To ask what you would do - planned C or VBAC?

[Rebeccaslicker]

baby number 2 due in a few weeks and I need to decide if I want to plan a c section or have a VBAC.

First was technically an emergency c section following a failed induction (suspected large baby due to GD), but in reality there was no emergency; I waited a few hours between the decision and the operation, it was all v calm (apart from my epic projectile vomit, who knew they have a Henry the Hoover for sucking vomit off everything?!) and I had a quick and easy recovery. That was 2.5 years ago.

This time will be the second labour; the baby is so far measuring about 75th centile; and is so far in a good position for labour. The hospital calculate I'm low risk for rupture, blood transfusion etc.

Could I ask people who've had a similar decision what you did and why? I can't decide which is better!!

Watching with interest as I’ve had 2 emergency sections, due dc4 in June and they’ve said I could go spontaneously and try for vba2c or opt for planned section.

No ideas what to do.

I had foreceps with first, elective csec with 2nd as she was breech and had planned vbac with third but had an emergency csec instead.

When I was recovering in hospital, another mum came into the ward having had a vbac. She had a little sleep and then got up for a shower and a cup of tea. I was in a lot of pain and getting to the loo was a 10 minute ordeal. Definitely envied her.

I'm in the same boat except DC2 not due until June.

My first delivery sounds very similar to yours, I had an EMCS last time. My consultant is gently trying to suggest VBAC this time but I'm so bloody traumatised from my failed induction, non-working epidural and big baby that I couldn't deliver last time I don't think I can face it. It's the fear that the same thing will happen again that's pushing me towards a planned CS.

All the best to you whatever you decide.

I had a really long labour, ventouse and shoulder dystocia with dc1. We were both exhausted afterwards and got seriously ill a few days after the birth. This was due to a few things, which I won’t bore you with. Feeding went up the spout and generally, I was pretty miserable about everything.

I’ve just had an ELCS with dc2, (just last week). I hummed and ha-ed about it for ages and was really concerned I’d done the wrong thing, but in the end it was a lovely, calm birth. Recovery has been fine, though I won’t deny it was painful to begin with. Also, you have to have a catheter, spinal etc and you need decent, postnatal care in hospital.

I’m tired now, but everything feels a lot more manageable. Don’t know if that’s related to the birth, but I think it played a part.

Feeding has been challenging so far, but I think things are getting better. Certainly no worse than following dc1 birth.

Ok here's my story: As my username suggests I have 5 children.

Daughters 1 & 2 were natural births - no problems.
Daughters 3 & 4 (twins) were delivered by emergency CS - because Twin 1 decided to turn breach at the last minute. They were 30+4 weeks.

After 11 years, DH and I decided to try for another - DS who is now 3.

I was adamant I was not having another CS. I found the recovery time (2 weeks in hospital due to infection in the wound) was horrendous, and I hated it.
I told my consultant and the midwives I wanted a VBAC, and they were happy with that. There was no medical reason why I couldn't as I'd delivered naturally before, and the only reason I had a CS with the twins was because twin 1 was breach.
So fast forward to labour with DS. I ended up being induced as labour didn't start after my waters had broken.
I did 16 hours of being on the drip and contractions every 2 mins. When they checked me for progress I was so excited as I was sure it was nearly time to push - but no, I was only 2 cm dilated.
The consultant came in and said that I would need to have a CS. I cried, and asked if the baby was ok. He replied yes, so I said I wanted to give it another couple of hours to see if I could do it. They let me carry on.
2 hours later I had still not dilated any further. At that point I was upset and angry with myself. I broke down to the midwife and told her about my fears of having another CS and why I so desperately wanted a VBAC. It took another hour for me to compose myself and go to theatre (baby was perfectly happy btw)
I then had the CS and have my beautiful 3 year old boy.

