c-section versus natural birth

[Sherry5]

I don't know about you guys, but I think this topic deserves it's own thread. We have been discussing it on poor Gloriabono's it's a girl thread and stealing her glory. ;)

This issue is hugely important to me, as I think my horrible labor and delivery with my first child are partly responsible for my IC. I don't know who said it, but I have heard a few conflicting things about C-sections. I've been told they actually take your uterus out of you, and I have heard that they remove and replace other organs as well. This sounded appaling to me! That can't be good for your IC! But I have since watched a few c-sections on the health channel, and they don't remove anythig but the baby. They make a cut in your abdomen and just pill out your baby. All three times this is what they did. Why the conflicting reports? Do they have different procedures for different patients or different circumstances?

Anyone who can shed some light on this for me would be much appreciated. I planned on having a c-section with this pregnancy to avoid the strain on my bladder, among other problems. I feel like I need to be fully informed to make this decision. Thanks! :)

[patricia1]

Hi I posted on Gloria's thread. I am one that has had both natural and c-section. I believe that the c-section is what caused my IC....my symptoms started 6 weeks after I had my son. I dont think they really take the organs out but they do have to shuffle them around to get to the right place. It might look for a minute that they are. I think that that all this shuffling around is not good for your bladder, I mean how could it really be. I think the decision should come down to your doctor and you. Everyone else can give their experience...I knew and had to have a c-section with my son. I had placenta previa (sorry my spelling can be bad). You know when the placenta sits over the opening of the uterus. I could not even go into labor with my son b/c I could have bled to death and both could have died. I dont know that I personally would have a c-section for IC alone, after all it is surgery. But if you have to have one then thats best for you and the baby. Just remember on the show on tv the discovery channel and a baby story they dont show everything. I wish you the best and I am very happy for you and your future baby. And sorry for rambling on.

[Sherry5]

Thank you Patricia! I don't know which is more harmful to your organs, surgery or 26 hours of labor topped with three hours of strenuous pushing. Also, some doctors do better c-sections than others. I wish I knew who did them best in my area.

[JenG]

I'm not sure if it is always the norm, but my husband actually watched the doc pull out some of my organs and place them on my stomach! (of course he said 'cool!', what do you expect from a guy!)

I have only had my two c-sections, so I cannot compare a vaginal delivery. My c-sections were done as emergancy situations because I could not deliver vaginally. Discuss all the pros and cons with you docs before making this decision.

Good luck!!

[patricia1]

Your right Sherry. I was not in labor long with my daughter about 7 hours w/ my daughter I went really fast it was my first to. But I was so tired b/c the epidural did not work that the nurses had to push her out but when the pushed they did not wait for the dr to cut so on top of the cut I tore they did this 2 so I ended up with 3 degree lacerations. Both my birthing stories where not the best in the world my sons was bad to, but al least I have them now so it was all worth it in the end.

[MelindaP]

I am glad you brought this up because I am trying to decide if I should have a vaginal or a C-section with my current pregnancy. With my first son ( who is 5) I did not have IC & did a vaginal delivery. My labor & delivery was pretty quick ( labor for 7 hours & pushed for 1/2 hour). But I do have alot of "leakage" now when I sneeze! Kegels never helped! Now I am afraid of straining against my bladder & urethra with another delivery. But then again., I am afraid of them messing with my bladder with a C-section!
I have 7 more months to decide I guess!
Melinda :)

[fireflicker285]

This is just the issue I have been struggling with the last 3 months! I have had two natural births and my bladder is really falling out. My pelvic floor is shot. I am doing kegals but they only help so much.....

I too am nervous about have the C-section for the reason that they touch and move your bladder around. I wouldn't want them to make my IC worse. then again, I feel sure that my vaginal deliveries made my IC worse.

So it is a hard decision. I know sometimes you just have to have surgery at the last minute. I am pretty sure I am going to opt for c-section. I just feel that with my cystocele there is no point in making it worse and since I already have IC..... Ofcourse I am going to listen to my OB's opinion very carefully before deciding.

