Elected C-section? TMI perhaps!

[DW2010]

My husband works 17 hours a way and there is no way in heck that you could pay me enough to voluntarily submit myself to surgery just for convenience.

Honestly--that's what an elective induction is for if scheduling is such an issue that you have to plan in advance an actual day that you need someone to help watch your children.

I'm facing a possible breech and am even submitting to a version before tossing in the towel and going straight to a c-section. I'll even do it with a high dose pitocin induction immediately following if needed. (my doula did this with her last b/c the risks of a c-section are so much greater when it isn't done for true medical need).
Electively choosing an invasive procedure out of convenience is not the way to go IMHO--posted since you asked and I feel my situation has much more of a convenience issue than a 1 hour commute.

Just so you know, Pitocin isn't all that great. Sure it works for some women, but for me, it caused me to get a fever and infection and the doctor couldn't find my DD's heartrate for a few minutes. It freaked me out. Afterwards, I found out from several other people that Pitocin could do more harm than good! After 14 hours of labor, I told them that they could give me a c-section before they tried to offer me Pitocin again. I wasn't progressing so c-section it was.

 

[spel]

well you've certainly gotten a lot of responses here and I'm not sure they've all been helpful, but I'll give my two cents...
I had two c-sections. My recovery was different each time, but neither was horrible. I wouldn't let the possibility of a tough recovery be the deciding factor, because it could be hard, or it could be ok. You have no way of knowing. However, the possible complications and increased risk make a ******l birth much more desirable. There is no need to put yourself & your baby at an increased risk for absolutely no reason. If you survived two ******l births already, the third should be totally fine. Best of luck and congratulations!!!

 

[celestialred]

Adding my 2 cents here (disclaimer: did not read the whole thread so apologies for repeats now):

I had scoliosis surgery at 9 yo (Harrington Rod fusion) which stunted my midsection and as well my pelvic area (IMHO). When I got pg with dd1, I discussed with my OB (whom I love to bits) my delivery options and was concerned that an epi would not take for me due to the back surgery. I was comfortable with the seemingly remote possibility that I would have to be put under for her delivery. And as it turned out, after my water breaking on its own plus 20 hrs of labor plus a failed epi and her big ol' head getting stuck, is what I had. I believe the scoliosis issue prevented me from delivering naturally, because my hospital team of docs and nurses did EVERYTHING under the sun to get me to deliver naturally. Recovery from that was rough. Labor plus the surgery, it's a double whammy and it will wipe you out. With dd2, I again talked to my OB, who actually was perfectly fine with me trying a VBAC if I wanted to, and after reviewing how my first delivery went, me and dh went the "evil" elective c/s route with a spinal block (I got hold of my spinal x-rays for the anesth. guy this time). Not having to recover from BOTH labor and surgery, I was practically dancing around my hospital room (well, until the spinal block wore off - wheeeeee!!! ). Recovery this time around was much better than the first. And I still have my c/s pooch.

I would have loved nothing more than to have given birth naturally. I admire (and envy a little bit!) any woman that can. But it hurts me a bit, even after all this time, when some NCB fanatic tries to pass blanket judgment on those of us who have c/s's. I feel like I've failed in some way as a woman because I couldn't push my kids through my hoo-ha due to my spinal issues that had to take precedence earlier in my life. Of course there are docs that are concerned about malpractice suits or missing their afternoon tee-times and will push patients for something they are not comfortable with. It really comes down to, how much trust you put into your doc and to make sure you are an informed patient and know your self and how your body responds to labor.

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

Sure there is. When a baby is going through the birth canal a lot if not all of the fluid is pushed out the lungs. In a section that squeezing doesnt happen.

My dd was a Mec baby and a natural birth. Because most of the meconium was pushed out of her lungs during delivery she was in the NICU for 4 day due to breathing problems

My bf dd was a Mec baby, born via c-section. She was in the NICU for 14 days because of breathing problems.

The neonatologists and the NICU nurses said that the natural birth is why she was doing so well.

