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

[Anonymous]

I had two unmedicated vaginal births with no tearing either time. With both, I was up and walking around within hours and had easy physical recoveries (mentally, not so easy but due to other factors including zero support from my husband). I worked hard to support my pelvic floor throughout both pregnancies and began again as soon as I was cleared to do so and have had no physical issues with sex since (although I cannot say as much for my energy level - several years in, and I’d still rather get a bit of extra sleep than have sex!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had two unmedicated vaginal births with no tearing either time. With both, I was up and walking around within hours and had easy physical recoveries (mentally, not so easy but due to other factors including zero support from my husband). I worked hard to support my pelvic floor throughout both pregnancies and began again as soon as I was cleared to do so and have had no physical issues with sex since (although I cannot say as much for my energy level - several years in, and I’d still rather get a bit of extra sleep than have sex!)

Thanks for the humblebrag.

[Anonymous]

I would consider how fit you are. If you have awesome abs, c section recovery will be easier. If you're over weight or even skinny but out of shape without core muscles your recovery will take longer. And you might never have a flat stomach again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Increased incidence of asthma in c section babies is definitely a thing. ACOG just published another study about this.

I can’t imagine a good OB on board with doing an elective section, considering the risks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Increased incidence of asthma in c section babies is definitely a thing. ACOG just published another study about this.

I can’t imagine a good OB on board with doing an elective section, considering the risks.

Not sure why you resurrected an old thread to fear monger. That asthma and obesity stuff has largely been debunked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Increased incidence of asthma in c section babies is definitely a thing. ACOG just published another study about this.

I can’t imagine a good OB on board with doing an elective section, considering the risks.

Welll this 2023 baby is 2 now!! So, why bring it back now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OBs push for C-section because it's easy for them (schedule and financial wise).
Once you had your first C-section, it's very likely you will do the same one for your second pregnancy.
Most OBs don't like VBAC, even if they accept you, they will find a way to make you do a C-section (example: baby measurement is not good enough for their liking).
C-section recovery is a pain especially when you're older (40+).
There are a lot of scare tactics, and because you don't want to take a chance with your baby, you're more likely to follow their recommendations.
Do what you think best.

There’s no way you have first hand knowledge of all of these scenarios. So which part are you making up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had two unmedicated vaginal births with no tearing either time. With both, I was up and walking around within hours and had easy physical recoveries (mentally, not so easy but due to other factors including zero support from my husband). I worked hard to support my pelvic floor throughout both pregnancies and began again as soon as I was cleared to do so and have had no physical issues with sex since (although I cannot say as much for my energy level - several years in, and I’d still rather get a bit of extra sleep than have sex!)

+1

The real issue is too many women who go into pregnancy completely out of shape (especially core and pelvic floor) and later develop problems after vaginal birth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friends who asked for planned csections in recent years were denied. I wouldn’t assume it will be offered.

+1 unfortunate but true, they are discouraged even though it should b your choice. I had one th first time for a medical reason. I chose it the second time. I wouldn't go into the surgery and recovery lightly, but it was manageable. 2nd recovery much easier.

A lot of OBs go this route due to what they've seen (like your L&D friend) and they have colleagues who will do it for them.

That’s not why they do it. They do it because it can be scheduled during normal business hours, is quick, less risky for the baby and gets them paid more. It’s major surgery. FWIW, I had a pretty bad tear with a stuck, sunny side up baby. I still recovered, though slower, and went in to have a totally normal second vaginal birth and I don’t have the c section shelf.

[Anonymous]

Anyone know anything about “gentle c sections,” vaginal seeding, and immediate skin to skin after c section? And know a doctor in DC who does this after a c section? I had an emergency c section with my first and I found the recovery fine and now I’d like to have another c section with my second but I’m interested in this approach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had two unmedicated vaginal births with no tearing either time. With both, I was up and walking around within hours and had easy physical recoveries (mentally, not so easy but due to other factors including zero support from my husband). I worked hard to support my pelvic floor throughout both pregnancies and began again as soon as I was cleared to do so and have had no physical issues with sex since (although I cannot say as much for my energy level - several years in, and I’d still rather get a bit of extra sleep than have sex!)

+1

The real issue is too many women who go into pregnancy completely out of shape (especially core and pelvic floor) and later develop problems after vaginal birth.

I was a marathon runner and former D1 athlete before baby #1’s delivery and forceps shredded my pelvic floor. No, it wasn’t that I was out of shape or didn’t have core strength - I exercised the entire pregnancy, ran until the end of my second trimester, and did prenatal yoga throughout. It was forceps.

I, for one, don’t appreciate your victim blaming. It’d be a much more comfortable reality if a lack of health and fitness in and prior to pregnancy caused pelvic floor injuries, but there is literally no connection. Anatomy, genetics, maternal age, luck, baby size, baby position, length of labor and pushing, and use of obstetric forceps or vacuum have far more to do with the outcome of a vaginal birth on the pelvic floor than someone’s fitness level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Increased incidence of asthma in c section babies is definitely a thing. ACOG just published another study about this.

I can’t imagine a good OB on board with doing an elective section, considering the risks.

I'm so pleased to tell you that nearly every OB will be on board with an elective section, because 1) it's very safe and 2) respecting the mom's choice is important. I got zero pushback on mine, which was completely elective with no medical indication.

While the asthma stuff has largely been debunked ... the asthma v. birth injuries debate is so weird to me. Reducing the risk of CP to basically zero was worth it to me even if the risk of asthma went up. And your vaginally delivered kid could still get asthma. Deliver how you want! but asthma is a weird thing to focus on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friends who asked for planned csections in recent years were denied. I wouldn’t assume it will be offered.

This is the experience I had. I wish I had somehow advocated better for myself and my baby.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know why anyone would want to plan a c-section because about 8 % of women “feel” the pain during the operation. Anesthesia doesn’t always work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know why anyone would want to plan a c-section because about 8 % of women “feel” the pain during the operation. Anesthesia doesn’t always work.

Because I’m part of the 3% of women who deliver vaginally that will have pain for the rest of their lives. I’d take 30 minutes of pain over a lifetime.