C section versus vaginal birth

Hi there, first pregnancy, second round IVF. I am 34 weeks tomorrow and am still unsure whether I should have elected c section or attempt vaginal birth. I have GD, and due to my age and the fact this is an IVF pregnancy, they class me as high risk, so I will be induced at 39 weeks if baby hasn’t decided to make an appearance. Has anyone here done both and can give me any advice so I can try and make an informed decision, please? I have an older sister who has two boys, both vaginal births. She just keeps saying that “women have given birth for thousands of years”, yes but a lot of them died so it’s actually very dangerous. Also, she last gave birth nearly 17 years ago, and was a lot younger than I am right now. Spoke to a recently retired midwife today who is the mum of a friend, and she thinks I should have a c section as it will be planned and calmer, but I have no idea. Help!

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C section xx

I elected c section with my second after a traumatic birth with my first. The experience and bond I have with my second as a newborn has been different as I am not carrying the trauma like I was with my first. No one can predict what labour will be like for you. You can control some parts of a c section, it’s very exciting going on the day and knowing your hours away from meeting your baby. You do need plenty of support around you as the recovery is tough. It is a surreal experience but I found it much nicer than a ‘natural’ birth You may also plan a c section but go into labour before and end up with a vaginal birth.

i had 2 vaginal births and one elective section and in my opinion, i’d opt for a vaginal birth as recovery was quite tough and painful with section and my baby was born with fluid in lungs which can be a side effect of elective in a small amount of people and my vaginal births weren’t easy but i recovered quickly after an episiotomy and haemorrhage if i were to have another id definitely want Vbac😊

Im one that I’ll do whatever the OBGYN suggests 😅 There’s so many factors that go into it, and I don’t believe the myth that many will push an unnecessary C-section for profit. My C-section was emergent and of course it wasn’t ideal at the time— but even though I was offered a VBAC, I’m doing an elective C-section 😅

Honestly elective c sections are nothing like the horror stories. You'll only be in theatre around an hour and baby will be out in first 10/15 mins... the rest of the time flys by! All being well they'll probably discharge you the next day. The only pain I felt was a few seconds sting for the needles and the recovery was achey but totally manageable on paracetamol and ibuprofen taken religiously for 2 weeks. I was able to carry him in car seat briefly the next day. Got down to change him on the floor. Was putting washing in and wiping spills on the floor a few days later... it's all doable slowly and carefully. We were out walking week 2 and visiting family. Week 3 I drove.

https://www.peanut-app.io/share/0SKS6Klq1Jb

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