Hello i dont think i have posted in this section of the forum before so i thought id drop in [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif].

I currently have a little girl she is 1 1/2 now and so gorgeous in every way  [smiley=engel017.gif]anyway hubby and me are planning on having another when i finish university, i am hoping for a boy this time [smiley=laugh.gif].

Anyway i joined a few pregnancy boards only to find that caesarean sections are now all the fashion!! I was very very upset to hear of many women threatening to abort their babies if they didnt get a c-section.

I do feel this is a rising issue however in the UK as unless you have had a previous c-section then you cannot choose an elective caesarean.

I think women should be able to choose a c-section where many do not believe this to be right. During my first preganancy with my daughter i was induced because the placenta broke away from the wall of the womb, my baby was in complete distress and after 20hrs of labour my baby stopped breathing and i was rushed off for a c-section, thankfully my baby was ok.

I cannot tell you how distressed i was, i was offered no pain relief, i had a trainee doctor and many horrible internal examinations which has put me off natural births for life. Next time i am choosing a c-section for the sake of my next baby, my mind and body. However some of my friends and family believe i should go down the natural route when i get pregnant again. My hubby was not in favour of a c-section but he new it was for the best e.g life or death, so i hope he understands i want an elective this time.

My hubby also believes very much in breast feeding however i failed at this too and after 3 days of it i gave up, he is now encouraging me to breastfeed with our next baby, i know its best but to be honest it just stresses me out & stops me from making a full recovery mentally and physically, please dont think i am being vain far from it, i was just so unhappy doing it i felt i could not bond with my baby, and as soon as i stopped and my breasts returned to normal i felt so relieved and happy again and spent a wonderful time sharing bottle feeding with hubby. Im sure if i tell hubby he'll understand though.

What are your experiences or personal opinions on caesarean sections?

I've not had a C-section - however I was minutes from having one for my son.  I had been in hard labor for over 27 hours when my son started to show distress, so I was prepped for a C-section.  As a last ditch effort before the surgery, they were able to deliver my son with forceps.  I am glad I did not have to have the C-section, but I was ready and willing to have one if it was necessary.  Thank goodness it is an option as it saves many babies and mothers' lives.  Natural birth can be scarey especially if your first labor/delivery was not a pleasant experience.  I can understand your desire to avoid that and go with the C-section.  I feel it is the doctor and mother's decision whether a C-section should be performed.  There are many factors to consider when making the decision, you have listed your reasons and if your doctor is comfortable with your request, I see nothing wrong with it.

Breastfeeding is also a personal decision.  Some mothers have a more difficult time with it than others.  If you are stressed or depressed, breastfeeding will not be sucessful.  I was a lucky one that was able to breastfeed my son for over 4 months.  I was glad to be able to give him the anti-bodies to keep him healthy and the bonding experience was a good one, especially since I had to return to work so quickly.  My sister, however, was a different story.  She was a nervous wreck about breastfeeding and therefore was not able to produce enough milk to satisfy her child, which stressed her more, making it even more difficult.  Her kids were better off with the bottle.

Both decisions - C-section and breastfeeding, are ones that are very personal.  But you don't have to make them now, fortunately they are decisions that can be made at the last minute.  You might find that starting the labor, things are different this time and a natural birth could be an exciting wonderful experience for you and your husband.  The same with breastfeeding, you might find that the 2nd time around you are more relaxed about having a newborn and the breastfeeding is easier.  You can make that decision when the time comes.

Good luck with finishing your schooling and I hope everthing works out for you with adding to your family.

I, personally, have no experience with C section.  All my children and grandchildren were delivered normally.  However, my neice just delivered her second child by C-section.  We got the call about an hour ago - Anna 7 lbs - healthy baby girl.  Her first child was also C-section after a difficult labor.  

I think it is wise not to have C-sections as elective procedures.  Of course, they are necessary in some situations, but it is usually healthier to deliver without having to be cut open.  

My brother was an emergency C-section (had the cord twice around his neck, as well as being overdue), and I was an elective, because my mum is quite small anyway.  I am not old enough to worry about my own yet!

On the breast-feeding front, my mum found that I couldn't - this was (a lot) later found out to be because I had an extra bit of skin underneath my tongue.  One snip and a couple of stitches later, it was all sorted.  

Hello All,
After having given birth to 5 children the 5th c-section, I'll throw in my 2 cents!
:)  I would have to say that I would rather give birth non-c-section ANYDAY!  
My first 4 deliveries were natural birth w/minor complications.  I breast fed the last 4 of my children, the first bottle fed, as I was to young and afraid! LOL!
But, the heal time after the c-section was terrible for me.  I literally thought I was dying!  And now down the road 2 years, my lower abs are still not quite right.  I am told that some women don't ever completely regain control of those abs that were severed, I suppose I am one of those.  AFter the first 4 deliveries I did not have these ab issues.  I think that as to breast-feeding, the first week was always the most trying for me and baby, and then after that your milk becomes established and easier on both of you.  
Oh well, that is just my opinion on these issues.  The c-section the 5th time was medically necessary, otherwise, I would have not gone that route.  I would never in my wildest dreams think that an elective c-section would be for me.  But, each woman is different and would need to live and learn.  :)
Kay

kay - i know how you feel there are some downsides, it ttook me 6months to gain back the feeling in my tummy again some people have a slight area of no feeling after many c-sections, however complete feeling came back to me eventually, i was quite worried for a while.

I found breastfeeding hard because when i breastfed for the first week i got mini contractions in my tummy which made my c-section hurt so bad.

Plus it took me 6weeks to regain the strength in my tummy again. However the good things overuled the bad for me but like you said everyone is different. ;)