No to VBAC

[fifibets]

Hello!
Anyone else said no to VBAC? I'm 30 weeks pregnant and am (pretty) adamant I don't want to try VBAC, instead I want a repeat ELCS.
I am yet to see the consultant at the hospital, and so am starting to worry that they will refuse & push me into VBAC.
My DS was born by ELCS due to Breech Presentation & failed ECV - so there is no medical reason why I NEED a CS I just would be so much happier. I really don't want to try VBAC & then end up with an EMCS, and I don't want the risk of uterine rupture...selfish that may sound, but truthful!
Thanks...

I am going to say the same thing at my consultant appt too. Am also 31 weeks and had a failed induction, back to back baby and emcs after 20 odd hours labour.
I just feel I cant go through all that again plus I seem to make huge babies in comparison to my size so I am glad ds didnt come out that way or they might still be stitching me up!
They cant force you to VBAC just be firm and tell them your mind is made up. Then you can plab your childcare etc around your date for elcs and relax a bit and stop worrying about the birth.
I cant wait for them to confirm me a date to go in so I can stop worrying too!
Good luck

I don't believe you can be denied a section but I could be wrong. I had a failed induction and have just 'negotiated' an ELCS, but I was v aware that the consultant would have preferred me to go for a VBAC.

Nothing to add, but "push me into VBAC" made me chuckle, thanks

Hope it all works out the way you want.

Me I completely refused a vbac, refused to take the info he gave me and refused to go on the vbac course he wanted to book me on.. He just said it was my decision wrote a load of statistics in my notes and that was it !! He said they can't force me to do it !! Stand your ground

I had a failed induction and c section with DD1. All set to "fight" for ELCS with DD2, consultant asked if I had a preference, told him and he said fine!

From stories I've heard I do think it depends on your consultant though but at the end of the day it's your choice.

Been told after DD2 that there's is no way I should ever try vbac due to the thinness of womb/rupture-could you mention the risk of this if they say no?

I've gone from really wanting a VBAC to now getting really scared of one - the more reading I've done (the RCOG papers etc), the more it seems to suggest that in my particular circumstances - high BMI, expected large baby (DS was 9lb when he arrived on his due date), blood pressure problems this time around - the chances of a successful VBAC are pretty low, c.30%.

The one thing I really, really don't want to go through again is my experience last time, long labour, back to back large baby, fetal distress, EMCS... hence leaning towards ELCS this time to retain some element of control. Know I'll be in the minority for this, but glad to see I'm not alone

I've changed my mind about 1000 times during this pregnancy (36 weeks now) about VBAC.

My first baby was born via elcs for breech presentation too, so I have no idea how I may labour etc and neither do the hospital. The consultant I saw at 30 weeks was happy to give me a caesarean or support a VBAC, she said it was entirely up to me. This baby is currently breech, so I may not have a choice after all!

Benaberry, I think one thing you don't have to worry too much about with VBAC is a long labour - the way it was explained to me for my hospital was that if the labour wasn't progressing "quickly enough" they would not wait around and offer a "semi-planned" caesarean

SisterMary I've been told the same thing by pretty much everyone. They are very wary of risking uterine rupture by hanging around too long, so tend to act much more quickly in the case of a VBAC.

My midwife said the same to me. She basically made it sound as if I may as well give it a go and see what happens... but surely even a 'semi-planned' caesarean is going to be more risky than an actual elcs?

" She basically made it sound as if I may as well give it a go and see what happens..."

God, I hate it when they go on like this.

A VBAC is not without risks and ending up with an EMCS is far less pleasant and more difficult to recover from than an ELCS.

If a woman is going to try for a VBAC, that is not a "may as well see what happens and if I end up in an emergency situation", it's a commitment to something they really care about and need support with (including access to pools, not being forced into CFM etc).

If you've had a section they might try to convince you to have a VBAC, but basically it's up to you.

