Should I do C Section or Vaginal Birth?

Raquel - posted on 05/28/2012

I lost sensation in my lower abdomen after a c-section. The recovery was horrific and I spent nearly 2 years in physical therapy. A c-section is risker for you and for your baby, and increases the risks for any future pregnancy. Your doctors are right, don't go there unless absolutely necessary. You might wish to consult a midwife or doula about alternatives to epidurals (yes, there are alternatives). Here is a link to an online program about the risks of cesareans: http://consciouswoman.org/category/semin..., and another that discusses hypnobirthing: http://consciouswoman.org/category/semin...

Laura - posted on 05/28/2012

Thanks Amber! Your name is the girl name we have picked out! My first was face up and slightly sideways and that is likely part of what took so long so I feel for you! I hope this last one is easy too - and NOT early as my hubby will be unavoidably out of town 4 days prior to the EDD LOL. I actually feared I would need a c-section and mentioned it my doctor who said "NO - you will be fine!" I love my OB's - they are so willing to do what needs to be done with the least amount of intervention. I think finding a good doctor is key to a good birth experience. I certainly am glad to have them there too in case I need a c-section. I know without that option I would have never been born alive so I am grateful for that option if needed.

Patrice - posted on 05/28/2012

With a c section you have a greater chances of having more problem with your body after.

Amber - posted on 05/28/2012

Omg, Laura! I feel for you! I was also induced with my first and didn't want my child to have the affects of the epidural, and therefore I had her completely natural (with the exception of the pitocin). I thought it hurt, but not that bad. My son was almost going to be an induction too, but decided to come on his own the night before, and that was also painful (he was face up and gave me the most horrible back labor ever!), but I would rather go natural any day! Hope the next one is WAY easier for you Laura :o)

Laura - posted on 05/28/2012

Natural all the way. In fact, the likelihood that your epidural is what made you sick is very very high. I had an epi with my first after 24 hours of labor - the last 3 I was dilated to 8 for 3 hours - I had stopped progressing so I got the epidural to get pitocin (because that stuff is EVIL) and to rest. I had my daughter after 31 hours - so 16 was not bad although I did not get sick. My second I was induced, got the epidural at 5 cm and 20 minutes later out she came. My last I decided to not do the epidural (because of the obvious risks of injury) however I was induced again from nothing on pitocin. I had him about 12 hours after it was started and I will tell you - no pain meds on pitocin.... I was absolutely insane. There is no way on earth much more can compare to that horror. And he got stuck at 9.5 cm and I had to roll side to side, half pushing, screaming my head off (I was such a cliche LOL) and then I felt a POP and was ready to have my son. Now, as horrible as all that was, I immediately held him, he was the healthiest at birth even though he was 5 days early where the girls were late (I was induced because I had excessive amniotic fluid... long story) he nursed immediately and never left my side. I had him at 9 pm and by 9am I was dressed, showered with make up and ready to go home like nothing happened. Best recovery. I loved it and never missed a beat. For me, having him with me all the time was essential. And in spite of the drink with devil of a labor - here I am again. This is the last one and I can't say the pain doesn't scare the crap out of me LOL BUT - I would never choose a c-section over natural birth. I would recommend not doing the pain meds - you likely will not get sick and if you can go naturally without the pitocin, childbirth is not really that horrible. That 24 hours of labor I had with my first without pitocin was a cake-walk compared to pitocin!!!!! I would take 3 hours of 8cm dilation any day instead of induction LMBO. OH - and if this is important, I was cut with my first - which was OK. I decided to allow for tearing with #2 (that was MUCH worse) and got cut again with #3 - I would pick that instead of tearing. I healed better, faster and with less pain. JME for what it is worth :) GL! BTW _ because of your diabetes I would definitely not get the c if I could help it - healing can be tricky and my sister had her incision open - that was a disaster! More info to - I was over 30 for my kids and am 37 now. So recovery should have been harder!



