I'm coming on board a bit late with this but just wanted to share my c/s experience. TBH I was scared of VB but I was determined to give it a go and read heaps about VB. Then my baby was in breech and I decided the risk to her with a VB was too great for me to take. So I did have an elective c/s.
Anyway, my c/s experience was a very unpleasant one. As soon as my c/s was over I started vomiting and I continued vomiting non-stop for 12 hours. I couldn't get out of bed, I couldn't even sit up, I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep and worst of all I couldn't hold my new baby girl whom I was dying to look at, touch and cuddle. I was extremely exhausted and felt so rotten and I was in a lot of pain. It took me two days to recover. I finally got out of bed on day 3 but was so weak and sick still. After that I was still feeling unwell and weak for a long time and of course had to recover from the surgery too. I'm not sure how common that scenario is but I have since met another mother who went through the exact same thing as me so I don't think it's uncommon.
With VB one friend of mine didn't even realise she was in labour until a check up, then had one hour of pain and that's it. While another friend of mine had a very long hard labour with baby #1 and chose c/s for baby #2, which she found easier.
As others have said I think research is the key. Way up pros and cons of both options before you make a decision.
Like the other ladies have said it is your body, your baby, your birth, your choice... so please don't let yourself be swayed by other peoples opinions. Knowledge is power and will help you feel confident in your decision.
I also want to stress that everyones experience is different. Some people have had hideous VB's while others have had ones that are magical, similarly some people have had terrible CS's and awful recoveries, while others have relished the experience and recovered quite easily. So I suppose what I am saying is just because you read about one bad experience (be it a bad CS or a bad VB) don't let that make your mind up.
Research the techniques, quiz your OB, find out everything you need to know to make a decision that you're comfortable with. Then make a clear birth plan (whichever way you go) and make sure that your OB and midwives know exactly what YOU want.
And for what it is worth I had an emergency CS and I remember DS's birth as being magical. I cried when they lifted him out and I was able to hold him within about 2 minutes of him being born and held him the whole time they stitched me up. While I was in recovery (was only 30 minutes) DH went with him to be weighed and checked out. For the record, they didn't cut through my stomach muscles (I've heard that it is pretty unusual for them to cut them these days, but ask your OB), but rather pulled them out of the way. Yes for the next couple of days I wasn't in great shape, but was up and able to have a shower etc the next day. I was strong enough to cuddle DS from the minute we went to our room and I think I was even changing nappies the next day. The good thing about having had him in a private hospital is that you have 6 days there to recover and you can also have your partner stay with you. I really liked that while I wasn't able to do everything, DH was doing it instead (not a midwife). I had no problems bonding with DS and no issues with my milk coming through.
Good Luck with the rest of your pregnancy and your birth (whichever way you choose to go).
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks