VBAC - honest advice please!

[desperatehousewife]

Had emergency c-section with DS 3 yrs ago. Hideous experience (pre-eclampsia, induced, discovered breech, stopped induction, tried turning, then emergency c-section, followed by nighmares, and long period of pnd).

Second baby due in March. All along have been adament that I want elective c-section: better the devil you know. I will feel in control of what is happening to me, don't want to take any chances again, need the experience to be as 'good' and 'positive' as possible, scared of rupturing scar if VBAC, have knackered tummy, don't want knackered bits as well.

Anyway, just suddenly thought - how would it be to have vbac? recovery time so much quicker and no major surgery. But the unknown is absolutely petrifying to me.

I have no 'need' to try natural birth - that side of it really doesn't bother me. And I would have all the pain relief on offer to me.

I want the most pain free, easy option (don't shout at me for that) where I can bond with my child and just enjoy it.

I'd be really interested to get honest feedback from anyone that has experienced vbac and give their comparisons over their different experience.

Thank you so much in advance
DHW

Had an emergency C-section with DS (3) but nothing traumatic or upsetting. I was a bit disappointed at the time but that was about it. Now pregnant again and have booked a cesarean for 39 weeks.

I went back and forth on this too and decided to book the section but attempt VBAC if I go into labour before the scheduled date. I have a friend who had a VBAC and she said her overall recovery was a lot slower than with the section. She was up and around faster but was sore and uncomfortable for much longer. Hearing her stories helped me make up my mind.

Had planned cs this time after cs following failed induction last time. Can't stress enough how different it was 2nd time round better bonding, better feeding, no pn depression in all wonderful compared to the horrendous 1st time. Felt cheated of "normal" delivery 1st time but not at all 2nd time. The fact that I made the decision gave me a sense of control. I couldn't face the thought of trying for vbac and ending up with another unplanned cs.

Hope it works out for you.

I had a VBAC with DS six weeks ago. Emergency section with DD, now 3. If I knew then what I know now, there is no way I would have chosen a VBAC. C-section followed a long labour - DD was back to back, failed ventouse. It was fine, felt things were under control all the time and my recovery was good - I thought the worst thing about the whole experience was the epidural because I hated not being able to feel when and if I was pushing. Obviously realised with my VBAC that the worst thing was not having an epidural . My labour was short but absolute agony and really frightening. Had a ventouse delivery and needed an episiotomy. (The doctor who did this left a swab inside me which I pulled out 3 weeks later .... but that's another story). Six weeks on I'm still struggling - I think I may have some form of prolapse. I'm seeing GP today. I opted for a VBAC because I thought recovery would be quicker not because I wanted a 'natural' birth but I have no idea when I'll feel back to normal. I can't imagine going through this again so I yhink our family is complete. If I fell pregnant again I wouldn't hesitate to have a c-section.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

I had a VBAC. Emergency section firstime round, the second time round I was very nervous but kept an open mind as to how I was going to give birth. If things weren't going to plan like before then I would have had no hesitation in going for another section. However it all went much more quickly than before and everything was fine. I did have all the pain relief going inc an epidural. In comparing the two I don't feel any closer bond with my second child than my first just because he was born naturally. I love them both. For me, the section was pretty quick to recover from but the natural birth, recovery was even quicker but I did have to get physio on my hip and I'm sure things still haven't quite clicked back into place. I do however feel totally knackered but that's probably just because I have 2 very young uns to chase after.

Do what is best for you and good luck
x

Thank you for your msges.

I had emcs with dd 2 years ago for face presentation and am now 33 weeks pg with no 2.

I wasnt offered a choice of whether i wanted to try for a vbacs or go for an elective section. I would like to try for a vbacs, but was wondering if anyone knows if i went into labour and changed my mind could i ask for a section? Or does there have to be a medical reason for them to operate once i am in labour?

The recovery period thing doesn't really bother me, i had no pain (believe it or not) after the section only the burning sensation in my scar when laughing etc.

I don't think I laughed for about a year after my section so woulnd't know!!

Sorry, don't know about asking for a section if you want one once in labour. I think that if you have already had one c-section you are given the option of another without quibble...but may depend on where you are in the country as each NHS Trust is different. Check with your midwife. I'm sure you can sort out a plan b if you need to!

