LADIES DUE SEPTEMBER 2015 :-)

Hi Ladies

wow what a topic. @TCS84 I have also heard that it seems a lot of south African doctors usually advise for people to go the C-section route cause it is most convenient for them. I agree with what you uncle said you have the right to try the natural way first and if you feel it doesn't work out then they can take you for an emergency C-section and I don't think that should even be a problem. At the end of the day it is your body and you should do what you feel will be best for you and your baby.

Hi DieSwartkat

Thank you for the advice!!!
I spoke to my uncle last night who's a surgeon.
He said I must go natural and if necessary c sect if there is an emergency. He told me I can always try natural and if at any stage give up and say no I can't do this anymore they can swiftly move onto c sect.
He went thro risks of both but also said so far I have had no issues and he doesn't foresee any issues especially since baby is head down etc.
He said a lot of docs do what's convenient for them in terms of planning and they don't like to come out at night etc if needed. He also said that it's tough because I can't help it and he's getting paid to do this.
He said SA has the highest rate of c sect on the world... But that doesn't mean I have to go with it.
So he said that if I want to plan it to the Tee then I must do the c sect but if I feel strongly about natural I must try it and see how I go and take it from there...
So that's what I'm going to do.
I was Sooo stressed yest. I cried a million times I don't know why. It's funny now but I really didn't take it well. Lol

Thanks for the advice again... Let's see when this little guy decides to come. His head is resting on my bladder and those r those funny pains I was getting... Lol

Hi TCS,

Sjoo, what a curve-ball.

I'm pro c-section, you know that. BUT I also have respect for ladies who want a normal delivery. The same way that I respect both moms who breastfeed and bottle feed, nobody can say for sure their way is the right way.

I think your doctor is being a bully. You feel very strongly about a natural delivery, I think you should go for it. I agree that he has a point about taking the epidural, I never understood why women would want to go through all that agony and he does make a good point about the baby's monitoring. From what I understand the epi is not given early in the labour process, so you will still be able to experience everything until the last possible moment. The recovery from the pain control (epi/spinal block) is not the bad part, you have full sensation back in your body by no later than 6 hours and at worst you may experience some nausea for a day or so. Take the pain meds, for goodness sake. You have nothing to prove and it's not harmful to your baby. 24 hours of recovery after pain meds is NOTHING in comparison to the potential mental trauma you can cause yourself. Don't start your baby's life by being scarred by his birth, it's not fair on either of you.

Why could you not do a natural delivery but agree to a c-section if the baby becomes distressed or if if becomes medically necessary? Birth is a tricky business, both sides have their risks. A c-section is always easier for the doctor, because it's easy for them to plan their diaries and manage their own risks. Was your doctor equally explicit about risks of a c-section? I think he's being a bit manipulative by using your past to scare you. There's no physical evidence to show that you will have a complicated birth, for all we know your birth canal is like a water slide and the baby just glides out!

I started by saying that I'm pro c-section and just wanted to add that I had a really good experience and that's why I'm doing it the same way again. It's a major abdominal surgery, but they don't cut your muscles or whatever the people believed in the olden days. The pain after the procedure is managed by good pain medication and the intensity varies from woman to woman. I found the first 4 days quite difficult because your movement is impaired at first, but you're able to get up by the day after delivery and the sooner you move around the better you feel and the quicker the total recovery.

By one week after delivery the wound has healed on the outside but your insides take about 8 weeks to heal completely. Infection on the inside does happen but is actually rare, don't worry about it. I took pain medication on certain days during the first 2 weeks after delivery, but only when needed and not every day. After 2 weeks I didn't need any medication. I didn't have pain sitting (like some natural delivery moms) and of course sex after delivery wasn't painful.

The "pain" after a c-section feels like a burning sort of feeling, almost like you burned your hand on a stove, it's not a stabbing or aching pain. You may find it difficult in the first 10 days to lie flat on your back and may be more comfortable to sleep in 'n fetal-position. You will be able to pick up your baby and breastfeed from the moment he's born, but you may find it difficult to hang clothes on the wash line (not a bad thing in my opinion!).

