positive c/s should I try VBAC?

[Lilli]

Hi,

I had an elective c/s two years ago coz my DD was breech, and it was a positive experience for me. Yes, there was some pain afterwards but it wasn't too bad -I recovered quite quickly and had no issues with bonding with DD or breast-feeding. I didn't feel disappointed giving birth this way- it was pretty much all good.

I am now pregnant with number two and my OB said she was happy for me to go either way - try for a natural birth (she thinks there is a 70% chance I would be able to succeed) or go for another c/s.

I don't know what to do - I know that natural birth is better in many ways - especially the fact you can pretty much get up n move around (this would be important for my two year old - but on the other hand I have heaps of family support too). I guess what is making me hesitant with a natural birth is FEAR - fear of tearing the uterus or getting messed up "under there". Also, I would be worried about the baby going in distress or cord being around neck.... so many variables (which I know could also happen with a c/s) and I think what I fear is the "unexpected". Also I would hate to go through labour n then have a c/s anyway.

My mum is so keen for me to experience "natural childbirth" - she says you can never recapure the immense euphoria you feel when the baby is delivered (I def. didn't have that with my c/s!). Hubby is supportive either way. I'm confused - having had a relatively positive c/s should I try for a VBAC?

[Jas]

I would personally say yes, I believe labour and vaginal birth is one of the most amazing experiences you can have, I believe it is bonding for you and your partner and also you and your baby.

I'm not saying a c/s can't be all of those things but there is nothing like the experience of natural child birth, I can't even come up with the words at the moment of how amazing I think it is so I will have to come back later but I wish you all the best in your decision

[paradise lost]

From the baby's POV vaginal birth will be the safest and most optimal type of birth so long as everything progresses normally. WIth a breech baby unless the labour is very fast (which you can't know in advance) or you have very calm, VERY experienced caregivers a c-section is usually safer than a VB due to the potential for complications. The same is not true of a vertex full-term baby.

A lot of us vaginal-birth-loving mama's (not all of whom had VB's i might add!) feel that VB is the best way to go because it's the way nature designed us to go. It carries the least risk and offers the best start (for normal healthy babies after normal uncomplicated pregnancies!) for mum and bub on their journey together.

Having said that, VB being safER doesn't mean cs isn't safe - it is, it's just not AS safe as VB in normal situations. Ultimately it's up to you, but if i were you i'd research the things you fear. For example - cord around the neck = VERY common and usually completely harmless. Cords that are so tight they cause problems are incredibly rare and baby almost always shows signs something is wrong in advance of anthing disastrous happening. It's useful to remember too that "distress" in this context is a medical term - lots of babies are born after being distressed perfectly healthy and vigorous, their vital signs show all is not normal, this doesn't mean they are necessarily enduring a terrible emotional upheaval and trauma too. My midwife has noted that often babies coming through pelvises with prominent ischial spines (little bony protruberances inside the pelvic canal) often have a few moments of what looks like severe distress - heartrate drops WAY down and stays - as they descend and rotate. She thinks the scraping against the ischial spines causes a vasovagal response (like a fainting attack in an older child or adult). Those babies, despite qualifying as very distressed in terms of vital signs, are usually born with apgars or 8-10. A lot of things that happen in nature we don't understand yet.

Maybe if you look at the SPECIFIC things you fear you will begin to see that VB is a more reasonable option, and maybe you won't. Don't know until you try hun

Bx

[Fleur]

I would say yes too.. but my decision to VBAC was made easier by the fact that I had already experienced 2 VBs. I didn't have a horror CS either but still preferred to VB.

One thing to keep in mind is that a VBAC is still considered somewhat safer for mum & bub than a repeat CS.
Also, if you choose a repeat CS then decide years later you want a VBA2C it will be just that bit harder to find an ob supportive of that.
As for going through labout & ending up with a CS... I think it would be ok if you were prepared for the possibility you know? I do think it would be a low likelihood.
There is really such a low risk of rupture, and as for other complications as you mentioned they can happen with a cS as well.

I think it really comes down to you... do you want the experience or do you think you can live without it? I think how you feel is probably the biggest consideration.. and not how your mum feels, although I understand where she is coming from, is love & consideration for you.

I think your best bet would be to read up on VBAC etc as much as possible so you know what you are facing either way before you make your decision.
As long as you are happy with your decision that is what matters most.
Wishing you all the best with your decision

ETA - Posted at the same time as Paradise lost, who mentioned the cord around the neck - what she says is very true that it is usually picked up on early on.
2 of my 4 babies had this, the first DD1 who had the cord cut shortly before being born. My caregivers were so calm about it & didn't even tell me until after it had been done. The second was DS2 who ended up being emergency CS - and I am simply grateful that we live & birth in a time where these things can be discovered & acted upon, and that the risk to mother & baby is so low. Also if you have a VBAC you will have some amount of monitoring - how much depends on your Dr - so anything like that will be picked up on quite quickly. This was of particular comfort to me after my Cs, I was happy to have the monitoring just something else to consider, it might not be so worrisome for you after all

[Hannahbanana]

My personal opinion is go for the VBAC.
My first DD was a breech baby and elective CS. It was a very positive experience and I have no bad feelings about her birth whatsoever. Bonded well and breastfed successfully with only a few attatchment issues at the start.
When pregnant with my DS I had the exact same feelings that you are having now and was mainly afraid of the unknown of a vaginal birth. My CS wasn't horrible so why try for a VBAC that could 'maybe' end horribily with tears and/or epsitomy. So I booked in another elective CS with the thoughts of if I went into labour I would give VBAC a go....never went into labour before my CS date at 39+2 so another CS, all positive no dramas and no bad feelings about his birth. Bonded well and breastfed without any hassles (until reflux reared it's ugly head).
After his birth and planning #3 I got to thinking about vaginal birth and did I really want to miss out on the experience. None of my friends had had CS's, actually at the time no one I knew had had one so I always felt left out of the conversation if it ever turned to birth. (Not that my friends VB experiences were wonderful, they all told a version of their horror story of birth). I also got to thinking about what I would tell my daughter about birth when the time comes for her to have babies, and I thought 'I won't be able to give her any advice because I don't know'.
So I read everything I could get my hand on about VBAC and educated myself about the birth process. All my fears about VBAC dissapeared. I knew I could do it. Knowing what is going to happen to my body and why it is going to happen and how it will help my baby be born was the key to gaining the confidence I needed to have my VBA2C.
DD#2 was a successful VBA2C and I felt fantastic afterwards, yeah there was some tearing but the endorfins that kicked in after I gave birth to her left me on a high for days and I was so proud of myself that I pretty much gave everyone who asked a blow by blow description of the birth. I never had that feeling after my 2 CS's.
Now I want to do it again so I can do it better and have those feelings again, but I have a lot of convincing to do if my DH is going to go for #4.

It is a very personal decision and things don't always go to plan - VBAC or CS, but have a good think about it before committing to another CS, because as one of the PP's said, finding someone to support a VBA2C is difficult if you change your mind after #2 is born.