natural or ceasarean?

Question

what is a better option and the pros and cons?

Answer 1

Well both my babies came early so I had to have a c-section. I have heard horror stories about them but I didn't have a problem with healing at all. I was up and around just as fast if not faster than some women who have natural child birth. The pros to c-section is you don't have to feel the labor and you don't rip. The con's to c-section is the scar which never bothered me or kept me from wearing a bikini. My daughter just had her first baby naturally and said she won't have another because nothing could have prepared her for that kind of pain. I'm glad I didn't have to feel that. I had absolutely no tummy within 6 weeks after having my babies. I actually went from a size 6 before pregnancy to a size 4 within 8 weeks after the birth. The choice is yours hun and nobody elses. Some people can't tolerate pain, I can. The outcome of either way is the most beautiful thing you will ever lay eyes on.

Answer 2

Well, I had a cesarean because of the way that my son was positioned. He was almost 2 weeks over, and the amniotic fluid was getting very low.

So I guess one of the pro's would have to be that it's a much safer way to give birth if your baby isn't in a good position or you are having other complications. Also, you can know in advance the birthdate, not have all the pain of labor, and your baby looks alot better (having not been squeezed through the birth canal!).

The cons are that the baby is *not* squeezed, so they can have fluid left in their lungs and have trouble breathing, the recovery time is longer, and sometimes you have to wait longer to see your baby. I had to wait for about 45 minutes before I could hold him, and even then I only could for a minute because I was shaking and itchy due to a reaction to some medications.

As for a natural birth, I am assuming that you mean vaginal, and not totally natural, like with no pain medication. I was planning on a vaginal birth up until the day before my son was born by cesearean, and the pros are a faster recovery, the fluid is squezed out of the baby's lungs so they can usually breath better, you have the satisfaction of actually giving birth, and you can hold your baby right away.

The biggest con is of course the pain of labor, but other cons are possible tears, the possibilities of the baby getting stuck in the birth canal, cord around the neck, or an emergency cesearean, and that it (of course) wears you out totally.

Most of the cons that I could come up with for a natural birth were different possibilities that could happen, and not something that usually happens. I think that natural is the best way to go, and I plan on having natural births for all of my future children, barring complications like I had with my son.

Answer 3

Depends on the health of the mother and the baby. And don't believe it when people say natural is MUCH easier to recover from than a c-section. I went natural and ended up with a 4th degree tear (something like 200 stitches to put me back together again) and it took me just as along as a c-section person to recover. I would still go natural though only because the less scar tissue you are carrying around on your body the better. Also, natural is better for the baby (getting squeezed down the birth canal helps empty their lungs and they get the good bacteria in their mouth). Pro of c-section is obviously no labor and no pain.

Answer 4

Natural birth is better for both you and the baby. Healing from a cesarean is hell and makes it that much harder to care for your child once you get home. You and the baby will be out of the hospital sooner, also. If you have the option of choosing which birth you will do, please do not choose a cesarean!! If you are scared or worried about pain or everyone looking at your nether-regions if you have a vaginal birth - do not feel bad! It is totally normal and at an early point in my pregnancy I can remember wishing I had the option of a cesarean. But it is really not that bad and it was such an amazing experience - pain and all. Women have been doing it since the beginning of time and will continue until the end of time.
You can check out this link to look at contrasts of both forms of deliveries. Good luck!
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10271

Answer 5

That is a question your doctor should decide. Most people who aren't celebrities simply follow their physician's advice about what is best for them and the baby.

I've had both and there are risks and pros/cons to both. When you say "natural" I assume you mean vaginally. I had my first child vaginally, but with an epidural. That was exhausting and painful, but ultimately I healed quicker.

The C-section I had was an emergency so I can't remember anything of the actual experience, but the recovery was longer.

