Best decision El C Section or VBAC

[bunsen]

Just bee reading the story of Rosies mum and her failed induction and thought I'd post.
I had a similar experience last pregnancy 2 years ago. Was 15 days over, four days induction with the gels, slight tear of amniotic sack, as not much water, but they started me on drip for 15 hours. They broke my waters midway through the drip treatment, but didn't dilate past 1 cm. Had CS.
Now 2 days from seeing consultant about possibility of elective cs, but not sure (toddler's are very demanding aren't they? God knows how I'll cope!).
My decision making has concluded that if I have elective, I will feel in control of destiny, don't want to have rerun of last time, the induction process was worse than the cs. What if I go over again, all that waiting around v uncomfortable by 42 weeks only to have cs at that point when I could have been booked in at 39 weeks. Also do not 'trust' my body to go into labour - wrongly or rightly - body had none of it last time. Also, this is really stupid, but I feel like I've got the scars from cs before, don't want to knacker up another part of my body, ie really worried about tearing and the consequenses that'll put on future sex life, partner is totally pissed off about lack of sex since had little boy.
Scared either way really. Any advice?

[bunsen]

I am very tired all the time now too, low iron n all that. The idea of having baby earlier is very appealing. Selfish I know.

[OatcakeCravings]

Hi,

The question I would ask you is will you have help with your toddler once you are out of hospital? If so then consider the C section - I'll probably get flamed by the anti-section brigade for this!

My section wasn't planned (though it would have been had the little blighter not arrived 5 weeks early and I hadn't been to the consulant by then) and although I found the whole thing very scarey at the time my recovery was easy I'd say and looking at the other ladies on the ward it wasn't as easy as the straighforward VBs but I felt a better than those who had had difficult births with intervention. I was up and about (albeit slowly) the day after the section and the second day after my section I was shaving my legs in the shower! Now I only have one DC so I don't know if I'd have coped with another at home but I was out walking a mile a day by the end of week 2 and 2 miles a day by the end of week 3 and by week 4 I'd forgotton I'd had a section.

So I'm glad I had a section and at the end of the day would rather have stiches in my tummy than my fanjo!!

[fruitstick]

bunsen I am in exactly the same situation (have consultant appointment this week).

i worry about having a section as I have a very boisterous toddler and I'm nervous that it will be difficult for him if he is not allowed to leap on me or I can't pick him up for several weeks, alongside coping with a new baby.

However I have heard that people who have El C recover much more quickly than the 36 hour labour followed by emergency route.

Also, my hospital will not induce you if you have already had a section as it puts too much strain on the original scar. Also, they will allow you to labour for a much shorter time before taking you for a section (same reason) so it definitely wouldn't be like last time.

I think I'm planning to book in for a section at around 40.5 weeks, which gives me enough time to get it out with a bit of chicken jalfrezi and some pineapple, but not to struggle on unnecessarily.

Talk to your midwife about your last labour. my midwife was great and reassured me that it was my son's fault not mine

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

Whatever you choose to do, remember your body didn't fail, the induction did. It doesn't mean you won't go into labour. If you waited until nature took its course it probably would have been a different story.

You mentioned you don't trust your body and if you choose to have a vbac then you will have to work on changing that pov and learn to trust your body and your baby. You really do need a positive frame of mind.

El cs may seem the easier option as there is some comfort in the familiar, I also think the control freak in us all makes it seem like the easier option. My first birth was by emerg cs and my second was a home waterbirth, and the recovery time for the second birth was A LOT shorter than the first. And fwiw I actually had a really quick and easy recovery from the cs.

Also your dp is being an arse, tell him to grow up and get over it.

[iwantitnow]

Did they give you a reason why you failed to progress. I'm in the same boat at 32 weeks. However, my induction didn't work as baby too big for my pelvis and head in a strange position so she never entered my pelvis. It looks like it may happen again but have another scan at 34 and then 38 weeks.

If there was no reason why you didn't progress I'd go for a VBAC to be honest. I have refused to be induced this time - although my hospital does induce for VBACs despite the risks.

I've booked a post natal doula just in case, and my DD has just started pre-school 3 mornings a week in preparation for a c-section.

If my scans show all is well and baby might be deliverable I'll go for a VBAC but will have an elective booked for 41 weeks. Hoping baby will come early .

Its not an easy choice - I and DH also think I've ruined my stomach muscles why ruin down below too, probably not too popular on here that opinion but it is a valid one to have.

[TuttiFrutti]

This is such a difficult decision to make bunsen, because there are so many unknowns. An elective cs is major abdominal surgery and is harder to recover from than a straightforward vaginal delivery, but it is much better than an emergency cs or a really bad vaginal delivery.

I was in a similar situation to you 2 years ago, and I decided to go for an elective. It was a fantastic experience and I'm really glad I did. I had a calm, relaxed birth experience, no pain at all and a quick recovery.

But that's just me - a cs carries risks, as I'm sure you know, and some women find it takes a long time to recover.

My top tip is to prepare as much as possible by arranging as much help as you can in advance.

[bunsen]

Thanks everyone, I'll see what the consultant says on Thursday and arm myself with a worry list for him!

[abraid]

I had a VB after a cs and the VB was a bit complicated and lengthy as my daughter was posterior presentation. But I'm glad I went for it because, as you say, coming back to a toddler is no picnic and you do recover more quickly. I had a super midwife and felt well-supported.

[fruitstick]

Had my consultant appointment and he was very reassuring. However he did say that they would rather I had an epidural as, if there was a problem, it would already be in place.

Is that the same in every hospital or just mine?

[jabberwocky]

I had a similar experience with ds1. Had elective with ds2 and loved it. No problems taking care of dcs afterwards and recovery was much easier since I did not labour at all.

[abraid]

I was allowed not to have an epidural for a while but then when I got tired (ineffectual contractions caused by posterior presentation) the midwife gently suggested it might be a good plan.

It was.