For thos that have had both a c-section and a natural birth

[Anna]

seriously which would you choose if you had to choose again?

[mayasmum]

hi anna
your thread intrigued me.
i have only had a natural birth so wouldn't know about a ceasar, but am terrified of the thought, though i was tossing up at one stage for my next birth. however quite a few of the messages i have read on bubhub have turned me off c-sections.
I'm interested to know, which would u choose?

[Crazyfamily]

I have had both c/section and normal delivery. My first was a c/section due to distress. The next was a 26 hour labor with gas and pethadine used. Number 3 was a 4 hour labor with gas and pethadine way to late to work as bub came five minutes later. No. 4 was 2 1/2 hours with gas only, and no.5 was 3 hours and gas for the last half hour or so. My children were not all small I had 8p10oz, 9p6oz, 6p10oz, 8p14oz and 7p7oz. I would definately choose a natural birth as you can see. i did recover from my ceasar very quickly and had no problems but the natural births were far better for me as once it's over it's over. I also didn't have allsmooth natural deliveries either. I have had major tearing so I was as swollen as a football, sholders became stuck, Had the cord go back inside me after being cut but I would still do it natural again. (hopefully wont have to).

[Briannabear]

Hi Anna,
Ive only had one baby but I feel strongly about this topic. I had a traumatic labour that ended in an emergency c-section. I will DEFINATELY be trying for a natural labour next time round. For what might be excruciating pain at the time delivering a baby naturally from what Ive been told is that your body heals fairly quickly. (emotionally too) I know thats not always the case, but for a lot of people it is. With a c-section, you have months of healing to go through. I found the first fortnight excruciating, and the following months painful as well. There was the emotional side too. The deep hurt I felt not being able to deliver naturally is still almost a daily struggle for me.
Provided all is going well next time I will be pushing for a natural delivery. I dont want to go through this again if possible. It was enough to nearly turn me off having any more children.

[angcaltam]

Hi there,
I had my first baby natural in just under 8 hours, I didn't even get a graze, he weighed 7 pound 9 ounces but my second was an emergancy c-section after 2 days of labour, he was stuck and had started to get stressed, he weighed 11 pounds 2 1/2 ounces. I would have to say that when the next time comes around I will do everything I can to have a natural birth again. It took me so long to get over the c-section but after the natural I was over it straight away.

[Lallas' Mum]

My first son was born naturally in about eight hours. I used gas as pain relief. He was born 10 pound 8oz and we had trouble with him getting stuck on the way out. I endured loads of stitches and even a blood transfusion. Despite this I deemed my labour to be rather successful and very empowering.

My second son was born by caesarean section as scans revealed that he was going to be even larger than the first and given my history with shoulder distorcia and post partum bleeding is was the safest method of delivery for both baby and me.

Though the actual birth was easier with the c/s and there were no complications, I much preferred the experience of the natural birth. I really felt like I had accomplished a major feat with the natural birth. I guess it was like overcoming a phobia in a way. I was petrified of how much a natural birth would hurt but I grit my teeth, focused hard and did it despite my fears. The c/s seemed very clinical and almost surreal. That said however I would probably not risk a natural birth if I were to have a third child as my chances of having another rather large baby are very high.


Tracey
Mum to Alec and Zak