Cesarean Dangers

Angie - posted on 06/30/2010

My Dr went over all of it before I made my choice and gave me the info to read as well, Im glad I had the c sections due to the reasons we felt I needed them. I agree that we need to know everything before we make the choice!

Jennifer - posted on 06/30/2010

Kathy, that makes complete sense! I'm sorry if I sounded like I was venting in my last post--I probably was. You probably understand like me how emotional one can get about pregnancy/childbirth (especially after desiring it so much for so long). I am so sorry that you had to go through that! My recovery wasn't bad, so my situation was completely different. It was rough at the hospital, but we stayed 5 nights and once I went home I was almost myself again. I'm so sorry that you had a rough time!

Kathy - posted on 06/30/2010

Jennifer, I totally understand where you are coming from. When I was 16 I was told I had a reduced chance of having children because of surgery I has on my ovaries. At 18 when I had a second surgery I was told that by 21 at the absolute latest I would no longer be able to have kids. For years I still took the pill because it helped keep the problem at bay and when I was taken off of it I knew it didn't matter anyways. 3 years later I was lucky enough to have a beautiful baby girl, it was like a dream come true when I got pregnant, regardless of how unexpected it was and how scared I was. I had to have a c-section, I'll add not by choice, as grateful as I am to have gone thru the whole pregnancy experience and to have my daughter I still feel like I was ripped off. NOT because I had to have the c-section but because the complications after makes me feel like I missed out on the most important first few weeks of my daughters life. I feel like I was cheated out of most of her tiniest moments, my husband had to help me with everything from showering to getting in and out of bed for more than a month. I couldn't even lift my legs high enough to step into the bathtub for a shower without him, I couldn't bath my daughter on my own, I couldn't even (for 2 months) take her out and show her to friends & family without him, because it hurt for me to even drive. I would have loved to give birth naturally, but thats not as important as the other things I missed out on because of it.

Jennifer - posted on 06/30/2010

I have to address one more comment before being done with this discussion. Some people post that they "feel cheated" because they had a c-section and didn't get to "experience delivery..."
PLEASE put that in perspective! You were not cheated--you were able to get pregnant, carry a healthy baby, and give birth (who cares how) to a precious little one! Do you know how many women struggle to get pregnant? Do you realize how many would love to feel a baby kick in their belly or even see a positive pregnancy test? It took us 2 years to have our little miracle baby (with surgery and fertility drugs no less), so I am a bit impatient when people complain about not having a "perfect birth experience" or "feeling cheated." Be so thankful everyday that you are able to get pregnant and have a precious baby!!! Who cares how they came into the world?! They are HERE and they are gifts. Many women are praying daily for a positive pregnancy test. Many are praying daily through their pregnancy that their body will "work" for their baby. Keep it in perspective & just do what your doctor (the expert) recommends! It's raising the child that matters-- not the delivery day. Perspective, people!

Nora - posted on 06/23/2010

Sara thanks for sharing this post on this issue. I agree with u all women should really understand what is involved with caesereans as the statistics r raising with the amount of caesers being performed and a good percentage being unnecessary. Thanks for this encouraging post, it was with good intent as thats how I found it. I don't believe u were trying to upset or judge anyone . Thanks:) All the best with future pregnancies:))

Ashley - posted on 06/23/2010

I was actually induced @ 37 weeks because it was determined that I was restricting DD's growth due to my small stature. I'm 5'0. After being on a pitocin drip for 24 hours, and the dr. breaking my water I only dialated to 5 cm. I opted for a cesarean. The pain was actually quite bearable for me and I only needed Motrin a few times. The day after I was walking around (with little pain). I went home 2 days later, was walking up and down stairs the day I came home. My scar is barely noticeable.

Nora - posted on 06/14/2010

Also I was looked after the best doc in Aust who specialised in high risk pregancies who took excellent care of me n bubs throughout the whole last 2 pregnancies which gave me peace of mind as he had me closely monitored hroughout my last 2 pregancies with frequent ultrasounds to keep an eye n bubs progress, fluid in belly n, blood flow/ oxygen supply to baby. I'm glad I was so well looked after during those hard times.

