This baby’s kicks and prods have been almost entirely directed at the lower half of my uterus, as though she’s tap-dancing on my cervix. At my last prenatal appointment the doctor was unable to tell what her position was exactly but mentioned that she won’t settle into a final position for a few more weeks. As I was laying in bed last night, my lower gut being punted in multiple directions, I pondered what would happen if this child was breech. What if I had to have a planned C-section? I delivered my first two vaginally so I always assumed the third would just slip out of there without my noticing, hopefully after an exceptionally vigorous sneeze, since the trail has already been blazed for her.
I know a c-section is major surgery and the recovery is very trying, but I have to admit that the thought of not going into labour, of being able to have the baby probably before her due date, and having a valid excuse for people to wait on me hand and foot for six weeks after the delivery, sounds kind of swell.
Here are the pros and cons I’ve thought of for this hypothetical c-section:
Pros:
No labour! Wahoo!
No going overdue! Maybe even get to deliver a week early!
Get to say in the hospital for a few extra days, which means more time to focus on new baby.
No shredded labia!
Less pain resuming “couple time” after the baby is born.
Can’t vacuum for six weeks after delivery (score!).
Cons:
Major surgery, which comes with inherent risks, like, you know, dying.
Funky scar on belly.
Have to stay longer in the hospital, which means a greater likelihood of grumpy night nurses.
Can’t drive for six weeks after delivery.
Have to depend on people for everything.
Longer recovery time.
Of course I know it makes more sense to deliver vaginally and hopefully this little babe will get her head down and ready to go, but it’s interesting to consider the alternative.
What do you think about breech deliveries? Are they safe to try and deliver vaginally, or is a C-section the safest choice?
Did you have a C-section? Or have you experienced both? What’s your opinion on what’s more ideal? I’m especially interested to hear from those women who have had both a vaginal delivery and a C-section.
I have to agree with most people on here that have said negative things about C-Sections. I had 3 vaginal births and then had to have a scheduled C-Section with the twins (they were both breech). My recovery was horrendous. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days (which was nice in a way because the nurses took the twins for me for 4 hours in the night which allowed me to get a bit of rest), but everytime they cried I had to call the nurses to pick the baby up and hand him/her to me. I couldn’t get out of bed very easily. I also had a terrible cold when I went in for the C-Section, and coughing after the surgery was an experience I don’t wish on anyone. I literally had to get Jon or a nurse (or both) to put a pillow over my incision and press hard on it while I coughed. My incision also bled for 4-5 days (which isn’t normal), so that was a little nerve racking.
I had to sleep on our reclining couch. I couldn’t sleep in our bed until 2 weeks after the surgery, because I couldn’t get up once I was laying down. I also wasn’t able to walk standing straight for 2 weeks. I had to walk slightly hunched over because of the pain in my abdomen when I stood up straight. I also had a stabbing pain when I moved sometimes, apparently one of the dissolvable stitches on my inside wasn’t cut short enough and stabbed me when I was in certain positions. I was told that my recovery was worse than normal.
I was hugely blessed by my Mother-in-law though. She came and lived with us for 3 months!!! to help with the twins and the other 3 while I was recovering. It was so nice to not have to get up to make meals, do laundry, etc. I don’t know how I would have managed without her.
Oh lord.
A vaginal birth is so much safer and such a faster recovery than a c-section.
During my entire pregnancy I had prepared and wanted nothing more than an unmedicated vaginal birth. We took 12 weeks of hypnobirthing classes, read our asses off and in the end my little darling was sunny side up and then got herself stuck in transverse arrest. So, after days and days of labor and pushing through because of my afore mentioned “perfect birth” plan, I ended up with a c-section.
This was my first child so I can’t say much for a vaginal birth (but hope I can next time around!) but I will tell you that recovering from a c-section was not fun. I could do NOTHING. The baby would cry and need something and I couldn’t just pop out of the hospital bed to get her. We had to sleep on our pull out couch and have everything downstairs for 2 weeks b/c of limits to how many times you can go up and down them (twice a day). If I moved wrong my incision and the area around it would burn so intensely in those first few weeks and now, 6 months later, I will notice that it is sore after I workout or if I am up on my feet too much.
