Should I do C Section or Vaginal Birth?

Jennifer - posted on 05/29/2012

I know this is not the "correct" response, but I had c-sections with both of my children and think they are the best thing ever! Of course, mine were both medically necessary and I've never had vaginal delivery. But my recovery after both was really easy. The only drawback I had in my experiences is that I had to spend an hour or so in delivery before I got to go to the maternity ward to spend time with my babies. But on the plus side, my husband got some bonding time in without me being there. I should say, however, that I had a friend that had 3 vaginal deliveries and then had to have a c-section for her fourth and she did not like it and said that her recovery was horrible. I guess it really depends on each individual.

Anita - posted on 05/29/2012

i had 3 c sections and with all 3 had no problems. i was up and walking after 4 or 5 hours for all 3 ans for my last 2 was able to keep my baby with me and take care of them right away. my last 2 c sections i left the hospital the next day and with my next pregnecy i plan to have another c section. in the end its how you feel about it ,yes you don't have to go through labor but for a few days to a week afterwards you will feel pain

Cindy - posted on 05/29/2012

I had my first 2 childen vagianally and the last with c section and I will always always recommend vaginally unless it is medically necessary to operate. My first son took 18 yours to be delivered but my second only 6 and reletivaly easy.

I hurt for so long with the surgery and also my baby was premature and was kept in the nicu so I wasnt even able to nurse for the first 2 days because I had a catheter and wasn't able to go to my baby.

Work with your Dr. to determine if there were any things with your first delivery that could be changed to help make it easier and remember that every labor and delivery is different.

Corrie - posted on 05/29/2012

I have had two c-sections. The first one was emergency and the second was planned because the doctors felt I'd have the same problems as the first time so speaking from experience, don't have a c-section unless absolutely necessary!

Sara - posted on 05/29/2012

You cannot decide this really well ahead of time. I have heard so many stories of people of having a great, easy birth one time, and very challenging the next and vice versa. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you did get to have a (relatively) great vaginal birth so you could really focus on the miracle of the baby when it is handed to you! Please do not listen to these people and jump to pre-plan a c-section. It is major surgery no matter what anyone says. You are lucky your doctors are not pushing it in fact, as so many seem to do so. They make much more money and it's easier for them. But many find it extremely painful after the fact and most who have had both would vastly prefer vaginal. You should rent the documentary "the business of being born. Make sure you are at a really top hospital though, where they have anesthesiologists who know how to control epidurals. My first delivery was relatively smooth and I am still terrified the second time because I know they can vary, but I am praying so hard to not have to do a c-section.

Lori - posted on 05/29/2012

A vaginal birth is the way nature intended. A c-section should be for emergencies only!! Don't make your delivery more risky than necessary. The second time around could be a totally different experience than the first. I had 4 children, all vaginal, and each experience was unique!

Katherine - posted on 05/29/2012

I expierenced just about everything you had to with your child but mine ended in an emergancy c-section because my banter heart rate was deterring even with oxygen. Because of my section with my first son my second son was also csection. The only benifit you get from this is knowing the day your going to have your child. Csections hurt . They are a pain to keep clean and every time you cough or sneeze or laugh you feel it in your cut. You recover faster from a vaginal birth then a csection you can also get phantom pains in your cut which makes it hurt like thebfirst yme you y cut. Please don't get one unless its absolutely nessacaru

Tina - posted on 05/29/2012

I had a C (due to some last minute problem) and I can tell you, the healing process is a bit traumatic especially the first 2-3 weeks. The operation itself is not an issue btu once the anethesia goes away on day one, it is some real torture and doing any kind of activtiy is impossible. I had to wake up and breastfeed my daughter and it used to take me like 5 minutes to sit up straight. Bending was out of the question, getting to lie down or sit on on a couch was hell......i mean...and having a C means in future to be on the safe side you have to wait another 3 years before you give birth yet you may not want to wait that long...just go for natural labour, you may not suffer the same way you did intially!

Nichole - posted on 05/29/2012

Most definitely a vaginal, I wouldn't do it any other way unless it was life or death, I had a vaginal birth with all three if my boys, and I was healed in less than two days, other than postpartum bleeding. Not every birth experience is the same, you may have a much better experience the second time as the most always go much faster! +++ for vaginal!

Jody - posted on 05/29/2012

No! No! No! C-sections are not easier. It is major surgery with it's attendant risks,and it takes longer to recover from than a vaginal delivery. You are not supposed to drive for six weeks after a C-section and you can't lift any thing heavier than your baby. Being a c-section mom (not by choice) I have tuned into the horror stories of other c-section moms and I have never heard a birth story as bad as some c-section stories, the infections, the scars or attendant complications.

Donella - posted on 05/29/2012

I had 2 c-sections and not by choice. I think that your friends who told you it is the way to go are NUTS! First off, when my 2nd daughter was born since she didn't go through the birth canal she didn't get all of the mucas/fluid pushed out of her lungs and later started to choke on it when it tried to come up. Thankfully the nurse was right there and knew exactly what was happening and what to do but let me tell you it scared the hell out of me. On top of that my second c section opened up after I came home from the hospital. This was horribly painful and I got to spend the first few weeks of my daughter's life in bed, in pain, unable to pick up my 5Lb baby without assistance, and having to have my husband clean and pack my open wound several times a day. If a c-section isn't medically necessary do not do it!!!!!!

Martine - posted on 05/29/2012

I am so glad to see that the VAST majority of postings recommend vaginal over c-section! And the few that don't, are not posted by women who've had BOTH. This is critical: Why would you take the advice of someone who had only had a c-section and never had a vaginal birth? They don't know how good their life could've been! For the most part, a vaginal birth involves only 2-3 days' recovery time, sometimes even 1 day! Who can say that after having MAJOR SURGERY? (And don't kid yourself --- a c-section is major abdominal surgery.)
So why do women who've had BOTH think c-sections are so bad? It's because once you've had a vaginal birth, you would never again ~choose~ a c-section. Yes, there are times when it's medically necessary (although my OBGYN told me it was "necessary" simply because I had twins, the first of whom was already positioned head-down!). So a caveat to that would be that there are also some nitwit doctors out there with ideas about what constitutes "medically necessary".
I any case, please only listen to your friends who've had BOTH, and then pick at least three, to get a good perspective (average). My guess is not even one of them would ever _choose_ a c-section.

Ansley - posted on 05/29/2012

Even sixteen hours if labor pain is nothing compared to the weeks of recovery it takes to get over a c section. The more interventions you start with, the more you will keep needing. Women have been doing this naturally for thousands of years and we are the first generation asking for surgery and scheduling when our babies will be born. And now the US has the highest infant/mother mortality rate in the world among the developed nations. Seriously wise up before u make a decision like that. Watch, "the business of being born" it will change u.

April - posted on 05/29/2012

I have had 3 childen vaginal births and the everyone was diffrent 2 were induced and my DS was oh natural there was no time for drugs and that was not as bad as I thought1 and he was the second my girls on either side were induced and the first was 18 hours and the second was 8.5 hours and I was about a minute from an emerncey c-section when the doctor checked to see were she was in the cannel and I was a 10 so once the epidural was upped to a spinal block my body relaxed more and in 5 minutes from a 4 to a 10 so sometimes and eipidural can be helpful. I am currently pregant with the 4th so we will see what happens this time. I have to say my hubby is very helpful and takes good care of me during labor and delivery he walks my though it all and keeps my focused it really helps.
Do not do a c-section unlessif is very nessary I have lots of friends that have had c-sections and VBAC and they all say the recovery from a the c-section was the worst pain and longest.

