In 2 minds - VBAC or ECS

[SmartieMeUp]

With my first EMCS I was petrified and felt wasted. I had a 43 hour labour to be told that I had no chance of giving birth naturally in the end when it could have saved me all the pain and exhaustion. I felt even more gutted and disappointed in myself as I couldn't have a natural birth. I thought I failed as a mother.

I was all for a VBAC until recently. I've pointed out pros and cons to each birth with OH.

CS​

Pros:
- Easy and almost straight forward
- Have a "due date"
- OH can book his paternity leave knowing it won't be wasted waiting for baby to come

Cons:
- I have a 3 year old to run around after plus Summer holidays will be coming up
- I have to stay in hospital on my own for 2-3 days
- I had a bad reaction to the previous anaesthetic
- Recovery isn't as quick

Natural​

Pros:
- I get to experience natural birth
- I'm not as restricted during the recovery time nor will I deal with much after pain
- If there's no complications then I'd be able to go home that day (depending on time)

Cons:
- I don't know when labour will start thus meaning OH could have wasted a week of his paternity for instance before baby has even arrived
- Could result into another complicated birth even after an all clear then end up with another section.


Is there anything else that I should take into consideration?

 

[coz]

Hey I will be following your post, i had an ECS with my 6 year old and im stuck on what to do but im pretty sure my mind is going for another c section x

 

[SmartieMeUp]

Thank you! Throw in some ideas too

I was adamant on a VBAC but an elective makes so much more sense. If I knew when I'd go into labour and able to speed it up, I'd be more positive about the VBAC. My scar was a worry despite it being 45 months old.

I handled my labour pretty well, and I somehow miss that feeling putting the pain aside. It's also given me a heads up that on what else I could do or change if I went into natural labour again. I was 3 days over with DD but it's a big risk doing it that way again x

 

[SurpriseBub]

In your position I think that my primary deciding factor would be why you had the first c/s. Was it just all those circumstances together? Or was it baby's position? Or was your body a contributing factor at all? I think if the odds were That it was fairly likely I would need a second c/s, then I would opt for an elective one now. (FYI- In any situation I am the kind to would choose the calm, collected, organized option every time ) but, if you really want to try again, and medical advice says it would likely be a success, then there are positives to going naturally. Nobody can decide but you. Talk to your oh, your doc and weigh it up (just as you are doing!)

Ps. How far along are you? If you have time, then just put the decision on the back burner for a while and maybe the right answer will just present itself

 

[SmartieMeUp]

In your position I think that my primary deciding factor would be why you had the first c/s. Was it just all those circumstances together? Or was it baby's position? Or was your body a contributing factor at all? I think if the odds were That it was fairly likely I would need a second c/s, then I would opt for an elective one now. (FYI- In any situation I am the kind to would choose the calm, collected, organized option every time ) but, if you really want to try again, and medical advice says it would likely be a success, then there are positives to going naturally. Nobody can decide but you. Talk to your oh, your doc and weigh it up (just as you are doing!)

Ps. How far along are you? If you have time, then just put the decision on the back burner for a while and maybe the right answer will just present itself

Well I had a slow progression and I merely thought that was down to not allowed to be given any gas and air until I was 6cm and moved to the delivery ward so I was unable to let my body relax. Once I hit 6cm I dilated to 8cm in about 4-5 hours IRC. I was offered to be stretched to 9cm but then told baby was stuck in my pelvis (reason I had no chance of natural birth), and her oxygen levels had to be checked 5 times. She released meconium inside me prior and become stressed which is when they rushed me into theatre.

MW told me not to make any birthing plan as a doc will decide my final options at 34-36 weeks, unless baby is breech at 28 weeks in which I have no other option but ECS, even though DD was frank breech and turned herself at 32.

I'm 18+3 but I'm wanting to prepare myself either way, so anything I can do to encourage a VBAC, I would like to start as early as possible for a head start.

 

[SurpriseBub]

28 weeks seem so early for a final decision if baby is breech! My baby was breech at 33, turned at 35. (I was a bit shocked to be going from thinking I was having a c/s back to natural!)

It seems like there are a lot of outside factors... So, you could just try and be open to both and take whichever fate deals you?

 

[coz]

Thank you! Throw in some ideas too

I was adamant on a VBAC but an elective makes so much more sense. If I knew when I'd go into labour and able to speed it up, I'd be more positive about the VBAC. My scar was a worry despite it being 45 months old.

