Info on C-sections

I had C-Section with my 1st son and then VBAC with my 2nd son...and the difference was 6-12 weeks recovery time verses 2-3 weeks...

I have to say, the first days after both were miserable, but I would definitely do another VBAC with #3...I could not even stand up straight with the C-section for 2 weeks (and I have a pretty high pain tolerance)...I bled constantly for weeks...and if I did any type of work in the first 6-8 weeks, I would set the bleeding off again! I am 4 weeks out from my VBAC and feel 100% recovered even with a 2nd degree tear! Hope this helps!

Hello- I have had two c-sections. I did not have any problems with mine at all. The recovery is not as bad as people say...In the hospital for three days but once home you can walk, cook, tend to baby, etc...
Bleeding is less, stitches are removed before you go home, breast fed ok, etc...Nothing else diferent really.

I like having it scheduled so I could better prepare, but I had no choice the first time and I was scared to death- but no prob-easy-peasy!

email me if you have any specific questions-I really don't mind. H.

You don't state your reasons, but I wouldn't have a c-section unless absolutely necessary. I had an emergency c-section and the recovery time was much longer and more painful. And I still have a pooch in my lower abdomen that I've given up on going away.

I've had two c-sections, and I really wish I could have done it differently! I don't know your reasons for wanting an elective c-section, but I've always thought that women who choose a c-section just don't know what they're getting themselves into. It sounds so easy, but it's not.

My first was emergency. If I were to cancel out the fear and uncertainty and just focus on the surgery itself, it still sucked. They didn't know how big my son was, and they didn't make the incision large enough. My incision tore, which caused bruising and swelling and a lumpier scar. As they were pulling him out, I got the worst headache I have ever had in my life! Besides the really disgusting feeling of the doctors yanking me around, I thought I'd pass out from the headache. The anesthesiologist started freaking out, because I couldn't talk to tell him it was my head and not that the anesthetic was wearing off or something. I also started shaking uncontrollably, and the anesthesiologist had to hold me on the table so I didn't flop off. I couldn't see my baby for 2 hours except on the LCD screen of our digital camera. And then I had 3 months of pain afterward. THREE MONTHS is a very long time to be in pain! It was horrendous.

When my second son looked like he'd be a 10 pounder, my new doctor said I shouldn't attempt a VBAC. I was upset, but resigned myself to my fate saying that at least I wouldn't be going through labor first. I even did my hair and makeup, thinking I'd look great in photos because I wasn't going to have to do anything but lay there.

I was wrong.

I had a spinal block. Just a few minutes into the surgery, I was really tired. I asked myself, "Huh, I wonder if they'd let me fall asleep? Wait, let's think about this. Why am I here, and what are they doing?" after a few minutes of difficult thought, I remembered "OH! I'm here to have a baby. I'd better stay away for that. Hmmmm....I'm so tired. I wonder if they'd let me fall asleep?" I was so loopy on the drugs, I couldn't even remember I was having a baby!
Then, as usual, I got a split second to see my baby before they whisked him and my husband off to the nursery. I didn't see him for over 2 hours. They wheeled me into a recovery area, which was blessedly dark. All I could think of was sleeping, since I was so tired. I was hooked up to all sorts of monitors, though, which started beeping whenever I started to drift off. The nurse kept coming over to wake me up, because she thought I was slipping into a coma. Then I started shaking because I couldn't control my body temperature. They had to put a heating blanket on me to get my body temp up. After 2 hours of that torture, they finally wheeled the bassinet in and then pushed me and the baby to our room. By then, my body temperature had swung the other way, and I was dying of heat. I made them crank up the a/c and was still hot, but everyone else was freezing, including the baby. I still couldn't hold him because he had to be under a heat lamp because my room was so cold. He was 3 hours old before I could hold him! Thankfully my recovery was much shorter, because I was able to get up and walk, but let me tell you, the first few days are excruciating!