Lynda - posted on 05/29/2012

hi kelsey, i had four vaginal births the first one being forcepts delivery, i have forgot all pain involved apart from sore stitch area, my last vaginal delivery was 10lbs 1oz . . 1 stitch. after a second marrige 1 emergency c section i too am diabetic he weighed 9lbs 1 oz at 38 weeks, was rough for a few days and couldnt understand all the fuss, dont lift, bend, walk too far etc, to me i had just given birth another way, but you have to remember its MAJOR surgery, my last son was a planned c section by the hospital not me, at 35 weeks due to protien in urine, high blood pressure etc. he weighed 8lbs 2oz and spent 10 days in special care. my memories of this delivery, i had a spinal block its a one off, and i felt like someone was rumaging in a sports bag, my top half was jiggling about. it took a while for the feeling to come back in my legs . . 4hrs and i couldnt push myself up in the bed. out of choice i would choose vaginal over c section, i still have vivid dreams over the last one, if your set on a c section go to sleep then you will only have happy thoughts. x good luck in your decision and remember all deliveries are different.x

Beverley - posted on 05/29/2012

I would go a vaginal birth over a C section unless the C section is necessary for medical reasons. I had 2 vaginal births and a C - Section and C sections are more risky and it is much harder after the birth especially when you already have child. I found emptying the bath water, lifting the toddler etc much harder. There was a definite difference in each from the 4 week point. Recovery from a C -section is much longer and can also affect your breast feeding as well if you have an elective C - section as your milk doesn't start to come in until placenta is delivered. Also when uterus contracts which breast feeding is much more painful that with a vaginal birth.

Rachel - posted on 05/29/2012

I have had three kids, the first by vaginal, second c-section and third vaginal. Having had both types of birth I can certainly recommend a vaginal birth, you are over it much quicker and for me personally I feel I bonded better with the babies that I had to work for. Plus All that poking around inside you felt so wrong! I was up and about 20 minutes after my last vaginal birth where as it was 8 hours before they allowed me move after the section.

Michelle - posted on 05/28/2012

I think you NEED to go naturally unless your doctor/midwife says differently. Don't mess with nature and have a c-section just because its the easy way. I had a c-sec with my first child and the other 4 children I had after were all vaginal. I think that first child birth experiences can be very traumatic. I was very traumatized by mine. I thought about not having anymore kids but after time I got over it. Every birthing experience is different....every and I have had 5 children. My recovery time, even the c-sec, varied. The human body is amazing! Especially for us women. My water broke for my first at 6am on a Monday and I didn't get my c-sec until 10:30am on Tuesday. Think long and hard about your choice....if its meant to be then its meant to be. Hope this helps...

Sherree - posted on 05/28/2012

I am sorry to learn that you had such a difficult time. Each pregnancy and birth are so different from each other. C-section is still major surgery.. My first and third children were delivered by emergency c-section. My second a successful v-bac. Go for vaginal birth if you can.

Jentrey - posted on 05/28/2012

I'm so sorry that you had such a miserable experience with something that should be a positive & memorable experience. I am pregnant for the 4th time with my 5th baby (my first were twins who are now 9 1/2) & am due in 3 weeks. I have experienced a c-section, a vbac (vaginal birth after ceserean) with an epidural & a planned natural home waterbirth. I am planning for this to be my last & am planning a natural waterbirth in a hospital with a midwifery & not because of a bad home experience, in fact, I wouldn't trade that experience for anything in the world. As a vbac my options have been widened this time with the hospital midwifery now having the proper monitoring equipment for a waterbirth that they did not have for my first natural labor, so I then opted to have a midwife & doula assist me at home, but am happy to take the experience back to the hospital so I don't have the stresses of preparing my home (I'm not the most organized person on the planet).

I do have to tell you that I do not understand why women opt for a c-section without any neccessary cause, although I fully understand it has its place & can save lives. Each c-section you have will heighten your risks for complications & force you to have more c-sections the more children you have (if you plan to have more). The recovery is no vacation either & disconnects you greatly from bonding with your baby. Having had the full natural experience I can honestly tell you, although it may be the hardest thing you will ever have to do, it is also the most amazing experience you will ever have & you are able to bond with your baby immediately, not to mention very quick recovery (assuming all goes normal). There is nothing more amazing then having your newborn baby with the cord still attached placed onto your body & to actually have him alert & looking up into your eyes for the first time. Not to mention, I was up & walking around within hours of my natural delivery & felt fantastic.

