Vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC)

[catherineskelly]

wondered if anyone could offer any advice. I had a horrendous emergency c-section with twins for first birth. Have been told this time I would be given a "trial of labour" to see how the scar handled during labour as really didn't want to go through emergency procedure again. Am really confused whether to go for VBAC or to opt for elective c-section. Any advice?? HELP!!

Hold your stitches when coughing or sneezing??? Really???

It's amazing how different our experiences of Caesareans are. I saw lots of doctors and midwives after mine but nobody ever suggested this.

I had also heard the "don't drive for 6 weeks" thing on the grapevine and just accepted it, but burst into tears one morning when we'd run out of milk during week 4 - you have to drive to our nearest shop. I rang my insurance company in desperation and they said "Do you feel up to driving a car? Well go for it then." I thought I would need a doctor's certificate at least, but next time I won't feel I have to be house-bound for so long.

Another emergency section veteran here. It's interesting that in the US the attitude is quite the opposite. It is more expected to go for a scheduled section the second time than for a VBAC. Since my first experience was so horrendous, I told my new OB that I definitely wanted a scheduled c-section and was extremely anxious about avoiding labour. I am now scheduled to deliver at 38 weeks and I couldn't be more pleased. As someone else mentioned, the emotional and physical trauma of a long labour followed by emergency c-section meant that I was too exhausted to even really notice the baby for a while.

I was told to bend forward a bit or hold a pillow against my stitches and it made a difference.

When I pretended to hold the steering wheel with both hands and look over my shoulder, it didnt work. I was so glad dh was a willing and available driver.

Thank you all for your messages, it has helped me alot in coming to a decision. I have decided to go for an elective c/section as I have now been told that my baby is likely to be 8lb or more and given that I am not all that big myself can't face another horrendous labour. Fingers crossed!!!

You've all helped me make my mind up too, as my birth experience last time was very similar to that of Catherineskelly. We nearly lost DS and I don't want to go through the fear etc that we went through last time. Have decided to also opt for an elective CS. My next door neighbour had one just under 2 weeks ago. She is up and about doing most "normal" things already. In fact, DP went outside on Saturday to tell her off for mowing the lawn!!!!!

Goo dluck to both of you, and don't forget the arnica. Also don't forget to bring your own (edible) food.

Will look forward to the birth announcements.

Found this really interesting reading. I had an elective cs last time for severe SPD, but this time around at 26 weeks I'm not very badly affected by it at all so really really want to go for a normal delivery. I see consultant again at 36 weeks for the final decision. I want to labour in water - does anyone know if that's usually allowed?
I'm already getting a fair bit of pain from my scar when baby moves against it. Worst case scenario is going overdue and then having to have a planned section at 42 weeks anyway, as they won't induce me. Baby is expected to be around 10 lb (I'm 5ft 2) and I'm really hoping that doesn't affect the hospitals recommendations (she says naively knowing nothing of real labour)
Don't know what decision to make. Wish I'd not had a section last time, but I was so overwhelmned by the SPD pain I couldn't think straight. My last section had complications as I had a low lying placenta they hadn't known about and I had to be given a lot of blood, and was nearly taken back in for further surgery 24 hours later as I was losing so much blood.
I'm scaring myself now!!

babylily, I had an em/section last time and am really hoping for a VBAC this time round. I have enquired about water birth as would LOVE to do this but no-one seems to be able to give me a straight forward answer - although they certainly don't seem to think it's a great idea. would be interested to see if you get any responses on this :)

Also finding this very interesting reading! I had an elective section with DD1 (breech) and am now 38+5 weeks pregnant with No2. My first section was a good experience - very nice and relaxed (or so i thought...) turned out they hadn't sewn me up properly so ended up losing 3.5 litres of blood throughout the rest of the day (internally) and had to go back to theatre the next day ( plus transfusions). Not quite the start to motherhood I'd hoped for! So naturally I was initially pretty keen to avoid a further section, however as time wore on I thought that if there was a chance of ending up with one anyway (in our hospital it's 65% vbac success rate)i'd maybe rather have an elective one than an emergency one (the risk of same thing happening again is minute). In the end, since 31 weeks this baby was breech too so I didn't think we had a choice and were prepared for an elective section, but got a scan at 37 weeks and it's turned! So at the end of the day I've decided that if there's a chance of avoiding another operation then I have to try - even though they are overall extremely safe they're not totally without risk as I found out last time (neither are vaginal births of course!) Plus the whole recovery thing seems more of a big deal with a toddler to deal with too. So i've a section booked for 41 weeks and will hopefully get a 'trial of labour' before then. Who knows if it's the right decision - don't actually find either option that appealling tbh!! At the end of the day it's a really personal decision so good luck to everyone whatever you decide - I'm sure it will be right decision for your personal circumstance/frame of mind

You're all soo lovely (and helpful). Babylily - you sound just like me a few weeks ago. I got myself into a real faf (probably because one silly midwife really put me under pressure to have a vaginal birth). In the end you can only plan so much and then it's down to luck/fate/mother nature, unfortunately. I'm sure whatever you decide to do will work out for the best and the end result will be a beautiful baby. Don't forget the end result!! xx

nowanearlyNicemum - I am planning a home VBAC and will hopefully having a waterbirth. My MW has no problems with this at all. Can't think why a previous c/s should affect it, unless they insist on giving you continuous monitoring.

laura have you not encountered any fight for a home vbac at all?
i have had to fight all the way through this pg for a homebirth and have finally been offered support (34 weeks) drs and midwives are not happy about it though, and i have already had 2 vaginal births after cs which was 9 years ago!

i hated being constantly monitored during my previous vbac- especially as no one was paying too much attention to the monitor anyway. i kinda think theres not much point in constant monitoring unless someone is there looking at it.

slinkstah - I can only count myself very lucky to say that no, I haven't had any fight for a HVBAC at all really. I have been 'advised' by everybody that I have seen that it is not the best course of action, but they have all said it is my right to choose so long as I am fully informed of the risks.

I was scared to death of telling my CMW - the only time my bp has gone up this pg , but she was very supportive. I had a very difficult time with ds's birth, and she knew about this in advance, so understood my reasoning for choosing a HB.

However, the proof will only come on the day, I might not get my usual MW (choice of 5 round here), so I can only hope that whoever I get on the day will be supportive, and not 'looking' for reasons to transfer me in. I hope what will work in my favour is that we have a local cottage hospital in the town, with a birthing suite. The 5 CMW's do all the births that occur there, so they should be well versed with birth in a home / low tech environment. They have water pools in the centre (unlike in the main hospital in the local city), so they are quite happy about those as well.

Glad you've got the support now though. My next appt with my MW is at 36w (3w time now) to drop off my HB kit, which sounds v.scary. Best get on and order that birthing pool!!!