Did you prefer vaginal birth or c-section?

Question

Hi I am scared of C-section, because I am scared of surgery. But I just read on here that your vagina can rip significantly, so what is the difference? That is a good point. What is the difference? Would it be easier for me to just have a C-section? What have been your experiences, particularly with hormones. Also did your scar heal? Is it possible for it to open? How did you get around to pick up your baby if it could open? Any other information related to your experience is extremely appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1

I had a vaginal birth and i did rip. i got stitches and all. it does hurt i couldn't sit down very easily i had to force myself to sit down otherwise i'd just stand or lay down all day. but after a few days i was back to normal as far as the pain went. c-sections take longer to recover from, however i know someone who had a c-section and was back to work after a week. so i guess it all depends on the person and how they handle pain. but i wouldn't opt to get a c-section because of the longer recovery time and there is more pain involved.

Answer 2

I had a vaginal birth. What they mean when they say you can tear during a vaginal birth isn't actually your vagina ripping it's the part of skin between your vagina and your anus. The tear even if it's bad isn't nearly as bad as a C-section scar. C-section is a major surgery that takes longer to recover from, making it harder to get around. You are not supposed to bend over or pick up your own baby even so you MUST have help at home for 2 weeks or more. You can rip open the scar if you are not very careful and are more likely to get infections.

As for my vaginal delivery I was out and about 4 days after my son was born. I was only sore and not in major pain. I felt completely normal again by 2 weeks post partum.
I would not recommend a c-section unless it's absolutely necessary and most doctors won't do one just because you want to anyhow.

As for the hormones they are the same either way. Your body has to readjust after having a baby.

Answer 3

Well, I have had 3 c-sections. I would have liked a vaginal birth, but my body had other plans. If you can go naturally, i would say go for it!! As another answer pointed out, most of the time, after a c-section, it is impossible to have a vaginal birth, and potentially deadly. The point of the incision weakens the uterus and it could rupture with contractions and poison the body. Which is called toxoplasmosis. As a c-section does avoid the labor part, healing time is anywhere from 3-6 weeks!! Also, if you are a heavier woman (like myself), the risk of infection is great!! Also, a c-section is alot quicker and less work for the mother, but after a vaginal birth, you can get up and walk around. Not with a c-section! Hospital stay is also greater! Vaginal birth is 24-36 hours, after a c-section it is 3-5 days. Also a c-section involves quite a bit of narcotic pain killers. If you are breastfeeding, the drugs may pass through your breastmilk. I hope I have answered your question.

Answer 4

I'm not sure where the myth came from that a c-section is easier, but I see it all the time on here. The ONLY plus I can see is that if its a scheduled section, you know when your baby is coming. Other than that, its no cake walk. It is major abdominal surgery. There are risks to you and baby. Unless its medically necessary, I would not recommend it. There is a lot of pain and recovery involved. The risk of infection is great. My incision had pockets of fluid develope behind it and it had to be re-opened....not fun. I NEEDED help after the surgery. While I could drive at two weeks post partum, I surely didn't feel better for quite some time. Its been over a year now and I still have some numbness, and tenderness. Educate yourself first. Best of luck.

Answer 5

maybe you should watch the discovery health channel. it shows lots of things to prepare you for anything, i mean anything. i have already had one child and i have another on the way. i had a vaginal birth and i didn't have any pain killers. i didn't find it all that bad. it was a little painful but i can tolerate pain pretty well. i did rip though, but i didn't feel it at all. they give you a pain killer when they sew you up so you really won't feel it. i plan to have my next child vaginally too and with no pain killers once again. they say most of the pain comes from a mother panicing about what will happen. just stay calm and it won't seem so bad.
now the c-section questions i can't really answer b/c i've never been through it. i do know though that they cut the skin just below the stomach right at the uterus. and they pull the baby out. and it will always leave some kind of scar.

Answer 6

Can't speak for vaginal deliveries, never had one. Have had 4 c-sections though. Recovery is much longer, and your first one takes the longest. 2 weeks after my first one, I still couldn't stand up straight and getting out of a chair was still difficult. The pain after your anesthesia wears off is pretty intense, you need very strong pain killers for several days after delivery. After my 3rd c-section,my incision got infected and had to be reopened and cleaned out for several weeks. Now I have a little divet in my scar, not that I ever wore a bikini. There are many more risks with surgery and i would never suggest scheduling one for the heck of it. Do some research and talk to your doc about it.