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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

130 replies

Rebeccaslicker · 02/02/2018 10:13

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!!

OP posts:
BeyondThePage · 03/02/2018 08:34

my first was a CS due to undiagnosed breech, my second was diagnosed breech, so was booked to have a CS - she decided to turn round and come out 2 days before that date. VBAC was fine for me.

Just saying that "the choice" is not set in stone - stuff sometimes happens.

Nightfall1983 · 03/02/2018 08:37

I would absolutely try for a VBAC but refuse to be induced And if you don’t go into labour naturally within the allotted time (whatever your consultant and you both feel is reasonable) then I would want an ELCS rather than any attempts to bring labour on.

Original poster
Rebeccaslicker · 03/02/2018 08:38

The only problem with that is the GD and being over 40, nightfall - both can cause the placenta to deteriorate and the baby might get really big. 10 years younger and no GD and I'd totally agree with you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Rebeccaslicker · 03/02/2018 08:39

Sorry I see what you mean now. So say book it for 39 weeks and see if it happens naturally first?

OP posts:
Jacobismygirl · 03/02/2018 08:46

My first was a gd baby who never engaged and was a brow first presentation. Ended up with a section. Recovery was fine.

Four my second I went for a vbac. The day before I was due to be induced I went into labour....2hrs no pain relief, 2 pushes and out they came. I had a tiny tear, 18odd stitches but honestly hardly felt a thing. Was walking around doing the school run the very next day. I felt marvellous.
Ooh and my fanny is fine btw... as tight as ever.

Nightfall1983 · 03/02/2018 08:49

Yes indeed Rebecca, I realise that that means you will more likely that not end up with another CS but it takes the pressure off for a bit. I had similar with my second DC and ultimately she needed to come out at 37 weeks - having already made the ‘natural labour would be fab but no induction’ decision I felt quite calm and ready for my CS when the time came.

Lindorballs · 03/02/2018 08:50

I recently had my second ELCS (first baby was breech). My recovery was great. Much easier than first. It was very painful for the first week but I just took my painkillers regularly and it was bearable. I walked to the shops up the road on Day 3 was only in hospital for about 30 hours, driving again at 4 weeks.
My baby was much bigger than the scans predicted and I was told when they actually did the op they found that my uterus was very thin and would be higher risk than normal of rupture. The doctors couldn’t have predicted these things before the birth (I was told I was low risk of complications with a VBAC) and if I’d gone for a VBAC I think there’s a good chance I could have had complications. I was in a real dilemma before. Knowing what I know now I’m extremely relieved I went for the ELCS. Just my experience.

Nightfall1983 · 03/02/2018 08:50

Oh and I wouldn’t even book t if you can get away with it, just say ‘I’ll see what happens’ and then when you get to 39 weeks reassess (and probably have a CS but at least it won’t be hanging over you).

MsJuniper · 03/02/2018 09:11

OP the case she was referring to was an EMCS and was an isolated incident. I don't know why she brought it up but it wasn't helpful!

I have my 32w growth scan + appt on Weds so I think I will say I'd like the ELCS. I reckon they will want to go for 38 wks due to the GD being so hard to control this time.

Lillylollylandy · 03/02/2018 09:14

VBAC carries a risk of uterine rupture. You need to discuss this risk in detail with your consultant/midwife.

1sttimeunicorn · 03/02/2018 09:18

I had a Vbac with my DS but I was induced, it took 3 days for anything to happen, he was back to back, I had to be rushed to theatre where I had forceps and episiotomy plus a nasty tear. Followed up with a wound infection about a week later.
I think I’d opt for a elcs if we had a second. This way I can plan it better, feel like I’m in control.

Ninoo25 · 03/02/2018 09:28

I had a planned CS with my 2nd as I had been pretty well traumatised by the EMCS I had with my 1st. The first time round it took months to recover from properly and I didn’t regain feeling around my scar until I was pregnant with 2nd baby. I would definitely go with a planned CS again if I had another. The recovery is horrible, but IMO it was worth it not to have the risk of going through the same as I did with baby no 1 (being induced on and off for 5 days, failing to progress, baby in distress, my temp went through roof, so EMCS. While on operating table they told me I have a small pelvis and I appear to have massive 9lb-ers)

Ninoo25 · 03/02/2018 09:31

Oh yes also forgot to mention I had preeclampsia first time round and they couldn’t get my BP back down after birth so they kept me in for 2 weeks 😫

Ginger1982 · 03/02/2018 09:38

I had EMCS with DS after a failed induction. He was IVF and they wouldn't let me go over my due date and as he was measuring big, they induced me at 38 weeks. I sat on a ward for 2 days and nothing happened except painful pessaries. They then broke my waters in theatre and I on the bed strapped to a monitor on a drip constantly. Got an epidural way too early (now I look back) laboured all day, then they said forceps and then EMCS. I was so off my face and then had large post partum bleed. Recovery was slow and hubby went abroad for a week 3 weeks later. I have another embryo to use and I'm torn what to do when the time comes. I really wouldn't want to go through an induction again but not sure they would let me go naturally. But then the recover after ELCS would be difficult with hubby away and a toddler! This thread is really helpful!

ThinkAboutItTomorrow · 03/02/2018 09:49

Get a c-section.