[liznazz]

I am an "older " mom as my kids are 21 & 18, but I had them both by C-section and I wasn't diagnosed with IC till 22 years later... so I don't believe that was a "cause" for the IC. I had numerous bladder infections when I was in my late teens and early twenties. As a matter of fact, after having both boys, I only had one bladder infection in 20 years! So for me there was no problem at all with IC after the Csections. I also, however, had a "bikini" cut line as opposed to the abdomen being cut. I wish you well. liz

[massagedoula]

I hope that I can help shed a little light on the situation. I am/was a labor support doula. That means that I attend births to support the woman in labor. I also have attended a Caesarian Birth. They do not pull your uterus out, usually, but they may pull out a little bit of intestines. It depends on how small/large the woman/baby is, and what the reason for the surgery is (fetal distress, failure to progress, etc).

In my mind, and in my training, Caesearian births should only be used for emergency situations. An elective C-section may sound appealing, but your body will take a lot more to recover, as well as the chance for lasting problems (other than PFD) is much greater. Women have been giving birth for as long as humanity has been in existance. The female body, even though it may not seem like it when you are in labor, is desgined perfectly for the function of childbearing. Of course, it is everyone's own personal choice, and no matter what you choose, I wish you all the best and happiest labor and deliveries!

[massagedoula]

PS, If anyone had any questions ever about birth, I am also a childbirth educator, and hopefully will be starting Midwifery school in the fall. Maybe I can help answer some questions, though also please know that I do not know much about IC yet. I just started having symptoms 6 weeks ago, and am not diagnosed yet, though I really understand bladder problems from my experiences in the past month and a half!

[Jeanne D.]

Prior to the start of a C-section an indwelling foley catheter is placed in the bladder. Once the abdomen is prepped and draped an incision is made. The incision may be "bikini" or vertical. During surgery retractors are usually used to keep other organs out of the way of the uterus. An incision is made into the uterus and the baby is removed from the womb followed by the placenta. The uterus is then closed, the retractors removed, a quick check to make sure the organs are in their normal anatomical place, and the abdomen is closed. Organs, including the uterus, are rarely lifted out of the abdomen during this surgery, however, they are moved around a bit.

Just keep in mind that a C-section is major surgery. There is always a risk of infection -- as with any surgery. A c-section also requires a longer recovery period than a vaginal birth. There is more pain involved with a c-section and the need for pain medication.

Of course, the bottom line is doing what ensures a healthy birth for both mother and child. Your OB can help you to make and informed decision as to what type of delivery is best for you.

Jeanne
(I worked in the operating room for 8 years and labor and delivery for 3 years)

[classics]

I used to be active with the Cleveland chapter of the International Cesarean Awareness Network (I.C.A.N.). They should be able to help.

Here's the website:


http://www.ican-online.org/

[Marlana]

I also believe the 3 c-sections I had played a role in my bladder problems. I know for a fact that organs are removed and moved around and placed on your belly or in one of my cases on a tray. My Dr. did confirm this with me as I asked him if he indeed did this. He said it is standard procedure to get to the baby and that the feeling of uncomfortableness will be with you for a bit while some of your parts try to find thier original spot. Many years of study show that natural birthing is much easier on the womans body than the C-section and healthier for the child. I do not mean to sound harsh but c-sections are highly overated and really should only be used as a last resource. The decision is yours to make and I am sure you will do what you feel is best. I wish you the best and a happy healthy remainder of your pregnancy.

[DanaW]

I also had heard that the bladder is moved out of the way....I had 2 c-sections and it is a very difficult recovery.....I couldn't even hold my babies in the cradle hold to nurse...had to do the football style! I also had the worst bladder infection of my life after my 2nd c-section....then, the problems began with my IC....I always wondered if it was the surgery or the bad infection. I had had only one infection previous to all that....then, started getting them more often after the last surgery.....I do hope someday they find the cause. What I do know is that C-sections are tough....major surgery and on top of that, taking care of a newborn!! Good luck in your decision :)

Dana W.

[massagedoula]

The bladder is moved out of the way, but not usually taken out! I am sure, however, that different hospitals and Doctors do it differently. I just have never seen or heard of any doctor doing it around here. I thought it was a scary birth fable!

