Natural or C-Sec?

It is a very personal choice, so I am not going to steer you in any direction here.

The two cents that I can give you, is that you should be prepared for either. I had my heart set on a natural birth, I did not read up on C-sections, daydreamed in the ante-natal classes during the C-section presentation and even skipped parts in the pregnancy books dealing with C-sections.

It turned out that I had to have a C-section and I was absolutely heartbroken, terrified and unprepared before the time.

It did end up being a much better experience than I expected, and I also recovered quite quickly, getting up next day to shower and driving after 14 days. I did do pregnancy exercise classes so I think I have to credit that for the quick recovery.

So, in summary, just don't exclude either possibility so that you are not disappointed by your birthing experience, whichever way it turns out to be

Morning ladies

Hantielab congrats on the twins, it is such a wonderful experience.
I was at Stellenbosch Medi Clinic and Dr van Waart. My story is a little different though. They had TTTS and they already passed away 3 weeks before my next scan. so they could each fit into my hand, so small. But my option was still to have tried for natural birth. Doctors do allow that if they are not in one sack. if they are fraternal and in separate sacs and you had a healthy pregnancy, there should not be any problems.

Huggles, sorry to hear about your loss. its never easy. Thank you so much for the advise, I've heard about it, but haven't really looked into it yet. I will definitely do now and cant wait.

Have a lovely day ladies

You ladies wont be sorry with Femina - its an amazing pro-natural birth hospital... and the birthing unit at Midwives Exclusives is even more awesome...

Have a look at the Birth Stories link on this Forum... Lots of awesome stories there too...

My story was just published on the home page too - below is the link.

www.moomie.co.za/birth-series/612-birth-...irth-after-induction

MommyMe - I highly recommend you look into hypnobirthing.
I lost my first son at 24 weeks and had to birth him naturally with no pain meds. The actual pushing him out was very sore, and I remember the first words out my mouth when he was born was "omg if that was a half size there's no ways I'm doing a full size!" I thought for sure full term would be far more painful than a 24 week old baby. But I did hypnobirthing and attended classes and learnt a much more effective way to birth a baby (breathe the baby down rather than forcibly push) and I can tell you that it was the most amazing experience of my life! There was very minimal pain when my second son was born and I got up and walked to the nursery barely 30 min after he was out! (he had fluid on his lungs so needed a little bit of oxygen). I was totally ready to do it again right away (from a lack-of-pain perspective).

So my point is this - I've given birth at both 24 weeks and at 36 weeks and the first one was by far more painful than the full term, and the main difference was hypnobirthing and knowing how to breathe my baby down rather than forcibly push him out.

Hi MommyMe
So sorry to hear about your twins!! If I may ask what hospital and Dr were you? I'm currently pregnant with twins and would love the option of natural birth.

My son was born in 2012 naturally, no epidural and they had to cut me. Was a bit sore afterwards but the painmeds really helps. I think just as with a c-section the recovery afterwards depends on the person! I will still take that anyday above a c-section!

Goodluck!

Hi ladies.

I must say this is also a topic i was wondering about. My first option is def natural but im not very good with pain tho.

I lost twins last year which i birthed naturally, eventho they were small and u cant really compare, i will most def do it all again. There wasnt even time for pain meds for the contractions, so that is prob the most pain i was ever in and i survived it.

BUT the thing im most scared of is being cut under natural birth as this happened to my mom and thats the only thing thst sticks when i think of natural without epidural

Hi ladies

I had an elective c-section and will be having another one end of the year. I must say my recovery wasn't bad at all. I was in the shower as soon as they took the flippen catheter out (that I have to admit was the worst part of the entire process). I did pilates and strengthened my core from early on my pregnancy so I think that helped me recover quicker. I look at my scar with a smile on my face, its a badge of honour! I have a new gynae and a smaller hospital now and am hoping for a less busy maternity ward with uncaring nurses.

I take my hat off to all you natural ladies, you are tough mamas! My mom reckons I'm too posh to push, maybe she's right in a way!! I just like to plan so the entire family from overseas and different parts of the countries are present for the birth, its special

No matter your decision it's your choice and you must stick with that, don't let other people make it for you. All I want to add is try your hardest to research breastfeeding and practice practice practice in the beginning, this is the best bonding process ever!