I got persuaded down the vbac route after a failed induction & csection for baby 1. They lied to me. Told me if I went into normal labour it would be as if I hadn't had a csection. Assured me I wouldn't end up stuck on the monitoring stuff that stops you moving. Total lies. I was hooked up as soon as I got there and even hassled when I went to the loo that I was taking too long and needed to be hooked back up.
Aside from going into labour naturally the birth went exactly the same as my first. Turns out my cervix has some skin that doesn't stretch or something and the baby was stuck. ECS number 2.
Both my ECS were super fast though, from me agreeing to the op was about 10 minutes.
I'd just skip the psi and exhaustion and have a csection

Lilonetwo · 03/02/2018 10:01

thinkaboutittomorrow you have helped me make up my mind!

I absolutely hated being hooked up to (in 4 ways: bump trace, finger monitor, blood pressure cuff and drip) monitors in my first labour. I felt I couldn't move from the bed and going to the loo was a 'big deal'. Laying on my back for 24 hours meant the baby twisted back to back and I couldn't get him out when pushing.

I absolutely do not want this kind of labor this time round.

You poor thing. But well done for giving it a go!!!

Hesburger · 03/02/2018 10:12

Hello, I had an ELCS two weeks ago having had EMCS first time round.

For me like a PP said it was better the devil you know. I didn't want to be scared again as ds1 had been in distress. I found it hard to bond at first and wanted a calmer experience this time round. I liked the fact that it was predictable and I had a date. I must say it was much more positive and peaceful.

I was out after one night and have found my recovery to be better this time around. Glad I did as the Ward was noisy and it was good to be back where I was more comfortable. It was hard for the first few days but I didn't need pain killers after 5/6days.

It's hard not being able to go out and about for long. I was scared of my toddler as he can be quite rambunctious but that lasted less than a day. He has settled down more now.

Good luck with whichever you choose.

TheWayOfTheWorld · 03/02/2018 10:27

I'm similar to you, in that my EMCS was not an emergency per se - they'd been inducing me for 3 days and I was so tired that even the drip stopped working and I didn't dilate beyond 6cm.

They pushed me strongly for a VBAC for DC2 but I was no way going through all that again and persisted until I got an ELCS. As far as these things go, it was a great experience. Yes, I was in a bit of a pain but it was very manageable on OTC painkillers and I was home in 36 hours (and having to climb 2 flights of stairs to get to my bedroom).

I would do ELCS again if I had DC3.

hubobocoz · 03/02/2018 10:37

This reply has been deleted

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Yahdayah · 03/02/2018 10:43

I had this decision to make recently. DC1 was a planned c-section due to placenta issues and this time round I was able to decide if I wanted to go for a vbac or elective c-section.

I had an appointment with a consultant midwife who went through everything so that I was completely informed to make the decision.

My first c-section recovery was tough but I opted for another and the recovery this time round has been brilliant.

At our hospital these were the figures for a vbac after you’ve had a previous c-section... 60% chance of a natural delivery, 15% chance of an assisted delivery (forceps etc.) and a 25% chance it would result in an emergency section.

Good luck with your delivery whichever way you decide Flowers

MissDuke · 03/02/2018 10:51

Personally I would opt for vbac. I would do anything to avoid major surgery though, I had a breech vaginal birth for this reason.

Elective C! It's nice to keep your vag intact. Plus, why go through the trauma of a vaginal birth?
There's lots of reasons - avoiding major surgery and all of the complications that can come with that, less chance of baby suffering from respiratory distress, current research shows links with asthma and other conditions due to not being in contact with the mothers microbiome, delay with skin to skin and bf. Obviously it is a case of weighing up the risks and benefits in each individual case, but for me I would never choose a c section just for the reasons above.

Hesburger · 03/02/2018 11:35

Forgot to add - have had no issues with breast feeding.

My milk came in after 2/3 days.

lookingforthecorkscrew · 03/02/2018 11:35

I had a crash EMCS with DS 3.5 years ago and am going for an ELCS this time.

If I was 26, and in the shape I was at that age, I'd maybe go for VBAC. But I'm not, I'm 36 and this pregnancy is already taking more out of me physically than the one I went through at 32. As such I don't really have that much faith in my body, and am haunted by the alarm that went off when my son's heartbeat stopped...

Luckily he's sat here next to me whacking me with a iPad right now Grin

FraterculaArctica · 03/02/2018 11:44

A lot of negativity about VBAC experiences here. Just to give a balanced view, I went for a VBAC (though was 100% sure that was what I wanted to do and would only have considered ELCS if very strongly medically advised) and it was great. No recurrence of the problems that had led to EMCS first time round, super quick labour, felt much better afterwards. But most importantly was just thrilled to have the experience of a VB. Obviously not everyone feels the same about this though!

fleshmarketclose · 03/02/2018 12:00

I had ELCS for my second because he was breech. I had been induced for my first because of PROM. I subsequently had three successful VBACs. For me I would never choose a CS, I hated it, I hated the slow recovery, I hated the stay in hospital in fact there was not one thing I preferred over a vaginal delivery apart from ds2 having a beautifully shaped head when he was born Hmm
I think had I only ever had an ELCS though I might have had my next by ELCS if it had been a positive experience as I suppose it's a case of better the devil you know essentially.