Thoughts on electing for a c-section
Reposting from my previous post in r/pregnant. Please do not assume I’m ill-informed on it being major surgery, I’m aware.
Am I crazy for wanting a C-section?
I cannot understate how absolutely terrified I am of birth - think tokophobia if it didn’t include pregnancy. It’s not new, I’ve felt the same way since I was an early teenager.
I’m 5’2” & my husband is 6’3”. His head is so large he has to buy elastic hats, he can’t wear regular ones. I also have an \*extremely\* short waist. We were both very large babies - 9lbs 9oz at 37 weeks & 9lbs 6oz at 39 weeks.
I was a c-section because of my size, so was my sibling. No gestational diabetes, we were just large. I also have Leiden factor V & factor VII issues that make blood clots more likely. I understand surgery is a risk with that, I also feel like it’ll be more controlled?
People act like I’m crazy for saying I’d prefer a c-section. Am I desensitized to the thought of a c-section because of me & my sibling? I can’t even do typical gyno appointments without anxiety meds, the thought of delivering vaginally & all of the potential complications make me nauseous. Beyond nauseous - like my heart races, my breath catches, & I start sweating profusely.
I in no way think that a c-section is the easy way out. I’ve assisted in the procedure in companion animals & it was already complicated. I’ve observed in humans. Who are way, way, \*way\* more complex when it comes to birth just anatomically. Not even considering the cognitive/emotional aspect. Please don’t think I’m opting for an easier route - I’m saying that I’m terrified I’ll have lifelong complications from a vaginal birth given my husband’s height (and my shortness) & the fact that we were both large.
I understand that a lot of people are terrified of a c-section, but I’m also terrified of having a third or fourth degree tear and potential lifelong pelvic/urogenital issues.