Having had all these very different experiences I can tell you right now what made a huge difference for me from my first to my last experience & what can make the greatest difference for you to have that perfect delivery that you hope for....you ready?! EDUCATE YOURSELF!!!!! And I'm not talking about the ridiculous hospital classes that are offered that are exremely vague. I took a Bradley (natural-but still gives you a great education on all options) Birthing class during my 3rd pregnancy & was amazed at how much I had to learn but was so glad I had & wished that I had done so sooner. Also....You CAN change your OB/GYN or Midwife at ANYTIME during your pregnancy until you find the right fit that supports you & is there for you every step of the way. That can make a HUGE difference on the outcome of your experience. Lets be honest here, with my twins/csection I was young & naive & didn't know I had options. With my first vbac I knew a teeny bit more, but I still wasn't loving my OB/GYN & had no clue, nor did I feel fully satisfied with my hospital & my options despite the fact that I took the hospital class. Then with my third I FINALLY learned....I HAVE OPTIONS!!! Why?! Because I educated myself & I decided I would take my fate & the outcome of my full pregnancy checkups/labor/delivery into my own hands because at the end of the day IT IS YOUR BODY/BIRTH/BABY!!!! Guess what?! I changed my Ob/gyn 3 different times in my previous pregnancy before I found my amazing home birthing Midwife & I couldn't have done it without an amazing doula as well!!! And I'm so glad I did! Educate yourself & you will be a much happier Momma!!! I hope you have a fantastic experience & make the decision that is best for you & your baby, because only YOU can make that decision. Best wishes!

Kay - posted on 05/28/2012

My epidural didn't take on my c section! Once they started cutting and got to the spot that didn't deaden, it was too late. I felt everything. Do not think section is the way to go.

Stephanie - posted on 05/28/2012

I had a c section after 30 HOURS of labor.... I was devistated and still 8 years later have horrible memories of my daughters birth...

Angela - posted on 05/28/2012

I would recommend anothervaginal birth...I had a c-section and did not want it but it had to be done...this time I'm going to try a VBAC...a c-section is not fun it hurts after and u will be sore...I don't know what your friends is talking about but do another vaginal birth...only do a c-section if the doctor says its needed

Jade - posted on 05/28/2012

Vaginal birth is the way to go.

Pat - posted on 05/28/2012

sorry the first one didnt go so well, thats why i labored at home! i didnt want to do the drugs cuz a lot of the times it tends to slow things down. your body knows what to do.. me? i wish i couldve had my 2 little ones naturally..i had to have csections, one was breech, and the other just wasnt coming out,doc was afraid my uterus would tear cuz of prev csection, but she was willing to let me try vaginally had the baby decided to come out sooner, but she didnt. it is just going to come down to what you are comfortable with and what you want to do. i hope either way it goes well!!!

Dana - posted on 05/28/2012

Have the C section. I have one 7 year old son and I delivered via C section because after being on pitocin for 12 hours, I hadn't dilated one centimeter and my water had already broken. Thus, the risk of infection was too great and they took him. I was 22 at the time and I had no side affects and thought it was a wonderful experience. If your doctor is willing, why not? Yes it's major surgery but they do them every day. If I were going to have another child, they wouldn't even let me have a vaginal birth and I wouldn't want it anyway. But do whatever you want to do and what works best for you.

Dawn - posted on 05/28/2012

I am with everyone else here. Don't have a c-cection just because someone says so or because you feel it would be easier. I only have one daughter and she was an emergency c-cection because she was 15 weeks early, so naturally she was not in proper position. I had no complications, luckily, but i was in pain for a few weeks. It is major surgery, and after 4 years, there is still a scar (not that anyone sees it, but I know it is there). plus you can't hold your baby right away because you are in recovery. and who says there won't be vomiting? I was vomiting for 3 days after my daughter was born. Every time I went to the NICU I had to bring a barf bag with me.
Anyways, i hope that you make the right choice here and only do surgery if you absolutely have to.

