I am scared of a "C" section!!?

Question

I am little framed and sometimes i heard if that, or the baby turns around or if i cant push and the baby is endangered i might have to have a C-section. I am soooooooooo scared of having my stomach sliced and wrinkley! I know there is a bigger picture here but i am litte 4'11 and about 115lbs this is my biggest fear! Alos it will take away from the natural vaginal birth effect (although i want an epi) and i want it recorded for my child!

Is there anyways to prevent this c-section thing ahead of time??

Answer 1

A lot of times a person of your stature has to have a c-section. My sister is only 4'10" and she had both her children by c-section. The recovery time is obviously longer since its major abdominal surgery. Just prepare yourself by asking your doctor or midwife a lot of questions. Educate yourself and you should be fine. Sometimes your baby could be at risk and it may be the best thing, which is what happened in my case. It may sound like the end of the world, but its actually done quite frequently these days. After, whether you have a c-section or not, just do some abdominal exercises and try to get those muscles back into shape. Honestly you should be fine. Good luck!! (By the way, I had my first child by emergency c-section, and am almost 8 months pregnant with twins and have to have another c-section!!)

Answer 2

Well ask yourself this question do you have a closed pelvic girdle as that is a definite route to C-section, a closed pelvic girdle means that your hips arent roundly shaped or curvy like most women, your hip bones should stick out as that supports natural childbirth. Secondly in all the ultra-sounds taken whats the position of your placenta? If its low lying till the 8th month then you are at risk of a C-section again as the placenta obstructs the path of the birth canal and it also does not allow the baby to engage in to the birth position at the time of birth. Usually mothers-to-be with a low-lying placenta in the early months need not worry as the placenta grows all around by the end of the 7th month. If that doesn't happen well you are stuck with the "C" option. To further take pre-cautionary steps you need to discuss this with your gynae and tell them if you can have an ECV a procedure that doesnt hurt the mother and the foetus is directed in the downward position this usually solves the problem and you dont have to worry. Also use search the net for some yoga steps to help assist the baby into the birth position which helps the baby practice going in the head down position preparing it for child-birth. If all fails then you dont have a choice.

C-sections can be a bit scarry as it isn't natural. Your height has nothing to do with obstructing the baby to go in the head down position for birth. During labour, C-section or normal delivery don't feel much different but C-sections do have after effects especially on your body, then mind and heart. As the body prepares for child-birth all of the body parts that play a role in the child birth evolve, your hips, thighs, pelvic bones, cervix and uterus if it fails to go through its natural process, it is like faking an orgasm leaving you confused and emotionally drained.

Try and stick to lots of fruits, yoghurt and milk in your diet. Best of luck!!!

Answer 3

You can express to your doctor your desire to have a vaginal delivery if at all possible. A nurse-midwife can sometimes use manual manipulation to turn a baby that's breech. But you need to do what's best for the baby. If that baby is in distress and that's evident on fetal monitoring, or if your labor isn't progressing or there are complications, you need to just do what's right and have the section. The 'wrinkly' tummy goes away quickly, and you shouldn't let vanity make the decision for you. You can still have your c-section photographed. I have had three c-sections. The thin, pink scar is below the bikini line and is hard to notice. Plus, I didn't have to have an episiotomy and didn't punish my pelvic floor pushing a baby through.

Best of luck to you.

Answer 4

I have had two c sections. The first was not planned. I was so scared. I had a great doctor who reasurred me that everything was going to be ok, and it was. The recovery took awhile..but after a few weeks I felt like myself again. I have a scar that is very low about four inches long..it has faded with time.. and its not wrinkley..My second csection was planned, and recovery was way easier then the first, and they uses the same spot for both scares.. Good luck, and remember that a healthy baby regardless of how it gets here is all that matters.

Answer 5

the best thing you can so to avoid c section is be in good shape.. not overweight for pregnancy standards. there are certain reasons the doctors would do a c- section anyway, like if your baby is in distress and in danger of dying, or perhaps the vaginal canal is too small, are just a couple.
look at it this way, you will be fine if it has to happen and will just have to wait a little longer to exercise and get back in shape. also it does not take away from the birth experience as you are generally awake and only the pain is blocked out by a local anesthetic.
Vaginal birth after a c section (VBAC) IS also possible on a future child. i had a CS on my first child then a VBAC birth on my second.

Answer 6

Just because you are small is NO reason you will need surgery to give birth! How ridiculous.

I am 5' even and petite, and I have never needed surgery to give birth!

My advice is to do your research now, learn all you can about ways to decrease your risk of needing a c-section. That way if one is truly needed you will not be as upset.

http://www.ican-online.org is a good website to start with.

C-sections are not safer for mother or baby unless there is a complication. You are right to want to avoid an unecessary one! You should be aware that having an epidural may increase your risk for a c-section, since being upright and walking allows gravity to help with the birth process, but being confined to bed numbed from the waist down makes this impossible.

Consider an alternative method of pain relief such as waterbirth (http://www.waterbirth.org) or hypnobirthing (hypnosis to reduce perception of labor pain) to try first.
http://hypnobabies.com/
http://hypnobirth.com/

Get a doula! Studies have shown that women who have a female support person present during labor and birth have fewer complications and a greater feeling of satisfaction with their births than women who do not.
http://www.dona.org/mothers/index.php

Women have been giving birth for thousands of years. Yes, even petite women. Ask about your doctor's c-section rate. If he has a surgery rate of over 10-15% consider switching to a midwife or a doctor who is more supportive of natural birth.

Best wishes to you for an easy labor and a healthy baby!

Answer 7

I had two c sections and my belly is lovely--still one of my best features. They don't slice you down the middle any longer, they do what's called a "bikini cut"--ie right above your pubic bone. The first one I had was sort of botched because the epidural was pulled out of my back--meaning they did the surgery without anesthesia. The second was much better, they were very careful. I do sort of regret not having the vaginal birth experience, BUT my boys are healthy and beautiful and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Now, I should tell you that C section babies are typically more attractive than vaginally birthed babies because they go through very little trauma. Both of my boys had lovely smooth skin with no bumps, wrinkles, or bruises. I felt the same way you did before having mine. Trust me, it won't matter in the end as long as you get healthy babies. Good luck to you!!

Answer 8

This one is a piece of cake! I was also nervous when i found out at the last minute of my labor that i was about to have an emergency c-section. By the time they drug you all up, the whole thing is over and before you know it your holding a beaultiful little person that you never knew you could love so much! Good luck to yuo and your family!

Answer 9

I have had a c section and a Vaginal birth and HONESTLY the csection was nicer,.... if you have to have one get yourself out of bed and walking as soon as possible (even thou it will hurt) because you will heal faster and be able to do more with your baby quicker. I am due to have baby no 3 in 14 days and i am booked in for another csection- not because i have to but because i want one..... I had a epi with my first baby and a 4 day labour which was hell... i still get alot of pain from my back when the epi was administered, i had a spinal block when i had my csection and i have had no trouble at all with pain from this site.

Answer 10

I had both of my children by c-section. the 1st was an emergency situation and i was put completley to sleep, 2nd i had severe toximia and she was taken a month early.. I do have a scar, "bikini cut" that no one except my husband will ever see, and for a while i did feel like i missed out on the birthing process, but if it comes to the well being of ur child and a little scar and flab on ur body....well the choice is not that hard...and i am thankful for my wonderful children who are 12 and 4 years old now.