VBAC VS Elective C sec

[fishandlilacs]

I am faced with making this decision. have also posted in chat.

Midwife, consultant, HV and GP have all strongly recommended ELCS for this one. My first birth expereince was pretty shit, induced, long labour, failed to dilate for ages then failed forceps and a EMCS. 6 days in hosp.

Secondary infection, massive blood loss far far too much sirous (sp?) fluid in surgical wound for ages, had a to carry a bag around with me on a drip thingy to catch it all and it used to "pop" frequently when at home and soak my clothes. Disgusting. Recovery to near physical normality (being able to leave the house) took 3 weeks, full recovery much longer, As a result I had PND, PTSD and birth trauma.

and here I am pregnant again. ( i must be insane)

My concerns for attempting VBac are a repeat of my previous experiences and exhaustion if I have another long labour. But there are lot of bonuses if it goes well, being able to get the fuck outta hospital being the main one.

My concerns for Csec are long stay in hospital when I have dd at home, plus long stay in hospital is simply horrible, noisy places with no sleep.
extended recovery time, risk of infection, pain, medication.

I'm not very fit, I have a high BMI, i'm 37.

[Chynah]

Sounds like you had a rough time.

You only mention your concerns though, not your wishes. Do you actually want to try VBAC or do you just think you ought to? bearing in mind a lot (if not all) VBs probably don;t feel 'physical normality' for 3 weeks or more.
I have never had a VB or an EMCS - both mine were ELCS and were great and as I was back out running by 5 weeks both times that was 'physically nomal' enough for me but despite being an older mother I remained VERY physically fit and active throughout my pregnancies which probably had a bearing. Think ELCS are copletely different to EMCS though.

[fishandlilacs]

I will try vbac if it meant an increased chance of getting out of hospital quicker-thats my biggest concern tbh, I really really dont want another long stay in hospital. I hate hate hate it.

[Lovethesea]

I had a vb that ended with emergency rotational forceps and 6 days in hospital trying to get my bladder to function again.

I then chose an elcs for #2 and was out after 3 days.

My recovery from surgery was far easier than my recovery from my vb. My hospital stay was also a lot more pleasant second time round - I was expecting it to be awful as the first one was, but I had packed earplugs and a ton of food, I was more pushy with staff when I needed help and I was lucky to have nice women on my ward of 4. Most of all though I was not traumatised as I was the first time and my body had not been through labour.

[alliwant]

Take the elcs. Your body will suffer far less trauma, honestly, its ok really. You will not have gone through labour so will be rested and ready for surgery and then able to recover much easier. I was out in 2 days. 5 days with a traumatic birth.

Just take it easy and you will be fine.

congrats on your baby and good luck

[Zimbah]

Could you discuss with your consultant the option of attempting VBAC but with a very low threshold for CS? You might be able to get them to agree to carrying out a CS as soon as there is any hint of difficulty e.g. long labour. That way you would have a chance of giving birth naturally but have a fall-back position if it doesn't seem to be working out. That would require the consultant to sign it off so that the midwives went along with Dr's plan for CS and didn't make you continue with labour when you feel a CS would be better. Also your first labour may have been longer because you were induced, if you go into labour naturally this time round it may well go a lot better.

FWIW I had ELCS with DD1 (breech) then VBAC with DD2. Was in hospital 4 nights with DD1, and 2 nights with DD2. Recovery from my VBAC was much better and quicker despite having a third degree tear, although emotionally it was tough. It's a very difficult decision, between a rock and a hard place, you have to go with what you feel and try not to give in to pressure either way from other people.