19, pregnant, c-section?

• 09-06-2009 3:56 AM

  Beckumz Joined on 09-06-2009 Posts 3

  19, pregnant, c-section? Reply Contact I am 19, almost 20 and pregnant with my first child. My fiance is terrified of the idea of a c-section, I've been trying to get him to talk to me about it since we got engaged about 9 months ago. I like to be prepaired. Good thing too. I was wonderign if anybody who has had a c-section had any advise? Does it matter that I'm 19, though I will be 20 before the birth. I had also thought a a water birth but am hesitant. I would prefer an elected c-section. I'd love any advise that you have and any ideas how I can bring my fiance around to the idea? Thank you! -Becky

• 09-06-2009 7:21 AM

  In reply to

  Musical Christy Joined on 03-21-2008 S11-18-97/S01-13-99 A4-04 D11-18-08 EDD 12-24-09 Posts 535

  Re: 19, pregnant, c-section? Reply Contact I realize that giving birth naturally or some say vaginally can be scary but honestly... having an ELECTIVE C/S is ~~NOT~~ a good idea. You will likely have to have a C/S for every birth thereafter and most doctors say it will limit the number of children you can SAFELY give birth to. Some people have an ok recovery... but it is MAJOR abdominal surgery. They cut through layers of fat, muscle, skin and uterus (this can leave you open to uterine rupture during all your next pregnancies). Others have horrific recoveries.. from infection at the incision site (where they have to reopen the cut and clean it and stuff it with gauze.. and taking 10-12wks to recover.. I had that with my emergency C/S at 21), to not being able to walk, exercise, pick up baby and a number of many other side effects. I have had both options... i had a emergency C/S at 21, a VBAC at 22 and recently at 32 I had another C/S after trying for a VBAC where my baby's cord was wrapped around her ankle and she couldn't progress. i am trying for another VBA2C this Dec as I am preggo again. But I am having to FIGHT to get that natural/vaginal birth because most doctors... not all but most don't want to risk a VBAC and try to force the mom into another (most likely unnescessary) C/S. Your age does not warrant NEEDING a C/S and a lot of docs won't allow an elective C/S... but there are those golf docs that want the 9-5 job and have very high C/S rates that will jump at the chance to give a C/S electively. I hope that you will talk with A LOT of other moms... who have done both and research your options extensively... IMO My VBAC was the most amazing thing i could have done... I am in no way downgrading or saying that giving birth to any of my children was not wonderful but I would choose a Vaginal/Natural Birth a BILLION times over a C/S. Good luck... and hope you have a HAPPY and HEALTHY pregnancy!! If you have any questions or wanna talk... PM me!!

• 09-06-2009 11:22 AM

  In reply to

  Shannon1983 Joined on 05-23-2004 NY Posts 129

  Re: 19, pregnant, c-section? Reply Contact  I have had 4 c-sections and I always wonder WHY anyone would choose c-section. It is riskier for the baby and for you, first of all. Second, longer recovery and more possibilities for potential post-op complications. My incision got infected after my third and it was left open to be cleaned and packed with gauze for 3 weeks. Third, ever heard of "the shelf"? Well, if your stomach stretches a lot and you have a c-section a lot of women end up with an overhang of skin that no amount of sit-ups/crunches will ever get rid of. Fourth, they separate your abdominal muscles and it is near impossible to ever get toned again even if you do avoid the "shelf". Fifth, if you're like me you read more and more with each pregnancy and get more educated and you will eventually realize how much better vaginal delivery is but it will be very hard to find a doctor to do a VBAC. My first section was necessary but I listened to the OB on my second and found out afterwards that it was NOT necessary and my third OB led me to believe I could VBAC then switched when it was too late for me to do anything about it. Your first idea of a water birth is much better. Some OB's try to downplay the risks of a c-section but they are real.

• 09-06-2009 9:23 PM

  In reply to

  cassiev Joined on 12-28-2006 BABY #4 due FEB 2010 Posts 71

  Re: 19, pregnant, c-section? Reply Contact If your Dr says yes to an elective c/s on a first time birth, you should run! They are not in it for the right reasons. I have had one vaginal birth and two c/s and I too would chose to v-birth a thousand times over another c/s, which is why I am having a VBAC in Feb. C/S are not the worst things in the world, but they should not be taking lightly, many complications can come from c/s. I hope you do some research and see for yourself the pro's and con's of v-birth vs. c/s.

