Hi all!

I went for my monthly visit with my OB and a follow-up visit with the high risk clinic last week and the consensus is NO C-SECTION!!!! Yay!!!

Factors were/are that they don't want to perform another abdominal surgery unless absolutely necessary and my past history of having two very easy vaginal deliveries.

I know what the risks are in terms of possible (maybe probable) sphincter problems down the road. I feel soooooo strongly against having a c-section that I am willing to take the risk. And I am very grateful that my doctors arent going to force me into something I REALLY don't want to do.

Hopefully all will go well

Alex

Sounds great! You are very fortunate to have docs that will listen to your needs and help you come to the best decision for you. If this was a first pregnancy, or you had past obstetrical complications, that would be different. So, full steam ahead.

Of course, you know that most of the time, a c-section is a last minute decision. Stuff can still happen that is out of your control. But, I am sure you already know that.

Jan

Hi Jan!

I completely agree that if I had difficulties in the past with my deliveries, I would be more open to other options. And I understand that there is always the possibility that I may have to have a c-section due to my health, the baby's health, etc. But its nice to know that at least I have the option to have a normal vaginal delivery.

By the way....I am having a boy We are getting so excited!

Why do you feel so stongly against having a C-Section? Its seems to be the way most doctors and J-pouchers are leaning.
I was just wondering because I am currently trying to get pregnant and I try to keep up on what the consensus is.

Hi age,

The general consensus on this site is that the recommendation for women who have a j-pouch is to have a c-section. Although that is the recommendation alot of the time, it's not an absolute. Its all in what you and your doctors decide is best for you.

Its not that I am so "against" having a c-section as much as I am "for" having a vaginal delivery. That said, I do have some pretty strong reasons for not wanting a c-section.

First of all, I have two children who were large babies that were uncomplicated deliveries. My son was born when I was 20, he was 9lbs 3oz and I pushed him out in 20 minutes and only had a 1 inch episiotomy. My daughter was born when I was 29, she was 8lbs 10oz and I pushed her out with 3 pushes...no episiotomy and no tearing at all.

Having had two uncomplicated vaginal deliveries has helped in the decision making process for myself and my doctors.

Secondly, having a planned c-section takes all the fun and naturalness out of it all...the not knowing when you're going to go into labor, the body letting getting itself ready for breastfeeding, etc., etc.

Thirdly, I don't want to have another surgery unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for obvious reasons, and my doctors don't want to perfom surgery on me either. I have had such an amazing life since surgeries and have had (knock on wood) no pouch issues, no adhesion issues, etc., for the past 4 years since my original surgery and I just don't want to push the envelope.

Lastly, I have a tremendous fear of pain. I have an extremely low threshold for pain and what most people consider 'mild' pain is moderate to severe for me. I am so fearful of pain because I am a recovering alcoholic/addict and I am terrified of pain meds. I had a really bad relapse around three years ago and I can't risk my 2 plus years of renewed sobriety under any circumstances.

So there you have it...my reasons for my not wanting a c-section and my willingness to risk sphincter issues 20 to 30 years down the road in order to have a vaginal delivery.

Thanks for asking and thanks for listening

Alex

Alex, I'm glad that you are going to be able to finish your pregnancy without this worry on your mind. I think if you are up for trying for a vaginal birth, more power to you. You certainly have compelling reasons to give it a try. I'll be hoping that it all works out for you!

I've pretty much been prepared that I might need a c-section my whole life, surgeries aside. Largely because my Mom had 3 and I was told by 2 OB/GYNs prior to surgeries that If I had a baby over 7lbs I'd probably need a c-section. So, post surgeries, the idea of a c-section wasn't novel for me and I opted to go that way.

I'm having my second - and LAST! - c-section on July 16th. For those of you considering a c-section, I had absolutely no problem with breastfeeding or any other postpartum issue. Recovery from the c-section was a cake walk compared to j-pouch surgery and I left the hospital taking only Tylenol (I have a high pain tolerance and an equally high aversion to drugs and the awful side effects I get from them so I barely touched the heavier strength stuff, even in the hospital).

Thanks for your response Jill. I know that there will always be the possibility that I would have to have a c-section. Anything can happen...breech presentation, preeclamsia, j-pouch/gut issues that may arise, etc. So I'm not living in a complete fantasy world thinking that it could/would NEVER happen. I'm just so much more at ease knowing that the "plan" is to try for vaginal rather than a planned c-section.

For many women, the preferred option will be c-section. In fact, if this were my first baby, I might even consider it as an option right up front.

I just know me, know my body, know how my body can handle pushing out large babies. In fact, my daughter was born during one of the worst flares I had with my UC and everything was fine. I am sooooo much more healthy now to start off with, so I feel very comfortable and safe at this point.

In regard to post op pain and healing...There is also a chance that I would be absolutely fine and not need narcotics, but I really don't want to take that chance unless I absolutely have to.

More power to you!!!! I'm hoping that a vaginal birth might be an option for me after I get my ostomy...but my GI has already said it is not recommended. I'm hoping for a vaginal delivery option so that the number of kids I have is not limited by c-section/surgery. I hope things go well and congratulations on your little boy on the way!Mine turns 8 months next week.