Elective C-Sections??

monkeysmommy2011

Okay, Ladies, today is my first day of my 3rd trimester and I'm absolutely determined to get my birth-plan underway. Here's the thought for today...
My doctor is completely "knife-happy"; he does c-sections ALL the time. Several of my friends have gone to him in the past and out of 5 friends, 4 had c-sections. At my last appointment, it was brought to my attention that I could schedule an "elective" c-section if I wanted to. To me, it sounded like a hint...almost like, either way I go, I'm going to end up having a c-section, so I might as well schedule it now. I'm not totally against c-sections like some women are, I just want my little boy to get here safely. So, my thought for the day is:
Should I go ahead and schedule an elective c-section, since I'm pretty sure he's going to do one anyway?
I know that (to an extent) it's my choice whether or not I deliver via c-section, but even if I say I don't want one unless it's medically necessary, how do I know he's not going to claim that it is, just so he gets his way??
HELP!

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mama_underpants

Here's the thing, its your body. If you want a vaginal birth. Go for it. And fight for it. I've had to vaginal deliverys and now, like how u feel, I'm being pushed into scheduling the csec. But in my case its cuz I have big babies and apparently a small pelvis and both kids got stuck, my 1st had to go thru physical and ocupational thereapy amoung other things. They don't want to take the risk of something happening. I feel like if I wernt to have a csec, I cdlnt live w myself if something went wrong again. So anyways, if u feel like u want a vaginal birth, its ur choice and fight for it

monkeysmommy2011

Me, either. Evidently he does c-sections, every chance that he gets...I suppose it's got to do with money; he's a great doctor, but he loves his money...I thought about just telling him that I want to do a completely natural delivery, unless there's immediate harm to the baby, at any point...then my mom brought it to my attention that, at any point during my delivery, he could "medically advise" that I have a c-section for the safety of the baby...or he could simply order one and give me no other option. He DOES do some vaginal deliveries, but it seems like it's a 1 in 5 ratio...A LOT of the women in his office, who have delivered with him before, have had c-sections, but they seem very pleased with the over-all process. I'm not against a c-section, but it's not really what I had in mind; I can't exactly fight him, if it IS in the best interest of the baby, but I don't know how to tell if it's something that I REALLY need, or if he's going to say what he needs to to get his way.

redhead25

I just posted this topic on my fb the other day. I'm completely against elective c section. I completely understand when its medically necessary. Vaginal birth is better for mom and baby. I guess I'm not sure why anyone would choose to have major surgery and harder longer healing time. Not beung able to hold your baby right away and such. If I ever felt pressured to have an elective c section I would switch drs. Is that an option for you? Who wants a lazy selfish Dr anyway?

mama_underpants

Your right tho, he cld just say, oh u need a csec. But once again its your choice. See my thing is, I don't want a csec, but I am going to do it, unless I can get them to instead induce me at 38 weeks. Which won't happen lol. I guess if ur ok with the csec, then u might as well just schedule it.

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monkeysmommy2011

@redhead25 I haven't really gotten into researching anything about c-sections, yet. I will, however, be listing and weighing the pros and cons, and then discussing them with the doctor. Unfortunately, in my area, most OB/GYNs will not start seeing a "new" patient after she enters her third trimester...and I'm not willing to deliver my baby at the next closest hospital, 45 minutes away. I do, however, think that this is a MAJOR discussion that he and I will be having on the 15th; if he doesn't see things my way, I WILL request to be transported to another hospital upon signing in on delivery day.

@ta2edblondie I agree...sometimes, I'm not sure if he' really considering what's best for my baby and I; I've changed doctors 3 times during the duration of my pregnancy for different reasons and now, because I'm in my third trimester, most doctors won't take me as a new patient.

Thanks to everyone who has shared their point of view. I think it's time for this Momma to jump on the research and have a long, LONG discussion with her doctor. If there is no MEDICAL reason for a c-section and he still wants to do one, I'm sure there are actions that I can take to get MY way!!!

brookiesbaby

My Dr keeps telling me I need one too. I will be 39 weeks tomorrow and they think I'm having a huge baby. My Dr is out of town this week but he's already scheduled a ultrasound and suggested that he wants me to have a csection if the baby is weighing more than 9 lbs. I don't want to have one unless its medically necessary so I will just talk to the Dr about it tomorrow.

