Re: C-Sections by Choice

I am pregnant with twins and recently talked to my Dr about birthing options. I have heard and read that v birth is easier to recover from and as AP said I had abdominal surgery last year (laproscopically) and could not move around for 4 days. and a c-section is a much larger incision...my Dr encouraged me to try for v birth and does not have an issue with it with multiples as long as Baby B is not too much larger than Baby A and baby A is head down we can try it.

Re: C-Sections by Choice

Mine gave me a choice. It doesn't make me think any differently of him. My choice will be based on what my future (as soon as my future seems to be) brings. It is too early to tell right now and frankly, seeing how the choices of full grown adults are in fact being judged here, I would ultimately keep my choice to myself. Spare me the lectures, it wouldn't sway me either way. I am a full grown adult, highly educated and can make decisions on my own.

I have had major elective laparoscopic abdominal surgery before and nobody gave me crap for that. This shouldn't be any different.

Bottom line...It is nobody's damn business.

Re: C-Sections by Choice

Posted by JennZ

I hate the fact that it is an option. I mean it is MAJOR surgery. It is risky. I just can't imagine a dr asking if you WANT one. I mean if you are having twins or it's life or death, (God Forbid) OK but to have just because makes me .

Re: C-Sections by Choice

I think every woman should have the choice. I will be asking my doc for a c-section, I'm just waiting for the right time because I don't want to seem too anxious If I were having twins I would absolutely go for the C, I can't imagine pushing 2 babies at the same time

Re: C-Sections by Choice

Re: C-Sections by Choice

T- call me and we'll talk about this if you really want to know.

Re: C-Sections by Choice

I would hope any dr performing a surgery, elective or not, would tell their patient the risks.

I know my dr said we will talk about the risks beforehand in case I can have a vag birth and might want to choose that.

Message edited 7/1/2008 11:12:55 PM.

Re: C-Sections by Choice

Posted by pickles16

ITA with you and to ppl that chose to do it, that is totally their right, not disputing ppl's choice to do it, bc that is their own choice and their own bodies. What makes me angry are dr's making it more and more prevalent for their own selfish reasons....I think a lot of women think its not a major surgery when it actually is....Believe me, I am all for plastic surgery and would love to have some Lipo and a boob lift later on in life But the fact that dr's are sooooo non chalant about it makes me angry, not the fact that women are chosing to do it..
I hope that makes sense

Re: C-Sections by Choice

I would never elect to have a c-section just because. There are risks to the mother and the baby and its just not worth it IMO if its not medically necessary.

Re: C-Sections by Choice

My doctor gave me the "option" because she thought my baby was big and he was breech 2 weeks before delivery. I researched c-sections online and decided I did NOT want an elective c-section. We went through the induction process and I am so glad we went with this choice. While my labor did have complications and it wasn't easy, I wouldn't change anything.

I made the choice that was right for my son, my husband and my body. If someone choses to have an elective c-section, then she and her family have to deal with the consequences (if any). Not my life, not my body.

Message edited 7/2/2008 12:13:08 AM.

Re: C-Sections by Choice

I think being offered the option at the end of pregnancy due to a big baby and the risks they carry VS. offering it to a patient who is only 10 weeks pregnant are 2 totally different things though.

Personally I feel that when there is a health risk to either the baby or mother (breech, multiples, big baby, previa, past c/s,etc) OF COURSE being offered a c/s is a valid option.

But I can't understand why a doctor would be offering it to someone who (at this point) has no health concerns that might endanger her or her child if she gave birth vaginally.

And I (ding, ding, ding- opinion alert!!!!) feel that someone who chooses to have major surgery to avoid the pain or after effects of vaginal delivery are a little *touched* in the head. The pain and after effects of a c/s are MUCH worse than a vaginal delivery.

This is one of those topics I didn't want to post on so that's all I'll say about that...

Message edited 7/2/2008 6:44:53 AM.