Can I add as well to those that think us vaginal birth pushers are shouting at her to go natural - she asked what we thought. We think it is best and most people who have had both agree. Now there are circumstances that make vaginal birth much more dangerous to both mom and baby as you have also heard. My best friend had a c-section for whatever reason and was lucky because her son's cord was too short and she would have ripped out the placenta with his birth and possibly bled to death. Birth is risky and hard on a body, natural or not. I think the thought is don't get one unless you have to because opening up your body is not good and hospitals are NOT CLEAN places - take it from someone with nurse friends at many nationally well known hospitals - they are filthy. And how we have so many anitbiotic resistent flesh eating bacteria in them - like MRSA - which I have had - it isn't worth the risk. Just another point to consider that hasn't been mentioned. I was laid up in the hospital VERY SICK for 4 days because I got MRSA in my eye!!!! I have a BIL who got it in the hospital and had to have 5 pounds of stomach flesh completely removed. Limit invasiveness and drug use as much as possible and I think you will be happier :)

Angela - posted on 05/28/2012

I would NOT do a C section unless it's absolutely necessary. I had a vaginal birth with my first pregnancy and a c section with my second...I was pregnant with twins and they had to be taken out 6 weeks early. I now have a scar and my stomach is ugly. Pain wise I think they were the same, but the c section is still bothering me 11 years later.

Susan - posted on 05/28/2012

Post a reply!defo normal.i had c section.wrst ever ive had 5 normal births too.

Susan - posted on 05/28/2012

Post a reply!defo normal.i had c section.wrst ever ive had 5 normal births too.

Cara - posted on 05/28/2012

So I have never had a vaginal birth and can't tell you anything about it. I've had two beautiful children by c-section. My first I had to because my placenta abrupted and I was bleeding in the womb.. It was an emergency csection almost right when I got there. For my second I opted for one because my doctor told me that there is a chance that my scar already on my uterus could rupture in a vbac and if it did me and my daughter probably wouldn't make it. The only downfall was there was also a chance that I could get an infection on my incision. Because my children aren't even a yr and a half apart I figured the safest way for us was the csection. Both were amazing I recovered well I had staples for my first which were a breeze. I was nervous when they had to take them out that it would hurt and it didn't! I had dissolvable soutures for my second so I could just go home and they would disappear! It hurt a little bit in my stomach getting in and out of bed but other than that I took care of my two kids 17 months and newborn. I have to say that I wanted natural birth with my first but once that was ruled out and with my csection going so great it didn't bother me. My below the belt is still in tact. Staying in the hospital for three days was the only thing that sucked. Oh and after my second csection my incision did get infected for about a week but it wasnt too painful and I got antibiotics right away. I know for me it was the way to go for my second having them that close in age. But to be honest of my first was like 4-5 and I was having a second I think I would've gone vbac. I really wanted a natural birth with both my kids. I'm not having anymore so I won't ever get to experience it but Im ok with that. Good luck with your decision and congrats on the new baby.

TRACEY - posted on 05/28/2012

Omg! I have already posted on here, but feel I am one of the few people who believes it is your choice to do what is right for you. I fel some of these people are shouting at you to do vaginal because it is the right thing to do, but they don't know you personally, and neither do I! So please everyone, stop the scare mongering and let her make an informed decision without being frightened to death! God forbid the mother has a say in her care at an already scary time!
Please, don't let anyone bully you into doing something you don't want to do, be it natural or c section. Both are invasive and painful at some stage, but you, and only you, can make the right decision for you and the baby. Each birth is different, but you must be comfortable with your choice, and don't let anyone tell you you're wrong. I mean, god forbid, I had 2 c sections AND I bottle fed both babies, but neither have suffered any ill effects. Both are healthy and lovely children. Lots of luck.

Sharon - posted on 05/28/2012

C sections aren't all they are cracked up to be. I had 3 and if I had, had the choice I wouldn't go through them again. Surgery is surgery and it takes getting over my last 2 were just 15 months apart and I had an internal infection after the second which put me back in hospital for 7 days. Leave it up to your doctor. They won't do anything that will harm you or your baby.