Also lung development is the last thing to develop. NICU had to check Ella for about 5 minutes before they would let me hold her. It was intense because she didn't cry coming out ( which is just her nature, she still only cries when shes hungry) they wanted to make sure the meconium wasn't in her lungs and that her breathing was smooth. I was born about 4 wks early myself and I have asthma. I was born by emergency C section.

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

Adding my 2 cents here (disclaimer: did not read the whole thread so apologies for repeats now):

I had scoliosis surgery at 9 yo (Harrington Rod fusion) which stunted my midsection and as well my pelvic area (IMHO). When I got pg with dd1, I discussed with my OB (whom I love to bits) my delivery options and was concerned that an epi would not take for me due to the back surgery. I was comfortable with the seemingly remote possibility that I would have to be put under for her delivery. And as it turned out, after my water breaking on its own plus 20 hrs of labor plus a failed epi and her big ol' head getting stuck, is what I had. I believe the scoliosis issue prevented me from delivering naturally, because my hospital team of docs and nurses did EVERYTHING under the sun to get me to deliver naturally. Recovery from that was rough. Labor plus the surgery, it's a double whammy and it will wipe you out. With dd2, I again talked to my OB, who actually was perfectly fine with me trying a VBAC if I wanted to, and after reviewing how my first delivery went, me and dh went the "evil" elective c/s route with a spinal block (I got hold of my spinal x-rays for the anesth. guy this time). Not having to recover from BOTH labor and surgery, I was practically dancing around my hospital room (well, until the spinal block wore off - wheeeeee!!! ). Recovery this time around was much better than the first. And I still have my c/s pooch.

I would have loved nothing more than to have given birth naturally. I admire (and envy a little bit!) any woman that can. But it hurts me a bit, even after all this time, when some NCB fanatic tries to pass blanket judgment on those of us who have c/s's. I feel like I've failed in some way as a woman because I couldn't push my kids through my hoo-ha due to my spinal issues that had to take precedence earlier in my life. Of course there are docs that are concerned about malpractice suits or missing their afternoon tee-times and will push patients for something they are not comfortable with. It really comes down to, how much trust you put into your doc and to make sure you are an informed patient and know your self and how your body responds to labor.

No one is judging you, you have not failed. No one who has an emergency c section has failed. I think the judgment is towards though who elect to have the procedure done because of convenience or fear of childbirth.

 

[Ar1el]

No one is judging you, you have not failed. No one who has an emergency c section has failed. I think the judgment is towards though who elect to have the procedure done because of convenience or fear of childbirth.

Just to let you and all know that I am not fearful of childbirth, I have already had 2. And as far as convenience goes, I never though of it has convenience. We live in a new town with new people. My husbands works an hour from the house and my family is either in VA or FL. My son decided he wanted to show up that night I had my doc visit and I was told to sit tight that it would not be anytime soon. Am I fearful that I will go into labor when it is just me and my 2 kids, yes. But I am sure others have had it happen to them. This post was not me saying that I was going to get it done just more stating that I never knew you could ask for one. And so I posted to see if others had made this choice. Thanks for all the responses. Nature will be taking its course with me!

 

[mjkacmom]

Just so you know, Pitocin isn't all that great. Sure it works for some women, but for me, it caused me to get a fever and infection and the doctor couldn't find my DD's heartrate for a few minutes. It freaked me out. Afterwards, I found out from several other people that Pitocin could do more harm than good! After 14 hours of labor, I told them that they could give me a c-section before they tried to offer me Pitocin again. I wasn't progressing so c-section it was.

I don't think it's the pitocin, I think it's a drawn-out inducement, making mom more at risk for infection. I had a 4 hour inducement, an 8 hour inducement, and a 31 hour inducement. The last one resulted in infection, and both my dd and I had fevers, and she had to be kept one night longer than I due to IV antibiotics.

