Should I Opt for a C-section?

S., I had both my girls c-section and if i had another one i would do the same. It was still childbirth, but it was easier for me. I was stapled instead of stitched and the scare is almost gone 5 years later. It wasn't that bad as far as recovery i was up and about the same day. I wouldn't change a thing about my experience. Good luck in what you choose though it has to be a personal choice. Oh yeah, the other nice part, i got to decide when they were coming out so that was a huge plus as well.

Please don't opt for a c-section! There is a better way! Find a midwife or Doctor who is knowledgeable about techniques to prevent vaginal tears. I am a homebirth midwife (www.cincinnatihomebirth.com) and a large majority of my clients have waterbirths. We see very few tears. I rarely have to suture. Though you probably can't have a waterbirth in the hospital (except Miami Valley in the birth center), there are things your attendant can do to prevent tears. There are also things you can do.

You will have a much more difficult time recovering from major abdominal surgery. I am a postpartum home health nurse and midwife. I see women post c-section all the time and they are taking much stronger pain meds. They also have difficulty breastfeeding because it hurts to lay the baby across the incision and it's difficult to move around.

In addition, though the risk is small, you are 4 times as likely to die from a c-section than a vaginal birth. You can still have your tubes tied and the incision is much smaller than a c-section incision. Afterward, you are more likely to have problems because of scar tissue such as bladder adhesions.

Some things you can do to prevent tearing include good nutrition (80+ g protein daily), take 400 iu vitamin E your last trimester, lots of water, full squats (stretches the vaginal area), clear up any vaginal infections such as yeast prior to birth, kegels (100 daily). Giving birth in an upright position decreases tearing, but this requires unmedicated birth. Side lying position may help. Make sure to find a doctor or midwife who prides him/herself on low rate of tears. Stay away from anyone saying they will cut an episiotomy even if they say only when necessary (for some this is almost every birth). Warm compresses during birth can help. A doctor, midwife, nurse, or doula can do this. Also, wait as long as possible to push because the longer you push, the more swollen you will be. Swollen tissue tears easily. Wait until you absolutely have to push. Slow, controlled pushing out the head during crowning helps too. Pant as the baby's head is crowning rather than hard pushing.

Please research this. Look up risks of a cesarean section. Look up the reasons why so many women fight to get a vaginal birth after a c-section. Look up your rights as a woman to get the birth you want! Good luck! I wish you were my client, but I know I can't save the world.

I also wanted to add a comment after reading what someone said about big babies. We frequently have 10 lb babies at home. These babies can be delivered vaginally despite current medical opinion. The difference is that women who are unmedicated can move around and help the baby navigate the pelvis. If the head is pushing against the right side of the pelvis, the mom will have more pain when she leans right. She will instictually lean left and line the baby's head up to get through the pelvis. With a medicated birth, the mom is numb. Most the time when the doctor says the baby was too big, the baby's head just wasn't in good alignment to make it through the pelvis. In addition, the epidural relaxes the uterus so the contractions aren't as efficient. Normally, the contractions and mom changing positions gets the baby through. Women rarely grow a baby they can't give birth to.

I am against on-demand c-sections, myself. If it is an emergency situation (as mine was this past April), or mom has been in labor for an extensive amount of time and isn't progressing, then c-sections are fine.
Keep in mind, c-sections are major abdominal surgery. It is a very painful recovery. And since you have another child at home, it will pose a problem in your tending to that child, unless you have 'round-the-clock help lined up.
I've had both deliveries...vaginal the first time around, and it was no picnic because I had to be induced. But the healing time was much less. As someone pointed out, each delivery is different. You may not go thru the same lengthy healing time as you did with your first child.
It's been 8 months and I still have pain at my c-section incision site. I can't stand to have pressure of any kind against it. I've been told by numerous people, even doctor's, that this happens often. It can take a year or more, for the site to feel normal.
Vasectomy would be the way to go, as far as birth control. Plus it can be more easily reversed than a tubal ligation, if you decide later on in the future, that you indeed want to have another child. It's less invasive than a tubal, as well. And the healing time is less. Plus, women go thru the monthly periods, the 9 month pregnancies, and the birthing of the child. Why shouldn't the man be the one to have the vasectomy? It's only fair.
I wish you luck in your decision. I hope that you really read up on c-sections and make a well-informed decision.

It seems that you already have your mind made up! I had a C-section...not by choice...and I feel it was the worst experience of my life. First of all, I actually felt the doctor cutting me open (due to the lack of numbing medicine). After trying my best to jump off the operating table and being restrained by doctors and nurses, I was overdosed with numbing medicine and I didn't actually wake up until the next day. Then before leaving the hospital, I developed an infection and I was given antibiotics through a vein in my left hand. I still have that horrible scar on my hand. Last but not least, after returning home eight days later, my incision busted wide open. Developed another infection. Not to mention that I still could not walk for about two weeks. Worst experience in my life and I will never give birth again!! Oh my daughter is now 7yrs old. If you can have your baby naturally, please do just that. Good luck and let me know what you decide.

