Consultant appointment tomorrow, undecided about VBAC, anyone around to talk pros and cons with?

[LackingNameChangeInspiration]

I was never one of those women who needed to experience a VB to tick off some sort of womanly to-do list IYKWIM

however I don't want an early VBAC, I'ld rather be booked in for 40 weeks and have an emergancy CS if poss so that the baby gets to come when its ready and gets a few contractions to squeeze its lungs

I have had a number of pelvic injuries, last time they said that there was no way DS would have come out that way and we were lucky that vaginal interventions weren't attempted.

its been a couple of generations since any women in my family have managed a VB, all end up with CSs, we have IMO some oddly small bones (e.g. ribs, we are all tiny bra band sizes even if over weight over all and lots of lung problems, so maybe small pelvises too?)

I am scared to push due to family history of brain haemorrage. I didn't mention this to anyone last time as I assumed that when it came to the time I wouldn't think about it, but I did and I held back (even though the MW said they were good pushes)

any thoughts on what I should ask for?

am I likely to get booked in for a late elective CS, like 40 weeks?

"however I don't want an early VBAC"
don't want an early elective CS rather

When you say early Vbac is that because they are thinking of inducing you early? I too was in your situation a few weeks back and agree its best to let baby come of his own accord. Maybe ask for a later induction once you've passed your due date? If you laboured by yourself last time with no extra health problems your hospital should be open to this. Do you know the potential risks of not being induced early? For me the consultant said the risk of hemorrage and scar rupture would increase the later I left it.

Ultimately you should only really attempt a VBAC if your heart is truly in it. If you are worried about VB issues you could ask to discuss elective section around your due date. I ended up having an elective section after weeks of planning for a natural VBAC, it just ended up being safer to go for a section and being elective it was a much better experience than my previous EMCS.

sorry I meant early CS, I don't really want one before my due date as DS wasn't early and I want to leave the baby as long as possible, I know they are sometimes booked a week or 2 before due date and IMO every week at that stage make a difference in terms of weight gain and feeding after the birth

Ask to see your consultant to discuss it and put your case forward. If your going for an elective they should be open to hear you out and may offer you a compromise that you'll be happier with.

I had an elective c-section with my DD after previously having an emergency c-section with DS. This was performed at 39 weeks and i was told by the hospital that they schedule slightly early to minimise the risk of you going into labour naturally prior to the c-section. Apparently it is much easier to perform before you have contractions than it is once they have started.
I don't think there is many health advantages to baby for an extra week in gestation
Speak with your doctors.
Good luck

and elective c-section was so much easier than the prior emergency one!

my MW agrees that there are advantages for the baby to have the extra week and also to have their lungs stimulated by a few contractions before a CS

but dunno if the consultant will agree though

I am researching vbac now, (planning mine for November) though I hear your concerns over your quite unique family history which obvs I have no experience of... the AIMS booklet on VBAC is truly brilliant. The point is, you can have exactly what you want, if it is an informed decision. 'how' you are informed is up to you, MW and AIMS, or VBAC specialists are probably the best people. In my experience, Doctors are the last people to give you un-bias information, as by their very nature, they are only witness to the small percentage of births which need skilled medical intervention.
I would suggest speaking to someone through AIMS about your situation and see what advice they give about going into labour naturally then having an ELCS. From what I have learned, your baby will certainly benefit from longer in the womb, and from the experience of contractions.. good luck :)

well she was really good, didn't need to make an instand decision (unlike other consultant in the area apparently)

she was really helpful, I thought I knew the pros and cons of the various choices but she mentioned some options I hadn't thought of and I learnt stuff I didn't know.. and I'll see her a few more times and she seems really flexible and says we can change our mind at any point. She was very straightforwards and not leading

she said that if a CS is booked in advance they'll only book it for 39 weeks BUT I can not book one at all, go into labour, then ask for a CS. Or not book it in advance but ask for one to be planned if I go over in place of induction etc..

Still not keen on a VBAC, but feel a bit off the hook in that now I know that just because I don't book a 39wk CS doesn't mean I HAVE to stay committed to a VBAC IYKWIM

I have no desire to have a VBAC, but I don't want to evict the baby at 39 weeks unless its the baby's decision IYKWIM

what a great consultant, so pleased for you, she sounds human! I harped on about VBAC info as it covers elective CS too, and helps you stand up for what you want, but it doesn't sound like you need to with that support! :)