Brandy - posted on 05/28/2012

I would my rather endure a vaginal birth if I was given the chance. My first born was a c-section because of a heart issue during labor. I told my doctor that I did not want it unless it was absolutely necessary. I hope that you pick the best choice for yourself.

Pam - posted on 05/28/2012

I haven't read what everyone else is saying, but I've always been against c-sections unless it's medically necessary. You don't necessarily need an epidural either. I think I had one with my first daughter, but nothing with the last two-the last two were induced and that I wouldn't with on anyone.
I'm actually surprised that they went ahead with a second epidural at 9cm, I was always told that they wouldn't administer it after you reach a certain stage.. that's probably why you were vomiting and needed O2.
Any invasive surgery is hard to bounce back from. In the end the decision is yours and your drs; if the dr is willing to do it then it's up to you.. I've felt that alot of drs want to schedule their deliveries instead of getting called to the hospital at all hours, and that can actually endanger the mom and baby sometimes..
Which ever way you go, I hope everything goes well for you.

Kat - posted on 05/28/2012

My Opinion is that C SECTIONS should be ONLY be done IF MEDICALLY NECESSARY!! TO elect to have one because its easier should not be a Mothers choice BUT a Dr.'s ...But even some Dr.'s are giving their Mother's that choice which is Unprofessional. Just My Opinion, Kat

Lorraine - posted on 05/28/2012

I had two C-sections, first in 1978, second in 1980. At tat time nobody heard of VBAC. First time, was extremely painful, could not get up or walk around easily. Second time was with spinal, much quicker recovery. As most women have said, why go through C-section unless it's absolutely necessary, for your health and baby's health. Good luck and hope everything goes well.

Lorraine - posted on 05/28/2012

I had two C-sections, first in 1978, second in 1980. At tat time nobody heard of VBAC. First time, was extremely painful, could not get up or walk around easily. Second time was with spinal, much quicker recovery. As most women have said, why go through C-section unless it's absolutely necessary, for your health and baby's health. Good luck and hope everything goes well.

Hillary - posted on 05/28/2012

Vaginal birth ... Your experience with your first baby is not the norm. Why take meds if you do not have to? You will do just fine. Just select a more experienced doctor / nurse to administer the epidural. Congratulations on your next addition!

Carol - posted on 05/28/2012

Follow your doctor's advice. Have a vaginal birth whenever possible. You are diabetic which adds a lot of risk to childbirth and you don't want to add any more by having elective surgery for no reason. Hopefully your doctor sticks to his or her guns and works with you to make this time as positive as possible. Have a good attitude about this second experience, take some childbirth and epidural classes even if you have already had them and relax and try to enjoy this baby. I know some of my friends who had a horrific first birth and a breeze the second or third time.

Shaunte - posted on 05/28/2012

Not sure why you would want to have major surgery just because. I had to have a C-section and its not pleasant. Take your doctors advice and do what your body tells you.

Roshander - posted on 05/28/2012

Well i have a friend who had c-section twice n wish she could have had all her 3 kids natural. I never had a c section but i was told u be in pain longer afterwards. I had all 3 of my kids natural n last kid i tried epidural n hate i did because i didnt have control over my legs n felt terrible. So follow your heart but if u don't need surgery don't mess up that body. :). Praying for u and a healthy baby. Good luck with your decision.

Bonnie - posted on 05/28/2012

There is a recovery time either way, but with a c section recovery time is longer and you shouldn't lift anything over 10 pounds for at least 6 weeks. Why put yourself through surgery if you don't have to? I have due with my third child in the next month and I told my husband, in case I am truly out of it and a decision needs to be made, I don't want a c section unless there is no other option. I have had my own mother tell me that I should have a c section if I can. I told her she is nuts lol.

