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My thoughts are mainly that I would prefer to avoid surgery if at all possible. That's just the type of person that I am (though I have to have surgery in a couple of weeks - which I'm kind of freaking out over). So, I'd rather do things the way nature intended? But, I'm also well aware that c-sections have saved many, many mothers and children over the years that would have died had that not been an option. So to that end, if I have a c-section I don't think I'd be afraid of it or sad that it happened, it's just not something I would prefer.

I didn't "fear" it but I thought it was not necessary in my case. I pushed forever, like 3.5 hours, and I thought maybe my OB would tell me to quit and just go for a C-section but he was great and said I could do it so we kept going and my daughter finally came out. I felt pretty great afterwards, was alert, breastfed right away, could walk...all the things that my friends who had C-sections told me they could not do. But you never know how things will go and I would, of course, have had a C-section if I needed it.

Call me crazy, but some part of me is looking forward to delivery. (There is also a huge part of me that is scared!) I feel like it's an awesome amazing natural thing and I really hope I'm able to deliver vaginally without meds. I just feel like there is something powerful and life-affirming about doing it the way that other women have done it. I don't consider myself particularly crunchy or hippy-like, but when it comes to giving birth I get surprisingly granola-like.
If I need additional intervention, I will of course accept it! The most important thing is for me and the baby to be healthy. I think for everything you control via having a c-section, you are interfering with nature's way so that offsets it. Plus it's all an illusion of control anyway...

a c section is serious abdominal surgery that comes with risks from not only the surgery, but also the anesthesia.

there is the term "too posh to push" for moms who schedule elective c sections because i think that's what a lot of celebs used to do. but a c section is definitely easier in some ways! that's why i originally scheduled a second c section for olive. but i'm glad that i got to have a vaginal birth as well.

There's a few books out there that I'd recommend that you read:

1. Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care by Jennifer Block

2. Birth:The Surprising History of How We Are Born
by Tina Cassidy

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I became pregnant on our first month trying and had a complication free pregnancy. In my case, there was no reason to think that my body wouldn't be able to handle the birth on its own. Since I had no issues, I decided to wait it out and let nature take its course. I went into labor and decided that the contractions were manageable and that I would not try to be superwoman and would get an epidural if I felt it became too much. It didn't, and I had a med free birth. It was uncomfortable, but I was able to move around, stand, squat, lie down, whatever I needed to do because I didn't have an epi. I really think this is one of those things that you have to assess when you're in the moment. Your body can surprise you.
I do want to also mention that if there were complications, yes, I would have a c-section. This is why I decided to go with a hospital birth instead of a home birth. I didn't want to take a chance with our hospital being 25 minutes away.

eta: regarding tearing, I would recommend perineal massage starting at 34 weeks. I had a tiny tear that required 4 stitches, my midwives were astonished at the elasticity I had...I worked up from 15 seconds to three minutes daily.

My understanding is that a c-section is a major surgery, and comes with all of the associated risks of major surgery. That being said, most surgeries these days go just fine, but there are always risks of infections, bad reactions to anesthesia, and other complications. Vaginal birth is certainly far from a picnic, but it's a natural process, and my understanding is that the associated risks to the mother and baby are generally lower. Also, aren't there studies that the baby gets certain health benefits from passing through the birth canal?

I'm not judging those who get c-sections -- and I would certainly get one if my doctor finds it to be medically necessary. But those are my understandings of the risks.

It's serious surgery. There are also connections between the labor/vaginal birth process and the good hormones that help with breastfeeding, can aid in bonding and prevent PPD, etc. I also want to experience a natural birth, but that's a personal preference.

I didn't fear it but that's because it's all I knew. My mom had two c-sections, and once my pregnancy became high risk, I knew that a c-section would be the only option.

I do understand the ideals behind natural births and homebirths, but they're not for me at all. One of my son's NICU nurse's wife had a homebirth that went wrong. He was there to deliver the baby, but the baby inhaled meconium and the wife started bleeding badly. They both ended up in the ER and the baby in the NICU. I know that's not a typical story, but things do happen, and I would be too terrified to not be in a hospital to begin with.

Yes women have had babies naturally for centuries, but many women died, and many women today would die without modern medicine. Even if I had been able to try a vaginal delivery, I don't think I could have done it. Baby A was transverse and Baby B was breech. I don't want to start an argument or anything, and yes a c-section is major surgery and not always necessary, but I trusted my doctor and trusted that I would bounce back.

My doctor gave me a percocet prescription for my vaginal birth (though I never filled it), so you can still take pain meds for a vaginal birth.