Hilary - posted on 05/28/2012

Kelsey you need to go with your gut. Every birth, vaginal or c-section, is different and there are risks with both. I have had one vaginal (with complications to my son because he was too big for me); he was almost 10 lbs and so my pubic bone seperated and I couldn't walk for a month and then had to use a walker and do physio therapy for another 5 months until I felt normal. My son ended up with a lack of oxygen and ended up with cerebral palsy. The second was a c-section, and then I had the usual 6 week recovery, but at least i could walk afterwards and still care for my son, slowly, but the recovery was a million times better for me. So to me, the recovery wasn't that bad, but I also had a lot of help from my husband and mom. The reason I had a c-section the second time was just to try and prevent any complications.....nothing was wrong with the second pregnancy at all. It was just my preferance due to fear from the first vaginal delivery. So....go with your gut. Do your research and all, but you also don't want to stress yourself out about the delivery, so make your choice and stand by it, and beilieve in it. Don;t worry about anyone else saying you are wrong for whichever decision you make. Your decision will be the right one for you and your baby. Good luck!

Jenn - posted on 05/28/2012

This is so upsetting to me to read this post/question... are women so far away from what birth is about that they feel the need to numb the whole process...
I had a c-sections with my first two pregnancy's and hated it, I hated that I wasn't in control, or that fact that I was the last person in that room to hold my baby, and don't get me started about the long recovery time. I wont lie the recovery isn't that bad but it is long and complications with healing could come also come up. It's MAJOR surgery and women are taking it so lightly these days, not to mention the ob's that LOVE to push c-sections because their quicker and easier for them. I think women are so misinformed about sections and about the process of birth itself.
I just had my second VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarian) but I had to fight for the birth I wanted...and I think that's why it's so upsetting to hear that women in today's world WANT to have a c-section. With my last two births I chose to not have any interventions because I found that they have a snowball effect...one intervention will lead to another and then another...and then the doctor's say we need to do an "emergency c-section". I wont lie giving birth naturally was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life but the high that you get after giving birth is so amazing I wouldn't trade it for the world. I'm not saying that natural birth is for everyone (although it should be because this is what women's bodies are meant to do) but I am saying that women shouldn't take birth so lightly. Our society has scared women about birth so much that they don't even know what a real birth should look like....and that' just sad!!!

“We have a secret in our culture, and it’s not that birth is painful. It’s that women are strong.” – Laura Stavoe Harm

Zoe - posted on 05/28/2012

they don't want to do a c-section unless absolutely necessary because unnecessary surgery is dangerous for mother and baby. yes, vaginal birth is painful. it's one of those things we women just have to suck it up and go through.

Amystefko - posted on 05/28/2012

I've had 2 c-sections and 2 Vaginal births and even though a c-section can be done quickly it really hurts. You are stuck in bed for the whole day following and when you get up it hurts. Also, I didn't get to hold my baby for an hour after having the second, and I didn't numb for my first so had to be put to sleep and didn't get to see him for about 4 hours because it took forever for the drugs to wear off. Adding on the responsibility of taking care of another child when you get home and having to recover from major surgery hurts...I don't like c-sections :) Generally a second vaginal delivery goes a little faster and smoother. I just had my 2nd vaginal delivery 3 months ago and it was so much easier than my first and I was glad to find a midwife who would deliver me.

Coco - posted on 05/28/2012

Every woman I know who has had multiple vaginal births tells me that the second time is easier. Also, you are made to give birth. Trust yourself. Take some classes in pain and stress management for childbirth. Know that you can have a beautiful experience without medical intervention. I gave birth naturally to a 9 pound boy on my first pregnancy. It WAS incredibly painful, but I am so proud of myself for making it through. Know that you can too. You were born to.
Also, vaginal birth is less risky. Read up on the risks of both to help you make your choice.

And a quote, which I do not know exactly, but will approximate for you; There is a secret going around. And it's not that birth is painful, it is that women are strong.

Julienne - posted on 05/28/2012

Hi Kelsey - congratulations on the new pregnancy

I had a shocking 32 hour labour and forceps delivery (so lucky no damage). I was petrified about having another. Our kids are 15 months apart, i stopped breastfeeding at about 20 weeks pregnant - a 10 month old. My second labour went like this... internal at doctors 40 weeks pregnant @430pm. 5pm having contractions - still on the way to the car park. Reading Wiggles stories at 6pm for bed in between mild contractions. 7pm in shower with way too much pain. 9pm go to hospital 6cm dilated and 1min 30 contractions apart and baby at midnight. So much better than 32 hours!!! 2 pushes he was out, compared to 2 hours of pushing.

