how was your second c-section?

[fairyglo]

Sorry, not a very good title but I'd really like opinions on birth options. I know this has all been done before but if people could bear to share their experiences yet again it would be really helpful.

Basically, ds was 10 days overdue, second attempt at induction worked. After 37 hour labour I was fully dilated (more or less although with ragged membranes?) but the position of ds meant I needed an emergency c-section.

Not sure what to do this time round. As far as I know, there is no medical reason to have a c-section in this pregnancy other than because I had one last time.

I slightly feel obliged to have a go at VBAC but feel very anxious about it at the same time (pain, will there be enough support from midwives, can I go into labour at home or do I have to go straight into hospital once labour starts, can I be induced, what happens if baby is overdue again).

C-section last time round was absolutely fine but I think I remember reading one thread on here where a few people said that they had had very straight forward c-sections first time round but more complicated ones second time (finding problems from the first c-section). Is that normal or can your next section be fine?

Any recommendations either way?

My second section was wonderful. No medical problems, and emotionally much better as it was an elective so I was prepared (1st was emergency after 3 days of failed induction at 36 weeks due to a liver problem)

Many consultants do not recommend induction for a VBAC because induced contractions tend to be stronger and therefore slightly increase the risk of a scar rupture. And for the same reason you may find it difficult (though not impossible) to get your hospital to agree to a less medicalised VBAC - they tend to like to do continuous monitoring and no water births for example, though there are threads on here from people who have wanted natural VBAC's and succesfully fought to get the birth they want, and that is their right, because their isn't really a lot of medical necessity for the extra caution if things are progressing normally.

I do think that having had one c-section you are in a very lucky position of nobody feeling able to criticise your next birth choice. If you want one this time, then a prior c-section is an "acceptable" reason (not that I think you should have to have one), and if you wnat to try a VBAC people support that choice as well. Which would you feel most comfortable with?

Hi,

I had an emergency cs first time round. My waters broke with meconium in them and I had to go straight to hospital before the contractions started, then laboured all night but only got to 3cm and dd1 was in distress, so was whisked off for cs. I was exhausted after being in labour all night, scared and shaky and don't have much memory of the time immediately after the birth - e.g. I don't remember feeding her for the first time.

The second time round, I decided to try for VBAC. I was more active in labour (upright positions etc instead of lying on my back), and laboured at home for 7 hours. The pain felt really bad, worse than the first time round - mainly because I was at home instead of in hospital so didn't have the gas and air at that stage. I went to hospital because I couldn't stand the pain any more, but was disappointed to be only 1cm dilated (despite contractions lasting 1 minute and 3 minutes apart). After a couple of hours in hospital I was still only 1cm they whisked me off again for emergency cs.

The second cs was a much more positive experience than the first - I knew what to expect so I felt more confident and in control, and I have very clear and happy memories of meeting dd2.

I didn't have any complications, recovered well physically and started exercising again after 6 weeks. The hardest thing about the 2nd CS was not being able to lift dd1 (then just turned 2) during the few weeks afterwards. I had prepared for the eventuality by teaching her to climb up into her car seat and push chair, and she sat at her little play-table for meals instead of in the highchair when dh wasn't around to lift her.

I was glad I had tried for VBAC though - if I hadn't tried I would have always wondered if it could have worked.

If you got to being fully dilated first time round, my understanding is that your second labour should be quicker and is likely to be less painful. So my recommendation would be to give vBAC a shot, but don't set your heart on it iykwim.

I had my second section 2 years after my first one. First was elective as baby was breech, second was an emergancy one.

Both were fine and infact i recovered alot quicker form the second one than the first.

I did infact have the option of a VBAC at first and was quite willing to give it a go, but baby thought otherwise.

It's your choice, do whatever you feel you are most comfortable with.

My first section happened after I was induced and got to 10 cm but DS1 just wasn't coming out and he was in distress. Out he came with the cord wrapped round him lots but he was fine and so was I.

Second time round I like you was heading down the VBAC route as there was no reason to have another c-secion apart from the fact I had already had one. I was told I would have to go into hospital straight away but that I could be induced if that was needed.

I worried so much about what I was going to do but in the end the decision was taken out of my hands (which secretly I wanted!) and the consultant decided that c-section would be best due to the baby being too big for delivery normally. In the end he wasn't at all but also had cord wrapped round and I was told he wouldn't have come out normally. The section was fine..alot better as it was planned but yes it was more complicated as they had more stitching to do due to last time but that didn't affect me at all..I was just in theatre longer. I recovered alot quicker than first time round.

In the end it is up to you...I know what you mean about feeling obliged to go for the VBAC but I don't regret what happened at all as I felt I had given labour a go the first time round! At the time the birth was the biggest thing and the hardest decision but really that time is a blip now one year on and the baby arriving safely for him and me was the key in the end
HTH

1st section was elective cos dd was feet-first. Very calm and relaxed, took me ages to recover - felt wiped out for months. Scar was itchy and the scar on my womb was quite painful at every period, even 2 years later.

2nd section was emergency when I went into labour at 34 weeks (placenta over cervix and starting to detach). Also the scar on my womb from the previous time had started to split open. I lost 4 pints of blood (mostly before the operation). BUT the operation didn't take any longer than before, was bizarrely just as calm as before (for me; lots of tension at the business end!). And I recovered a lot better. Started to feel "normal" at about 6 weeks. No pain or probs with scar at all.

You totally cannot second-guess what will happen. My only recommendation is, do what you want. Don't go for one option or other cos you think you "ought" to!

Now, what shall I do for my next one?

