Birthing plan

What is your birthing plan?
I've always wanted to have a c section, I am petrified of having a natural birth. All the stories I hear from people I know and I always see those baby shows , it seems really scary. Now that I am actually pregnant, I am considering normal but I think its something that It will have to grow on me. What are your thoughts on this?
BOTB

Message edited 5/18/2008 2:51:44 PM.

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I was totally going to post the same topic. I would love to just schedule a planned C-section and be done with it.

I am friends with a couple ladies who recently gave birth to their first child that way because they had to (both breech births) and both say they would never go natural now.

I am kinda really freaked out about going natural.

My husband wants me to go natural, but he also doesn't have to go through it either LOL.

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I have no idea which way I would rather, they both freak me out! I can't watch the baby shows anymore I'm gonna be some wimp either way!!

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My doctor told me not to watch a lot of birthing shows, and for the love of god, to stay off the internet with stories about things that could go wrong!

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I was nervous about a vaginal birth, but I have to say, it was a lot less painful and scary than I thought it would be! I actually have nothing negative to say about my experience...I even got pregnant again 11 months later! I had an epidural at 5 cm and went to 10 cm in less than an hour without even knowing (I slept the whole time!) Pushing wasn't bad either, I actually couldn't feel it due to the epidural! Talk to your doctor about your anxieties, but know that not every vaginal birth is as bad as it looks on A Baby Story!

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It is so funny because when I was pregnant with my DS I really wanted to have natural birth and absolutely did not want to have a c-section. Well, I went about 10 days past my due date then I was induced and my DS just would not come down. In the end I had to have a c-section. Really all that mattered to me in the end was that my DS was healthy. Personally, I would never opt for a c-section I would only do it if it was necessary. With this baby I will have no choice because enough time has not lapsed. My DS will only be 13 months when this baby is born.

I urge you all to really think about opting for a c-section. First of all the recovery is longer. You are going through MAJOR surgery when you have a c-section. Second of all most hospitals do not let you hang out with the baby for awhile after they are born when you have a c-section. Remember you go into the OR to have a c-section, not a birthing room so all the rules change. Also, last year when I took a birthing class I remember the doula saying there are benefits to the baby when they go through the birth canal.

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originally i was all for a c-section. im petrified of tearing and the throught of pooping on the table lol and im also very uncomfortable when people look "down there" and with a natrul all they do is stare down there lol but as time goes on and i reserch it more i guess ill go natrul as long as i can

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I think it is natural to fear vaginal birth with all those scary birth shows, but here are some things to think about.

Vaginal birth is healthier for your baby. A recent study showed that elective C-section babies have a higher morbidity rate and are more likely to end-up in the NICU. Going through the birth canal is beneficial to babies.

Vaginal birth is healthier for you. C-sections are major surgeries -- you run the risk of infections and complications just by going into the OR. A c-section also increases risks for future pregnancies -- you build up scar tissue which can affect the way the placenta implants and make future deliveries difficult.

I don't have time to go into everything and I don't want anyone to think I am bashing c-sections -- they are life-saving procedures when necessary, but they do carry risks and it is best to avoid them if possible. Please do a lot of research before considering an elective C-section.

If you get Discovery Health channel, check out this show called House of Babies -- it is fabulous birth show without all the drama.

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If I can deliver naturally without drugs, I will. If I cannot, I will have an epidural. If I cannot do that and a C-section is necessary, I will have one. Stats don't scare me. My child's and my own safety is paramount. If I cannot be calm, my body will surely demonstrate physical manifestations of my anxiety and frankly THAT scares the crap out of me. Bottom line - the safest way, she is to enter the world is what we will do.

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My plan is to go with the flow.

I will try to stay home as long as possible and then head off to the hospital.

If I am doing ok, I won't take the drugs. If I need them, I will.

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I opted to have a c-section as crazy as it may sound. I freak out with the thought of vaginal birth. I do have a heart condition too which worries me which also made me make my decision on scheduling my c-section. I think you should go with whatever makes you the most comfortable.

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my birth plan is to get DS out as safely as possible. that's it.

i *may* have to have a c/s due to some prior surgeries that might cause complications, but i will find that out in a few more weeks.

birth in general scares me, but the thought of holding DS is what gets me through!

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I would really like to try and get through it without medication although I am NOT opposed to an epidural if I really, really need one. I want to avoid a C-section at all costs. It's major surgery, it freaks me out more than delivering vaginally, and I don't want to have to deal with all that recovery when I have a newborn to take care. I just keep telling myself that people deliver babies all the time and in most cases you're talking about a day or two of discomfort for a lifetime of joy and a way speedier recovery. But that's just my opinion and everyone's labor and experiences are different.

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I don't understand why anyone would choose a csection over a vaginal birth if they don't need to have one! I think people forget that it really is a major surgery...

Like others have said..a c section is great when needed. As long as the baby is delivered safely that is what counts. But to go into it CHOOSING a section makes me

I was walking all over the place after a vaginal birth. The pain was not at all as bad as I expected, it was more soreness...and that went away fairly quickly. My SIL and a few friends have had c-sections and the recovery was much tougher than a vaginal birth. (although i know SOME vaginal births result in tough recoveries as well).

Just something to think about.

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It blows my mind that our society has come to view c/sections as the easier way to birth babies. When they're necessary they are great but this decision should be left up to the healthcare provider.

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My plan was to try to go natural but to ask for drugs if needed. I was keeping any sort of plan VERY flexible (and knowing what a wimp I am, I knew that I had to be). I labored very quickly - 5 hours from start to finish and I won't lie to you... it hurts a lot going from 1-9 centermeters in 3 hours without an epidural. Let's just say the anesthesiologist couldnt get there fast enough for me.

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i am hoping that come september i will be close enough to the hospital to labor at home for as long as i can (we are moving in july)

i would love to go natural, but if i need an epidural, i won't hesitate to get one.

i would love to have a vaginal birth, but if i need a c-section, i won't hesitate to get one.

all i care about is arriving safe and sound. i plan on being very flexible and listening to what the doctor says, in addition to listening to what my own body tells me.

the only part of my birth plan that is set in stone is that there will be NO pictures or video of my nether regions.

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MY vajajay will stretch farther and longer than it has ever done before and out will come the baby. I will likely need drugs.

Message edited 5/19/2008 12:35:44 PM.

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with the epidural, i did not even feel the baby being born for a vaginal delivery. and the recovery from a c is much more difficult.

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I would absolutely love to have a natural birth using hypnobirthing or something like it. However, I am pregnant with twins and am on a blood thinner. I'm not sure what will happen though so I am open to whatever is the safest way to get my babies here

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I want as little intervention as possible. I know I have a high pain threshold, and ideally, I'd like to be without an epidural... so I can labor naturally (walk around, have gravity help me out)

Only if it becomes unbearable, I'll get an epi...

I also would like to avoid being induced... obviously, there are times (ex: I'm 41 weeks ) when it's waaay necessary... but I also suspect once I enter the hospital, they'll be trying to speed up my labor with some pictocin when I may not truly need it yet. I'd prefer to be patient and walk around / wait it out.

As for the c-section.... only if it's medically necessary! Our society is so accustomed to c-sections, it really is concerning. If the baby is in distress, breached.. of course I'll charge into the OR ASAP. But, I would never elect to do something so drastic. It's a hideous surgery that cuts through so many structures... Also, natural birth helps remove amniotic fluid from the baby's lungs and also produces endorphines to help mom and baby bond... I don't want to miss out on that if I don't have to!