Nora - posted on 06/14/2010

I believe that if there is no medical reasons or complications then yes natural birth is always the safest n natural way to have a baby. But unfortunately there a a numerous things that can get in the way of natural births. I had a natural with my first n even though labour was unbearable with an infection after birth the recovery is a lot better compared to a caesar. I had absolutely no knowledge about c-sections n whn I went into labour with my second child things went terribly wrong for us. After a long labour with intense n close contractions during which I was closey monitored n hardly dilated i had several docs rush into my room to check what was going on, n announce that I had to have an emergency section straight away due to foetal distress, n no progress in labour. I was in so much pain n the thought of an op terrified me as I had no knowledge about it. I begged them to brake my waters to try n help me progress n have her naturally, but once they did they found mecconium in my waters n rushed me away for op. It was a big nightmare they were in a real hurry to get my baby out n it was all over within about 10 mins. I am thankful that they took her out after as she was very badly affected during the labour n has severe damage to most parts of her brain, but I love her so much n am grateful she is with us now even in the condition she is in, we love her dearly. I'm am thankful that we live in Aust n not in 3rd world countries as I know both myself n my baby would not have survived. My other 2 pregnancies unfortunatley ended in c-sections again because of many medical complications that arose similar to my 1st pregnancy but my other babies didnt have any health problems which i am extremely thankful. Although I had complications throughout pregnanies n labour/ caesers the docs wanted to tie my tubes to prevent any future pregnancies, I didnt let them. They highly recomended me having no more babies as I had very hard times with my pregancies n that it would be life threatening for me.

I felt like a failure for such a long time n still the thought sometimes creeps up on me that my body failed me n I wasn't able to have natural births, but I've come to accept thats just how things were meant to happen for me.

I think that its best if labour comences by itself as when your induced it rises the chances of a section in the end. Women in my opinion should be induced no later than 1 wk after due date, unless there r complications that arise.

Sara in relation to ur msg I beleive that women can birth big babies even if they r smaller. Many women of different sizes have had successful natural births birthing bigger babies. Size doesn't always matter on whether its possible for natural births. I know women who have twins naturally n those who had sect with twins because they were breech. It just depends on every women, every pregnancy is different. I also know women who have had twins by C-sect n than had a VBAC after, n they r very happy. Everyone is different n size, shape of hips doesn't usually affect the outcome of of whether a baby is born naturally. Labour is hard whether u birth a small or big baby, its a misconception that people think if u birth a smaller size baby labour would be easy but thats not the reality.

I agree with u natural is better n safer esp if there is no medical reasons or complications standing in the way of a successful birth. Wheras c-sects r major surgery n there will always be higher risks of something going wrong. I know labour is a scary though for many women n the thought of the pain alone scares a women into considering skippin it n select a section, but trust me in the long run its better.

Cynthia - posted on 06/14/2010

I had planned on an all natural birth as well and deliver at the Birthing Centre with my Midwife. However, not everything goes as planned. My blood pressure sky rocketed when I went into labour and had to be transfered to the hospital...dang. Then I was in labour for over 18 hours and had only dilated 1 cm and going nowhere fast so I caved and asked for the epidural....double dang!! Then my son went into distress and they had to do an emergency c section which I told them to do so with no hesitation because it was my son's life at stake here. He had the cord wrapped around his neck 2x and that's why I wasn't dilating because he couldn't get his head down. I for one am glad that we have the technology today where they are able to do c sections safely, they have saved so many lives this way. It's like any surgery, there are risks, just be sure to do your research prior so you are well informed because not every labour goes according to plan. And no, I don't feel cheated, I went through the labour and the pain and all that counts in the end is your little miracle and hearing that first breath of life.

Lori - posted on 06/14/2010

I am just happy that we have the c-section option for those who need them. If we didn't my babies wouldn't be here. This is a good discussion. Thanks for bringing it up.

