Have you ever had a C-section when you very badly wanted a vaginal birth?

Question

We are not pregnant but I would do anything to not have a c-section. It's not about the scaring or the pain or the healing. I would want to have our children the natural way without any drugs or any surgery.
Was it dissapointing when the Dr.'s told you that you had to have a C-section?

My husband and I are both in EMS. I have never had the experience with anything concerning pregnancy. My husband, however, has had 2 close calls and they got to the car right after the baby was born. If I had my way, I would rather my husband do it. But, that's not gonna happen. LOL! I know that what's gonna happen is gonna happen, but I would be so dissapointed that we didn't get to experience the vaginal birth.

Answer 1

Well I have had 2 vaginal births and 1 c-section. The vaginal births were really wonderful experiences and when the doctors told me that I would need to deliver by c-section for my third I was initially crushed. What made it particularly difficult was that this baby was my first with my new husband and he had never gone through the laboring process before. His first child was born by c-section also and he wasn't allowed in the room to see her born. I knew that I had no option other than the c-section for both mine and my little boy's safety (I had Vasa Previa and Placenta Previa so there was no way that little man of mine was going to be coming out the way God intended). I spent 3 1/2 months in hospital before our son was born getting used to the idea of a c-section and by the time he was scheduled to come out, I had adapted to the idea of having to go through a c-section birth. I was put under an epidural/spinal block and my husband was allowed to be in theater with me.

I knew I could give birth naturally, that I had no issues with the size of my pelvis (my first baby was 10lbs) so I thought that birthing this last baby wouldn't be an issue and it was a little bit of a rude shock to be told that I couldn't. I mourned for a couple of weeks but thinking about the outcome if I didn't have the c-section was enough to eliminate the disappointment I was feeling. Better a live healthy baby and momma than the potential of either one of us or both of us dying during birth.
My little boy was born safely at 37 weeks (they had to do it early as they couldn't risk me going into labor and my waters breaking with the blood vessel containing baby's blood where it was) by c-section weighing 7lbs and 5 oz - the doctors told me if he had gone full term he would have been closer to 10lbs 5 oz.
I wasn't a fan of the c-section for any other reason than it was necessary to save my bub's and my life.

Be sure to have your birth plan worked out when you do fall pregnant. They can't always be accommodated - this baby was the only baby I made a birth plan for, go figure - but if it is there then you can have a little more control over the situation. Be prepared for anything and it won't come as much of a shock if you do have to have anything done. If you do make a birth plan, can I just suggest that you keep your options open for the pain relief side of things. I had 1 shot of Pethadine at hour 3 of my 12 hour labor with my first son (the 10lb baby) and was fine to progress the rest of the way without anything else but when I went into labor with my little girl the experience was very different and I needed an epidural. I'm not saying that you HAVE to have pain relief but you have every right to refuse it while you are in labor but once it is in your birth plan NO DRUGS then you will have all sorts of trouble getting the midwives to help you get pain relief if you want it. It is just better to leave your options open as you don't know what child birth will feel like for you. Just a little advice from someone who has been there and had a friend who had a no drugs birth plan and went through hell trying to get pain relief while in labor. She thought she would regret having it but she has no regrets as it allowed her to have a more satisfying experience.

Remember that if a c-section HAS to be done that it is for both yours and your baby's safety.

Good luck getting pregnant and I hope all goes well for you.

Answer 2

Mama, just so you know- YOU are NOT a failure! You're doctor failed you miserably, but you are a wonderful mom! VABC is very possible for you! That whole uterine rupture thing? Mainly something doctors talk about to SCARE women out of taking their bodies and birth back into their own hands! There is actually TWICE the amount of risk that your baby will be cut with the scalpel during a c-section than that your uterus will rupture. Of course, all this depends on the way you were cut and sewn back up, but generally, nowadays, you will have had the bikini cut and that makes VBAC very possible. Of course, chance of uterine rupture goes up by a few percent if you are induced, but the chances of uterine rupture during a totally natural, spontaneous labor? Less than 1%, if I remember correctly. Sure it's a risk to take into consideration, but there's a lot more risk in a routine c-section than there is in a normal vaginal birth. You can totally, totally take your birth and your body back! And, if you haven't already, change doctors or better yet, get a supportive midwife! Good luck and God Bless!