Thanks. It is helpful to hear the positive experiences of second timers. Secretly, I suppose like Futurity, I want the decision to be taken out of my hands.

To be perfectly honest, I suppose I would prefer a c-section because I would know what to expect, I'd have the certainty of knowing what was going to happen when and because it was fine last time (and I'm more nervous about the pain second time round!). Also, somehow I'm expecting baby to be overdue (family history of this) so labour may not start naturally in time for a VBAC. I assume in that case if I can't be induced I would have an elective anyway.

On the other hand, if there are any complications with the surgery for me or the baby, I know I'll kick myself for not having given VBAC a go. What are the downsides, if any, to giving VBAC a go? I know there is a risk of scar rupture but is that a problem if it is picked up early in labour (assuming there are enough midwives around to do this monitoring)? Any other downsides?

What a wimp, eh? Sorry to be so feeble but decision-making powers seem to be paralysed in the face of such an important decision. Maybe I'm looking for certainties that can never be there.

I had an emergency csection for my first dd, following a failed induction after getting to fully dilated in over 24 hours. I felt cheated of a 'normal' delivery but when I was pregnant again I knew there was no way I wanted to go through a whole labour again and end up with another section, so I asked for a section date after my due date. If I had gone into labour spontaneously then I would have had a trial of labour and possibly a vbac, I didn't, I had a very straight forward elective section. I was out of hospital 2 days later and was well enough to walk dd1 to nursey (about 3/4 mile) 5 days later. I didn't feel cheated as it was my decision and I felt in control, and it was a much faster recovery. (I was driving again after 15 days!!. It was a much better experience than the first one.

i had an emergency c-section first time - due to baby not me iyswim. Wanted to try for a vbac but dd2 showed no intention of arriving anytime soon and so opted for an elective c-section.

Despite the first time being an emergency - went form having a scan at 9.30am to having a babe at 11am, both were fine.

I actually probably healed quicker after my second in spite of having a toddler with special needs who had to also be cared for. It also meant childcare etc could be arranged as dh started a new job the day after my c-section and my family all work or live a distance away.

I essentially wanted a vbac so I could 'care' for dd1 more effectively and you know - it really did not make a difference having the c-section. I jsut had to adjust how I lifted/carried her ( she was not walking - and was almost 2 1/2) did more things on the floor iywsim. My only concern about the vbac was that dd2 was a big baby compared to dd1 and they were concerned about the pressure on my scar so wanted to monitor me pretty closely whilst in labour.... that limited my options in terms of how I wanted to manage my labour.

No regrets having the second c-section, no regrets never having laboured and had a baby vaginally either.

Go with the C-section! You know it's what you want.

I had an emergency C-section after a grim 23 hour induced labour. Next time, I will have no hesitation in booking an elective C-section, as I never want to go through the pain and horror of "natural" labour again.

There is a lot of pressure on women to have VBACs, hence your comment that you feel obliged to try for one. Even while I was being wheeled into the operating theatre, the midwife said "Don't worry, there is a 70% chance you could manage a vaginal birth next time", and I thought to myself, you must be joking! Go with what you feel comfortable with.

I had a trial of labour in my second labour (1st was emergency section) but ended up having a section just as I was ready to push - they feared for my previous scar! oh well I tried!

I can see the way the wind is blowing from your replies and yes, controlled delivery (by which I probably mean elective c-section) is much more attractive to me. Can't say I enjoyed labour that much first time round and I've never believed all that baloney about the importance of a natural birth. Only thing of importance is ending up with healthy baby and mother.

I suspect the thing to do is to book an elective c-section a few days after due date and see what happens the way Hellnback did (hope your nickname is not related to your birth experience!). Interesting also to hear about still being able to look after your toddler. That's the argument always trotted out about VBACs- that you'll be better able to look after your toddler after a VBAC than a c-section. Good to hear that needn't definitely be the case.

Fairyglo, I am in almost the same situation as you - first baby was breech so opted for elective c-s (tho went into labour a week earlier than planned date). Really positive experience with c-s, healed brilliantly, no lasting problems etc.

When I was told at the start of this pregnancy that elective c-s was an option I have to say I jumped at the news ... however, most of my community midwives have made it quite clear that they think I am taking the easy option, despite my protestations that this is not the case. Anyway, I am booked for a section tomorrow (at 39+6) and had vowed that if I went into labour beforehand I would give vbac a try (but only today left to go, so not looking likely - thank god!)

I suppose what I am trying to say is that I have been agonising about this decision for my entire pregnancy, feeling guilty on the one hand for wanting to take the "easy option" and indignant that the midwives have seen fit to judge me. Like you I think that the most important thing at the end of the day is to have healthy mum and baby - it is not important to me how my baby is delivered. Go for what you want ... it doesnt make you a better person to give birth vaginally.

Thanks ScotsBird and best of luck tomorrow. Outrageous the way your midwives seem to have judged you and yes, the key thing to remember is that you are never going to see the midwives again (well, until next time ) while your relationship with your baby is lifelong. Important to make sure it starts on a positive footing if at all possible.

Thanks FG, I can assure you that there will be no next time ... This is the second and last ... might tootle off now to try and book a wee vasectomy for DH ...

I heard from another mumsnetter that you can arrange for a trial of labour with a set time limit, eg 6hrs, then they'll whip you in for a c/s. In my case my fear is that (as with DS)I will labour excruciatingly for 24hrs or so only to discover I have to have a C/S anyway by which time I'm so exhausted it takes me ages to recover. I was all for an elective C/S until I heard about this time limit thing! Now I'm unsure which option I will choose, luckily I have a long time to make my mind up (am only 16 wks)