It seems most of you support natural delivery. I am still struggling. What I consider is which is better for the baby. I am very sensitive to the pain. I worry if I have enough power to push BB out. If I fail to do so because of pain, the baby will be dangerous. In HK public system, I can not ask drug in public hospital. I am so afraid. I love the BB so much I just want to make sure there is no uncertainty. If I choose C-section, does it mean I do something wrong?
Deciding between a natural birth or planned c-section: Pros & cons?
- Thread starter RileyC
- Start date
mazamarie
Registered User
appledai - If you are going through the public system you will not be able to decide which way you would like to have your baby. The only way they will do a c-section is for medical reasons. Also they have all the drugs you will require in the public system and you can ask for them when needed.
Agree with mazamarie in public hospital u could only have c-section if the doctor think there is a need for one. Also during natural birth u could have all sort of things to help to relieve pain. I had! Won't go ino details here but the only problem with my case was I had epidural when I was already 7-8 open which was way way too late and a waste of time at the end. So if u decide to have epidural (which is another decision to make), make sure u let the doctors know as early as possible so that they can give it to you as early as needed.
Could share my friend's case. It took them quite a bit of time to get pregnant so their baby was very very precious to them. She was very very sensitive to pain. For a long time she struggled to decide whether to do c section or go natural because thinking c section might mean one less complication at least for baby (cord around neck) and no pain for her, but on the otherhand go natural really signals and prepare the mummy and baby ready physically for the birth and with a plus mummy recovers much quicker. At the end she chose to go natural because she reckons with better recovery she could get up to speed better with her newborn baby. She was pleased with her decision.
Could share my friend's case. It took them quite a bit of time to get pregnant so their baby was very very precious to them. She was very very sensitive to pain. For a long time she struggled to decide whether to do c section or go natural because thinking c section might mean one less complication at least for baby (cord around neck) and no pain for her, but on the otherhand go natural really signals and prepare the mummy and baby ready physically for the birth and with a plus mummy recovers much quicker. At the end she chose to go natural because she reckons with better recovery she could get up to speed better with her newborn baby. She was pleased with her decision.
appledai,
you should really do more research in order to better understand the risks (and the pain) associated with a c-section versus a natural delivery, before making some of the assumptions that you do. There is a lot of uncertainty both during and after a c-section for both mother and the child. If you are "very sensitive to pain" a c-section is a pretty poor choice as it is a major operation, and can be acutely painful shortly after the procedure and also very painful for weeks afterwards. There is also an increased risk of complications for both mother and child with a c-section. If you end up having complications from a c-section operation it can be much more difficult to care for your newborn in the days and weeks following the surgery.
additionally, if you are really concerned about your baby you should re-evaluate that c-section a week and a half before your expected due date. If the child is born too early via c-section there are a number of problems and risks, from breathing problems to more serious developmental delays, that you may encounter. ultimately it is your choice, but from your posts your seemingly pro-c-section stance seems quite uninformed. A list of the more common risks associated with c-sections, for both mother and baby, is copied below. I stronly suggest you read it and speak with your doctor about these risks, particularly as you have booked a c-section pretty early before your due date.
Risks and Complications for the Mom:
Take into account that most of the following risks are associated with any type of abdominal surgery.
Infection: Infection can occur at the incision site, in the uterus and in other pelvic organs such as the bladder.
Hemorrhage or increased blood loss: There is more blood loss in a cesarean delivery than with a vaginal delivery. This can lead to anemia or a blood transfusion (1 to 6 women per 100 require a blood transfusion).
Injury to organs: Possible injury to organs such as the bowel or bladder (2 per 100).
Adhesions: Scar tissue may form inside the pelvic region causing blockage and pain. This can also lead to future pregnancy complication such as placenta previa or placental abruption.
Extended hospital stay: After a cesarean, the normal time in the hospital is 3-5 days after giving birth if there are no complications.
