C-section or vaginal delivery? Which was better for you?

Kristi - posted on 07/02/2011

My first c-section recovery was really really tough. I needed a lot of help with even the most basic of things which I had a hard time with because I am very independent. My secodn child came just 13 months later an the doctor really advised me to go the scheduled c-section rouite - I did! and what a difference, my recovery was a breeze! I was able to do most things on my own. I still needed help with lifting and couldn't drive for about 3 weeks but I really felt good and wa only on pain meds (tylenol and advil for 2 weeks).

Haylee - posted on 05/03/2011

i had a cscection best experience ever! i left the hospital 24 hours after delivering my daughter. if im ever to have another child i will have another csection.

Yolanda - posted on 03/26/2010

I had a c-section but I was told that once you have a c-section all the other deliveries will be by this method. Something about your muscles. Maybe you should consult your OB/GYN.

Janice - posted on 03/26/2010

just 2 add i was walking around the same day! my daughter was born at 12.35pm and i was walking around at 8.30pm. it all depend on you with the c-section, if your determine 2 walk as soon as the drugs wear of you can! my daughter was breached so that is y i ad the c-section. c-section r vaginal deliverly der is always risks that you wont recover as well as other. from my experiences and 4m my sis experence i will defin b going 4 a c-section again! and with the vaginal deliverly there the contrations which i had 4 bout 4 hours and that was the worst pain i ever experienced in my life! anyways i hope everything goes well 4 you whatever way you choice 2 go and that you have a healthy and beautiful child!

Janice - posted on 03/26/2010

well i had a c-section i thought it was great! i dnt have a great pain treadhold so i was amazed that i didnt feel the pain ppl described 2 me when they had 1! i think the best thing 2 do is walk as soon as you can and get plenty of salt baths! i thought the pain in the shoulder you get after you have a c=-section was far far far more painful than the actually c-section! but every1 is different. my sis had a vaginal deliverly and she said she will defin have a c-section next time as she had wile pain with the vaginal deliverly!

Jennie - posted on 03/21/2010

I would say, if you can have a vaginal shoot for that first. I had a vaginal, and I did have a block, but I can still feel when to push etc. I didn't have to wait to hold my son either, he was put right on me and rested there for the better part of an hour. I honestly think c-sections are okay if it is an emergency, or if you can not have a vaginal birth due to too much scar tissue. Would I elect to have one? No.

Sarah - posted on 03/21/2010

I'll just add my 2 cents here :) My 1st child was a vaginal & the 2nd was a c-section. The ONLY problem I had was getting out of bed for the 1st time after the c-section and the gas pain. Besides that I'd prefer the c-section recovery. Not being able to sit comfortably for many wks bothered me with my 1st and the bleeding was intense. I enjoyed taking advantage of the recovery with c/s cuz I didnt have to get up or clean or cook or anything! Me and my son got to chill in bed or on the couch and every one had to take care of us a while. I didnt need the pain meds and I was comfortable

Rebecca - posted on 03/17/2010

i had emergency c section with my first she decided t come early and i knew that i would have to have c section from the beginning of the pregnacy but those contractions were way to much t handle. but at the end of the day it has to be your choice

Michelle - posted on 03/12/2010

I have had both aswell. My oldest daughter was a vaginal delivery, and was only a 4 hours long labour from first contraction to her popping out. I had to be induced as she was 9 days overdue. I didn't have any drugs and had her naturally. It of course hurt, but was so quick and intense I didn't notice the pain as much as I thought I would. I had minimal stitching, which I didn't feel getting done. I felt sore for the first 24 hours, but after that it was pretty good and had no trouble walking around or attending to my baby.

Then I had an emergency c-section for the births of my twins. The situation was different of course as I had twins and not one baby, and I was 4 weeks early not overdue or on time. The twins were both head down and engage that is why I tried to have them naturally. But after a very long labour complications set in and the babies were getting distressed. During labour I was drugged up to the eyeballs, and during the c-section lost a fair amount of blood. Getting over the c-section was horrid, and I don't wish to ever repeat it. For the first 24 hours I was attached to a catheter because I couldn't get up and walk around. Then they slowly encourage you to walk to the bathroom to go to the toilet and have a shower. It took me a good three months to feel back to my normal self. But of course you do what is in the best interest of your baby and yourself. And being the brave soldiers that we are, us mums endure what we have to for our kids and for the best outcome.