Angela - posted on 06/14/2010

Yes they r i very agree with u i didnt do any of that i had to have one it was the worst that i ever had in my life n it was my first one on my 3 babie he was born early too of what i had inside of that was growing with they numb me and they didnt numb me all the way and when the cut me the first time i felt it ao they put me to sleep right away and it was the worst ever now if i want more kids i have to get cut open all the time.... how many times can u get cut open.. they told me 3 or 4 times is that true??????

Sara - posted on 06/14/2010

I don't criticize, I just question because a lot of times they aren't needed. Mine sure wasn't. I wasn't quite 42 weeks, they just thought I was. I was induced using 2 different methods, a balloon and pitocin. I was given a c-section after much resilience and 12 hours of labor because my son's "head was moulding and his heartrate was dropping." Well guess what, babies' heartrates drop during labor and he would have been fine. Moulding would not have harmed him. BUT he wasn't fitting through my pelvic bone because he hadn't dropped when I was induced. The surgery and recovery were painful. But the pain during the recovery didn't last but a little less than a week for me. I have to wait at least a year between pregnancies [and what happens if I accidentally get pregnant before then..?] but I'll probably do 2 to be safe. That's my experience right there.

Again, I'm not criticizing anybody who's had a cesarean. But there are sooo many complications that come with them, and in a lot of places, once you've had so many, that's all you can have and they won't let you do a VBAC so you're SOL if you want more kids.

Kathy - posted on 06/13/2010

hold on a sec... Cinys... you feel cheated cause you didn't ache or get morning sickness?? I envy you woman... I felt cheated cause I couldn't give birth naturally, I would have gladly given you my aches and pains & my morning sickness lol

Wendy - posted on 06/13/2010

I think its a personal choice or a matter of no choice as was my case.. I was huge and every1 swore i would have twins, at a week and a half over due the doc wanted to induce me that very day, i asked to post pone as long as possible/safe, I got 3 more days to will on natural labour it didnt happen, even the induction didnt work, i had loads of contractions, myy waters broke but nearly no dilation. With my baby under stress and my temp through the roof I accepted the emergency c section with tears.
I knew next to nothing about them as i thought it wouldnt happen to me and that made it even scarier... so yes research even if you plan a 100% natural birth as it definately would have been better to be prepared. I guess I wanted to think positively so a c section never crossed my mind. However, I am grateful that this was an option and my baby and I could be saved. He was a beautiful 9 pound 8 oz little boy and I will never forget my c section experience. I also do not regret it and do not feel as if I did not give birth because I still experienced the pain of contractions and then the following c section recovery pain, its just a different birth story as all are, I do not think it is very nice of people to criticise women who have had c sections or question it, everyone has their reasons and in the end you still get a beloved baby and that is all that matters in my eyes. xo

Cinys - posted on 06/13/2010

My water broke one month early, Sabrina had not turned and I had not had a single contraction.

The Csection was fine, recovery was quick for me (I heal fast) however, I missed out on so much. :( I wanted a natural birth.
I feel as though I have been cheated.
Also, for me personally, I dont see laying there and being cut open as giving birth.
I missed out on the most important part of the whole experience.

No morning sickness
No aches
No cravings (unless you count a coffee cream frenzy)
No Contractions

again....I feel cheated.

Dominique - posted on 06/12/2010

I was so depressed after finding out that I would have to have a c-section, my little guy was breech. We tried everything to get him to turn but to no avail. I really wish I was informed about all the things that could go wrong and really how difficult the recovery was going to be. The drugs they gave me made me nauseous after delivery. All the poking and prodding of my intestines really screwed up my digestive system making the whole digestion process a nightmare for me. Then my wound got infected and didn't heal properly so then I had to go the wound care clinic 3x a week for 3 weeks after delivery. Just getting in and out of the car was painful. After 4 weeks I could walk halfway around Target without sitting down for a break in the shoe department. :) Will try for a VBAC if there is a next time. Scar is doing fine now and no lingering problems.

