My body after birth c-section vs normal...?

Hi

I had a natural. Re-body, my body was back to normal as soon as the baby was out. And no, your vjj also go back to its normal size. Bear in mind that it was meant to do this job(birth babies) My stomach is flat, i tied it with a doek for 2 months so that it does not get flabby eg: when u are full it gets big, then when hungry its flabby. I was out and about after birth, wasn`t sore at all.

This is one of the hardest choices to make if you are undecided.

Opinions are great. They may scare you a bit.

I was pro c section when I was younger for fear of damaging my vagina.

Not sure what changed my mind. Possibly having so many other surgeries that I wanted to have my baby anywhere but in a theatre.

I took the time to read bith stories from both camps.

There were certianly horror stories. Mainly regarding natural births, but here was one thing that kept surprising me. Even after a difficult birth, the moms recovered far quicker emotionally and physically.

I educated myself. I learned that with good support and a positive mind the chances were really good that I could reduce the pain and chance of tearing in a natural birth provided I try to prevent too much medical intervention. It is there though if you need it including a c section.

This means that you have to become your own bodies advocate and have to have a birth plan and must ensure that your gynae is on your side.

I did all this and turned my attitude around completely, went into labour and handled it really well, but my son had other plans and when I go to hospital an emergency c section was booked and performed within and hour.

I guess what I am saying is sometimes we need to give ourselves credit and try to let our bodies do what it is they are meant to (for so many reasons that I can't go into them here) and then at least have the knowledge that if our bodies can't manage, we have amazing doctors and facilities to handle most emergencies really well.

Just a side bar....

I had natural so obviously I'm pro the way nature intended, but some other things to think about.

When you go into labour your body releases hormones important for bonding and breastfeeding. Moms who have had c sections (elective or emergency) experience more breasfeeding problems that those that have gone through the natural birth process, so if you do plan to bf, then its something to think about.

Other things: Most studies show that C sections are scheduled too early. and that babies born at 38weeks often have significantly higher respiratory difficulties than those born 39weeks or later (C section babies are at greater risk of respiratory difficulties anyway.)

Nature has designed birth so that women have the capability to do it. Its how the species has survived - women did it for millenia a number of times over and survived - only a small percentage died due to lack of modern obstetrics.

My Vjayjay felt tighter after my birth and orgasms have been significantly stronger... I had sex for the first time 6 weeks after when my midwife gave me the go ahead:)

If you do decide to go with the section consider these options:
Ask to be allowed to go into labour naturally (so you body prepares itself for having a baby), ask your gynae to allpw your baby to be brought to your chest and kept their while they stitch you up (barring complications of course) - those checks can usually be done while you hold your baby. Ask you gynae to bring the baby below the level of your abdomen to allow the cord to stop pulsating before cutting. Up to 1/3 of the babies blood is in the placenta. Delayed cord cutting allows that blood to pass back to the baby ensuring valuable iron stores and reducing the risk of heamolytic aneamia and jaundice. Remember that the IV fuids they give during the birth will artificially elevate the babies weight, so often babies will seem to loose more weight than normal post partum which results in docs recommending supplementation.

Good luck with your decision, but at the risk of sounding inflammatory Obstreticians will often recommend C section because its more convenient to them, not because its best for mom or babe - infact most medical boards round the world agree that normal birth is physiologically better, plus its important if you plan on a big family as more than 3 c sections are considered risky..

Since you specifically asked in terms of your body after the birth and more specifically your vj, I'll tell you that honestly after the rip that I incurred (I have to add that 'thanks' to my midwife I gave birth STANDING) I have ended up with a cluster of nerve endings and it hurts when I have s.e.x.
If you're conserned about you tum. Then I would encourage everyone to tie tummy's after the birth for the 6 weeks. (I didn't really do this and I've heard good reviews of this tecnique)
Ps. Ofcourse I dont want to hack everyone off on this thread, but I must add that the truth is, natural is best for babe
It just is..
x
peace

There are pro's and cons to both, dont let horror stories put you off cause there are 100's of them on both sides.

End of the day you need to go with what you feel is right for YOU, no-one else.

if you do opt for natural I would highly recommend doing a class with Kim - it will seriously help you prepare mentally for what lies ahead.

I fully agree with this statement!!!

lovely mature and helpful thread thank you!

I a going in for an elective c section on monday after much thought and consideration at thirty nine weeks. I will certainly update tis thread when i have experience to share!basically we feel v good aout the decision its our first and we may well do natural next time.

Clearly there ae pros for both but for us c section is def the right way this time.

the thead also showed me tha ClEARLY we are all soooo different and experiences vary hugely!!!!

Good luck with yr decision i think if you meditate on it the riht answer will pop into yr head it did for me.

Cathm
x

Hey Claire

With our first we opted for an elective c-section - our pregnancy had been rough and we were not in the right frame of mind to give natural a go. I loved my experiance, I went into labour early still so madam chose her date. I was sitting up on my own within 30min of baby been born, I never once needed anyone to help me. As soon as my drip was out I go up, gav baby to hubby and went and showered myself. I wasn't even on pain meds by the time I left the hospital. My tummy was back to normal within a few days.

So when we fell pregnant again we opted for a c-section. And you can ask a few moms here I fight for a womens right to chose her birth without scorn from others.

Then suddenly I realised that I would not be able to pick up my 4 year old for about 6 weeks after giving birth, or drive her to school - and I felt this would be seriously unfair on her, not only would we be intoducing a new child into the house, suddenly mommy wont even be able to hold her.

So I said ok, lets go for natural - and I wanted every drug known to man. And then I decided if I was going to do natural, I was going to do it right. I chose a friend to be a doula, and the 3 of us attended Kim's hypnobirthing classes. I am now so excited to be having natural.
As all natural moms will tell you, down there is not damaged my natural, and you go back to being as tight or even tighter than before.

There are pro's and cons to both, dont let horror stories put you off cause there are 100's of them on both sides.

End of the day you need to go with what you feel is right for YOU, no-one else.

if you do opt for natural I would highly recommend doing a class with Kim - it will seriously help you prepare mentally for what lies ahead.

best of luck with your choice.