Voluntary C-Sections?

If you talk with your doctor, s/he might come up with a reason for a c/s which pleases that insurance, if this happens you request can be easily accommodated.

Probably a doc would do it, but the trick would be getting insurance to pay for it.

You need to discuss your fears and concerns with your doctor. No one here can specifically tell you how it will play out, as we are not privvy to your medical history and can't diagnose the need (or lack of) a c-section in your case. If the doctor can diagnose need for surgery, you will have no problem getting insurance to cover it.

I wish you the best.

It is my understanding that at least in California elective c sections are covered by insurances now(not sure about other states). A law was passed that stated women are not forced to go through the pain of labor (cause a c-section doesn't hurt even one little bit right??). Anyway, from my experience w/ childbirth, I had a 4th degree episiotomy extension w/ my first. With the second the doc said I might need to consider a c section. I delivered my second lady partslly w/ no problem, only 2nd degree lac. Good luck to you, I would think a c section would hurt more than an episiotomy though. Talk to your doctor.

Thanks for the info. I'm not yet 5 months pregnant but my stomach looks like I've got a basketball under my shirt, I'm terrified this kid will be huge. I'll go through a c-section before dealing with that pain "down there"...no easy way around it, though.

Thanks for the info. I'm not yet 5 months pregnant but my stomach looks like I've got a basketball under my shirt, I'm terrified this kid will be huge. I'll go through a c-section before dealing with that pain "down there"...no easy way around it, though.

I had a c-section with a 7 lb baby and when with my second child ripped and tore delivering my 10 lb bson via vbac with no meds (he was coming too quick). The c-section recovery took weeks, if not months & hurt so much more and was much more of an awful experience compared to hours of labor --and the c-section still brings icky memories more so than a completely natural, screaming-for-bloody-murder, thought-I-was-going-to-die, lady partsl birth. But, that's just my personal experience. Good luck with your decisions and congratulations!

What about perineal massage to help the lady partsl walls stretch or getting a midwife who can help with the positioning so you won't need the episiotomy?

I understand how bad the pain "down there" is (I tore with my 9lb son, and I've seen some real nasties as an OB RN), but please don't forget that a c/s is major abdominal surgery, and 99% of the time they require much more pain meds than a lady partsl with a wicked tear/epis. There are increased risk for complications--bleeding, infection, blood loss, prolonged healing process, as well as a much longer healing time (something to consider when you have kids at home to take care of).

And the probable reason you're showing already is you usually show earlier with each pregnancy. IME, belly size has little to do with baby size.

Best Wishes

You might look into getting a provider into preserving an intact perineum. I am not sure if your episiotomy was "routine" or "necessary" but they not recommended by ACOG to be done routinely. Also finding a provider, midwife or MD, who is willing to be patient with perineal massage and controlled pushing.

Consider giving birth squatting (or in any position other than on your back)- this has been shown by research to reduce tears. Here's some info on pushing and positions: http://www.birthingnaturally.net/birthplan/options/push.html

Perineal massage perfomed by you or your partner during the last trimester of pregnancy has been found effective to reduce tears. Here's some info: http://www.birthingnaturally.net/cn/technique/perineal.html

A study recently found that there was a 3X higher mortality rate for infants born following elective c-sections than for a lady partsl delivery http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14838765/wid/6448213.

Obviously I am anti-elective c-section, but definitely consider all your options carefully.

I had both lady partsl and c section and although everyone if different I'd take the csection anyday......if u refuse to push they'll give u one...lol:lol2:

You might look into getting a provider into preserving an intact perineum. I am not sure if your episiotomy was "routine" or "necessary" but they not recommended by ACOG to be done routinely. Also finding a provider, midwife or MD, who is willing to be patient with perineal massage and controlled pushing.

Consider giving birth squatting (or in any position other than on your back)- this has been shown by research to reduce tears. Here's some info on pushing and positions: http://www.birthingnaturally.net/birthplan/options/push.html

Perineal massage perfomed by you or your partner during the last trimester of pregnancy has been found effective to reduce tears. Here's some info: http://www.birthingnaturally.net/cn/technique/perineal.html

A study recently found that there was a 3X higher mortality rate for infants born following elective c-sections than for a lady partsl delivery http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14838765/wid/6448213.

Obviously I am anti-elective c-section, but definitely consider all your options carefully.

EXCELLENT post!!!!! :idea:

......if u refuse to push they'll give u one...

No, that's not always true. Babies have been born to women in comas (medical and chemically induced) who did no voluntary pushing, just let the uterus do it's job. Some doctors would be willing to let nature take it's course as long as baby looks okay.

And lets face it, at 10cm, with baby fully engaged, it's darn hard to not push.

Just please keep in mind that in most circumstances, a lady partsl birth is safer for mom and baby than a c/s.

Exactly right. I am really concerned at the notion that a csection is something we should be able to request and have on demand in this country.

But we already have a very heated thread about that from a while back.