S.,
I have had two c-sections and would not do it anyother way. The first one was emergent after 22hrs of labor and pushing for 2hrs. It was uncomfortable but I healed very quickly. The second was planned. I had a spinal and didn't feel a thing and I was back to almost normal in about three days. So as long as your not freaked out about the surgery and you see it as a benifit I say go for it.
S.

i've never had a vag. delivery but i was very very disappointed when i had my section. and the healing is no picnic. it is very very very difficult to sit up on your own. you cant really wear pants. and five weeks later i had a clot and the incision opened up a little and i bled out for two days. the doc said it was nothing to worry about but it was very scary. its been six months and i still have pain and irritation at the incision site. also, something to think about, you are severing muscles and your stomach will never be flat again. there will probably always be a bulge near the incision.

all that and the section itself was the scariest thing i've ever done. they tie you down in a cruciform position and hang a curtain/screen right under your chin and with the anesthesia i felt like i was suffocating.

so i really wish i could have had a natural vaginal delivery. hope some of this rambling helps in your decision.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I hope you're feeling well.

Not all vaginal deliveries take 14 weeks to heal. I'm not sure what the problem was. If it was an episiotomy there is always a possibility of infection with any incision even a c-section.

If you have a scar in the same area of the c-section incision then it isn't seen by many so why bother?

If you have a c-section and you would decide to have another baby for what-ever reason you may not have a choice of delivery it would probably have to be another c-section. Whether or not you preferred a vaginal. Why can't your husband have a much simplier surgery to prevent an unplanned pregnancy?

A vaginal delivery is the way nature was made to deliver babies. For medical reasons due to the health of mom and the baby a c-section is a great choice and has probably saved many lives.

A C/S is major abdominal surgery, which carry's increased risk to you and to baby. Why would you want to put yourself through that? The recuperation is much longer, I couldn't imagine that on top of having a baby too.

Drs. make it sound like they're giving mom a choice so she can make a decision. Believe me they wouldn't be giving you a choice if they didn't like c/s. It's a controlled & scheduled way to have a baby. Convienient for them, you betcha. They don't get called in @ 2:00 AM to deliver a baby vaginally if they delivered by c/s at 8:00 AM instead.

Last but not least think of the baby. During a vaginal delivery there are only a few people in the room unless there is a concern. During any c-section a Pediatrician or neonatologist is in the room for baby! Why?

A C/S is more of a risk for baby especially for respiratory distress due to inhaled fluids. Some have spent time in the special care nursery due to this. If it's planned with no labor it's shocking to them. It's just another day in the uterus for baby, then an incision is made into their home of 8-9 months, fluid that has surrounded them is suctioned out and someone reaches in & brings them into the world, suctions their nose & mouth and takes them to a warmer. There is no immediate bonding with mom. The separation may be an hour or more. It is not a normal way to be delivered!

It is your decision. I think it's important that you have all the facts before you make a decision that you can never take back! You have some time.

Good luck in your decision and your baby!

Happy Holidays!

K. (an RN, CBE and birth doula)

Honestly, I wouldn't opt for the c-section. Yes, it took you 14 weeks to recover but each delivery is different and I bet it won't take that long this time. As far as the tubal, why not have your husband get a vasectomy? You've had two pregnancies and endured a lot from that. A vasectomy is a simple procedure... much simpler than a tubal ligation.

I usually don't tell pregnant women my c-section horror, but since you are asking... I opted to have a c-section with my son because at 40 weeks he was not making any traveling plans and the doctors were telling me that he was a VERY big boy and did not believe that I would be able to push him out. (He ended up just a few ounces shy of 11 POUNDS! His head was still in the 137% at his 9 month check up!!)
Well, it was nice to not have any labor pains, but half way into the cutting (this is a MAJOR surgury), I could feel the doctor cutting me and went into convulsions on the table! They had to knock me out completely and so I did not even get to be "present" for the birth of my son. I woke up 2 hours later and didn't even know if he was alive or not.
Then, I went home after my 5 day hospital stay, only to develop a nasty infection at my sight of my incision. I was in horrible pain and was running a fever of 102. (Consequently, my son refused to nurse, which my doctor feels may have been caused because of the heat radiating off my body. So I gave up trying to force him to be against me and started pumping and pumped exclusively for 6 months.)
I was not able to get in or out of bed on my own for more than 3 weeks and was really not fully functional for closer to 6 weeks. As far as healing goes, I am still, 2 years later, sometimes numb from the belly button down.
So for everyone who says that "C-section is the easy way out." my response is NOT ALWAYS!!! Sure for some it seems to go much smoother, but just like with any major surgery, there are always risks of complication.
If a c-section is not a medical necessity... DON'T DO IT!

By the way, number 2 is due in June and I was THRILLED to learn that I am going to be able to try a VBAC... unless baby #2 heads off the charts in size.

