[Resi]

How do you feel about having a c-section?

[Mars]

Though choosing to have a C-Section would not be my first option for delivery, it is the best option when complications arise. I had a C/S after progressing to 10cm naturally because Amara would not descend and though I missed out on my dream of a natural waterbirth - feeling her progress through my birth canal, crowning, passage into water, holding her immediately, feeding her and the possibility of DH cutting her cord - I was grateful that there was an option to still deliver her to me safely.

As all other animals birth their young naturally, I advocate that we, humans, should do the same but when a birth goes wrong with other animals the end result is usually death to the mother or child or both. Fortunately, we have a method of intervention that can help reduce the loss of life that could be associated with birthing.

The hardest part of the section is the recovery but when you consider what could have happened if there was no means of intervention, then it makes the pain more bearable.

I understand that in the US, many doctors push for C-Sections and I don't believe that this should be the natural course of things. I believe that this should happen if there are complications during pregnancy or during delivery but in a healthy pregnancy, I think a natural, vaginal delivery should be the rule of thumb. In Barbados, the trend is still primarily vaginal first and C-Section for complications.

[SandKmommy]

It was my worst fear since they kept saying I would need one with Seamus due to the GD, luckily I was able to have him vaginally with a couple hours to spare.

This was 50/50 my choice though, it was either the c-section or a version. The day of the c-section the doc gave us the choice again but wasn't even 100% sure if he could turn her due to her position with her back mostly down. They said when they got her out she was footling breech or maybe it was frank breech, not 100% sure which I herd them mention both, the nurse was asking the doctor which one it was.

[Resi]

Having a c-section for me was the worse case scenario. I wanted very much to have a natural birth. I went to my bradley classes and felt strongly about no drugs/interventions. Things changed fast when my water broke and I never went into labor on my own. I did get to 10 cm and pushed for 3 hours and could see his head. I'm glad that I did get those experiences but I do feel I missed out. I'm greatful that I was awake for my c/s and I got to hold him very soon after. I think it was about 15-20 minutes until he was in my arms. Before I held him DH had him so I got to see him very soon. I'm still surprised that I ended up with a c/s but I don't dwell on it. Sometimes I can't help but feel a little cheated and jealous when I see all the other moms on her having a natural or vaginal birth. In the end I'm just happy that I have my baby.

[ShannonMVT]

*huggles* Resi. I hope that nothing I ever say makes you or anyone feel badly about not getting a natural birth. I know that part of me getting to do it natural is just sheer luck. When my water broke I was immediately very scared that I would have a c/s.
You are right that the important thing is that you have your sweet boy.

[Angelaosaurus-rex]

When I got to the hospital to be induced they checked me and said it would only be a few hours. After 11 hours 3 doses of what ever they induced me with I was only 1 cm. I never had contractions it was just non stop pain. I had a fever, my blood pressure was to high and Landen's little heart rate didn't look good. I was completely knocked out. I'm pretty bitter about all of it I think if my doctor let me go full term and went into labor on my own maybe I would have been able to do it. I kinda feel like my vagina is broken... lol I know that sounds silly. And I hate that I didn't see him until hours later. Chris still got to cut the cord so that makes me happy!

[lauren in hi]

i knew ahead of time that i would have a c/s. my ob & specialist both recommended it, & quite honestly, after what i went through w/ abs, i would not have tried for another child w/o that. it was the right thing for me. no regrets, although i could have avoided some things if they did a c/s with abby, too.