Naturally, being a man, I wouldn't know anything about such things. But I have heard women talking about labor lasting 12-18 hr.
I came near to needing a c-section. My daughter wasn't in a good position and there was no way I could have a c-section in the base dispensary, so I was sent early by a medevac flight to the capitol city where there was a U.S. military hospital. Darned if the little rascal did a back-flip and elected to be born naturally 12 hours after I got off the plane. I would have never CHOSEN to have a c-section. My poor tiny little sister, though, didn't have my luck. She went through 19 hours of hard labor and THEN had to have a c-section. Her son had a head like a pumpkin....it took him a few months to grow "into" it. My niece had a 10-pounder and an 11-pounder....naturally. Ouch.
I sure didn't have a choice. My first one was 1968 and back then there was no such thing as bikini cuts, it was major operation from navel all the way down with 22 metal clamps plus inside stiches. I read one of the Kenndy women had 11 C-sections.
According to my mother I was born C-section, because I was upside down. It would have been a feet first delivery.
It sure can, I had all 3 of mine by c-section, first one 1968. Long before the popular bikini cut, from navel all the way down. Spinal block so awake the whole time after first one. 22 metal clamps no fun, taking them out is a real nightmare. Caring for baby after major operation wasn't good, since I breast fed all of them. Being married to what I used to call,SOS aka son of satan wasn't good.
It must have depended on the doctor what kind of incision they made, @Marie Mallery . My children were caesarean also, the first in 1964, and were all bikini incision. And I was born caesarean, in 1945, and that was the same incision that my mother had as well.
Yvonne I heard JFK mother had many c-sections, if I remember correctly. I was under the impression that all c=sections were major, guess I was wrong. I know it took 22 metal clamps to put me back together. Plus what inside stitching they did. My luck with doctors I guess. Thats why I try to stay away from them, but as I said, they have saved my life at times too.
I just googled it and your right far as c-sections go, but not so sure about bikini style, I was told I wouldn't dilate so they had to do the full monty on me. Don't know why I had to be the privileged one. First off, I never knew anyone who had one till I did, so maybe money was a reason. All my friends never heard of it and gasp at hearing about mine. Then one of them had one in 1970. Yvonne how did we make this such a big deal anyway?
I think it's just convenience more than anything. Having had three babies, when you get to the end of the pregnancy, you are constantly waiting for the first signs of labour and worry that it might start at an awkward time. Imagine being in a supermarket and having your waters break! If the birth is scheduled for a particular time, you can plan accordingly. However, it is a major operation and shouldn't be taken lightly. I suppose if health care is paid for, a caesarian means more money for the surgeon?
I've had two normal births with big babies. Daughter was 8lbs, 4oz but needed assisted delivery in operating room as she was coming face first instead of the top of her head. So, she had to be pushed back up and turned. My OB/GYN did a fantastic job. However, he said that my second one would probably require a C-section if less than two years after daughter. So, 18 months later, I gave birth to my son, BUT OB/GYN was away on medical conference. Therefore, the regular OB Doctor didn't read the warnings in my file as son came into the world, much quicker than his sister. He was a heavy baby too, 8lbs, 10oz and with very large shoulders. Youch! Results, I've suffered damages, some permanent and when I saw my regular OB/GYN, he wasn't best please and was very apologetic. However, he was able to fix most of the damages. It just created some minor problems which were eventually corrected with lots of exercises. We were in Canada at the time. Overall, great experience and the emergency OB/GYN at hospital was disciplined for negligence.