Please remember that every pregnacy is different, and everyones' situation is different and there can be many different outcomes with both kinds of deliveries. But getting over a c-section is heaps harder than a vaginal delivery, as you have just had a major operation.

Cheraki - posted on 03/12/2010

I think I can help you out a little on this...I have had 3 c-sections and 1 vaginal.. The first c-section is painful recovery..The vaginal delivery is easier to recover from and you can get up and walk around the same day.. As to where a c-section they want you to wait until the next day to walk..as with all births there could always be complications..Just to give you a heads up with a vaginal delivery things swell...that you didn't know could or would swell.. I didn't know that until I got a shower after delivering my 2nd child.. I was terrified.. After the 1st c-section you know what to expect and the pain is a lot less or to me it was..

I will tell you this when I was pregnant with my 4th child I had contractions and because I delivered my older 3 in another state they never sent my medical records.. I was told that because they didn't know how I was cut inside if I would have went in labor and was cut the wrong way then I could have ruptured my uterus and both of us would have died.. So with my 4th she was also a c-section.. Talk to your dr and make sure you can deliver vaginal..

Good Luck and Best Wishes

Tanya - posted on 06/23/2009

I've had 2 vaginal births and I would sujest if you can do it it's probably the best way to go.

Noorasma - posted on 06/23/2009

what do you think by yourself itself? mine my first girl had a c-section and luckly second one vaginal delivery...i prefered second one...more satisfied from the bottom of our heart...cannot say it by word..its unusual feelings..

Jessica - posted on 06/22/2009

I wish I could have a vaginal delivery any day. I had to have a c-section for medical issues, but I had the contractions of a regular delivery b/c I went into labor 4 weeks early and I'll take the contractions and the pressure any day over not being able to do anything but tend to the little one or lift anything more than the little one.

Lynlee - posted on 06/22/2009

If you have a choice, go for the vaginal birth! I've only ever had a vaginal birth but friends in our antenatal class talked about their C sections and it seems quite a bit more recovery like they couldnt get out of bed for a couple of days and it was painful breastfeeding with baby lying over their belly, couldnt lift things or drive for weeks etc. Furthermore, a lot of people seems to forget that a c section is stomach surgery! It is a pretty serious operation and there are risks to having one. Delivering naturally is also better for a healthy baby - they get exposed to beneficial bacteria in the vagina and the pressing and movement down the birth canal help clear out all the fluid in their bodies and help them to breathe when they are born.

Christine - posted on 06/22/2009

I had a emergency c-section with my first in Jan 07 and a natural with my 2nd in Nov 08. I say natural, natural, natural all the way. It was really wonderful experience up and around like normal straight away and great as i could still lift and play with my 1st child and they really need that so not to get jealous. Also my bond was stronger and quicker with my 2nd born. I would try natural but if it doesnt happen dont stress just go with the flow, a healthy baby is the main thing. Hope this helps. xx

Teresa - posted on 06/09/2009

I've only had c-sections, but my second recovery was much easier than my first.

Christy - posted on 06/09/2009

Vaginal is the BEST way to go. As the other ladies said the recovery time is minimal. I was up and walking after I gave birth to my first daughter. There is some pain or discomfort but U can almost do everything the same. Its difficult to lift your legs high..to step over something...but its much better than not being able to do much of anything. I would be very dissapointed if I had to have a C-section with this pregnancy..due in 2 weeks. Good Luck and I hope everything goes well!!!

Corinne - posted on 06/09/2009

i personally did the vag delivery (with drugs) and i had a very good experience! i didnt feel any pain and the birth was very calm and quiet!! i prefer it almost bc it doesnt stress the baby out when theyre born!

Devon - posted on 06/09/2009

Vaginal Delivery was better. It was less painful and the recovery was much easier.My first was vaginal and my second was c-section. It was very hard having a toddler, a newborn and recovering from a c-section.

Kim - posted on 06/09/2009

Yeah, that's one thing that really appeals to me, the healing time being much faster! After my c-section I couldn't work out or do much of anything for months. The things that scare me are the pain, risk of tearing and since I've had a c-section, the risk of my uterus rupturing. But there's risks either way

Angela - posted on 06/09/2009

I have only had 2 vaginal deliveres and I'm going to deliver my 3rd this Sept. I will take a Vaginal delivery anyday. The recovery was much faster, especially with the nursing!!! I was back into my old jeans within 3 wks both times.