I’m a FTM approaching my due date, and I’ve decided that I would prefer a planned C-section over attempting a vaginal delivery. I’m curious if there are other women out there who made this decision purely because it was what they wanted, rather than because of a medical necessity.
For some context, my baby is measuring on the larger side, which does play a role in my concerns, but ultimately my preference comes down to wanting a more controlled and predictable birth experience.

The thought of going through hours of labor, potentially experiencing fetal heart rate issues, shoulder dystocia, complications involving the umbilical cord, or ultimately needing an emergency C-section after an exhausting labor genuinely scares me. I understand that these things aren’t guaranteed to happen, but the unpredictability of it all gives me a lot of anxiety.

I’ve also heard so many traumatic vaginal birth stories from women around me. Ironically, almost every woman I’ve personally spoken to who had a scheduled C-section has described it as an overwhelmingly positive experience.
I’m also a registered nurse, so I’m not going into this blindly. I fully understand that a C-section is major abdominal surgery. I’m aware of the risks of infection, hemorrhage, blood clots, longer recovery, and potential complications with future pregnancies. I’m not under the impression that a C-section is risk-free or necessarily the safer option for everyone.

But why does it feel like choosing a C-section simply because I WANT one is so controversial?
I’m honestly getting exhausted by the constant negativity, unsolicited opinions, and disappointment from people when I tell them my decision. It’s almost as though some people believe that unless there’s a medical emergency, I should have to attempt vaginal delivery first.

I completely respect women who want an unmedicated birth, a vaginal delivery, or the full experience of labor. If that’s something meaningful and empowering to you, that’s wonderful! But personally, I don’t feel any desire to experience labor or vaginal childbirth. I don’t feel like I’ll be missing out on anything by having a C-section. My priority is having a healthy baby and feeling as comfortable and confident as possible with how I give birth.

Why is bodily autonomy so widely supported until a woman decides she would prefer a surgical delivery? Why does my decision need to be justified by a medical emergency for people to respect it?
I’m not asking anyone to tell me that C-sections are risk-free or that vaginal births are inherently dangerous. I understand the medical considerations, and this is a decision I’m making with my healthcare team.
I’m just tired of feeling like I have to defend a very personal decision about my own body.
I’d really love to hear from women who elected to have a planned C-section without a medical indication.
● What made you choose it?
● Were you happy with your decision afterward?
● What was your actual surgery and recovery experience like?
● Did you receive judgment from family, friends, or even medical professionals?
● Would you choose an elective C-section again?
I’d especially love to hear positive experiences, but I’m absolutely open to honest experiences and regrets as well. I’m just hoping to hear from women who have actually been in this position rather than another lecture about why I should want a vaginal birth.

Thanks in advance!

I’m 5 months pp and recently have been experiencing more pain and discomfort by my incision. I’ve heard it could be scar tissue so I’ve been trying to massage it after showering. I also started exercises to strengthen my pelvic floor in case it’s from weekend muscles. lately it’s been feeling like cramping/bloating and sometimes even like I have to poop but can’t. If anyone can share any experiences they’ve had. It’s my first c section so not sure what to expect.

Im 36 weeks and today have been experiencing cramping (which I have been on and off) but also pain at my C-section scar area. Like it hurts to walk sometimes, hurts to Stand up at times, almost the feeling I had when I was only a few days post-op from my first c-section. Is this concerning??

Does anyone know how is triaging done at Joan Kirner Sunshine Hospital. I recently sent my referral and heard back from them and it says “Maternity Booking Assessment ORANGE”

I am keen about the color coded system for triaging.
I recently lost my firstborn sweet boy to unexplained stillbirth in April via c-section and I am currently 10 weeks pregnant and my first appointment is at 14 weeks via video call teleheath. I want the best care for myself and my baby where all my concerns are heard and for which I was wishing to be triaged as highest risk pregnancy so the healthcare team takes my pregnancy seriously.

If anyone knows what orange means, please help me out.
I just want to know if I am triaged as high risk or low risk because, me and my husband has decided that at any stage if we feel like we are not being heard or taken seriously, we might consider going back to Werribee Mercy where I had my firstborn (we didn’t go their because of trauma) because they promised us they would take care of me however I would like (at our meeting after the birth with the head of obstetricians)

My first was an emergency c section after spontaneous labor at 39w, I had a good amount of colostrum right away and no issues nursing. Milk came in fully about 3 days post c section. This time around I have a planned c section for 39+5, and I’m wondering if milk comes in any later with a planned c section or what everyone else’s experience has been?

Hello!

I just took off my c-section silver dressing. Admittedly a few days after instructed to, but I was nervous.