Good luck.

Although you've had a vaginal delivery i would do it again. In ways its nice to have that choice of which way to go, but you have to be careful that you don't regret it. I just say think about how long it took you to heal from the previous surgery that you had. If it was just as long as the vaginal then why not opt for the vaginal. If i were you I would opt vaginal.

I had my first child vaginally and my twins via c-section. I also took a LONG time to recover from the vaginal birth. Within 2 weeks after the c-section, I was back to my old self again (WITH TWINS)! I said after the c-section, "I don't know why anyone would have a vaginal delivery." If I had to do it all again and had a choice, I would choose a c-section in a heartbeat!!!!

I would definately go the c-section route (especially if you want your tubes tied). As for the scar, mine is about 2 inches long and razor thin. It really is not noticable at all.

Good luck and congradulations on the baby!

-K. H.

Make sure you weigh the risks. Nowdays it seem so safe to have a c-section, but it is still major surgery and not to be taken lightly. There are significant risks. Just make sure you research it compleatly, as you would any other major health decision. Good luck!!!

Oh my gosh S., I personally would have the C-section. I have 3 kids, my youngest is 9 months old. I had all 3 by C-Section and would do it again! I also had it done intentionally the last time to have my tubes tied. I guess maybe I'm lucky because I've never had any problems w/my c-sections. I'm always mobile in the hospital, and am up and doing things as soon as I get home. I don't believe in moping around and complaining. Besides the fact I'm so excited to have my new little one home who wants to sit around and complain. If your dr. is willing to do it I say go for it! You already know what it is to have a scar there so that part won't be a biggy. Oh, and the big plus here is it'll be schedule so you'll know exactly when your going in, you can plan ahead. You get to the hospital, you have the surgery room booked for a certain time, you get prepped and have the baby in no time! No laboring and hoping the whole thing would be over soon. I say 100% go for it!

S.

Dear S.,

I have several friends having babies right now and I had one in September. I opted to go the natural route which was a good experience for both me and my husband, I learned I can really count on him and he said watching our daughter's birth was the most amazing thing he has ever seen. I think he respects me more as a women and is more empathetic to what women go through.

Two of my friends had c-sections. One says that is the way to go and when she has her next she will opt for a c-section for many of the same reasons people have already said. My other friend hated it. She said it took forever to heal and the scar is still very sensitive 9mths later and she complains about how her stomach looks, she has pouch that she can't seem to get rid of right below the scar. Another friend had a home delivery. She was in hard labor for 7 hours and gave birth to a 9lb. 4oz. baby boy. She had no tearing and was sore but up and walking around shortly after delivery. Mind you she is very small built so that my explain the 7 hrs of pushing. She healed quickly and said that intercourse after six weeks was scary but not really painful like she thought.

I had a water birth and it was not bad either. Lets be real labor is not a cake walk. I did have some tearing and required 5 stitches but that was mainly because I had been up for two days having contractions and was extremly tired so once the baby started to crown they pushed the head on through causing me to tear. I still feel a little pain every once in a while when I sit and at first intercourse was painful as I am sure you are aware but it was where they stitched that was sore.

I think you should look into all of your options. A c-section is a major surgery and both of my friends who had them said bonding with the baby was not immediate. I am not sure if that was because of c-section or some moms just don't bond as quickly as others. They also had to stay in the hospital longer than I did. I was out in 15 hours after delivery.

You have some time to decide what is right for you. Keep in mind with your second child labor is SUPPOSE to go quicker than the first and recovery is supposively quicker too. There is also information about ways to stretch your "stuff" to help prepare you for labor. My Dr. and midwife showed me how but it was a little weird so I did not stick with it (probably should have). So bottom line, do your homework and decide what is best for you and your husband. Best of luck hope this helped.

J.

My recommendation is to RUN, don't walk, to your nearest library or bookstore and read Pam England's book called "Birthing From Within." This book encourages you to figure out the birth that's best for YOU. It helps you really explore how you feel about birth and to decide from there how want to have this baby. It is truly a fantastic book - it is NOT a "you should do this" type of book - it is a book which helps you look inward, consider your previous childbirth experience(s), your current concerns, wishes, needs, etc., so that you plan a birth that would make you feel safe, happy, satisfied - whether that's vaginal or c-section, medicated or not, etc. Again, recommend this book very, very highly!

There is no one "right" way to birth for every woman. We are each unique individuals who will have unique births. And you should know that I say this AND I am a strong, strong believer in spontaneous, unmedicated vaginal birth for women & babies! In the vast majority of cases, spontaneous (NOT induced and/or augmented w/ pitocin or drugs!) unmedicated vaginal delivery where the mom is allowed freedom of movement throughout labor and delivery is the healthiest option for many, many reasons for both mom & baby - see "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer and "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" by Susan McCutcheon if you're interested in the specific reasons why spontaneous, unmedicated, vaginal birth is safest for most women & babies. Also, I am sorry that you had such a rough recovery from your first birth. No doubt that would make me question whether to have another vaginal birth - but I also think it's important to consider the circumstances of your last vaginal birth and see if it would be possible to change those circumstances this go around such that the scales are tipped in favor of your having a more pleasant vaginal birth and much speedier recovery.

