VBAC vs C/S- What swayed your decision?

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.

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" :rofl: It didn't even occur to me until a week or so later that I had successfully had a VBAC :rofl:

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

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 :)

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

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

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

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Snap kitty

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

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

Haha Glenny I couldn't leave you hanging! :bump:

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.

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

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!

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

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! :p
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!

:)

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I'll be attempting a vba2c! :)

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Yay good luck :)

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!

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.

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

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!

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........ the percentages of attempted VBAcers who end up with emergency surgery is scary!

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I would be interested in seeing your info on this because I have always heard the opposite, so if you can pm me this information that would be really good. Maybe start a new thread and ask a Mod to Poll it and see how many attempted VBAC'ers here ended up with another E-C-Section:dunno: I for one would be very interested to see the results.

The offer for you to borrow "Silent Knife" still stands.

Good luck with your C-section :D

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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!

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My ob said that 75-80% of his attempted VBACers were successful and didn't need another c/s. And that's in an area and with a private hospital that generally has dreadful stats on intervention and c/s. In fact, the hospital policies were what put me off trying for a VBAC in the hospital in the first place (I'm having a homebirth).

Check with your care provider as to how many of their VBACs are successful. It will either give you a good idea of how supportive of VBAC they really are, or at least how they compare to others in your area. Ask around, others in the field are likely to know who has a good reputation for a VBAC or not. M/ws are usually a great source of info!

Thank you girls. I definitely have some more work to do!

NaeNae- I have PM'd you

As I said to NaeNae- I think my main issue is that I have lost all faith in my body's ability after dd's birth. So when I see stats I immediately put myself on the neg side of them.

According to my OB the VBAC success rate in Australia is around 50-60%. But he said world wide it is more like 70-75%.

Hi,
I have been struggling with a similar decision.

DS was born by emergency cs after labour failed to progress (I was induced after my waters broke but not contractions). I was mentally and physically very exhausted after the event, having not really slept for 48hrs by the time my DS was born. I think that this contributed to my BF issues and to some extent my PND (although there was lots of other factors as well).

Now pg with DS #2, another emergency cs is my least prefered option of giving birth. So I'm having to decide if I try for a VBAC or if I go for an elective cs. I guess for me there are a few confounding factors in that my ob will not let my pg go past 40wks due to health reasons (so at 40 wks I would be booked in for a cs anyway if I decided to try for VBAC but dont go into labour before 40wks). I also have a low placenta, and a scan at 34wks will determin if it is still low and if so, that will prob mean that I have no choice but a cs.

However, ignorning all the other factors, I've still been grappling with what decision to make. My ob is pro a repeat cs. I would like to birth naturally, but do not want to end up having to have an emergency cs. I am concerned about the public perception of 'elective cs' (and in some ways just hope that my placenta is still low so that the decision is taking out of my hands - how bad is that!). My gut feel is that I will go with an elective cs, even knowing the risks. I guess I dont trust that the outcome will be different from last time if I do attempt VBAC.

Not sure if this will have helped at all, but good luck in your decision.

FG

farmgirl: I had grade 2 placenta previa and had one last scan at 36 weeks and placenta was totally out of the way, don't give up just yet!

glenny c: How are you going?

I'm ok thanks hon. Still undecided but I've decided not to let it stress me, I've got plenty of time to make the decision but I need to relax about it. I've been stressing so much I'm not sleeping which is crazy. My dd deserves better than a stressed out mum.

Hey Glenny when you get back from OS think more about it.


I'll be your doula if you want one ;)

I can also be your student midwife too! i start my midwifery masters in Jan, I am sure Tegam and I could help you through either way ;)

My first ds was delivered by emergency c-section after failure to progress. He was so stuck that he never desended. I was 3cm when I arrived at hospital for my induction and I was 3cm when I went down to the theatre to have him 9hrs later.

With my second DS I considered VBAC but when I took into account my previous labour, my small pelvis, my ability to produce big babies combined with my mother's history of not quite dialating enough I decided that I would have a 2nd c-section. By c-section was great. I had my ds2 and my DH in the theater with me the entire time and in recovery (unlike with DS1) and my physical recovery was fantastic. I went home from hospital 5 days later with no painkillers and really had no dramas, even when dealing with my 2yr old. I just told him I couldn't pick him up cause I had a sore tummy and I got down to him as much as I could :D

Whatever decision you make, remember that it's your decision and you should never feel bad for making the best decision for you and your baby.

Thank you MelbourneMumma.

and thanks Tegam and Me + him- So much support, I feel really touched. xx

The best shower of my life was after giving birth to my DS2 !!
I stood there in the birthing room with water dripping over my body thinking OMG I have done it!!
I cant believe I have just given birth an hour ago and now I am having a shower & walking around!!

My DS1 was an emergency cs after an induction at 13 days ++ and in distress at 6cm

My DS2 arrived with no drugs and I was fully dialated when i got to hospital about 4 1/2 hours of labour

My bubs are 22 months apart.

Saying that I was prepared to have a cs if i didnt go into labour naturally as i couldnt be induced and my OB was going
to give me 1 week over - so i was the most nervous about actually going into labour - i wondered if my body would do that
- acupuncture!!! and a pregnancy massage did the trick!!
But at the end of the day - I think each baby and labour is different and if your baby is going to come it will of its own accord-
I decided that i wanted to give my body achance to have this baby by vb and if it didnt happen i was at peace with another cs
- so glad i gave my body the opportunity to do what it was meant to do..
So Glenny your decision is yours just be at peace with whatever youdecide and you cant go wrong xo

I would have definitely tried for a VBAC with my DS4 and I tried many avenues to try and get one but unfortunately due to the fact I had to have a classical c-section with DD3 no doctor would let me try.
I soon accepted that is the way it would be and was ok with it.
Even though it was another emergency c-section it was a lot better than my first.

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Whatever decision you make, remember that it's your decision and you should never feel bad for making the best decision for you and your baby.

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I agree!

Hi Glenny

I am in the same situation as you. I had an emergency c-section with my DS and my babies will be 16mths apart. I laboured all day and was fully dialated but he wouldn't come down. They are happy for me to try for a VBAC with lots of monitoring and I have to go to a different hospital, but numerous midwives and doctors have said that it is highly likely I have an incompentent pelvis. They can't guarantee that it wont happen to me again. I would really like to have a natural birth, but I have to consider that I could end up having a emergency c-section again. I had a lot of trouble with my milk coming in with DS and although I didn't find the recovery that bad. I know it would be a lot better if I just had the c-section and not the labour and lack of sleep before hand. I don't like the fact that I wont be able to pick up my son after the c-section, but I know that with my supportive DH being home with me, all will be okay.
Good luck with your decision and do what feels right for you not what others think you should do.