did I need to have a c-section?

Question

contractions started around 8 or 9 pm, went to the hospital about 6 am the next morming.
dialated to 3 cm before the Dr. broke my water . four hours later I reached 5 cm (3pm)
by 6 I was told that my baby's head was too big
at 8 I was told that her head was tilted
9 was told that the hospital I was at wasn't allowed to let me labor for more then 24 hours. I had an epudral, internal monitors and and been druged so I could sleep long before all this next one happened
by 9:30 she had gone into fetal distress, and I was put on oxegon.
she was delivered at 11:57 pm
(don't know where the doctor waited so long to take her)
Later I was told that my pelvic bone was too small for her to pass through.
family history: mother gave birth naturally to four children, c-section to one, due to a tybe of birthdfect, sister gave birth to two children naturally, grandmothers... three children each, natural
one, all singals, the other one single and then twins... all natural.
great grandmothers... the same... my aunt on my fathers side has never had children.
I don't know if this would make a difference or not, but during the pregnancy I had a pinched nerve which mad it painful to walk, so I did very little.

based on this info, did I need to have a c-section? and will I have to have another one when I get pregnant again? (I want to opt. for a VBAC)
Thank you!

baby wa 5 pounds 3 onces
20 inches long

oh yeah... due to the drugs... I wasn't wake antil nearly a day and a half after she was delivered.
I was't there when she was named, I wan't there to see them do the feet prints, I don't even remember her crying...
what women wants that!?!?!

Answer 1

It sounds like it was indeed necessary based on the baby's size. If your pelvic area was too small for baby to pass through then vaginal delivery attempt would have also put you in distress as well as baby and that's not a risk worth taking IMO. I'm not a doctor though so I would definitely recommend you consult with a doctor about the path you wish to take with the next baby.

I'm glad you and baby came through it safe and sound. Congratulations!

Answer 2

The doctors hold out as long as possible before performing an emergency c-section. Every person is different so don't compare yourself to your relations.

Personally I would opt for another c-section for your next pregnancy to avoid this happening again. It's more important that you and baby are safe rather than trying for a vaginal birth ... just because ...

Like you I had an emergency c-section with my first and a scheduled one with my second. The first had a small umbilical cord which wasn't seen on ultrasounds - she was delivered by c-section after 11 hrs trying to give birth naturally - she went into stress also. Although this problem was unlikely to go un noticed again - the doctor told me that my uterus walls were thin and if I had managed to give birth I would have probably done more damage and may not have been able to have another baby. So it was a blessing in disguise.
The second baby was delivered by c-section. There was no choice in the vaginal birth - actually rather than put us both at risk (doctor explained that apart from the thin walls - there's always a chance the scar can tear) I most definitely wasnted another c-section.

Your doctor will tell you the choices you have based on the info from the first birth.

Enjoy baby number one - get well quickly - we all know that a c-section takes ages to recover from (despite what newspapers have us believe -'too posh to push')

Happy New Year!

Answer 3

It does sound as though it was necessary to have a cesarean... however, if this was your first child, most doctors will not let you try for a VBAC, most will do an automatic c-section for subsequent pregnancies. If this was not your first child, then most doctors will allow you to try, provided you know all of the risks. I had 2 children vaginally before having an emergency c-section. I am now pregnant with my 4th child, and after discussing the risks, my doctor has agreed to let me try a VBAC. I would talk to your doctor for sure, because some doctors won't try VBAC no matter how many vaginal births you have had.

My labor didn't get as bad as yours and I had an emergency c-section. I had been in labor for a while, his heart beat started to drop, so they put me on oxygen and put him on an internal monitor. After having me switch positions (lying on each side, my back, sitting up and rocking on all fours), his heart rate dropped so much that five doctors rushed in and wheeled me back. Turns out my son had the cord wrapped loosely around his neck, but they didn't want to take any chances.

Majority of doctors won't do c-sections (without a prior history of them) unless there is a medical reason, and it sounds to me like you had good reason to need one. Also, if your pelvis is too small, they might not let you try for a VBAC because of that alone.

Either way it happens, best of luck to you!

Answer 4

It is MUCH easier. I have had 4 c-sections. The first two, I did labor for several hours and then had the c-sections. Recovery for these took a lot longer than the next two. They were planned c-sections and I was up and moving within hours of surgery and felt pretty normal with a week. And I was only in need of pain killers for 2 days. That sounded more like the recovery time of a vaginal delivery to me. So, yes...it is MUCH easier.

Answer 5

I would trust your doctors opinion. Especially since your baby was in fetal distress

( I know a woman who lost first and only boy because the baby was in distress, it died during the birth. They had a monitor on the baby and they knew the baby was in distress but they didn't do anything.)

Just because all your female relative gave birth naturally doesn't mean you will tool

It is possible to have a natural birth after a C-section. It's being down more and more now. Use to if you had one they would allow a mother even try natural child birth.

I know you are disappointed, but you have a live health baby and that is what really counts.

Answer 6

To me, it sounded like you needed and should have had a c-section. Especially if your pelvic bone was too small for her...no wonder the poor wee thing was in distress. But now i think you should just be happy with your new healthy baby girl and not fuss over the labour

Answer 7

You should be asking a medical professional.
I wonder why you're asking... It's a done deal. Turn off the computer and enjoy your daughter, she's growing every time you blink!