C-section is major surgery. You would have been walking around immediately after first birth and be able to care for him straight away. With a csection you definately can't do that. but it's a personal choice in conjunction with your doctor. Good luck

Kristy - posted on 05/28/2012

I think natural is the way to go after going through 26 hours of labour with my son and then having an emerancy c-section and then falling pregnant with my daughter 5 months later and been told I needed to have another c-section because I hadn't healed properly from the first one I can tell you having a c-section means you miss out on the first contact with your child after taking him/her out they bring the baby around for you too see then take it away to clean up weigh etc while they fix you up with my son it was nearly an hour before I got to hold him and my daughter nearly 2 and then I had to relay on the nurses so much for the first 12 hours as I was unable to get up and attend to my baby myself. It also made it hard when I came home with my daughter cause my son just wanted me to pick him up and cuddle him but because of the stiches and pain I could. Go natural because most of the time once the labour is over it is over all the best

Katriona - posted on 05/28/2012

I had a c-section fourteen years ago only as a last resort no matter how numb you are it is weird because you still feel the pressure of baby being born I was sick during this and had to have a blood transfusion after . If I was ever lucky to fall pregnant again i would try for a vaginal birth youre best to listen to the doctor and have c-section as last resort

Kristi - posted on 05/28/2012

I guess I'm the only person out there that thinks-- if yu want a c, you should be able to have one. I had 2 both planned-- not because of preference but restricted growth, but still I liked mine. No difficult recovery, no dopey babes, no problems with bf, no problems with infection. Nothing went wrong. Went home a day and half later, life back to normal within 3 days. Back to the gym by week 4 and no c section tummy shelf. Sorry to ramble but just thought you should hear some good section accounts. Do what is good for your family-- even if it's a c- section and a bottle(gasp!) or au natural and bf til the baby is 10. Just do what's right for your specific needs.

Kristi - posted on 05/28/2012

This is just not accurate, I had two csections and have a stomach like a board! You shouldn't make blanket statements, saying you'll never look the same is not true for everyone. My scar is 5 inches across no pain no numbness and no shelf. It stinks if that is what happened to all the people you know! Doctors should learn to close better and it also has to do with how much weight you gain during pregnancy. I gained less than 20 pounds with both, they are perfect and my body s great.

Nura - posted on 05/28/2012

Kelsey, when you have vaginal birth it's best for you and baby. The vaginal walls secrete the mucus that gets all over the baby (can't remember the official term right now) and it's a huge boost to the immune system! Plus there is more recovery for you with a c-section, and it increases the risk of complications if you have another child.
Why don't you get a midwife or hire a doula? Try something different this time around. It's well worth the experience. A midwife can decrease your chances of tearing, and the doula can help your focus to possibly reduce your labor time.

Tanyushka - posted on 05/28/2012

My first birth was really really bad too, no painkillers, tore right through, an hour of stitching with faulting painkillers so felt everything A complete nightmare . my second was just beautiful but my third ended up being a C Section because of problems. All i can say is that the C Section was the worst thing ever . it took even longer to recover than with my first . If you don't have to have one i would think very carefully about it . you will need to have good support at home afterward if you do. if you do choose to have one please do what the doctors say e.g. no lifting , taking it easy or it will take a lot longer than the 6 weeks to recover . I WOULD NEVER EVER DO IT unless i had too. Best of luck with what ever you decide

Becky - posted on 05/28/2012

First and foremost -- This should be a decision between you and your OB/GYN. If you are a diabetic (as I am, type 1), you want to take the route that is LESS invasive. There are times, however, that a C-section is absolutely necessary. This should not be a decision you are thinking about doing beforehand. I understand your fears, but if you are taking care of yourself and following drs orders throughout your pregnancy -- and maybe have someone to talk to who isn't giving you any horror stories or trying to dictate what you should do, you will do just fine.