So, with that - congratulations on your 2nd pregnancy! I hope you have the birth YOU want - one that is empowering, wonderful, and safe for both you and your baby. :)

Hi S.! I'm sure you've had a number of responses by now to your post, but I wanted to encourage you to make an educated decision. I have had two previous cesareans, and my husband and I are expecting number three in July. We are trying for a VBA2C. There are risks with cesareans. It is major surgery. You are also guaranteed a long recovery. There are processes that happen with a vaginal delivery (i.e. fluid being forced out of the baby) that help the baby. Personally my first cesarean scared me to death. I had it because the doctor told me my baby was "too big." I was furious when she was only 8lb 9oz. During the section the nurses had a difficult time getting my daughter out, so they pushed down on my diaphram and they were trying to push her out. The wind was knocked out of me, and I could not breath. I panicked and started flailing. I thought I was dying. Then they cranked up the meds so I was completely out of it. When I finally got to see my daughter I was so drugged up I was literally falling asleep trying to hold her. I didn't get to bond with her at all until the next day. We have also paid dearly financially for having the cesareans. I'm not sure if you've heard of ICAN, but they offer a lot of information about cesareans. Here is their website http://www.ican-online.org/. Best of luck to you!

A.

I just had my first baby 9 weeks ago, and I tried to deliver vaginal but after 24 hours I decided to have a C-section. I am actually glad that I had the c-section, Even after getting a tiny infection and a round of antibiotics I was healed in 3 weeks.

i would say go for the c section. if for any reason, it is to get your tubes tied. you have already experienced a vaginal delivery, so youre not going to regret never having that experience. many moms who have c sections regret it because it may have been their only means of birthing a child. i had a c section and tho it wasnt great or natural it got the job done and a few weeks later i was healed. just do what you want most of all and if you turn out to regret your decision, deal with it then. either way you are going to be fine.

Hi S.

I say go for the c-section, like you said you want your tubes tied anway and your scar fixed so its sounds perfect. I had two c-sections. Yes, I did feel with my first one that I "missed out" on something but now I look at it like all I missed was PAIN!! I had no problem recovering from either c-sec, actually I was doing so well after the second one that my doc sent me home a day early!!! I always hear women saying it took them weeks or even months to recover but I was feeling fine within a week or two. Beleive it or not I was shopping 3 days after having my first one. GOOD LUCK.
K.

Hello S.,
Well I have had both first a vaginal delivery (1 baby) in 2003 and a C-Section 6 months ago to deliver twins. Like you it took me a very long time to heal after the vaginal delivery. And I cried everytime I would try to be intimate with my husband from the tear. So since I had both and like I tell all my friends. I would have another C-Section in a heart beat. The recovery was so much better. I felt great within days. Although you had more limitatins, no stairs and no driving for a few weeks. But let me tell you the first time you sit up in bed and get out of bed it feels like your whole insides are going to fall out. I don't want to scare you but I am just being honest. I you have any more questions you can e-mail me back. I would be happy to help. H.
____@____.com

I had a C-Section and I will tell you what really helped me was working out before I got pregnant and during the pregnancy. I would talk to your doctor about exercises, but here is what happened to me....

Three days of labor, almost three hours of pushing and finally a c-section because she was stuck. The hospital was so full I had to share a room with another C-section woman and that meant our husbands could not stay with us through the nights. The nursing staff was stretched so thin that they could not get to us very quickly. In short we were on our own for a lot of the time. That means you need to be able to take care of yourself and your baby (if she's a cluster feeder like mine was). Yes it was hard sitting up by myself, but because I worked out so much my recovery time was shortened significantly. I went home after a day and half in the hospital, versus the five days they were going to keep me there.

Working out and keeping as fit as possible is key I think. Of course chasing after your first child is probably helping you out already. :)

Just think Helathy Baby & Healthy Mom that's what you're going for. You also have a very fashionable smiley face when you're done.

Let me start out by saying.....you are not superfical at all! Women think more about these things. Anyway.....I had a vaginal birth with my first and a c-section with my second. I feel (personal opinion mind you) that I healed and felt 10 times better with my c-section that my vaginal birth! Now....on the other hand my one friend had a c-section on both and has had problems with her scar for years now.....but each person is different. And doctors are different too! my scar is about 3 to 4 inches long, not bug at all....just enough for her shoulders. The one thing I do regret is I wasn't awake enough (13 hours later after being induced I had the c-setion so I was tired) to tell him to go ahead and tie my tubes. And my husband was too excited with seeing our daughter that he didn't say anything either! So I didn't get to have that done....IUD inserted a few months later! I think whatever you are happy with GO FOR IT! I know our daughter has the prettiest round head from the c-section! Basically after rambling on here.....if I was going to do it again c-section is the way for me 100%!!! Goo luck and CONGRATS!

