40 + 2, waiting to try VBAC, C-Section booked for 40+ 11 Help. Can't decide.

[bingotrons]

I'm panicking about giving birth either way, am having a scan next week to see how it's going inside, been told I can delay c-section by another week if i want. I'm not sure I do.

I would like to go into labour naturally to try and give birth at home, if nothing natural happens I think I want my c-section which is booked for next Friday. But I'm not sure what is for the best and I am soooo scared. Anyone been in a similar situation? (first birth was induced and resulted in emcs).

Thanks

[aurorec]

I was in the same situation as you. 1st time I was induced at 40 + 6. I went through the whole labour and ended up having emcs after the baby got stuck.

This time round I gave birth 40 + 9. I was told I couldn't be induced because of my prior C section. I had a membrane sweep 2 days after my due date, which triggered a bloody show. It lasted for a whole week but I did go into labour naturally (finally) and ended up having a super quick natural delivery.

It's really hard to know what to do, I didn't want a C section because recovery the first time was so slow- and I wouldn't have been able to pick up my daughter (who's 2.5) or go up and down stairs.
Being so late I got really worried that the baby wouldn't come and I would just end up having to get another C section.

I would just say from my experience I'm VERY glad I did the VBAC. I had a bad tear, and even with the stitches the recovery was so much better than the C section. Nursing was easier, I lost the weight a lot quicker as well, and I felt a lot better emotionally after the birth in the first few days at home with baby.
It's worth remembering that even though you were induced the 1st time, if you went through labour right up till the pushing stage the second time should be a lot quicker.

For my 1st I was induced at 1AM and baby was delivered at 5PM the following day.
2nd I was in the delivery room at 10.30PM 2 cms dilated and my son was born exactly 4 hours later.

[LackaDAISYcal]

bingo, i've just had a fantastic VBAC experience and was pretty much where you were; wanted to go into labour naturally, but if not then elective CS better than failed induction etc.

As it was I went into labour at 39+2 and although I had to compromise a bit on my birth plan......ie baby needed some monitoring via a scalp clip, and it ended up as a forceps delivery as baby was in an awkward position and wasn't descending, it was a very peaceful forceps delivery with muted lights and only three contractions to get the baby out.

I'm also very glad I got my VBA2C; yes I'm a bit mashed because of the prlonged secind stage (2.5hours) and the forceps delivery, but I feel so much better than I would have done had I had to have another section. and I can still pick up and cuddle my 17 month old DD as well.

Good Luck....lots of sex, evening primrose oil, visualisation and bouncing on the ball in the meantime....and not sure if it helped at all with me but I had a lavender bath the night beofre and kind of overdid the lavender oil (DH nearly had an asthma attack helping me out of the bath)

[LackaDAISYcal]

Here

[needmorecoffee]

I went to 42 weeks with my vbac although after 40 weeks they were hassling me for a section.
To be honest, how important is it to you? I wish I'd had that section now.

[bingotrons]

Thanks for all your messages.

I don't want to be induced have refused it. I keep thinking that a C section is the easier option except I know it's not recovery wise, tho i recovered quick from the emcs and breast fed fine and walked about after a few days. I'd like the chance to try naturally but there's obviously no guarantees of an 'easy' or straightforward birth is there? Sometimes I think an elective c-section could be a better option, for the birth and I have fear of things going wrong.

I just want to have a healthy baby at the end so i'm not desperate for either, want recovery to be quick so i can look after my 25 moth old, i won't have much help for gp's...

needmorecoffee, why do you wish you had a c section?

Lacksadaisycal am going to read your birth story now, glad you are happy with your vbac

auro thanks, i did get to 9cm first time but they had me pushing then, which isn't right..... glad you to hear that you had a quick birth

[Rexsmum]

Bingotrons, you could have read my mind! I am in exactly the same situation as you are, having had an emcs last time due to failure to progress. I wasn't induced and did labour but dilate. Am now 40+1 and have section booked for 40+9 although the hospital have been very encouraging re. VBAC.

Keep worrying about what will, or won't happen and wondering if I should have just gone for an earlier elective just to get it over and done with. It has put my mind at rest though reading the other posts, and that although you experienced a bad tear, aurorec, you still considered the recovery better than a section. That's my main reason for wanting to try VBAC, I just dread the recovery time from a section. And congraulations, Lackadaisycal, I remember seeing you posting before on the imminent VBAC thread, so congratulations!

Have just come back from hospital having had a cervix stretch - not open enough for a sweep unfortunately although the baby is pretty far down so that's good. Going to go back on my son's space hopper (better size than a birthing ball as have short legs and Winnie the Pooh makes me smile!). Good luck with whatever you decide Bingotrons.

[bingotrons]

Rexsmum, good luck with it all, lets keep each other posted, us being in the same situation? It is scary I keep worrying about what will or won't happen, i wish i could just go into labour quickly and early instead of being mrs overdue. my baby isn't far down, definately not engaged and i really don't want sweeps or any messing around after my last experience

[Rexsmum]

Yes, let's definitely keep each posted Bingotrons. It's a relief to find someone in the same situation! I know what you mean about sweeps - had to have two doctors to rummage about today so no dignity left there.

Sending you birthing thoughts!

[BetsyBoop]

my first (DD) was an em cs at 39+4 due to distress (enhanced labour with synto as my waters had gone & BP too high)

I was desperate for a VBAC as DD would only be 22months when DC2 due.

Had "just in case" c/s booked for 40+10, but never in my wildest dreams thought I'd get that far as DD was early.