 

[gethane]

I've had 5 babies, 1 c-section, 2 vbacs, and then 2 more c-sections. I would NEVER in a million years choose a c-section compared to V birth. The last two c-sections were because, even though I'd had two successful vbacs, the hospitals and doctors in my area got all weird and were no longer "allowing" vbacs.

With my c-sections, sure I could get up and around in a day or two, but its slow going and pretty painful for weeks. With my vbacs I was up MINUTES after birth, and eating within 20. With c-sections you starve for a day.

I know it seems like it might be more convenient to plan your birth time, but really, trust from someone who has been there, it is NOT. You have to have someone come help to care for your children.

Also, with a planned birth, you risk having a babe too early. My last baby, born by c-section at a time specified by the doctor, was "too early" and spent 8 days in NICU for lung problems. It took 2+ weeks of hard effort to switch her from bottle to breast. She was also ambulanced to another hospital than the one I was in. So my last birthing experience became a nightmare. I finally checked myself out less than 36 hours after my c-section so I could go join her at the hospital she was at.

 

[Zeebs]

Ahhh what ever way you look at it be it out the sun roof or through the boot (trunk) it ain't pleasant.

Good luck, we are in the same situation due to have our third, which if she follows suit will be fast. My concerns are.

1. Getting rid of the boys so I can scream without scaring them to death.
2. Hubby getting here in time if he happens to be a work - 50 min train trip if you happen to time it right. If not up to a couple of hours. Even a taxi will take about an hour. Seth took 3 hours to be born.
3. I need my hubby as I forget to breath and need him to tell me for the entire time to breath in breath out.

I had my appendix out and while the morphine was very nice, I think, for at least recovery, I prefer my "natural" delivery.

We have no family near to come and just hang out until baby decides to arrive. I have friends who will be on call, I just hope everything falls into place.

So let us know how it all goes with you.

Kirsten

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

True, but the version is kind of like elective low FHTs- in keeping with the topic of the thread.

I would have to say most stayed head down and got pitocin quickly afterward, but less than half were successful. Most of the successful ones were moms on their 3rd+ pregnancy, but a couple were first time moms.

Best of luck to you!!!!

Whew--that would be me. Sure a version is elective--but requiring a C if one can do a version would be more my cup of tea. I'm aware that it ain't a picnic. But given the success rate, I feel it is worth it to avoid unnecessary surgery. (I read the success rate is 58%.)


OP, have you considered hiring a doula--if anything they can help. They are not babysitters, but she may have a network to assist you with care of the kids as well as being available to assist you in labor while DH makes his way back home (or to the hospital).

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Just so you know, Pitocin isn't all that great. Sure it works for some women, but for me, it caused me to get a fever and infection and the doctor couldn't find my DD's heartrate for a few minutes. It freaked me out. Afterwards, I found out from several other people that Pitocin could do more harm than good! After 14 hours of labor, I told them that they could give me a c-section before they tried to offer me Pitocin again. I wasn't progressing so c-section it was.

I have had 2 pitocin delivers (first not by choice--durn doctor and his rush after my water broke).

Inductions have risk--and so do C-sections.

While itisn't all that great, I had no ill effects from Pitocin and outside of low FHT on my second--neither did my children.

The epidural I had though--10 hours of paralysis after #2 was delivered and I was stitched up and the epi was cut off and removed.

Not to mention that on both births--you are supposed to be able to feel pressure...I am not kidding when I say that I have full paralsyis--I used the contraction monitor to know when to push and didn't feel anything. Good for some women--but I can't stand absence of all feelings and sensations and certainly didn't enjoy my 10 hours of paralysis. (and at hour 10--I began to feel a tingle at the tip of my toe--it was even longer for me to have any control of my body).

Didn't get that with my third and would like to avoid anything involving numbness if I can help it.