Extended recovery time: The amount of time needed for recovery after a cesarean can extend from weeks to months, having an impact on bonding time with your baby (1 in 14 report incisional pain six months or more after surgery).
Reactions to medications: There can be a negative reaction to the anesthesia given during a cesarean or reaction to pain medication given after the procedure.
Risk of additional surgeries: Such as hysterectomy, bladder repair or another cesarean.
Maternal mortality: The maternal mortality rate for a cesarean is greater than with a vaginal birth.
Emotional reactions: Women who have a cesarean report feeling negatively about their birth experience and may have trouble with initial bonding with their baby.
Risks and Complications for the Baby:
Premature birth: If gestational age was not calculated correctly, a baby delivered by cesarean could be delivered too early and be low birth weight.
Breathing problems: When delivered by cesarean, a baby is more likely to have breathing and respiratory difficulties. Some studies show an increased need for assistance with breathing and immediate care after a cesarean than with a vaginal delivery.
Low APGAR scores: Low APGAR scores can be the result of anesthesia, fetal distress before the delivery or lack of stimulation during delivery (vaginal birth provides natural stimulation to the baby while in the birth canal). Babies born by cesarean are 50% more likely to have lower APGAR scores than those born vaginally.
Fetal injury: Rarely, the baby may be nicked or cut during the incision (1 to 2 babies per 100 will be cut during the surgery).
you should really do more research in order to better understand the risks (and the pain) associated with a c-section versus a natural delivery, before making some of the assumptions that you do. There is a lot of uncertainty both during and after a c-section for both mother and the child. If you are "very sensitive to pain" a c-section is a pretty poor choice as it is a major operation, and can be acutely painful shortly after the procedure and also very painful for weeks afterwards. There is also an increased risk of complications for both mother and child with a c-section. If you end up having complications from a c-section operation it can be much more difficult to care for your newborn in the days and weeks following the surgery.
additionally, if you are really concerned about your baby you should re-evaluate that c-section a week and a half before your expected due date. If the child is born too early via c-section there are a number of problems and risks, from breathing problems to more serious developmental delays, that you may encounter. ultimately it is your choice, but from your posts your seemingly pro-c-section stance seems quite uninformed. A list of the more common risks associated with c-sections, for both mother and baby, is copied below. I stronly suggest you read it and speak with your doctor about these risks, particularly as you have booked a c-section pretty early before your due date.
Risks and Complications for the Mom:
Take into account that most of the following risks are associated with any type of abdominal surgery.
Infection: Infection can occur at the incision site, in the uterus and in other pelvic organs such as the bladder.
Hemorrhage or increased blood loss: There is more blood loss in a cesarean delivery than with a vaginal delivery. This can lead to anemia or a blood transfusion (1 to 6 women per 100 require a blood transfusion).
Injury to organs: Possible injury to organs such as the bowel or bladder (2 per 100).
Adhesions: Scar tissue may form inside the pelvic region causing blockage and pain. This can also lead to future pregnancy complication such as placenta previa or placental abruption.
Extended hospital stay: After a cesarean, the normal time in the hospital is 3-5 days after giving birth if there are no complications.
Extended recovery time: The amount of time needed for recovery after a cesarean can extend from weeks to months, having an impact on bonding time with your baby (1 in 14 report incisional pain six months or more after surgery).
Reactions to medications: There can be a negative reaction to the anesthesia given during a cesarean or reaction to pain medication given after the procedure.
Risk of additional surgeries: Such as hysterectomy, bladder repair or another cesarean.
Maternal mortality: The maternal mortality rate for a cesarean is greater than with a vaginal birth.
Emotional reactions: Women who have a cesarean report feeling negatively about their birth experience and may have trouble with initial bonding with their baby.
Risks and Complications for the Baby:
Premature birth: If gestational age was not calculated correctly, a baby delivered by cesarean could be delivered too early and be low birth weight.
Breathing problems: When delivered by cesarean, a baby is more likely to have breathing and respiratory difficulties. Some studies show an increased need for assistance with breathing and immediate care after a cesarean than with a vaginal delivery.