However at 40+8 DS decided to move from ceph to an oblique lie and my BP was starting to creep up, so I had to start accepting another c/s was looking likely, I was GUTTED. (like you refused induction)

Had my el c/s at 40+10, & DS was 10lb 10.5oz (they had estimated he'd be big, but "only" 9-9.5lbs!) with a head measuring off the scale so with hindsight it was probably a good choice as there is a high chance I'd have been in a bit of a mess "down there" and would have had loads of intervention & perhaps an em c/s....far better a calm el c/s

Yes I'll always be a bit sad never to experience a natural delivery (DS is definitely my last) and yes recovering from a c/s with a toddler to look after is hard (especially as I had a huge PPH & was anaemic for months afterwards, despite all the iron I was taking) but we survived.

I reconcile it by thinking that DS going into an oblique lie was his way of saying "I don't think it's a good idea to come out that way", sometimes things are the way they are for a reason, we might not like it, but we don't have a choice

that said, I'll keep everything crossed you get your VBAC

[Rexsmum]

BetsyBoop, your DS does sound like a big one! Know what you mean about it maybe being a blessing. My first son's head was also very big and probably contributed to failure to progress and if I had had the same size head for this baby I would have seriously considered an elective from the off. This one is apparently 'average' so fingers crossed. And as long as everyone is well, that's a successful birth as far as I'm concerned!

[bingotrons]

Wow Betsyboop you're baby was big, i'd be pleased to not deliver a baby that big vaginally! i have a scan next wed, am looking forward to seeing how big this baby is..... in a wau i'm kond of hoping for the baby to be big so i can have a calm elcs. my dd was 9 pounds 7 and apparently 2nd baby's are bigger, so we'll see.

Rexsmum, anything happening after your sweeps?

[aurorec]

Bingotrons either way this delivery will be a better experience. elcs are by all accounts much easier to recover from than an emcs.

[Rexsmum]

No, nothing doing Bingotrons! Still bouncing on my ball but no show or any other signs.

How are you feeling?

[bingotrons]

thanks aurorec

i've started bouncing on my ball too.
i'm feeling a little calmer, for now how are you doing? so 40+9 for you is next thursday?

[Rexsmum]

Yes, 40+9 next Thursday. They were happy for me to go to 40+10 but there was no availability for Friday. Keep thinking that I could always cancel it anyway and try and push it back a few days if I really wanted, but might just be pleased to get things moving by then. Have to see how I feel next week and if I have had any signs. Judging by the whole cake I've eaten today, I may feel too huge by then to want to attempt a VBAC! Your section is booked for the Friday isn't it Bingotrons?

[Rexsmum]

Yes, 40+9 next Thursday. They were happy for me to go to 40+10 but there was no availability for Friday. Keep thinking that I could always cancel it anyway and try and push it back a few days if I really wanted, but might just be pleased to get things moving by then. Have to see how I feel next week and if I have had any signs. Judging by the whole cake I've eaten today, I may feel too huge by then to want to attempt a VBAC! Your section is booked for the Friday isn't it Bingotrons?

[Fleurey]

Just wanted to say that 40 plus 14 days is still considered "normal", although there is an increase in risk after 14 days post (but still the numbers are very small). So if you still want a VBAC ask them why they are wanting to give you a caesarean at that point. there are tests to determining whether the baby is fine.
If you still want to hold on for a VBAC after 14 days (after all it is your choice) you can be monitored and have a scan. I went to term plus 22!!!. I hope I have understood your situations - only want to help! I really hope you get the birth you want

[Tanja1964]

Midwives used to tell a woman her baby was due in Spring or sometime in May or June. Next will be a time wen you are baby is due...They are all individual, and it appears to be related to your family history, your stress levels and racial back ground (some races have longer gestation times than others), and what the wife of the obstetrician was like - one I heard of was cool about 43 weeks, as this was when his own wife gave birth!-. As long as baby's health is monitored and you are happy, wait until you go into labour. It means your baby is ready to be born and your body is ready to give birth. Good luck!

[bingotrons]

hello everyone, thanks for your messages. have decided to have c-section on friday, if nothing natural happens before then. this is the right decision for me and am feeling excited that i will meet little baby on friday, yippeeeee. am slightly worried that i may now naturally go into labour now that i've made me mind up, i will leave it up to fate and the gods

rex's mum how are you doing?

[Rexsmum]

Hi Bingotrons, I've also decided to keep my section booked for this Thursday. Had another attempted sweep on Monday but nothing doing. No show, contractions, waters going, nothing at all! Cervix shut tight and I can't see anything kicking off even if I went to 14 days overdue.

Fleurey and Tanja, thank you for your messages. I just wouldn't feel comfortable waiting too long as my last baby was big, never engaged properly and I didn't dilate beyond 3cm, so the longer I wait the bigger this baby gets and the matron thought this one could be bigger.

The only reason I was considering a VBAC was for the (hopefully) better recovery time, and my intuition tells me that if I left it, it would not be a straightforward vaginal delivery but would probably end up in an emergency cs in any case, so I am going to take the decision to have the c-section and start to think beyond the actual birth itself towards meeting my baby and getting breastfeeding established. That will give me something constructive to think about rather than getting nervous about the op.

Good luck Bingotrons!

[bingotrons]

your reasons are similar to mine, my dd was a big baby not properly engaged, i did dilate to 9 cm eventually after all interventions but can't see that happening on it's own and fear of an emergency c-section makes me want to have an elective too. good luck to you too rex's mum