I cried the first night we were home because I felt so helpless and hated relying on everyone to do things for me. I had a ton of family and my wonderful husband to help but I can’ t imagine taking care of a newborn plus two other children and recover from that major surgery!
The OB that performed my surgery did a fantastic job and my scar has healed beautifully but it did get infected and I had to have it opened and cleaned about 2 weeks after giving birth.
So obviously you know where I stand here. Save the cesarean for the last possible choice to have your baby and only if it is medically necessary. I think women treat it as a convenience thing but it’s major abdominal surgery that, if you can avoid it, is so much better.
I’ve done it both ways…and vaginal is a million times better! Seriously, the recovery of a C-Section is long and painful. It hurts to laugh, sneeze, go up and down the stairs…basically it just hurts. I felt like I had to physically hold my hands over my incision whenever I had to do anything remotely physical for fear that it would rip open (obviously it wouldn’t but it felt close to it). If you HAVE to have a C section, then obviously you have to have it…but if the choice is given to you…I would choose vaginal.
I’ve never had a child, but thought this was interesting. My mom had 4 c-sections. And I never remember her being bed ridden. I know she had extra help for a couple of weeks, but she drove and was quite active. I also have a co-worker that had 4 c-sections as well. These women know no other way to give birth and they were 100% fine. I know its riskier, but sometimes you have no other choice and have to accept it.
You don’t have to worry about a vaginal breech as no doc or midwife here will even consider it, unless you come in and are ready to push.(not ideal). You actually can drive after 2 weeks too, not 6 and maybe I would be your night nurse and I wouldn’t be grumpy to you! You just tell me who is and I will give them a swift kick! Your baby will come out the way it is meant to and they are usually breech for a reason.
I had 3 vaginal deliveries. I was grateful because c sections scared the life out of me (although a csection would have likely have put us on a very different path with out middle child)
My cousin just delivered her second child 6 weeks ago.
Her first was a vaginal delivery. Her second was a schedule c-section as the baby was breech.
She said that hands down vaginal was the way to go and she could not understand why anyone would elect to have a csection.
Hoping for your sake she flips head down!
I’ve never had a c-section, but I’ve have 3 vag. deliveries. The thought of the feeling of the doc cutting into me and feeling the pressure and hearing the sound but not feeling it makes me want to faint just thinking about it. I will do whatever it takes to avoid a section!!! It freaks me out! Plus I’ve known too many women who’ve had c-sections whose incision opened and oozed like, even years later and have had to go back for further surgeries. Plus, for your shape, you have to remember that they’re cutting through muscle layers too, so the recovery to your tummy – it probably wouldn’t go back to the same shape after. I hope baby turns or you can get baby turned if it doesn’t on it’s own. A vaginal delivery, as much as labor sucks and recovery to your lady bits suck, I think a c-section would suck a whole lot more. 🙂
I have done both, my first 2 children where delivered vaginally, and were “easy”, uncomplicated, drug free deliveries. My 3rd however was a c-section, he was breech. We talked about our options with our doctor (who was a different Dr. from the first 2 times, as we have moved). Turning the baby was discussed, but that has complications for both the mother and baby and is only successful about half the time. It is also best if an attempted turning can be done by about 35 weeks, and if anything were to happen then, baby’s heart rate drops or placenta ruptures or… then an emergency c-section would be done. We felt that the risks were to high to try that option.
We booked a c-section for 6 days before the due date and prayed that he would turn. He didn’t. Although my c-setion went well and I had not complications and my recovery went well I would never chose a c-section. It was very emotionally tough for me. The pain from a c-section recovery (the first 24hours) is in my opinion worse the labor. Also the inability to pick up my older kids who were almost 2 and almost 4 at the time was tough too.
I have been told that with subsequent pregnancies it can take longer for the baby to turn, that is what I was hoping for, and so maybe that is what will happen for you. Who knows. In the end though as long as baby is born safe and healthy all will be well.
Oh and I agree with one of the previous comments that “couple time” is not made easier by having a c-section.
