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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

How long after a CS is it ok to try to have a VBAC?

24 replies

PinkLeopard · 04/12/2011 02:01

I had an emergency CS with my third child and it was so horrible compared to my first 2 natural deliveries. Well it's been 9 months and i really want to try VBAC for my next delivery. So how long should i wait before i try to conceive?

OP posts:

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llamallama · 04/12/2011 02:04

I was told wait 12 months after my EMCS to allow everything to fully recover!

Original poster

PinkLeopard · 04/12/2011 02:37

That soon? I thought it was after 2years. I also heard that the longer you wait the better your chances.. how true is that?

OP posts:

WhatSheSaid · 04/12/2011 02:38

I know someone who had a VBAC 14 mionths after an EMCS.

BizzeeBee · 04/12/2011 08:27

When I went for my checkup a few weeks after an EMCS I was told I shouldn't try and give birth for 2 years, i.e. wait a year before trying to conceive again.

3rdOneComingUp · 04/12/2011 08:35

About to have my third c-section. 1st EMCS 5 years ago, 2nd was a planned VBAC which was thwarted for medical reasons 13 months ago and had ELCS, a VBAC wasn't even discussed for current pregnancy (due 2 weeks) as it was too close to the last one.

Braxton Hicks are making sure that it will feel semi natural at this rate. I get them 12/7.

AlpinePony · 04/12/2011 08:38

I was told to wait 6 months ttc. I'm 29 weeks and my son is now 17 months. No issues yet.

fraktious · 04/12/2011 08:42

I didn't have one but I asked about TTC after a bad tear and they said that there's no limit for tears as it will continue to heal during pregnancy unlike a CS where they advise a 12m gap so the uterus can contract and recover fully before being put to work again.

IssyStark · 04/12/2011 10:45

I was told 12 months before I should try to conceive again meaning it would be almost 2 years between births if I fell pregnant straight away.

When I was in with my son for a NST (he was 16 days late, hence the c-section when refused to come out after my waters went), the woman in the next bed in the day ward was there because she said she could feel her scar tearing. It wasn't, but she'd got pregnant within a year of her section and was finding the subsequent pregnancy very stressful.

Original poster

PinkLeopard · 04/12/2011 17:28

IssyStark so did the woman eventually have a CS or VBAC?

OP posts:

daveywarbeck · 04/12/2011 17:36

My SIL is intent on having a VBAC in a few weeks, barely 14 months after her ELCS. I have to say my mother and I are worried for her.

thebigkahuna · 04/12/2011 17:36

I also know someone who had a vbac 14 months after an EMCS.

Trills · 04/12/2011 17:48

Reading your title I really wanted to come on and be flippant and say "at least 9 months is recommended" :o

So I have.

TheCrackFox · 04/12/2011 17:54

My sister tried for a VBAC at 16 months and nearly died. Her womb ruptured and she spent 48 hours in intensive care (she had no idea if her baby was even alive when she came round) and my nephew spent 2 weeks in special care.

Happily they are both well now but my sister wondered for the first 2yrs of her son's life whether or not her son would be brain damaged. Luckily he is 100% fine but my sister did suffer PTSD which to a lot of treatment. The biggest help was her DH getting a vasectomy.

I suggest you make an appintment with your GP to discuss what the guidelines are in your area. Unless you are in your 40s I am struggling to understand what the rush is.

Original poster

PinkLeopard · 04/12/2011 18:00

Please say "at least 3 years is recommended" Trills! I definitely want more children but i'm terrified of having another CS.

OP posts:

Trills · 04/12/2011 18:01

I was making a joke about the possible time between having a baby/getting pregnant/having second baby.

Sorry, I told you it was flippant.

I'll go away now

TheCrackFox · 04/12/2011 18:06

Trills - I thought it was a good joke and i am not in the least bit offended. Please don't be .

nooka · 04/12/2011 18:07

I had a c-section and was not given any advice on how long was OK to wait, it was not discussed at all. Got accidentally pregnant when ds was 8 months. My consultant was happy for me to have a VBAC, but when I went in to be induced (three days since waters breaking and no action) the senior midwife was very disapproving and said it really wasn't a good idea as it hadn't been two years since the C-Section. Which was very unhelpful to be honest as she didn't actually do anything apart from hand me over to a useless, unengaged bank midwife who did f-all. I ended up with another c-section.

nooka · 04/12/2011 18:13

If I were to ever have another child I'd have a planned c-section (and more importantly there is no way I'd let anyone near me with syntocin). Both of my births were by c-section but the second was traumatic and scary whilst the first was just a bit unexpected (ds was in an odd lie). A planned (or at least non emergency) c-section really isn't that horrible.

Original poster

PinkLeopard · 04/12/2011 18:44

Yes please Trills don't be!!! I actually missed the joke at first and then got it after you explained :) .

I'm so sorry nooka you had to go through that.

Someone I know waited 5 years after her CS and then had a successful VBAC. I thought perhaps the gap helped.

OP posts:

MrsDobalina · 04/12/2011 19:02

I accidentally got pregnant when DS was 10 months then accidentally had a VBAC with DD (you see a theme?!). The longer you leave it the lower the risk of uterine rupture. The risk is pretty low anyway but worth bearing in mind. Good luck ttc!

nooka · 04/12/2011 19:40

No need for commiseration any more - it was 11 years ago now and not something I worry about any more, I just wanted to say that emergency c-sections can be scary and traumatic but planned ones really are not. I'm not sure that there is any very good evidence as to how long a gap is best for a VBAC, rupture is very rare in any case (it was much more of an issue before bikini line openings).

daveywarbeck · 04/12/2011 20:23

I know in the trust area where I live they will not induce you if you are planning a VBAC and go overdue because induction is considered dangerous after a CS. You have an ELCS at 10 days if you don't go into spontaneous labour.

SIL lives abroad and I have no idea what the protocols are there. I think she is seeing her consultant very soon to discuss mode of delivery.

smokinaces · 04/12/2011 20:34

I was encourage to have a VBAC with my second, and there are only 19months between my two. There was never any suggestion that a VBAC was too soon.

IssyStark · 04/12/2011 20:48

pink I have no idea if she had a vbac or section as we didn't keep in touch, although I don't think she was considering a vbac.. We were only next to each other in the Day Obs ward and I left after my NST showed garklet was happy, content and could wait a few days more (I think it was when I was 40+10 at that point).

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