You also can't get up to go to the bathroom for a while. You have a catheter. Then nurses have to help you because it hurts so bad to sit on the toilet and get up again, and because you could easily rip out your staples. And they don't let you shower for a while, which has you feeling really horrible. When they discharge you, you feel so ready to go home after 4 days, but then you wonder how you'll survive without the hospital bed to help you get up and nurses to bring you pain meds all the time.

I am SO not looking forward another c-section. I suppose a lot of women have them and don't have so many problems, but I know a lot who have had similar experiences to mine. So when women think it's the easier way to go, I just want to laugh!

Again, since I don't know your reasons for wanting one, I can't weigh them for you. Just take my experience into consideration and know that it is NOT the easy way out. I would much rather go through a few hours of pain during labor than weeks of excruciating pain afterward!

BTW, I had both babies in the room with me after my c-sections. But if you're alone when they start to cry, it's killer to try to get them out of the bassinet yourself. Horrible.
Coughing, sneezing, and getting out of bed hurt like #%$^$%^ for weeks after you otherwise feel better, even if you curl up around a pillow before you sneeze. Which is sometimes hard to do in time. You feel like you've pulled open your incision again.
I liked someone's description that you can't drive until you can do certain things "without passing out from the pain." She hit that right on the head! That's how bad it hurts!

And yes, walking is the thing that helps the most. The bassinets are usually on wheels, so you can push that around the maternity ward, leaning on the bassinet when it hurts too bad. And let me tell you, it hurts, bad.

http://www.empoweredmomma.net/main/cesarean-vs-vbac-video...

It is so good that you are asking for advice and researching this. I hope that you can come to a decision you are comfortable with. You might also want to check out
http://www.ican-online.org/pregnancy/cesarean-fact-sheet

Many blessings for a wonderful birth experience! :)
S.

I had triplets 8 months ago and had a c-section and can honestly say that I healed faster from that then from laparoscopic surgery a few years prior.
I have never had a vaginal birth as the girls were my first, but I had no issues at all!

I had unplanned c-section. Not only is the recovery time longer but the thing I didn't like was when they took the baby I felt nothing. You are numb from the waist down and it made it so I didn't know what was happening. They "drape" you off so you don't have to see the surgery part. I don't know what your reasoning is but I say, wait till you get there and see what happens. Good luck!

Hi!

I've had three children -- two vaginally and one c-section. The c-section was an emergency because the umbilical cord was in the way. Hands down I would deliver vaginally if given the choice. The recovery time physically is so much longer with a c-section. Getting back into shape is longer. There are limitations on physical movement during recovery and you have another child to care for while you're healing.

I had a long labor with my first and asked my doctor to just give me c-section. He refused and told me, "You don't want that." When number three was born (same doctor), I knew it was an emergency or he wouldn't have done it. I completely understood what he meant.

Best wishes & congrats!
L.

I had an unplanned C with my first baby due to baby not tolerating the pushing phase, and recovery from the C was ROUGH. Maybe it's because I had a pretty long and hard induced labor to start with and went into surgery exhausted. Once home I couldn't get out of bed by myself to take care of the baby for several days, which gave me a huge sense of helplessness, and the incision really hurt! I honestly didn't feel right for months after the surgery, even after the initial pain subsided. Three and a half years later my scar is barely visible, but it itches and tingles and certain clothing irritates it, and when it is touched during sex it is not a nice sensation. All of my friends had vaginal births and not a single one of them is aware on a daily basis of whatever tearing she had during delivery, yet I am aware of my scar every day. I am pregnant with my second and dearly hoping for the opportunity for a VBAC. But, in my opinion, medical decisions should be made for medical reasons only, so if I need another C, I can accept that. It really is about having a healthy baby, and my first baby is in perfect health. I wish you the best, whatever route you take.

