I'm confused about why women elect to have a C-section,...?

Question

I just don't understand it. Perfectly healthy and capable women with healthy babies choose to have C-sections every day. Don't they realize that a natural child birth is not only better for them, but for the baby as well? With C-sections babies are more prone to breathing problems and there is normally a temporary dis-bondage between mother and child,... the mother doesn't even get to hold her baby when it's first born! Do they not know that recover is a living h**l? Every time the mother nurses her uterus contracts, and doing this with a hole in it couldn't be anything but painful. You're almost bed ridden after the baby is born and have to constantly pop pain pills,... that cannot be good for breastfeeding babies. Why go through so much more medicine, money, pain, and agony just to get the same result? I just don't get it. Are women nowadays too much of a pansy to just do it the way their bodies are intended?

Answer 1

IDK My 1st was all natural Labor was about 8 hrs then she was just there very little pushing. Then something happen I couldnt have a 2nd daughter had c-section. My son we know that would be a c-section as well as my 3drd daughter. All are normal functioning kids. Are very close to me. I didn't take my meds for pain. because I was breast feeding. If I could choose I would choose natrual. My body snapped back. the c-sections left me with scars and I still have a belly that no exercise can cure. lol

Answer 2

Why? Type prolapse or rectocele or enterocele or cystocele into your search engine!

After feeling like a hero at the time after 3 natural and drug free births , 10 years later I ended up having incredibly painful surgery that kept me bedridden and crying (childbirth was WAY less painful),  for 2 months.

I would recommend a c-section to anyone wanting to avoid problems in later life .

Answer 3

I don't know why half the people do what they do -

choose to use formula instead of breastfeed

spank instead of using appropriate/non-violent discipline

let their babies watch t.v. instead of playing with them

have children when they don't want to take responsiblity and be good, responsible, caring, loving parents.

The world is a screwed up place.

Answer 4

Wow, I'm surprised at how many people TOTALLY missed your point about the whole *elective* part of your question.  Gosh, there is a huge difference between having to get a c-section and requesting one to completely avoid a vaginal delivery.

Many women have been frightened at the thought of childbirth.  We all know it hurts, and that it usually takes a long time.  We worry about our vaginas stretching out, about tearing or being cut, about pooping on the delivery table.  C-sections just seem like they are easier--you avoid all the misery of a vaginal delivery while the doctor cuts through a numb belly.

The fact is, no one talks about AFTER the delivery, be it vaginal or surgical.  Most women are shocked to find out that they'll be bleeding for weeks, or that breastfeeding is going to cause painful contractions.  Even the delivery of the placenta can be a total unknown.  Likewise, many women don't know about how the recoveries compare.  They're only looking at the delivery part because that's what people talk about most often.

I feel for the doctors.  They must have to have this discussion all the time.  I'm sure most OBs have been stuck having to explain the ins and outs of childbirth to stubborn moms who refuse to consider a vaginal delivery, and simply threaten to find another doctor.  I've seen them on this board plenty of times.  However, most of the time, the women who ask about elective c-sections on here do get enlightened by our answers.  I doubt it makes them feel much better...after all, their goal is a pain-free birth, but its just not possible.

The best course of action is to calmly explain the pros and cons of both deliveries.  Most people are logical enough and smart enough to see the light, as they say.  You've got to feel for them, though.  They're just scared of being in pain, and you can't really look down at them for that.  Most of them do get talked out of the c-section once they realize what really happens to them and to the baby.  They just never got the full picture in the first place.

Answer 5

who cares...everyone has their opinions...just because you dont agree with it doesnt mean its not the right choice for everyone.   Some people may want a c section to avoid pain for hours and hours...true recovery time is hard...but its not bad for everyone..some people are fine the next day..just like giving birth naturally...maybe some people have quicker recovery times than others..everyones different...    and whoever says bonding isnt the best when it comes to your baby if you have a c section is so dead wrong.  you bond with your child regardless for the rest of your life.  and if you want to call women panzies then i guess its the same thing if they choose pain medication during natural labor right?   or is that ok because its your own life choice?   i seriously dont understand you people..the day your baby is born no matter how it is done...   its a joyous day...its going to be the best thing ever.  NOTHING will change that.     anyway...good luck with your pain medication during labor

Answer 6

Well, while I agree with you on not understanding why some women elect for a c-section, I do have to say some of your assumptions are flawed.

I never needed pain pills, it didn't hurt anymore to nurse after my section than it did my vaginal deliveries. I wasn't bed-ridden, I was up right away.

That said, it is without question better for the baby. However, some people either refuse to believe that, don't care, or don't know that.

Some people are just plain scared, and that's just the way it is.

EDIT: Don't worry, a lot of us DID see where you clearly said CHOOSE to have.

Answer 7

I think it has a lot to do with not wanting to stretch out their v****a and feel "loose" for their partner in addition to the pain issue.

It is major surgery.  Sometimes unavoidable of course- but to elect to have major surgery when there aren't any problems to make you???

I don't understand it either.

Answer 8

It really doesn't matter why they choose to have elected c-sections, the option is out there.  You can choose that option with no reason at all.  That's the answer, we all have choices and if that's what they choose more power to them.

My choice was to have my daughter vaginally, but I am not going to judge another woman for choosing a different option than me.  I agree most c-sections are harder to recover from, but not all vaginal deliveries are peachy either.  

Answer 9

For some of the women who were my clients and chose a C-section there was an issue of sexual abuse.  They made the decision along with their provider and it was not my place to judge.