Re: C-Sections by Choice

Re: C-Sections by Choice

I need to comment on one thing...someone posted that there is less trauma for baby through a c-section (no squeezing out the birth canal) HOWEVER..

There is a huge purpose to this, and it actually is not tramautic. While the baby is being squeezed out the birth canal, it actually helps compress amniotic fluid out of the babies lungs. Its a good thing. A lot of c-section babies have a rattling and mucousy chest b/c they didn't go through that. I'm not saying its dangerous, but very very common with c-section babies. So there really is a purpose to it!!

Now back to the original question...I mean, I personally can't understand why a doctor would give a woman that option if no problems exist. I would think all doctors would 100% push for a vaginal birth. It's major surgery with a long recovery time. I mean I guess in this case, to each their own. It gets the baby out in the end, right?? I just would hope that woman aren't being intrigued blindly thinking that the c-section is the easy choice (and I do honestly think some women think that!!).

Re: C-Sections by Choice

Message edited 7/2/2008 7:29:08 AM.

Re: C-Sections by Choice

I wanted to add that because of my c-section my son spent 4 days in NICU from swallowing fluid. The OB and Ped said this only happened because I had a c-section and when babies come out via c-section they cannot squeeze the fluid out of there lungs like during a vaginal birth. So this can happen a lot.

I guess that is why I am so against c-sections for no reason.

Message edited 7/2/2008 7:36:17 AM.

Re: C-Sections by Choice

If I had a choice (knowing what it is like to go through it) I would NOT opt for a C/S. I had an emergency C/S for DD and the recovery was horrible and your body just does not go back to "normal" IMO.
For this pregnancy, I wanted to try VBAC, but the doc urged against it for medical reasons. I am NOT looking forward to another C/S.

HTH

Re: C-Sections by Choice

Here is a link for possible risks with a c-section for mom and baby:

Link

Re: C-Sections by Choice

Re: C-Sections by Choice

Posted by Porrruss

I think being offered the option at the end of pregnancy due to a big baby and the risks they carry VS. offering it to a patient who is only 10 weeks pregnant are 2 totally different things though.

Personally I feel that when there is a health risk to either the baby or mother (breech, multiples, big baby, previa, past c/s,etc) OF COURSE being offered a c/s is a valid option.

But I can't understand why a doctor would be offering it to someone who (at this point) has no health concerns that might endanger her or her child if she gave birth vaginally.

And I (ding, ding, ding- opinion alert!!!!) feel that someone who chooses to have major surgery to avoid the pain or after effects of vaginal delivery are a little *touched* in the head. The pain and after effects of a c/s are MUCH worse than a vaginal delivery.

This is one of those topics I didn't want to post on so that's all I'll say about that...

Re: C-Sections by Choice

Message edited 7/2/2008 7:38:16 AM.

Re: C-Sections by Choice

I would like to avoid a C-section........it's surgery!! However, that being said I will do whatever is necessary to ensure that my baby is born healthy but for me, I would not elect to have a C-section. I would like to do my best to deliver this baby vaginally and with as little intervention as possible. Who knows how it will go as labor and delivery is unpredictable but that is my plan. Guess we'll see.

Message edited 12/7/2009 10:45:17 AM.

Re: C-Sections by Choice

Re: C-Sections by Choice

this is like religion and politics; some topics are not to be discussed with others

you will NEVER change people's minds so why discuss?

Re: C-Sections by Choice

While many people have wonderful C-sections, statistically, they are more risky than vaginal births. Here is an excerpt from childbirthconnection.org. Anyone considering an elective C-section should check this link out.

risks of c-sections vs. vaginal births


KEY MESSAGES ABOUT CESAREAN SECTION COMPARED WITH VAGINAL BIRTH See details about these effects after the following summary lists.

