VBAC stories please!

[SummerCarnival]

Hi everyone, we are going through frozen transfer for DC2, early days and I know it's not guaranteed. I had a semi emergency section with DD1 in nov 2020.

The reason for the section is I went into labour at 36+6. Those where by IVF dates.
I have a big scar from previous abdo surgery, 52 staples from my sternum to my vagina. Then the section scar at the bottom. Basically my stomach looks like the anti christ symbol. When DD started to make her appearance they did the section as they were worried about the strain contractions were doing to my scar. DD was delivered when I was 4cm dilated. I had a really tiny bump. It was the average 28 week bump. I'm small framed and I didn't have too much water but I do wonder if my scar restricted bump growth at all?

My question is - do you have any experience of a VBAC or vaginal birth after big abdo surgery? As my tummy has stretched already and had one pregnancy, one consultant says there shouldn't be a reason for me not to have a VBAC, but another consultant says she wouldn't advise it.

I'm going to go with the safest option, whatever it be. If that means a second section, so be it. I actually had a really lovely experience with my section but recovery was slow due to all my other scar tissue and adhesions.

Anybody got any stories? Obviously I'm not pregnant yet but I'm hoping to be soon.

Anyone? :)

No c sec or VBAC experiences here but just wanted to wish you the best for your transfer and second DC!

a good friend of mine had a vbac many years ago. Her uterus ruptured, the baby tragically died and she had to have an emergency hysterectomy. The situation was aggravated by poor care during birth. I often tell this story, not to alarm but to warn people. I know Vbac can go wonderfully well, but I don’t think I’d risk it given what you have been through already. Best wishes for your transfer.

Personally I wouldn't risk it.

Oh my goodness your poor friend. I hope she's okay now.

I've done some more reading, and after thinking about the reasons why I had a C section before, and the fact 1 consultant had said no (even though one said they don't see why not)

I've come to the conclusion that i don't think it's worth it too.

DD was making her way a little early last time. Is there a chance it will happen again with a second pregnancy? My section with DD was actually booked at 39 weeks. But she started making her way at 36+6 night time. She was delivered first thing the following morning and I was 4cm.

I'm worried it'll happen again so would they book a section slightly earlier because of DD?

Sorry for all the questions. I think section is the way forward for pending pregnancy for DC2.

Thank you!

I attempted a vbac after a previous c section at 31 weeks and after abdominal hernia surgery.

Not to scare you but it went badly, long difficult labour then an emergency c section with a post partum haemorrhage.

I'm not planning on anymore but if I was to have another I'd have a c section again

Thank you for sharing this. I'm so sorry things didn't go to plan for you and I hope you recovered okay.

Planned section will be the way I go with impending DC2 for sure. Reading this and other stories online I know it's not worth the risk.

i had a c section in 2018, wasn't a emergency but had to have a section. 31 weeks pregnant with my 2nd. Ive had lots of conversations with my consultants about it and they have explained the risks of a vbac and the positives too. Personally for me the risks of a vbac seemed to outweigh the risks of a section. So ive opted for a section. Good luck!

Sorry I don’t have experience of abdominal surgery but just wanted to add a happy VBAC story. My caesarean was a tricky one, my uterine scar has a slight vertical component which I understood could slightly increase risks of rupture. I too am small framed. Consultant and midwife were both very reassuring as to both these factors not being an issue, the midwives seemed to see uterine rupture as a very rare event, they’d never seen one. I did get nervous towards delivery and opted for a c section but my daughter had other ideas and came two weeks early in a fabulous textbook natural birth. I think it had helped getting to almost full dialtion with my son (they did have to push him up and drag him out breech in a crash GA c section) so my cervix had done alot of the hard work before. It’s such a hard decision, noone has a crystal ball to see what will happen. I would imagine the abdominal scars are separate to any uterine rupture risk and I’m sure your consultants will have the knowledge about women previously labouring with abdominal scars.

Good decision op. A healthy mum and baby is all that matters

@SummerCarnival I did thank you but it took a while. Good luck with whatever choice you make