How often do 1st-time moms have natural births as opposed to C-sections?

I have so many friends who had C-sections their 1st time. I want to know, is this common/normal/more probable than a natural (vaginal) birth?

How often do 1st-time moms have natural births as opposed to C-sections?
In some places (ahem New Jersey I'm looking at you) the c-section rates for first time moms are up to 50%. Overall the rates for HOSPITAL births in the US are around 30%.





There are however a lot of things you can do to NOT get a c-section:


*The more information you have the less likely you are to get a c-section


*Having a doula reduces your risk


*Not having an epidural reduces your risk.


*Having a midwife reduces your risks more


*Having a homebirth can reduce your risks to 10% or less with the right provider.





NEVER induce, except possibly for preeclampsia or HELLP. Most reasons for induction are complete BS. DO NOT allow an IV, if you do make sure no one gets anywhere near it. Women are often given pitocin without their knowlege, many former OBs have spoken out about it.
Reply:You can ask at your hospital or your OB office, as it varies depending on where you live. My hospital was between 25%-30%, which I think is too high! I had a natural birth. I was lucky, my doctor let me puch for 4.5 hours. Some doctors send you for a C-Section after a certain amount of time, like 3 hours.
Reply:I second what lilly said- if you get induced you double the risk of having a c-section. Many babies, the first time, go over their due date, and these days doctors are more likely to induce you for any little reason. Although I should have probably waited a couple days, I was scheduled for an induction only one day after my due date and, of course, ended up having a c-section. I definitely think more women end of having them because of inductions.
Reply:C-sections in the US are about 30% of all births. So, I'm sure there's more first time moms having natural birth. I'm 43 and had my first child, my son when I was 42. I had a c-section due to the blood thinners i was taking required a planned birth, along with some other health issues that made natural childbirth unavailable to me. I'm kind of glad, because I don't think i could have handled the natural birth had I been able because i was so scared something would go wrong. I so wanted this child as I never thought i could have any before. I was afraid I'd mess up somehow. Silly of me, but I felt like that.
Reply:I had a c- section my first time. I had a fibroid tumor so not sure if that had anything to do with it but I just didn't dialate and the cord was around the baby's neck so the Dr decided that a c-section was the best way to go.
Reply:I've read that 1 in 3 births (in the US) are C-sections. And, having your labor induced GREATLY increases the chances that the birth will be via C-section.





When you are 'shopping around' for a doctor/hospital, ask about the percentage of pregancies that end in C-section there. Some places have a better track record than others.
Reply:I had a natural birth. My water was broke at 10:30 A.M. and I had her at 3:51 P.M.! I pushed for probably 10-15 mins and she was out! She was only 6 lbs 1 ounce..and was almost too big for the birth canal!
Reply:I had a emergency c-section three weeks early for my daughter. She was breech and losing amniotic fluid and showing signs of distress
Reply:No. C-sections are medically necessary only. Most women have vaginal births. My SIL had a c-section with her first (and will with her second too) because she is VERY tiny and her body doesn't spread the way it should. She's under 100 lbs pre-pregnancy weight. You will have a vaginal birth unless something arises during labor and the baby needs to come out ASAP.
Reply:Had a natural birth with the first, and planning on a natural one at home with my second. Everything I've read about c-sections and drugs like Pitocin has scared the life out of me.
Reply:Well I had to have a c-section with my first (high blood pressure and the induction failed) but I was the first person in my family to have one. In fact I don't know anyone besides myself who's had one.
Reply:c sections are a quick way to get the baby out if labour is very long and stressful on the baby, most doctors will try for natural first and then csection is a last resort, i had a natural birth, vaginal and no drugs for all four of my kids most people deliver naturally
Reply:I had a natural birth. I didn't even really think about having a c-section, or the possibilities of me having one--I always thought they were for extreme circumstances.





Btw, not all first time labors are long either--mine was pretty short. I labored for three hours, pushed for 20 minutes. I might be an exception, and quick births kinda run in my family....my grandmother had one of her children in her kitchen! lol. Just thought I would share, since so many people like to spread horror stories about labor :p
Reply:c-sections are typically a last resort when a woman is unable to do it naturally or there is undue risk to the baby.





I would not say c-section is the norm, its more of a tool used to avoid the possibility of death.
Reply:It's odd that you know so many who had c-sections. Are you a lawyer? (being a female lawyer increases your chances for a c-section dramatically).





The primary c-section rate is about 20% nationally. That's the overall rate (all moms without prior c-section). I don't know the 1st time mom rate or if those stats are even kept.





In my state, the primary rate was 15% and is trending downwards. Part of this is due to more hospitals providing free doulas and/or trained nurse-midwives (stats show c-section rate among those who use these professionals is much lower).





Note: the higher percentage of c-sections usually quoted includes subsequent c-section as well.