Also the scar area can/will have a different feeling when touched then the skin around it, kind of a numb feeling, I have a couple friends who say the same thing.
If you end up with a c-section, remember to ask us all for advice, before mine I did that and got some really good info that I would have never thought of or known about had I not asked other moms. 🙂
I had massive hemorrhaging after my second c-section as well! First one was very traumatic and dangerous as the cord had prolapsed (very unusual for a first birth). Then the second one went well, until 2 weeks afterwards when I had to be rushed back for bleeding. Your hemoglobin was at 4? They nearly had a fit when mine was at 7, but I never got a transfusion (Swiss rules). I know a lot of women who have had multiple c-sections and have had a lovely, relaxed, wonderful time of it. That was unfortunately not my experience, but every woman/pregnancy is different.
I have had 2 c-sections. The first was after 29 hours of labor…and was considered an emergency. It was not ideal. The recovery time for the first one was the full 6 weeks. I struggled with stairs etc. I ended up with an infection in my incision, and was on Vicotin for quite a while. I think the difficulty came from my exhaustion from labor, and the rushed surgery.
C-section #2 was a WHOLE different story. Since it was planned, I showed up…in no pain. I took my time, got ready, walked myself into the operating room, and chatted everyone up through the whole thing. I was still numb for the rest of the day, but I was up and walking by night time. I only took Motrin through the first night, and stopped all medication after that.
The worst part about #2 was being so aware when I walked into the operating room. It was weird to be really aware AND exposed, and see a tray full of sharp implements…only to know that they were going to be used to cut me. Totally odd. After I got over that..it was easy peasy.
I guess what I am saying, is while a vaginal birth is ideal, it’s nice to know now if you might need a c-section, and will be able to do it on your own terms. Best of luck!
Both Jacquelyn and Breanna were delivered by Csection. When I found out I needed a C for Jacquelyn, I admit I was just so excited by the idea of meeting her in 30 minutes without doing the whole pain thing, I didn’t argue. My recovery was very easy both times. I worried a bit after Breanna, because Jacquelyn still needed to be held and carried sometimes, but it was a quick recovery as well.
If a Csection is what life throws you this time, don’t worry. Especially knowing that you will have help at home when you get there. Happy note, they massage your uterus back into shape so that saves the natural cramping afterwards and should help the tummy go back into shape quicker (theory only, don’t look at me as a fine example).
First of all, if you are thinking at all that this baby is breech, you should have it confirmed by your OBGYN, hopefully by ultrasound. I can’t think of anything worse than going into labor, and no one discovering that baby is breech until you are halfway dilated and you’ve been contracting for oh say 6 hours. Didn’t happen to me but I work on a maternity unit and I’ve seen it happen. They ended up going for a c-section and were pretty upset that no one had recognized the baby’s position sooner so she didn’t have to expend the energy of laboring and then going to the OR anyway. I’ve had two different deliveries, my first was a failed induction that ended up as a c-section, and my second was a successful VBAC three weeks ago. I can definitely say that I found it way easier to recover from the vaginal delivery than from the c-section. I am so glad I was able to have the VBAC as I have a very active 2 year old that I am running after and I know that I was quite sore and less mobile after my c-section from the abdominal incision. I would always opt for a vaginal delivery over a c-section when there is a choice. Unfortunately sometimes the choice is made for you (like when baby is breech). I also agree with the above comments about an external version (trying to turn the baby). I’ve heard they are VERY painful and not always successful. From my experience and background, I don’t think that I would want to attempt a breech delivery. There is a reason why doctors don’t want to perform them nowadays, they definitely have their risks. So do c-sections of course, but I feel like maybe the benefits outweight the risks. At the end of the day, everyone has to do what is right for them. Educate yourself about your options. When all is said and done, if you and your newborn are healthy, does it matter how you got there?
