VBAC or 2nd C'section - do I get a choice?

[Marysr]

A lot of it depends on whether you are a candidate for VBAC or not. Some women are, some aren't. If you are not, I think you can still opt to look for a midwife or doc who would do it, but most will not. Having a breech baby the first time, I believe, makes you a candidate but it's really up to your doc to decide.

I am not given a choice this time as my first labor resulted in a C-section (after almost pushing the baby out vaginally) that ruptured my uterus. Pushing another baby out again would be extremely risky and that's not my cup of tea. I think there's a time and a place where C-sections are absolutely the best possible decision. I really have no regrets about it at all.

 

[littleL]

I had emergency c section first time but they said @ my first scan that I can try for normal birth this time, unless anything changes towards the end. I'd rather try VB as I lost a lot of blood first time and took ages to recover, but will see. I'm not allowed to be induced though in case that ruptures the old scar.

Step SIL's mum had a c-section first but had no probs with VB for second so I have hope!

 

[m22b]

I had a semi emergency c/s the first time around. As it will only be about 14 months between deliveries my OB told me I have to have a repeat c/s. I wanted a VBAC but after discussing it over and over with my DH I gave up on the VBAC and have accepted the repeat c/s.

My OB does not do VBACs. Not one of the doctors in the practice does. It sucks too because the OB(not my normal OB due to the semi emergency) who performed my first c/s told me I was an ideal VBAC candidate as he was sewing me up. But I'm tired of butting heads with DH on the subject and I don't want to switch OBs.

 

[eldar]

It's interesting the differing replies to my question!

I have got my consultant appointment through and it's in a couple of weeks. I fully expect her to say I have to have a vbac as I met her last time and she was rather brisk and not very sympathetic (I didn't want to do the procedure when they try to turn the breech baby and she was a bit rude about my decision!) I think she will push me into a vbac I don't think I want.

What concerns me most is that the hospital has only 24% success rate of vbacs and the rest become emergency c' section - this is when the leaflet I got about it said that 75% of vbac are successful, er not at Winchester!

I don't want to go through hours of pain and worry in labour only to have an emergency c' section. If it is likely to end up as a c' section then I would like to schedule it as this is something I can mentally handle.

I'm also terrified of something awful happening to my scars during labour as the births are so close together! I have nightmares about both me and the baby being lost due to my scar rupturing when I am in labour.

 

[littleL]

I know it's easy to say but try not to worry, I have the same concerns though but my doc said because they know of previous c/s they will keep a closer eye on you during labour, make sure the scars are ok.

Where I am (in Suffolk) they don't seem to push one specific method on you, it's entirely your choice. All they do is give you information on either method and you can decide for yourself.
Didn't realise it's different around the country, but good luck!

 

[natlee]

my births will also be this close together and the scar rupturing is a very big worry to myself aswell, do you know of any cases of the scar rupturing im so worried about it i cant wait to see my consultant its playing on my mind all the time! i will have to remember to ask about my hospitals success rate of VBAC's, i cant beileve the leaflet says 75% when your hospitals success rate is so low compared to it! i too would prefer to have an elective cesarian if my hospitals success rate is that low because i would hate to go through another EMSC and end up not seeing my baby born again! x