c-sections

hopefulmomtobe wrote: I know I am a little early in asking this since I am only 16 weeks, but my doctor has asked me how I felt about getting a c-section. I told him...NO. I had my other 3 children natural and intend on having this one natural. BUT - my two boys that were 9.10 and 8.13 got their collar bones broken going through my pelvis. The doctor said that he will not have a broken collar bone on his watch. With this one being a boy, they have broader shoulders I am afraid he is going to insist that a c-section is necessary, which I agree, I dont want to hurt the poor baby, but I am terrified of having a c-section!!!!!

Please let me know if you have had one and how it is. How is the heeling time? Can I go upstairs? Can I pick up the baby? Will someone have to stay with me for a couple of weeks?

I'm just used to having the baby and going about my day basically, I had really easy deliveries so now I am freaking out!! HELP!!

~*Just Me*~ replied: Find a different doctor, or better yet, a midwife. There are techniques and positions you can use if the shoulders get stuck. Most OB's are cut-happy, scalepl-weilding money hoarders. He shouldn't be scaring you like that, and forcing you to do something you don't want to do. And laying on your back while delivering DECREASES your pelvic size, plus you are pushing uphill. Not the best way to have a baby!

Stand up for your rights. If you don't want a C-section, then you shouldn't have one! Remember, YOU are the one in control. You hired him to care for you. You CAN fire your OB, they are not gods, even if they think they are.

Read the book A Thinking Woman's Guide To A Better Birth by Henci Goer. Educate yourself so you can have the best birth you can!

skinkybaby replied: The recovery from a c-section isn't a walk in the park, but its not that bad.

Personally, if my first 2 kids both broke their collar bones coming out I would seriously consider a c-section. JMO

ZandersMama replied: I have had both a normal unmedicated vaginal delivery and an emergency c-section. I would find another doctor. The recovery time is far longer. You can't lift anything for 6 weeks. You have a incision to take care of, along with a new baby, and your other children, and you cant lift anything. I had a classic emergency section, cut up and down, so the recovery was longer. I would still say definitely find another doctor. money grubbing idiot. I hate it when doctors push sections. I understand it when the baby is in danger or the mother is in danger, but there are other alternatives in your situation.

Kat replied: I'd much rather have a c-section than hurt my baby. They aren't a walk in the park, but it's not bad enough that I'd risk hurting my baby to avoid one.

I've had 2, btw.

Kat replied:

You'll need to limit climbing stairs as much as possible. With my first one, we were in a one story, but the second time we were in our new house (2-story). My husband just brought everything downstairs that I'd need for the day, and I didn't go back upstairs until bedtime. You can pick up the baby. Having someone stay with you would certainly help, but if you sleep when the baby does and take it easy, you'll be fine. Someone else needs to do the housework (especially laundry) while you recover.

hopefulmomtobe replied: I love my OB. Two of my girlfriends both had a set of twins and he never suggested either of them to have a c-section. I dont think he is cut happy just based on that alone...he said either way it is my decision but he said he will make note if I do not want a c-section and that he doesnt recommend having the baby by vaginal delivery because of possilbe complications. I am sure I will do what he suggests, but I am just scared of c-sections.

Thank you all for your responses. Anymore suggestions I will gladly listen to with all ears. I love different view points so I can get the whole picture of what I should do.

HuskerMom replied:
I agree, better to be safe than sorry. My c-section was easy. It takes a little longer to heal but it's not bad.

EvesMom replied: I've heard of cases of repeated big babies, that doctors will induce a week or 2 early if the baby is getting too large.... Have your other children come at 40 weeks? I find it a little shocking that a docotor would be talking about a C-section so early, especially with an otherwise completely normal pregnancy. I get the feeling from some doctors that they prefer to do c-sections (they are quicker and they get paid more for them). I'd be vary wary of it and try to discuss other options with the doctor before worring too much about it.

boyohboyohboy replied: HI! Do you have more then on OB dr in your practice? I think next time you go in, I would ask to speak to him about his comments and tell him how it made you feel. I also dont think a dr would cut you just to cut you, there are more risks with a c section..although he might have been just feeling you out, and seeing if that was an option you would like..some woman do. but now that he knows I am sure he would do everything he could to make sure you had a safe vaginal delivery.

I am sure the c section would only be if there was distress. I know several babies that have had to have there bones broken to get them out, it is not something that causes perminate damage to them. and you know that too having been thru it.

how do you feel about going thru the exact same experiences you had in the past, I think if you are comfortable with it, then its ok...

I would make your feelings clear to all the ob drs in the group.

hope you feel better about it. I know it must have been a shocking conversation. I am sorry he just threw it out there like that.

skinkybaby replied: If she's had the same thing happen 2 times in a row, it sounds like he's giving her a heads up. I for one would want to get a sense of what the game plan is going to be early on in the pregnancy than have him spring it on me at the last minute. It sounds like he's saying that if the baby is looking to be as big as his older brothers this is something she should seriously consider. I guess I'm missing something, because to me it just sounds like he's looking out for the baby's best interest.

hopefulmomtobe replied: Yea, I think he is looking out for the babys best interest. My husband of this baby is 6'5 (other kids are from a previous marriage) I am 5'8 so we are both very tall. I think the doc is thinking it may be a big baby. I will talk to him again about it to see if he was just trying to feel me out. He isnt in a group though, so if I dont like his answers I will have to find someone else, but I do trust him and I think he will do what is right, I am just leary of c-sections in general.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
I totally agree with you...I think your doc is looking out for both you and the baby's best interests here. Like someone else said, I don't think doctors cut just to cut. A c-section is not an 'easy' solution for them. It's a surgery and it has A LOT of risks...so why would they voluntarily do it "just because". That's JMHO. Sounds like you like and trust your doctor, so I would go with your gut instincts on this but ultimately have your doctor's concerns in mind as well.

A friend of mine has three kids who were all over 11 lbs at birth. She had all three vaginally, but she WISHED that her doctor had suggested a c-section with her third. Her doctor didn't believe her when she kept warning her that she has BIG BABIES and kept saying that the baby was only 7 lbs...he came out at 11.5!!! And I don't want to go into detail about what happened when he did. Both mom and baby are fine now, but she is still suffering "down there" after almost three years. My point is, bad things can happen both ways. But good things can happen as well! C-sections aren't a walk in the park, but they aren't as bad as 'some' people make them out to be!

I have had both a vaginal birth and an emergency c-section and yes, the c-section recovery time was much more difficult. You are sore for a lot longer, but that's what meds are for. I had no trouble taking care of the baby and I also nursed just fine. You'll be okay whatever you decide!

By the way, a planned c-section seems better to me than emergency. So if you already know there may be complication, I personally would much rather plan it then have to deal with the emergency factor - not knowing was the hardest part for me. I didn't know what to expect and that was scary IMO.

MyLuvBugs replied:

I completely agree with this person's comments. Stand up for yourself and don't let a cut-happy Dr. tell you what HE wants to do with your body. However, if you trust this Dr and know he's looking out for your kids, then hear him out. BUT BUT BUT....do a ton of research sweetie. There are different techniques to get a big baby out of a woman without breaking their collar bones. My hubby is 6'9" and I'm 5'8". Believe me I know what your talking about and both my girls were born bigger than average without problems.

If you're scared of the big C then don't do it. JMHO.

hopefulmomtobe replied: Sounds like good advice. Thanks ladies....oh and btw (myluvbugs)- how the heck did you loose so much weight! You have to fill me in!!! GOOD JOB!!!