You want to have a baby, you need to go through the the labour process. I don't know of any doctor who would let a patient choose unless we are talking VBAC.

Carla - posted on 05/28/2012

I would not do a C-section unless you absolutely have to. It is still a major surgery. All of your stomach muscles are cut into and you may or may not get that strength back. No two births are the same. It is a good chance your second birth will be v.fast! My second birth, which I had 13 days ago was extremely fast. I was in the hospital for maybe 2 hours before I had her. While getting the epidural - I did start dry heaving - but it was mainly b/c she was ready and that is a sign. I had the epidural for maybe 15 min before I started pushing and she took 3 pushes and was out in 17 minutes. It was tougher this time getting the epidural - but that was b/c I was so close. This was my experience - there are millions of experiences out there. Usually the second birth is faster.

The recovery time between vaginal and C-section is different also. With C-section - you are not supposed to walk more than a flight of stairs once per day for 2 weeks. You are not supposed to drive for 2 weeks after surgery. You are not supposed to carry the baby around after b/c you aren't supposed to lift things...so you will need constant help.

This is my opinion. It sounds like you had a rough time and I get that! My rough time is during pregnancy - not actually having the baby!

Sheralyn - posted on 05/28/2012

I agree with the Doctors too, dont do a c-section unless totally necessary. I have had two babies, both vaginally, the second baby was a home birth, no drugs or anything, just a hot flannel on my tummy. (I will admit I was lucky both times with quick births). A friend has had two c-sections, and does not recommend it. The recovery is hard. You wont be able to carry your children around for a while, and the post-surgery risks are there too. Another friend who lives in Canada was re-admitted into hospital after her c-section stitches burst from an infection. Not fun with a newborn who needed feeding and stuck in a ward where there was no support for her in helping take care of her son... in flies mum from New Zealand to help out for the six weeks of recovery.
If you can, go vaginally. Two births are never the same. You may think it could be similar to the first, but no doubt it will be vastly different. Yes, giving birth is hard... but after that final push, it all goes away and you have your wee bubba in your arms.
Good luck!

Patricia - posted on 05/28/2012

I had 3 babies and natural. Don't compare your first one all pregnancies are different. The recovery time is much less than with a c-section. If you can avoid a c-sectio do it.

Angela - posted on 05/28/2012

Please don't opt for a C-section. I have three kids and my first I did the epidural and it was a long labor and had the wire in his head and was cut and etc, etc. I watched Ricki Lakes documentary "The Business of Being Born" and it totally opened my eyes to the possibility of a natural birth. I did that with my two girls and let me tell you how empowered I feel that I was able to do that. I feel that this country is taking birthing away from women. It's amazing what our bodies can do. I labored at home until my water broke then went to the hospital. I was able to shower, walk around, my husband massaged me. Once my water broke it was a mad dash to the hospital where they were born about an hour later. No need for drugs or to be hooked up to anything. It's so much better that way . I was also home the very next day which I could've been home sooner but I wanted the first night in the hospital. There is really little "recovery time". If I were to have a fourth, I would definitely do a home birth to really get a way from the hospital environment. The more drugs you have in you the more you deteriorate all the natural hormones you have when you birth to have that strong bond between mother and baby. Watch the documentary. It’s amazing!

Liezel - posted on 05/28/2012

I've had 2 C-sections, first one an emergency and second one out of choice. For me, yes it hurt and yes, getting yourself out of bed was a pain. And no, I didn't have nannies to help me with a 1.7 year old and a new born. Depends on your outlook on life. My woman parts never went through any trauma and listen to some older women telling you the cons on a vaginal birth. Some women are made for it, some not. Me, if I had to go through 30 hours of labour, I would gave dlept for at keast a day, to recover. My scar is 7cm in lenght and I was carrying around both children 3 days after the op. If I had to choose again, I would have gone C-sec again, but the pregnancy is what I cannot go through again. Makes you wonder:-) Most women just get "on" with it, no matter what hand they are dealt.

