c-section vs. vaginal delivery
I have researched quite a bit online and in books, but still feel undecided on how to deliver my baby. I'm curious to learn more about personal experiences and opinions.
What are the advantages of a c-section over vaginal?
What are the advantages of vaginal over a c-section?
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I'm 28 years old and this is my first pregnancy. I'm leaning towards a c-section because surgery on my stomach seems less traumatizing and permanently damaging than a surgical procedure on my genitals. I have had 28 stitches in my back before and am not too scared of scars. I'm heavily tattooed and my entire stomach is covered, so aesthetically, I'm not too worried.
My Dr. mentioned to me and my husband that the vagina never returns to it's initial condition after delivery. Not that it's useless, but that it's never the same and there is permanent damage/change. He said that many women go through surgery later on to "fix" their vagina. My mother told me of how she had this surgical procedure done after having her first child. My c-section will only cost $2,000 more. Seems better than paying to fix my vagina down the road. I know that recovery is slower and delays bonding with the child, but I have a very supportive husband and feel comfortable relying on him during recovery.
Then today a woman told me how her surgical scar on her stomach never tightened up with her loss of weight and tightening of muscles. She said that the scar remains permanently numb, loose skin. She seemed like a fairly skinny woman her whole life. Seemed surprising that the scar inhibits ever having a flat stomach ever again.
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Please share questions, stories, ideas...
I'm lost.