C-section or vaginal birth?

Question

So I’m just thinking ahead for my next pregnancy and delivery; I got a 4th degree tear when I gave birth to my daughter 3 and half months ago. Recovery has been super painful and I still don’t feel the same down there. My doctor said the next time I could choose a c section because of the 4th degree. Has anyone ever gone through this and what did you choose?

Answer

I personally have only had a c section so ive never been in labor  but I want let you know mine was wonderful and planned and everything was calm and organized and it was an amazing moment with my husband when he watched them pull her out. I recovered amazing and felt 100% myself by day 10. We delivered at 34+3 so I had a NICU baby so I think my body thought “I don’t have time to rest I’ve got a baby to see!” Because I was climbing stairs, walking around parking garage, I washed my own pump parts the first night. My scar has healed wonderfully you can hardly tell it’s there. I was TERRIFIED when we planned the c section and it was such a great experience I’m probably going to pass on a VBAC my second time when it comes. I’m currently 9 weeks post partum and feel 1000% normal. I’ve also had 2 major spine surgeries so Maybe I’m use to it but in comparison the c section was a walk in the park. Just thought I’d tell you a good story since all anyone talks about are the bad ones! Good luck no matter what you choose!

Answer

I'm in the same position. I had a severe sphincter tear that my delivering Dr missed so I had surgery 4 months PP to fix it. The specialist strongly recommends a C-section next time because the chance of it tearing again (with the risk of me permanently losing control of my bowels 😳) is high. I'm terrified of a c-section recovery but I think that's still better then incontinence or other long term problems from another vaginal birth. You could always ask for a second opinion for a different Dr, request your records from your first birth and have them look at those and do an exam and see what they say?

Answer

i had a 4 degree tear with my son and when i went to have my 2 youger daughters it went sooo much easier i didint tear at all....

Answer

is there anything that contributed to the tear? did you get an epidural that made it difficult for your body to push naturally? you could try a natural birth that might help your body react more naturally to the process.

Answer

I had a 4th degree tear with my first and my OB recommended c section for my 2nd. I'm 4 weeks post csection now. I can say the csection recovery was way worse than the vaginal and part of me wishes I tried for a vaginal delivery. I know people who have done that and been fine. But, I really don't want to risk becoming incontinent so I think it's worth it in the end.

Answer

I've not had a vaginal only a c-section. I don't know what your pain is like, but my recovery was tough. I couldn't hold my boy immediately and couldn't see family until several hours bc it took over 2 hours to feel my legs. As someone who knows other mothers who do suffer from incontinence from child birth, well that to me is enough reason to go for the c-section. My doc gave me the choice to try vaginal or C section again and I'm choosing c-section. Not sure if that helps.

Answer

I've only had a c-section so I'm not sure about the vaginal recovery. I was only super sore for like 4 days, but I could still get up, walk, and do everything normally. I was driving and out walking around and shopping everywhere a week after as if I never even had a c-section. Incision healed completely around week 2 or 3. Sex was not painful at all around 4-5 weeks postpartum. It was smooth sailing for me, but everyone is different. I have a very high pain tolerance and I highly believe a lot of it had to do with mental strength as well. 
As far as delivery..super smooth and very quick. I'll be having c-sections from here on out with the rest of my children. Didn't feel a thing.

C-section or vaginal birth?

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