vaginal vs c-section...

if you had the oppourtunity to choose a vaginal birth vs. a c-section, which would you choose and why?
so far my babies are not in positiono for a vaginal delivery. this is something my DH and i discuss and i'm not sure how i feel about giving birth vs. having the surgery. part of me would rather have it be scheduled then going through the 'headache' of giving birth. the other part of me worries about having the surgery itself!

thanks so much!

 

To me this is an easy question! I would pick a vaginal delivery...no doubt about it! A c-section is major surgery and even though it is a routine surgery you have a chance of complications. Also the healing time is much longer, you are not able to hold you babies after they are born, and it is painful afterwards for much longer than a vaginal delivery! A vaginal birth is the way you are suppose to have your babies...if a c-section is needed then it's great you have that choice for whats best for you and the baby but I would never want one unless it was medically necessary. I have had both my children vaginally and I feel lucky and recovery was great! You are sore for a few days but then you feel so much better. I hope and pray I do not need a c-section for these two!!!! So far they are both head down........

I hope this helps! Good luck!

 

There have been multiple threads in this forum asking this same question... if you do a search you can find many many answers to this question that might help you make your decision.

That said, I'd choose vaginal with no hesitation. A C-section is major surgery and it's been shown to have more risks to both the mother and babies. I had a C-section -- no choice because Baby A was breech and Baby B was transverse. My recovery was quite easy, but still, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone!

 

My preference is for vaginal. Like PP said, it is a shorter recovery time and the intended process of how to deliver babies.
My sister had a hysterectomy and said the recovery was just about the worst thing she has ever experienced.

I do like with a scheduled c/s, that you know when things are going to happen. Even with an induction, you don't know when everything will finally happen.

My Baby A has been head down since 28 weeks so we're still good to go on trying for vaginal delivery; Baby B has been every position possible but that's another story.

 

I would choose vaginal also. As PP's have stated, c-section is major surgery and poses more risks for both mother and baby unless it is necessary. Having said that, if you do end up needed a c-section, don't beat yourself up or worry too much! Once you're holding those beautiful babies, it won't matter how they got here. GL!

 

I have h ad 2 natural Vaginal births and 1 c-sec. That is a very easy question to answer. No contest Iwould prefer a vaginal birth. The recovery is about 24 hours adn there are no limitations as far as holding/carrying the babies. My scar itched for at least a year fter my c-sec and would get irritated and red. It was at least 3-4 weeks until I was fuctioning to at least close to my regular functioning after my c-sec. About 2 weeks after my c-sec I made dinner and that totally exhausted me and made me very sore. I was back in bed after that.

With both my vag deliveries I went home the next day and was out and about that day. I was a little tired and tender but the excitement from having a baby took care of that. I could jump right in to taking care of my baby.

That said, I don't regret my c-sec as it was not my choice adn was what the doc thought was best.

 

I would prefer vag but will be having a c-section, so I'm learning to just live with it!

 

I had a planned c-section with my first child (he was transverse) and I had no complications, held my baby right after he was delivered, and I was up and walking the next day without painkillers. Recovery is different for different people. I think because mine was planned, I was able to get a good nights sleep the night before (as good as you can get 9 months pregnant) and I knew what was in store for me. My doctor has already told me I cannot do a vbac (these two are transverse also but there is time for them to flip) so I am just preparing for the surgery and what I need to do to recover.

 

I would prefer a vaginal delivery and am hoping to have one as baby A is vertex. The idea of having my abdominal muscles cut scares me to death. But, I will do what ever the Dr. says is best for the babies.

 

thank you! this thread has definitely caused me to change my mind.
im worried i wont be able to have them vaginally now. both are transverse and im worried that at 28 weeks they might not be able to turn. <_<

 

QUOTE(newtothis @ Mar 30 2009, 11:50 AM) [snapback]1250376[/snapback]
thank you! this thread has definitely caused me to change my mind.
im worried i wont be able to have them vaginally now. both are transverse and im worried that at 28 weeks they might not be able to turn. <_<

While there was only one of them, my son turned at 38 weeks then flipped back. You would be amazed at what they can do. If you want to encourage them to go head down, you can do squats (if your cervix is ok--if not, do not attempt that), or you can get on all fours and do the pelvic rocking motion. You can google transverse babies and there will be tips on how the mom can "encourage" them to go head down.

 

QUOTE(newtothis @ Mar 30 2009, 11:50 AM) [snapback]1250376[/snapback]
thank you! this thread has definitely caused me to change my mind.
im worried i wont be able to have them vaginally now. both are transverse and im worried that at 28 weeks they might not be able to turn. <_<



Just FYI, my Baby A turned vertex at 28 weeks. Before that she was breech. She's stayed vertex the whole time since then so it could happen. Someone in my multiples birth class had one baby flip after 30 weeks!

Now my Baby B has been Breech --> Vertex (28 weeks) --> Transverse (head to right) --> Tranverse (head to left) --> Transverse Oblique --> Transverse (head to left) --> Tranverse Oblique. She just can't get comfortable anywhere now!

 

I also had no issues with my c-section after my son. He was in my arms as soon as I was stitched up and back in my room (about as long as it took them to clean him up anyway). I also nursed right away with no issues. I was up and about the next day, and even went for a nice walk 6 days after he was born. I didn't take any pain meds once I was home.
I also had no issues with my scar and it was disappearing (can't see it now : ).

So, not everyone has a bad c-section experience

 

newtothis- My baby B just turned from vertex to breech and I am over 35 weeks. It is still possible for them to move even though you think they have no room.

