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

[eldar]

I'm popping over from 2nd tri to ask you lovely ladies a question that you may be better able to answer as you are further along in your pregnancies.

I was wondering if there were any other mummies out there who had a c'section,either elective or emergency, for their first baby? Are you being given a choice on how you have your second baby of either a Vbac or another section (elective this time round)? Or are you being told you have to have one or the other type of birth?

I had an elective c'section due to my baby being stubborn breech (wrong way up and very high up, no chance of turning or engaging). I am now pregnant with my second baby and there will only be 14 months between the births! I am not sure if I want a vbac or a c'section but I am being lead to believe that I don't get a choice, that I will be 'strongly encouraged' for a vbac by my MW and consultant.

I'm not sure what I want to do but I thought I would get the choice this time especially with so few months since the last section. I'm a little scared and I would like to know what those of you who are in the same position are being told.

thanks xx

 

[lolababes]

Hey hun, you have the choice to decide. It might not be easy to get what you want but it IS your decision. I am trying for a VBA2C but have had to fight for it. The length between my 2 previous c/s (1st elective breech 2nd emergency) was 3yr, this time its 8yr! Your m/w should understand and respect your wishes as should your consultant.

 

[Phinners]

I had an emergency C section for my 1st and pretty much been told this time I will have a VBAC, I dont have a choice in what I want. Despite being crippled up with SPD - VBAC or GTFO.

I havent been given a choice despite asking.

 

[MrsJ08]

You definitely get the choice. My step-sister was in a similar position, with her first pregnancy she laboured for several hours but was given an emergency c-section as the cord was around the baby's neck. For her second pregnancy she was torn about what to do as she didn't want to go through labour again only to end up with an emergency c-section. In the end she weighed it up and chose to go VBAC as she didn't want to have to recover from a section with a 2 year old to look after too. It couldn't have worked out more perfectly for her, she gave birth for the second time on her due date and she said her experience the second time was incomparable to the first and she was much happier. Slightly different to you as her first was an emergency rather than elective section which meant she didn't have the time to get her head around it before it was happening

Hope this helps and good luck with whatever you decide xx

 

[pigginteacher]

Hi Eldar, I had emergency c section on my first, 9 years ago, and i was given the option this time, no pressure either way. I think they take into consideration the reason u had a c section the first time but my midwife was happy with whatever i wanted to do. I have opted for vbac but i'm already overdue and would prefer another section rather than be induced as there can be more of a irsk of rupture. I would do whatever u feel is best for u and the baby x

 

[purpleposting]

I'm having no.3 baby.

1st was induced and arrived at 42wk+2, epidural, forceps delivery with an episiotomy needed, blood transfusion...
2nd was induced and arrived at 42wk+2(!), epidural, emergency C-Section.

This time for weeks I have been given no indication of what they prefer, other than been thrust a few VBAC leaflets in my face! So yesterday at 34+1 I had a hospital appointment and they started talking about when they would see me next and what happens at that hospital if I go over...and that's when I stopped them and said I wanted an elective C-Section this time! I was asked my reasons which I quickly explained and said that I'd spoken to my OH, done my research, and having had one before know that I'm not going to change my mind and that's what I want. After a brief 'well if you know the risks' speech the doc agreed and I'll be booked i for an elective in my 39th week, although I won't find out the date at my hospital until I'm approx 37-38wks!
If you know what you want and have your reasons for wanting it, then see if they will respect your wishes.

 

[eldar]

Thanks for the replies.

I was told after my section that i would be a good candidate for a vbac next time, as long as I didn't get the same breech complications. But there was no time frame on this and I am really concerned about the short gap between births. I also recovered very quickly and well from an elective c'section so I found it to be a positive experience.

At the moment I'm not sure what I want but I would like to know I have a choice and not that I have to do as I am told, as that would be the worst birth experience!

I've also noted that the hospital I am going to does not have a good success rate for vbacs - 24.9% manage it and the other 75.1% end up with emergency c'sections. I really don't want an emergency c'section as the positive experience I had came from my section being planned. If it is 3 outof 4 likely to be a section then can we plan it please!

 

[jollygood000]

I wasnt given a choice, had emergency c-section last time and this time round they told me I am having a VBAC lol, its what I wanted but it would have been nice for them to give me the option xx

 

[Kaz1977]

I had an emergency c-section 1st time as my DS was breech and this was only diagnosed during labour.

This time round I have asked for a VBAC which has made my MW and consultant very happy. A breech baby is effectively a no-fault section (as opposed to failure to progress or baby getting stuck, both are more likely to happen again), so provided #2 is not breech, then you should have a very good chance of a VBAC - if you want one. Your chance of another breech is about 9% (compared to 4% first time).

Good luck whatever you decide

 

[FeeMorr]

I had an elective section 2 years ago (frank breech) and this time have opted to go for a vbac although I was given the choice.....only complication was that my placenta this time round is at the front and at my 20 week scan it was covering my section scar, they had me back at 32 weeks to make sure it hadn't attached itself to the scar (which can some times happen). If it had, I would have been told that the only option was another elective section however lucky for me my placenta has moved up with my growing uterus and not attached and as everything else with my pregnancy has been fine they have told me I can have the vbac. I am classed as high risk though so can't use the dmu at the hopspital and have to go to labour suit and be monitored constantly (which means being stuck on a bed boo! - was hoping to use the portable pool but told I can't).

 

[clairebear]

it should be your choice x

 

[Emmylou27]

There will be 19 months between my two and I have the choice. 1st time was emergency c-section. At my first consultant appointment (about 18 weeks) I told her I was undecided but gave my reasons for leaning towards an elective section - mainly scar rupture. She told me my chances of a VBAC were about 60% but I would be constantly monitoreed.

I do have other reasons which I won't go into now (health complications with my daughter) but given that no midwife or doctor I have seen all the way through have attempted to alleviate these fears I will probably be telling my consultant on 24th that I want an elective.

As far as I was aware you should have a choice. I know scar rupture is rare but it happened to my SIL and scared the hell out of me.

You need to stand firm and tell them what you want.

 

[39YrMumtoOne]

I had an emergency C section last time after a difficult (induced) labour, due to my son being in the wrong position (not breach but trying to come out sideways!). I attended the VBAC clinic at our local maternity unit and it was a very positive experience - the Dr asked me if I had any thoughts about what I wanted (I was undecided) and then explained the risks of both. If anything she had a very slight bias towards VB, rather than CS but she made it clear it was my decision. For me the longer term risks of gynae problems with a repeat CS mean I've decided to try for a VB, but I'm reassured that the experience is likely to be very different this time.
From what I was told at the VBAC clinic your risk factor for problems is very dependant on the reason you had the CS in the first place, so as long as you LO isn't breech this time you should have around a 70% chance of a successful VB if you want it.