cesarean vs natural birth

I know it's a little early yet but I'm totally freaked of 'natural' labour - seems to be most painful and cause all sorts of problems by mucking up your insides. So I'm thinking of an elective cesarean. Has anyone had one? Can you elect to have one if you are not deemed to need one by the m/w or doctor? Should I mention to my future m/w I could opt to go this way from start or doesn't it make a diff e.g. do I need to be under a doctor to elect to have one later on? I'd love to hear from anyone that has done this...

I don't know as i haven't had either but i am planning for a natural birth. A c-section takes longer to heal afterwards so in my mind:

Natural Labour = one day of pain and then maybe some afterpains and if you tear.

C-Section = Two weeks (or something like that) to recover because of the stiches.

And also even if you are scared now you won't be later on. I have been ssooo scared its not funny but the other day something just clicked and now i am excited.

Hopes this helps

Edited to Add: Your body was made to give birth so you have to trust that as well. It knows what to do.

Edited by Linelle

Yep - most OB's won't even consider a c-sect unless there are medical grounds, or the stress of a natural delivery poses serious psychological damage.

I had a minor freak out when I was 36 weeks with Maya and we found out how big she was and that she was posterior and talked to my m/w about a c-sect but she basically told me to stop being a sook and to give labour a go first. Glad I did coz she turned during labour and my recovery afterwards was really quick.

With the twins I am really keen on having a natural delivery because of the recovery time - after a caesar you can't drive for 6 weeks, plus it makes picking up bubs, pushing the pram etc. more of a mission. I have talked to a few friends who had c-sects and they have really put me off.

But push comes to shove I won't put my babies at risk so if trying for a VB isn't safe then I will have the caesar.

You can have an elective first time. But you can't have a midwife you have to have an obstetrician and YOU have to pay all the costs.
My mum's friend did this 13 years ago & it cost her all up around $8000. She told everyone she was too posh to push.
I've had two c-sections now & I sure wouldn't recommend them.
A c-section is far more likely to muck up your insides as you have to take it easy at least 2 weeks while your healing as your uterus can attch to your bladder & other internals if you don't rest, you can get infections (pretty common) & a whole host of other problems.
Painwise it is alot worse too as you will need morphine afterwards & then other drugs to deal with pain.

Its important to remember that a caesarean is MAJOR abdominal surgery. They cut through 7 layers & then have to stitch/staple you back together.
Recovery time is much longer, you can't lift your baby very easily, you can't do simple things like hang out your washing without hurting yourself and your not supposed to drive for 6 weeks.
And I HATE the scar that I was left with.

If your worried about the pain of giving birth then order an epidural when you get into hospital.

If you want more info I can ask my mum's friend but it is something you need to discuss with your doctor.

Having your insides stuffed up is having a c section. A c section means major abdominal surgery something that isn't a walk in the park. A vaginal birth is so much easier to recover from a few hours after the birth you can be up and about and walk around. With a c section you have to stay on your bed for hours after hours. Then there is the recovery after you leave the hospital Like the others have said not being able to drive, not being able to get up and down off the floor easily etc.

My friend in London has just had stomach surgery and is now trying to get pregnant. She said she so wishes to have a vaginal birth as the cut she has across her tummy is one like a c section cut and has taken so long to heal. She also said the good thing for her was that it was done in the holidays and not during the school term or she would of had to take heaps of time off work. But having a baby is different as you will be taking time off work.

There are a few on here who have just had babies b c section thou often it is not by choice.

Speak with your MW about the fear and she will be able to help you with it. I have the oppisite to you, I am sh*t scared of a c section.

As said before a c-section is major surgery. I think you would have a hard time trying to find a midwife if you want an elective but I would say if you were sure thatis what you wanted you would be able to find a specialist to take you on, this would cost $$ tho.

Giving birth is scary, I know I was terrified of doing it. I think it is super important to know that your body IS capable of doing it and you need to trust yourself. There will be masses of support for you (either way you decide) and those people caring for you have your and your babys best interests at heart. They will help you make the right decision.

Oh gosh, I am really glad i am not having a c-section (hopefully i won't have to). They sound to scary and painfull.

I didnt even want to consider a c-section, i went natural and didnt look back, i think im wierd coz even without drugs i wasnt scared lol

Another downside to a c-section is possible adhesions, i didnt want one coz i had enough problems with them through my pregnancy and being cut open again would most likely create more.

At the end of the day it is ur decision but do think about it wisely and realise there are really good drugs available to you if u want them.

Vanessa - my aunty had a VBAC with her second baby and didn't have too many probs wth scar tissue, so hopefully you will be the same!

When I was pregnant with my first child I decided that we were going to go privately so could have an elective C-section. I explained my fears to my OB and she was very pro womans choice. This was in 2003 so it cost us $1500 for the OB and then if we had a C-section it was an additional $500.00. This really set my mind at ease and as my pregnancy progressed and I read more up on birth I decided I could give birth naturally....well naturally plus an epidural. I was induced (my choice) and had an epidural right up till when Harry was born. This worked for me and I was happy with the birth and the outcome. I felt in control through the whole process and I think that was the key for me. It was a fantastic experience and I'm so pleased that I didn't have the c-section.

But hey, its your choice