Crystal - posted on 05/28/2012

I've had both a c-section and a VBAC. I would never consider a c-section without having to have one. Vaginal birth as nature intended is certainly the way to go in my opinion. I had a c-section with my first, which I still believe to this day wouldn't have been necessary if they hadn't of pushed Pitocin to induce labor. I wanted to hold out but they kept on insisting, resulting in putting my baby in distress forcing me to have a c-section. It was awful. The induced labor pains with the c-section were far worse and intense than the natural labor pains I experienced with the VBAC when I had my second child. I had my second child in London and I much preferred the experience by a long shot. I had the most amazing mid-wife deliver the baby in calm setting in my hospital room instead of the glaring lights and atmosphere of a surgery room. My husband caught a glimpse of what I looked like on the other side of the tent for the c-section and he was so horrified he didn't have sex with me for nine months after that and every time he spoke of the birth to anyone he used the words horrific. My recovery from the c-section took weeks and was far worse to go through than the vaginal birth experience which of course hurt, but had immediate recovery. My husband too was far better with the natural way and it was a far superior birth experience. Wishing the best for you and your baby.

Nikki - posted on 05/28/2012

I've had two vaginaly and it hurt like hell both times. I'd do it again though and every delivery is different . Not to mention they're supposed to keep th tube attached from th epideral so they can just put more meds not do it over:( healing from a vaginal delivery is supposed tO be easier

Shanalee - posted on 05/28/2012

My vote is for vaginal birth. I had 2 vaginal births then a c-section then a VBAC. By far, the vaginal births and VBAC were much easier than the c-section. Also, get a birth doula if you can. They help moms greatly. C-sections are MAJOR surgery that take months to recover from. The doctors are right on this one. Especially with your diabetes, vaginal birth is safer! Good luck with your next birth!

Deidre - posted on 05/28/2012

My first birth was a vaginal birth, I was in labor over 20 hours, it was rough. My second birth was a c-section, they had to do an emergency c-section because the baby had turned the wrong direction at the last minute. Both were difficult....But I did not want surgery at all. I didn't want anyone cutting on me! But I had no choice. The recovery was much harder. I couldn't bend over, pick up the baby, clean up, drive anywhere (due to pain meds) and I have a scar to remember it all. Lol! Both situations were worth it because I was able to bring forth two healthy beautiful children, but I would have chosen a vaginal birth over a c-section any day!

Chris - posted on 05/28/2012

Honestly do what your gut tells you. Trust yourself. There are a lot of horror stories for both ways. I had two great c-sections, but I am a very fast healer. I did try to do vaginal for my first, but my body didn't. The pain of labor is my threshold. Every time someone asks me what my pain is from 0-10, my 10 is labor so at least that taught me something. Anyways the bottom line is you have to do what's right for you, but if the doctors don't want to do it then the point is kind of mute unless you find another doctor. Plus you need to make sure your insurance will cover it. I honestly wouldn't read too many of these posts that are just about how bad one or the other is. You're just going to get stressed out. Take a warm bath and think about what YOU want to do. Hope this helps and good luck.

Sara - posted on 05/28/2012

Yuck! Recovering from a c section is horrible. I have had a c section and two vaginal births and I would go vaginal any day. So much better. Plus, c sections are major surgery with a higher chance of complications later or even death! Nooooo c section.

Cyndel - posted on 05/28/2012

Vaginal.
C section is a major surgery, surgery is safer then it used to be, but I'll never call surgery safe. Also babies who are born via cs have a higher chance of going to the nicu with lung problems. because vaginal birth squeezes fluid from the lungs preparing them for breathing air, often cs babies need extra help getting the fluid out. Also recovery for you is more difficult and takes longer, also more dangerous complications.

Barbara - posted on 05/28/2012

a vaginal is the way to go faster recovery I work with mom's and babies after mon's have there babies c-sections are so much harder on the mom it is an operation go with vaginal it is the best up and around in hour's little gas but nothing you can't handle. Good Luck you will be fine.