V-bac after 2 csections

[Septie]

Sorry for not replying earlier - I am no longer on the pregnancy boards a lot...They never discovered my uterine window until the section itself - even though I had a lot of ultrasounds throughout the pregnancy due to my age!!
Oh, and like Itsychik, my first baby had the cord wrapped around his neck multiple times, which also could have caused problems during labor if I hadn't had a section for other reasons. That's in addition to the knot in the cord with my third.
I should mention that my recovery the third time around wasn't that great compared to my first two...but during my third section, I was allowed to see the birth AND to breastfeed and hold my son while they were still working on me. It was really amazing.

 

[Boo44]

The risks are very low compared to the risks of a c-section and ANYONE willing to deny that is not educated. Any ob when asked, will tell you the main risk of vbac is uterine rupture which is quite small 0.7-2% risk, BUT of that 0.7-2% only a very very small percentage of them are catastrophic (loss of baby or mother). On the other hand the risk of c-section (and you sign a form stating you are aware of these at the time) are incredible, injury to organs, bowel perforation, uterine rupture, injury to baby, hemorrhage, hysterectomy, blood clot, embolism, stroke, death, sids risk is higher in c-section babies, the risks go on and on, especially if you are planning more children, risks of placenta accreta and other issues raise!.
Educate yourself with real statistics, not stories from people who "know of someone that..." or from fearful obs. Many obs arent willing to take the risks due to their steep insurance costs and risk of malpractice. Seek a midwife that has seen many vbacs, even if you want an ob with hospital birth (which I've chosen because that's where I feel more comfortable for my vbac ) but if nothing else a midwife can share some information with you.
Many drs will tell you because you had a "failure to descend" that you probably have cpd (cephalo-pelvic disproportion) where baby can't descend because the head is too big to fit in the birth canal or pelvis. True cpd is rare.

My point is, educate yourself on everything. What happened in your other labors, what you can do now to prepare, what the real statistics are and what the TRUE risks are. AND not only what is best for you but also baby. Even if you find a dr willing to allow you a TOLAC (trial of labor after c-section) the hormones released are good for the baby and help your baby prepare for the outside world.

I personally am choosing to vbac this time. I had a c-section with my daughter after the "cascade of interventions". I've been studying non stop and I've interviewed 12 obstetricians and 3 midwives in the greater Houston area. I've seen the literature, I've learned and begun to understand the human body and how labor works. I'm taking many steps this time to ensure I've done everything possible to get have a vbac. I'm eating healthy, exercising and staying very fit, stretching and yoga, regular chiropractic care, healthy pregnancy weight gain (25-35 lbs total, more like 20-25 lbs for me personally because I'm so small already 93 lbs prepregnancy so I don't need to gain as much as others). All these things can make a difference. Especially chiropractic care, making sure your spine and pelvis are in perfect alignment.

I hope some of this information is helpful. Ultimately it is up to you to find out the real facts and make the best decision for you and your baby! Good luck!!!!

I think you run the risk of being too pro VBAC and anti C-section here, I understand that for YOU that might be the preference but it simply isn't true that it's soooo much safer for everyone.

Can I ask how exactly a Caesarean section specifically increases the risk of uterine rupture as you mentioned in your list? Surely the whole idea of a section is to 'rupture' the uterus and get the baby out!

I have had 2 sections, my first was at 10cm after 2 hours of pushing and an unsuccessful attempt at keillands forceps to turn my baby from OP position. I was extremely pro VBAC second time and thought I was ideal candidate having experienced full labour. Indeed second time I laboured like a parous person, and very quickly got to full dilation again. Sadly at this stage I had a bleed and my baby went into bradycardia, so I was delivered in the end by a crash C-section under general anaesthetic again despite experiencing the whole of the labour right up to the pushing point. I know the RCOG guidelines for VBAC like the back of my hand and they do endorse VBAC after 2 sections in selected patients. However I don't feel it is right for ME. My husband was traumatised after the last delivery and wouldn't contemplate the thought again never mind anything else! If I really wanted to I'm sure my consultant would support me, but I've chosen a planned delivery this time.

Caesareans are performed multiple times per day and complications are very low. Yes you can form a long list, but then you can form a long list for a tooth removal or any kind of surgery. And I agree with a PP that ELECTIVE section complications are significantly lower than EMERGENCY section complications and that is crucial. Haemorrhage, thromboembolism, hysterectomy etc etc are also complications of vaginal delivery.

I wish you luck with your chosen route just like everyone else and just feel it's important to note that rupture risk is very low in VBAC and complication rate is low in elective section too, so women should feel perfectly safe choosing whichever is best for them

 

[pinkpassion]

Wow.. Defensive much?!

I stated perfectly WELL AND CLEAR in my posts that no matter WHAT a woman chooses I ALWAYS side with healthy mom and healthy baby no matter WHAT way the baby comes out.. I PERSONALLY have looked at all the risks and know that vbac is the best option to TRY for ME!!! And I know I stated that well and clear.

For you to say that I am pro vbac and anti-c-section is a load of BULL.. You don't know me. I'm defending vbac because everyone goes on and on about the risks of vbac and NO ONE EVER lists the risks of c-section! I literally just sat with my friend who was in labor for 18 hours and encouraged her after 4 hours of pushing that possibly a c-section was the best for her at that time!! There are numerous stories of women going in for elective c-sections and not coming out. I'm sorry you got your feelings hurt over what I said and maybe that's some unresolved issues on your part. BUT everything I stated is true. If it wasn't you wouldn't have to sign all the forms stating so during a c-section elective or emergency.

Yes I will ATTEMPT my vbac but if any time my baby or myself is in danger you better believe I'll be in the OR faster than anyone else and I won't feel bad about my decision to try for a vbac.