Also, I have to say I was pretty worried about my vaginal birth, and then when it happened it was worse than I thought it would be. I remember reading things about how much people loved their ice pack after delivery and I was thinking "Ice? On my v? Ouch!" But then of course after delivery I was like "Ice pack is the best thing EVARRRR!" because I was so swollen.

But after everything healed up, I was golden again. So it's a few weeks of suckiness either down below or on your belly. I'm definitely hoping for a vaginal delivery for baby number two because I am not into surgery if it can be avoided.

Also, the whole "it'll never be the same again" is kind of true, but not in a bad way. I mean, when I lost my virginity, things down there changed forever, but it wasn't the end of the world. It was just different.

Also, I have heard that you still get hemorrhoids from c-sections as well due to pressure from your organs being moved around during the surgery, but I can't personally attest to that. And hemorrhoids were the WORST part in my opinion. They lasted for months. And if you get them either way, I just want to say, "No fair!"

My feelings are basically a c-section would not be the end of the world, but I'd prefer a vaginal delivery if possible. Either way, pain is temporary and if I can end the pregnancy with a healthy baby being born I will be happy.

I am very vocal about this as I represent the other side - I had an elective c-section. I know many other women who have have them as well, but are afraid to speak up because of the comments that are constantly hurdled at us. My intent is to argue my side politely while still respecting the opposition. I dont want to come off preachy =o)

I guess I could kind of fall into the "too posh to push" category, but my doctor did deem that given my circumstances, the section was a better option for me. I should add that they in NO wya swayed me to it. Quite the opposite. They wanted to induce me and see how that worked (this was prior to determining that I neededthe section) and left the ultimate decision to me. Regardless, I had so many complications and health issues at the end of my pregnancy that the day I was admitted, they told me that it would be safer for both me and the baby to go c-sec. After they opened me up, they learned that the cord was around Livs neck 3 times-tightly-and I wouldnt have been able to deliver vaginally even if I had been induced. Matter of fact, they said it 100% would have ended in an emergency section.

I can tell you from experience that with my planned section (She was born on her due date. I had less than .5cm dilation and not a single contraction or BH) that my recovery was cake. It didnt hurt as much as it was sore, and I really only took Motrin to manage the pain. I think I maybe took 2 percocets after I left the hospital. I had minimal bleeding, no hemorrhoids (btw @Rock n Roll- that info is contrary to what my OB told me. Women arent likely to get hemorrhods as a result of the section. They may get them from the pregnancy, but not from pressure due to the baby being removed.) and I felt 100% back to normal after 6 weeks. At 4 weeks I was at about 95%-jsut some soreness.

I didnt have an issue with bonding. I held her almost immediately (they took her and cleaned her off, gave her to my husband, and gave her to me all within 2 minutes of her being born) and fell immediately head over heels in love. Liv is EBF, but I cant attest to having issues with that bc I decided to BF her after we left the hospital, so I had an LC come to me at home. Liv seemed to have no issues latching. Also, my milk came right on cue.

Regarding the epidural - my hospital doesnt do epis for c-sections, they do a spinal block. So basically, they insert a needle into your back and draw out a little fluid. There is no catheter left in there. You do get a urinary cath, but its inserted after you are numb and mine was removed like 12 hours later, at which point I was up and walking around.

I really do like @runsyellowlites run-down. Thank you for making it such a civil, mature response. You have no idea how many times others have made your same points but basically implied that Im an idiot, uneducated, putting my baby in harms way etc.

ETA - I guess, to answer teh original question, I cant say why I feared it because I didnt =o) Just wanted to give you another vantage point. Like @themcmom, I think every mother needs to do the research, ask the questions, and make whatever decision is right for their situation. I

I cant say that I fear a C-section, but personally I would much rather give birth naturally. I had a bad reaction to anesthetic when I got my tonsils out at age 10 and I am also allergic to codeine and ibuprofen...so I hate to think what other pain meds/anesthesias would do to me. However, as long as the end result is a healthy baby, I am open to any birth option and I know that for many mothers a C-section is simply the best option for them and their baby.

I didn't fear it. I knew several ppl who had one, so it wasn't something to be scared of. I had a c-section and I bonded just well with my daughter, thankyouverymuch. I'm glad I had the c-section, I certainly wasn't trying to be Superwoman with my daughter's heart rate in distress, trying to get a imaginary medal for not having a c-section.

I was perfectly fine 2wks later. It was rough at first because we have stairs in our house, but I was fine after.

I am 100% terrified of needles. I would not get a c-section unless my baby or my life depended on it. I am not actually against it, it just isn't for me. Also, if I ended up needing a c-sec I would probably flip the hell out because the idea of being awake while people are cutting my child out of my belly would not sit well with me.

I fear a c section because I want to have 4-7 children. Obviously a c section on the first could limit my ability to have many pregnancies.