[miss_heidi]

HI all,

I have a low lying placenta as seen on my 29 weeks scan (plus shortened cervix with funneling) so am at risk of PTL. I have another scan booked at 34 weeks to see if the placenta moves up, i dont know how many cm it is at the moment. OB told me that if it hasnt moved then i liekly wont be able to deliver vaginally and will need a c-section.

I have been reading a bit through threads and forums about low placenta and c-sections, with many different responses from women, some really dreading or against the c-section.

I never considered it before because as a public patient i figured I was delivering vaginally unless there was an emergency.
as a first time mum, who really doesnt know much about c-sections vs vaginal births, i am wondering - why woudl you not want a c-section? The prospect doesnt seem all that bad to me, it seems to me to be the way to avoid trauma and terrible tearing, but maybe Im really missing something that I should know in regards to mum or baby health?

(excuse my ignorance!)

Thanks for the advice

This post has been edited by miss_heidi: 16/01/2013, 07:59 PM

[miss_heidi]

Ill add that i wanted a vaginal birth as I have heard it is better for babies lungs and provides a mouthfull of bacteria during the passage out which can assist in immune maturation, but outside of that Im not sure of why people would be sooo against it?

[Bam1]

It's an operation so there is more risk and the 6 week recovery with no driving was enough to make me only want one if medically necessary

[Steggles]

It's major surgery. Not a nick!

[FiveAus]

It's major abdominal surgery with a long recovery time, it's not just another way to have a baby.

[bikingbubs]

its major surgery, and with that comes risks. i have had 2 c/s despite wanting vaginal births

[bakesgirls]

It's major surgery, that carries all the risks that surgery comes with. Unless medically indicated, I don't want someone cutting me open.

There are also risks for the baby including being cut by the scalpel and respiratory problems. There is an increased chance of needing a hysterectomy. Scar tissue and adhesions may cause long term pain. Then there's increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, placenta previa (where the placenta has grown over the lowest part of the uterus obstructing the cervix) and placenta accreta (where the placenta is abnormally attached to the uterine wall) in subsequent pregnancies.

This post has been edited by bakesgirls: 16/01/2013, 08:16 PM

[Sunnycat]

I don't have a problem having a csection if the event arises. I would much prefer a planned csection than an emergency one though.

Anecdotally everyone I know who had a planned csection vs emergency csection recovered much better from it.

There are risks with a csection but it doesn't put me off.

[TinyTeddys]

I might be the wrong person to reply as I've never had a C/S....I might also be wrong (outdated?) with my reasons but the two for me is that:
* You don't get 'skin to skin' straight away and in some hospitals bubs are taken away while mums are stitched up and in recovery. In saying this but, some hospitals are changing there practices...
* You are limited in what you can do phisically...some people can't drive for 6weeks post C/S.

[miss_heidi]

Hmm ok.. My sister-in-law has had two, first one was emergency and second elective, and my best friend had an emergency c-section, and i guess they didn't really mind the recovery period. Definitely my SIL has mentioned her second c-section, the elective, she recovered much faster.

Another really good friend recently had a VBAC, and has mentioned the damage it did to her nether regions... But still didnt regret the VBAC..

I am reading up more on it now...

This post has been edited by miss_heidi: 16/01/2013, 08:09 PM