Ive been told I should have a C-Section but im not sure...

[mummyofthree3]

Im after a little advise.. and im probably going to give a little TMI here but any similar stories and outcomes would be SUPER helpful :-)

I am currently 36 weeks pregnant with our third son and last week I had to see a proctologist for some hemorrhoids that have flared up lately that I incurred from a 2 hour push with DS2, they have done an internal ultrasound and discovered that I have what they call Grade 3c damage to that area, meaning I have damaged almost half the bowel muscle, along with terrible pelvic floor muscle strength, (I pee soooooooooo many time a day and night!) as both my boys were stressful labors, they were both posterior, and came out look upwards, 1st labour lasted almost 17 hours, then the second only 3 hours but with 2 of that pushing they have strongly advised I do not go through with another vaginal birth and instead opt for an elective C-Section. It has been booked but I am now having trouble sleeping and really not looking forward it. The whole recovery period is the most concern, the OB that booked me in was very negative towards the C-Section telling me I wont be myself for a long time, and it will be nothing like my 2 previous delivery’s, yet the Doctors that suggested it were telling me I will cause more damage to myself by going through a vaginal delivery again.. Now Im soooo confused! :-(

I would love to hear from anyone in a similar situation, or some of you lovely ladies that had C-Sections and your experiences.

Thanking you in advance!!

[sweetseven]

I am strongly biassed against C/S but from what you have written think it might be the preferrable option for you. I know if it were myself in your position I would be really resistant to a c/s and likely need some counselling to come to terms with it. But I think it really does sound like a c/s would be safer than a vb for you in this instance. It is much easier for me to say from the outside.

Also, I wanted to let you know that I've read numerous posts from woman on this forum about how empowering their elective c/s was and their recovery was so much easier than a prior traumatic vb.

[lilypily]

My obs told me your attitude to recovery goes a long way to actual recovery. I loved my cs and drove the day I arrived home. I really don't see it as a big deal. With what your faced with I would be jumping at the chance to have a cs and save yourself from further damage. Hope it goes well.

[Jenga]

Given your situation I would prefer a csection. I know it's surgery but have they advised the potential damage you could do by delivering vaginally & what you would need to do to correct it? Good luck either way!

[jordansmumma]

My 2 boys were both cs and it really isn't that bad! The pain only really lasts a few days to a week and the only thing that hurt was getting out of bed! The pain is nothing compared to the pain of a long labour!

[ilovehats]

I had an emergency C-section after being in labour for 3 days (with no sleep). I was up and walking around the next day, 3 nights in hospital and then home. I was out shopping to buy extra baby clothes by day 5, and driving short distances within 2 weeks. My mum was visiting from the UK for the first 3 weeks so we went out a few times to do touristy stuff around Sydney. Some days I felt sore, but the hospital gives you pain relief to take home and I just took those when I felt the need. I did get tired easily, so it was good to have mum here so I could get some rest and help around the house.

I think if you approach recovery with a positive attitude you will be absolutely fine.

[natct]

My cousin had two c-sections and was up and around in no time. You have to be careful either way. My VB's went 42 hrs and induced 8 hrs prosterior and I couldn't walk properly or stand properly for about a week. I would look into something like the SRC recovery shorts or something similar for after and get them now ready. Maybe with a little extra help and some research into things that aide recovery you might feel a little more confidant. Remember that the statistics for safe and everyone doing well afterwards births are greatly increased from yesteryear so the doctors must be doing things right and making the right decisions more now than they ever were.

Good luck.

[littleriv]

Hi mummyof3, I am in a similar situation as you! I have had 2 great vaginal deliveries, but since DS2 I have had to have surgery to repair internal and external haeomorroids. I am currently 27 weeks pregnant with number 3- I have decided to have a c-section as I don't want anymore trauma to the area!!! And let's face it, having done it twice, I know that the haemorroids will be aggravated again during birth, and that aggravation could lead to the need for more surgery and ongoing problems which I am not keen on. I have noooo hesitation at all about having a c-section this time given the circumstances. I will try and maintain a positive attitude and, yes, there is a bit more recovery time, but that's fine by me. All the best and enjoy your new bundle :)

[maybenumber3]

I had an elective cs with ds due to having 3rd degree tears and internal stitching with dd, my perinium is all scar tissue so it wouldn't stretch even if I wanted to have a vaginal delivery again.

In your case I'd definitely go for a cs.

My cs with ds was a walk in the park compared to dd's delivery.

[bumMum]

I would definitely have a c section in your situation. And I am very pro natural birth. Ignore the ob with a negative attitude. Many women recover very well and easily from a csection.

Sent from my HTC Desire S using BubHub

[Californication]

the OB that booked me in was very negative towards the C-Section telling me I wont be myself for a long time, and it will be nothing like my 2 previous delivery’s

The only thing he was right about is that it will be different to your last 2 deliveries. But what birth is the same anyway??

In your situation, I would definitely go the c-section.

I've had 2. One emergency, one elective. Both were really good experiences recovery wise. The first experience was a little hairy because it was an emergency and I was worried about DS, but the surgery itself was straightforward both times, and my surgeons were very very good. I was up and about the next day once the catheter was out and in the shower (which was BLISS!)

You don't feel any pain during the surgery, just pulling and tugging which is weird but then they show you your baby and you forget what they are doing anyway.

Both times I was only on Panadol by day 3 and both times the pain was bearable. I did have some "tethering" (tight final stitch) with the elective, but that only hurt if I moved too fast or wasn't careful.

If you roll out of bed the way the tell you, take it easy, don't reach or lift and do slow laps of the hospital to get things moving again, I'm sure you will be fine. I just started doing things as I felt able, and by 6 weeks both times I was back to normal. You do loose sensation in your skin around the cut for a while, but that is just a weird feeling. Nothing nasty or scary.

The hardest part was not being able to lift DS. But I trained him for a couple of months before hand to come to me, or walk with me and sit down for cuddles when upset etc so it wasn't a sudden "I'm not lifting you" thing for him.

Good luck!

[2BabyBears]

I have never had a natural birth so I can't compare for you the difference in recovery time, however I am booked in for my 4th C-Sect in July & have no hesitation whatsoever.
My first was due to no progression after 12hrs of labour. Everything went well & recovery was reasonably quick. I was home on day 3 & driving the day after. The only thing I haven't done the same with the 2 C-Sects since then is have a morphine/pethidine drip, as I found it just knocked me around too much, made me WAYYYYY too sleepy those first 24hrs & I also believe it slowed my recovery slightly.
My 2nd C-Sect was with twins, so I expected it to be a longer recovery again but it was probably my best & quickest recovery. One of the bubs was in NICU on a different floor of the hospital to me so I got out of bed 2hrs after surgery & walked (very slowly & carefully) to the NICU to go visit him. I only had panadol for pain relief for about 12hrs & was home after 2 nights & driving 2 days later.
My 3rd was last year when my twins were just 14mths old. Hubby couldn't stay home to help for more than a couple of days so I was having to lift the twins in & out of cots etc & also drive my DS1 to school. I again only had panadol for pain relief & was home after 2 nights.
I have never had any problems with getting in & out of bed etc or walking, You just need to listen to your body & do what you need to. I found with all of them that the sooner you get up & mobile again the quicker you will recover & get back to normal. The first few times you stand up after the C-Sect you need to straighten up slowly so you don't pull on the stitches but just take it slow & there is no probs.

Don't be too concerned about having a C-sect, even tho it's easier said than done. You are probably going to be in far more pain from the damage you will do by trying to have another natural birth than having a C-Sect this time round.

All the best, I hope you can find a happy medium that works for you & have a great birth :hugs: