Why a C-Section?

Kaseyrn2b · Dec 9, 2005

I personally would never have an elective c-section, I just don't see the point. I really don't get the 'vanity' thing either, unless I guess you're a Playboy model and need your, ahem, assets preserved :) I've had 2 vag births and really, it all stretches back!!!! Even after a 9 pounder. :lol2: But, to each her own ,I guess. I have truly awlays been curious as to why on earth anyone would choose a c-section. they always seemed way more terrifying to me, but I am not a nurse, so maybe I am just uninformed. At the same time ,no one should feel less than if they end up needing one, they can certainly save both mom and baby's life in certain situtaions. And, nothing irks me more than the 'you're not a woman if you don't FEEL all the pain' schtick. Motherhood is certainly not to be undertaken by the faint of heart! Just my thoughts....

prinsessa · Dec 9, 2005

That is hilarious! Do people really worry about that? I had my first baby as a 23 year old single mom and that thought never once crossed my mind (and never seemed to bother any of the men I dated one bit). I never noticed any difference before/after.
Now, no one is going to feel like a 16 yr old virgin again after enjoying all kinds of sex for years and years and popping out a few babies. However, the perineal area has muscles just like everywhere else and is going to snap back better if you are young and have good overall nutrition/skin tone and exercise it (kegels).

I agree. I had both of my kids lady partslly. I even ripped a little with both of them and had to be stitched up. I don't notice any difference (and neither does DH). I started doing kegels during my pregnancy. None of my friends who had lady partsl births have complained about it being more roomy down there.

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Dec 9, 2005

In October I had a lady partsl birth. 5 lbs 13 oz. I did tear a little. I do notice things to be a bit roomier, and so does dh. How long does it take to go back to normal?

splunking · Dec 9, 2005

I am extremely grateful for c-sec's. I had labor with first, ended up to c-sec (birth canal too narrow) Second attempted v-back, also failed ended up with EMERGENCY c-sec (again too narrow, baby heart rate plummetted) ... third, planned c-sec. My recovery was very good, and my scarring was minimal. Now if I could only do something about these stretchmarks

I have found just through some of my friends, that there is a lot of hype about c-secs, and what a bad option they think that they are. In my experience, and granted I have never delivered lady partslly, I have had very good experiences. It was good to try the natural way, but c-secs are a lot safer now than they used to be.

-Cindy

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Dec 9, 2005

I had a c-section in 1974 for severe cephalopelvic dysproportion. I saw the x-rays (that tells you how long ago it was!) and it was unnerving to see his big head and my little bones.

Plus I was in pre-eclampsia and had been for months.

I was a little disappointed not to have had a conventional delivery, as I had been doing the Lamaze training and felt pretty ready. But I was scared too, so I understand somewhat. And there wasn't any support there--my Mom wasn't there, my husband was pretty clueless, and my friend was preoccupied with her new baby and lived pretty far away.

Fast forward....

My daughter-in-law just had a c-section 2 years ago. I went to her shower (drove 1700 miles to do it!). She had slightly elevated BP, and seemed to want to make sure it stayed up. She was eating a lot (heavy on the sugar, the gravy, never saw her eat any fruit, vegetables or whole grains) . She told me that she told her OB she wanted a section.

I think maybe she just was frightened about labor and delivery. And there seemed to be some other things going on as well, maybe related to the fertility regimen she was on for her in vitro.

Oh, and did I mention she's an RN? Yeah. Worked in peds at the time. You'd think she'd know better. Her little guy seems to have been OK (although my mother says he isn't talking yet, but I don't know if that's related--I don't get to see him, but that's another story).

Today's moms seem different. I don't mean to be critical, but there isn't as much value placed on doing things the right or natural way anymore, it seems.

And OB's like the convenience and the higher fees, and the risks are minimal now, so why not?

Maybe in the long run it doesn't matter.

TweetiePieRN · Dec 10, 2005

Fast forward....
Today's moms seem different. I don't mean to be critical, but there isn't as much value placed on doing things the right or natural way anymore, it seems.

Generalizations about "today's moms"...is this coming from your observations from your daughter in law, the media, from where?

It is very hard now days with mom usually working outside the home and still being expected to take care of the home/kids/husband...to do things the way they used to be done. It would be nice if you could elaborate more on what you are defining as "right" or "natural".

What is "right" in your book may be different from someone else. It's all in the perception of the person making the comparison. Some people think it's right and natural to breastfeed until the baby is 3 years old. Others do not. Just all a matter of perspective I guess.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Dec 12, 2005

Generalizations about "today's moms"...is this coming from your observations from your daughter in law, the media, from where?
It is very hard now days with mom usually working outside the home and still being expected to take care of the home/kids/husband...to do things the way they used to be done. It would be nice if you could elaborate more on what you are defining as "right" or "natural".
What is "right" in your book may be different from someone else. It's all in the perception of the person making the comparison. Some people think it's right and natural to breastfeed until the baby is 3 years old. Others do not. Just all a matter of perspective I guess.

Apparently I hit a nerve. Certainly wasn't intended, and I put all kinds of wording in my post to be clear about the lack of energy, negative or otherwise, in my opinion.

As to the origin of my opinion, what does that matter? It is my honest and sincere opinion, freely and gently expressed. If a reader puts a critical slant on it when they read it, perhaps that's where the queries about etiology belong.

Sorry you were offended, but I stand where I stand until I have good reason to make a change, at which time I will. However, this is pretty consistent with my views and beliefs, based on thought, discussion, formal learning and just plain living. What is also consistent with where I stand is that I do not impose it on others, nor do I have any opinion about them one way or the other, based on their perspectives. As far as I am concerned, if nobody gets hurt and everybody is pretty happy, then so am I.

(Reading over the other posts, I see several that address the same position as mine does. However, I don't see them being called to task. Hmmmm... :) )

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Dec 12, 2005

In October I had a lady partsl birth. 5 lbs 13 oz. I did tear a little. I do notice things to be a bit roomier, and so does dh. How long does it take to go back to normal?

Actually, some of that stretching is going to be permanent, but you can do Kegel exercises (clenching and relaxing the muscles in your perineum--much like starting and stopping a stream of urine), and use those muscles during sex to make things feel more like they used to.

Plus, doing Kegel exercises decreases the possibility that later in life your muscles will be so relaxed that they no longer hold stuff in (prolapse).

TweetiePieRN · Dec 12, 2005

Apparently I hit a nerve. Certainly wasn't intended, and I put all kinds of wording in my post to be clear about the lack of energy, negative or otherwise, in my opinion.
As to the origin of my opinion, what does that matter? It is my honest and sincere opinion, freely and gently expressed. If a reader puts a critical slant on it when they read it, perhaps that's where the queries about etiology belong.
Sorry you were offended, but I stand where I stand until I have good reason to make a change, at which time I will. However, this is pretty consistent with my views and beliefs, based on thought, discussion, formal learning and just plain living. What is also consistent with where I stand is that I do not impose it on others, nor do I have any opinion about them one way or the other, based on their perspectives. As far as I am concerned, if nobody gets hurt and everybody is pretty happy, then so am I.
(Reading over the other posts, I see several that address the same position as mine does. However, I don't see them being called to task. Hmmmm... :) )

Believe it or not...I was not offended :) I also had a lackadaisical tone of voice in my head when writing it! Your post unfortunately was the last straw (not in a mean or bad way) simply because it had been said so many times and the thread had been dead for awhile.

Petitern07 · Dec 4, 2007

I don't get the election of this surgery either. I was not able to deliver lady partslly myself either time (I have two children). Of course, the first time we attempted to do it naturally but my body would not do it. Without going into details, I've since learned my body will not labor and its not safe for me to deliver lady partslly EVER. If I have further pregnancies, I will always have to deliver via csection and that makes me so sad. I don't think that most women understand the emotion this brings until you learn your body can't do something. I would never encourage a woman to go straight to csection. The recovery is rotten. Why anyone would want to be stuck in bed wearing SCD's for 24 hrs, not be able to expel gas and be in such pain you can barely move! It's not by any means glamorous or easier. It is beyond me...

All I can do is educate and maybe share my personal experience if I'm asked...