To ask for honest opinions of vbac after emcs.

[Rubberyduck]

Crappy first birth, 4days long resulting in failed forceps and ecms. Me and DS then had septicemia so we had a 10day stint in Hosp. I am now expecting no.2. Mw said straight up 'you will want another csection then' we have a consultant appointment in a few weeks to discuss the choices. DH seems keen to have a elective c section as it would be 'easier' to plan around our 2year old obviously worrying we will have a similar long experience. I am concerned about recovering from surgery with 2 little one's.

Experiences please?

I had an EMCS for DD1, as placental problem noticed (so want in labour). I was very keen to try for a VBAC with DC2 as I was worried about recovery time with a toddler and, like you, I felt I had failed the first time round.

Went for a VBAC, found continuous monitoring very hard as wireless monitors didn't work well and I was in the bed. After two days of labour I ended up in an EMCS as baby (who turned out to be 10:2) head wasn't descending straight and so I couldn't get to fully dilated. I was pretty upset to say the least and found an EMCS after two days of labour exhausting.

Role forward another two years, DC3 on his way. Discussed VBAC and hospital was very clear on risks and fact that in their experience a second attempt at VBAC was rarely successful. I had a lovely elective section. I can't tell you how lovely my experience of birth was having been able to plan it and not haveing the stress and worry of a VBAC.

Fast forward to now and no one ever asks me about their birth and the only time I remember it is when I look at the lovely picture I have of me in theatre having DC3 with a grin ear to ear.

If you do go down a VBAC rouge I would (a) decide what you are comfortable with from a monitoring perspective and (b) don't be put off going to hospital when you start contracting - I was put off by the hospital and as such arrived very late. All the VBAC protocols then swing in and I felt very out of control.

I had a csection for my first followed by three vbac's. No problems at all. C- section for first baby was due to prolonged labour and baby getting stuck.

Being somewhat flippant here, I had a EMCS for DS1, and having wrecked my abs for him, wasn't going to then knacker my under carriage for No2!!!

My Mum came in when I was in labour the first time, and her comment were (having had a hideous experience with me) "It's still barbaric".......

An ELCS is not!

In all seriousness, an ELCS was great - and I was up and about afterwards in 48 hours with no problems.

I had a section for number 3 (not elective) after 2 vaginal births and a VBAC for number 4. For me the recovery from a vaginal birth was so much faster than after a LSCS which is why I wanted a VBAC. It was fine but I appreciate I’d already had 2 babies vaginally first. Private obstetrician here (in Australia) and she would have been happy doing with whatever I chose.

I had an emcs - pe and seriously bad bp issues, induction 3 days and then crash section. Not as hideous as some pp.

DC2 was a VBAC, different hospital and the facilities were bit great for staying in for 3-4 days post op. VBAC was brilliant for me BUT only you can be sure for yourself.

a friend had a hideous VB first time and opted for an ELCS for number 2 even though they couldn’t see any reason for one. whatever makes YOU happy and more relaxed.

DC1 was emcs after induction due to preeclampsia. I recovered very well physically and not too badly mentally.

Second DC was vbac. I felt I needed to know what contractions felt like as I was given an epidural straight away on the induction . I had a third degree tear and took five weeks to get over it.
Before I had a vbac I talked to the consultant obstetrician who said that it was ultimately my choice.
With DC3 I decided I wanted an elective CS due to the tear. Consultant said I couldn t have one because I had a successful vbac. I burst into tears. I ended up going over the notes with the consultant midwife and was reassured over vbac. I went on an active birth course and stayed standing up for as long as I could during labour. It went really well and I'm glad I did it.
If you do have a vbac I would suggest an active birth course.
PS I was 39 when I had DC3.

I’ve had 2 vbac and one more emergency c-section on my last. Obviously all were in hospital after the first. You do need constant monitoring but this can be done stood up but you can’t move very far! I wanted active births as much as I could, my second was ventouse in the end, the third was perfect birth!! I was under a consultant for all and would have taken whatever advice they gave me. I also had hypnotherapy after the first so I wasn’t too anxious, I felt it did me some good.

I had a EMCS and unlikely to have another DC, but if so I’d never have a VBAC, even if I had to pay for a C Section. The risks are too great.

I had an EMCS with my first. Really struggled to decided what to do with second as was offered an ELCS if I wanted but also told was totally fine to VBAC. I agonised over what to do for the best and in the end booked the CS as it seemed liked the most predictable choice. I didn’t want to go overdue, had no induction options (unless I did go over) and consultant made me feel like I could well end up with another EMCS.

Anyway baby said LOL to all that planning and decided to come of her on accord on the morning the section was booked! A super quick labour and I had a surprise VBAC!! It was pretty wild but we were both fine (well a little battle damage - bruising, episiotomy and tear for me). Found initial recovery period harder than the CS (think the fact I did it on a fast for the planned op didn’t help) but the recovery was quicker overall and I don’t have any regrets that it happened how it did.

One poster is saying they had a vbac for their first birth. A bit of misunderstanding there !

This is not me as I had a c section but my stepsister had 1 emergency c section and 3 vbac. She said she had absolutely no issues with them whatsoever

I had emcs the first time after a long and horrible labour - second time was umming and aahing but ended up having an elective when they found a problem at 38 weeks. The recovery after elective was 100x easier than after emcs, even though I had a 2 yr old. The whole experience was unrecognisable, very relaxed etc, just completely different and so much better.