I agonised for ages over whether or not to vbac - the consultant said that it was entirely my choice , but that major surgery was not an option to take lightly. They also said that they wouldn't take long to decide on a c-section if the labour was not progressing well. I didn't want to be house bound for 6 weeks after a c-section without being able to drive, nor did I want the difficulties of not being able to cuddle/carry my toddler because of the scar.
So, I went with the vbac - and it all went brilliantly, the midwife kept a close eye on proceedings and I felt would decide if things started to go aray

Just wanted to say that I had 2 sections - 1st emergency and the 2nd because I went a week overdue and with no sign at all of baby coming they didn't want me to go much more overdue (induction gel failed miserably last time as well) so they advised a section.

The elective section experience was totally different from the emergency one. I'm not saying I'd choose it over VBAC - in fact, I wanted to start labour naturally and go the VBAC route, but wanted to reassure that if you end up having an elective section it's nothing like the emergency. All much calmer, slower pace. Can plan because you know when it will happen and because you've had an element of choice it doesn't mess with your head as much (well that's how I found it).

Good luck whatever you decide.

I just cant decide what i want.

One day i feel like i would like to have a vbacs, then i wonder if i could have a home birth and then i feel like i want a section. I think i'm watching too many of the baby programmes!

Would definately appreciate the option of a c section if i decided i was too much of a wimp to go through witht he vbacs though! Will discuss with midwife at next appt. It might turn out that i dont have a choice as baby has been breech for the last 6 weeks!

allatsea - having experienced both now, if you had to give birth again, what would you choose?

Hi DHW, I had a terrible experience also with my first daughter, pre-eclampsia, induced, failed to dilate, her heart rate dipped and I was rushed in for a 'general' - c.section - so I was not awake when she was born. I too suffered horredous postnatal depression for years after.
On a happier note, I went on to have 3 vbac! I was determined to have my 2nd daughter naturally and insisted they let me try - of course, they all tried to scare me - but even with only 19 months between 1st daughter and 2nd, I had no problems at all - I recovered so quickly I was surprised - I pushed her to school the next day - feeling very, very clever!! I wish you lots of luck, you are the only one who can decide!!

Hi there. I had an emcs in 2001 for my dd. 6 months ago ds was born by vbac. My doctor approached it as a "trial labour" with posibility that it might go for cs again. My only concern was that I'd end up like last time with a 20 hour labour followed by cs which would be worst of all worlds. But it worked out great. I did have a doula ... she was the major reason for success (although she generously says it was all my own work, I don't think I could have done it without her advice and support.) It wasn't too "natural" as you mentioned below. She did manage to keep me going for most of labour without drugs but was my advocate for getting epidural when I wanted it.

I ended up have episitomomy (sp?) and forceps ... bit scary at the time but ds arrived gorgeous and bonny all the same!

Recovery was quick... although for first day I felt like I'd been run over by a truck. It was after 24 hours that I really noticed the difference.

I wouldn't advise you one way or the other and I don't think I'd have done it if I didn't know I had full support of doctor to change plans at any stage.

My 2nd baby is due 17/12 and a scan today showed it is head down so the consultant and I are happy to try for a vbac and see what happens. I've been told conflicting advice though, by consultants and midwives, as to when I need to go to hospital - straight away after contractions start, or waiting at home until they are 5min apart and regular. My preference is to stay at home as long as possible, as dd is 3 and we are relying on friends to look after her, & I figure I'll be more comfortable at home anyway. Anyone who's had a vbac, what were you told/did you end up doing? Also, were you able to use the pool for pain relief? Getting mixed signals on this as well.

I had a vbac 3 weeks ago and it was so much better than my emergency section a year ago. I had been booked in for an elective section this week but ds arrived 4 weeks early. I got to 8 cms v quickly and decided to give it a go. My recovery has been brilliant compared to my section and even my stitches for a second dgree tear haven't bothered me. It was a very different experience and I'm delighted I was able to do it. I could pick up my one year old ds the morning after ds2 was born - with my section I couldn't do a thing for ages.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Scully, my midwife said I should contact the hospital when contractions were 10 mins apart and stress to them I was planning a VBAC with a view to going in. I didn't feel the contractions were strong enough though, so I phoned them when they were 6 mins apart and went in then. I was fully dilated about an hour after being admitted so I was glad I hadn't left it any longer.

