Comments on: Caesar vs Natural

By: Janine

Janine — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:22:49 +0000

Hi All

I’m 24 weeks pregnant with my first child and have been told by a midwife and another lady who gives antenatal classes that statistics show that 60 – 90% of births in private hospitals and with gynaes are done via c-section.

I was advised that in most cases the option for natural birth is taken away from a pregnant lady without her knowing it, purely for commercial reasons and because the gynaes are able to schedule the ceasars.

I am so frightened by this as my desire is to have a natural birth, but I have to be open to the fact that I might end up having a ceasar if there are complications. I am now considering going with a midwife, purely just so that my options are kept open until the very last minute.

My gynae tells me that 45% of his births are natural births. I’m not sure whether I should swop to a midwife or stick with my gynae, who I really like and am comfortable with.

If the statistics given to me by the midwives are true, then I’m most afraid of losing my choice for a natural / ceasar birth.

Does anyone have any advice?

By: Christine

Christine — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:51:04 +0000

Dear Carmen

May I suggest tw things to assist you.

Firstly: Consider chatting to a midwife in yur area merely to get a perspective other than a doctors. It is possible to have a natural after having a ceasar and midwives are more likely to be straight with you.

Secondly: May I suggest you make use of the service of a doula. She will be there to support you in any decision you make in order to make your labour & birth a pleasant experience, no matter how you choose to birth your baby.

Go to the following at your leisure:

http://www.birthworks.co.za – This site has a directory of midwives & doulas in your area as well as information about different birthing options and the benefits & drawback of each option.

http://www.birthing.co.za – On this site has information on what a doula is and what she does and what the benefits of having her are.

These are just my suggestions. I hope they can be of some use to you.

I wish you everything of the best

Kind regards
Christine

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:25:29 +0000

Hi Kiora,
The first thing I did once I had decided to have natural birth was find a gynae that was open to the idea. A lot of gynaes will just say NO!!! My gynae was open to the idea, but nervous! Each month I would plague him and eventually we came to the agreement that if I hadn’t delivered by 39 weeks we would do a caesar! Luckily Jared came at 38 weeks. I also had a doula (helps the woman in labour but does not assist in delivery – there for mom) and she kept me focussed on what I had planned and discussed with her beforehand.
I was 29 when I had him and yes, I do have a bit of a tummy after two c-sections!!! Just can’t get the muscles to work properly again, but hey!!! I’m ok with that most of the time!!!
Good luck!!
Lindsay

By: CARMEN

CARMEN — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:45:47 +0000

Hi there…where did you have your third baby? In Cape Town? I live in Durban and have had two caesars and also would like a natural now with my third. Is there any info you could give me? The docs are all saying no…

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:56:15 +0000

I think we would all reduce our anxiety levels if we accepted that a natural birth cannot be planned or anticipated. No-one know how the labour is going to progress and how painful you are going to find it. The pain depends on so many things: baby positions, individual pain threshold, length etc etc. Why not go into the hospital with an open mind? Knowing that if you need pain relief you can get it but that there is no point deciding before hand. I took this approach and gave birth naturally with no painkillers. The labour was short but intense. Next time I may have a long labour and request and epidural. Who knows? Let go and live in the moment.

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:20:04 +0000

Hi Jessica

Honestly I think it is such a personal decision and no one should be made to feel bad for the decision that makes them more comfortable. The bottom line is that childbirth, whether natural or Caesar, is painful. And as woman we should stick together because of our wonderful ability to bring life into the world.

I am 16 weeks pregnant and I have opted for a caesar (elective), my very good friend is 15 weeks pregnant and she is insisting on drug free, natural. You will hear good and bad stories about both options. I personally want the ease and fuss free experience that comes with a caesar and I do not feel guilty in the slightest. I come from a family (and family in law) that consists of 5 specialist doctors – they all recommend caesars and have had caesars themselves. Why? Because they say it is the safer (not to mention better for your sex life in years to come). But…at the end of the day its your choice. Please just dont feel bad or guilty either way. Good luck with your birth and all the best!

By: kiora

kiora — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:02:13 +0000

Hi Lindsay,
Tell me, how did you plan giving natural birth after caessrean?I gave birth to a baby boy four years ago and it was not my plan to go c-section and now I feel like I was presured to do.I really want to give a natural birth to my second born next year,but now I am also scared/thinking about age.I mean giving birth for the first time naturally.If you do not mind were you after thirty when you go natural birth after two caesareans or around that age?
I hate the scare it took me time to see the big tommy gone….infact not compltely gone.How is/was yours (belly)after two c-sections.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:03:15 +0000

Hi there Jessica!
My personal experience of having one emergency caesar, one planned caesar and then one natural delivery really gave me the chance to consider each option! And I am all for natural!
Yes, it’s more inconvenient because you never know when the day is going to be and yes, it is VERY painful, but for me there was nothing more amazing than pushing my little boy out and holding his little naked body against mine (yes, all covered in muck)! I didn’t get that experience with my older two kiddies. Half an hour after delivery, I had a lovely bath and walked happily down to my room (feeling like wonderwoman). My caesars left me sore for weeks after although I’ve noticed a lot of moms seem to recover so much faster these days. Well, some of them!! In the end, it’s a decision you will have to make and be comfortable with. Don’t be scared by other people’s birth stories – don’t do too much research because I think that can also scare a girl! Talk to your gynae and weigh all the options. I wanted to be more involved in the birth of my 3rd child – I hadn’t felt included in the birth of the other two which bothered me for years! I’ve probably just confused you more, but in the end you need to make your decision and stay happy with it!!! Good luck!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:19:37 +0000

I am a first time mom to be, and very confused regarding the ceasearian vs Natural birth. The second I realised I was preggos, I thought that natural was the way to go, no hesitations, no questions…but after doing some research on everything, and taking heed of other’s experiences, I am not so sure anymore. Yes having a ceasar is less painful than going through natural birth and surely less complicated, as the doctors all know what they are doing and its pretty straight forward, but I am also a planner. And i take to having an easy conscience due to the fact that a Ceasarian is all so planned, and specific, and fuss free as opposed to waiting to go into labour, and having to endure all that pain for however long it may take for your baby to be born on the big day. I probably sound like I have convinced myself here, but still…I remain confused. Advice anyone???

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:24:52 +0000

I am so pleased that there are midwives out there promoting natural birthing options. By no means should a woman feel guilty if a caesar is the safest option for her and baby in the end, but in my humble opinion we should enter into this process with natural birth as the ideal, and caesar as an option if things don’t go according to plan. Most women can give birth naturally without complications, if they are empowered to do so.

After 3 wonderful drug-free births, I promise I know what I’m talking about. All of my babies have been over 3kg, my son was 3,9kg. I had a private midwife who made me feel like a champion, and the support of my gynae too.

Its a personal choice, but one that should be made with all the facts at hand. A caesar isn’t safer, unless there is a real medical reason for it.

I say PUSH – the natural high and benefits to your body and baby make it so worthwhile!