I want to schedule a c-section....no major medical reason just because I don't want to deliver vaginally...

Question

I haven;t discussed this with my ob/gyn but i plan on doing so on my next visit. But does this sound weird to anyone? I really don;t want my vagina going through that trauma. This would be my first kid, and I dont plan on having any more for the next 5 or 10 years. What are the pros and cons of c-section? Any women feel the same way as me?

Answer 1

IT IS A MAJOR ABDOMINAL OPERATION
The fact that many women are chosing c/s is one of
1.Fear
2. Ignorance
3. Convenience
4. Mis lead by obstetricians and the media


IT WILL TAKE YOU WEEKS TO RECOVER FROM C?S
Its painful, dont let anyone tell you otherwise, you need drugs for weeks which pass through the breast milk to your baby.
You cant care for your baby properly becasue you are bed bound

IT TAKES DAYS TO RECOVER FROM A VAGINAL BIRTH
I hear it every day "i want my vagina to be tight not all floppy"
well if you do your excercises yes it will be, before and after birth
a well controlled birth will minimize tearing and trauma and you will be up and about within the hour and able to care for your baby straight away

If you are planning more children........

ALL YOUR DELIVERIES FROM THEN ON RISK RUPTURE NO MATTER HOW LONG YOU WAIT

Here in australia if you have one c/s then you are encouraged to deliver again in a tertiary referal centre(HIGH RISK) because of the risk of uterine rupture this kills babies within minutes and women not far after that!

VAGINAL BIRTH SHOULD ALWAYS BE THE FIRST CHOICE
unless there is clear reason that the baby can not be born vaginally it is unwise to choose c/s, IT IS THE SAFEST PATH
Sadly Obstetricians are now unfortunately bound by a new policy that says if a woman askes for a C section they cannot refuse
GET OVER YOUR FEAR discover the safe option......... think about it...........

make an informed decision not a convenient one.

Answer 2

I had 2 c-sections and 2-vaginal deliveries. It took longer to recover from the c-section. I had A LOT more bleeding and I couldn't hold see my babies for a looong time after. With a vaginal birth I was able to hold my babies immediately. But, to be honest...the worst thing about the c-section was having a catheter!!! I still cringe when I think about it! They stick a large tube in your urethra! (urinary opening) Only urine should fit through a urethra...not a giant straw it hurts!!! And then they have to take it back out. And it hurts to have a bowel movement after a c-section and you get terrible gas!!! Also, they have to stick a needle in your spine and they strap your arms down on the operating table and you're awake for the whole thing. I handled it all well, because I had to have a c-section. Do you want to go through that if you don't have to? Ultimately it is your choice, make sure you research both options first. Check your insurance too. C-sections are a lot more expensive and c-section babies are at risk for some complications. Good luck and God Bless you and your baby.

Answer 3

I had an elective c section and was so much more happy...I didnt have to go through a lot of that vaginal pain that most mom's go through. Dont get me wrong there was a lot of pain that went with the c section...but for me it was the best choice. The cons to having a c section are the risks...I dont know really what they are but I know there are some...the pros are that you already know what you are in for and you wont have to push for like 4 hours just for the doc to rush you in for an emergency c section. If having one is what you really want then I say go for it. Just a word of advice though, make sure you have someone to help you for about the first week when you get home because it is very hard to get around...and you arent supposed to drive either.

Answer 4

There are some OB's who will do that.

Speaking from the standpoint of someone who has had a cesarean,(mind you I didn't want it) - I would reconsider a vaginal birth. It can be incredibly empowering to go through labor and birth and it is well proven that unmedicated birth brings forth a healthier and more alert baby and makes bonding, breastfeeding, and the early weeks much more easy and peaceful. The vagina changes throughout pregnancy and in the majority of births, returns to it's original state after a period of healing time, after vaginal birth.

*However* a cesarean is a much different story. Your abdominal muscles are severed in the surgery- this can make for a slow and painful recovery. I found for up to a week after my daughter's birth I was unable to laugh, cough or sneeze because it hurt my abdominal muscles so badly (even on tylenol 3's with codeine and pain relieving suppositories). That scar on your abdomen is there forever. It will never go away, and though it might fade, it will always be there to remind you.

Cesarean section does not come without it's risks. More babies are born prematurely by scheduled cesarean because of miscalculated due dates than spontaneous vaginal birth. Also, the act of labor and vaginal birth prepares the baby's lungs for the outside world. Babies are more often born with lung problems when born via cesarean. They are also often more dopey, less alert, less eager to try breastfeeding. Most women who have a cesarean have difficulties in breastfeeding because they and their babies are both medicated which makes the process far more difficult - namely because the first hour or two after birth is the absolutely most important time to establish breastfeeding - and this time after a cesarean is usually spent in recovery.