I have my birth options appt next week at 34 weeks and I am in the same mind. I had early waters breaking and was induced (i had planned homebirth with pool etc!). Laboured for 10 hours with epidural and still ended up with EMCS. I can't go through that again either - DS was 10lb when born 1 week early!! I struggled for a long time after birth with the psychological effects of having so much intervention and to put bluntly about 12 different hands inside me within 3 days that I felt almost 'violated' despite everything being professional. Took me a very long time to want any intimacy of any kind afterwards. I mean a LONG time. So I am thinking I need an ELCS this time round as not sure I can face a VBAC when I feel that whatever I do - I will end up having an EMCS. Glad I am not the only one. I am worried I will be perceived as just lazy though.

Is it worth writing a birth plan including the above reasoning?

SisterMary my midwife said pretty much the same thing, that it would be more "unplanned" rather than true "emergency". My current line of thinking though is that if the odds are I'm going to end up in theatre anyway, I'd rather choose that option from the outset, and retain some element of control over the situation. I've just got a nagging feeling that the combination of a high BMI, expected large baby and assorted other issues through this pregnancy will all just count against me in terms of likely success, even though I did get to 8cm last time before it all went horribly wrong...

I've got another appointment in mid-May with the consultant to go through my notes from last time, hoping this will help me to clear things up in my mind. Who knows, I may end up changing my mind again!

I was told 'they' would only let me try to give birth vaginally for up to 6 hours, which seemed a short time, because I had previously had an EMCS. I was willing to try it but said under no circumstances was I to be induced (had a terrible experience first time round). The consultant said fine but if you're 10 days overdue you have a CS. Of course I was late and ended up having one (a very different and much better experience).

I think the point I am trying to make is that you discuss what you'd like with your consultant, I felt listened to and was able to say what I did and didn't want second time round (felt less intimidated)

watching with interest... BFP today and already stressing about it. Failed induction last time (no contractions, no dilation after 4 days of gels and 12 hours drip).

The idea of a VBAC scares the life out of me tbh. With DD, I had a catalogue of errors including failed induction, undetected footling breach, foetal distress, and Cat 1 EMCS. I'm only 16w but this baby is coming out by ELCS even if I have to do it myself! its reassuring to see others getting what they need.

I did - I went prepared and armed with NICE and RCOG guidelines to the 20 week appointment and had been given the date for my ELCS there and then, because the consultant was satisfied that I had done my homework after talking all buts and ifs and whens through.

Had a lovely ELCS at 39+0 and no regrets

Benaberry -I'm fairly sure with your risk factors they won't deny you an elcs. In fact pretty much everyone on this thread has given good valid reasons and I'm sure most drs will agree. They can encourage you to go one way or another, but cannot force you. And after all you have all already had cs so are fully aware if what it entails and are making an informed choice. I had elcs due to breech presentation for dd and would like to try vbac next time. But I am not even pregnant yet so may change my mind if it comes to it! But whatever I chose I feel I will have the courage of my convictions and stick to my guns this time.

And they won't induce with a vbac as this increases risk of rupture. They will always do elcs if baby needs delivering early or us overdue.

realhousewifeofdevoncounty, my hospital will induce labour for a VBAC.

benaberry I had a similar statistic for a vbac although I gestate tiddlers! ;) went for elcs and as it transpired it would've been an emcs anyway as he was totally stuck and he needed a ventouse to get him out VIA the sunroof!

thanks everyone for all your posts. You've made me feel much calmer. And I'm sorry to those of you who had EMCS - much worse than planned ones I"m sure.
I have my appt next tuesday so I will prepare myself with my 'homework' & let you know how I get on!
Good luck to all of you in the same boat too
x

Really? I am a med student and after having done a obs and gynae placement , the consultants there told me the risk of rupture are increased to a level that means they won't tend to induce with a vbac but just go for elcs. It's still smallish, but significant.

Yes, realhousewife - I refused an induction last time for what would have been a VBAC, and so had an ELCS.

I was hoping for a VBAC, but only if labour started spontaneously.

I think I would refuse an induction too!

Yes, I was quite surprised about them saying they'd induce at 41 weeks if I chose VBAC!
Consultant said they would only induce with the drip, not the pessary (as pessary cannot be 'stopped' once it gets going, but the drip can). Either way I said I didn't want to be induced and would want an elective section should I get to that stage, the intensity of induction mixed with the risks of a VBAC just don't sit well with me.