I don't have experience of actually having a vbac, but have had a very traumatic emcs with my first, followed by what was meant to be an elcs with my 2nd, but baby decided to come early, so they gave me my options and prepped me for another emcs. I instantly regretted my choice, saying I should have tried for a vbac (labour was going smashingly at this point, 6cm and relatively pain free), only to find out in surgery that my previous csection scar had already ruptured internally, I had heavy internal bleeding and ended up dropping unconscious and needing a blood transfusion there and then. Had I opted for a vbac, it could have all ended very badly indeed. It's a huge risk either way, like every birth, just way up the pros and cons of each, take on board what your consultant thinks is best (bear in mind they do like to push vbac due to costs) and ultimately go with your gut instinct. As much as I really wanted to have a natural birth, something was stopping me from it, the entire pregnancy I had a bad feeling about it.

I had a EMCS first, 4 days of failed induction, and then VBAC. VBAC nearly ended with CS, was being prepped for surgery then gave one final push. I don’t feel one birth was more successful than the other. To be honest I was out of the loop with both. Everyone’s experiences are so very different you can only really discuss what you want with the experts and with your partner.

If I’m absolutely honest about recovery, I’d say recovery from emcs is same as recovery from a complicated VBAC. In fact my VBAC with lots of stitches was more painful and recovery longer. I just remember it with a squirm whereas I don’t remember the emcs recovery. Again, everyone differnent.

Thanks. it looks like experiences are very 50-50. I will be interested to see what the consultant says but admit atm I am swinging towards elcs based on risk of having an emcs. Both my sisters had horrific 3rd degree tears too, one is still having physio as a result, which massively makes me squirm. But I do envisage the possibility of a 3rd baby, or at least I don't want to rule out the thought so need to really look into options.

Can i just agree with some pp - while a straightforward vaginal birth of course has a faster recovery - there are no guarantees that it will be straightforward. I had DC1 vaginally and ended up under general anesthetic having a severe tear being patched up, hemorrhaging 3.5litres of blood and ending up in HDU with sepsis and a suspected blood clot (and I had been low risk - no prior indication anything would go wrong!). My recovery was long and very painful and I was on a number of medications for a good few weeks afterwards. I certainly couldn't drive or walk very far,, or even stand up for long, for weeks. I think you need to do what you feel is best for you but don't assume a vaginal birth is easy to recover from. Good luck.

I tried for a vbac but it didn't happen - but I was quite clear that the moment anything deviated from the perfect labour, I was bailing out. It ended up ok, at least I was conscious for this one! the fact that neither child came out of vagina matters not at all. Yes recovery is hard, but that can be dealt with, and getting help is easier if you have the dare planned...

The idea that some births are more deserving of a badge of honour over others is bizarre. Especially when women talk about being left with severe tears, prolapse, incontinence etc but say it was still "worth it" to have been able to push a baby out of their vagina

Having a child is worth the hassle of childbirth, however the baby arrives, but mum or baby being left with severe physical damage just so you can say you had a vaginal birth is madness.

Weigh up the risks in your particular case OP and make the best choice for you and your family.

You're better off recovering from a smooth planned CS than risking it and recovering from another EMCS or complicated vbac .

Thank you. Quite frankly some of your experiences are terrifying and remind me of how I felt at the time so I think avoiding stress and anticipation may become a factor. I was 2weeks overdue when I went into labour, ironically the morning I was due for induction. There is the benefit of elcs being able to plan childcare to an extent and prepare DH as far as can be.

My aftercare was appalling though and so I admit I can't bare the thought of 2-4days in hosp after but if it means we are all healthy if course it matters.

leafysky you've said what I was trying to, only massively better.

I have no idea how we have ended up in a situation where people value the VB badge more than there physical and mental health.

But then the same happens with BF. I think the NHS approach to nudging women's preferences may be misfiring on a massive scale. BF has some minor health benefits, but its not worth having most of your breast removed and years of counselling (happened to a person in my NCT gang because they just couldn't face failing their baby), and VB is cheaper at the point of birth (though not I suspect if you factor in the onward complications rate), and not worth the onward physical and mental fallout for a suprisingly large minority of patients (around a quarter with longer term depression and god know how many with prolapse, incontinence etc.)

I really feel they need to rethink their strategy.

My aftercare was appalling though and so I admit I can't bare the thought of 2-4days in hosp after but if it means we are all healthy if course it matters.

Depends on your hospital but ours discharges electives after 24 hours if everything is okay. I only stayed one night after my 2nd emcs because baby and I were absolutely fine although I did have the option to stay longer if I chose. They have this "enhanced discharge" policy because apparently infection rates and recovery times are better if you aren't stuck in a hospital ward.

The after care after my 3rd which was my Vbac was awful. I was readmitted when DS3 was 5 days old for a blood transfusion and those staff were horrified at my experience. I did start a complaint with their support but for various reasons it didn't get officially logged.

DS4 was 18 months later and was by far my best post-natal experience. But it was quiet (his was the only birth that day) which probably helped.

My last antenatal appt with DS4 had me so upset and stressed. The MW obviously had some kind of problem with me having an ELCS booked and made it sound like I'd have to stay pregnancy forever as it was such a low priority!

Following as hoping for a VBAC over the next 3 weeks or so

That's interesting RE: faster discharge time although at the same time going home to a 2year old sounds hectic! It's a tough call but I still have time. I think if I voice to DH I am airing towards elcs he would jump all over it so will do abit more reading.