I often look back on the birth and think that if I had been open minded about the possibilities of both options then I wouldn't have been so upset. It also turns out that several years before my son, I'd had a colposcopy and cone biopsy on my cervix due to an abnormal smear. The consultant said that could have affected my cervix and meant it could no longer dilate properly.

Do whatever is best for you, but my advice would be to not let it upset you if it doesn't work the way you'd hoped.

As a midwife I would go vbac if it was due to failed induction. I’d only go repeat section if it was because of something highly likely to reoccur.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

Number 1 was breech and I have health issues so I had a CS. It wasn’t emergency but it wasn’t really elective either. Number 2, I was given a choice and I decided on a VBAC. The birth was straight forward, some tearing, but apparently “nothing too bad”. I was up and about nearly straight away and patting myself on the back. About six months later, I was noticing all the changes in my body though. Now I had a scar on my tummy as well as wear and tear from the VBAC. In retrospect, I really wish I’d had an ELCS. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for natural birth and I’ve got no horrible birth stories to scare you with, it was mostly all fine. an ELCS is no easy thing itself. It’s just that I could have less damage by sticking what I’d done before. This isn’t anything I spend time fretting about btw, just something that crosses my mind in a more of a doing time over, knowing what I know now, sort of way. I’ve got two healthy kids and I’m good so you can say I made the right choice. You’ll make the choice that’s right for you. Best of luck!

Thanks so much all - lots to think about! I do think your first experience tends to colour your views, so it's great to have a range of thoughts and experiences.

I had EMCS because (I suppose) of failed induction - I basically didn't dilate at all, despite full whack syntocin for most of a day (not in the UK) - my baby's head just didn't engage.

Back in the UK, I decided to try for VBAC, with the firm line that I wasn't being induced again, and would c-section before that.

Went just as before, minus the syntoncin - a week of strong contractions - went to hospital and told them that I just wasn't coping (they were close together, I hadn't slept for more than 20 minutes between the rising contractions in days) - and I still wasn't dilating, this one hadn't engaged either.

If I could choose again, I would go for elective c-section. Thinking about it, it's clear there's something different with my pelvis, and babies aren't going to come the conventional route.

My first was an emcs 3 years ago for failure to progress, very big baby etc.

Like you I really thought hard about what to do this time. Number 2 was born on Monday so the experience is still fresh!

I opted for vbac -v my recovery from the section had us in hospital for a long time afterwards and I knew the recovery from a VBAC was the big advantage.

My VBAC went well until it didn't. Textbook until he turned and was stuck at the pushing stage. From there I ended up with all the things I'd have 100% chosen an elcs to avoid. Episiotomy, rotational forceps, shoulder dystocia and a post partum haemorrhage. Although I'm now out of hospital I'm finding the recovery pretty horrifying. Being stitched up from front to back with all the internal bruising and grazing is actually much more painful than well-managed c section pain and you're expected to get on with it a lot quicker.

You can never know what is going to happen and I'm not going to blame myself for choosing vbac but I'd 100% have chosen a nice calm section over this. Hope I haven't scared you.

Oh gosh jingle - and for you. So sorry, that sounds really traumatic. Hope the baby cuddles are making you feel better!

Elective C! It's nice to keep your vag intact. Plus, why go through the trauma of a vaginal birth?

My first was EMCS after long and slow labour, water broken, big baby coming down at an angle, general anaesthetic etc. I went for VBAC because I wanted a natural delivery. Unfortunately, despite perfect pregnancy and everything going swimmingly in labour, baby 2 got his shoulders stuck so ended up with another EMCS. Third child I was desperate for the natural birth but consultant insisted on planned c section - I had lied about my dates so was a week earlier than they thought so ended up with planned section a week over due date.

It was a no brainer to me to go for VBAC every time but I cant say I was traumatised or anything - very laid back according to the consultant who saw me the day after both EMCS

I've only had an elective C. I knew from the start I never wanted a VB. The thought of hours in labour, tearing and other things was just not for me.
It was a great comfort to know it was planned, what time i would be in and out. I was the first one in and by that night I had a shower. Day 2 I walked a bit more. Day 3 I was ok. Went home on day 4 and honestly was ok.