Answer 3

C-sections in this country are out of control. They definitely have their purpose, and when used properly can be lifesaving. However, they are overused, and the risks are often ignored.
The best way to prevent a c/s is by education. Learn as much about natural birth as you can. Enroll yourself and your partner in a natural birthing class. Hire a doula. Keep in mind that every intervention increases your risk for a c-section (IV, epidrual, etc).
Women's bodies were made to give birth, and a healthy birth is not a medical procedure. One of the biggest reasons given for an early induction (which often leads to c/s), or a c/s outright is that "baby is too big!" However, the ways we estimate fetal weight can be off by 1-3 lbs either way - an unreliable system. I personally had a 10lb2oz baby vaginally, and was told if my doctor had anticipated that she would have just performed a c/s. However, I had no problems with his size.

Answer 4

I have never had a c-section, but I can tell you that you are setting yourself up for a huge disappointment when you do get pregnant. First off, you can not control what is going to happen to you during your pregnancy and when you give birth. So you must be prepared for the unexpected.

I can only speak from experience, and when I got pregnant with my first child, I was sure that I wanted an epidural (I hate pain), especially the closer I got to delivery. Well needless to say, I never got an epidural, and I ended up giving birth to him naturally without any pain meds. Not because I wanted to though, but because I dialated so fast that they didn't have time to give me one.

So you see, you will never know what's going to happen until it does, and my best advice is to take it in stride and make the best of whatever comes your way.

Patricia Godfrey

Answer 5

I had c-section with my first one because the baby didnt drop and was 2 wks overdue. Then 10 yrs later, I got pregnant which was a surprise, and I wanted to do the VBAC so I can be able to experience the vaginal birth. My DR was concern because of the large size of my son. He said I could have pelvic injury if I try to deliver plus with risk of uterine rupture. The baby was estimated at 9 # 11oz. and plus I had a verticle cut (from navel to pubic line), when the time came, he induced labor and 6 hrs later, the labor pain started and I only dialated 1cm. (I never had labor with my 1st one) so the dr asked me one more time if I want to go thru it and I said yes. 3 hrs later, he checked me and no changes plus the baby didnt drop either. He said Ill be in for a long ride possibly more than 24 hrs in labor. I caved in and said "Take him out!!" LOL

It turns out that my son was 9# 8 oz 21.5 inches.

So it depends on the reason of your previous c-section, you could try to do the VBAC as long as your baby and YOU will be okay to go thru it.

Here is the link with more info about the VBAC and they have support system there as well.

http://www.vbac.com

Answer 6

i did. i was having a perfect labor. dilating a centimeter an hour for 7 hours so i was 7 cm. for some reason or another the doctor gave me pitocin (which i take as her wanting to get home by 5) and 15 minutes after she did that, my son's heartbeat started dropping. c sections take less time for them so i think that's why they do it, they also get more money. when they told me i was soooo sad. my labor was painful but it was almost over and i went through all the pain of it and then had to be cut open just to endure all the pain of recovery. i was VERY disappointed, but at the actual time of all of that i was just freaking out cuz they were running me through the hospital hallways yelling at people to open doors and stuff. either way, over all i was very unhappy with my experience but you'll do anything for the health of your baby.

Answer 7

My sister wanted a vaginal birth, but after 23 hours of labor they talked her into a c-section. It turns out her son was 9.5lbs. She was a bit disappointed, but she got over it quickly.
I'm pregnant with my first right now and I really hope I won't need a c-section, but if it comes down to it, I'll deal with it.
Good luck to you! : )

Answer 8

I had four c-sections and really wanted the experience of a vaginal delivery, but just wasn't able to.

Answer 9

both my sisters had c-sections, one emergency, one because the baby was too big (almost 10lbs!!)

both had initial disapointment, but in the end all that matters is a safe delivery of a healthy baby. in both cases, a natural delivery could have easily been fatal.

good luck to you and your future pregnancies!!