Many people have been asking me this since I was pregnant until now.

Caesarean or natural birth?

I took quite a long time to consider. Which is better? What are pros and cons? What would be the best option for my baby and me? After 2 months of consideration, I chose to go for caesarean birth or C-section.

You might want to stop reading this entry now if you are planning to give birth anytime soon, especially natural birth. 

Before I continue writing this post, I have something to say to some people who are/were against my personal decision here.

I already got comments like “why not natural? Isn’t it better for your baby? etc.” or some people even gave me THAT kind of look, like as if it was wrong for me to do it. I’m telling you now that your such comments doesn’t mean anything to me, especially when you don’t know me. Every new mother have to go through 9 months of pregnancy, childbirth, and a lot more real work after that. If you haven’t been through it, just listen. Or if you had a natural birth before and it was tough then that was your choice. But it doesn’t mean my choice is wrong and I should go through the same thing as you. And after all, it’s my life not yours. My baby, not yours.

However, I thank and appreciate those comments from people who really care and try to help NOT those that acting like they know everything and they are always right. Please. No one is always right.

Ok that’s enough. So what made me choose to go for a C-section?

1) Caesarean can be scheduled.

Because my husband travels a lot. What happen if my water broke when he is many thousands miles away from me? This is one way we can be sure that both of us will go through this together.

2) Disadvantage of a natural birth.

True that the recovering period is much shorter with natural birth. You just need 1 day to stay in a hospital and 1-2 weeks for full recovery when C-section needs at least 3 days, and 1-2 months for full recovery (also depends on the individual).

According to 8 women (I know personally) who have gone through a natural birth, they said that their private parts do not look the same after a natural birth. In fact, they said it will never be exactly the same. Even if you have only 1 sleeping partner for the rest of your life and you wouldn’t care? Maybe. But I believe most of us do care. However, health science and medical technology has improved a lot so there might be a solution for that too. I don’t know.

What about a scar on lower stomach after C-section? I know I will have my way out for that. A secret for now. Plus, I trust my Gynae a lot. She is great and famous for her C-section. My scar looks fine and not as bad as I thought it would be. Thank you.

3) Pain Level

I’d rather feel the most pain after and NOT during labour which I don’t know how long it will last. I had an epidural and I was awake during the C-section. (you can choose to sleep throughout the whole process but you won’t be the first to see your baby). I didn’t feel any pain at all during the process, not even when they jabbed an epidural into my spine to numb sensation and provide pain relief before they cut me open. Some mothers also take an epidural during their natural birth if they can’t stand the pain.

However, the pain came the next day when I woke up. Very painful, my wound. I couldn’t eat much and definitely couldn’t move at all for at least a day. Let’s skip the part where I needed to go to a toilet. The worst part was when I coughed and my (seven layers cut) wound vibrated. I couldn’t describe how freaking painful it was. You imagine. But a good thing is, painkiller helps a lot.

4) It’s safe, for the baby.

Many of you might not know this. According to what my Gynae told me, caesarean is safer for baby but not good for a mother. The chance of getting wound infections is higher. There are seven layers of muscles doctor have to cut through during C-section. If the cord is around baby’s neck, it would be unsafe to do a natural birth too. And unfortunately, the cord was around my baby’s face and neck at 37th week. Even if I decided to go for a natural birth (which I most likely won’t), I’d have to do a C-section instead.

5) I consider a Caesarean as a modern way to have baby.

Women today have choice, something that women in the olden days did not have. Giving birth can be fast and safe with the used of latest technological equipments and so why not?

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After all, I’m not saying that a natural birth is not a good choice and I’m just giving my personal opinions. It’s your choice so you should know the best for you and your baby. People who have gone through a natural birth is brave and tough. I admire them. Either way, the most important thing is to make sure your baby (and you) is safe.

Congratulation to every new mother. Let’s have fun, enjoy the process and keep the joy in motherhood.

Love.- Nira