Christy - posted on 06/12/2010

@Lori I totally agree. There used to be a huge rate of mother and baby deaths and we're very lucky to live in our world now. I suspect mine would easily have been a case of me &/or my baby dying if we were living even 100 years earlier.

Elysia - posted on 06/12/2010

i always wanted a natural birth. i would of only resorted to a c section if it was absolutley necessary. Im now expecting my 2nd and still feel the same way. I also went into my 1st and am going into this one wanting to do it natural no epidural etc and i succeeded with my 1st so im confident i can do it again. I did have a friend elect a c section for her 2nd time around as she actually broke her tail bone giving birth the 1st time and it wasnt picked up straight away and healed at a funny angle and she has a great deal of trouble with it and they were pretty sure it would break again so...........

Lori - posted on 06/12/2010

C-sections have been known to save babies' lives. When in labor and your doctor suggests a c-section, I think it is risky to argue against it. You have to realize that these doctors have seen a lot more than you have seen. Of course, be educated and well read but if your baby's heart rate is dropping and all isn't looking good listen to your doctor. You would rather have a healthy baby than otherwise. It is worth it to have that healthy baby than a speedy recovery. Also, I always thought it was weird for people to ask you "did you have your baby the normal way?" When you listen to these women's stories some of them are saying that they were in labor for hours upon hours. Then you have someone asking you that question. What is that all about? The babies are here so what does it matter.

Christy - posted on 06/12/2010

I gave natural birth a red hot go. After 36 hours of labour @ 42 weeks, and an attempt at being induced to bring the labour along at around 33 hours that caused my bubby's heart rate to plummet(!), there wasn't much more I could do. I was still only around 5cm dilated. :( I was willing to do a caesarean if i HAD to and by that stage I welcomed it coz I was sooooo tired and still had so far to go.
The next morning, taking that first step off the hospital bed to go have a shower was indescribably painful. For the next couple of weeks I couldn't even get in or out of bed without my hubby's help - so night feeds were frustrating. And it was hard not being able to do things for my new baby. I was a little impatient too which really didn't help me much. :-, I'll be trying to a natural birth for the 2nd too, but will be prepared to have a caesarean if needed.

Melisha - posted on 06/11/2010

i as well had a c-section because after 16 hours of labor i still hadnt dilated at all and my water had already been broke for 16hrs. with my 2nd they wanted to do a repeat and with my 3rd and due to 3 cestions the doc told me i should never carry a child again because i am so then that if i get preg again i have a huge chance of rupture and the baby and i would both die. although i really wanted 1 more.

Amanda - posted on 06/11/2010

I had to have an emergency c-section...I did a lot of research on it and talked with my doctor about it and told him how I felt and he explained the circumstances for c-sections...When I went for my last checkup before I had my son, my dr had warned me of possible c-sections due to what he had discovered on the ultrasounds....I told him that I wanted natural but if its an emergency and that my baby was in distress or in danger or what not for him to perform it and my husband was there with me when we discussed it...I was in labor and never dilated like I was supposed to and turned out my lil guy was stuck his head had turned while trying to enter the birth canal and dr said that I had cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD)...A few of my friends had the same condition..Never had any complications and my scar is pretty much invisible

Marie - posted on 06/11/2010

I also think they overdo inducitn too, and I'm sorry but next time I will wait the extra week. I think in my case I would have gone into labor ON MY OWN, if they had let me but because by their clocks I was overdue, but by real time he was right on time, (they did an ultrasound early on and it said he was due on Oct 9th, and the calendar said Oct 1st, next time if I have another ultrasound that early I will be pushing to go by that tdate because what essentially happenbed with me was they used the cervadil and I went on my own, if they could have just waited another 24 hours I would have gone on my own. So it's not just C-secitons it's inducing as well