Unless you have a medical reason established by your doctor,no ethical doctor will just do a c-section just because a patient wants it. It is major surgery and there are lots of potential complications. If you have to have one, I will tell you that it's not horrible (I've had 2)but I did end up with a small hernia from my second one that will have to be surgically repaired at some point. Not sure what you want to know but your recovery time will be about 6 weeks. The first couple weeks are rough and then you just steadily get better. Hope that helps!

I have had c-sections with both my boys and after my first one who was an emergency I learned a couple things. First request sutures- not staples or stitches. The doctors normally won't do it unless you request it. Second you can request how low your scar is. That one is up to you, however it can make a difference for some people. Third request not to be put under during the c-section you will be awake when the baby is brought to you rather than so groggy you can barely hold him. They might only put you under in emergency cases as they didn't do that with my first. It's best to double check with your doctor.

Good luck!

Sweetheart,

Might I suggest employing a DOULA and preparing for the work of birth with classes really designed to empower you rather than show you the policies and procedures of a given facility?

http://www.timescolonist.com/life/Worries%20grow%20with%2...

http://www.rtmagazine.com/issues/articles/2006-01_04.asp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aEk--fIZAo&feature=pl...

http://www.theunnecesarean.com/blog/2009/9/24/best-of-wee...

For Doulas:

www.utahbirth.net
www.dona.org

I had a c-section w/my first & a VBAC w/my 2nd. My opinion, having gone through both, is avoiding a c-section at all costs. The procedure itself went well (it was an emergency due to fetal distress) & my recovery was normal, but it took forever to get back to normal. It was months before I could walk the 5 stairs outside our apt building w/o aching or sometimes shooting pains, I couldn't even lift the baby IN the carrier, I was only allowed to carry baby himself for the first 6 weeks. We had a manual trans truck at the time & it was well over 2 mos before I could push the clutch w/o feeling like my guts were going to bust open. Walking for extended distances (further than couch to TV) hurt for a few weeks, chores were off limits for the first 6 weeks & hurt for several weeks after that. You're not allowed to drive for those 6 weeks of recovery either.
You asked for input, so I'll be honest. If you're not having surgery for medical reasons, I'd not do it. You're asking a lot of a 6 year old because you'll be all but helpless. I don't know if your BF gets time off to help you the first few weeks but you can't do much of anything for yourself & what you're able to do will hurt.

After 3 natural births, my momo twins (born at 35 weeks) were c-section. It takes 4-6 weeks to recover enough to feel mostly normal, but the first 2 weeks are hellish.

1-Walk walk walk walk walk after the c-section...as soon as they approve you for walking then walk. Your husband can hold your arm if you're feeling wobbly. The nurses made me walk a circuit of the hallways like every half hour. Seriously, this is the most important thing.

2-if possible, sleep in a recliner instead of a bed for 2 weeks after the c-section. Getting up out of bed is really rough. The recliner helps a ton. (If you do have to be in a bed, roll onto your side - use your hands to pull you if you have to - slide your legs off the bed and put a hand flat on the bed near your face and use it to push your body up instead of using your trunk muscles)

3- you'll want to keep ice on it all the time - see if you can bring home an icepack or 2 from the hospital. (they have a cool kind you just fill with ice and can strap it around you.)

4-no stairs for 2 weeks. seriously, stairs are killer

5-no driving for atleast 2 weeks. The actual rule is you have to be able to twist to look all the way behind you in both directions AND be able to slam down on the brakes without passing out from the pain. you'll need someone to drive you to all doctor appointments until you're safe to drive.

6-the 2 days after you run out of the narcotic pain killers are the worst. Your body thinks you need them but you don't.

7-my twins were in the nicu the first 11 days....so I have no idea what nursing/baby care would be like during recovery. but people get through it :)

8-my insurance had some program for pregnancies. They called to check up on me once a week and a nurse answered any questions for me. That program also sent me a free book. I picked the book on c-sections because I'd never had one before.

7 - my other kids loved to jump on me...esp when I was in the recliner. That was awful.

