Nyrad & Ellie, congratulations!
I can totally understand if that is what you choose.... after such a long and stressful period of TTC, with all the uncertainty that goes with it, I think for some people planning a CS makes them feel calmer and more confident, and takes away some of the uncertainty and unpredictability around birth. If it is what makes you feel safer, more calm and comfortable, then make your choice and don't worry what anyone else thinks.
Nyrad, I think you can discount family experiences....I don't think there are ever been a link established. And honestly I would be worried before I had my bubs as my mum was in labour 32 and 28 hours respectively with my sister and I - All my labours have been between 3 - 5 hours and my sisters first came in 7. Both no drugs or stitches.
You have time to research and read up about everything - the facts, stats and the choices available to you. Make good use of BB, there is a plethora of information on here.
For me, I'm aiming for a vaginal birth unless my doctors suggest otherwise (and I have a pro VB OB, so I know if she's suggesting it, it's warranted). Part of it comes from the fact that I'm more scared of surgery than I am of labour (I've experienced minor knee surgery and have no desire to go through major abdominal surgery), and a desire to give my body a chance to prove that there IS something that it can do right.
However, if pushing for a VB means putting myself or the Munchkin at risk - hell no. But I think that like Nic I'd be opting for the general as the fear of needles going into my spine is even greater than the fear of surgery.
I also suffer from anxiety problems (fortunately for me it has subsided significantly in pregnancy), and want to add that everyone responds to their anxiety differently and deals with it differently. The right choice for one person isn't necessarily going to be the right choice for someone else.
I had a c/s with my DD. It was elective as I was told that I can't birth naturally. Whether I can or not, my DH and I have personally decided that we have no desire to find out, and will be having a c/s when we have another baby.
Whilst I do agree that VB is the natural way our bodies intend for us to have a baby, after all the fears I had with having a c/s, and for me, it turned out great. I have no regrets that I had a c/s and feel within myself that I wouldn't be able to phsyc myself for a VBAC. I spoke to my OB and anathesiest (sp?) about my fears, and they, along with the theatre staff, did all they could to help me through it. I also recovered really well with not too much pain. Yes I was lucky, they don't all work out so well..
GL with making your decision, do plenty of research and I am sure that you will make the right one. And remember, whatever you decide is going to be the right decison for you!!
Last edited by Doing my best; October 19th, 2008 at 07:28 PM.
: forgot to add some details
I requested a c/section for my second child after having a long, unbearably painful, and traumatic medically-intervened birth with my first (left me with post traumatic stress). The thought of going through labour again made me want to crawl out of my own skull, and I flipped out completely when I saw the labour ward rooms at my hospital since they looked so similar to the place I'd had my first birth.
Going in the CS I was very anxious about having another brush with death, but the anaesthetist, anaes registrar, theatre midwife and even the orderly who held me forwards while they were doing the spinal injections were so reassuring and compassionate that I felt very safe and TBH after months with pelvic instability pain I was quite euphoric once the spinal took effect because it was the first time in months that I was completely pain free and comfortable. I also asked to the obstetric consultant to remain in theatre for the duration of the operation and he did, which also helped with my anxiety. They respected my birth plan involving skin to skin contact in theatre and allowed me to feed my baby in recovery, she was with me the whole time except for maybe ten minutes while I was waiting for orderlies to take me up to the ward.
Afterwards I was glowing for days, I felt so blessed and lucky to have had the birth that I wanted, even though it was a c/s I felt so empowered and powerful, and it really helped to heal my previous experience. My recovery afterwards was very slow however and I had a lingering wound infection, involved another trip to hospital and weeks of ABs. Despite that I'm really happy with the birth I chose and there is no question that I would elect to do the same again if I were ever to have another child.
I suggest you get yourself a copy of the excellent and balanced book, "Delivery by Appointment". It really will help you to make an informed decision. Good luck!
Thank you all for sharing your personal experiences and kind words of support. It really is not an easy decision. A part of me thinks i should just leave it to the experts to decide, but if they could predetermine who would have complications during birth and who wouldn't, there wouldn't be any need for emerg. c/s.
Marydean i will definately go get that book this week. Thanks for the tip!
I second Marydeans suggestion on getting "Delivery By Appointment" it is definately a good one to read.
I guess when it comes to birth (VB or CS) we have to try to remember that anything can happen. I had an elective cs due to my OB's recomendation because I had pre-eclampsia. I thought I'd made peace with having to have a caesar (I'd previously always thought I'd have problem free VB's, never a CS) but then for me something happened that I hadn't really bargained for. The anaesthetist could not get the epidural in so consequently I was one of the 1 in 100 people who needed a general. This to me was a real disappointment. I felt completely ripped off! I didn't have a birth experience, I didn't hear bubs first cries or even see her til she was 1.5 hours old and everyone else held her before me. One minute I was pregnant and the next minute I wake up and I'm not. There was kind of no transitional period for me. But that's just my experience.
Do what you think is going to be best for YOU emotionally. Because either way, bub will be just fine.
Registered User
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks