the mum who'd had a c-section. Myself and another mum helped her lift the baby in and out of the crib night and day. There was rarely a response when the bell was rung (I wasn't even told there was a bell, only figured it out on day 2). The hospital advocates rooming-in as an evidence-based practice but does not have the staff resources necessary to implement such a policy, leaving mums and infants effectively to fend for themselves.

These are not criticisms of the midwives or the nursing staff. The ones I did come in contact with were competent, kind, professional and severely overworked (bar one formula-happy idiot). It was evident that there simply weren't enough bodies to cover the patients' needs. Perhaps some people have had better experiences than me, maybe the hospital you attended was better-managed or you went private or you gave birth at a time when there wasn't as much strain on the services. But what I have described is a regular, common experience in maternity hospitals in Ireland. There are numerous reports out there documenting this, from the AIMS and Cuidiu reports to assessments carried out by the Irish Nurses Organisation, and they all describe the same basic failing: chronic understaffing to the extent that patient safety can at times be compromised.

I'll still say that my experience of the public system here in Ireland was amazing, but that was simply down to how good the nursing staff was and is not a reflection of the massive problems that exist in the system as a whole.

lolli

I had a natural birth and it was the most traumatic experience ever. I still find it hard to talk about.

I had a 3rd degree tear, no epi (even though I had it booked 6 months in advance) and an 18 hour labour.

I had requested a c section originally but was told no. I'm mad about that sometimes because if i had a c section then my daughter wouldnt have gotten strep B meningitis which is caught in the birth canal.

I know her hip prob would still be there.

I think its so different for everyone. Some people sail through natural births others prefer c sections. I will never have a natural birth again.

SanFran07

Lolli did you ever have an opportunity to talk about your care with a midwife or doctor? Sometimes it can be helpful to debrief about why your experience was so traumatic and if anything could have been differently. Unfortunately having a caesarean doesn't always protect against Group b strep..sadly some babies still get infected. Hope you'll have a better experience next time if you decided to have another.

Jinxi

I can't believe this is even a question.

Should I choose the process that the bady is designed to do, that is painful, but almost all outcomes for baby and mother are better, complication risks are lower, and recovery time and convience is better.

Or should I choose major surgery, where the natural vacuum of the abdomen is broken, layers of mucles are sliced, with most women having abdominal wall issues for the rest of their life, and can interfere with the first precious few days and hours of parenting with your new child.

Insane

natsuko

I've had both natural with epidural and a c-section.

First went pretty easy, waters broke, contractions started, 15 hours labour, epidural 6 hours in, top up bout an hour before delivery, didnt kick in so felt pretty much everything, kiwi delivery, 8lb 13oz, got treated late for strep b infection(but thats another story) Hardly any pain afterwards, was up and about in a few hours.

Had section 14 weeks ago now. Due date antenatal appointment, I happened to mention something to the nurse who then decided to send me for a growth scan, baby estimated at 11lb 11oz!!! :O So was advised by doctor that I should have the section, was my choice in the end but after hearing the possible injuries for the baby I decided I didnt want to risk little dislocated shoulders or hips. If he got stuck then I'd have had to have an emergency section anyway.
So got booked in the next day, didnt have enough time to have it sink in so was very anxious. The whole process, seemed very easy and quick. Numbed from waist down, catheter inserted, screen up, partner in, feeling a lot of dragging at my stomach, and out pops baby! Bout 10mins from first incision. Baby was shown to us, weighed at 9lbs11oz and put in an incubator with oxygen(section babies have a harder time with their first breaths) beside us. Another 40mins getting stitched up and almost throwing up, and passing out cos my blood pressure plumeted. Taken to recovery, son put in beside me, skin to skin, tried breastfeeding, was in a beautiful painfree place for a couple of hours after.
But then the anaesthetic started to wear off, and I was in agony. I would only ever choose to be in that much pain again if it was absolutely nessacery. I am still having some pain, doctor said from possible adhesions that might never go away. Felt really draining for weeks, trying to make sure you dont lift anything heavier than your baby, not straining, pain, tiredness, and trying to look after a newborn and a toddler its very hard to not do some of the things youre not meant to!

