Natural Birth or C-Section

Due to my last pregnancy i have the option to have a C-Section.

However everything is normal with baby this time around.

I really dont know what to do. Giving birth naturally kinda really freaks me out and i recovered so fast from the C-section last time.

Call me silly but im afraid of the pain of labour, tearing during birth and simply not being able to push or get baby out. It is really frightening. I even get a bit of anxiety when thinking about giving birth naturally.

Is there anyone out there that can pass on their thoughts or who has givin birth naturally and had a c-section that can share their experiences.

Is it wrong to elect a c-section when a birth can be done naturally?

Hi. You sound exactly like me a few months ago and I know the anxiety you must be feeling! I found this choice a very difficult one to make and had a couple of anxiety attacks too when I thought about a natural birth.

I had an emergency c-section for DS due to failure to progress (after an induction for high BP/PE; baby was posterior). My caesar was a very relaxed affair and my recovery was really easy.

During this pregnancy, I looked into VBAC and totally freaked myself out about the issues you describe and also the risk of uterine rupture. In my head, it seemed like the risks involved in a c-section were more 'controllable' or sth than the risks involved with a natural birth with a scarred uterus. I really tried to embrace the VBAC idea but struggled to convince myself I could do it. I read too much and flip-flopped so many times - it seemed like this decision was all I could think about!! This went on up to 32 weeks when I finally got to see my obstetrician (I'd been travelling).

I talked at length with my OB and also with the OB who delivered DS about my fears. I explained that I didn't 'need' a natural birth and just wanted to do what was best for me and my baby. Both of these OBs, who I respect enormously and trust completely, were very much of the view that in my case (ie. normal pregnancy, reason for last caesar absent, and possibly other factors) that it was safer for both me and baby to have a natural birth if possible.

I decided to do what they recommended - they're the experts, right . I fell off the VBAC wagon a couple of times and needed some help getting back on, but with the support and encouragement they gave me I was able to give it a go. I ended up having a successful VBAC without the need for instruments. I had a small 2nd deg tear, but that was nothing really.

I'm really glad I had a VBAC because the recovery was so much easier than after a caesar - an important factor with a toddler running around! It also means that should we decide to have a third child, we haven't added to our risk factors as we would have done with a second caesar. But, I have to say that I preferred the birth experience with a caesar - I was less 'out of it' (I had a long labour and was absolutely shattered by the end of it) and actually found I bonded faster with DS born by caesar, perhaps because I was less exhausted.

I would really really recommend talking to an OB, MW or both about your fears and wants and seeing what they recommend in your case. They can also talk to you about the possible risks (with both options) and how they would manage those and come up with a plan that works for you and makes you feel comfortable.

Best of luck

weegee my OB actually told me the risks are about the same when trying for a VBAC.

Anyhoo, I was going tot ry for a VBAC, and like you I was really scared, but I was more scared of another C Section as I had some complications after my emergency one and it was really scary.
In the end at 9 days overdue I decided I didnt want to risk going through another labour like my sons and ending in emerg CS, so I went for the elective as a last minute thing, and I dont regret my choice.
My C went really well and I recovered super fast.

In the end its up to you, you will make the right choice


Edited by Sheza

Well, I'm on the other side of the fence, I had a horrific experience with my oldest ending in a crash c-section, and when i finally agreed to try for #2 (DP's first) I knew there was no way in hell i would attempt ANY of that again. I knew the recovery would be harder than a VB, I'd had a hell of a time with it with DS, so figured it couldnt be any worse, and I was right, it was SO much better. There were no dramas at all apart from a substantial loss of blood that I was able to cope with just fine. I got everything I wanted and then some with my daughter, to the point that later on the same day i turned around and told my partner I could do it all over again... and come March, I will be. I am still amazed at the difference in myself mentally between the delivery experiences, and I really dont care that i never got to experience 'giving birth'. My children are happy, healthy, and you cant tell by looking at them that they came out the sunroof. If it means IM going to have a longer recovery, thats my own problem to handle, but I would much rather KNOW that my baby is going to come out alive and kicking (DS didnt) than have myself frantic with worry and stress through a full labour that history 'might' repeat itself.

Oh and FWIW, the obstetrician looked at my op report from DS, and agreed that given there was no known reason for things to go pear-shaped with his delivery, and adhesions were noted in the uterus during clean-up, that there was no way to know what my chances of a successful VB were, and he was more than happy to allow an elective in my case, he did say however, that had he NOT seen that report, he would have pushed for me to have a 'trial of scar' labour.

Good luck for your decision either way, your midwife will refer you to an obstetrician around mid-30 weeks who will be able to talk you through the process, and help with any questions you will probably have.

Yeah thats a good point Julia. I remember thinking about that when I went in for my elective, but afterwards the surgeon said I had minimal scar tissue and that my next(if I have anymore) will have to be another CS too.

So is it the pregnancy that would cause the risk with rupture? Because the scar tissue is fussed to the bladder etc? or the surgery?

I had an elective with my twins and found it to be a great experience I think there are massive pros & cons on both sides so really it comes down to doing what your most comfortable with. I loved the feeling of control I had with my elective. Personally I always said I would have another c/section in a heartbeat but I think when we FINALLY get pregnant with number three I will most likely try for a VBAC mostly due to recovery time. Being that I already have two active toddlers I'll need to be back on my feet & driving etc straight away. When I had my elective I had a great experience I didn't need any morphine afterwards and was up walking around the next day but I won't lie it was very painful and it was weeks before I could drive or lift the pram out of the car. Which are nessecitys when you have more than one child.

I totally understand your fear of a VB though. It's the fear of the unknown. I have had a c/section so I know that I can do it and come out fine but a VB is unknown territory which is scary