Each woman should have the right to choose the birth that is best for her whether it is a vaginal birth, C-section, medicated or unmedicated.

Answer 10

i think your going overboard with this question. A good doctor will not do a c-section without a medical reason behind it. have you even had any kids? My mother had 3 c-sections and there was no dis-bondage between us and her, she is one of my best friends, and none of us had breathing problems, and she did get to hold all 3 of us when we were born, just like a natural birth and then they went and cleaned us off and gave us back to her. Of course my mothers c-sections were done b/c she had no choice, b/c after you have had one it can be unsafe to have a vaginal birth. Before you go and judge everyone learn what the h**l you're talking about

Answer 11

well i have four babies c-section and now I'm on my 5th and i wish i could have had them naturally all 6 of my sisters did and my mom had 10 babies like nothing but the dr. who gave me my first sealed my fate for the rest of my pregnancies! i think the pain is much worse after a c-section and i cant understand why you would choose c-section if you can have it normally!

Answer 12

Every women recovers differently from a C-section A good friend of mine had a C-section & went to a broadway show 2 days later

Every women is not going to breastfeed

If C-sections were anywhere near as dangerous as you were trying to portray them, doctors wouldnt even touch it Malpractice suits are no joke C-sections are performed every single day Things can go wrong either way

Pansy? I dont know what parade they gave you after you spent however many grueling hours pushing your baby out, or what kind of live broadcast they made telling you what a trooper you were for enduring the 'natural' pain....More than likely, none of these things happend They just checked you in & stamped you out like all the other expecting mothers

The point that im trying to make is it is a choice that a women has the right to make If she feels its best for her, then fine You do labor & delivery however you want & pat yourself on the back whilst their stitching your broken v****a up & let the C-section moms do it their way

Answer 13

When I was born, my mom was extremely ill. My mom had to have a C-section. When I was born, they found out that the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck. If I had a natural birth, I would have died. And that is why some women elect to have a C-section.

Answer 14

A lot of women think that by having a C-section they avoid all the pain of natural birth; little do they know that recuperating from such surgery IS even worst, especially when you have a newborn to take care of.

Answer 15

Its pretty ridiculous!  

If they're doing it to avoid pain, dont they understand that they are trading in a few hours of labor pains in for weeks of painful recovery of surgery?!  I would much prefer just the few hours!!!

If they are afraid of s******g up their v****a, then they are just plain stupid and uneducated.

If they think it is safer, again they are stupid.  C-sections increase the risk of death, injury and/or infection, so why anyone would CHOOSE to put their baby and themselves at that risk is beyond me!  

Then there are those who do it out of "convenience", so they can have their baby at a scheduled time, and have a tummy tuck while they are at it!  It angers me that any woman could be SO selfish, that she would put her baby in danger for her own childish reasons.

I think what it boils down to is... anyone who CHOOSES to have a c-section doesnt truly understand the decision they are making.  In other words, they are an idiot!  Anyone with half a brain wouldn't take major surgery so lightly.

Answer 16

okay i was given the choice of induction and c-section in the hospital (preeclampsia and a large baby) i picked c-section because they said starting my labor would be hard and he was a big baby so it may end up a c-section anyway. most women i know who have is because they're baby's seem big and they'd much rather choose a planned c-section then a emergency. and then some women are scared. frankly i didn't find the c-section that bad AND as long as your conscious (i couldn't be) they let you hold your baby while they stitch you up (at least at the hospital i was at they did) calling someone a pansy isn't fair. i don't think questions like this are very useful they're just hurtful and get people upset.

edit: btw i was out of bed 14 hours after the surgery and two weeks after i was walking around like nothing happened and my incision was infected. it just wasn't that bad. i was climbing stairs and nursing it made it difficult for the first few days maybe a week.  its not some horrific bloody mess that has you bed ridden for months.  if they want to choose it its their right. its not you so don;t whine about it

Answer 17

Well, aren't you a sweetheart!  For the majority of women who DO have C-sections, it's not a choice, it's a matter of what's best for the baby.  Some babies get stuck, some babies are too big to fit, some mothers have pre-eclampsia and it's a medical necessity.  What your talking about is an elective c-section.  Find someone who has elected to have one on a certain date and ask them, but don't lump ALL c-sections in with the electives.  Reseach a little and don't be so judgemental.

Answer 18

i was not able to have my first child naturally so i am going to choose to do a c-section with the second as well because the same problem is most likely to result. after my epidural wore off i only took 5 pain pills all while i was still in the hospital. i got up the very next morning and my nurse nearly crapped herself. but my recovery time was very fast. i had a friend who had a natural birth two weeks proir and i was moving around better than she did after her first week. i do think you should do it naturally if you are able, finding out i couldn't kinda made me a bit sad :(

Answer 19

They're just trying to avoid pain and going through all the labor process..

I don't know why ?

But having your baby naturally is better for you and your baby !

and the recovery it's better !

Answer 20

Well personally I have had 2 c-sections, not by choice, they were emergencies.  I certainly wish that I would have been able to have my babies naturally.  You are right in one aspect, recovery is complete and utter H E L L!!!  Things are never the same with your stomach again.  Not to mention the scaring, it totally sucks!  As far as a dis-bondage with the child, well I never experienced that.

I guess in short, some women simply don't think they can handle the pain of normal child birth.  What they do not realize is, there is also great pain with c-sections.

Proud mom of 2 great kids!