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!!

Just like to add 're birth plan, they don't often read it so it seems pointless, but it helps you get things clear in your mind, and you dp/birth partner who can then speak up for you (if you zone out like I did!)

OP, one thing to bear in mind is that on the whole, MN seems to be unusually pro c section. Compared to people I talk to in real life. That obviously isn't to say ELCS won't be the right choice for you personally but it's just something to bear in mind. I do think the advice on here can be a bit unbalanced on this topic.

On the contrary, I find that in real life, people are pro-vaginal birth without understanding that when women's bits get torn up by the process, they have very little support to get it fixed from HCPs and end up with long term issues because they are expected to just grin and bear it as part of women's lot.

That is the true scandal and why places like mn essential in blowing open this conspiracy of silence. Perhaps this is why mn is "pro-cs" as the above poster puts it.

Fine for the large number of women who have had successful natural births with few problems and for the women with successful VBACs. Really not at all fine for the minority who don't. The OP is in a position to make an informed decision so let her have all the facts.

blueshoes fair enough, but I just think it's worth the OP being aware that MN advice tends to be more pro c section than advice you get elsewhere. That doesn't mean it should be ignored, it's just something to bear in mind.

Watching with interest. I'm expecting my second (9w) and had my DD by priority c section 14 months ago after they detected restricted growth after I went to hospital with reduced movement. After four failed induction attempts, they booked me in for surgery.
This is our last baby and I'll be 39, so I think I might be best to have an ELCS (not as long a break between pregnancies as they advised). Would love that crystal ball though to see what the vbac would be like!

I’ll preface this with reminding you that this is my personal opinion.

I am not a midwife but I am a nurse. I recently cared for a patient who had attempted a VBAC 20 months after a c-section. The absolute worst case scenario occurred - her uterus ruptured during labour and due to the nature of the situation, during the emergency section amniotic fluid entered her bowels and caused an infection which required surgery to remove the effected part of bowel. Compared to much of what I see on the ward, it’s not the worst type of recovery (i.e. she will not require a stoma bag) unless you have a newborn baby and a toddler at home.

Her toddler had to be cared for by relatives whilst she was bedbound in hospital for three weeks. Luckily as she was treated in a private hospital, her husband could stay in the (tiny) room with her and the baby which meant he could facilitate breastfeeding as she literally was not allowed to lift the baby or walk unaided due to the many attachments. The patient (and therefore baby) were woken at midnight and 4am every day to check her vital signs to make sure all was ok. The pain meant opioids were being administered so she was kept
awake ’pumping and dumping’ as needed. Whilst recovering, she was fed a special solution through a venous access device as it was not safe for her to eat.
Personally, unless I had my heart set on an enormous family I would be so careful of trying a VBAC.