In any case--again, risk with every intervention that exists in a L&D. Some folks are more prone to side effects than others. (Forgot to mention the plunging Blood pressure on the 2nd delivery epidural that required the anest. person to put some additional meds in the machine. And I got the shakes and the itchies as well.)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Adding my 2 cents here (disclaimer: did not read the whole thread so apologies for repeats now):

I had scoliosis surgery at 9 yo (Harrington Rod fusion) which stunted my midsection and as well my pelvic area (IMHO). When I got pg with dd1, I discussed with my OB (whom I love to bits) my delivery options and was concerned that an epi would not take for me due to the back surgery. I was comfortable with the seemingly remote possibility that I would have to be put under for her delivery. And as it turned out, after my water breaking on its own plus 20 hrs of labor plus a failed epi and her big ol' head getting stuck, is what I had. I believe the scoliosis issue prevented me from delivering naturally, because my hospital team of docs and nurses did EVERYTHING under the sun to get me to deliver naturally. Recovery from that was rough. Labor plus the surgery, it's a double whammy and it will wipe you out. With dd2, I again talked to my OB, who actually was perfectly fine with me trying a VBAC if I wanted to, and after reviewing how my first delivery went, me and dh went the "evil" elective c/s route with a spinal block (I got hold of my spinal x-rays for the anesth. guy this time). Not having to recover from BOTH labor and surgery, I was practically dancing around my hospital room (well, until the spinal block wore off - wheeeeee!!! ). Recovery this time around was much better than the first. And I still have my c/s pooch.

I would have loved nothing more than to have given birth naturally. I admire (and envy a little bit!) any woman that can. But it hurts me a bit, even after all this time, when some NCB fanatic tries to pass blanket judgment on those of us who have c/s's. I feel like I've failed in some way as a woman because I couldn't push my kids through my hoo-ha due to my spinal issues that had to take precedence earlier in my life. Of course there are docs that are concerned about malpractice suits or missing their afternoon tee-times and will push patients for something they are not comfortable with. It really comes down to, how much trust you put into your doc and to make sure you are an informed patient and know your self and how your body responds to labor.

OP is talking about an elective c-section b/c her husband works an hour away from her.

C-sections for a medical reason are an entirely different ball of wax all together and I don't think anyone here begrudges the c-section as a useful medical tool to safely deliver a baby.

Schedule coordination IMHO isn't a good reason to elect a surgical procedure when there is a non-surgical method to produce the same desired result.

 

[crisi]

OP is talking about an elective c-section b/c her husband works an hour away from her.

C-sections for a medical reason are an entirely different ball of wax all together and I don't think anyone here begrudges the c-section as a useful medical tool to safely deliver a baby.

Schedule coordination IMHO isn't a good reason to elect a surgical procedure when there is a non-surgical method to produce the same desired result.

Although read this thread as a hormonal woman in need of a medical c-section and you'll be convinced that you'll end up disabled or dead and your child won't bond and be unhealthy and....

I have a friend who should have had a c-section for medical reasons. But believed, as many appear to on this thread, that c-sections were horrible and that her doctor was recommending it for his convenience. She went shopping until she found a mid-wife willing to deliver naturally, despite a list of contraindications for such a forearm long. It didn't go well, and she now has a severely disabled child.

That isn't the situation here, but my friend was easily swayed (she is my friend, she is also not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree) by stories and stats like these - that had NOTHING to do with her case. Had people she talked to been less absolute in their judgments (malpractice? really? you must be kidding), she very likely would have a healthy child.

 

[princessmom29]

I don't think it's the pitocin, I think it's a drawn-out inducement, making mom more at risk for infection. I had a 4 hour inducement, an 8 hour inducement, and a 31 hour inducement. The last one resulted in infection, and both my dd and I had fevers, and she had to be kept one night longer than I due to IV antibiotics.

Exactly. Length of induction is definitely correlated to increase in complications, the evidence in not nearly so cut and dried for pitocin.

Although read this thread as a hormonal woman in need of a medical c-section and you'll be convinced that you'll end up disabled or dead and your child won't bond and be unhealthy and....