8 - and yes, over a year later, I still have a pouch.

9 - hospital stay for a c-section is 4 days instead of 2 with vaginal birth. It requires scheduling the Operating Room and involves about 12 doctors and nurses. So, your insurance may NOT cover an elective c-section.

10-you will not see your baby after the initial 2-second peek on the first day unless you're able to walk over to the nursery or demand a wheelchair to go see your baby. Sometimes they don't like you to get out of bed yet.

the baby won't be in the room with you.

That's all I can think of....good luck with your pregnancy/birth :)

oooooh, and it hurts to laugh! you'll want to hold your tummy every time you stand up or go up a step.

Your reasons would help in answering your question, but I had one. It really is surgery and no matter what recovery is harder and longer than with a vaginal birth. I refused to take the prescribed meds because I didn't want to give them through my breast milk even though they are "safe." I was in a lot of pain. Mine was supposed to be planned because my daughter was breech and the fluid was low, but I felt that it was wrong to pick my kids birthday. I felt it was, in essence, playing god. Vagina's are made to stretch and bring baby's into the world, tummys are not. Oh and my scar is NASTY! Yes, it's hidden by even a bikini, but my poor husband and I have to look at it forever! I also had a friend who took her meds and didn't really feel the pain, and exerted herself too much and tore her stitches! Really let your body do its job. Any questions???? Ask me!

I have had two c-sections and am pregnant with a third. The first was extremely rough, mostly because I labored first and didn't know what to expect. Be very aware of what you are feeling, I was not given enough medication and it started wearing off in the surgery and I was in extreme pain immediately after the surgery. My second I got a spinal in the operating room and it was SO much better. It made me feel nautiated but I felt no pain and the pain management afterwards was much easier to deal with. Walking is the last thing you want to do after but get up as soon as you can and get moving. Its killer at first but it definitely helps with the recovery. Also, listen to the lifting limitations and movement limitations your doctor gives you, they are for a reason and you will heal much faster if you listen. Good luck and I hope you make the decision that is best for you!

My first was a difficult recovery and my incision got infected. I had very hard, long labor for that one, though, with a huge baby in the wrong position, so lots of other factors. My second was scheduled and by far the easiest recovery. Everything was great. I did an epidural with that one and preferred it. My third was also scheduled. Hers was a very difficult recovery, and I was on pain meds for about 6 weeks after and didn't feel "well" until about 3 to 4 months later, and really even now at 15 months, am not the same. She had a lot of complications throughout the pregnancy and delivery, and was in NICU for observation for a few hours while I was also under close observation, so I think it was just the combination of all the other factors that made it bad. I am definitely a fan of c-sections on a whole lot of levels. Like I said, I think my complications were more due to other factors. Pregnancies don't keep well with me, which makes deliveries more difficult, c-section or no. I hope you get some good information that helps you make a good decision. Congratulations!

Elective c-sections are risky. If it is not due to medical needs then I recommend NO. It is MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY and the anesthesia has repercussions for both your baby & you. I recommend LOTS of reading on the cons of c-sections & anesthesia.

My sister choose 2x to have elective c-sections. Both times it put her life & the babies at risk. This last time in August she had a life threatening uterine infection from it. Take care & I hope all works out for the best.

I will tend to go with the other ladies on this. Unless there is a medical necessity for having a c-section, I wouldn't do it. I had my first baby in June and had an unexpected c-section. I never thought itd be so rough, but when you think of it you are cut open through many abdominal layers, then that is stretched and they pull your baby out...OW! Things to think about...
1. extra hospital days
2. it is difficult to sit up, to move, to go to the bathroom. I wasn't comfortable being left alone for about two weeks as if I was holding my son, I couldn't get up while holding him...I constantly needed help moving around and getting up...and i healed quickly! I couldn't sleep in my own bed for about 2 weeks, and then at that point it was an ordeal getting in and out of bed.
3. You say you have a 6 year old energetic boy...take that into consideration as to how you will be able to interact with him physically and what he may demand of you.
4. All surgery has risks and its better for you and baby to avoid them.
5. Its better for baby physically to be delivered naturally if possible.