 

[pinkpassion]

This literally just happened December 30th 2015.. routine scheduled c-section!!

https://www.wnem.com/story/30914193/woman-dies-during-c-section

 

[Boo44]

Haha who's the defensive one now?! I'm very pro VBAC I think it's the best way for most people who've had one section. I was stating that you can list risks for either method actually!

 

[Boo44]

This literally just happened December 30th 2015.. routine scheduled c-section!!

https://www.wnem.com/story/30914193/woman-dies-during-c-section

What were you just saying about not coming across anti C-section?!

This is why I commented on this thread in the first place - this is just scaremongering. Plenty have died in natural labour and plenty have died in sections. Doesn't mean everyone does. We need to be impartial for people trying to make a decision

 

[pinkpassion]

I am simply stating stats for vbac and stating the REAL risks of c-section since everyone seems to downplay that!!

You can't play up one side and downplay the other. I haven't done that here.

You can't list the risks of one without listing the risks of the other! YOU CAN'T!!

 

[pinkpassion]

The thing is you have to look at the statistics.

Statistically you are more likely to die from a c-section than you are from a vaginal birth either first time or even after a c-section! Those are the numbers. I didn't make them up!

 

[Boo44]

I didn't!

 

[laila 44]

Ouff not sure I want to hear about women dying in csections as I will be having my third I actually know of someone who passed away in a vaginal delivery due to embolism so it really can happen to anyone. Csection is really quite routine. I'd be more weary of dying in a car accident during a snow storm

 

[pinkpassion]

Nobody wants to hear about it.. but it DOES happen. I'm just saying women who are asking for information should be given BOTH sides not just one.

Women die in ALL labor scenarios. it's true!! You can find a scary story for anything. But you can't sugar coat c-section because it in fact has many more risks than vaginal births!! (And I'm not saying for everyone) You laila actually said you have placenta accreta, well you should never attempt a vaginal birth with that, so your risks are higher in a vaginal birth. I simply said in my first post... AND I QUOTE: "My point is, educate yourself on everything. What happened in your other labors, what you can do now to prepare, what the real statistics are and what the TRUE risks are. AND not only what is best for you but also baby."
And from my next post " That is why a woman has to decide which risks they would like to take, vbac vs c-section, and based on the current pregnancy and past labors, what is best for you!!
There really is no judgement from me. My only concern is for a healthy baby, healthy Mother. Period. How that happens in the end is irrelevant!!!"

 

[Boo44]

pinkpassion if you would just take a second and really read what other people have written, we have all said that BOTH methods have risks and that the healthy outcome for mother and baby is the most important. There is no arguement here!

 

[laila 44]

Nobody wants to hear about it.. but it DOES happen. I'm just saying women who are asking for information should be given BOTH sides not just one.

Women die in ALL labor scenarios. it's true!! You can find a scary story for anything. But you can't sugar coat c-section because it in fact has many more risks than vaginal births!! (And I'm not saying for everyone) You laila actually said you have placenta accreta, well you should never attempt a vaginal birth with that, so your risks are higher in a vaginal birth. I simply said in my first post... AND I QUOTE: "My point is, educate yourself on everything. What happened in your other labors, what you can do now to prepare, what the real statistics are and what the TRUE risks are. AND not only what is best for you but also baby."
And from my next post " That is why a woman has to decide which risks they would like to take, vbac vs c-section, and based on the current pregnancy and past labors, what is best for you!!
There really is no judgement from me. My only concern is for a healthy baby, healthy Mother. Period. How that happens in the end is irrelevant!!!"

For sure! But I considered a vbac with my second and decided the risks didn't outweigh the benefits for ME. So I would never have a vbac regardless. I could care less about attempting a vagibal birth and I'm quite happy with my csections I have my reasons to think that way too. Both sides have risks I agree

 

[laila 44]

I actually think that sometimes women get so darn caught up in their quest for a vbac that they get totally blindsided to what is really best for them and their scenarios. There are reasons why we ended up in csections in the first place. Of all the ppl I know who attempted a vbac only 2 were successful. It does have a high failure rate and for me I just don't see the point. too many times it becomes a personal vendetta... Not saying this is your case at all pink passion I'm just merely stating my thoughts on the matter. Often times csections are made out to be the worst thing ever and honestly they are really really not. Personally, I'd choose a csection anyday over ripping from one end to another but again that's just me xx

 

[pinkpassion]

And it is a personal decision. You made yours just like anyone.

Statistics show that people who attempt a vbac are 60-80% successful! It all depends on the individual case though.

I don't think for all women it's a personal vendetta. I used to see it that way too. And I actually said I would have an elcs and didn't want to go through vbac or anything. But as time has gone on and I've actually researched it and the benefits to vaginal birth I want that. Doesn't mean I'll get it, just means I'll do my very best to attempt it.

I don't think it's fair to say that because you ended up with a c-section the first time that you aren't considering what's best for you. Many people succumb to the "cascade of interventions" because we have become so set on times and progress in a particular time frame and Ob's schedules that we try to hurry along something that is actually a long process (not for everyone but many times a labor can go on for many days , very safely). Others have had to have a c-section due to breech presentation or other factors that pertain to that particular pregnancy and likely won't happen again!

There are people on both sides of the fence that are very passionate about what they believe to be the best. Why can't we step off our pedastools for a moment and try to understand someones reasonings for doing something they feel is best?! If someone says I prefer a c-section, then I say ok. If someone says I want to attempt a vbac, then I say ok. But if they ask, like OP, I think ALL the information needs to be laid out, and not information from people who "heard" this or that. Real medical statistics and information! And that's what I have done!