VBAC vs C/S- What swayed your decision?

[glenny_c]

Hi girls- I guess the title pretty much says it all. Dh and I have been discussing the birth of our next baby. DD was born via emergency c-section after she stopped moving and growing in utero. It was found that my placenta had stopped supplying her with nutrients.

Anyway, I'm pregnant again and obviously worried about something going wrong again. But I'm also wanting to do the best for me, the baby and my dd. Obviously the extra recovery time with a c/s is on my mind considering I'll have a newborn as well as a 16 m/o. I have done a lot of reading and talked to my OB. I feel I have a fairly balanced view of the risks associated with each birth type. To be honest I keep going back and forth on my decision.

I would like to talk to some other mums who have had successful and attempted VBACs as well as women who made the decision to birth via an elective c-section. What helped you come to your decision? What facts swayed you one way or the other. Please- I am not looking for you to "convince" me one way or the other, I am truly just interested in people's personal opinions and experiences.

[NaeNae]

After my first which was a c-section I vowed I would NEVER go through one of those again providing I had the choice (emergency the only exception).

I did my research, I read Silent Knife (I have a copy if your interested) and I had an awful lot of support from a PRO VBAC Ob and MW staff. I went into the birth of my second daughter armed with enough information and my husband well versed but also open to the possiblity that complications COULD arise.

There was never any question in my mind how I wanted my second daughters birth to be it was ALL VBAC all the way. I knew the risks were so small of rupture and I believed in my body - sure I had moments of doubt, but once labour was underway the only thing I was thinking about was "OMG I need to poo" It didn't even occur to me until a week or so later that I had successfully had a VBAC

COnsidering my next birth will be in about 6ish weeks there is no question in my mind about Section or VBAC - even with 2nd degree tearing last time the recovery was MUCH faster.

So, ask questions, read information both for and against, if you choose a VBAC remember to still be open to the possibility of another section in the worst case scenario but develop a mantra "my scar is strong, I WILL deliver this baby vaginally"

If you choose an elective section then you do so as an educated woman.

ETA - I should also point out in case you were not familiar with my history, I was considered High Risk before DD2 was born (vbac) I had had at that point - 1 m/c, 1 extreme prem delivery (my C-sect daughter born at 24 weeks) and another m/c after that.

Nae

[LizLemon]

For me it was what would give me the least anxiety throughout the pregnancy, and what I thought had the most manageable risks. I had a fantastic OB who I trusted implicitly, and his opinion was to go for a repeat c-section so I went with that. I knew that I would feel far less anxiety going into a controlled environment rather than attempting a vbac and always worrying about what could go wrong. Others would have seen the risks the other way around but that is how I felt and it was what was right for me.

Also, given the difficulty we had conceiving my children I had kind of lost faith in my body's ability, so given how high-intervention their conception was the high-intervention birth didnt bother me at all.

Also, the reason we had the c-section for the first was likely to repeat (which it did anyway), which was another decider.

Good luck with your decision

[KitFaerie]

No advice hun, just wanted to wish you luck and certainty with whatever decision you make

[Tegam]

Wow great post Glenny. I think it's great that no matter what you will be making an informed decision.

For my (POV for whatever it's worth seeing I have only ever had NVD). Is that go with what is in your heart. I think that however it ends up heart wins over brain. What I mean is looking back in 20years time. If you can say to yourself 'I knew xyz and I just felt it was the right decision' is better than looking back and going 'well if I'd known xyz I would have made a different decision'.

I think that there is a lot of pressure in our society for both vbac and eCS. Again I think this is because women hear only criticism of their own choices when it comes to birth when someone does something different to them.

Now having been someone that has supported three women to vbac. I think I'm right in saying a lot of their success had to do with their passion for their chosen birth. I don't think that they would have been successful if they had not been passionate or convinced they had made the right decision IYKWIM.

Whatever you choose will be right for you and your family. don't be bullied either way!

Whilst you can always change your mind is try getting to a decision soon so you have a goal to look forward too!

Whatever you decide I can't wait to meet another one of your lovely babies

[Tegam]

No advice hun, just wanted to wish you luck and certainty with whatever decision you make

Snap kitty

[glenny_c]

Thanks girls. Whichever we end up choosing I just want to make sure that I am 100% behind my decision. xxx

[glenny_c]

Anyone???
I must be queen of all thread killers to kill a vbac thread! ::

[Tegam]

Haha Glenny I couldn't leave you hanging!

[Fleur]

Aside from all the benfits of vaginal birth the biggest two things for me were recovery time, and that I had had an unpleasant experience with the anaesthetic during my CS.
Plus I had already had 2 vaginal births, so I had something to compare it to. One of those vaginal births in particular had been wonderful and I was keen to do that again.

