5th Jan 2011

I have a very low (probably minus) threshold when it comes to pain. I just panic whenever I sense pain approaching. How low is my pain threshold? I find ear piercing extremely painful - while some people felt no pain at all.

Knowing my own weakness at this area, Ning said he could not imagine me going through natural birth, nor can he imagine the pain I will be experiencing after the C-section. I can't imagine that too. Deep down I have contemplated with natural birth over planned C-section, because it's better for both mom and baby, and it heals faster. Although lots of people has excruciating pain for up to 24hours, some said it was so easy. It depends on individual - I might be the lucky one that doesn't have to go through the pain. Who knows?

After a long thought, I decided to go for planned C-section, simply because lots of my friends had planned C-section and they are OK. Some planned for natural birth but ended up had to go for an emergency C-section which the experience was horrible - because when it was an emergency, the doctor might not have enough time to wait for the anesthetic to work before they cut you up.
Most importantly, if you are not the lucky ones, you are putting both you and the baby in distress if there is any complication during natural birth. So, to eliminate the possibility, I think I just need to be prepared to endure the pain and long recovery process after the delivery.

When we finally decided in the 8th month, it really doesn't help when people start to judge our decision, 'no need to afraid, it's not painful at all?', 'Why are you not brave enough?', 'Every mother went through that. You should be able to do so too.', 'Natural birth is better for the baby, don't you want the best for the baby?' etc. etc.

I am grateful with all the comments and advice and that made me wonder again... But, I know myself better. I cannot afford panicking in the labor room and stress out myself and the baby. I am the one that has to go through this and I need to make sure it's the best way for both of us. The previous visit at the hospital before new year, my gynae measured the baby's head, and told us that the baby has her daddy's big forehead - which was almost 10cm. So, our decision to have C-section is actually wise because the gynae will not recommend natural birth when the head is more than 9cm since the dilation will be about 10cm only.

Today, a friend advised us that from medical point, C-sec should be opt only as a second reason if the baby did not fully turned and cannot deliver normally. I feel less guilty now for I am able to tell them - our baby's head is big so the doctor did not advice natural birth.