Unsure if I should attempt VBAC or repeat C-Section

[Mummy2one]

Hello

I will be 34 weeks pregnant tomorrow, and have been having some dramas since December, my internal os (cervix) is funneling and as of 2 weeks ago only 9mm of internal os is remaining and membranes are bulging 25%.
I have another u/s tomorrow to check whats going on, and if any significant change I will be admitted to hospital until bubs arrives.
I originally thought I would have a repeat c-section due to having a very long / traumatic labour with DD1, but my ob spoke to me last week about perhaps trying for a VBAC as she thinks with my internal os funneling and not much remaining it may be a quick labour from start to finish. I have my reservations and that's why I would like some opinions from you ladies on this forum.

My main concerns are:

Attempting to VBAC and not progressing and having another emergency c-section
being cut or tearing down below and requiring stitches. My understanding is it is excruciating if u tear down there. (I recovered extremely well with c-section - had DD1 Thursday arvo and was home Sunday and not on any pain medication)
Would having an epidural be ok if attempting VBAC? I dont think I could do it otherwise.
Bubs position is spine facing my spine, like DD1, and I found this extremely painful to say the least.
Scar Rupturing.

I have researched on google, but it seems to only tell you the worst case scenarios, so am bit scared.

So, please tell me your opinions, experiences etc.

Look forward to some feedback

[*Sparklez*]

hun i think u have great concerns i have never had a c/s but i know that usually the second labour is alot more settled compared to the first ur body is more educated on the going on's..
is there a reason u laboured so long? was she stuck at all?
as for the spine side i had 2 boys do the same n i was induced with both.. they can sometimes turn over during contractions so try n remain positive that bubs will try help u out..
i cant tell u what to do n i hope u do whats best for u but i would prob try the vbac n see how u go im pretty sure they will be monitoring u alot more then usual n they willa ssist u in every way they can..
as for tearing etc.. if u do what is instructed n go with the flow which i know can be hard sometimes u shouldnt have an issue tearing isnt really that bad ive heard n if u didnt have much pain from a c/s u should be laughing...
i think u need to talk to ur ob abit more n express ur concerns.. so that way u can gather alot more info n be more comfortable with ur decision..
worst thing is too make a decision when ur not informed properly n when ur scared of the what if's.. iykwim
GL in what ever u decide...

[diva det]

good luck with your decision
ultimately its your body and you do what you feel comfortable with the most!!
There is heaps of reseach out there to point you or sway you, and there are plenty of VBAC stories and attempted VBAC stories as well! Read them for a different perspective, but its your story and you write it the way you want it to go!!!!

FWIW I had a VBAC and it was awesome, but I think what helped it go so well was that I was 100% behind it, and circumstances allowed it to go the way I wanted it too.
Whether its through the sunroof or out the boot- as long as bubs and you are fine- that is what matters in the end!!
good luck

[Arimeh]

I agree with everything Det says. I had my VBA2C because its what I wanted, I was passionate about never having another c-section.

FWIW, there are things you can do in your position. Check out spinning babies website to turn your baby into a more optimal position instead of being a posterior bub. Do some perineal massage in preparation for birth because that can help natural tearing. Birth in water and birthing position helps with tearing as well. You may not tear - not everyone does. I had two small tears (up and down) and I never felt them during or after birth (except whilst doing a wee - that stings a bit). I didn't need stitches.

If you have an epidural during a VBAC (which mostly aren't recommended) you will be on constant monitoring and on a bed - which increases your risk of rupture AND the risk of a repeat c-section. You could try a hypnobirthing course or a calmbirth course to help with any fears relating to the pain of labour, or to help you cope during the contractions.

Its totally your decision - but there are things that can be done to get rid of some of your fears.

All the best!

[Fleur]

As the others have said, it's your choice, ultimately it has to be what you are comfortable with.

Some thoughts on your situation....
Attempting to VBAC and not progressing and having another emergency c-section It's a worry for any VBACer I think..... Talk to your dr & find out what kind of progress they want to see from you. It sounds as though it may not be a worry after all?
I do actually think this is important; there is no problem with attempting a VBAC (it's actually of great benefit to your baby) BUT how it impacts on you emotionally does matter a great deal. This is something you need to decide

being cut or tearing down below and requiring stitches. My understanding is it is excruciating if u tear down there. (I recovered extremely well with c-section - had DD1 Thursday arvo and was home Sunday and not on any pain medication)
FWIW I suffered a 2nd degree tear with my VBAC and was still more comfortable after that, then after my CS. I was refusing my pain meds after a day, and sitting & moving comfortably after two or three. I had a pretty good recovery with my CS too, was out after 2.5 days; but it's an operation and it's rough on your body regardless. Actually the grazes I suffered with my first labour were a PITA for longer than my tear. Everyone has different experiences in this respect (you may not tear at all )

Would having an epidural be ok if attempting VBAC? I dont think I could do it otherwise. Most obs won't recommend an epidural, for all the reasons Arimeh's Eden mentioned, although there can be exceptions. But, there are all kinds of other things you can do to help cope with the pain, an epidural is far from the only option.

Scar Rupturing. The risk of actual scar rupture in a VBAC is between 0.3 - 0.7 % I think (someone can clarify for me? ) - very small. It's about the same risk of rupture as a first time mother being induced with synto has.
This was probably my biggest worry with my VBAC but I read up on what to look for, plus I had monitoring (a bit more than I wanted, lol) and i felt comfortable that if things did go pear shaped we would be able to deal with it. Don't forget, if a VBAC was really that risky we wouldn't get the choice

It can be a bit confronting, especially if you're just looking at it now, at 34 weeks. I wish you the best with your decision; it's a personal choice and only you can make the one that is right for you. Good luck