Jacob - posted on 05/28/2012

. if you had no trouble delivering your first baby you should be able to deliver this one .. do research the options education is the key
why anyone would chose to have surgery when it's not a necessity or and emergency is beyond me .. why doctors are allowing woman to have elective C sections is beyond my compensation also ... to posh to push they call it here ...
I had four Children all naturally (thankfully ), the only reason I would have had a C section is if there was a danger to the baby or something going wrong .. it takes longer to recover from a C section then a natural virginal birth ... . do research the options education is the key talk to your Doctor ♥

Leonie - posted on 05/28/2012

I'd stick with a vaginal birth. Not only is it a faster recovery but it's less invasive. We all have good and bad experiences but you need to remember that each experience is different and just because it wasn't that great last time doesn't mean this time will be the same. My 2nd delivery was much easier than my first. You just have to get past the fear. Goodluck with it all xx

Kellyanne - posted on 05/28/2012

I feel that it would be best to talk to your OBGYN and get their professional advise, but you must take into account also the matter of your current health issues, and advise your OBGYN of these.
Wishing you all the very best
Kellyanne xx

TRACEY - posted on 05/28/2012

I had both my children by c section. The first I had no choice as his head was too big to fit through, and I elected for it for the second, scared it would be the same again. I think only you can answer this question yourself, and totally understand your reasoning. Yes, it's a harder recovery and as you already have a baby, you may want to take that into consideration too. What I can say is I didn't regret, or feel cheated, by having c sections. Recovery varied with them both and the wound was easier to cope with than a tear etc. I wish you all the luck in the world. Hope this helped a little bit.
Tracey Moore

Jessica - posted on 05/28/2012

Its up to you, im pregnant with my third and hate labour but im more scared of c- section because it will made things alot harder the first 6 weeks, good luck sweetie, I guess find out abit more before you make your decision

Jessica - posted on 05/28/2012

Its up to you, im pregnant with my third and hate labour but im more scared of c- section because it will made things alot harder the first 6 weeks, good luck sweetie, I guess find out abit more before you make your decision

Sharon - posted on 05/28/2012

Hi Kelsey,
It does sound like you had a tough time of it. I think you have had plenty of advice about to c section or not to c section. I would just like to suggest you find some really good support and advice. There maybe some things you may not have tried last time that could help make your next experience more positive. Often second labor's are not as difficult so potentially armed with some different information and having done it before you may find another labor not as traumatic. It's really interesting to hear all the things women have done to help them in their labor. Everyone is different so it's a bit of trial and error however you never know what odd thing might work for you. All the best hope it you have a really good experience this time.

Kinga - posted on 05/28/2012

My sister had 5 c-sections and she dreaded every one of them. After like 3 kids the pain medications did not work anymore and she actually felt the cutting, she screamed, but there was nothing they could do at that moment. She felt every pain of it. It has been the most traumatic experience in her life to go through all of that.

I had all of my 6 kids natural vaginal birth. One of the was born in the hospital and the other 5 were born at home. I will have to say I love home births because it hurts at least 60% less then in the the hospital because at home you get to use the essential oils, the music and the positions and massages and the family support! Also you get to listen to your body and do what your body tells you to do in order to bring the baby faster into the world- something the hospitals are not supportive of. Hospitals tend to make it hurt more, last way longer then it should and the stress out the woman in labor- which makes it last even longer and in many cases causes more complications. I loved my home births and would do them again in a heart beat!

Claire - posted on 05/28/2012

Hi,
I had my first natural and my twins by c-section as they were both breech. I'd have a natural birth any day, I was vomiting with my first as was so uncomfortable and was in really bad pain with my back as I also had Sciatica with my first. I was in tears for two days as the pain was unbearable and I was adamant i did not want an epidural as I got into my head that would make my back pain worse after the birth. So i went for pethadin. Knocked me right out! lol Despite all that i was gutted that I could not have my twins naturally and had no choice but to have a c-section.
I found it difficult to move after the section and I got an infection and was in and out the hospital.

Only you can decide what is right for you.
Good luck xx

Meredith - posted on 05/28/2012

i think the choice is yours as we are all different. I wanted a natural birth but things went very wrong at 10cm along so had to have a c section. It was traumatic for me and my beautiful daughter and if given the chance i would go for nautral again. whether my body would be able to do so is a different matter.

