What are your thoughts on a c-section vs. a vaginal birth?

Question

I am ttc, but still curious about this subject. I have friends who have opted to have a scheduled c-section because they say it's less stress on the baby. But the recovery I hear is awful and a lot longer than a vaginal delivery. I just don't know how I would feel about having a c-section unless it was an emergency to get the baby out.
Just curious on what your thoughts are on one vs. the other.

Also, do perineum messages really help as far as less tearing during delivery?

I definitely would want a vaginal delivery. Only want a c-section if an emergency would come up where the baby needed to get out right away.

You guys rock! Thanks for all your answers and keep 'em coming! :)

Answer 1

I have three kids - all vaginal. Yes it hurts, but that is the way God intended babies to be born. Not against C-sections, and I thank God I never had to have one, almost did with #2.
Perineum massages help tremendously! With my daughter, baby #3, my labor nurse did a massage and stretches with me during each push. I didn't tear at all and my daughter was 9 lbs 12 oz born vaginally!

Answer 2

I had a vaginal birth with my first and honestly I think the recovery was a piece of cake. Also, I got to hold my baby right away. My sister in law just had a c-section and she wasn't even able to lie in her own bed for 3 weeks after the baby was born because it hurt her incision so much and she wasn't able to hold her baby until they got her all stitched up and she had spent some time in recovery. So I would definitely opt for vaginal but of course if for some reason I had to have a c-section, I wouldn't object. I might be disappointed but I wouldn't complain. Also, most drs will not let you choose to have a c-section just because you want one. Most will only allow c-sections if they are NEEDED simply because the body is made for vaginal delivery (in most cases) so the recovery is much easier and shorter.

I didn't have the perineum massage and I did tear but only a little and it really didn't hurt too bad. I couldn't have an epidural so tearing was really the least of my pain! :o)

Answer 3

Remember that bearing children is natural. What about this current nonsense of cesarean section selection. Even before man walked upright babies were born and the struggle is very good for their future health. C-sections are more stressful for the baby and they must be watched very carefully after their birth. Usually in incubators for some days. C-sections are normally emergencies, to save the child, and often the mother. However, we live in a very convenient society. If you intend to attend a spectacular event you may not wish to appear 8-1/2 - 9-1/2 months pregnant. Don't worry even a tiny smidgen about any tears during delivery. The doctor will sew them up before you even leave the delivery room & you won't feel them at all.....well maybe for the next couple of days but don't even think about it it's gone before you know about it.
I can't really say anything about a vaginal delivery - that's normal & to be expected. My children are delivered C-section. Not the best for me and surely not the best for the infant. The first was totally unexpected type of delivery and if the resident surgeon hadn't done a C-section (I had been in labour for 3 days and both I and the infant were dying). Neglect on my doctor's part and it was a little Irish nurse who phoned the resident herself. We both survived. The rest of my children, C-sections on a specific date were all fine.

Don't listen for even a second to other friends stories. The stories are theirs, not yours. Enjoy, infant will come when it's ready and you will be just fine. I recommend birth in hospital & not a home birth anymore. This is not the 18/19th century when they didn't have options.

Answer 4

I actually am hoping for the other way around. I don't want to end up having to have a c-section. My sister had to have c-sections with all of her 3 pregnancies. And it's not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. Much more time for recovery. You're not healed up all the way inside for a very long time.

Also, when it comes to the baby part and it being better for them. I'm not so sure about that either. See with vaginal birth, the baby's coming, but also being squeezed out. I mention this because my sister's son (now about 2 months old) has fluid in both of his ears that is causing hearing problems. This will "hopefully" clear up on it's own by the time he's six months. If not, they'll have to take further steps to get the fluid out.

The fluid would usually be forced out during regular birth (because of the pressure it naturally comes out at birth). Other than sometimes having fluid still left in the babies, I don't think there are any other problems. But just thought I'd let you know of the experience I know about. I mean he has to wait until he's 6 months to hear properly because of the c-section.

So I'd say that it's up to you. But I wouldn't recommend it.

Answer 5

I've had a vaginal birth and been around several ppl with c-section births. Vaginal births are much easier on the mom!! You have less recovery time and less percautions. And yes having the perineum incision is better because it's cut in a line and easier to sew up...where if it tears it's not even and a little more difficult to mend.

Answer 6

I had a C-Section almost 3 years ago because my daughter was breech. Honestly, it was actually a very easy recovery. We knew going into the hospital that it would be a C, so I didn't have to labor and become exhausted before having surgery. Within 2 days, I was off of all pain medications and feeling pretty good.

I am now 31 weeks pregnant with my second and I am going to have a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). Though the C-Section wasn't all that bad, I figure, why cut if we don't have to. I like the idea of being able to hold and take care of my little one IMMEDIATELY after birth, which with a C you can't because they have to finish your surgery. I also don't want to be in the hospital for 5 days again--I want to get home to the rest of my family.

As far as a C-Section being less stress on the baby, it actually is more risky for baby because all of the contractions help to get fluid out of their lungs and to get them ready to breathe on their own. With a C, they don't get all of that important "squeezing" and their APGAR scores are generally lower (that's the "test" they give babies to measure their health immediately after birth and then again at 5 minutes after birth).

Hope that helps! Good luck in TTC!

Answer 7

I had vaginal birth with my daughter and when i have my second child hope to stick to vaginal delivery, but if for medical reasons i need a c-section fine with me.

My best friend had a baby 4 weeks before me by c-section. I recovered from the birth after about 1 week and she was still sore.

Answer 8

Perineum massage really does help. It should be started six weeks before your due date. I have had four kids and only had the episiotomy the first time when I did not know about prenatal perineum massage. I wasn't even sore after I had the last one.
Vaginal birth is definitely easier for you. Use the Bradley method. The c-sec rate is less than 5% because fewer babies get fetal distress.

Answer 9

I would rather have a vaginal delivery, but I am having twins and I want to cause the least amount of stress and make it a less traumatic experience for my babies. The healing time is longer, but I also get 8 weeks off for maternity leave instead of 6. That is more time with my precious little ones.

Answer 10

Vaginal deliveries are far safer unless a medical issue requires a c-section. The recovery is much easier, too.

Most doctors will not even allow a scheduled c-section unless there is a medical reason for it. Remember, it's major surgery!