I hope all the suggestions helped you out! What I had to keep telling myself was taht all my decision on my son's birth had to be from the place of whats best for him, not for me (I REALLY did not want a c-section, but it was what was best for him...we were having heart rate issues). Good luck!

I don't know what your reasons are, but I would ask you to reconsider. Maybe you had a horrible experience with a vaginal birth for you son. If you have a vaginal birth, there's a risk that it will be a horrible experience. If you have a c-section- it WILL be a horrible experience.
It is major surgery to recover from and hurts for months. Four years down the road from my first one (I've had two) and I still get searing flashes across my scar sometimes. When you go in for the procedure you feel alone and it's freezing. Doctors and nurses are every where, but buzzing around getting busy and hardly noticing you. Your boyfriend won't be allowed in until you're all numbed and prepped. You're arms are strapped to the table and there's wires and tubes every where. They drape a big curtain in front of you. I felt a bit claustrophobic. Despite the numbing drugs (and all the side effects from all of them that are common to get), it still hurts like the dickens. You can still feel the pressure of every tug and pull and push. Try to avoid it if you can. The recovery is so not worth it to me.
However, if it's medically necessary for you then just know that it won't last forever- you do get to the point where you feel fairly normal again eventually and you get a brand new member of the family.
But if it's possible to give birth vaginally, that's the easier way to go. Good luck!!

You got a lot of advice already and I'll just say that what I disliked the most about my c-section is that sometimes my kids kick or step on the incision scar (they are 2 1/2 and almost 1) and even 2 1/2 years after the surgery it still really hurts. I also hated the process of the surgery and felt that labor allowed me to be more involved in the process of my son being born. Talk to your doctor and find out if she/ he will even do an elective c-section. I don't know if many doctors do that.
Good luck with your decision making,
M.

Gosh that's pretty wide open...I've had two csection births because I developed preeclampsia and had to be induced...both long, wonderful stories. There's risk because it's a surgery but somtimes not too severe a risk depending on yours and your baby's conditions. Talk to your ob. She or he will be able to fill you in on all the stats/ risks of elective csections. I'd be happy to elaborate if you want to email me any questions. Either way congrats to you!

I agree with those who say that unless it is medically necessary, try to have the baby vaginally. I had my first by emergency c-section and due to our life circumstances I had to tend to the baby alone as soon as we got home from hospital. I ended up over doing it and it took me a good 6 MONTHS before feeling 100%. Every body is different and will heal differently - there are no guarantees that you will be one of the lucky few who recover quickly without much pain or complications.

I am currently expecting again and hope to have a VBAC with this one - with an active toddler, I would much rather recover in a manner of weeks versus months!

In whatever happens for you, I wish you the best of luck and health for you and your little one :)

I had a C-section with my last son and vaginal births with the first two. I prefer the C-section. It was easier for me since they could clean out the uterus. I had less bleeding. I was able to hold the baby right after birth. I nursed him for the first time about 30 minutes after delivery. I was up and walking the next morning. I was a little sore but I have to say I was more sore with the vaginal stitches. My scar can barely be scene. The doctor put my skin together with glue and it was kind of weird to have black stuff coming off my abdomen at first. I figured it out after a short while. I do think a lot depends on the doctor though.

I've had two C-sections. The first was after it was discovered that my 39-week baby had passed away. I tried vaginally but she was breech and wouldn't come out. For the second, I elected C-section at 37 weeks. Got a healthy, happy baby out of it and I have no regrets. No one else can make this decision for you, so go with your gut, so to speak! I didn't find the pain afterwards that horrible. Both times I quit the narcotic pain-reliever earlier than I had to, switched to Ibuprofen, and was fine. Yeah it hurt, but well worth the reward! With the first one I had epidural, because it was leftover from the attempted vaginal delivery. The second was planned, so I had a spinal block. For me, the epidural was way better in the sense that the drug they use for the spinal block left me feeling really anxious for about a week. If you've ever had a reaction from the "epi" drug they use sometimes at the dentist, you may want to discuss with your doctor which option will leave you feeling better. Good luck!

