I have a lot to decide, to C-section again or go natural?

[AlwaysPraying]

My son is 20 months and I had a c section with him. I was 7 days overdue and went into the hospital in labour. They broke my water to help it along because they were going to induce me anyways. Then they started me on a drip. I had very hard labour for 30 hours and dilated 1-2 cm at a time and only got to 6cm total. At 30 hours they suggested an epidural to give me a break and then I laboured for the next 9 hours in much less pain. Because it took me 38 hours to get to 6cm they said that they couldn't even guess how long it would take to get to 10cm, and they were worried I wouldn't have the energy to push because my labour was so intense up to that point. So, I went in for a section and all was well.

Now I'm 9 weeks pregnant and just talked with my OB. He said based on my last pregnancy that I have a 50-50 chance of delivering naturally this time if I wanted to. The only thing he said is that he will refuse to induce me, as he won't induce ever if there's been a previous section. So, I could likely end up in the same position of labouring forever and never fully dilating or who knows how I could end up.

He also said I could have a scheduled section pretty much whenever I wanted from 39 weeks on. Usually with a planned one they do it at 39 weeks to make sure they avoid a chance of labour. He said sometimes women choose to do it on the day they would have been inducted if labour never happened by then, so at 41 weeks for example.

So, I'm left with lots of decisions and don't know what to do. I don't want to end up in the same position as last time, it was horrific. I think the induction was what was horrible, it was 30 hours of contractions that were just on top of each other. Every 2 hours they said that they'd expect me to be 10cm because I was showing so much pain, 30 hours later and I was only 5cm. But IF IF IF I could go natural and have a natural birth, then yes, of course I'd love to do that. He talked about my uterus splitting and causing injury to myself or baby as a complication. And the complication of a section is of course is major surgery.

Any suggestions or thoughts would really help me figure it out. I know I've still got ages to think about it, but obviously I have to start thinking at some point.

 

[arj]

My 1st labor was 36 hours, slow progress, syntocinon drip, pushed for 3 hours, episiotomy and forceps.
My 2nd birth was 7 hours start to finish! I dilated from 4cm to 10cm with in an hour, still had to have episiotomy and ventouse tho.
3rd time round Im carrying twins and will attempt a vaginal, even tho most people would go for a C section given my bad history and the fact it's twins. I just dont want a long recovery.

If I were you and baby was head down and a good weight and not in a funny position, I'd try a natural birth.

 

[BlueHadeda]

I had a 10 hour labour, of which the last 5 hours were "fruitless". I stopped at 5cm dilation and that was it. So I got a c-section. The dr said that baby got stuck, since he was very big, and presented with his forehead first, as well as his back to my back. And I'm a very small person to begin with. So she told me that I can do a VBAC with my 2nd if she's measuring smaller on the ultrasound before birth. She thought it would've been successful. Though she also said she won't give an induction to someone that had a previous c-section. I never got the chance to try though, since I had other complications at 37 weeks that needed my baby to be taken out immediately to save her life. No time to wait for labour. I accepted it, but I still wish I had my VBAC, as baby turned out to be a whole kilogram less than her older brother was. I'm sure I could've dilated fully and pushed out such a small baby.

 

[Mallows]

I had a section with my first as I was 0% dilated and the induction did not work for me at all including the MW breaking my water, which just caused distress to the baby.

This time I have decided to try a VBAC but not sure if the same thing will happen again as this baby is not even engaged and I am near my due date, I will have to wait and see.

 

[AlwaysPraying]

Keep me posted!! I'm just so scared to go through the same thing as last time. It was so rough last time. It lasted so long and was so intense to just end in a section was tough.

I think though the real pain and inensity was because of the induction medication. Maybe if it was natural labour the pain wouldn't be so horrible? And if I never did proceed then I would get a c section anyways. I just learned there's a class you can take with our city for vbacs. Maybe I'll see what they can offer?

 

[cassarita]

I have to make the decision pretty soon here. I have an appointment with a specialist next month. My doctor did mention that because of the reason I had a c-section there might be a lesser chance of me being a good candidate for a vbac. I really don't know what to do. I just want the safest way for the baby to come out

 

[AlwaysPraying]

My dr told me that a c section is the safest for mom and baby if your already had one. Because it eliminates any surprises that may come from natural birth. My dr said that sections are the most common and one of the safest surgeries, so much that women are requesting them and it's hard to say no because it is so safe. He did say that in a third world country a c section is a death sentence for a mother but will help the child survive. It's that different from place to place.