C-sections aren’t all bad. It was the last thing that I wanted before I had my son but I’m glad it happened that way(cord wrapped around his neck twice). I do realize the complications that could have happened but mine was pretty textbook. Recovery time is not as bad as most people think. I’m sure some women have had longer but I was up and driving in no time. I never had help with my son(lifting,carrying) once I was home but I didn’t really need it. We even attempted “couple time” after 2 weeks. It wasn’t too bad but if there’s a next time I think I’ll wait a little longer. I was kind happy tha”t other” parts weren’t stretched out and torn. I did go through about 24 hours of labour before hand so the lack of sleep and new mom thing did not make the hospital stay all that wonderful but once I was home it was much better. I don’t know who told you that you can’t drive for 6 weeks. That’s baloney! As long as you are comfortable sitting in that position you’re fine. I’m quite sure I was driving within 2 weeks. And actually the scar is not to bad either as they put it in the hairline for me. I don’t even notice it barely. Boo for grumpy night nurses though, they aren’t fun. And don’t expect anything during shift change, they all ignore you for like half an hour.
I’ve had 2 c-sections and I have to say my recovery took a matter of days not weeks. I had no problem getting up and around the day after and could function completely normally within 3 days so it doesn’t have to be a horror story it can be fine. I’ll still pray you get to have a natural birth though!
I’ve had two sections. the first, in august 2007, was a somewhat emergent situation after 17 hours of labor with a wacky uterine infection. the second was just five weeks ago and was scheduled, much to my dismay, at 41 weeks 1 day of gestation, after my body didn’t cooperate with my plan for a VBAC. the recovery from the second one has been a breeze, which I think is due to the fact that I didn’t labor before the surgery. I’m sad that i will never experience a vaginal birth – this baby was our last, and even if we decide to have a third my doc will not allow another VBAC attempt – but at the end of the day the c-section was not a terrible thing. I wouldn’t ever voluntarily elect to have a section, that just seems unnatural to me (my personal opinion) but after going through it twice against my plans, it is what it is.
I had a C-section in July. I was in labor for 16 hours and my daughter just wasn’t moving. This was my first labor and the c-section was not appealing, but when all was said and done, I was happy with how everything worked out. My recovery was very smooth, I had no complications. I could drive after 2 weeks of my c-section. The extra hospital stay was nice…I liked having the help 🙂 Next time around, I’m not sure what I’ll do. The thought of another major surgery scares me. From what I understand though, trying to deliver a breech baby vaginally comes with a lot of risks, and I didn’t think many doctors did that anymore. It seems like in that case, a c-section would be the safest for the baby.
My first baby was breech at 34 weeks and we had to decide what we wanted to do. We’d been planning a homebirth but our midwife doesn’t do planned breech homebirths. I read a lot, especially the research that is assembled on the safety of breech births compared to the safety of breech c-sections (they are both riskier than a head down equivalent) in Henci Goer’s fabulous book, The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth.
Since I want to have lots of kids I knew that I REALLY didn’t want to have a c-section on my first child, and the risks for both of us looked like at the minimum a trial of labor if it was a good breech presentation (like frank breech, with both feet up by the head) would be the best choice. We found a birth center willing to give us a trial of labor… but baby flipped head down shortly afterwards and we were able to have a beautiful homebirth just like we’d originally planned! 🙂
I delivered vaginally, so I have no right to comment on this, but I will.
I thought of the same pros when pregnant, but in the end vaginally sounds better.
I think I was told that at our hospital there were no doctors who delivered breech babies any more.
I would totally rather endure 26 hours of labor and have my baby vaginally, then go through all that and have a c-section.
Hope it all works out well for you!
Some care providers will deliver a breech vaginally but that is not always the case. You need someone who is skilled in breech delivery and feels comfortable and competent doing so. Since vaginal breech delivery is not done very often in BC hospitals it can be hard to find the right person.
Some care providers will also try to do a version to rotate the baby and that comes with its own risks and is not a guarantee that the baby will 1)actually move to vertex position and 2) there is the chance the baby will move back to being breech.
I’ve had patients who have had vaginal births and then comes along a breech baby and they had a c/s.
I know, I know, someone always has to offer up the highly-unlikely horror story, but since this actually happened to ME and not a friend of a friend of a cousin, I feel a little more comfortable sharing.
