elective c-section v. vaginal

[marlalovesmaury]

Have any of you, who have had more than 1 child, birthed one vaginally and had another via optional c-section? I'm having an elective c-section but I was curious about which you preferred and why.

[Lindsey73]

I only had one child, vaginally, but i wanted to give you some advice. I am only 5 feet tall and had fourth degree (worst) tearing. The healing from that and an episiotomy is much less painful than a c-section where they cut into your abdominal muscles. It will also hurt to hold and breastfeed your baby with a c-section. I dont think that optional c-sections are good unless there is a good reason why because more recovery time is involved. Why would you want surgery?

[H.Starr]

I personally would never have a Csection unless it was ABSOLUTELY medically NECESSARY.
Otherwise....why? I'd just rather have my kids the real way.

[liamsmom526]

I only have 1 child but i did elect to have a c section because i would have had to have one anyway. I have type 1 diabetes so my pregnancy was high risk and chances of needing one were higher anyway. I had more recovery time then normal only because people with diabetes don't heal as fast as people without it, normally after 3-4 weeks you feel better and you can do a lot more. I breast fed and it didn't hurt while i held the baby, It's all about how you position the baby. I liked having the c section because it's less stress during the whole thing.

[moonemaiden]

I had two children vaginally, but my friend had a necessary c-section (breech baby) a couple weeks before I had my child. She had to stay in the hospital over a week, even though it was considered to be uncomplicated. Although she had her child before I had mine, I was healed (after 4th degree tearing) before she was. Two months later she still needed assistance holding her baby and moving around the house. Her staples had become infected, creating more difficulties. She didn't have diabetes or anything like that, her doctor said that was normal healing time for a c-section (a minimum of 6 weeks).
Is there a medical reason for you to decide on a c-section? Make sure that you are fully informed of the risks to you and the baby, as well as recovery times, etc. They have found that babies born by c-section are at greater risk for respiratory difficulties such as asthma, but vaginally born babies get it too. Just take the time to really discuss it in depth with your doctor and let your pediatrician know as well that you will be having a c-section.

[marlalovesmaury]

liamsmom...I'm so glad that you found it less stressful to have the elective c-section. Also, thanks for the support about breastfeeding. I'm so worried that my milk supply won't come in and I'll have to bottle feed. What position was best for you to breastfeed post surgery. Football hold? I'm so happy that they do elective c-sections now so I won't have to go through all the b.s. of labor and a vaginal delivery. To everyone else who responded...why respond at all if you weren't going to answer the question?

[H.Starr]

"All the bs of labor and a vaginal delivery?!?!?!"
Wow. What a great way to think of it.
Gee, I sure hope you don't have to go through all the 'bs' of middle of the night feedings. And colic. And diaper changing. And crying. And spitting up. And all that other 'bs' that comes with becoming a parent.
(yes, I'm being terribly sarcastic)
Good luck to you. And your child, more than anything.

[marlalovesmaury]

Thank you!

[liamsmom526]

yes i found that the football hold was the easiest and that a Boppy really helps with the other positions. Each day after recovery you feel better and better so it gets a lot easier with all the positions. A lot of hospitals have lactation counselors that can help you with breastfeeding and can show you how to do all the positions with or without the baby.

[lismom2]

I have had two children vaginally. The first was with an epi, the second nothing. I had a much harder time recovering from my first birth than from my second. I was literally up and walking right after having ds and the second labor was 'easier' because I was working with my body and participating in the process rather than being a spectator until the push-y part. Personally, I wouldn't choose a cesarean, but you're a grown up an it's your choice. Here are a couple of links that might help
International cesarean Awareness Network
http://www.ican-online.org/
Nursing after a Cesarean
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/con...c-section.html
Because I don't know if you're having a boy or not
http://www.intactamerica.org/node/6

The politics surrounding cesarean make it a touchy subject. So many women are forced into them or have them unnecessarily, that it's hard for many women to imagine wanting one on purpose. It is a controversial decision, one I hope that no women makes without thoroughly researching. Hugs mama, I hope you're able to have a healthy and safe delivery