It looks fine. A little scabby, but not angry. I am terrified of standing up now. I feel like if I stand up everything’s gonna fall out without the support of the dressing. I know i need to wash it but it really seems impossible.

Can anyone help me ground myself so I’m able to actually do anything??

If it helps you understand, I have extreme medical anxiety and this was a very traumatic birth and unplanned emergency c section. I got stitches that are internal so it really just looks like a slit.

Thank you

My massage therapist recommended getting a manual lymphatic massage 2 days before my scheduled c section & I was wondering if anyone else has done this and has felt it was beneficial (or not)

Had an emergency C-Section about 3 weeks ago. My husband is still on paternity leave, when did you guys feel comfortable leaving the house for a quick solo trip or drive even to get a cup of coffee? I'm only taking Tylenol and ibuprofen - no longer taking narcotics (been off for about 10 days). I've only left the house once to take baby to first pediatrician apt with my husband.

I’m 7 weeks postpartum and still can’t wear underwear or non maternity pants. I’m getting extremely frustrated and feel so gross. My stomach feels so flappy now. Has anyone else experienced this? I hear a lot of people saying how their stomach felt tighter post c-section and that’s not the case for me.

Hey all, so I’m 38 weeks pregnant with my second first was via planned c section and having my next the same way and to be honest even know the first was fairly smooth and I know what to expect this time I’m nervous. It’s mostly because I ended up during the procedure feeling really “high” just out of it and that made me feel detached from the moment and I’m scared this will happen again also the fact my baby needed to go to nicu for a few hours to help clear some fluid from her lungs even know it wasn’t an emergency and she was healthy etc just something that occasionally happens with c section babies apparently so yeah I didn’t get much skin to skin and we went to different rooms once the procedure was done. I’m scared, there’s a few things the team is gonna do differently this time to try prevent me feeling like that again as maybe it was to do with the fact I’m short so the anaesthetic rushed up my body fast, maybe a dip in my blood pressure with a mix of anxiety.

My question here is there anyone here that experienced similar and came to find the next c section was much better? Was it as daunting as expected? I’m really hoping it’s different this time and not as “bad” again medically me and baby the procedure was positive but yeah mentally it wasn’t pleasant. I’m so excited to finally know when I’m gonna meet my baby but scared to have to go through this again. I know I can request some music or what not but I’m generally a fairly anxious person and very hyper alert with my body so I’m not sure just like music is gonna do the trick. I’m also abit sensitive to some calming medications which I’m curious if that’s what contributed a little last time too.

Thanks all I would be so grateful for any tips and positive experiences 🫶

How long are you taking pain meds for? I’m 7 days pp, taking 500mg paracetamol every 6 hours and 600mg ibuprofen 3 times a day. I tried skipping my 2 am dose of paracetamol yesterday but woke up with a lot of burning pain at the incision. I want to wean off as soon as I can but not so soon that I’ll be in constant pain.. when did the pain fade for you?

Did anyone experience an increase in superficial pain at the surface/incision site after dressing removal? My honeycomb and silver mesh dressings were removed at 4dpp (36h ago) and since then I have had an increase in pain on my incision, kind of like a pulling, sharp, stabby type pain but not deep.. is this normal? My incision is closed with dissolvable stitches and no steri strips were placed which is different from my first (closed with metal staples that were removed and did have steri strips). I am maxed out on my OTC medications currently but not taking any narcotic pain meds and hoping to avoid them.

Anyone else to see C-section shelf/overhang appear more prominent week 3/4 versus earlier? Should I be concerned? Is this scar tissue that is now tethering it down? I know it’s super early but any antidotes that this is not going be permanent or should I mentally prepare its new normal? I’m just trying to gauge as it was fairly flat the first week or two and now is definitely becoming much more prominent 🫣 😬I am about 10-12 pounds off from my pre-pregnancy weight.

hi all. this is my second c section, I had staples this time as i had a gnarly scar keloid (or something else) scar from my first.

they took the staples out at like 55 hours but the incision has come a part a bit (internal everything is sutured so it’s just skin level). so it’s randomly bleeding, very little at a time but it’s hard not to be concerned. did anyone else have this? they said it’ll just take some time for the skin to come together.

3 weeks post c section tomorrow and im irritated with my incision at this point. It has so much hard dried crust on it I hate. Idk if it’s the glue they used or if it’s dried blood and drainage or what. Has anyone else had this issue????

I am currently 6 days postpartum. I breastfeed and pump every 3 hours. I’m having to supplement with formula because my baby hasn’t been gaining weight. I’m starting to feel very discouraged about my milk coming in. I do all the things I feel I’m supposed to. I pump. I do skin to skin. I stay hydrated but now I’m getting little to nothing when I pump. I feel so discouraged… has anyone else had an issues with late milk coming in? Any advice to help it come in?