Do c-sections pose a greater death risk for both mothers and babies?

I had my daughter via c-section 8 months ago due to the fact i would not dilate past 6 cm. She was born healthy and I have not had any complications recovering, although I am a little sore at my c-section area at times. On google, I was searching for c-sections and second pregnancy because my husband and I will be trying for a second child in a few months. I came across a message board where people were talking about how their babies died after their c-section. Now I am worried. I had no choice but to have a c-section with my first daughter. My Ob told me she would rather me have another c-section with any future pregnancies due to the VBAC risks. This message board really scared me. Is there anything I can do to make during pregnancy to make my c-section go smooth again? I have placed a call to my ob and am waiting to hear back....Am I over reacting?

Do c-sections pose a greater death risk for both mothers and babies?
You'll be fine. I had a c-section too and if I have another baby it will be a c-section again. In your case had you not had a c-section both you and your baby would have died.





Some people are dead set against c-sections for whatever reason. Don't listen to them. It's all scare tactics. There's risk to anything you do in life.
Reply:I think you are over-reacting. People can post anything on the web without the proper facts or sources to back it up. I have never heard of this being a fctor in deaths and I had a C-section myself.
Reply:I have had 2 c-sections and will have my third in March.


As with any surgery there is always a very small chance of something going wrong but with good medical care and a good doctor the chances are so slim that it's not worth stressing over.
Reply:I would be suspicious of your doctor's preference to avoid VBAC. Most of the risks of VBAC were because doctors were inducing or supplementing labor. This has clearly been shown as injurous. C-section, however, is a money maker and more convenient for doctors.





There is always the threat of complications for a c-section, but death to mom or child is uncommon. It is major surgery. 1 in 10 women get an infection. Some are very serious. There are also very serious INJURIES that doctors don't talk about including scalpel injuries to infant (there have been amputations). In fact, on Baby Story just 2 weeks ago, a baby got sliced by the scalpel and needed stitches (they played that down). I am in a high risk group now where c-section is unfortunately, the better choice. I still don't recommend a repeat unless you have a medical reason for not having a VBAC. You are certainly entitled to choose a repeat, but you should check to see if your doctor delivers ANY VBAC patients. Could be her suggestions are not medically based. If you would like a VBAC, consider a second opinion with a doctor that actually does VBAC.





Concerns of uterine rupture are pretty much a non-issue today as labor enhancing drugs cannot be used on women with a prior surgical scar.
Reply:i have had two c-sections, i don't think there is much to worry about its a lot easier to do a planned c-section than an emergency one you'll find that it is less stressful this time I would stress out a lot more doing a VBAC worrying about my uterus rupturing which that can kill both you and the baby. do the planned c-section and you'll have the cutest baby on the Labor and delivery floor less stress for both of you
Reply:I went through these emotions with my second pregnancy. I had an emergency c-section with my first (also stuck at 6cm) and although the recovery went fine, I felt I would really like a VBAC next time around...





Well when that time came I was totally flustered. I researched everything I could about repeat sections (my mum had 3) as well as VBACs. I decided I wanted to try a VBAC and for awhile all was well... until I hit 7-8 months preg and started having doubts/worries/panic attacks. I was totally chickening out. Was I putting my baby at unnecessary risk? Was I being selfish?





In the end I decided to speak to my OB and tell him I wanted a repeat section. Surprisingly, he told me he thought that I would be able to labour safely and was a good candidate for a VBAC. Even more confused, I went home to think it all through one more time... and went into labour 4 days later.





My daughter was born just 1hr 54mins after getting to the hospital. Everything went so blindingly fast, it was immediately apparent that a repeat section would not be necessary. She just popped right out.





But I know I got lucky. I thank my lucky stars everyday, because not everyone has a VBAC and there are risks associated with it, just as there are risks for c-sections.





So I guess I just want to say I have been through both sides of the coin. If I have more kids in future I would like to try VBAC again, but if there is an indication for a repeat c-section I will at least feel comforted that I am in capable hands whatever the risks.





The best advice I could give is to try to relax and educate yourself as much as possible. Read as much as you can to make an informed choice and hopefully you won't end up like me losing sleep at 8 months pregnant for reasons OTHER than having a huge tummy! lol.





All the best!
Reply:There is more of a risk of permanent damage/death with VBAC. A woman who goes to my ob/gyn had one against doc's recommendations, and her uterus ruptured while she was in labor, and she lost a lot of blood, and still had to have a c-section.
Reply:I am sorry, I haven't heard that before. I had a 2nd c-sec. For my son it was crucial and altho born 5 weeks early, he managed quite fine....you see for me, trying to give birth the first time with my daughter my cervix got damaged thanks to the doctor not paying heed to my warnings that I couldn't push and had .5"lip that my daughters head could not push past so because of all the pushing, I had a weakened cervix for the next pregnancy resulting in miscarriage and my last pregnancy I figured b/c of my weak cervix, I'd be able to give birth no problem vaginally (had the suture in and bed rest 20 weeks onwards) but nope had the baby c-section because I couldn't dilate past the 6 cm as well.





The VBAC risks are actually small and supposedly better than getting a c-section second time round but I did it and it's fine. Only think is the scar tissue build up grows and may complicate future pregnancies...for me that wasn't a problem b/c I can't have anymore anyway.





Good luck.
Reply:A lot of women have c sections and their babies are fine. The only thing to worry about is if you have an emergency c section - which means you or the baby is at risk of complications. So if it's just because you weren't dialating correctly, it'll be fine.