I think you can, but you may be pushing the proverbial uphill to get it.
Like tashybabe, the thought of a needle going anywhere near my spine and major surgery is far more scary than natural birth.
I had 11 hours of induced early labour, then 7 hours of established labour, then 2 hours of pushing. So 20 hours all up, and of that, I'd say only an hour was really hard to bear. It's just one day of your life, it's a healthy pain and you forget it instantly when that baby's on your chest. I loved it and I'd do it ten times over. And 40 hours after birth, I walked home from the hospy.
I used a TENS machine and had access to warm water immersion, and had a bag full of other aids. There are heaps of options, including drugs, if you want to go there. Being informed and confident is key to defeating that pain.
What a horrible decision to have to make! For as many horror stories that you hear about natural birth, there are so many more wonderful stories.
I booked in for a c/s. I was having complications and I was scared. I went into labour naturally and I am so so glad. Labour wasn't easy for me, but I was so incredibly proud of myself once I had DD. And all I had pain relief wise was pethadine, which just made me snooze in between contractions. One hour after having DD, I was up and showering, walking to the nursery and just being me. I didn't have six weeks of recovery where you need help. And next time around, I'm actually looking forward to it, because the fear I had won't be there, plus the knowledge that I delivered a 3.5kg baby! My advice to you would be to read some of the wonderful birth stories available here and really see if this is something you still don't want to do. Good luck
First off I will say that I believe you CAN elect to have a c-section through the public system, although you probably have to go through some mental health testing to see if you qualify first. Most people of course go privately so they just choose to do it, without all the hassle.
You remind me very much of my own situation nearly 5 years ago. However, I joined a private health fund specifically to get private hospital cover so I could choose to have my c-section. I was terrified of the thought of a vaginal birth, it absolutely scared the bejesus outta me. My sister chose to have c-sections, so I did to, there was NOOOO way in hell I was going to squeeze something that big out of myself - it just didn't seem possible and I didn't want to attempt it in any shape or form, I was just too bloody terrified. I had heard so many horror stories (my mum nearly dying with my brother, my cousin having to have 144 stitches after her first birth etc) and yeah, there was just no way I was having a natural birth.
However had I come on BB when pregnant with my first child, I might have put it out there about my fears and realised that it was pretty normal to be scared of childbirth. I mean, after all - its a scary thing - its out of your control what might happen, the horror stories of things that can go wrong, the pain!!
So instead of saying stuff like I think you should have a vaginal birth (if you can see my signature you will see that I've had 2 sections, and 1 VB) because you are posting in the c-section SUPPORT part of the forum (which I think some people didn't notice ) all I am going to say is that - do some research. I wish someone had told me to do some research into c-sections vs vaginal births 5 years ago, I really do.
Some excellent references are "Childbirth without Fear" (awesome book for relieving some normal fears from your mind about childbirth - well it did for me), "Birthing from Within" and also on the other side of the coin "Delivery by Appointment" (c-section book).
I think its best if you research both sides (pros and cons) of a vaginal birth vs a c-section, mainly because I wish someone had told me that before I had to fight for a vaginal birth when I realised thats what I wanted!
One really important thing to consider before choosing to have a CS is "How many babies do you want?". A first CS is a bit less safe than a vaginal birth; but by the time you get to the 3rd or 4th CS there are more significant risks. And looking after a toddler and a newborn whilst healing from a CS (which includes restrictions on driving and lifting toddlers for at least a month) isn't easy either.
The hospital charges if you were to pay completely for a CS yourself would be a couple of thousand dollars - and then you have anaesthetist, paediatrician, ob and assistant ob gap fees - probably another $700 or so. And the "out of pocket" ob management fee of around 2-3k. How about you call a local private hospital and ask them for a quote - that way you'll know what to expect.
Being a "private patient in a public hospital" may be a bit cheaper, but not a whole lot.
Thanks everyone for your comments.. I am still so confused about what is best for me but its early days and i will wait to hear what my Ob says...
I have researched c-sections and now im also worried about this... But i do have friends that have had them and nothing at all went wrong with mum or baby. I am going to try to stay fit and keep my weight down through out my pregnancy - if i can stay awake - yawn.... i really beleive this will make things a lot easier whether i have to push or recover from a c-section !
it can be overwhelming. FWIW, I've had 2 c-sections, one went ok I suppose but recovery was good, the other went really good but recovery was bad because I got an infection. You just never know how its going to turn out I suppose, whether you go with a vaginal birth or c-section, but we all just hope for the best.
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) all I am going to say is that - do some research. I wish someone had told me to do some research into c-sections vs vaginal births 5 years ago, I really do.
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