I’ve had two long labors and two csections. My first (twin) pregnancy, I pushed for 3 1/2 hours and baby “A” didn’t move at all further down the birth canal so they decided surgery. I was pissed! I wasn’t tired, I wasn’t “done”… medically speaking there was no reason other than my “time was up”… However, I’m pleased to say that my surgery and recovery were fairly text book… it sucked, but it was all I knew.
My 2nd pregnancy I really wanted to avoid the OR, so I opted for a VBAC. While pushing I was having some hot-pain right where (I thought) my previous scar was, so I got freaked out, thinking of rupture, and was ok with a seciton. In fact, I was begging, if I’m being honest. My surgery went well, until I started hemorrhaging. I lost a TON of blood (hemoglobin was FOUR the next morning!… “low end of normal” is 12… you can be considered DEAD with 4). I had many blood transfusions, and whaddya know several complications from the surgery/hemorrhaging too. I went on to have FIVE surgeries in my daughter’s first 3 months of life.
I share this story not to scare people- for I really dislike any kind of scare-tactic education. BUT. I really think many people have a lack of healthy respect when it comes to the seriousness of surgical complications. Csections are not just an easy-breezy option to birth a baby. The potential complications are real, and also not so fun to deal with. And also? SERIOUS. I easily could have lost my uterus… or even died.
Obviously in the case of a breech baby, the physician need to weigh their options and make a professional decision about what’s best… I’m sure you are in excellent hands, and I sure hope that babe scoots her little skull down!
I’m pretty sure there are VERY few Dr’s out there willing to attempt a breech delivery these days. Plus there’s a pretty good chance of hip dysplasia with a breech delivery for the baby. Depending on the breech presentation (frank, complete, footling, or kneeling). And turning….I’m pretty sure it’s only successful a small percentage of the time not to mention it’s excruciating. That is unless it’s done early enough. The longer you wait, the less room and the more difficult to turn. I’m not one that’s all for Cesareans but these days it’s seems really the only option if your baby IS breech and won’t turn. My Aunt delivered two of her babies breech and both had hip dysplasia and had to wear a harness but she would say it was no more painful than a regular birth. That said there are certainly more complications. Your baby might settle head down in the next month or so. I honestly think you’ll be happier with a vag delivery. The recovery is WAY faster. And I think in the long run less painful than a Cesarean. But, your options may be limited. Good LUCK!
I’ve only had c-sections… 3 of them. But I can tell you this, it still is painful for “couple time” afterwards, due to dryness, and you can totally drive after a c-section! I never took a break! I didn’t drive home from the hospital.. but as soon as I started going out, I was driving! Also, the dependancy time, I’m sure differs for everyone, and even all of my c-sections where different, but the last one went really well and I was up and about in no time doing regular stuff, except heavy lifting.
For my planned c’s, I totally loved the not going into labour part! And having the baby a week early!
Having a vaginal birth is much more ideal for the baby but how sweet it would be to know the exact time and place!
Sara … yes, it’s possible to deliver a breech baby vaginally. Most doctors (here atleast) won’t try it. It would take finding the right doctor (or midwife!)
There are things you can do to encourage baby to turn too. Some popular ideas can be seen on http://www.spinningbabies.com.
I had to have a C-Section as my guy was “sunny side up” and for whatever reason my OB would not deliver him unless he was face down. This was after 24 hours of rip your nails out contractions, minimal dilation, and no pain meds, so I welcomed the C-Section and epidural with open arms. The recovery was hard- breastfeeding and holding and carrying are VERY hard to do when you have a ginormous incision across your body, and it hurts to move. But looking at the positive side, I had no tearing or damage to other areas of my body, and it was nice to have help for a couple more days at the hospital. I think planned C-Sections are a bad idea for first time childbirth- they are so much more dangerous and have a lot more complications than vaginal delivery. I think when people have them for convenience, they are crazy. But if there is a medical need, or the baby isn’t situated right, or you can’t do VBAC, don’t fret, accept what it is, and enjoy the heck out of the epidural and pain meds.
I’m showing my TOTAL dumbness here but can you deliver breech vaginally? I always thought they tried to turn them? I know they did that with my friend who found it excruciating as essentially the doctors hands were right up there…to no avail…and she ended up having a c after 26+ hours labour….