In regards to patient and baby care while in hospital, I also found that there werent enough staff on at night, though the ones who were on were brilliant but busy. I felt slightly awkward ringing the buzzer for little things you cant do, like if you dropped something under the bed or something like that, but most of the nurses are happy to oblige. (Limerick Maternity)

In short, I wouldnt change my mind about having the ceaserean because it was in the interest of my baby(and me) but I wouldnt have an elected one just because its easier, because I definately experienced the opposite. Unfortunately if I have another baby I will probably have to have another section, I wouldnt be confident in my body to go through a VBAC.

lolli

SanFran07 wrote: »

Lolli did you ever have an opportunity to talk about your care with a midwife or doctor? Sometimes it can be helpful to debrief about why your experience was so traumatic and if anything could have been differently. Unfortunately having a caesarean doesn't always protect against Group b strep..sadly some babies still get infected. Hope you'll have a better experience next time if you decided to have another.

I tried, they refused to talk with me about it. They just said ah well you got through it.

To be honest I really doubt I'll have another!

ktod

I had an emergency section the first time, which was a real shock because I wasn't expecting to have one.

Had an elective section the second time, loved it.

Was up and about in no time. No lasting problems from either section. Baby was placed beside me both times, and had lots of help from everyone.

Your doctor will advise on whether a section is necessary, but - and this is so important - it is up to the woman having the baby to decide how she wants to give birth. You can read the experiences and opinions of other people, and get their advice all you want, but please don't let it colour the final choice that is made.

axel rose

Jinxi wrote: »

I can't believe this is even a question.

Should I choose the process that the bady is designed to do, that is painful, but almost all outcomes for baby and mother are better, complication risks are lower, and recovery time and convience is better.

Or should I choose major surgery, where the natural vacuum of the abdomen is broken, layers of mucles are sliced, with most women having abdominal wall issues for the rest of their life, and can interfere with the first precious few days and hours of parenting with your new child.

Insane

Jinxi, you come across quite judgmental there you know.

Like Grawns I also decided on a c-section as soon as I realised I was pregnant. My consultant had no concerns that either my son or I were at any additional risk by choosing this method of childbirth. I would consider my consultant to be the best person to advise me if he had concerns. Most research on c sections are comparing healthy pregnancies with v birth to complicated pregnancies and labours that result in both elective and emergency c sections. So it is not exactly comparing like with like.

My son is as healthy as any child could be and I felt confident that my consultant listened to my concerns and didn't treat me as just another case. As I wasn't stressed about going into labour I could enjoy my pregnancy and my new baby.

Chosen c sections are not the easy way out, there is little dignity, some discomfort but great pain management options. Was up and about (slow but moving) the next day. I was driving within a week of leaving the hospital- all I needed was a Drs note for my insurance company.

If I was going to have another child I'd do it all again. (BTW love answering the 'why did you have a cs' question with 'cos I wanted it' )

Bicycle

I've had three very different experiences:

First child: induction and epidural. Difficult but fine. Got an infection afterwards. Couldn't sit for a week. Not nice.

Second child: caesarian under GA. Was due to have caesarian under epi but started to panic and decided to go under. Reason for caesarian was baby's weight (they thought she'd be 9.5lbs - I'm not very big - but she ended up 10lbs 8oz). I was tired for a while afterwards and was sore but I actually felt better mentally afterwards. I could talk about my stitches without everyone leaving the room!! This was probably my best birthing experience. No issues bonding with the child, but she's very similar to me in personality and looks. This may be part of the reason.

Third child: natural, gas. Horrific. Horrific. But then I was that bit older and my body was more battered.

I bonded well with all three, breastfed the first for 3 months, the second for 8 months and the third for 12 months.

