C-section what to do.

 

 

Last week I went to my appt at the ANC and they gave me the option of having a c-section or being induced as with my last birth I had a 3rd degree tear which went into my sphincter.  They have offered the c-section as if this happens again there is the chance that I could become incontinent in that area.  It's all up to chance and I dont know what to do my own GP has advised not to have it as I've got three kids at home, the doctor at the hospital said it would be best to have the c-section as inducing at 38 weeks does not make the baby smaller and  and the chances of anything happening to me during a c-section are smaller than me loosing my sphincter muscle. 

I just dont know what to do as I've got three kids at home my husband cannot take to mutch time off and I dont want to be a nusiance to people.

I say have a C-section.  I had a terrible vaginal birth with my first son (he almost didn't make it).  I was terrified of having a c-section with my second.....but docs recommended it b/c of what happened with my first.  The c-section was fine.  I will say that I couldn't pick up my then 2 year old when my second son was born for about 4 weeks without straining the c-section scar area.  You also need to be careful of lifting your littlest one into the crib during your recovery.  I expected the recovery from a c-section to be much worse from what some people told me, but in my opinion it was actually better.  I could walk very well after 1 week with c-section...couldn't walk/sit well for 1 month or so after vaginal birth due to the hemmroids (sorry TMI).   I think if you can get help for 1-2 weeks after c-section you will be fine.

so was the birth hard on you because of a large size baby?  How big?  was it bigger than your others?  What size do the estimate this one now to be?  Those are things I would want to know before deciding.  I have had monsterously huge babies.  My first tore me up pretty bad but I think thats more common with a first.  My second I was ripped to shreds.  It took forever to restitch me.  I was so bruised, so torn, and had huge hemrhoids after that birth.  when nurses would come in to check my stitches without fail every one of them would gasp when they saw it!  However, my next I barely needed one stitch and the same with my last one who was 11 lbs.  So sometimes after that initial tearing it gets easier.

If it has nothing to do with baby size then I would be more inclined to get the section because it seems like it may be just the way it works for you. 

as far as recovery, you maybe surprized that the pain and healing from the section isn't too bad as compared to the pain from being so tore.  I couldn't even lift my leg up enough to get into the shower without hollering out loud for weeks after I was tore so bad.  Sitting was near impossible for like a month and downright uncomfortable for even more time but possible.  I was still sore months later but functional.  Not saying the c sections are not painful I am sure they are but ripping so bad is no picnic either. 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for that my babies were only 9 pounds 4 ounces the biggest one and he was induced a week early because of his size the doctor at the clinic doesnt actually know how big this baby is and she said she doesnt want to guess, she said they just have to offer me the c-section because of the tearing last time and as this time they may not be able to repair the bum muscle the choice was mine. Not very helpful so we've decided prevention is better than cure and that 6 weeks of being unable to do much is better than a life time of back end problems.

The weight of the baby really doesn't make that much of a difference, its more the size of the head and shoulders, and that doesn't change much in the last couple of weeks!!!  I would go with the c-section too...for the same reasons as you.

Personnally I would go for the section but you need to do what you feel comfortable with.  Good luck

 

I just wanted to add the worst part of recovering from a C-section is the first few days and you'll still be right there in the hospital with plenty of help. It gets a little better everyday. I wouldn't risk your body if you can help it.

I agree with Sugarandspice.  My recovery from the C-sections (I've had three) weren't bad at all.  The worst time for me was while I was still in the hospital, and I was only there for a max of 4 days each time.  Two weeks after my CS with my second DS, my husband was deployed, and I was recovered enough to take care of baby and myself. 

Personally, if I knew there was more risk giving birth naturally, and having possibly more complications and long term health problems then  I would definately go with the C-Section.

Good luck.  

Helen - x