Oh FFS is Vbac really better than another section?

[Flum]

Trying to work out if it is worth holding out or not.....

shd also add that when I was pregnant I wanted to slap anyone who told me that a normal birth would be a healing experience - as I strongly felt that no-one can promise you that outcome if you decide to labour. guess I've just been surprised by my own luck

I haven't read all of this through but quite a lot of it.

I do feel that everyone's experience is different. I had my first at 39 with an elective caesarian - a bit traumatic at the time but just because it was something I hadn't considered. My recovery from it was very quick and Icould have driven well within the 4 weeks. In fact at 5 weeks I was on a plane to the US with husband and baby!

Second time I was 44 and the obstetrician reckoned that I had about a 80% chance of needing another emergency caesarian. I decided to go for an elective - also for the sanity of my husband - after the first one when the doctor had said"You can choose but if you want a live baby you need a caesarian now!". I didn't want to put him through the stress! I recovered really well again - despite my advanced years!

Clearly, I have never had a vaginal birth - but I really resent those women who say a caesarian is not a "proper one". Does that mean if I don't drop my baby in the field I am not having a proper one as that is how they did it in caveman days!! I don't feel I have missed out anything except a whole lot of pain!!

Each to their own - live and let live. It's all a bit like people looking at my husband and I thinking we are a bit old for small children. It is just how life happens sometimes!

Tonton, did you go into labour spontaneously for your VBAC or were you induced? I am sorry that you feel so bad, have you been to Birth Traum Assoc. It sounds like you could use a gentle shoulder to cry on.

I'd go for a section. You've got that scar already. You might not want to add another at a very sensitive part of your body.

I had an elective c/s and it was a very lovely birth and recovered very quickly as I hadn't laboured before.

Also, the only way to avoid an emergency section or an instrumental birth is an elective section.

I am ttc no.2 and often think about whether to go for a VBAC or elective next time.

I had an 'elective' c-section after 'failure to progress/failed induction' (elective is really rather misleading, as I was completely scare-mongered into it by the consultant).

On one hand, I don't see why I should have another section, as I don't even know why I had to have the first one, really!
I can see now that I was pushed into what was probably an unnecessary operation by over-zealous staff. I was barely overdue when they insisted on inducing, and to be honest, I still don't understand why they didn't just send me home for a week or so to see if nature would do her bit. It was highly unlikely labour was going to start with me lying on my back strapped up to monitors. I also found recovery from my section painfully slow. Six weeks? More like six months! The scar itself wasn't too bad and I wasn't in much pain, but I definitely felt like I'd had a major operation and was physically quite weak and shaky for a long while.

On the other hand, I had a very large baby and I am scared that a VBAC would end in an emergency section or some hideous 'natural' birth involving tearing and al sorts of instruments!

I'm obviously more confused than the OP!