Jo - posted on 05/28/2012

I had a natural delivery with my first, no pain meds, and I also had a struggle as he wouldn't come out. I had a c-section with my second, she was breech, it all happened so quickly. Personally next one I am going the natural route again. I just felt I bonded better with my first. And after a c-section, your on pain meds for about 2 weeks. And you don't really remember any of it, because you are on strong medication. I did struggle to bond with my second. You can't do much with your first one either. No picking up, no driving.... And it is hard for them to understand as well, why you are not there as much as before.

Hope this helps you.

Idell - posted on 05/28/2012

I have experienced both and would never choose a c section. My son was born under amergency c section and I never ever felt the birth process was complete. I have always felt disconnected from his birth. My daughter was born premi and died shortly after birth but I experienced that natural birth and those moments of elation as I held her tiny perfect body in my arms.

Have you considered NOT having an epidural and simply let your body do what it is designed to do?

Breast feeding after a c section hurts like the devil and there always an increased of infection when you are diabetic.

Julie - posted on 05/28/2012

I had my first two vaginally and the last the c section I would rather do the c section easier...one time needle and more drugs through the iv

Georgina - posted on 05/28/2012

I wouldn't listen to your friends. I'd go for a vaginal birth. I had a c - section with my youngest as he was an emergency. The recovery was horrible, I was catheterised for 24 hours after, suffered anaemia, had recurrent womb infections, the scar got infected, and I am still having problems now 9 years down the line.
A first labour is always hard, but 16 hours well done, my first was 28 hours.
Whatever you decide good luck, talk to your doctor and midwife first though.

Georgina

Jo - posted on 05/28/2012

C-section has a 3 times higher death rate for the mother (Enkin, M., Keirse, M.J.N.C., Neilson, J., Crowther, C., Duley, L., Hodnett, E. and Hofmeyr, J. (2000) A guide to effective care in pregnancy and childbirth Oxford University Press, 3rd Edition), I think although it may make for a less painful birth , it is MUCH more painful afterwards and then you have to look after a newborn while post-operative. Also, women who have had an elective section sometimes don't produce breast milk or it takes longer to come in and this can lead to failure to breastfeed. This is because the contractions also stimulate milk supply. Also, there are research studies that show the immune system's of animals are impaired by caesarean delivery because they don't swallow the bacteria from the birth canal. This bacteria colonizes the intestines and helps the baby's mucosal immune system, so theoretically C section babies are more prone to illness which may be why the neonatal death for C section babies is higher - C section babies are more than twice as likely to die before they leave hospital - Birth, Volume 33 Page 175 - September 2006, and http://www.bioedonline.org/news/news.cfm... I have a friend who was given a section after an induction failed and she ended up with a wound infection, on antibiotics, the baby then got oral thrush because she was getting breast milk with antibiotics in it, ultimately breastfeeding failed and the mother had an exceedingly painful recovery. I would only have a section in truly life threatening circumstances where I was dying or the baby was dying. I have had 5 children vaginally, the first 3 in hospital, very painful interventions, forced to lie on bed during contractions (makes it agony), agonizing episiotomy that got infected and nearly killed me, intrusive and painful internals. I had epidural, the works, it was still agony. So my 4th I had at home and it didn't hurt (she was born accidently at home because I didn't realise I was in labour), my 5th child, a boy, I had a planned home birth for. I said no to episiotomy, no to internal exams, no to everything except for the ocassional listening to the heartbeat with a pinnard. I didn't lie down at all, stayed upright the whole time and this eliminates most of the pain. All I needed was a TENS machine and nothing else, I didn't even need gas and air. If I'd been in hospital I would have been forced to lie down and forced into lots of things and probably would have required all the drugs they could throw at me. Maybe you could consider home birth instead, since your hospital experience was so bad?

Stephanie - posted on 05/28/2012

I would suggest you take a hypnobirthing course to prepare and relax you for a normal vaginal birth as you are obviously terrified after your last experience. If you are unsure about paying out for it, then there are plenty of hypnobirthing books available on Ebay so you could have a read through that first. In the UK, a hypnobirthing course is around £250 but I think that is a small price to pay to go into your birth confident and feeling in control.

