Why should I want a VBAC? I can't think of any good reasons!

[YankNCock]

Had my booking in today, and the midwife gave me a leaflet on elective sections and told me I didn't have to go for a VBAC if I didn't want to, because the new guidance is that those who've had EMCS can request elective for the next birth. She said if that was what I really wanted, not to let anyone dissuade me. I never actually said I wanted an ELCS, but something about my manner must have clued her in that I was on the fence.

I feel like I should at least make an informed decision, but all I can come up with are pros for ELCS, which are:

1. I know what a CS is like, and I recovered very well from the EMCS.
2. Knowing the date would make it easier for arranging care for DS and making sure the dog was looked after.
3. DH and I could enjoy the birth a bit more instead of being shattered after a 39 hour sleepless labour.

The only bit I think I'd miss is the gas & air.

My ds was 2 in august - my body still hasn't recovered from my emcs - it is not always as easy as people think, us I went through labour as well so not an easy way out, I've had multiple infections in the wound all started off by a stray stitch being left in for over 6 weeks (despite 2 HVs, a doc and a consultant looking at it) even now I have to wear big granny knickers (I'm 23) and apply steroid cream every day - I hate it, it makes me feel very poorly when it's at it's worst and at best the cream stains my clothes.

I think it's the thing that has put me off ever having another child more than anything else. I hate the stigma that comes with it since people presume you're lacy or too posh to push, I would give anything to get rid of it now, not even for vanity reasons, just because it's disgusting

I think it is a good idea to go for VBAC counselling with the consultant midwife. The surgical risks increase with each caesarian that you have. It is important that your decisions are well informed, not just based on what happened last time, or what your friends think!

I had a VBAC following an elective c-section. I was even induced, which I think is relatively unusual. For me, the VB so so much easier and more enjoyable I can't even begin to say. However, the VB was almost entirely straightforward (apart from needing to be induced, and I needed a surgical 3rd stage, and I had a few stiches but nothing special) whereas I had a few minor problems with an infection and the wouldn not closing properly for the c-sections. Also, I think it depends on why you had the c-section. I had one because my daughter was breech, but that's not the sort of problem that reoccurs, if you see what I mean.

I will also have this decision to make at some point so it's very interesting hearing all the opinions expressed here.

Before I ended up with the EMCS I was also concerned about the continuous monitoring etc, but tbh I didn't find it an issue - when I had the wireless ones it was fine - and I had a drip to waddle around with half-way through that anyhow, when I had the wired ones I could still move about as far as I wanted to (by that point, knackered, that was only up and down the room really)..

I think there's an awful lot of 'better the devil you know' plus, in my case, I just wouldn't want to be induced again.

Also depends how many DC you want - if you've set your heart on 6 then you'll want to avoid as many CS as possible. If you expect this child to be your last then the risks to subsequent pgs are irrelevant.

Hugs you chunkyMonkeyMother, I feel for you. Have you had a chat with your Dr about how you feel? It must be hard for you being so young to wear granny knickers and feel so low. I hope you find resolution.

I had a crash section - not even a EMCS (no cauterising blade for eg, so quite a lot of blood loss) with a huge incision scar and it has left me feeling very unattractive. But if I was going again I'd opt for a elective caesarean birth.

I was induced last time, and in monitored and medicalised labour for three days, and I just feel too much thought is given to the birth of babies now: what's important is that you have your babe alive and well, and you're not too mangled in the process.

OP if you're happy enough to have a caesarean birth, I'd go for it again. The Incredible High that people speak of with a VB sounds attractive for sure, but I don't think those feelings come exclusively with a VB. I found seeing my baby for the first time was pretty darn thrilling, and the actual logistics of her birth were irrelevant.

Thanks under - that post turned into more of a rant than I meant it to be ha ha I have been to docs but they say that because I have a small "apron" of skin it will not heal properly - I'm hoping that some weight loss will help! Dh thinks the granny pants are hilarious anyway and I'm not sure he cares what I'm wearing anymore, he's just thankful for any nookie ha ha

It's very hard to know what to do and it's true it is better the devil you know, I certainly would rather have this than trying to recover from a 4th degree tear - women who manage with those should be given medals!

In my case I couldn't think of a single reason why I would have wanted to opt for a VBAC. First time I had an horrendous long labour followed by an emergency section - the section being the best bit of the whole process. I had a v easy recovery and was scared witless at the thought of having another labour like the one I had experienced. My consultant said that the problems that arose in my first labour were approx 95% likely to arise again so basically trying a VBAC was considered a pretty pointless option for me anyway even if I had wanted to (which i didn't). I have since had two further elective sections and they were absolutely fabulous - loved both births and felt brilliant after them, with v quick recovery. I definitely agree that part of the decision can be a 'better the devil you know' thing, it's all very well if you get a lovely easy VBAC, but what if you don't - a nasty / instrumental 'natural' birth is way worse and harder to recover from than an elective section as far as I can tell from speaking to friends. I can just about see why a couple of friends of mine who had electives with their first due to breech position or placenta previa wanting to give labour and birth a go with their second, but I find it hard to understand why anyone who has experienced a long and difficult labour which ultimately did not work out would want to do it again!

I had a vbac simply because I wanted a large family and at the time I think you weren't advised to have more than 2 cs- may have changed now.

I had a VBAC after a previous ELCS for breech, and despite a third degree tear, I would say I preferred my VBAC experience overall to the CS (although there were some horrid bits!). It just felt more right somehow. However I do have some ongoing pelvic floor issues that wouldn't have occurred if I'd had a repeat ELCS. My recovery was much quicker overall from the VBAC than from the CS, the CS really knocked me sideways. I don't regret having a VBAC as emotionally it was good in many ways, but if I had a third DC who knows what I would decide.

Thanks again everyone who has responded, it is really helping me think it through (and I'm only 9 weeks so I've got some time to ponder!).

To answer some questions:
I am planning for this to be my last child. We only want two, and I'll be just shy of 36 when this one comes, so it's not as though I'll have loads of time in which I'll change my mind and decide I want another. Financially we weren't even sure of having this one, so 3 would pretty much be out of the question. DH and I are both one of two children so it feels right for us.

On WHY I had the EMCS: It was listed as 'failure to progress'. DS turned back to back and got his head stuck in a weird position, and his blood pH numbers were starting to look bad (they were taking blood from his scalp). When I came in (for the 3rd time in 3 days) and I was actually finally dilating, I was 4cm at 2am and by 10am I'd not progressed at all despite having contractions that whole time. It was really the squeezing on DS's head and the blood pH that seemed to make them nervous. Also DS's heart rate went a bit weird when I had the epidural put in (which I asked for because I was so freakin' tired from having not slept for 2 nights and having contractions/pain that whole time).

I saw the consultant about 6 weeks after the birth and they said there was no reason I couldn't try for a VBAC. So if I have an ELCS, it will be strictly because I want it.

That's very interesting whoever mentioned about the continuous monitoring not meaning you were stuck unmoving. That was certainly my experience of it, short wires attached so couldn't go anywhere. At most I could turn on my side.

I think that the amount of movement allowed with continuous monitoring can vary from hospital to hospital depending on the equipment available. May be worth asking about incase the equipment has changed since DC1.