Low APGAR scores: Low APGAR scores can be the result of anesthesia, fetal distress before the delivery or lack of stimulation during delivery (vaginal birth provides natural stimulation to the baby while in the birth canal). Babies born by cesarean are 50% more likely to have lower APGAR scores than those born vaginally.
Fetal injury: Rarely, the baby may be nicked or cut during the incision (1 to 2 babies per 100 will be cut during the surgery).
Last edited:
Appledai, from everything I have read, a natural birth is better for the baby compared to a c-section, unless there are complications with mother and child that recommend a c-section. Do you have complications due to which you were recommended to have a c-section? The baby signals when it wants to come out, when the body thinks it is ready. The baby does not have to process any drugs. The body kicks into breastfeeding mode immediately (takes a little longer with c-sec), the mums body recovers quicker (though not sure this was true for me, my epistiomy took bloody long). Your body will make sure you push the baby out, it is almost uncontrollable. If for some reason it is not happening, the doctor/midwife will help you. If you are afriad of pain, you can have an epidural. Apparently, these are available even in public but with me, there was some confusion and I didn't get one. The weird thing was the nurse asked me if I wanted one, I said I would like to try to see if I could bear the pain on my own and when was the latest I could let her know, she gave me a time... within that time I asked for the epidural but then they acted like they had never offered it and I couldn't get one. So next time I will try to go private. Even without an epidural, the pain is bad but you can and will get through it. If you had already booked a private hospital, I presume you have paid a deposit. You can still go natural in the private system... and it would be cheaper too.
nicolejoy
Registered User
Other people have already said this, but just to add another voice - a natural birth is better for BOTH mother AND baby unless there are definite medical reasons for needing a C section. It is also a much faster recovery, and much less pain in the recovery period as well. If you are going to a public hospital, they WILL have pain relief options such as an epidural if you are scared of the pain associated with natural birth. Getting a C section is not "bad" or "wrong" if you choose to do that, BUT if you are wanting to know what is better for the baby and the mother, natural birth is better. So if you want to choose a C section, don't choose it for the wrong reasons 
In case this hasn't already been said - I actually experienced no 'pain' from my natural birth. I got an epidural early on as my water had broken and they were going to kickstart my labor and said if I wanted an epidural I should get it at the same time as the pictocin. I guess they gave me too much, because I didn't feel any contractions. When I was dilated I was told to push at certain times by the nurse in attendance. Actually if I am to be honest I was scared of the pain so when they asked me if I could feel ice they put on my stomach as they gave me the epidural, I said yes, although I really couldn't feel much. And when I was halfway dilated they asked if I wanted a top-up of the medicine and even though I didn't feel pain I said sure, why not. I'm not proud of this but if you are scared of pain, just something to realize - natural childbirth can also be pain-free. 
The funny thing was that for my second, since I didn't know what it felt like to go into labor, I read the books that said what it would feel like and that the initial pain would last up to 6 hours, then get more intense, etc. Second time around was SO fast, that it took not 6 hours but 6 minutes from initial crampy pain to active labor! I pushed the baby to crowning in the cab, and delivered within 4 minutes upon arriving at the hospital. The whole thing took maybe 30-40 minutes, and the most painful stuff was probably 15-20 minutes max. So, I went from a totally painless first birth to an unmedicated completely natural second birth! There wasn't even a coach to help me push - just did it when my body 'told' me to. And guess what - the second birth was far better. I had a childhood accident where I wound up in the hospital, and birth was by far less painful, because for me, psychologically, I knew the pain was something natural and positive, not because some internal organ was being torn up or my body had been cut and was bleeding. My vote is also for natural birth if you can have it - you can do things to significantly minimize the pain if you wish, and if you have subsequent children, it could be a super quick labor, which is great. Oh and btw, I'm only 5 ft tall and have no hips, so even if you are petite don't think childbirth HAS to be horrible for you.