It helped that in our hospitals you have the options of a private room for a very minimal charge and my dh stayed throughout.

I would hands down choose it again.

I had a horrific “natural” birth with DD1 which put me off having more for several years, and had to fight for ECS with DD2. It was fabulous and had I not had such an unbearable pregnancy from start to finish I’d definitely have gone for a third child without delay. If an offer of ECS is on the table I personally would advise you to snap it up! Congratulations and good luck whatever you decide x

I had an EMCS with DC1 after failure to progress and went with ELCS second time around as I didn't have a crystal ball which would say a VBAC would be fine (if you see what I mean!). My experience with DC1 was fairly horrendous and I wanted to avoid a repeat, but also, having initially dreaded having a CS, I really didn't find it that bad at all. Second time around was the same - recovery was pretty straightforward and the ELCS was a lot calmer anyway.

Could you try VBAC & if it gets too much go CS? I did this.

I was offered a CS due to large baby, transverse lie & polyhydramos (can’t spell) but since I had already had a VB I thought my body might remember what to do. Alas induction didn’t work so CS it was. It was good in terms of the op went well & I was concerned & just wanted baby out. However I hated the epidural & the recovery really surprised me. Everyone says “I was up walking” etc yeah so was but I would call it more of a hunched shuffle. If I have DC3 I will aim for VBAC.

Elective C! It's nice to keep your vag intact. Plus, why go through the trauma of a vaginal birth?

I have to say I hate these comments. Not all VBs are traumatic & ruin your vag! My first was 5 hours, G&A & 2 stitches. CS don’t prevent you having prolapses etc & they carry risks too.

I’m going for el CS with a similar 1st birth story. I just don’t want the whole hanging around going overdue, waiting for induction, one-sided epidural, and then to theatre thing again. I recovered really well last time. Also I’m over 40 now so they’ll be very reluctant to let me go overdue (I know it’s my choice but the evidence is good!). So I’m having a section at 39 weeks and I’m bloody delighted.

Ps my first birth wasn’t awful but I was very relieved when the decision for section was made.

I went with VBAC. I wouldn’t again.

Dd1 was emergency section at 32 weeks and my recovery was horrendous, for dd2 I was adamant I wanted VBAC. I'm high risk for all my pregnancies and my midwife wasn't keen but the consultant and hospital team were brilliant and supportive. I was terrified of being overdue and had a sweep the day before due date and was kept in but due to reduced movements I had my waters broken just after midnight and after a 4 hour labour and 1 hour actually pushing dd2 was here.

I went for a vbac. it ended in forceps which weren't pleasant but I still preferred the forceps recovery to the section recovery.

I was due an ELCS with DD1 as had a partially blocked cervix. Except she had other ideas and I ended up having an EMCS with a suspected placental abruption. I ended up losing stupid amounts of blood and needed a transfusion, and DD1 spent 2 nights in HDU after being resuscitated twice.

I was open to VBAC for DD2 until the midwife said cheerfully "and don't worry, we can go for a CS if you don't progress", at which point I realised there was no way I was going to go through another EMCS!

So I went for ELCS with DD2 and it was lovely, very calm and textbook stuff really. No drama. Managed to - v e r y slowly -walk to the regular ward (from recovery) with help from a nurse 6 hours after giving birth.

Feeding was awesome, no issues whatsoever (we really struggled with DD1) and recovery was pretty easy too. Am really glad I made that choice.

Good luck with whichever way you go

I had a terrible first labor and birth so my midwife recommended ELCS but did talk me through VBAC. In the end I went for ELCS and she was visibly relieved (she tried not to show it but it was clear she worried complications again). If I'd have had a birth like yours sounds I would have likely gone VBAC. I was so jealous of the women on the ward who had one.