For baby number one I took 8 weeks to heal. Baby two took two weeks! I was lucky. My friend recently had a c-section and the anesthesia didn't kick in. Lets just say.....oh my GOSH! She could feel the edge of the knife and even pain as it went through her skin. My mom also felt her c-section. But you have some valid reasons and birth equals pain no matter which way you look at it. The baby will make you forget everything.

If it was me I'd go for another natural labor vs. feeling cuts like that.

I had two c-sections and let me tell you about my problem - I carry a little extra weight in my midsection and since I have had a c-section I have what I like to call dunlap because all the extra weight just laps over my c-section scar like I had a belt on. below the scar flat above the scar dunlap - it's quite disgusting - I have to work extra hard to get the weight off.

OK just my two cents.
Mel

Hi! I had both my kids via c-section. With my first, I was in labor for 18 hours, he got into the birth canal and got stuck, and then he started having distress. We had to rush and do and emergency c-section. I was totally against having one, had not read any of the books about c-sections, etc. So I was very stressed by it and had a hard time afterward. Well, with my 2nd, they decided to go ahead and schedule the c-section ahead of time. It was the best decision!! I was able to get the doc I wanted, schedule so my husband wouldn't be out of town for work, schedule for my mom to be there, and get a good caretaker of my son while we were in the hosipital. Because I was relaxed the 2nd time, it went so easily. My recovery was so easy too! What I am trying to say is, if you decide to have a c-section, just make sure you are informed and I think it will go much easier than you anticipate.
Also, from reading your question, it seems like there are good reasons to go ahead and schedule a c-section, so I say go for it. Only you know what is best for you and the baby! Good luck!

I have had all 3 of my children by cesection. I had a choice with baby#2, but the risks of VBAC were incredible, so it wasn't even a choice for me. I feel if your OB is giving you that option and it is something you want, then go for it. I will tell you however, it is going to be hard recovering with another little one at home, So I hope you have someone who can be with you for awhile. I hope everything works out for you to deliver a happy healthy baby no matter how he/she enters the world

HI S...I cant really blame you for wanting a C-Section. I also went through the same thing, exactly. I had two vaginal deliveries but almost died through the second one due to reaction to the epidural I had. So when I got to the eighth month of carrying my 3rd child then I said I want a C-SEction and I couldnt believe all the hassle everyone gave me WOW. I said I want my tubes tied right after getting the baby out. Plus I was having anxiety attacks from the last vaginal delivery. Finally I sat down with my doctor and he spent 20 minutes trying to change my mind and then he said okay Ill do it. Just stick to your guns if thats what you want to do, do it. Only thing with me is I wish I wouldnt have because I had another reaction to the spinal. I had such bad back pain with it I could barely move. I couldnt take care of my baby for the first four or five days and that made me feel horrible. I still have back pain from it almost two years later. But I guess that was a once in a million thing to happen so youd be just fine. The stomach pain really wasnt much to tolerate I didnt think. So go for what you think is best. As far as the scarring , youll have a scar from the CSection dont let people tell you otherwise. Good Luck.

Stacy,
I have 3 children, the last two of which are twins, and I had C-sections for both deliveries. One was an emergency, after 30-some hours of labor, and the second was because I was having twins, and it was only two years later. I will tell you one thing, I NEVER regreted having a c-section, for either one. I mean, I know that I didn't have a choice either time, but I was actually glad both times that I had c-sections. Here are my reasons:
1. Yes, it hurts, and you can't drive for at least two weeks, because of your abs being cut, but you can SIT DOWN without worrying about anything other than holding your stomach.
2. Knowing that as soon as your incision is healed, everything is normal again is awesome. You only need to wait 4 weeks to have sex again (unless your Dr. says differently), and get this, IT DOESN'T hurt when you have sex, unless you are still irritated inside, and then thats just for a second. Think of it this way, if you stand him laying on your belly, it's not going to hurt anywhere else.
3. You dont have to worry about the impact of several vaginal deliveries, or in your case a second one, on your pelvic floor, which could cause incontinence and other problems later.
4. The scar from a c-section is only about 4 inches long, and is at the top of your pubic hairline, so you don't have to see it if you don't want to. One thing I would suggest, though, is to have your Dr. use stitches, not staples. That way, they don't have to be removed later, they just dissolve. Besides, I didn't want to feel like roofing shingles. Also, in my opinion, the scar tends to be less noticeable that way.
5. When you have a c-section, according to my Dr. you also bleed less afterwards, because they clean everything out while they are in there. Also, your idea of having your tubes tied at the same time is a good one. They would do it through incisions in your bellybutton anyway, so why not just have one place where you have pain, instead of hurting in your vagina, and your belly?
Here are some things that you need to know, though.
1. when they do a c-section, they are cutting through your abs, so you will need to use your legs a lot more, to keep from hurting your back.
2. It hurts to cough, sneeze, and especially poop! After the surgery, you may want to ask you Dr. for stool softeners, because any straining of any kind (accidental or purposeful)will hurt. For coughing and sneezing, you can put a pillow over you stomach and press while you cough or sneeze, and that helps you not feel as if your insides are going to fly out at any second!
3.After the surgery, get up and WALK AROUND!!! No matter how much it hurts at first, the longer you stay in bed, the more it will hurt. If you get up and just walk to the bathroom and back, or maybe just sit in the chair in your room, it will help a lot.
4. Take a shower as soon as you are allowed. It will not only help you feel cleaner,and more like human being, but it will help ease the soreness of your belly, and your stitches if you get them. When the skin gets dry, it gets tight, which means it will start pulling, so what really worked for me was taking a hot, wet washcloth and just HOLDING it on my stitches, not rubbing, just holding.
5. Keep up on the pain pills. Don't try to be a hero here. It hurts, and don't let anyone tell you it shouldn't. If you keep up on the pain pills you will be ok. Don't wait until you feel the pain, it will be too late by the time the nurse brings it. Anyway, for the time that you are in the hospital it will hurt enough that once you see it has been 3 hours, call the nurse, because by the time she gets it to you, you will need it!
Ok I hope all of this helps, whether you end up having a c-section or not. Remember, though, please make a decision based on what YOU think would be best for you and your baby, not what other people want, ok? May you have a great remainder of your pregnancy, and a healthy baby! Good luck and please feel free to let me know how everything turns out! P.