The funny thing was that for my second, since I didn't know what it felt like to go into labor, I read the books that said what it would feel like and that the initial pain would last up to 6 hours, then get more intense, etc. Second time around was SO fast, that it took not 6 hours but 6 minutes from initial crampy pain to active labor! I pushed the baby to crowning in the cab, and delivered within 4 minutes upon arriving at the hospital. The whole thing took maybe 30-40 minutes, and the most painful stuff was probably 15-20 minutes max. So, I went from a totally painless first birth to an unmedicated completely natural second birth! There wasn't even a coach to help me push - just did it when my body 'told' me to. And guess what - the second birth was far better. I had a childhood accident where I wound up in the hospital, and birth was by far less painful, because for me, psychologically, I knew the pain was something natural and positive, not because some internal organ was being torn up or my body had been cut and was bleeding. My vote is also for natural birth if you can have it - you can do things to significantly minimize the pain if you wish, and if you have subsequent children, it could be a super quick labor, which is great. Oh and btw, I'm only 5 ft tall and have no hips, so even if you are petite don't think childbirth HAS to be horrible for you.
I really appreciate so many posts to me. my due time is very near, my booking date is nearer. just a bit more 10 days to go. From HK news, I heard lots of cases, moms delivered BB more than 20 hours, even I heard 40-50 hours. What I worry so much is not pain to me, instead, I worry if I could push BB during pain as I am very sensitive. I do not mind how long I can recover, the only thing I mind is about Baby. If long time delivery, I worry water becomes dirty, i will worry if baby has enough oxygen, and some side effect, uncertainty. I feared so much about the news brain problem due to lack of oxygen. I must make up my mind to decide what should be done within 10 days. though I booked C-section at private when i was 3-month pregnant. At fact, my husband and his family do not like me to do that as most of HK ladies will deliver at public. and I might bring big cost at private.
I thank you guys so much for your advice, I will be serious think about it more and more.
I thank you guys so much for your advice, I will be serious think about it more and more.
you will either experience pain during the labour (natural) OR after (c-section). unfortunately I don't know much about c-section apart from that...you can't realistically get out of "pain" in any sense of the word when you're having a child. it is nice to be able to plan, but I had a couple friends who had "planned c-sections" and still they had to have their c-section early because the baby was just "ready" to come out because their doctor advised against waiting or else it'd be a natural instead...so, though they wanted an auspicious date for the birth of their baby, it didn't happen. i'd just say let nature take its course - c-sections are not a bad thing if you really need to have one, that's just my opinion though - why put baby through a risk when you "need" a c-section, right? i wouldn't think too much at this point in time - plan what you can and let nature take it's course.
Hi charade, Did nurse ask you for epistiomy in HK public? I heard we have no choice about drug at public. Yes, I paid deposit for private but my doctor seems only interested in c-section. If I will go natural, I will definitely go to public as save lots of money. I booked at HK adventist, no room type confirmed until delivery date, cost is out of control. I told my husband if VIP room I will leave, not sure about private room, my husband thinks too expensive, totally we should pay around $115000.
I will ask public again about if I can ask epistiomy by myself next week. Thank you very much.
I will ask public again about if I can ask epistiomy by myself next week. Thank you very much.
Carang, it is a misconception that a c-section = no pain, but it doesn't therefore entail that it has to mean a lot of pain. I would say that it is a controlled pain at least. One upside is that it starts off bad and can only get better (which it did very quickly in my experience) versus having pain that you know is going to keep getting worse but you don't know how bad it will get. I have never had a natural delivery so I don't really know what it is like, but I imagine it might be quite scary in that respect.
But Appledai, I think my c-section was fine for me because I have quite a high pain threshold. If you are sensitive to pain anyway, then a c-section may be just as bad / worse than a natural delivery.