If I had to do it over again, I'd still do whatever the doctor said. It hurts either way you go :)

Answer 6

C-sections should be used ONLY when needed. Sadly, my first was breech and we were unable to turn her so I had to have a c-section. The second time, I tried very hard to go naturally but baby was stressing so we had to do another c-section. Even though I have never felt a natural birth--I am doing everything I can to make sure that the next time I get pregnant it will be a natural birth.
With my first c-section, I was alert for about an hour and able to breastfeed my baby but then became very groggy and sick for about 8 hours. I was unable to care for my daughter at all while I was like that. It SUCKED.
The second time, I was alert and stayed that way. I was able to breastfeed him within 30 mins of his birth.
Both times, I have had major issues with the scar. I can not stand to have anyone touch me around that area. It is sometimes painful, but most of the time the numbness of it just makes it too weird for me to handle touch there.
Both times, walking was very hard on me. It wasnt easy to get around with a huge gash in your stomach. The second time was way more painful than the first.
I would go with natural (with or without drugs) and avoid a c-sections AT ALL COST!! Only do it if you or the baby is at risk.

----Sarah K---
I read some where that natural redheads have to be given a larger dose of a pain med than someone of another hair color. I'm a redhead and believe me, some pain meds just dont work unless in way higher doses!

Answer 7

Well when it comes to natural, it can be divided into two categories because you can have:

1. natural- with no medications at all
2.- natural- but with medication or an epidoral

And ceasarean is not normally a choice, its only becomes a choice when the baby or the mother is in distress, when the baby is in the breach position too.

Answer 8

Natural - I had both my kids natural. It doesn't hurt as bad as they make it seem in the movies.
Pros - you get that experience and feeling of giving life.
Cons - it does hurt some espically if you rip.

Ceasarean -
Cons - you might get put out so you won't be able to hear your baby's first cry. Plus they have a shield up between your belly and face so you won't be able to see your baby right when they come out.
Pros - you don't have any pain during birth, but after I heard is much, much worse. It hurts to even laugh.

Answer 9

You already got a lot of answers that were good and told you about the pros/cons for mom and baby so I do have one comment regarding another poster said she was up "as soon, or sooner than a natural birth" and that is one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever heard.

Natural deliveries (without the epidural):
Can stand, walk, pee right after delivery
Can pick up, feed, care for baby right afterward
Feel pretty good, as soon as baby is delivered, pain is gone
Overflow of natural endorphins tend to make them happy
Most don't need any pain medication except for maybe Motrin.
Can eat a giant dinner right afterwards!
Side effects: any typical of delivery + episiotomy or tear, bleeding, hematoma, cystocele or rectocele (later on), painful intercourse, stress incontinence

Epidural deliveries:
Generally need some help transferring (depending on how numb) Sometimes have some trouble peeing may need straight cath
Usually able to walk to the bathroom with assist within four hours Although sometimes will faint or feel nauseous
Usually eating/drinking shortly afterwards
Back and muscle soreness more common
Sometimes a little more edematous (puffy)
Side effects: any typical of delivery + episiotomy or tear, bleeding, hematoma, cystocele or rectocele (later on), back pain, nerve damage from epidural, painful intercourse, stress incontinence, blood pressure instabilities

C-section deliveries:
Flat on their backs on a guerney in the recovery room for 2 hrs
Catheter in their bladder and an IV in their arm
Generally separated from the baby at least an hour or more
Side effects include: vomiting/nauseous/shaking/chilled, etc
Only eating ice chips, then clears for a minimum of 8 hrs
Most get up for the first time around 8-12 hrs post op
The catheter and IV comes around around 18 - 24 hrs post op
Always need to assist with baby care & feeding
Need stronger pain relief, move slower
Side effects: any typical of delivery + bleeding, back pain, nerve damage from epidural/spinal, uterine rupture, nicked bladder or damage to other organs, gas pain and bloating, paralytic ileus, bowel obstruction, incision gets infected, incision rips open, pulmonary embolism, blood clots, internal adhesions and scarring, blood pressure instabilities

Our hospital still uses staples and/or steri strips although some surgeons use Dermabond (glue) and On-Q pumps for the pain (a small pump with tubing inserted under the skin filled with lidocaine to provide post op pain relief).

Answer 10

Natural!!!!! You should never have a c section unless you have to. Yes, natural childbirth is very painful, but as soon as you see that beutiful baby, it all fades away. I was walking around the night I had my kids and I was able to do light housework when I got home from the hospital. With a c section, you will be down for a couple of weeks at least as compared to a couple of days!