Jennifer - posted on 06/11/2010

I agree--a safe & healthy BABY is the main concern. I understand ( though I never desired to do it) that some women want a natural birth, but ultimately the safety of the baby is more important than anyone's birth plans or opinions prior to delivery. A safe baby and a safe mom is what matters! I do not like it when people are so dead set on one thing or another. I truly believe that taking the doctor's advice & putting the baby's safety first is what matters. We as women have so many issues that divide us. I hate it that something as beautiful and meaningful as childbirth also makes so many people take sides and act ugly. The "right" way and the "better" way is whatever gets you your baby safest. My precious little miracle baby was born via c-section after a 2 year infertility struggle and let me tell you-- I was RELIEVED. Instead of one more minute of worrying about how my body might fail me again, they went in and got him out in FIVE minutes and he was safe. Don't knock a c-section until you've walked in someone else's shoes. It was absolutely right for my baby and my family and I do not regret it for one minute.

Sarah - posted on 06/11/2010

I spent 5 days in hospital being induced with my daughter, and when the doctors examined me and said i was 2cm diliated they took me down to break my waters and put me on a drip to make the contractions stronger after nine hrs of this i only diliated to 3cms. I ended up with an emergancy section and I couldnt say a bad word about it, obviously I would have rather had a natural birth but i had no pain after, I healed really well and 2 years later my scar has disaperred.
People say natural is best but my best friend gave birth naturally to a baby weighing over 10lbs and was torn 4 layers an took longer then i did 2 heal.
Everyone has different opinions on what is best but at the end of the day whats best is when yr baby is born safely and healthy

Jennifer - posted on 06/11/2010

I had a c-section because my 9 lb. 2 oz. baby was too big for my body and I am SOOOOO glad! Everything went perfectly and he and I are both very healthy. I say listen to your DOCTOR and don't think that you know better than they do. It's their job to do whatever is necessary for YOU and your BABY to be safe. Trust them!

Carrie - posted on 06/11/2010

i went thru 70 hours of labour just to have a c section and this is with my first baby. if id have another baby (just the one) id go for another c section. the labour wasnt to bad but having contractions five mins apart striehght away for 70 hours is too long.

Tarina - posted on 06/10/2010

@Karen who asked why you were induced at 41 instead of 43 like ur grandmother, medicine now has evolved so they can measure the effectiveness of your placenta, and MOST doctors believe (are taught, whichever) that after 41 weeks, your baby stops getting all the nutrients it needs from you/your placenta, and needs to come out and get the real deal from your breasts. So now 41 weeks is when most dr's will recommend/schedule induction. Back in the days when our parents and we were born, you gave birth when the baby felt like coming out unless something went really wrong, but just like our treatments, delivery information has evolved too. When my mom was preggo w/ me, she didnt get a Rhogam shot until after i was born... Nowadays its standard to get one shot at about 28 weeks, and another after birth. Nothing to be ashamed of or angry about really as long as you and your child(ren) are healthy ♥

Tarina - posted on 06/10/2010

its good to hear other people dont like the thought of unnecessary surgery! I am 32 weeks pregnant with twins and my doctor at EVERY visit keeps saying "oh well this is definitely going to be a C section" -- "ooh looks like the big C!" .... I have 2 other children and delivered them both naturally (though i was induced with both they were @41 weeks and unfortunately when ur on public aid in my state you pretty much have to jump when told cuz they dont like to take "risks") and i really really really want to deliver my girls the same way - the problem being they keep moving around so much they have yet to be in any position that looks promising. They seem to prefer a yin-yang situation, both lying sideways.... How do you tell your doctor that until something actually DOES go wrong, that you really want to give nature a shot to do it right???

Carolina - posted on 06/10/2010

I was a week over due and I didn't have a choice in the matter after being in labor for over 24 hours. Jacobs heart rate was dropping and his head had turned sideways and was stuck. Never had a contraction and was on the PIT drip for most of the day (which made his heart rate drop even more) and cervidil the night before. I had a vertical cut so there is no VBAC for me. Those that can your lucky. It took almost 2 and a half months for the pain to stop from the c-section but my hips still give me trouble its been 6 months. My son is happy and healthy thank God.. I only want one more baby but that will be years from now.