Another issue with a c-sections is that it really is serious abdominal surgery. Everyone said this to me before I had mine, but I don't think I really appreciated how much it would affect me. I am strong and recover quickly from most things (I've had lots of breaks in the past including femur and pelvis) so I thought I'd get over it quickly. I was very fit before I got pregnant and throughout my pregnancy. I waited 3 months after delivery to do any exercise as advised, felt fine, so started doing a lot to shed those baby pounds. What I hadn't expected was that my abdominals would take much much longer than three months to recover properly. I ended up damaging my knees and not being able to do exercise at all for months. It has now been 7 months and I still have to be very careful. I underestimated the importance of my abs. Because they were cut, they are no longer strong enough to support my pelvis properly - even months after surgery - so this affects my running gait, causing my foot to turn in as I run which causes my knee to twist. I ran through the pain for a while but had to give up in the end. Your abdominals support your core so messing around with them can have serious consequences.
(sorry - just realised I was a page behind...)
But Appledai, I think my c-section was fine for me because I have quite a high pain threshold. If you are sensitive to pain anyway, then a c-section may be just as bad / worse than a natural delivery.
Another issue with a c-sections is that it really is serious abdominal surgery. Everyone said this to me before I had mine, but I don't think I really appreciated how much it would affect me. I am strong and recover quickly from most things (I've had lots of breaks in the past including femur and pelvis) so I thought I'd get over it quickly. I was very fit before I got pregnant and throughout my pregnancy. I waited 3 months after delivery to do any exercise as advised, felt fine, so started doing a lot to shed those baby pounds. What I hadn't expected was that my abdominals would take much much longer than three months to recover properly. I ended up damaging my knees and not being able to do exercise at all for months. It has now been 7 months and I still have to be very careful. I underestimated the importance of my abs. Because they were cut, they are no longer strong enough to support my pelvis properly - even months after surgery - so this affects my running gait, causing my foot to turn in as I run which causes my knee to twist. I ran through the pain for a while but had to give up in the end. Your abdominals support your core so messing around with them can have serious consequences.
(sorry - just realised I was a page behind...)
Last edited:
nicolejoy
Registered User
They will offer you an episiotomy during labour. The pros are that it can help the baby come out faster. I had one in my first delivery for that reason. But I found that it was the most painful part of my healing. For my second child, I asked for no episiotomy and they didn't do one. I did still tear a little, but it was much less painful for me in the healing process. All women are different though and some women who have had episiotomies didn't find the healing process too painful. Personally, I would not ask for one again though. But the public hospital is ok with either option.
Yes, it was scary because of this the first time for me and because I was fearful and apprehensive that slowed down my labor and it ended up being 43 hours long. The second time, I just told my body everything was going to be okay and that I could roll with the pain and move with it (literally and figuratively) and my labor went by like nothing--12 hours--8 of it at home--4 of that was really early labor, 4 of it was pretty much sitting in a hot tub of water and 4 was at the hospital pushing. I had NO FEAR this time and it made all the difference--as far as pain, length of labor as well as recovery goes.
carang
Registered User
apple: do you really think that doctors would allow you to labour away if there is ANY danger to the baby???? this is not a third world country. they should be able to manage delivering your baby without too many complications. it seems to me that what you are actually worried about (if what you wrote is really how you feel) is extremely unlikely to happen....
while childbirth has not always been the routine procedure it is today, it really isn't as awful as your mind is making you think it is. women have been doing it forever. and with modern medicine what it is today, it is major, but routine.
licorice, i realise that not everyone had the terrifying c-section that i had, it still has it's own accompanying pain. for me, i wasn't myself for about 2-3 months afterward.
while childbirth has not always been the routine procedure it is today, it really isn't as awful as your mind is making you think it is. women have been doing it forever. and with modern medicine what it is today, it is major, but routine.
licorice, i realise that not everyone had the terrifying c-section that i had, it still has it's own accompanying pain. for me, i wasn't myself for about 2-3 months afterward.
carang
Registered User
i do agree that the hardest thing about delivering a baby, whichever way you do it is the fear of the unknown. i cried all the way through my first, extremely painful c-section (epidural didn't work and i FELT it all!).... for the second one, i was "lucky" in that they put me completely to sleep, which is not best for either baby or mummy, but the only way they'd do another c-section on me.