Hi I wanted to tell you that I had a c-section with my 1st and vaginal with my 2nd and I would much rather have a c-section again. I't took longer to heal with the vaginal than the c-section. If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
R.

If you have the option, take it. After 15 hours of labor and a baby in distress as well, I ended up having a C-section like some of the others. The scar is minimal, you're up and walking within a day and can drive and do stairs in a weeks time. And if you can have the baby in 20 minutes vs. 20 hours, why not?
I have also, since having my baby, found an interesting article on delivering a large baby...if you have reason to believe yours will be a big baby, do it C-Section!!! Mine was 10lbs. 5 oz. and turns out wasn't coming out vaginally anyways.

http://pregnancytoday.com/reference/articles/largebabies1...

Hi S.:
I had a c-section because my daughter was breech and I don't even know what labor feels like! It wasn't a vacation, but it was a lot better than I thought it'd be. I agree with the advice on exercising. I'm in good shape and exercised throughout my pregnancy. I was really fortunate to have a great doctor and my scar has healed perfectly, although I'm considering going to a massotherapist to work out a small bit of residual scar tissue. If I have another baby, I'll definitley opt for a c-section again. But one of my co-workers just had a c-section and her "tubes tied" and her story is totally different. She wasn't in shape and she's older (38)... her recovery was much more intense. Plus, she already had 2 toddlers at home and it was hard for her to manage without picking them up. So ultimately, I'd evaluate your physical condition and your home situation before you decide. Good luck!

I have two children also. With my son I had a vaginal delivery and received a 4th degree tear, which was all the way through. It was a very difficult recovery and I wasn't well for months. I opted for a c section with my second baby because my doctor told me that with my build that chances were pretty good I would tear again and if that happened I would have to end up seeing a surgeon to repair the damage. Personally, I had a much easier recovery from my c section than I did from the vaginal. It still wasn't easy because I had never had any major surgery, but the effects were different. So in my experience I was happy that I went with the c section the second time around. And if you want you tubes tied that is the best and least invasive way of doing it.

I have never had a c-section, but I also had a vaginal birth that was awful. My daughter became stuck, I tore horribly (from top all the way to bottom) so I too took like 4 months to completely heal. I have had 2 friends who have had both a c-section and vaginal births. They both told me the vaginal was a lot better and that they would never had had the c-section if they had had a choice. Honestly, though, if you are wanting your tubes tied, and have a scar removed, I would go with the c-section. I personally would not want to go back in to have another surgery or two if I didn't have to.

First of all congratulations, children are a blessing. Now I had a c-section. And let me tell you it was simpler than a vaginal birth. I knew when my son was going to bee born. With my daughter, I had a vaginal birth and I still remember the pain!! I had to have an episotomy because her head was too big, when the doctor saw that I wasn't dialating he sent me home and told me not to eat!!( I ate anyway!!. I was in labor for 14 hours!!) Long story short, with my son I did not have a problem sitting and by the time my 6 week checkup came I was almost healed. The only thing I did not like is the fact that I was bed ridden for a least 24 hours after delvery so the medication can wear off. (The best sleep I had!!!!) The reason why I had a c-section was because my child was breeched. And you are right it is not tramatic to the child at all. And My doctor used stitches that dissolved so it left hardly a scar, just a smile at the bottom of my belly it is hardly noticeable. Everyone said before I had my child is to try to have a natural birth. but I do not recommed the pain of childbirth to anyone. I would used all the medication available to me because the pain is unbearable. And both my kids came out fine. Anyway, Let the doctor explain the risks, it is mostly the same with any other surgery, bleeding etc. and you decide for yourself don't let anyone decide for you.
Good luck with your decision.
take care
L.