Jasmine - posted on 06/10/2010

I was to have a planned c-section on May 12th because my son was breech and I was ok with that. On the 12th we went in to have the c-section and he had turned . Praise the lord for that one. I was induced on the 26th of May and laboured for 12-14 hrs. At 4:30 my doctor came in and checked me and told me he was gonna be coming by natural birth and I was devistated, At 5:16 am on the 27th of May I had our son by emergency c-section , I have now been trying to recover for 2 weeks and have a minor infection and my incision has opened. I do not wish this upon anyone. It is painful to try and keep up with nightly feedings and get the rest I need to get healthy again. If we have another child I am hoping for a VBAC, The c-section is way to painful to recover from.

Sara - posted on 06/10/2010

And to those of you who were educated or chose, kudos to you. I personally wouldn't do it again unless as a last resort, because I see it as *very dangerous,* and a lot of times they are unnecessary.



To Ms. Heather Ward - actually cesareans have been done for a VERY long time... there's a theory that they first were performed when Caesars ruled in Rome, hence the name.

Sara - posted on 06/10/2010

Krystle B - I have to disagree. Cesareans are never a good thing, they are just sometimes the best. The things that can go right do NOT balance with the things that can go wrong, sorry. There are complications after birth from cesareans and they CAN and DO affect future pregnancies and deliveries. I'm not telling everyone, "Don't have a c-section!" I'm telling everyone not to let the drs push them around like they kind of did to me, and educate themselves before they agree to a MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY. That's all. :) The cesarean rate in the US has *skyrocketed* since 1996 and 1/3 of births in the US are done by c-section. We also have the highest infant/mother mortality rate among developed nations. That should tell you something. For some reason a lot of people think it's better to have a c/s than to let the body do what it was made for. I'm not condemning anyone, or trying to take jabs at people, I just like for them to be educated. I care greatly about what happens to women giving birth in this medically intervening nation. So to those of you who have read the article and have taken what *could* happen seriously, I thank you.

Heather - posted on 06/10/2010

My first baby was breech and I was told I would have to have a c-section. I chose to have a c-section for my second (again very personal reasons, not to get out of labour! :D ) and got seriously taken on about it by people that didn't know my reasons. I had been in labour for 16 hours before they were able to do it - very busy hospital! - and had only dilated 4 cm when they took me up to do the operation where the surgeon said it was a good thing the c-section had already been planned because if I had had to continue much longer I would have been a definate for rupturing. In God's hand? I think so :) Kind of scary thought to know that if I had given birth 100 years ago I would probably have been a statistic for my first and if the technology wasnt as good I definately would have been for my second! Have been told if I have another one then it has to be a c-section. Natural is always better, if you can!, but if you can't then better to have the risks involved with a c-section than the higher risks for not having medical help. And yup, the second c-section was insane - anaethetist (?? hehe) missed with the spinal and I was shot across the room with horrific electric shock feeling, I was sick while they did it and then had a reaction to morphine :p The first was a lot easier. but I have to say that I would probably still do it again because in the end you have a (hopefully) healthy BEAUTIFUL baby :) So worth it really :)

Kathy - posted on 06/10/2010

ouch Melissa that sounds like it would have been VERY scary and stressful for you. I have to say especially in those kind of cases... thank god we have c-sections when we need them. And I agree that moms that can deliver naturally should not judge those of us that couldn't, it doesn't make us any less of a woman or mom... we just did what we had to do to protect our precious little angels!!

Melissa - posted on 06/10/2010

I agree that everyone should try and learn as much as possible about both types of birthing because a c-section is definitely major surgery. However, I have had moms who were able to deliver naturally act very judgmental of those of us who have had c-sections. I developed HELLP syndrome with my son and he was delivered by c-section at 33 weeks. My blood pressure was so high that my doctor was afraid I would have a stroke under the physical exertion of labor. My son had also managed to tie his umbilical cord into a knot so he would, most likely, not have been able to drop all the way down without cutting off his oxygen.

