Why did you choose a repeat C Section?

[Peg]

I didnt choose it for my first, i had an emergency c-sect after a 30 odd hour labor that was going nowhere....after 30 hours, i wasnt dissapointed in the c-sect...i was relieved! It was a hard recovery though because i had been in labor for so long. But i had no trouble bonding...all that came very naturally.

I didnt choose it for bub number two. I tried for a VBAC but again my cervix refused to open after 12 hours of an induced labor...so it was back into surgery for number 2 c-section. Again there was no dissapointment. I accepted it pretty well and a very experienced midwife explained to me why my cervix wouldnt open. Apparently its 'inverted' and so it doesnt open the way it should. No doctor ever told me that! Thanks to her i understood why I couldnt birth vaginally.

My third bub was an elective c-sect and I did choose it this time because I knew my body wouldnt birth and the most important thing for me was to know how this birth was going to happen. I felt in control and overall it was a positive birth experience. I was at the RWH in Melbourne and the recovery was much easier then the first two.

Will I choose it again? Yes. Definately bub number 4 will be by c-section...which will be in about 7 months time. Yay!

If you are confused about it...being in two minds is generally confusion...then you could go for a 'trial labor' and see if it progresses. The midwives will quickly inform you if its not progressing normally and you can have a c-sect. The choice is yours. However, the planned c-sect was an easier recovery then going thru labor first. Thats just something to keep in mind.

[Amity]

My XH chose it for me because it was more convenient for him, workwise. I didn't have a choice - he answered the question from the obstetrician.

I would have preferred to wait another week.

Just one of the reasons he's the XH...

[~Kim~]

After an emergency section with DD, my waters broke naturally with DS but nothing happened for 12 hours - nadda. So I chose to have him sectioned so that he would have any of the issues I had with DD's birth.
Like the other girls I felt in control of my choice. I was happy with the outcome. I knew how I wanted to feel and instructed the anaesthetist so.

[ladybird11]

How is the decision going MamaSpice?

[~mamaspice~]

How is the decision going MamaSpice?

Leesa, I've decided I'm not going to have a CS unless I feel it's really necessary. I've never even been in labour before so I have to give it a go if i can Plus I'd hate to go straight for a CS and have the same thing happen as last time - (the epi not working and the need for a general anaesthetic).

[skeetaboat]

There are lotsa reasons I choose a repeat c/s. I think a bit of 'better the devil I know' came into play, but these are the main reasons I chose a repeat c/s:

- the first one was fine, no probs.
- the VBAC clinic at my hospy had a 40% success rate - not very inspiring
- the hospy I went to had a 25% episiotomy and/or 3rd degree tear rate for VB births, also not very inspiring!! I was happy to take a 100% chance of stitches in my lower tummy over a 25% chance of stitches in my vjj.
- easier to plan for, arranging time off work for us both, etc.
- finishing pregnancy at 39 rather than 41 weeks
- 1 in 150 chance of uterine rupture is quite high to me - didn't want me & bubs to be the unlucky '1' (or 2 really) in that equation
- as a public patient, I didn't like the idea of not knowing my labour and birth attendants and not really being able to make a proper birth plan with someone I knew and trusted would respect it.
- and of course, no labour

Of course there were also cons to weigh up like giving bubs more time to cook, fear of the op whilst awake, increased risk of athsma for bubs, decreased mobility for the first 24-48 hours. However, overall I felt that my chances of a successful & happy VBAC weren't high enough for it to be worth fighting for, and there were enough pros that I was happy with my decision to go for another c/s.

So glad you've been able to come to a decision Mamaspice. Best of luck!

[{sarah}]

YAY MamaSpice. Can I recommend something for you now you've made you decision? Start reading!!! Get "Silent Knife" if you can, it's pretty expensive. Also New Active Birth & VBAC Companion. They are all fantastic & really really helpful for your preparation.

How exciting!!