Birth of second child. Should i have a csection

[Melster]

I was pretty confident that i would try and have a vaginal birth this time after having a c-section 2/121 years ago after my DD was born. I lost all my fluid and she ended up distressed and had an emergency C-section.

My ob said i can choose, but i think he would prefer me to have a c-section and he sounded concerned. I dont know if its easier for him because he can book me in etc.. or if he is really concerned about the scar etc...

Anyone have any advise. I dont want to put my baby at risk or go through a 10-20 hr labor to only have a emergency C-section anyways...but i would like to try and have a natural birth

Im in two minds....

thanks

[Arimeh]

I don't think anyone can (or should) tell you what to do, you gotta go with the option you feel most comfortable with.

Most women have to fight for their right to have a vbac though, which can be very discouraging, and a lot of risks and statistics are trotted out about how risky a vbac is, where in fact a second section has a greater risk to the mother and baby than a vbac does.

I'd suggest reading some books, pro-vbac, pro-section and some informative ones (so not biased towards either birth, just full of information) and then go from there!

[catetay]

My circumstances were a bit different, but i'm aiming for a VBAC this time for number three. My DD was breech, so we opted for a planned csection, but my DS was a normal delivery, so i know i can do it.
I've met no resistance for my VBAC, only support so far. My understanding is that there is actually only a very small risk of scar rupture, not that much more than for a first delivery; and if the circumstances surrounding your previous Csection are unlikely to reoccur, there should be no reason not to attempt it if that's what you want.
However, you have time to decide what you want to do and my main advice would be not to let your Dr book you into ANY decision until you are ready. His convenience has nothing to do with your decision. I'm sure others will reply with more detailed stats etc
Good luck HTH

[LizLemon]

I will be having a scheduled section for my second for a number of reasons. But some info I found helpful was on the emedicine (google it) website. Search for VBAC, and it even has a list of factors that mean you are more or less likely to be successful with a VBAC.

From memory there is also an article on uterine rupture and risk factors with that too.

Good luck with what is a hard decision.

[Arimeh]

I will be having a scheduled section for my second for a number of reasons. But some info I found helpful was on the emedicine (google it) website. Search for VBAC, and it even has a list of factors that mean you are more or less likely to be successful with a VBAC.
From memory there is also an article on uterine rupture and risk factors with that too.
Good luck with what is a hard decision.

I just read that information and just wanted to point out that the statistics listed are based on American hospitals and their outcomes. Australia has a better success rate with vbacs.

Plus, the use of oxytocin is not standard in our country when having a vbac delivery.

[LizLemon]

Yeah I know, but I couldn't find a similarly comprehensive site from Australia - if anyone knows of one please let me know. For what it's worth, I certainly didn't think its summary was anti v-bac.

[deesalie]

Personally, I'd be exploring further the reasons behind your DD's caesarean. Loosing fluid should not alone cause fetal distress... were there other circumstances that resulted in distress? Induction, constant monitoring, labouring in bed etc etc? You can request a copy of your hospital notes to explore this further.

As far as VBAC is concerned, the studies show that a vaginal birth is more favourable for the health of the baby and the mother. The risks of uterine rupture are low. It sounds like your Ob is using a few scare tactics. I'd recommend reading Silent Knife. It's all about VBAC & preventing caesarean.

What's your hospitals VBAC statistics? You can check at My Birth - Know your rights in labour. Protect your baby and protect your body. Get informed. Usually it's the policies of the hospital and the personal beliefs of the obstetricians that practise there that determine the success rate- not women's faulty bodies!

[wysiwyg]

Hi Melster - I am in similar situation am in two minds and I have decided not to make any decision till much later in the pregnancy - my hospital will want me to discuss at 36 weeks, so I have decided am not really going to think too much about it till then, I may look up a few facts and figures - in preparation, but I want to see what size and position the bub is in (bubs position resulted in my DD's emergency C-Section). I figure I could agonize now over how to deliver only to find bubs is a frank breech or something in which case would be a c-section so I may as well wait till later. This works for me because am a go with the flow sort of person and thinking too much about it won't help me achieve a natural birth (which is ideally what I would like) - but I know for other people they need to decide and then focus on it.

[Melster]

Thanks Ladies ...loads to think about.

I had DD 3 weeks early when i attended my 37 week appointment with the "call in" ob..he scanned me and i had no fluid left around the baby ( previously they thought i had some issues thought i had pre ecl, and i also thought i had been loosing my fluid but had gone to the hosptial to be checked and nothing) so he sent me straight up around lunch and i had the drip and he broke my water. By 10pm that night she was too distressed and had the emergency Ceaser.

It will be 3 years later after my DD, does time make a difference on the scar? He said i can try for natural but i think he is favouring ceaser. He said if i have any dramas and need an emergency ceaser he will have to transfer me to the public hospital in town and deliver the baby there (think there more equipt)

I have been reading up but still dont know....it says that after a ceaser they wont induce you if you're late and you will have to have a ceaser anyways......i think i will have to sit on it for a bit...