Jennifer - posted on 05/28/2012

i have only given birth once and that was by c-section and let me tell you that was sooo easy it was unbelievable.....i hear so many stories from friends,family about vaginal birth and how painful it is but some mothers prefer it and want to experience it. Personally i don't ever want to....we are planning for another child and im certianly hoping my next pregnancy is just as awesome as my first. I literally mean it was awesome....no morning sickness , nothing at all :) anyways my opinion would be to have a c-section only because its painless and the recovery for me wasn't hard at all....i was stubborn and didn't listen but the doctor said take it easy and don't go up and down stairs alot.Well the home we lived in to get in the house you had to climb a huge flight of stairs and to the bedroom it was a loft and that was another 20 stairs and i climbed them everyday....plus i had my child on a thursday and was back home Saturday afternoon. Maybe i was just lucky i guess. Being that your diabetic im not sure if it would be a good idea or not, everyone is different.....either way good luck and all the best :)

Detra - posted on 05/28/2012

C-section is not the way go unless absolutely necessary only use as a last resort!!!

Gabrielle - posted on 05/28/2012

C section is a cop out, some women desperately want to give birth and cant, you shouldn't be allowed to play god.

Cece - posted on 05/28/2012

Hi,
That must have been an awful experience. I also had a really bad vaginal birth with my first but now I'm having my second I will definitely go with the same unless my doctor says otherwise and gives very practical reasons.All that said it depends on the individual. But if you have no problem go for vaginal it is still the best method. You heal faster and you can go back to regular duties rather than CS which you are restricted to do some things even later in life.All in all discuss with your doc and husband about your fears. It all couples down to the three of you.

Karen - posted on 05/28/2012

im going down the hypno birthing route this time (2nd time). My first birth wasn't horrific at all but the contractions up to 10cm I remember being pretty sore. I had gas and air and a wee bit of diamorphine. After taking the hypno classes, I cant actually begin to imagine doing it any other way. The theory makes perfect sense to me but of course we will see what happens on the day. If I need something I will ask for it!!!! good luck honey.

Rebecca - posted on 05/28/2012

My first was natural birth and I tore really badly, so I had a c section with my second however if I had a third child I woud still prefer a natural birth, I absolutley hated the c section recovery was painfull as well as not being able to drive or lift heavy things for at least six weeks and was a huge struggle (PAINFULL) to get in and out of bed to feed through the night. So my answer would deffinatley be go natural, its all worth it in the end.

Anke - posted on 05/28/2012

I am sorry your labour was a struggle. I would tell you though, that I had a C with my first and wanted more than anything, to avoid that pain and trauma. So I had a happy VBAC with my second baby. I'm pregnant again and its natural again for me, thanks. The C section is all good and well now, its certainly a very serious surgery from which you take weeks to recover - your desire to just hold baby will have to wait, for instance, I couldn't hold my baby for the first two months it was too painful. But, people forget, its a life long decision, A mayor surgery has life long implications. With a C, the scar will always be tender and a weak point, the scar tissue will remain stiff in old age as the rest of your body starts to loose elasticity and this causes severe digestive problems and excuciating pain - watched my maternal grandmother suffer like that for the last decade of her life. I had no epidural as it is not a good idea, baby is also numbed and on average the labour will take 3 times as long because baby can't do his / her job. Its all in all best to go drug free, do your vomitting as I did, have the agony for a few hours and be done with it. :)

Sapna - posted on 05/27/2012

vaginal birth...if there is no complication, coz recovery is fast and much faster with second bub. I have 2 girls had c-section thought at back of my mind but went for vaginal with pains,,,it was hard though i recovered within a week after birth...and i do everything myself my little one is 5 weeks

Deborah - posted on 05/27/2012

I have 4 kids, I was in labour with my first for 31hrs before I had an emergency section, the recovery was awful! My second I had a VBAC which I ended up with Shoulder dystocia and 10hrs of labour, 2 more sections after and I was much prefer the natural birth at least it only last a few days the recovery for sections are 6 weeks and I'd you have already one child it's not easy. By the way my first two have 14months gap and so do my last 2, with 22 months between 2 & 3! I wouldn't look to much at around you just do what is best for you!

Esther - posted on 05/27/2012

Select safest and best way for you and your baby. I experience both and with the dangers i experience with natural. C-sec was the best for my second. With that he's a happier baby with happy mum. First was opposite.