Debating Planned C-Section v. Vaginal Birth (1st child)

[Anonymous]

My c-section was “planned” in that I went in for an induction at 39 weeks, found out he was breech, so scheduled the c-section for the next morning. Recovery was very easy. I didn’t have any problem with steps like they say you might. Think I was off the narcotic painkillers and just on ibuprofen after 4 days. Think I was more or less recovered by a week.

[Anonymous]

I wish I would’ve had a friend like yours. Went with vaginal delivery because drs told me it would be an easier recovery. Second degree tear (that the OB didn’t repair correctly), broken tailbone, etc. it’s been over two years and I’m still not back to normal. I doubt I’ll ever be. What I’ve been told by drs since then is that a planned c section is much more controllable than a vaginal delivery, and if I was risk averse, I should’ve scheduled a maternal request c section.

Also see this study out of Canada showing a lower risk to planned c section vs planned vaginal: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33941522/

If you only want a couple of kids and you aren’t attached to some romanticized notion of vaginal birth or to pushing your child’s head out, I’d very much go for the c section, and send your friend a very nice thank-you gift.

[Anonymous]

I've done both (although I wanted a C-section the first time, they wouldn't do it) and my experience was that recovery with the C-section was worse in the beginning but got better faster - but I had 2+ days induction and a variety of complications and injuries the first time. We've talked about having a third and it's an overwhelming relief to know that now that I've had one C-section at least I have the peace of mind of knowing that I won't have to fight for it again. If your Dr is giving you a choice that's amazing. You should read up on the possible complications of either choice and pick whichever you feel more comfortable with.

[Anonymous]

I had 2 C sections and would never choose it. Recovery is much longer and more painful. You know it’s surgery right? The doctor cuts thru your stomach and muscles with a scalpel.

[Anonymous]

I would seriously question the competency of my doctor if they gave me a planned c section for a non medical reason. Read up on asthma and c sections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 C sections and would never choose it. Recovery is much longer and more painful. You know it’s surgery right? The doctor cuts thru your stomach and muscles with a scalpel.

That's a myth actually! Your abdominal muscles are pushed to the side so that the Dr can reach the uterus but they are not cut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for all of this feedback. My OB said she would schedule a C-section if I want one. Curious to hear more from women who had planned c’s on recovery time, level of pain, complications, etc.

I am not wrapped up in the “v birth” badge of honor or “natural way,” really I just want the best long term outcome for my pelvic floor and sex life after delivery.

Plan to have pelvic floor therapy no matter how your child is born is your best bet. Not due to an express need but for best recovery outcomes. Carrying a pregnancy is often as much the issue with post partum pelvic floor as any pushing. Plus pelvic floor PT can help with surgical birth healing - uterine incision healing as well as all the other layers. It’s really important for all pregnancies and often overlooked. Also important of you plan for additional pregnancies.

+1
The pregnancy itself is often the issue with pelvic floor problems.

[Anonymous]

My SIL had 2 planned c sections. First was due to an overestimation of fetal size (estimate was between 10 and 11 pounds...baby ended up being just over 8 pounds, but she was very long). 2nd c section was because OB would not consider a VBAC. She had easy, straightforward recoveries at 30 and 34.
I had 2 inductions (pitocin only) and vaginal deliveries at 37 and 41. Minimal tearing with 1st, no tearing at all with 2nd. Easy recoveries, no lingering issues.
I would not voluntarily schedule a c section for a first delivery if I was planning on having more children afterwards due to the risk of adhesions leading to fertility issues. I know several women who had that problem. But that's my own personal opinion. Do whatever you feel most comfortable with, OP. You'll hear stories that run the gamut from "easy-peasy" to traumatic for both types of delivery.

[Anonymous]

You’re playing the crappy outcome lottery either way and nothing you do within the realm of reasonable medicine will change the odds so much that it’s worth stressing over.

[Anonymous]

If you want a second, you should (ideally) avoid the primary cesarean given your age, because doctors advise a longer duration between pregnancies with a c-section. Having said that, it’s not always a choice.

I would absolutely line up care if you’re going the planned c-section route. Night nurse/postpartum doula/EXTREMELY helpful grandparent. Everyone I know who had a hellish c-section recovery was lifting sooner than they should have been/doing too much too early.

[Anonymous]

Can you have someone at home for 8 weeks? You'll need them to lift the baby. You can't lift or drive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 C sections and would never choose it. Recovery is much longer and more painful. You know it’s surgery right? The doctor cuts thru your stomach and muscles with a scalpel.

That's a myth actually! Your abdominal muscles are pushed to the side so that the Dr can reach the uterus but they are not cut.

They do need to cut through fascial bands in order to move any muscle tissue. They’re not that nudgeable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for all of this feedback. My OB said she would schedule a C-section if I want one. Curious to hear more from women who had planned c’s on recovery time, level of pain, complications, etc.

I am not wrapped up in the “v birth” badge of honor or “natural way,” really I just want the best long term outcome for my pelvic floor and sex life after delivery.

Your best bet for PF outcome is getting assessed now. If you dont know how to relax your PF, how to breathe correctly, and if you have ANY hypertonic qualities to your PF then you need that addressed or just go with a Csection but as someone who had one and still end up with lots of PF issues its because of pregnancy and pre-existing issues exacerbated by pregnancy. Also the tearing is also increased if the length of your perinuem is < X and baby position plus head circumference plus positioning plus prolonged 2nd stage plus maternal family history, etc.
C section recovery is not a walk in the park either. Multiple friends who had vaginal births for their first and then c section (scheduled) for others said the latter was more difficult. The expectation that "c section" is easier is not always the case, however, a planned csection with no complications, little scarring, etc. is going to be better than a vaginal birth with 4th degree tear and vacuum/forceps. A csection with multiple complications is going to be worse than a vaginal with 2nd degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’re playing the crappy outcome lottery either way and nothing you do within the realm of reasonable medicine will change the odds so much that it’s worth stressing over.

Maybe ask female relatives about their births if you can? I chose a vaginal birth because my mother and my sister both had unmedicated vaginal births and were very much like “labor? Mostly long and boring with the first one” and only minimal tearing. So I figured for me genetics were at least partially on my side. And indeed, I had a small tear with my first kid and I don’t think I tore at all with my second; easy vaginal deliveries both times (and no pelvic floor issues beyond 6 months although I’m sure they’ll come back to haunt me in my 70s). But I agree with this PP that honestly it could go horribly either way and you can’t know for sure ahead of time. So go with whatever feels right to you. If a planned c freaks you out less, go with that! As long as your medical team is supportive (and it sounds like they are thankfully), there’s no reason whatsoever to do something scary just because some people think it’s “better.” Good luck, OP! I hope it goes smoothly.

[Anonymous]

This is all so interesting to me! I cried every single day when I learned my baby was breech and a C section delivery would be my only option if baby didn’t turn. I was terrified of having major surgery. Friends have told me they felt like their intestines would fall out if they laughed or coughed. Keep in mind that your L&D nurse discharges the patients and doesn’t see how they’re holding up after they leave the hospital. C section recovery takes longer.

Baby turned and I had a very uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Minor tear, which I barely noticed. Very easy recovery. No painful sex or pelvic floor issues. Felt almost normal.

Good for you for getting perspective on the issue! It’s impossible to tell how delivery will go and what would cause the least damage. Wishing you an easy recovery and lots of happiness with your baby!