Were in the same area so that's why I'm passing the info onto you. I'm not sure if it helps but for me facts and numbers help me decide.

 

[TTCinBC]

I just had my consult with my OB today and I was hoping for a vbac, but he of course had to give me the risks invovled and it freaked me out. I know he wasn't trying to, but it did.

I've still planned for a vbac, but now I'm having doubts. I didn't progress with my DD(4 yrs ago) I had 6 vaginal inductions, put on the drip and even though I was only 1-1/2 cms dilated, they broke my waters and still nothing. I didn't move any further then that.

His opinion isn't very high of my ability for success after my last birth, but is willing to let me try.

I'm more concerned about the risks to the baby if my uterus ruptures and the fact that it could take up to 30mins to get him out if I did have a rupture.

 

[arj]

I just had my consult with my OB today and I was hoping for a vbac, but he of course had to give me the risks invovled and it freaked me out. I know he wasn't trying to, but it did.

I've still planned for a vbac, but now I'm having doubts. I didn't progress with my DD(4 yrs ago) I had 6 vaginal inductions, put on the drip and even though I was only 1-1/2 cms dilated, they broke my waters and still nothing. I didn't move any further then that.

His opinion isn't very high of my ability for success after my last birth, but is willing to let me try.

I'm more concerned about the risks to the baby if my uterus ruptures and the fact that it could take up to 30mins to get him out if I did have a rupture.

My 1st labor was similar, it took 36 hours to dilate, even with my waters broken (they were green) and with a syntocinon drip in. After 3 hours pushing they forceped DD out as well as giving me an episiotiomy.

Second time round my body knew what to do and dilated from 3-4cm to 10cm with in an hour of breaking my waters! 7 hour labor start to finish (which included 2 hours pushing)!

Have you noticed a difference in Braxton Hicks at all this pregnancy compared to last?

 

[TTCinBC]

I'm not a 100% sure, but I think I have noticed a difference. I've been getting them since about 18 weeks. They weren't as much for a few weeks there after I went off work, but have since picked up recently and I've been having anywhere from 1-5 a day. Maybe even more some days depending on what I'm doing.

Is that a good indicator?

 

[arj]

Well with my 1st pregnancy I didnt even get one. Then second time round from 25 weeks I was getting them and dilated so much faster the second labor. Dont know if theres a correlation but I was amazed when my MW checked me and said I was 10 cm after only 5 hours of being in labor! And the strange thing was is that both labors hurt the same level, despite the fact that I was dilating so fast the second time round!

 

[TTCinBC]

I guess the part thats got me freaked out is the chance of rupture and what it would mean at my hospital. I think ive decided though, that Id like a consult with a second OB to jist get a second opinion really. Especially now that ive had time to think and do some reading.

Ive been feeling like my body is acting different in this pregnancy. I never had sore breasts with my DD and had milk production problems, this time my boobs STILL hurt at almost 30 weeks. Almost more then in the beginning. I also had MS this time around, ive develpoed spd from ky muscles relaxing toooo much.

I keep going back too, to rhe fact that I remember the pediatrician saying based on ther vernix on my DD she was 2 weeks early, yet 4 days past her due date. How big of a difference do you think that would have made with the inductions?

 

[AlwaysPraying]

My dr said the same thing about rupture. I guess though it is the truth. C section is technically thr safest way for second timers. Meaning that the risks are lower because the process of getting baby out is all controlled. And the safety of the c section is so high that the risks of surgery are incredibly low.

Of course a normal natural birth would be safer than a section but that can't be promised and that's where all the risks come from.

I'm 12 weeks and glad Im thinking about it now. I still have no idea!

 

[TTCinBC]

I only have about another month and a half to make my mind up. Which sounds like a long time, but it really isn't Especially since I want to see a second OB for another opinion.

I'm definitely thinking about the option of also scheduling my c-section for when I'm overdue and they'd want to induce me(which I won't do because it ups the risk) So i figure if I can get my mind around the risks of not getting him out fast enough, or another doctor can ease my mind that there is a way to help the react time, then I will give my body a chance to go into natural labor on it's own and if by 10days over due it still hasn't, then I'd have the c-section scheduled.

I'm not for sure on anything right now. I definitely need to do more reading and talk to my doctor and another OB.

But maybe the idea of having the c-section booked will put my mind at ease and it will allow my body to do what it needs to do because of lack of stress.

 

[AlwaysPraying]

I think that's a great idea. I'm considering the same thing. At least having a scheduled date and still give your body a chance to go naturally does seem like the best of all worlds.

