I had both of my sons by C-section and I’m not sorry.
With the first, labor just was not progressing. When he was born, he had the umbilical cord around his neck. It didn’t cause any problems because it never tightened, which it would have during a natural delivery.
With the second, my doctor offered me the opportunity to try a natural birth again. I declined as there is a risk of uterine rupture. That son had the cord wrapped around his neck- twice! Again it didn’t tighten and cause problems.
I think the sections might well have saved both their lives. My second section may have saved another baby as well. My doctor had come in to do my section and they were getting me ready when people started running around like mad. My doctor had another patient in labor when her baby’s heart rate suddenly dropped and they were unable to get it back up. Since the doctor was already there for me, they were able to rush her into the OR. I found out later that she had something called an abruption, where the placenta detaches before the baby is born. If an immediate section isn’t done you will lose the baby and maybe the mother as well.
Some women apparently feel that the section deprives them of of the real birth experience. I think having them come out healthy is most important.
Amen.
My labor wasn’t progressing either. After 24 hours it was going nowhere even though the contractions were giving it their best shot. Turns out I have a straight tailbone and that keeps the baby from being guided into the birth canal.
She just bounced off it for the full 24 hours. By the time they told me the situation and the options, I was so exhausted, I could not have pushed even if I wanted to. I told them to just get her out and wake me up when it was over.
It turns out it is rare for a woman with a straight tailbone to deliver naturally. Usually it would be die in childbirth time. The next two pregnancies were scheduled sections. No choice.
Same here. My son was delivered c-section after hours of no progress. I just couldn’t deliver a 9.5 lb baby - and he was two weeks early! They didn’t do ultrasound and had no idea he was that large. I have zero regrets that they did the c-section.
38 yrs ago next week, my wife’s water broke. Called the doctor and off to the hospital we go. The baby never dropped, so after hours of waiting for her to dilate and have contractions, they decided to do a c-section. Our daughter was delivered fine and dandy.
2 1/2 years later, our second daughter was also delivered by c-section, this time it was planned. Both are grown and doing well, one is married.
They never did say why our first daughter wouldn’t drop, but it was a necessity.