[Jeanne D.]

The bladder is not removed from the pelvis during a c-section, it is retracted out of the way. During abdominal surgery the intestines may be taken out of the abdominal cavity (if necessary) and placed on wet laps on top of the patients abdomen/belly (they are 22 feet long). Many organs cannot be lifted out of the abdomen or pelvis -- they simply do not reach outside of the body.

During surgery, organs are generally retacted out of the way. Placing them outside of the body increases the risk of infection and injury.

Jeanne

[glowbug]

My first child I had naturally. The labor lasted about 24 hours. I was completely tore up after his birth. I had over a 100 stitches, and still had to go back and have more surgery, among other things, I had tears in my vagina that were not fixed. I was actually able to pass gas through my vagina, now that was a weird feeling. The pain I had after his birth was horrible, I could barely walk for weeks. That was not a typical delivery.

My second child, I had a C-section. Compared to what I went through the first time, the c-section was a piece of cake. I left the hospital without any pain medicine.

I developed IC before I had any children. Neither of the births made my IC any worse. Though I do admit, when they cathed me for the c-section I found that very painful, until the pain meds kicked in.

Em

[fireflicker285]

Thank you so much all of you for your replies. Very much appreciated!

[Sherry5]

I always say it is best to be well informed, and I have looked up some info on c-sections on the internet. I have found this board to be a little more useful, though, because you all have told me what you FELT like. I really appreciate your responses. I am still having a hard time deciding. Two of my three labor experiences were absolutely horrendous. The thought of doing it again makes it hard to breathe. I start to panic. Horror stories. I know that childbirth is natural and women have been doing it naturally for thousands of years, yada yada yada, but some of us have health issues that make it more painful and risky. My first daughter and I would have died if we hadn't been in a state of the art facility.

I have had four laporoscopic surgeries and have always healed very well. I am perfectly fine the next day. I know that a c-section is a more invasive surgery, but I can't help but think I would heal well. Everyone heals differently from a C-section, in my experience. I have friends who bounced right back, and other friends who had a hard time for weeks. I don't have any friends with IC, though. One thing I know for sure is it is always harder if you go through labor for many hours and then have to have a c section. It is better to have it right from the start. I am still undecided. I wish I had someone who could say to me decisively, " Sherry, a c-section will be better for you." Or even "a natural birth will be better for you"

Does anyone have a crystal ball? :)

[fireflicker285]

I wish I did. I have read that although there are risks to c-section, in this day and age they are very very small. I have known several people who have recovered very fast from c-sections and thought they were no big deal. I had a very difficult birth with my first and I too would have died if not for being in a hospital and being given blood right away. It does sound funny when some people say that giving birth naturally is so natural. Indeed it may be, but in the old days that included the risk of death if something went wrong. I hemoraged very badly and quickly. My second child was also a natural birth but was a textbook case. Bad contractions but no complications at all. I am just left with such an uncomfortable cystocele, and urine retention. I have a super great female OB though and am going to let her make the decision for me. Whatever she thinks is best is what I will do. I am not basing this decision on my IC. She is not very knowledgeable about that, but rather just on what is better for my body and my cystocele. I just hope that my bladder comes through it ok. My IC is already so bad though that I don't really think it can get much worse from another birth.
Good Luck to you.

[MelindaP]

This thread is great!!!

I still don't know what I am going to do. Since I am only 10 weeks along, I guess I have time to decide! My first labor was very easy. The only problem afterwards was from the episiotomy (plus I tore a little). I was sore for a few weeks after that! bUt I did not have IC back then.
I am more afraid of the natural birth because I am afraid of bruising the bladder with the pushing. I already hate having to push with a bowel movement- it irritates my bladder! Sigh, nothing is ever easy!!!

Melinda :)

[fireflicker285]

Melinda, I don't remember my bladder being too bad after pushing out my daughter, and I pushed for almost an hour! Then again, I was sore and tired and filled with so much joy I don't think I would have noticed much.

The thought of c-section bothers me more,(bladder wise) but my problem is ofcourse the bladder hanging down. So pushing "may" make me worse.