If you opt for a c-section you can also ask the doctor to wait until you go into labour before the c-section is done (and not 2 weeks before). A lot of moms want their babies to come when the baby is ready, consider this option too.

Also, if you decide on a natural delivery, be prepared that a c-section may be necessary in the end. It sounds to me like you understand both ways pretty well and are open minded enough about it.

Remember my motto: it's about the baby and not about the delivery!

Ladies

I need some help. So today I went to the stand in gynae. We chatted about delivery and what I wanted etc
I told him I wanted natural with no epi and he was completely shocked. He explained why epidurals r also important for them as well aside from pain management for me and that a woman in pain can cause distress on the baby and we usually don't stay put and just lie there we wriggle and squirm and role etc. He said it makes monitoring the baby's heart very difficult etc. I totally understand that and agreed that he could have a point.
He then asked why I don't want a C section. I explained about recovery and also mainly never considered it because of the epi. I didn't want it and now it seems I may have to take it anyway of its best for me and the baby.
He then went on to say that this is my 3rd pregnancy but first child and given that I am 31 this year , each year can possibly become difficult to fall pregnant again. Risks increase and also I have a history: so he said this baby I'm about to have is extremely precious because I have been through a lot to have him. He then said that a natural delivery comes with risks as does a c section but I need to consider that the risks with natural are quite vast. He could get stuck in birth canal or lack of oxygen or so many things. He said that because I've been thro so much would I not consider a c sect to get in and get the baby out as safely as possible in a controlled environment. He told me that from his own experience of having 3 children and the 3rd was born with issues because of a natural delivery.
He said that I need to regard this as a precious baby given my history. He was no way eluding that other babies aren't precious but you get what I'm saying.
Now he made a lot of sense etc and was very calm and nice about it. He said it's only his opinion and that it is my decision and whatever I want he will support but I must consider all angles.
Hubby got scared that something could happen to the baby in a natural delivery and said that he thinks a c section is best. He said that if something were to happen , it would really break us... And I have had my share of breaking. I'm also worried that I'm 31 and whilst he said that it is not old at all but it's not the same as being 25...

Ladies I'm so confused...more than anything the safe delivery of my child is more important than anything and I would die if something were to happen to him. I'm also scared about recovery and all that with a c sect. I've heard your Tummy does not go back to normal easily and breatsmilk becomes a problem...
To the second time moms, what have your experiences been? Any information will help. I have until Monday to decide...
If I go c section it will be on the 25 August probably ...

Hi DieSwartkat

It was so many types of cramps and feelings. My doc app is today. Well now so I'm gona ask him what the deal is.
I duno if I'm being dramatic as well cos I know anything can happen but I definitely did have those feelings... So not sure

I'm gona ask if baby is engaged and see what he says.
I feel so nervous. Gosh... Everyone says that boys arrive 2 weeks Earlier. Duno how true that is...

Will let u know how my app went now.

Hi TCS,

I think anything can happen from now on, don't ignore any cramps or weird feelings. Google first and see if you can find something similar, then phone the doc if you're unsure.

Are you feeling any contractions? Lower back pain? Period-like pain?

A friend of mine delivered normally, and she says that when she started going into labour she had cramps like when you have a runny tummy, not at all like the contractions that she was expecting to feel. We're all different, so phone your doc if you're unsure of anything.

I'm getting soooooo excited that our first babies are about to arrive!

Hi Ladies

I've been having odd slight cramps all day. And for the past hour i feel like movements or kicks or something really low down. Like below my side pelvic bones. It makes me jolt cos it's a shock. Lasts a few seconds then stops.
Baby is also moving quite a lot and he is head down.

Do you think that he is engaging? Or what could it be? I've never had it before so just wondering.
I'm 36+5 weeks ...