I feel pressured and ive got months left! I understand how a month and a half seems like only a short time.

 

[TTCinBC]

yea, I probably would have started seriously thinking about my options earlier. But I didn't even have my consult with the OB until just yesterday.

Well just had my first growth scan and he's measuring 3lbs 7 oz at 29 weeks(tomorrow). I just did a quick search and from what I can see, that's pretty big for his gestational age. AND he's breech. Which I know can definitely change from now until then. But if he's going to be breech, that kind of puts the whole vbac thing to rest. And if he's going to be a big baby, well that might too. We will see how things are at my next scan on June 25th. If things are still the same, and he's breech and measuring big, then I will probably just do the scheduled c-section before my due date. But we'll see how it goes!

 

[arj]

A big breech baby would definitely call for a C section!

You will never know unless you try. I have been torn between C sec and natural with my twins, I am going for natural despite the fact that twin B is breech and the last two births were instrumental. But I feel like I have to give my body a chance, and if I end up with an EMCS then so be it.

Vernix can indicate babies that arent quite ready, but my second baby came at full term and was in the 9lbs and had some on him, he was more than ready! Inductions on a 1st time mum's cervix in my opinion is a recipe for disaster, specially if it is less than 41-42 weeks. My 1st labor was a disaster without being induced! My cervix was just clamped so tight, but second time round it was looser and stretchier.

Will you be checked for dilation? Have a look at natural dilation remedies such as accupressure on your hand, caulophyllum, and foot massage etc, as well as a sweep. All of which I will be doing this time round and did last time.

 

[TTCinBC]

A big breech baby would definitely call for a C section!

You will never know unless you try. I have been torn between C sec and natural with my twins, I am going for natural despite the fact that twin B is breech and the last two births were instrumental. But I feel like I have to give my body a chance, and if I end up with an EMCS then so be it.

Vernix can indicate babies that arent quite ready, but my second baby came at full term and was in the 9lbs and had some on him, he was more than ready! Inductions on a 1st time mum's cervix in my opinion is a recipe for disaster, specially if it is less than 41-42 weeks. My 1st labor was a disaster without being induced! My cervix was just clamped so tight, but second time round it was looser and stretchier.

Will you be checked for dilation? Have a look at natural dilation remedies such as accupressure on your hand, caulophyllum, and foot massage etc, as well as a sweep. All of which I will be doing this time round and did last time.

I don't think they do sweeps here. But they will start checking my cervix I think around 37 weeks? Can't remember, it's been a while. I'm planning on starting EPO pills this coming week and then at 36 weeks starting them vaginally. I've also been told RLT, but I read that that can bring on stronger then usual contractions, and I'm trying to avoid anything strong then my body would do on it's own. I've also got my birthing ball to sit on and have been thinking about the acupuncture too. A friend used it in Feb and labor started the next day.

What's caulophyllum though? I've never heard of it. I'm definitely willing to do everything I can that will give me body it's best chance.

I'm really beginning to believe that my DD was just not ready to come out and that's why I didn't dilate. She also had the cord around her neck too though, so that was the "main" reason it ended in c-section. Her heart rate went down with every mild contraction.

 

[AlwaysPraying]

I had three sweeps and they did nothing. Ended up in natural labour 7 days overdue then it stopped so they helped it along with breaking my water then a drip. My guy also had heart rate issues as my contractions were so strong it squeezed him and made his heart rate drop. He was monitored and was ok but I just wast progressing. I was on twice the normal medication for the induction so mine hurt really bad. Because baby was monitored they could keep adding and adding medication and they did. I still only got to 6 cm after 38 hours when they suggested I take the c section route. They were worried I wouldn't be physically able to push after such a hard labour especially considering I still had the other half of the way to go.

For me I'm ok with how I wound up in surgery. And I wonder if I'd just wind up there again. I may try natural because they won't induce me and it will actually be natural. And if I stop progressing like last time then there's my answer. But I'm not sure!!!!

 

[TTCinBC]

Yea, I'm not too sure which route to take either. I'm hoping when I speak with my doctor next week(thursday) she will be able to help me make a decision. Since my little guy is measuring on the bigger side, that could play into which route we decide on. Also, I had the tech take extra pictures of my c-section scar and told her I wanted to know more about it since it wasn't in the report last time. I'm just looking to find out how "sturdy" it looks. If there's any apparent weakness on it and what not. Because that will definitely influence my decision.