Have exactly the same dilemma desperatehousewife. Had emergency cs due to fetal distress 5 years ago. Wasn't planning another child but here I am...Anyway like you I didn't feel cheated by my cs and am nop earth mother. Just want whats best for my body - ie least ditressing and easiest to recover from. Am conisdering either elective cs or getting a private midwife or doula to help me with a vbac. In hospital I should add!
I am very petite with mini hips and sometimes wonder whether I'm cut out for normal birth at all...[amile]

Hi DHW, had similar experience and now same dilemma: emergency cs after late discovery of breech at 40w5d. Both hubby and I are tall, so baby was expected to be big, and I was advised em-cs (baby boy was 7lbs, so guess they were wrong ). Now I am 38 weeks of no.2 and planning for VBAC. It's good to read all the stories! I am getting lots of mixed messages too: being seen by different obs. that are trying to convince me they know best doesn't help. I am having a chat with my midwife tomorrow about my birthplan, and I'll keep you all updated. Bamboo, thnx for the information on the 10mins, was useful for me too.

Think we are just going to see how I feel and what time of day it all kicks off, as to when we go to hospital. Might try and wait until they are a bit closer & regular than 10min apart. Hoping to make it to my 39wk midwife appt on 9th where I can quiz her again! Good luck to everyone else in the same boat

Scully, we're definitely in the same boat! I'm due on 9th. Think this one will come early though... had reg. contractions every 10mins during antenatal appt. 2 weeks ago, and showing lots of signs of baba wanting to come out. Will discuss with midwife tomorrow when to go in, was thinking when it's every 5-7mins (we live quite close to hospital, 10min drive approx.).

Interested to hear what your midwife says hb. We are about 15min from the hospital but will be dropping off dd with friends, on the way to hospital, so should really allow 30min or so. I'm due in 3wks but dd was 8days early so it's always a possibility with this one as well!

Hi! It's been quite an eventfull w/e, but found out lots about the birth/VBAC. Spent both Friday and Sunday evening in hospital with bad contractions: every 2-3 minutes lasting upto 1min. Left it to every 5 (fri) and every 2 (stupid!!) before going in. 2 mins is definitely too short: I felt like I was going to give birth in the car (had 4 contractions over a trip that's about 7 minutes), on the parking lot (almost couldn't walk), when I walked into the delivery unit (midwives said, "oh dear, please wait until you're in the room". Thought "this must be it", but no- false alarm: I must be suffering from some kind of performance anxiety, as both times as soon as I stepped into the delivery room and was about to be strapped to the CTG the contractions faded away. Now I am feeling very nauseated, and my tummy is rocksolid.
Anyway, had plenty of opportunity to talk to several midwives about the PLAN. They said: don't leave it too late before coming in, suggested 5 mins (but time them for about an hour beforehand). They'd much rather see you five times with a false alarm than once too late and you give birth in the car, or worse. As far as I know now, they'd like to do constant monitoring of the baby's hartrate, as a sudden drop could indicate distress and possible tear of the cs-scar. I'll have a cannula inserted in my hand, this is not used, except if the baby becomes distressed and I need to have another cs. It is just a precaution: they don't want to have to look for the vein if the situation runs out of control. This way they have a way in for IV fluids and blood if necessary. From the cs I actually had most pain from the IV drip, so the fact that I'll need another one of those doesn't get me too excited..
Apart from these limitations, I will be able to walk around freely until in established labour, and after that upto a certain limit (around the room, as far as the cord on the monitor allows).
No one recommended having an epidural: this would slow down labour, and because of the cs you'd want the delivery to go quicker: they expect you to do 0.5-1cm dilation per hour on average, and if you don't it will be another cs. I am hoping to cope on my TENS machine and some gas-and-air, and from what I have been through in the past couple of days I think I'll cope.
Anyway, I am feeling a bit under the weather still, so I will stop now. I'll let you know if something happens.

Message withdrawn

Keep us posted honeybunny! Sounds exciting....good luck!

wow hb, very exciting weekend for you then! I had a chat with my midwife today and she said 5-6min apart would be alright, if I felt ok otherwise, and continual monitoring wouldn't be necessary unless they discovered a problem. If everything was ok, then 20min every hour or something similar. So I'm just going to make some notes in my birthplan and see what happens. I had read about the cannula, which makes sense, & I would like to avoid an epidural but haven't ruled it out entirely. Vbac guidelines seem to vary everytime you talk to a midwife or consultant... Good luck if it happens before you're on here again!