Jenee - posted on 06/10/2010

Here where I live the c-section rate is 49%. Which to me is nuts. I don't understand why someone would want to have one. I was induced at 37 weeks due to pre-e. I was asked when I first got here if I wanted a section and I said no way. I wanted to do this natural. My labor was 43 hours and I know many women at that point would have asked for one because they didn't want a long labor. I am glad that I stuck it out. I wouldn't have changed anything about it.



But I do understand that in some cases it is medically necessary and can't be avoided.

Synquis - posted on 06/09/2010

My c-section wasn't really that bad. My belly felt weird but no pain. Now while I was having the c-section done that was different story. I felt the pain then lol, but after wards I was fine. My abs was just weak, and that was just a day after. To be honest the whole birthing process wasn't bad. I was in labor for a lil after 12 hours. I got up to 5cm and stoped. It just felt like he was rolling in me. The only thing that made me really upset was that when they took my son out he got a cut above his ear.

Marisa - posted on 06/09/2010

I opted for a C-section. if i had to do over id do it again in a second. i was induced at 3am abd by 1130 ... nothing. I never dailited so the doc asked if i wated to wait it out or have a csection and csection it was!!!!!!! come to find out her cord was around her neck so she never droped. if i ever have more kids i will opt for a csection again.. no work no contraction no nothing.. so easy

Roxy - posted on 06/09/2010

i had a c section with my first child but it was in fact an emergency. it is a major surgery so i do agree they shouldnt be opted for purely cosmetic reasons..

Victoria - posted on 06/09/2010

I agree with Sarah and Sherry. I had an elective c-section and I am very happy I did it. No complications at all and I was up walking around within a few hours. They encourage you to walk. No painful paps, either (not sure why it would be) I was able to care for and breastfeed my baby. It was awesome for me and my choice. Any woman that would criticize another for deciding to have a c-section should be ashamed of themselves. Every person has the right to do what is best for themselves and their families. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing! I have a beautiful little girl to show for it and doesn't matter what type of birth brought her into this world.

Clare - posted on 06/09/2010

I've had 2 c-sections-neither by choice as both my babies were breech and I wanted the safest delivery option for them, even if that meant putting myself at risk. And yes, every surgical intervention carries risks, but I have been fine, pain was minimal, breastfeeding established fine and the scar is barely visible. So don't worry, the doctors are only trying to do whats safest and best for you and thank goodness we have these options open to us now to save us from traumatic and frequently lethal "natural" births of the past!

Sarah - posted on 06/09/2010

I absolutely agree with Laura. I wound up having an emergency c-section with my first bub due to an obstructed labour, hemorrhaging and various other complications. Some people on here are commenting that a vaginal birth is ALWAYS best but if we weren't living in a time where c sections are possible then both my baby and I would have died, so I am eternally grateful that that option was there for us. Most people who have a caesar would love to have the ideal vaginal birth but that is not always an available option for all of us and we should be supporting women who are facing or have experienced c sections rather than frightening them with the dangers or telling them that it's unnatural. In no way are c sections the fun easy way out of childbirth, but they most certainly can be life saving.

Kathy - posted on 06/08/2010

Laura has a point... the new moms need to know the common risks if thats what they are facing, I didn't know because that wasn't supposed to have to be an option for me, all I knew was what my MIL had told me, but hers was back before the epidural and before they did a horizontal incision. Its not something to be scared of because a risk is something that can happen, not something that will. I had a bad experience, but not all moms do, in fact the hospital end of the experience was great, knowing the risk of infection and that I had the problems with the last one my OB already said if its looking like another one is going to happen she'll have me on antibiotics a few day before, and longer after to help reduce that chance.