I have a friend who should have had a c-section for medical reasons. But believed, as many appear to on this thread, that c-sections were horrible and that her doctor was recommending it for his convenience. She went shopping until she found a mid-wife willing to deliver naturally, despite a list of contraindications for such a forearm long. It didn't go well, and she now has a severely disabled child.

That isn't the situation here, but my friend was easily swayed (she is my friend, she is also not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree) by stories and stats like these - that had NOTHING to do with her case. Had people she talked to been less absolute in their judgments (malpractice? really? you must be kidding), she very likely would have a healthy child.

This is the scary reality of the "natural at all costs" menality. Sometimes intervention is truly necessary. I knew gonig in that DD would be a BIG baby, and I am only 5' 3". I wouldn't have even attempted to deliver outside a hospital knowing I was high risk for complications.

I had a planned C-section with my DD10. She was measuring over 11 pounds on ultrasound. I was over 1 week late. My doctor gave me the option. She gave me the pros/cons of both. I picked the C-section. I was up walking the next am ( I had her at 7:30pm), pain was not bad--took Advil.

I had a 9 pound baby that I sometimes wish had been born via C-section. I had a "natural" birth and still needed over 40 stitches for both internal and external tearing. I was in pain for a LONG time. It was NOT an easy recovery, and I lost a large amount of blood. The doctor ended up using forceps to deliver because DD's heart rate was dropping after 2 hours of pushing.

 

[princessmom29]

Major abdominal surgery on the day you meet your baby.

Not being able to pick up anything over the size of your new baby for weeks.

Not being able to drive.

Higher possibility of death. Leaving hubby, baby, and other children without you.

Higher probability of a baby born earlier than it wanted to be, meaning it wasn't ready, meaning that the baby is EARLY and can have problems it wouldn't have had otherwise.

Being part of the absolutely horrific epidemic of all of this nonsense. WHO estimates that truly needed surgeries for this (they have to come up with a proper name for this, like how tonsillectomy accurately describes what is going on, instead of a cutesy name based on the myth that Julius Caesar arrived by this method...unlikely as death generally resulted for the mother, but she remained living after) are in the 5% range. In the US it's up to about 30% now, I believe. Not truly needed, but chosen, or having providers governed by their malpractice insurance agreements or just fear (and I don't like scared people dealing with me). That's way more than needed.

Being someone who was absolutely hoodwinked by "care providers" and bullied into such a surgery, I know first hand that you don't want to choose this. There was absolutely NO good reason for them to bully me into it. They just wanted to go on vacation...I called them on that while they were bullying me, they said "no, I'll be here tomorrow, I'm not going on vacation"....and then, next day, GONE. "Oh yeah, Doctor went on his Memorial Day vacation!" If I'd been in Oregon instead of Washington, no one would have considered my labor to be a problem (different laws governing things, different malpractice insurance companies tying providers' hands). If I'd fired people I would have been fine. But they got me. It was the most horrific thing I've ever experienced.

Sure, some women do just fine. Others don't. You don't know which one you will be until it's too late.

I have a friend who WANTED one. This is what she planned. She was excited (for surgery?). And she had a ROTTEN recovery. She admitted to us all that she never expected it to be that bad, that hard, that awful. I don't know what she will do if she has a second baby. And this is something she planned on her whole life (it's how she and her brother arrived, and her mom said it was fine).

Leave the surgeries to that 5% who NEED it. You know you can do it the normal way, the biological way...go with that.

I had a HORRIFIC "natural" delivery, and would have traded it for a c section any day. I would have lost less blood, had fewer stitches, and not been nearly as physically drained. I think my doctor actually pushed me away from a c section when I truly would have benefited from sectioning BEFORE DD's hear rate started bottoming out. She would not have been subjected to the possibility of seroiusd injury carried by a forceps delivery. I wish someone had suggested a section about 4 hours before I had her. We would have both come out of the deal in better shape. The "natural" way is NOT always the best way, even when it is possible. Who are we to say anything is "normal" or "abnormal" anyway?? Whatever keeps mom and baby safest is the best choice, and "normal" for them. In my case I and my current doctor feel that would have been a section. If I ever have another and it looks to be as big as DD we will schedule a section rather than risk it.