I think if you want a c-s and the doc is willing then go for it. Dr. are showing more favor to them anyway because it is, ins wise, less risky for them. They dont take the chance of hurting the baby with forceps or suction. It will less stress on your body during labor but recovery is difficult. As far as being superficial reasoning for wanting one, dont worry about that. EVERYONE wants to look good and if your scar bothers you then fix it. If your OB says he can make it better, go for it. I think you have a good case since it took 14 weeks to heal after a vaginal delivery. Just so you know though I think they can tie your tubes after a vag del. I talked to my doc and he was telling me something about a ring they just put around your tubes and your done having kids. I didnt look much into it, I opted for more children. Talk it over with your husband and doc. If they are ok with a c-s I say go for it!
S.

I had an emergency c section in sept 2005 and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was my first pregnancy, so I don't have anything to compare it to. Don't get me wrong I was sore but after two weeks I was driving again and feeling good. But the first week was a little hard because it was hard to bend to pick up my daughter from her cradle or to change diapers. Luckily my husband did a lot of the work! It was also hard to find a position that was comfortable to nurse the baby. So, the first few days we were home either my husband, my mom or my mother-in-law were always there to help. So my advice is if you want a c section make sure you have help when you come home. Good Luck!
K.

hello! I have one child who is 7 months, and I had him by c section at 32 weeks...I healed perfectly! after 24 hours I was up and walking, within a 7-10 days I was driving by myself, so of course with me having only one child I have no basis or vaginal delivery, but...people that have had both, I can think of 3, love the c sections so much better! and if you are more comfortable with it, and your doctor says ok, then go for it!! lot of luck to you!! I cant wait to have baby #2~

Hi S.-
I had one c-section and three vbacs(vagional birth after cesarean) the c-section was way harder to recover from then any of the vaginal births and the c section I had was with my first so I did not even have to take care of another child while trying to recover that time I can't imagine having to care for a toddler and a newborn and recover from a c section. Also my c section left a pretty wicked scar itself so I'm not sure if it would be worth it as far as trying to cover your old scar. I also felt like emotionally the c section was very hard for me not actually going thru the labor process but that may have been because she was my first and I wanted the labor experience and felt cheated because I could not hold her right away and when they brought her to me she was all cleaned up and wrapped in a blanket and had the little hat on and everything I do not even remember her coming out. I am not saying it would affect you the same way but it is something to think about escpecially if you only want two kids you don't want to feel like your final birth experience was a let down. One more thing, I think your husband should get a vasectomy instead of having your tubes tied only because if anything should happen down the road a vasectomy is much easier to reverse than having your tubes tied and there is much less risk of complications with a vasectomy versus tubal ligation. Hope this helps and remember you have to make the best decision for you personally!

I think that the birth of your child should be a personal decision and the you should prepare yourself for whatever you decide on...in that being said, you should know that a C-section is considered MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY, and should not be taken lightly. There are risk factors to consider in having one and you should definitely research having a c-section, before you opt for it. Remember you body is meant to give birth vaginally...(by the way, I am not against C-sections, I have attended quite a few in being a Doula)
If you want a tubaligation, you can still have that done with a vaginal delivery IF you receive an epidural during your labor. The Doctor will go in laperscopicaly through your belly button, it is a quick procedure usually done while the nursing staff is checking out your newborn baby. I am a Doula and I have been present for several of these, so I know that it can be done.
In addition, it may have taken you 14 weeks to heal the 1st time (it took me a long time to heal too), but that doesn't mean it will be the same story the second time around. Fortunately, you have already had one baby so you and your body will know what to expect.
There are several excellent books to read to help you make this decision. 1) Birthing from Within (great book) 2) What if I have a C-Section? 3) The Birth Partner, 4) Pregnancy, Childbirth and Newborn. All four of these books are excellent and are great for resources...You can also check out ICAN.com (website for International Cesarean Awareness Network) and BirthSource.com, both provide great information.
If you decide to have a C-section, consider having a Doula. That way someone can stay with you in the OR (it take 10 min to deliver the baby and about another 45min, to put you back together) while someone else goes to the Nursery with the baby. You will also want someone to keep you company while you are in recovery (about 1-2 hours) and to help you breastfeed (if you choose to) when your baby is brought to you. Doula's are a great source of emotional, physical and informational support. You may want to consider having one there....I hope that this helps and that it didn't offend you. You'll make the right decision for you and your baby because your are a good mother and mommy knows best :)
Take care!
A.