Extra risks associated with cesarean section: Current research suggests that cesarean section has the following disadvantages in comparison with vaginal birth:



Physical problems in mothers: Compared with vaginal birth, cesarean section increases a woman's risk for a number of physical problems. These range from less common but potentially life-threatening problems, including hemorrhage (severe bleeding), blood clots, and bowel obstruction, to much more common concerns such as longer-lasting and more severe pain and infection. Even after recovery from surgery, scarring and adhesion tissue increase risk for ongoing pelvic pain and for twisted bowel.
Hospitalization of mothers: If a woman has a cesarean, she is more likely to stay in the hospital longer and is at greater risk of being re-hospitalized.
Emotional well-being of mothers: A woman who has a cesarean section may be at greater risk for poorer overall mental health and some emotional problems. She is also more likely to rate her birth experience poorer than a woman who has had a vaginal birth.
Early contact with, feelings toward babies: A woman who has a cesarean usually has less early contact with her baby and is more likely to have initial negative feelings about her baby.
Breastfeeding: Recovery from surgery poses challenges for getting breastfeeding under way, and a baby who was born by cesarean is less likely to be breastfed and get the benefits of breastfeeding.
Health of babies: Babies born by cesarean are more likely to:
be cut during the surgery (usually minor)
have breathing difficulties around the time of birth
experience asthma in childhood and in adulthood.
Future reproductive problems for mothers: A cesarean section in this pregnancy puts a woman at risk for future reproductive problems in comparison with a woman who has a vaginal birth. These problems may involve serious complications and medical emergencies. The likelihood of experiencing some of these conditions goes up sharply as the number of previous cesareans increases. These problems include:
ectopic pregnancy: pregnancies that develop outside her uterus or within the scar
reduced fertility, due to either less ability to become pregnant again or less desire to do so
placenta previa: the placenta attaches near or over the opening to her cervix
placenta accreta: the placenta grows through the lining of the uterus and into or through the muscle of the uterus
placental abruption: the placenta detaches from the uterus before the baby is born
rupture of the uterus: the uterine scar gives way during pregnancy or labor.
Concerns about babies in future pregnancies: A cesarean section in this pregnancy can affect the babies of future pregnancies. Studies have found that they are more likely to:
be born too early (preterm)
weigh less than they should (low birthweight)
have a physical abnormality or injury to their brain or spinal cord
die before or shortly after the birth
Planned cesarean compared with unplanned cesarean: A planned cesarean offers some advantages over an unplanned cesarean (a cesarean that occurs after labor is under way). For example, there may be fewer surgical injuries and fewer infections. The emotional impact of a cesarean that is planned in advance appears to be similar to or somewhat worse than a vaginal birth. By contrast, unplanned cesareans can take a greater emotional toll.
Planned cesarean compared with vaginal birth: A planned cesarean still involves the risks associated with major surgery. And both planned and unplanned cesareans result in a uterine scar and internal scarring (adhesions). This means women with planned and unplanned cesareans face similar risks in future pregnancies and for problems related to scarring and adhesions at any time
Extra risks associated with vaginal birth: In a few areas, mothers or babies with vaginal birth have poorer outcomes in comparison with cesarean birth.


Perineal pain: While a woman with a cesarean birth is more likely to experience more intense and longer-lasting pain overall, a woman with a vaginal birth is more likely to experience pain in the vaginal area in the weeks and months after birth.
Incontinence: A woman with a vaginal birth is more likely to leak urine (urinary incontinence) and to leak gas or, more rarely, feces (bowel incontinence). Pregnancy itself and other factors such as the woman's weight play a role in these problems. Few women experience troubling symptoms beyond the recovery period in the weeks and months after birth.
Nerve injury in babies: In comparison with a baby born by cesarean section, a baby who is born vaginally is more likely to have a nerve injury that affects the shoulder, arm or hand.


ETA: I'm not saying all c's are bad -- medically necessary ones do save lives. But mothers should fully understand the risks if they are choosing one for non-medical reasons.

Message edited 7/2/2008 9:20:09 AM.