• 09-06-2009 9:52 PM

  In reply to

  Beckumz Joined on 09-06-2009 Posts 3	Re: 19, pregnant, c-section? Reply Contact thank you all for your advise, I am looking for into water births, I hear it is a lot easier on the baby. But I can't wait to find out all the suggestions when I talk to the Ob/Gyn.

• 09-06-2009 9:55 PM

  In reply to

  Musical Christy Joined on 03-21-2008 S11-18-97/S01-13-99 A4-04 D11-18-08 EDD 12-24-09 Posts 535

  Re: 19, pregnant, c-section? Reply Contact I am glad you are considering the water birth... I would LOVE to consider that... but since I am trying for a VBA2C this Dec... I have to be hooked up to monitors the entire time... to make sure that I do not rupture and that baby is ok. There is A LOT of good info in the nartural childbirth board and some of the ladies would be happy to give you facts and advise on a water birth. Good luck!

• 09-11-2009 7:56 AM

  In reply to

  Sunshine_mommyto3 Joined on 08-05-2003 Kansas Posts 52	Re: 19, pregnant, c-section? Reply Contact I had my first c-section at 17 and everything went just fine but wonder why you would want to choose a c-section if you dont need one?!?! I fixing to have my 4th c-section in Jan! It is alot more hard to recover from if I was you would go natural! Good Luck!

• 09-11-2009 9:56 AM

  In reply to

  Shannon1983 Joined on 05-23-2004 NY Posts 129	Re: 19, pregnant, c-section? Reply Contact  Since you are low risk I would talk to a midwife before talking to an OB. Some OB's are pro-natural, but I haven't met/heard of many. I'm also not sure I've ever seen an OB attend a water birth. Most practices have midwives on staff and they are much more educated in natural childbirth in most cases. There are some midwives that are intervention happy.

• 10-30-2009 4:43 PM

  In reply to

  Miss_Kat Joined on 07-05-2007 LA ~Due: 6.18.10~ Posts 268

  Re: 19, pregnant, c-section? Reply Contact  okay coming in here late, but for others who are reading this I would like to also share my opinion, which happens to be the opposite of all these ladies.   I think it is ridiculous to tell someone to "run the other way" if the doc is okay with an elective c-section! I talked with my doc about wanting an elective c-section at our first meeting, and he said that if that was my birth plan, then he would respect that. (He was a GREAT doc btw). The reality is that you should do what is right for YOU!  No one can force you into making that decision, that is 100% up to you.  For me, I wanted a c-section for a few reasons: I do not deal well with pain... at all, and did not want to be in labor for hours and hours, I wanted to keep my vagina intact and the same size, I did not want to tare, I did not want the chance of bladder incontinence or even leaking. I had many people try to talk me out of having an elective c-section, and in the end I went against what I knew I wanted and tried to go vaginally.  Well, my babe was breach anyway so I got the c-section... and guess what; I LOVED IT!! I had a wonderful experience!! I have a very healthy happy 1 year old, with a great shaped head, huge smile, wonderful lungs and I am the rpoud owner of a small scar on teh bottom of my belly.  My tummy went back to flat, no ridge or whatever its called. I think the most important thing again, is that you do what is right for you.  For many of these women, they would prefer vaginal delivery, and I think that is WONDERFUL!!  I had huge amounts of respect for that.  I also have huge amounts of respect for ppl who have c-sections.  I think also, knowing how to take care of yourself for recover (both form vaginal birth and from a c-section) is of utmost importance!  Realize that with a c-section, you will not be able to lift heavy things for a little while, that walking may hurt at first, but should be done a little bit everyday anyway (to help promote healing).  Really, I am not a doc, so talk to your doc about all the things that will help speed up recovery.   But ladies who are considering elective c-sections; know that everyone is not against you.  It is a very viable birth plan choice, and only you will know what is right for you.  Feel free to send me a message if you have questions.  (also, in no way am I trying to offend any of the other women who advised against c-sections, I just feel that both sides should be represented.)