As much as we think that planning and scheduling everything is the right thing to do..... We are grown ups and we are at the beck and call of our date books and work schedules. Being pregnant is a part in life that needs no explaination... Everyone who is a part of your circle knows that there is a baby on the way and to be on call. At least that is the way that i felt when my sister in law was preggo. Baby came 9/17/09.
Ultamatly my point is.. That it is the most exciting time to go into spontaneous labor. You scramble around and everyone gets uplifted and so much more excited when god plan goes the way he wants it to go. Dont over plan just be prepared. Good luck and god bless

I've had two c/sec. Quite frankly the recovery is a ----- and I've had numerous problems afterwards that of course no one mentions when talking about the risks of c/sec.
My first labor started when my water broke. I was immediately induced. I went 6 hours with no pain med and then was ready to die after 24 units of pit and nothing for pain. I had an epidural and went another 6 hours. My labor stopped when my OB said at 11pm, that nothing was progressing, and so he wanted to do a c/sec. We went in, it was the most humiliating experience of my life. MY OB was terrible and a jerk the whole time, I felt ignored and irrelevant.
Fastforward a year and a half. I'm pregnant again and am having lots of problems with my stomach, it hurts all the time, I have a huge lump, as well as the worst heartburn ever. I go into my doctor and they find a hernia. The probable cause is because my stomach muscles were all cut so badly from the c/sec that they've never fully repaired. AT 17 weeks pregnant I had major abdominal surgery to fix the hernia. Before I even delivered, it came back out again and caused me problems for the rest of my pregnancy, as well and it continues today.
With my second c/sec the OB was the department head and WONDERFUL. He went in and said the way the previous incision was sewn up caused there to be a lot of scar tissue and so they took about an hour going in and removing scar tissue(which had cause extremely painful periods) and repairing the tears that I'd incurred during labor.
Anyway, as you can see, not all c/sec's turn out as blissfully as they portray them to be. The recovery is long, sex is still sometimes very painful, my periods are heavier then they've ever been in my life, as well as more painful.
If you can avoid it, I would recommend staying away from c/sec's. And I don't say that just because I've had terrible experiences. There is a documentary called, "the business of being born" Its EXCELLANT and really details a few things about c/sec that no one talks about. For instance, even full term babies are at twice the risk for respiratory problems if they're delivered cesarean. The rate of post partum depression is over 33% higher in women who have c/sec. There are many other incredibly useful facts and resources from that film. I would highly recommend it to ANYONE who is thinking about having a child, or is of child bearing years. My husband also watched it and was fascinated by just how much he learned from it all!
Best of luck for a speedy recovery whatever method you choose and a happy healthy baby!

As with all births, there are risks - and with all surgery there are risks. I've had two c-sections (not by choice) and it wasn't that bad. Get a good doctor and one you trust to review your options with you. It is surgery and recovery is not fun, but I was up and walking and able to get around the house and breastfeed like "normal". You do get to bond just as much with your baby - once out of recovery (1-2hrs). In the meantime, my husband was in the nursery with the baby. You are left with a scar, but not more "pooching" than a regular birth. The don't cut the muscles. However there is also an internal scar on your uterus - keep that in mind if you are having more children - as it weakens it. Good luck and follow you instincts. The most important thing is to do what's best to have a healthy baby and a happy mom!