I handled my labour pretty well, and I somehow miss that feeling putting the pain aside. It's also given me a heads up that on what else I could do or change if I went into natural labour again. I was 3 days over with DD but it's a big risk doing it that way again x

I think im due the same day as you June 21st? LOL . With mine nothing seemed to happen naturally , cutting it short i was 10 days late they started me, started getting pains, broke my waters , only got to 3 cms, then the contractions were coming fast so asked for epidural but then his heart rate dropped dramatically so i was rushed into theatre, he was 8.15 born so im kinda glad im quite petite lol . For me a c section just seems where my heart is, my consultant said the risks outweigh each other and its up to me but i dont see him till 36 weeks. Have you spoke with your consultant ? x Just realised theres a days difference i saw your ticker lol

 

[x__amour]

I am pro-VBAC in the right (and safe!) scenarios. I would say if you can and are comfortable with it, go for it. If it fails, you know what to expect with a c-section. My failed VBAC/RCS was much smoother than my EMCS with DD.

 

[SmartieMeUp]

Yeah, I'm due 20th It's such a hard thing to decide, truth be told I was traumatised by my first and I've only just got my feeling back in my belly around the scar. It's had an odd numb sensation, but then I think that it could better by old scar too as they made quite a mess of it. If I knew it'd be a big baby I'd opt for elective, as I'm only petite myself plus 4'11 lol. I'd be more mentally prepared this time though, as I sort of know what to expect, just OH is terrified of it all after witnessing the first, he was scared of having a baby as it was let alone the rest of what came with it. I wasn't cared for as much before, during my operation nor after care, they were pretty rough and inconsiderate of me

If I went for a VBAC then I have this fantasy image in my head of an epidural at the beginning to quicken the labour and birth. I know it wouldn't happen like that If I could be induced between 39-40 weeks then that would side me with a VBAC too at least then I have a rough idea on when the baby would be born.

I'm due to speak to mine on 3rd Feb after I've had my anomaly scan.

I vaguely discussed it with MW on my first appointment and she said if all failed with a VBAC then I could be rushed into theatre within 5 minutes which scared me a little x

 

[kayleigh1985]

I'm having the same trouble trying to decide. My labour with DD ended in an emergency c-section after a 36 hour labour with just gas and air. I'm leaning towards a planned c-section this time as I know if I try to go naturally and it fails and I end up with a emergency c-section I will be deeply disappointed and think why the hell did I even bother. Also my DD spend her first night in neonatal as we both caught an infection due to my waters breaking 36 hours previously. Second night I had to ask the nurses to look after her as I was too exhausted to due to the long labour and surgery. I want it to be calm and relaxed this time round and to enjoy my first few days with my little boy which is why I think I'm going to opt for a c-section. I won't lie I'm absolutely terrified about a c-section as I will be more aware of what's happening this time.

 

[Tishybabe]

Hi ladies,

I've decided to have a C Section after an EMCS with DD. I'm one of the lucky few who had a short labour and I am average sized [5'6", athletic build], so my reasons for a section surprised me. Long story short, after an hour and a half of pushing, she had still not fully engaged in my pelvis because of her size [8lbs 3oz], and her heart rate was consistently dropping so they sent me in to have the section.

My OB advised against a VBAC because I have large babies, and because my scar may not be strong enough to withstand the contractions since my first section was only 15 months ago.

I strongly recommend taking the advice of your caregiver. But also to take your time, your pros and cons list is a great idea, and only you will know what is best for you and baby.

Congrats and good luck!

 

[Kalabear]

I just had my VBAC consultation for this current baby. She put me at a less than 50% chance of successful vbac. I'm torn.

Tishy, my drs reasons were exactly the same as yours! I will have 15 months between c/s and my baby was 8 lbs. 3 oz. my first c/s was because of breech presentation....never went into labor.

I'm still deciding...I think I will wait until my 30 week appt to decide. Good luck with your decision op!

 

[SmartieMeUp]

Well my consultant and surgeon is pushing me for a VBAC. He gave me more reassurance than MW tbh and looked at the positives. Going on previous birth weight, I should be able to go natural if DD2 is around the same weight too. I will be monitored and if any complications arise then it shall be another 'emergency' caesarean but seems that would be unlikely.

I will be scanned around 28-32 weeks and have another appointment in the post for my next assessment. Also, my appointment for induction is 23rd June (my first/original EDD).

What gave me a bit more light on a VBAC was the fact OH can start his paternity from the day I go into labour - that was my biggest worry.

This will be my last baby so a VBAC will mean a lot more to me.