Whether to go for a natural birth or a C-section ultimately fell to my wife, but we discussed together what would be best. Given our current age, which isn't on the young side, it did factor into our decision. But more than that, there were numerous considerations during the natural birth process such as the baby's heartbeat, the mother's condition, the umbilical cord prolapse (the cord falling out ahead of the baby during labor), placental abruption, and fetal-pelvic disproportion. Given all these factors, we chose a C-section.
👉 Placental Abruption: A condition where the placenta separates from the uterus partially or completely before childbirth.
👉 Fetal-Pelvic Disproportion: A mismatch between the size of the baby's head and the mother's pelvic opening (either the baby's head being too large or the mother's pelvis being too narrow).
Rather than just the reasons we chose a C-section, comparing it with natural childbirth provides a more objective perspective. By listing down the factors that mattered to us, it would look something like the table below.
Setting an earlier date for the C-section actually seemed like a blessing. The date chosen for a C-section is typically 1-2 weeks earlier than natural childbirth. Seeing my wife already struggling with tailbone pain and discomfort when sitting or lying down, I feel that choosing a C-section was the right decision. This is our first childbirth, and rather than dealing with unforeseen circumstances during labor, preparing in advance within a predictable range seems to fit both our personalities better. Hence, thumbs up for the C-section! While some might swear by the benefits of natural childbirth, I believe that the choice of birth method should be based on individual circumstances. I hope there won't be any negative comments regarding our decision.
Oh, Ohsama, there's only ten days left now. Tomorrow might be the last time we see you on the ultrasound. Just last night, it seemed like you were eating so enthusiastically in the womb that your hiccups made mom's belly ripple constantly.😅 Play around and grow strong inside the womb for now, and we'll meet soon in good health!
Recorded on March 26, 2023.