 

I would take a vag over c-section every time and never considered it (vaginal birth) a headache. But as with any pregnancy, I will be open to whatever is best for the health of my babies and me. I trust my doctor and will go with her decision. At this point, that means that I'm looking at a c-section, as A is vertex and B is breech and she's not entirely comfortable delivering a breech twin. (But I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a last minute turn!) I have a feeling this will be a "game-time" decision.

Eve

 

If I could choose, I'd definitely do another vaginal delivery. The pain was instantly gone, despite a bit of tearing (but was very afraid to poop for a day or two!). I'm pretty sure I'll have a panic attack at the thought of someone slicing me open while I'm awake!

 

I would always opt for vaginal over c/s. I personally believe no woman should have a c/s unless medically necessary and yes, I know there are plenty of great medical reasons to have c/s. I just believe c/s are done way too quickly and easily, in the US and here in HK as well.

 

QUOTE(newtothis @ Mar 30 2009, 10:12 AM) [snapback]1250234[/snapback]
if you had the oppourtunity to choose a vaginal birth vs. a c-section, which would you choose and why?
so far my babies are not in positiono for a vaginal delivery. this is something my DH and i discuss and i'm not sure how i feel about giving birth vs. having the surgery. part of me would rather have it be scheduled then going through the 'headache' of giving birth. the other part of me worries about having the surgery itself!

thanks so much!


As someone who has been through it, I would have another c-section in a heartbeat. I definitely would not have chosen that going in, but it really wasn't that bad. And no chance I would try for a vbac.

Here's my advice on the c-section front. Go to a class, learn about c-sections, make sure you are prepared. My twins were both head-down. My water broke at 37 weeks, 4 days. I was on pitocin for an entire day and never dilated past 1-2 cm and never felt a contraction. So, I ended up with a c-section even though I really wouldn't have thought it was going to happen. Luckily, I knew what to expect. It was really, really not that bad. Honestly, carrying twins is far harder than recovering from a c-section!

 

i almost begged my OB for a section, i was afraid of delivering one vag and than needing a section for the second one.
he talked me out of it saying he would hate to send me home with two new babies and just having had a major sergery with no good reason for it.
i am so glad i went vag. there is still a healing process but i am sure its way less than a section.

 

QUOTE(2moreontheway @ Mar 30 2009, 10:19 AM) [snapback]1250246[/snapback]
you are not able to hold you babies after they are born


Not always true. I held both of my babies immediately after they were born. They did take them for the quick weighing, Apgar, wipe down, but gave them right to me and DH just like a vaginal delivery. I held them while I was wheeled to the surgical recovery room. I held them during the entire hour I was in the surgical recovery room. They didn't take them to bathe them and do more until after we were in our private room.

 

QUOTE(newtothis @ Mar 30 2009, 11:50 AM) [snapback]1250376[/snapback]
thank you! this thread has definitely caused me to change my mind.
im worried i wont be able to have them vaginally now. both are transverse and im worried that at 28 weeks they might not be able to turn. <_<



DS was always vertex, but DD turned at 32 weeks to vertex, having been breach. There is still time.

 

I've never had a C section but I did have surgery of another kind last year and I'm in no hurry to repeat that kind of medical experience! I'd rather have a vaginal delivery any day.

 

I would definitely opt for a vaginal delivery over a c-section. Unfortunately for me my decision may be made for me since both babies are breech. The recover with a vaginal delivery is much easier than a c-section.

 

QUOTE(newtothis @ Mar 30 2009, 09:12 AM) [snapback]1250234[/snapback]
if you had the oppourtunity to choose a vaginal birth vs. a c-section, which would you choose and why?
so far my babies are not in positiono for a vaginal delivery. this is something my DH and i discuss and i'm not sure how i feel about giving birth vs. having the surgery. part of me would rather have it be scheduled then going through the 'headache' of giving birth. the other part of me worries about having the surgery itself!

thanks so much!


I Had a c section with my twins. I planned it from my very first appointment, they would be born csection. Even if you have one vag the other could turn and you'd have to have a c section anyway. The choice was easy for me. Even though it was scheduled mine came early about a month early. Yes having surgery is scary but you are awake, you get to see your babies right after. I had no complication with the surgery but I did contract pneumonia in the hospital and I had to have a blood transfusion. ( I was in the hospital 2 days prior to giving birth) pumped full of drugs on bedrest and the contractions wouldn't stop. So I was unable to walk the day after my c section so I couldn't excercise my lungs and the infection settled in my chest. But I stayed another couple of days about 9 days total! ( it was a nightmare) It technically wasn't from the surgery it was just a freak thing. But I got through it and Healing from the surgery wasn't that bad. I would rather hurt thier than being torn in a vag delivery. Just my opinion and experience. But if you do have a csection get up and walk to next day its very important.

 

I had a previous C section and most likely will choose to have another C section. The reason behind it is that 1% risk of uterine rupture is still too risky for me since we would like to have two more children.

 

Definitely a vaginal delivery. My single and twin deliveries were great experiences. My recovery time was about an hour. I was sore but not in pain. I really pushed my Drs to deliver vaginally since my Baby B was breech. They were great. I did have a ton of nurses come in to see a breech birth, apparently they never see them anymore. Most twins are sections as are singleton breeches. I don't understand.

The benefits of vaginal delivery far out weigh the negatives but if my girls were in trouble at any time, I would have welcomed the c-section.

Best of luck!