Controversial Subject!

Tanz I had an elective c-sec 22 September 2010. Baby was born 07:15. At 14:00 my catheter was removed and I could go to wash and use the toilet. I was able to walk upright. The pain was not to bad and they give you Voltaren supossitories which help a lot. We were released from hospital on 24 September @ 10:00. DH was home because of the public holiday as well as Saturday and Sunday, but came Monday I was on my own. I was not extremely sore and could easily pick baby up from the camping cot (mine do not have the higher bottom) and bath and handle him. I cannot comment on the tummy part, because I am overweight (trying to lose some!). So my tummy is still there. I suppose some exercise will help with that. Good luck with the decision making!

apologies in advance for the generalization (and to the handful of gynaes to who whats written below does not apply)..

But Tanz, if you are in SA with a gynae, you may think that you are choosing between natural and caeser when actually the choice has already been made for you. Unless you go to your gynae with a very firm 'i want a natural delivery' you are more than likely (actually, i guess about ~70-80% likely) to have a caeser.

There are pros and cons to both and what suits one person wont suit another. what makes me sad is that the doctors are taking this choice from us with mis-information and scare-mongering.

read:
www.birthoptions.co.za/dumbrill.html
its a very balanced review and is written by one of the few gynaes who I'd trust to actually give me a choice.

O boy, I am not here to fight ...

I had both natural and c section.

Natural birth: was my proudest achievement ever, it was amazing to be able to get up after the birth and be in the moment and enjoy my baby. I had bad tears and stitches and lots of pain for 3 weeks.

My second birth was a c-section and my stomach is flatter than ever (I'm sure breastfeeding helps). But I did not enjoy the spinal medication, it made me feel claustrophobic and out of control. I was terribly nauseous afterwards and could not hold my LG for hours. I had terrible headaches for months, according to my gynae because of the spinal.

Given the choice, I would opt for a natural (maybe epidural) birth next time haha

Good luck, tough decision

Please help! I know that in the past, this subject has sparked huge fights, and that it has been discussed to death! But I still really would appreciated your opinions...

I am a first time mom-to-be...

I still cant decide which way I should give birth. I have heard horror stories of women tearing so bad that they need skin transplants with natural birth, and even stories like, you can never get your stomach flat again after a c-section.

I am thinking on one side, natural births have pain before and during and then it's over. C-sections have no pain before or during bur afterwards a lot.

Which one is safer for the mommy and the baby? Is it true that some women "poo" on the bed while pushing? Hemaroids?

Could anyone who has had both experiences or even just one, please give me some advice?

Thanks!

T