C-section or natural?

Im not pregnant but eventually when I do get pregnant and have to give birth, I actually really want to have a c-section. I do not want to do it naturally. Im so afraid of the pain because I can not tolerate pain at all. And my friend just had a baby and...

she said it hurts so much.
When giving birth can you tell the doctors you would want a c section over the natural way?
Which way is better?

You don't have to have a c section.
You can just get an epidural so you won't feel anything.

I've never been pregnant or given birth but here is what my mother once told me (she had 4 kids naturally - without ANY pain killers)

She said that it is better and healthier to have the baby naturally (which is true) and she didn't feel like having scars etc after a c-section,

then again I don't see why women should endure all that pain if there are so many drugs and other less painful alternatives available.

And another point someone made was that women wouldn't have so many children if the pain was all that unbearable, my mother had 3 children after being in labour for 48 hours with her first.

But then again if I ever have children I'll have a c-section...it definitely doesn't make you any less of a mother and if it isn't painful then I don't see a problem with it.

well I heard the c-section sucks because it takes weeks longerto heel, you cant really get up or do anything. (you really wanna get cut open??)

not that a c-section is bad are anything but I just heard stories from family and friend.

and the natural way is not as bad, especially if you get an epideral...
but w/e way you wannna have it, its your choice(unless smthn is wrong like the baby hasnt turned or w/e then you have to get a C)

buttt as long as the babys healthy=]

An elective C-section is one that is not considered necessary for medical reasons. It's planned before labor begins. If you're pregnant, you may wonder if elective C-section is an option for you. Before you phone your doctor, though, it's a good idea to find out more about this practice:
http://www.lifesteps.com/gm/Atoz/hc/wom/preg/hz512.jsp

Take care !!

um.. you cant have a c section as an alternative,
it is for labor problems.. when you cant have a baby the natural way

Usually, the only time you can *choose* to have a c-section is if there are problems that the doctor is aware of before you go into labour or if you've already had a c-section.

C-sections take much longer to heal from, have far worse after pains, and for someone who is afraid of pain, you've chosen the wrong option.

I've had 3 children drug-free (no epidural, even)...my son being a 72 hour induced labour...I went on to have another after that, so do think it's really that bad?
Yes, labour is painful, but it's the kind of pain you can tolerate because you know what's coming out of it.

You can elect to have a c section, you just need to talk to your doctor and discuss the pros and cons...

As people have pointed out, c-sections do take much longer to heal (although unless you're breast feeding, you can take pain killers...), and apparently natural birth is better for the baby, but they really are like any other surgery, they dont incapacitate you. My mother had one (medically necessary), and she was up using the bathroom a few hours later...

There will always be advocates for both sides, it is up to you to decide (when you're having a baby) what works best for you...

Actually due to the reseach on pelvic floor disorders more and more women are electing to have an elective c-section. Where there is no medical need for the c-section yet it something requested by the mother. The main thing is to discuss it with your doctor and make sure elective c-sections are covered by your insurance. I myself have choosen to have an elective c-section.