If you ask me a year ago I would have been torn because I was in a simialir situation. My first child, I had been in labor with her for a long time ended up having forceps delivery b/c she was not progressing, or lets say was stuck, she was 5 pounds 4 ounces. So with my second child I knew there was that option. We were 2 weeks from my due date and decided that we should go the c-section route. For a couple of reasons, he was measuring much bigger than my daughter and my bones would not let him pass through at that size. Well the day before the scheduled c-section I went into labor with him and at 4 in the morning he was born by c-section.
With that said I personally would have done the c-section in a heart beat. I was exhausted from the labor before had but not as exhausted as I was with my daughter.
You have to get up and move around and make your self move after the c-section, but you should know that from the other surgeries.
Couple of things, make sure you are happy with your doctor and that you and your doctor are on the same page. If your doctor has other ideas and you are not interested in you will be more stressed out at the surgery. Also be comfortable at the hospital you are going to deliver at and even though you have one child go ahead and do a walk through again to revisit the rooms.
Bottom line is that you need to decide what you feel is best for you. Not every c-section has a bad stoy attached to it and not every vaginal delivery is as angelic as some make it out to be. For me I would do the c-section in a heart beat.
Hope this helps in some way.

Dear S.,

I've had two c-sections. The first one came after the fetal monitor showed my daughter was going through serious distress. During the c-section they found that the placenta had broken into bits, and we are so lucky she made it and is healthy.

With my second pregnancy I kept telling the doctor that I wanted to just do the second c-section, but she insisted we try to go VBAC. When they broke my water a nurse came rushing in and shoved my second girl back up, because the cord had come rushing out with the fluid. She got the cord safely back in (I'm so thankful for the great nursing staff both times!). Then the farther along labor progressed the more my scar began to hurt, even through two epidurals, so we went ahead with another c-section.

If I had it to do over I would have insisted on a second c-section no ifs, ands, or buts. I can tell you from experience that the first c-section will take about 8 weeks to heal (you can't lift anything heavy during this time because you won't want to tear your incision). A second c-section will take longer, but you're not worrying about that anyhow.

You'll save yourself going through labor, be able to plan and pick your baby's birth date, and avoid emergency situations that we encountered with both babies. And it would be great for you to get rid of your old scar. My incision is just a small thin line and (if I was in great shape of course!) I could wear a bikini - though not a Demi Moore ultra small one of course!

Good luck, please let us know what you decide. A c-section isn't too comfortable while they're shoving everything around and popping the baby out, but that's only for a few minutes. And recovery with the first isn't bad at all.

Sorry this is so long winded too!

I work as a labor and delivery tech, and while c-sections are safe and commonplace surgeries, they are still surgeries. It's a fairly serious abdominal surgery- they cut through seven layers of your body to get to your baby, and with any surgery there's the risk of infection, complications, uncontrolled bleeding, etc. The second vaginal delivery is usually much easier than the first, since the first baby kind of "paved the way" for the second.

That said, I had my daughter by c-section after pushing with no results for 2.5 hours. I wished I could have done it vaginally, not only for the fact that surgery takes a long time to heal from. Though I knew my doctor and everyone else in the room, I felt a little left out of the whole process. I was the last person in the room to hold her, and while I knew rationally that she was my baby, it seemed to me that they could have taken anyone's baby from behind that drape and showed her to me. This made bonding with baby a little harder than it would have been if I had been able to do it vaginally.

Postpartum tubals are no big deal. They put about an inch incision, which usually takes one or two stitches, as opposed to the six or so inch incision that accompanies the c-section.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that your first vaginal delivery is always the worst. I think you'd regret doing the c-section if you knew how much easier this one would be. It took me nearly 14 weeks to recover from my surgery, and any subsequent surgeries won't get any better...

Good luck!

It is totally up to you but I know a friend of mine had her tubes tied after having her daughter and she had a vaginal birth not a c-section so all I know is that you can have the surgery even if you choose not to go c-section.

Dr's don't usually let you choose to have a c-section, it is usually the on;y way to get the baby out, like in emergencies. Studies have shown there are way to many c-sections, b/c the dr's don't want to wait for the natural way. By the way this is major surgery

I had c-sections with both of my births and if I could have delivered vaginally, I would have. With my first son, I was in labor for 14 hours and just stopped dilating. My OB wanted to take him C-section and I agreed. It ended up being a good thing because he was 9lbs, 7 ozs, and my OB said there is no way I would have be able to push him out, my pelivis was too small. I scheduled a C-section with my second child only because the small risk in a vbac was too much for me, especially since I know a woman who lost her baby during a vbac. I had no complications with either surgrey and recovered just fine. AT the same time seeing how fast my sister and friends healed with vaginal births is definatly something I am jealous of. I would have a vaginal birth unless the doctor feels it is dangerous for you or the baby. Good Luck with whatever you choose.

If your getting your tubes tied, I would opt for the c-section. That way you won't have to have a separate surgery later. Get it all done at once and have it over with so you can enjoy that new baby!