That was really pretty much it for me and a VBAC was it all the way, I never really considered an elective CS. I do think my decision was much easier given that I had already had 2 vaginal births.

best of luck and I hope you find certainty in your choice.

[Jennifer13]

I read everything I could early on, but I was talking to my ob about a VBAC immediately after my DD's c/s birth. I had placenta next to the cervix with her, which was unlikely to happen again.

Once the 12 wk u/s confirmed that wasn't an issue and that and a quick u/s with the ob checked for my barely visible (it had healed so well) uterine scar, nobody suggested an elective c/s. I was told and believe that a repeat elective c/s carried higher risks than a VBAC.

To give myself the best possible chance of a VBAC we have planned a home birth where I will not be restricted by hospital policy or face intervention as soon as I walk in. I have two IMs, a doula and a hospital five mins up the road to transfer if need be. I have booked in to the hospital in case of transfer, which means they have my records, as does my IM.

I am very excited about the birth and completely comfortable with our decision. TBH I don't even give the previous c/s a second thought - my statistical risks are as low as a first-time Mum, or a Mum who's being induced and those are routine!

Oh, and one further thing, I had a very bad experience from the spinal last time around, with a subsequent spinal fluid leak. There is no way I would opt for a likely repeat occurrence!

[BeautifulMadness]

my c/s was an emergancy one so....i hated every moment of it and everything about it.

my 2nd was a vbac and i was so much happier and i got to bond better with my bubbs

so i am hoping for a 2nd successful one.


just do what you think is right for you and bubbs

[penesaar]

I ended up with an "elective c-section" after going back and forth the whole pregnancy. There was only 15 months between births. First was emergency ceaser after failed induction. It sucked.
In the end I chose ceaser, more coz I was still waking 2-3 times per night for #1 and had NO energy... I didn't think that I'd make it thru labour, not to mention having to push! Also, I was told that as it was under 18 months, there was a slightly higher risk at the scar rupturing. I didn't want to put myself thru it. They're the reasons I remember anyway!
That all being said, my second ceaser was COMPLETELY different! Same hospital, less than 18 months apart. #2 was with me the whole time after he came out (except when hubby took him so i could finish vomitting.. something that happened both c-sections right after bubs being "evicted"). I was b/feeding in recovery, and he was in my arms while i was transported from recovery to my room. The atmosphere was completely different. maybe coz it wasn't "emergency" and therefore, they didn't have the "rush" attitude... Mind you, i did have issues getting the spinal block in in the first place. 45 mins of repeatedly having needles pushed into your back is not my idea of fun!
All I can say is that no birth is the same, even with ceasers! Just be comfortable with your decision! I don't regret my ceaser, as it was the right thing for me at the time. I couldn't pick up #1 for a few weeks, but she survived.
That being said, I'm also all for vbac, and this time, I'll be attempting a vba2c! (well, assuming I don't talk myself out of it again!) The hospital isn't too encouraging this time around!

Good luck!

[Tegam]

I'll be attempting a vba2c!

Yay good luck

[Me+him+bub]

I am VBACing hopefully anyday now, my reason was the recovery time especially with another child to chase after this time and also the bonding issues I had with my DS and the trouble I had with breastfeeding, I also was very emotionally traumatised with my CS and want to feel accomplishment this time. whatever you choose YOU have to feel good about. best of luck!

[Purple Penguin]

My first was an emergency c-section, it was incredibly traumatising for me and I ended up with PND and PTSD, 2nd time round I had an elective c-section because it was 'better' for my mental health, I was absolutely terrified of the though of going through another labour, but that is just my story, good luck with whatever you decide.

[Jakabella]

My Dd was an emergency c-sect after failure to progress and it was actually a great experiance! The staff were wonderful and DD did not leave my arms from the minute she was bought into the world! I was in hossy for 4 days after and when I went home I was walking fine and only on panadol, I was given the clear to drive 2 weeks latter so I was very lucky and had a great recovery!

DS was a successful VBAC and again it was a wonderful experiance and again DS didn't leave my arms from the moment he popped out! I did have a 3rd degree tear that took 45 mins to stitch up but I was out of bed after 2 hrs rest and was home 12hrs latter.. That's the main difference for me! I wanted a VBAC to prove my body could do it and also to be able to play with DD earlier!
What ever you decide make sure it's your decision! Good luck xo

[glenny_c]

I think at the moment the one thing that worries me about VBAC is the risk of emergency c-section. I would rather have a planned c-section than an emergency one and the percentages of attempted VBAcers who end up with emergency surgery is scary!