I suppose there are some advantages to having a cesarean but having spoken with women who have had a cesarean and a vaginal birth, most women say they far preferred giving birth vaginally, found that in the long scheme of things - it was easier, they bonded easier with their babies, recovered faster, and felt more satisfied with their birth experiences.

I hope some of that helped in your process.

Answer 5

I had an c- section 3 months ago with my baby boy, it was unplanned, I wanted to deliver vaginally, but I would not dilate enough, the baby's heart beat started to go down with every contraction, I would suggest you to have a vaginal delivery, that is the way it is meant to be unless there is any medical reason for a c-section, a c-section is consider a MAJOR SURGERY, and even though it has become more popular is a risky thing to do, I would have given anything to have my child vaginally, plus your recuperation along with everything else is faster and better when you deliver vaginally. also insurance may not cover if is a desire c-section not a needed one, that's a very expensive procedure.

Answer 6

I have had 2 c-sections for medical reasons. I don't mind having to have them. The first time though, I was both devestated and relieved! I am very modest and even though the pain of going through childbirth made me less so... I think the surgery fitted me better! Though every hospital is different, I had a recovery time of one hour each time. They took me to a room off of the surgery room and I had to stay in there for an hour before going back to my room and holding baby. But we had plenty of time to bond! The pain with the first c-section I had was so bad that I cried everytime I had to get up for the first couple of days. They say the more you get up and move around the quicker you recover... Second one I had, I was up and moving around within a couple of hours! The scar is a 'bikini line scar'. Mine is very low under my belly. Not even as long as an ink pen.I have just one scar. And it has faded alot. I have a little pain around the edges every once in awhile... That is common. The only thing I think about is not getting to go into labor on my own. I was induced the first time and scheduled the second time... No contractions for me... crazy but I wish I could have contractions! lol Also, I have only taken pain med for maybe a week after the surgeries...not 'weeks'!

Answer 7

First I do not think that any doctor will allow you to have a c-section unless there is a medical reason for doing same, such your baby is breech (never put his/her head down) or some other medical reason, especially if it is your first child, they must do vaginally. Now, as of last year, the law states that a woman has a right to choose if she wants to deliver vaginally or by c-section her "second" child if her first child was delivered by Cesarean. Therefore, this being for first child, unfortunately, I am about 99% sure that you doctor will deny your request...

Answer 8

If I had to do it over again, I might choose an elective C-section. (I had two vaginally). I've been told that I'm about 1/4th less tight down there than before. The only thing I would worry about is the scar. I don't heal very well with scars so I would most likely have a huge scar afterwards.

Revised:
(You will have a catheter with a vaginal birth too, but with all the things going on down below I didn't feel them insert it because my body automatically numbed my "nether-regions". Everyone is different.)

(Also, everyone is different on the "tightness" issue too. Another poster said that "if you do your exercises after a vaginal birth, you should retain your tightness...." That is not true with everyone. I have maintained my physical appearance and did my keigels and I still have been told by my husband that I lost my "tightness" by 1/4th.)

Answer 9

my son was c-section due to medical reasons. and now i kinda think thank goodness!!
i did plan on having a natural birth but am kinda glad i didn't!
the cons are that any other births it is advised that they must be c-section too. (no matter how many years apart) and usuall only allowed to have 2 or 3 births. the only real pro about the c-section is not having that natural pain of giving birth. other cons are higher risk of depression due to not being about the bond properly with the baby. can't drive for 6-8 weeks. no heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks (this includes washing basket) very very sore for 4 or more weeks. and every time you stand up for the first 1 or 2 weeks it feels like your stomach is about to fall out. but don't let this make up your mind talk to your doctor! my next one will have to be c-section, i don't really have a choice. so for you to have that choice just count yourself lucky!

Answer 10

lots of men think that is gross too. i had a c-section but it was an emergency one. on the next kid I am SO DEFINITELY getting one right off the bat. none of this painful contraction BS, and waiting around seeing if maybe in the next 12 hours some time i MIGHT deliver. in and out in 30 minutes. you stay a little longer in recovery- but that is fine- because you are drugged up anyways. the only con i see is that it hurts like a mofo to get out of bed to pee, since you cant use your abdominal muscles much at first. but much better than getting ripped open. natural or not- i would opt for the c-section.