If I had to choose between having another baby by c-section or not having another at all I'd still take that c-section, I might hesitate, but regardless of how it comes its still worth it because that child is worth everything. Yes I feel I missed alot because of my infection, and I don't want to ever go through that again, but its still worth it because I have the most perfect most beautiful little girl there is!

Laura - posted on 06/08/2010

All this doom and gloom over c sections is only going to scare new moms who are facing a possible c section situation. There has been a lot made of what is natural and how it was done before doctors could do c sections. Let me remind you how many women and babies died in childbirth. I trust modern medicine and I trust doctors and I believe the c section is one of modern medicines greatest tools. I was planning on having a vaginal birth until my baby was in serious distress and my options were have a c section or let my baby die. I will always do what I have to to protect my daughter and if that makes me a bad person, so be it. I had the c section with a few days of pain and a scar that only my hubby will ever see. In a week I was pretty much pain free and in 6 weeks I was back to running.

Kyla - posted on 06/07/2010

Can I ask why you have a link posted for installing brakes?

And I also had a C section, not planned but I have not had any complications since.. except that I won't be able to have a VBAC because of the vertical incision the doctor had to make on my uterus. I was well informed on C sections and would have liked to have a natural delivery but in my case I was induced and had a very slow progressing labor. And my sons heart rate had been decelerating with every contraction for 8 hours, and when I finally reached 10cm my contractions STOPPED. And honestly I actually wonder why they didn't do a C section earlier in my case?

Kathy - posted on 06/07/2010

I would have much rathered have my daughter naturally, but I wasn't dilating and she was starting to stress. With where they cut alone increases the risk of infection, I mean really how many new moms don't have some roll that covers it? Even if its just loose skin? Sweat can get in there and aid in causing an infection. Recovery was seeming bad enough before my incision came open and made it worse. I wasn't given a choice because they weren't risking my baby's life, but because of the problems I had I feel like I missed out on alot of the newborn time, I couldn't curl up with her as much as I wanted, if I needed to get up with her at night I needed help in and out of bed. Its bad, its scary, and I would not recommend it to my worst enemy. I'd go through it again if I had to, but if I have my way I'll be waiting till a VBAC is save for me to try.

Amy - posted on 06/06/2010

I had my daughter by scheduled c-sec as she was frank breech. So a natural birth was not at all possible. I chose against an inversion since there was more risk of hurting her doing that than a c-sec. I could honestly care less how my daughter was born as long as she was safe and healthy. I wanted the least amount of stress for her and if that meant me taking the risks and pain, then so be it. I only took Motrin for a few days and was up that day doing what I needed to do for my daughter.

I find it interesting that people think that because a mother opts to do a c-sec it somehow makes her less of a mother/person. If you are going to choose to get pregnant, then I believe you have to choice to deliver your child however you choose. Maybe others don't agree with someones choice of a water birth or natural birth, does that make their choice wrong? I think it is all a personal choice and we should all be proud of what our choices are!

I also have never had a painful PAP after my c-sec.

Karen - posted on 06/06/2010

My son was C section, and I was so sad when I finally gave in and let that happen. We were the typical "failure to progress" after an induction. I just knew we weren't ready & it would end in C section. I fought my doctor on the induction and finally compromised to 41 weeks. But my grandmother went 43 weeks with twins, and everything turned out fine. Why did I have to be induced early?

Mandy - posted on 06/06/2010

Every surgery is dangerous yes but some of us don't have a choice about how are babies are brought into the world. I have a condition that means I can't deliver my babies naturally, which wasn't discovered until my daughter and I nearly died after a 37 hour labour. I went into all natural, wanting a water birth but it just didn't happen and afterwards I was just relieved to have a healthy baby at the end it. When it came time to have my son, I was determined to have an elective section, but because I saw Dr's in a different city I had to fight them, they wanted me to try for a VBAC through a trial by labour. There was no way I was prepared to risk my life or my baby's life again just to keep the hospitals numbers down.
Sections seem to get a lot of bad press, high numbers of mums having them are condemed but has anyone thought about the amount of mothers and babies that have been saved because sections, I know I was.