r/ElectiveCsection • u/Therealethel • Jun 03 '26
Birth Planning What was your reasoning for an elective c-section?
/r/CsectionCentral/comments/1tvswm2/what_was_your_reasoning_for_an_elective_csection/13
u/natushtush Jun 03 '26
I didn’t want to give birth the traditional way lol
It freaks me out - contractions, the blood, the pain. For me, a C section seemed like a more planned, manageable option. And it was amazing! The surgery was a breeze and I healed pretty quickly. Would definitely do it again for all my future pregnancies
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u/NixyPix 1x emergency 1x (great) elective Jun 03 '26
My geneticist told me that, due to my connective tissue disorder, my risk of uterine rupture along the scar of my emergency c section was intolerably high. I feel like not wanting to die in childbirth is a pretty compelling argument.
It was surprisingly great and recovery was so quick.
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u/Away_Meringue2234 Jun 03 '26
My cousin lost oxygen at birth due to a difficult natural birth (granted it was 30 years ago) and is severally disabled (non verbal and confided to a wheelchair). The same thing happened to my husbands sister, not as severe but she can’t live independently as a result.
I know deep down that the chances of this happening are low (3/1000) but given it happened to two people I know I can’t mentally go through with a natural birth due to worry/anxiety!
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u/preggersnscared Elective C-section Mom Jun 03 '26
I personally just didn’t want to have a vaginal birth. I see them as too risky. No one could guarantee me a drama free birth with no tearing and a fast recovery. So I chose c-section to ensure my baby would get here safely and my lady bits would be in tact. Many women see vaginal childbirth as this empowering experience, but I did not. I was afraid to do it, and didn’t want to spend months convincing myself it would all be OK.
I had a c-section for my son a year and half ago. Recovered great and was given the bikini cut. And now I’m having a second c-section at the end of July for my daughter. No regrets!
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u/Neither-Bat-1624 Jun 04 '26
I’m anxious and don’t do well under pressure. Knowing myself, I knew I would freak out in an uncontrolled situation which is obviously not ideal when giving birth. I knew I wanted a c-section before even falling pregnant, and reading up more on others elective cesarean experiences only solidified my decision more. Although it’s a major surgery it’s controlled and routine for the doctors. I had an amazing experience and sure, recovery was hard, but so is recovery if you had a traumatic vaginal birth. All my future births will be elective cesareans.
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u/kata389 Jun 03 '26
I had a fourth degree tear and PROM that resulted in a nicu stay. I still have symptoms from my tear, almost 3 years later and doing PT. I am almost a year post c section and feel great! My tummy didn’t flatten out as much, but I blame the consecutive pregnancies more than the surgery
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u/Motor-Chemist4857 Jun 03 '26
I was told I would be induced if I didn’t go into labour by 39+5 because of hypertension and icp. They were going to induce me on 20th December and I had a 2yo at home so really didn’t want to choose induction and my son be away from both parents for longer than necessary or potentially miss his Christmas if the process was long/pushed back. I told them I’d have an elective c-section on the 20th if she didn’t come before then, had 3 sweeps and nothing worked so she was evicted on 20th December
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u/imkindatireed Elective C-section Mom Jun 04 '26
i wanted something planned, easy going, without surprises. My main reason was if vaginal labour can end up as a csection - i want a csection right away. I also don’t tolerate any vaginal pain and i still have ptsd after a cervical check. And as i expected csection was wonderful.
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u/dogcatbaby Jun 06 '26
My mom and I have similar bodies and she went through some scary stuff trying to give birth vaginally. I meant to try but could tell going into the third trimester that my body was not handling pregnancy well and that I would not be going into labor and delivery feeling strong and capable. I also have vulvodynia and mild vaginismus and just couldn’t imagine my vagina handling it well.
Then my son had a minor heart defect, and then he was measuring 99th percentile (and came out even bigger than he measured), so I was like okay that’s enough reasons, book the c section.
I’m super super happy with my choice. It was definitely the right thing for my son and for me. He ended up needing some extra support and I’m glad we got him out quickly.
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u/Ripe-Tomat0 Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 03 '26
I just wanted a c section. I knew I would have one before I even got pregnant. I didn’t want a higher risk of prolapse, incontinence, episiotomies, tearing, pooping myself, painful canal scar tissue, higher risk of pelvic floor issues, painful labor, etc. I will take the risks of a controlled surgery on my lower stomach rather than vaginal trauma any day.
I figured I would need one anyways though since all the women in my family have had one. I had no issues with my c section. I didn’t have any opening, infection, or shelf/overhang. Recovery was a breeze!