Laurenmarie729I

I thought I might need one because of a pre-existing medical condition, my doc said if you want to, fine BUT with each pregnancy and delivery after this one more risks will be present, each time, and there's alonger recovery time. I decided against the c section but decided to pick a date to be induced.

magcaw

I have had two c-sections and will be having a third with this baby, and I would advise you NOT to schedule an elective c-section. My experiences have been good; I have been out of the hospital within 48 hours each time, I have been out and about with my kids within 72 hours each time, but unless it is medically necessary the risks outweigh any potential benefits. If your doctor is pressuring you, you need to sit down with him and tell him point blank that you're not comfortable with the pressure, that you want a vaginal birth, and that unless your baby is in distress a c-section is off the table. I personally think it's horrible that he would even offer an elective c-section when there is medical reason for it. If you are concerned that, in the heat of the moment, you won't have the ability or the stamina to argue with your doctor and/or make him give you specific and clear reasons for wanting to give you a c-section you should: 1. have your husband educate himself and speak for you or 2. hire a doula to go through the birthing process with you. This is your body and your delivery and there is no reason why you should feel pressured to do anything that you're not comfortable with.

Laurenmarie729I

@brooksiesbaby my boss's first baby was ten pounds! And they estimated her second to be the same all the way up to birth, until they weighed her and she was only 7 pounds! Ive heard so many storys of docs estimating a big baby and it wasnt the case! If you don't want a c section I say go for vaginal delivery, if baby is too big then do a c section then...don't just take their word fir it they can be totally wrong

monkeysmommy2011

Ladies, I really appreciate the suggestions. I am researching a number of different things right now and also typing up a birth plan to give to my doctor and the hospital where I will be delivering. I will also be keeping on for myself so that, if needed, I have proof of what I gave them. EVERYONE who is a part of my delivery will be aware of what I want and expect. Hubby-to-Be is more than willing to educate himself on all of the possibilities that I'm working with during delivery and is awesome at arguing his point; either way, I think he should do some talking to the doctor as well---just to express his concerns with the idea. Right now, it's estimated that the baby is right where he should be; he's just over 2 pounds and 14 inches long...right now, I see NO reason to schedule a c-section...however, scheduling to be induced is also something that he has discussed with me....

**** Why would you need to schedule induction? **** This is a new one on me....

laura536

If you don't want a csection, he can't make you have one. I'm not sure about other people's experiences, but my dr wasn't even at my delivery until I was pushing, the nurses made all the decisions. I would ask your other friends why they had csections. It may be most of them chose it beforehand. I know when you're at the end it's super tempting to just pick a date to be done.

magcaw

My first labor was induced, at my request, at 41 weeks. I had puppp was extremely uncomfortable and my baby was quite large (10lbs 9oz). However, induced labor is more likely to stall, and to end in c-section, so that's something to consider as well. One of my friends was induced because she had a big baby the first time and they wanted to be sure her second wasn't as large, one of them was induced because she was two weeks past her due date. Neither of them ended in c-section--mine, however, did.

Diverwfe

If I were you I wouldn't schedule an induction either your doctor sums up what I hate about doctors today, if you get induce that can raise your chances of needing a csection alot of times it gives you unnatural contractions and can put stress on baby. It seems to me like your doctor is trying to schedule your baby around his life smh! Just arm yourself with knowledge so he can't pressure you and good luck!!

redhead25

With my first I had an induction date scheduled. But it was my last appt with her before my due date and she asked me if I went passed my due date if I wanted to be induced I said yes and so she scheduled it for 5 days passed my due date. Not sure why this Dr chose this field of medicine if he doesn't have the time or patience to deal with the unpredictability of labor.

[Deleted User]

I had a c section after 22 hrs of labor.... and i wouldn't really recommend volunteering to have one.... then again, part of my soreness is because of the 22hrs of labor..... and my nerves and everything else. Just be prepared for both an emotional and a physically difficult recovery. It broke my heart to lay crying in the hosital bed and not be able to get out of bed to tend to my baby.