I had one 3 yrs ago. My daughter was breech, so we didn't really have a choice. It was a scheduled csection. My recovery was great! I had heard all the horror stories, but I didn't have any complications or problems. I was up walking around that evening. Of course you are sore, can't do everything right away, etc. If you have family support than you should be fine. A great book that helped me was "The Essential C-Section Guide" by Maureen Connolly & Dana Sullivan. It talks about pain control, healing at home, getting your body back & everything else you need to know about a csection. VERY helpful when making this important decision. Only you know what's right for you :)

I had a non-elective C-section b/c my daughter wasn't tolerating the labor. All in all, mine was pretty easy, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again ( I'm not sure if I would CHOOSE it - but it wouldn't bother me in the slightest to have one again). The person who said she could feel everything must have had a bad doctor - you can feel pulling and tugging, but should be no pain at all (until recovery, hah hah). You get an epidural, so there's no pain and you are awake so that's a little weird.

A lot seems to depend on the hospital and doctor I guess. The operation itself went pretty easy, my husband was there, I got to see/hold my daughter in the Operating room and after I went back to my room. I didn't feel like it was cold or impersonal - you do get very cold, but they will put blankets around you.

The recovery was a little longer - but if you follow the doctor's advice (no stairs, stay in bed, no driving, take it easy), it goes a lot easier. I liked that I didn't have any tearing and that it didn't hurt to sit while nursing!

Overall, it was a fine experience, and I don't feel like I "missed anything" by having a C-section - the result was my beautiful, healthy baby daughter.

This decision is between you and your doctor. If he/she feels like your reasons are appropriate, and you want to do it, then do what's right for you and your baby.

You will get lots of excellent, accurate information from the International Cesarean Awareness Network. I believe their Web site is www.ican-online.org. It is a great organization, and the Utah contacts are immensely helpful. I hope you check it out. Best wishes.

I don't want to repeat what you've already heard, but my guess is that your first birth had some legitimately unpleasant aspects and I think it would be very helpful for you to hire a doula for this birth. I think that a doula could help you to make sense of what happened last time, figure out what could be done differently, and help you to have a more pleasant experience this time around. Odds are that there are a lot of things that need to be changed (possibly your care provider or hospital) or could be changed to help you have a good experience with vaginal birth, without going to the extreme of having to experience a surgical birth. (I've done it both ways, I would never choose to have a c-section again.) Please, if nothing else, do your research at ICAN as the others have suggested, c-sections put you and your baby at increased risk for a myriad of complications.
Good luck!!

I had a C-section for my first and 2 VBACs and there is no contest. I had REALLY long labors with all 3 (between 16 and 24 hours in the hospital), and pushed for 2 and 1-1/2 hours for the second two and I would STILL do a vaginal over a C-section. Recovery is too long for a C and your abdominals have been CUT, so they are never really the same. I know lots of docs will only do a C if you had one on the first one--find a good midwife!

Both of my children were c-section. My first was an unplanned and the my 2nd was because of the chances of hemroging(spelling?). I wish in a lot of ways that I could have had them both naturally. My body will never be the same! The vagina is much more prepared to heal and go back to its normal state then cut open muscles and skin. Due to my own weight problems I now have a "pouch." I do like to joke that my scar is for the future guideline for my tummy tuck! So I guess unless its medically nessasary you should do it natural. With plenty of kegel excersises you will be the same as you were before pregnacy and you will be able to enjoy the baby much more and with less pain/healing.

I am not sure what happened at your last birth but I encourage you to read this over very carefully:

http://ican-online.org/pregnancy/patient-choice-cesarean-...

In part, this article states:
"Cesarean section is major abdominal surgery which exposes the mother to all the risks of major surgery, including a higher maternal mortality rate, infection, hemorrhage, complications of anesthesia, damage to internal organs, scar tissue, increased incidence of secondary infertility, longer recovery periods, increase in clinical postpartum depression, and complications in maternal-infant bonding and breastfeeding, as well as risks to the infant of respiratory distress, prematurity and injuries from the surgery."

C. M., CBE, CLD
www.westsidebirthconnection.com