Appledai there are two things I mentioned in my comment:
1. Episiotomy: this is a cut on the vaginal wall to enable the baby to come out easier. You can read about it here (http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/labour/episiotomy/). There are pros and cons... the article touches upon them. When you register at the public hospital (ie. when you are in labour and go in there to give birth) one of the forms they ask you to sign asks if you are ok with an episiotomy. I said yes. Towards the end of my labour, my energy was really flagging and they offered me an episiotomy. I said yes. They made the incision and the baby came out quite quickly then. It did not hurt when they made the incision. It hurt after when they were stitching me up but that would hurt even if you tear naturally. Being a wound it started to hurt after the routine painkiller they give which stitching you up wears off. However, this is not unbearable pain. I was given painkillers (something like panadol) but did not take it so you can imagine the pain (of the episiotomy) was not that bad. By contrast, I have not heard of anyone who did a c-section going without painkillers after. So I presume c-section scar pain is more than episiotomy pain. In my case, the stitches did not dissolve and heal for two months. Again, it was not severe pain just some discomfort. This is unusual, for the stitches to take so long. Part of the problem is the public system doesn't use the highest quality thread. However, others who have episiotomies in the public system have healed faster than me (correct me ladies if I'm wrong) so I assume my case was a one-off and normally the stitches would dissolve sooner.
2. The other thing I mentioned, was epidural: This is a regional anaesthesia to block/reduce pain during labour. If you are terrified of pain, this is the one you could consider. I too was confused about the procedure for getting an epidural in the public system. However, I was offered an epidural at some point during my labour - quite early on. At that time, I refused but asked if I could let them know later and when... they said yes. But when I did inform them I wanted one later, they did not provide one (first started telling me disadvantages of it, which I had already seen on some material they gave me, then the very rude doctor said 'oh but you aren't in that much pain', then they said anaesthetologist wasn't available, finally 'oh now you're ready to push'). I think being a Cantonese speaker, which I think you are, would help as you could make sure there is no miscommunication. Yes, you can also ask them in your next appointment. Please note that epidural, being a drug, could also have some side effects so read up and make an informed choice.
Finally, my labour started at 4 am and I delivered at 4 am the next morning. That is technically 24 hours. However, till 8 pm in the evening the pain was very bearable... till about 4 pm in the evening, it was like a severe period pain. So the really painful part was from say 9 pm to 4 am, which yeah is a long time but it sounds so much worse when I say 24 hours. If indeed you are in active labour for very long, they (ie. the public system) will not let you go on if your baby is in distress - the baby is constantly monitored - and they will recommend a c-section. This has happened to a friend of mine. In the public system, my sense is that if they sense your baby is even slightly in danger, they will NOT take a risk.
Having said all this, do not get too stressed out whatever you decide. I strongly believe a natural birth - unless c-section is reccomended for special cases - is best for mom and baby but if you are geared for a c-section and it stress you out to unthink everything now, go ahead with your initial choice. A c-section will not harm severely you or your baby. I also know people who breastfed very successfully after c-section.
Also wanted to add, about your concern that if there is too long between water breaking and baby's delivery... in my case, my water broke at 9 am and by 8 pm, my contractions still were not regular so they decided to induce labour. The reason they did this was because of the chances of infection setting in if too long a gap between water breaking and active labour. I had vaginal infections throughout my pregnancy and I was monitored and tested till the 37th week to make sure I was free of infection. On the other hand, my friend had a c-section (also in public) and when the baby was born they found meconium (baby poo) on the baby or in the fluids that came out. So they kept the baby under observation (baby was fine in the end). So c-section is not a guarantee that there is no risk of infection. Sorry, maybe I gave you too much to think about.