 

[Zeebs]

I had a HORRIFIC "natural" delivery, and would have traded it for a c section any day. I would have lost less blood, had fewer stitches, and not been nearly as physically drained. I think my doctor actually pushed me away from a c section when I truly would have benefited from sectioning BEFORE DD's hear rate started bottoming out. She would not have been subjected to the possibility of seroiusd injury carried by a forceps delivery. I wish someone had suggested a section about 4 hours before I had her. We would have both come out of the deal in better shape. The "natural" way is NOT always the best way, even when it is possible. Who are we to say anything is "normal" or "abnormal" anyway?? Whatever keeps mom and baby safest is the best choice, and "normal" for them. In my case I and my current doctor feel that would have been a section. If I ever have another and it looks to be as big as DD we will schedule a section rather than risk it.

I don't think anyone is saying if you need it you shouldn't have it. But that for a women who has had two good deliveries to choose a C-section for convenience is silly.

It is major surgery if it is a saftey issue for you or your baby then have it, if it is not then to me and most of the others on here it is just seems silly.

I was induced with my second at 38 weeks as they were pretty sure he was big, luckily they just needed to break my waters, he came fast, but his fat head got stuck, then his shoulders, I needed stitches and we were in hospital for over a week as he had quite bad bruising which gave him jaudice and other issues. If they had told me mid way through they needed him out by C section I would have accepted it, but that said comparing my appendix op and my natural birth experience I still would have preferred my birth.

With regards to bonding, I didn't want him near me for at least an hour afterwards as I was so hacked off he had caused me so much pain. Bonding can be hit and miss what ever way you have them.

I might just be a little bit biased by he was still quite cute.

Kirsten

 

[crisi]

I had a 9 pound baby that I sometimes wish had been born via C-section. I had a "natural" birth and still needed over 40 stitches for both internal and external tearing. I was in pain for a LONG time. It was NOT an easy recovery, and I lost a large amount of blood. The doctor ended up using forceps to deliver because DD's heart rate was dropping after 2 hours of pushing.

One of my girlfriends had a similar delivery and almost died. She was rushed into surgery, needed to have a lot of reconstruction and lost a lot of blood. She was also someone (not the same girlfriend) who had an OB who said "you should really consider a scheduled C" and she said "oh, no, natural childbirth is far superior for me and the baby." In her case, her son was great, though.

 

[disney323]

Please re-think your decision. You can always work out who will take your other 2 children. I am sure your friends/family will step up and be willing to help out. I don't recommend a c-section at all.

 

[Ar1el]

Please re-think your decision. You can always work out who will take your other 2 children. I am sure your friends/family will step up and be willing to help out. I don't recommend a c-section at all.

I never made the decision to have one. This was more about what people thought about them bc I never even knew u could choose to have one. I am going to let nature take its course.

 

[SnowWitch]

Has anyone chosen to have a c-section after ******l births? I ask bc I am 11 weeks pregnant and I have 2 other children that were delivered ******ly. I did not know that u could opt to have a c-section if u wanted it. I am thinking about it bc my husband works an hour from our house, I had to be cut with each pregnancy with the 2nd one being more. With my second child I went into labor at 11pm and thank goodness my DH best friend was right down the street at the time and was able to come over and stay while my 1st slept. He is no longer that close. The rest of the family is out of state or over an hour away. Any thoughts? TIA

Most OB's will entertain the idea of induction at 39weeks, some prefer 40wks. I would suggest talking to your OB and seeing if this is something they would do to allow for you to arrange childcare for your other children.

As an OB nurse I would not recommend a c-section by choice-a section needed due to medical reasons for mother or child or a previous csection (for someone with no desire to vbac) is another discussion and is not relevant to the OP questions or concerns.

Best of wishes to you and your child on a healthy pregnancy and delivery.