At the end of the day, the baby will decide what way they are going to arrive. The birthplans I had for all three were totally irrelevant when I went into labour. Life decided its own dynamic.

CathyMoran

Son was born by c-section for medical reasons but they had problems putting in the spinal block (almost fainted with the pain). For me had it been possible I would have preferred a natural birth - having said that, it was the best thing for my son so I do not regret it. Daughter was concieved just over 5 months after son was born and have been advised that she will be a c-section as well. The surgery itself was fine and it was wonderful to see my son's first breaths (he cried straight away). I did not like not being able to spend much time with him at the begining (he was very small so was in ICU in an incubator for a while) but his daddy was there.

ktod

Jinxi wrote: »

I can't believe this is even a question.

Should I choose the process that the bady is designed to do, that is painful, but almost all outcomes for baby and mother are better, complication risks are lower, and recovery time and convience is better.

Or should I choose major surgery, where the natural vacuum of the abdomen is broken, layers of mucles are sliced, with most women having abdominal wall issues for the rest of their life, and can interfere with the first precious few days and hours of parenting with your new child.

Insane

have you had a section yourself?

Jinxi

axel rose wrote: »

Jinxi, you come across quite judgmental there you know.

Like Grawns I also decided on a c-section as soon as I realised I was pregnant. My consultant had no concerns that either my son or I were at any additional risk by choosing this method of childbirth. I would consider my consultant to be the best person to advise me if he had concerns. Most research on c sections are comparing healthy pregnancies with v birth to complicated pregnancies and labours that result in both elective and emergency c sections. So it is not exactly comparing like with like.

My son is as healthy as any child could be and I felt confident that my consultant listened to my concerns and didn't treat me as just another case. As I wasn't stressed about going into labour I could enjoy my pregnancy and my new baby.

Chosen c sections are not the easy way out, there is little dignity, some discomfort but great pain management options. Was up and about (slow but moving) the next day. I was driving within a week of leaving the hospital- all I needed was a Drs note for my insurance company.

If I was going to have another child I'd do it all again. (BTW love answering the 'why did you have a cs' question with 'cos I wanted it' )

Sorry if you feel judged but I stand by what I said.

I hope against hope that when I have my first child in Sept that I don't need a c-section. I think that sometimes they are absolutely nessecary, and I completely understand the medical need for them.

I also totally judge women who chose electives over vaginal , unless there is a clinical phobia of childbirth. I make no apology for it. Its just my opinion. Its not getting a tooth out. It is cutting through 7 layers of tissue, creating scar tissue and making your bady go through trauma and a hell of alot of healing..."cus you wana".:rolleyes:

Das Kitty

Civil Posting is expected on the parenting forum at all times. Jinxi Infracted

axel rose

Best of luck with your pregnancy Jinxy. I would advise you not to get too hung up on the thought that having a c-section is somehow a 'failure'. (kind of putting words in your mouth but I hope you get what I mean).

Definitely have a birth plan to discuss with your midwife, but anything can happen and god forbid you MAY need a section. You don't want to be cluttering up your head with silly ideas of failure when you are holding a healthy baby.

You may notice that the nursing staff don't give out medals for 'Best Vaginal Birth' or 'Most amazing C Section).

Crazy because if I had to go through a v birth I would be cluttering my head with thoughts of failure for me. Tried to get my head around the idea but my head kept saying NO!!!( We are all different and I thank god for that!)

I hope you get the experience you are planning- just like I got the experience I did.

wmpdd3

I really did feel sorry for the lady accross from me when she did drop things and couldn't pick them up. She was too nice to keep ringing the nurse. I picked them up a few times but she just got embarrassed when I started getting out of bed to get them again.

I think if a lady has a section they should be allowed to have their partners with them for longer during the night especially for the 1st few nights.

The days of the nurses taking you baby for the night seem long gone and maybe you wouldn't like not to have your baby beside you.

PS what's a kiwi delivery?