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brookiesbaby

@laurenmarie729I I've heard that too, I mean I really look like on carrying twins because I am short and I have no torso but I think that's what I'm gonna tell the Dr tomorrow. I weighed 9.9 when I was born and mom birthed me vaginally. I just really don't want a csection!

monkeysmommy2011

I've been working on getting my birth-plan all lined up and sent to my doctor but I'm trying to make sure that everything is covered. When asked if I would want to be induced IF I was past-due, I said yes. This decision was made based upon what my mother went through with my brother. She was 42 weeks and 3 days, with no sign of labor...she was induced and had my brother within 3 hours. He was ready to come out but my mom's body wasn't cooperating. I think her situation was ideal for induction. As far as inducing at, say, 38 weeks, NOT HAPPENING!!! I figure if he's ready to come early, he'll do it on his own...if there's something medically wrong and the doctor suggests induction, I will be seeking a second opinion. I didn't realize that these were suggestions that he shouldn't really be making, so I appreciate all of the tips and insights.
I'm researching all kinds of different situations and things, based on what I know about my pregnancy and getting possible reasons for a c-section/induction. I do have a hip injury (from a car accident) that may result in some issues with getting the baby through the birth canal, but in an situation like that, I know that there are some different methods that they can try BEFORE I choose to follow through with a c-section. I want a vaginal delivery with a walking epidural...it's that simple. I know that Baby may have other plans, but my delivery should be on his terms, not on my doctor's. In my opinion, I go in with a general idea of what I want to happen, but Baby calls the shots, not me...
I really appreciate the information that everyone is sharing...and any more will be equally appreciated...I don't want to go into this completely blind; I'm doing research, but I want that "Real Women" feedback, as well!!

lexi34

@monkeysmommy2011 am having an elective c section but it has nothing to with my lady parts..first off am not a fan of the entire dam nursing staff hand in my lady parts..second I know am gonna tear as a woman you just know certain things about your body..third I dnt have the patience to sit over hot water. And having a hard time taking a crap, I opted for it for many reasons than..every has their own body and can make their own decision if they agree with my choice or not I could care less.

monkeysmommy2011

@lexi34 I completely understand your reasoning for an elective c-section...I had thought about some of the points that you had mentioned, when evaluating my decision. I don't like the idea of every nurse on rotation sticking their hands all over my cootch so in my birth plan, I made it known that I do not wish to be checked any more than what is absolutely necessary and that I prefer for it to be done by the midwife on staff, who will be there during the duration of my labor and delivery.
I, too, am pretty sure that tearing will be a part of delivery for me, and it scares me to death; the doctor has me doing kegel exercise and all of that fun stuff to help prevent it, but it's not going to happen. I'm thinking about opting to have an episiotomy to prevent tearing; not that it will help minimize my pain after delivery, but I figure it will make recovery a little easier. After reading your thoughts on the matter, however, I think that elective c-sections are a nice option to have. I think I'm going to have to do some more research on the situation...that way I can make a better decision, based on the needs of the baby and I, both! I really appreciate you shedding a different light on the idea!! Thanks (:

lexi34

@monkeysmommy2011 your welcome..my c section is next tuesday and am super excited to get it over with and I hate the unknown of not knowing wen baby will come..your body heals depending on how well you eat and take care of your body.

monkeysmommy2011

@lexi34 My best friend had a c-section 3 weeks ago and she's had no problems. They gave her a Binder (to go around her stomach) so she could get up out of bed...she was walking the halls of the hospital a few hours after her little girl was born. She went home the following evening (she was there a total of 2 days), and was out running around the next day. She was really sore for the first few days, but now, she's doing great! I know that, if I was determined enough, I could get up out of bed and be on my merry little way within a matter of days...but sometimes I doubt my abilities to be determined.
I was also looking at my insurance coverage and "Elective C-Sections" aren't as easy to get covered; they will cover c-sections in emergency situations, but I'm not sure how well they would take to "oh, I was just tired of being pregnant"...***sigh***
If I choose to have an elective c-section, I suppose I could pay that portion of my hospital bill on my own, though! I'm researching a little further to get risks vs. benefits, that way I can make a decision ahead of time and know exactly what I'm doing.

Hope all goes well with your c-section! Make sure to update us on Baby(:

jbandno3

When u go into labor, talk with the nurses at the hospital, sometimes they are your best advocate. They know how the drs r and if u can get one on ur side u may.be able to avoid an unnecessary c-section.