Hi Everybody,

I would like your advice with regards to the way I should give birth. In my home country you can choose if you want a natural birth or a c-section. Initially I wanted C-section as you can choose the birth date,have painkillers and not feel any pain while the baby is being delivered. The only negative as far as I know is the recovery period afterwards and the scar on you belly. Natural birth is of course a much more affordable option and you dont have a scar. The hospital stay is usually 2 days,where as C-section is upto 4 days. Recovery period is also much shorter. The thing that I am worried about natural birth (aside from the surprise timing and pain) is if my vagina would be all stretched out and big afterwards? Does it go back to it's normal size?I am sure there are quite a few first time moms who have been thinking about this and not saying anything because it is quite embarressing. Please give us some advice?

I've heard that the vagina goes back to it's original size. I'm not sure about the labia though...

I'm hoping for a home birth, so I say go ahead and have a natural birth, but in the end it's your choice.

id try for a natural birth if i was u ive had 3 sections going to be having another in the next few wks but recovery from c-section so much longer hurts when u try to sit up hurts when u try turn over in bed hurts when u laugh or cough plus they dont like to do too many coz of scar tissue and things sticking together so if ya want loads of kids deffo try for natural first

The vagina is a strong muscle, it will always go back to it's original size. Mine is just as it was before having my baby, and I have never heard of it getting all big and stretchy before!
My mums had both c-section with my older brother, and normal birth with me. She said that she would have rather had 2 vaginal births as the scar and recovery aren't nice.

I had a normal birth, it's painful for a while (depending on how your delivery goes) and of course you bleed for up to 6 weeks afterwards. Id definitely go for the vaginal if I were you.

Unless there are health reasons or its an emergency etc I personally would never choose a c-section over a vaginal birth. There are risks involved both to you and baby and I have had no complaints from my OH after giving birth. Plus its pregnancy itself puts pressure on your pelvic floors so a c section does not necessarily mean that you will not feel looser so to say. Pelvic floors exercises are a womans best friend.

I want a natural birth as well, I was going for C- Section but Everyone has been telling me that Natural Is the way to go!!

I absolutely do not want a c-section. Besides the recovery time (I really want to go back to work as soon as possible), and the scar, I want to have him natural because I want to be able to hold and bond with him instead of having to wait for the anastetics to wear off.. However, I am scared I might have to have a c-section depending on if he gets really big or not, and I am smaller figured..
But in the end, it's your choice.. whatever you feel most comfortable with and works better in your situation.

I had a c section with my son, and I have to say, it was amazing! I practically got to pick his birthday, there was NO pain ( before ) and I didn't have to worry about my vagina tearing, or pooing during labor or any of the other embarrassing things that happen ( or that I have heard of happening ) during labor and delivery. I was able to hold my son and breast feed as soon as I was stitched up and in recovery. The idea of pushing my son out was scary throughout my entire pregnancy and I really psyched myself up for it...then I learned he was breech and that I would be having a c section, I was relieved!! All the work was done for me, all I had to do was lay there! lol...no pushing for hours, no hard labor for hours, NOTHING! It was great! The recovery was basically what you would expect after having abdominal surgery...I stayed in the hospital for 3 days and was on pain meds for about a week afterwards, and yes, the incision hurts, but I would rather have stitches in my belly than in my vagina. Wouldn't you? I am planning another c section with this baby because of the risk of uterine rupture with a VBAC.

c section is a NO NO as far as i am concerned.

i want to live my pregnancy and childbirth the way nature intended it. i don't want the birth of my child to be fitted around my schedule or to be made "more conveninent for me". i want it to be a surprise and MOST OF ALL I don't want it to be a surgical operation !!!

the human body is a wonderful machine and it was made to do certain things. unless i don't have a choice, i'm not having a c section.

I am hoping for a C section, though am yet to discuss this with my doc. There is a slight medical reason but also other selfish reasons.
I have a condition which gives me very sore skin down below so I dont fancy getting ripped to shreds, but also, I live in another country to my parents - I'd like them to be able to book flights in advance to be at the birth! The C section allows that.

I will not listen to people who say that natural is best and that we should experience child birth etc etc. If a man can avoid all that pushing and pain why can't I? It wont make me a better person. It wont make me more of a woman or a mother.
Really,it's a personal choice.
And no one choice is better than another. Don't let anyone push you into something. Thats what I say.

And yes you have to stay in hopsital longer...but why not make the most of the chance to rest up a little?
I dunno..I'm still to discuss it with my doc - both have risks for me, but I'm not going to feel bad if I do go C section, that's for sure!