***advice wanted please***

[milesysgirl]

hi im 34 weeks pregnant with no 2, my first was born by emergency c-section .At the start of this pregnancy i was quite certain that i wanted a vbac or at least try for one and midwife was OK with that , i am now changing my mind and thinking about asking midwife for an elective c-section for a couple of reasons 1) had growth scan last week and baby was a little on the large side , 2)heard a few horror stories about vbac and i really cant be doing with a long stressfull labour then it ending in c-section anyway as it did with my first , i was just wondering if anyone had any advice or experience on this , or on what the midwife is likely to say also whose decision is it to say if i can have an elective or not . many thanks if you have got this far !!!!!!!!!!!

Scans can be quite far out but bumping for you so someone can advise on vbac. good luck

Scans are not a good indication of growth so don't let that put you off. I have seen some lovely VBAC's with women absolutely delighted with their labour. Why did you need a C/S first time round?

I had a vbac with number 2. It was wonderful!

Also scans can be deceptive. All of mine (except the DTs) were supposed to be big with DD2 scanning as an enormous baby. Because I wanted to go for a vaginal birth and had an incredibly supportive midwife I was able to (and the hospital had a team waiting outside the room to be called in because they were convinced that she was going to be HUGE. She was only 8.1 in the end lol)

Hth

hi,thanks for your replies , i had c-section first time round as back waters went at 31 weeks so i was in and out of hospital then at 37 weeks they decided to induce me due to infection had 3 gels went on drip all day and just didnt dilate so was rushed to theatre ,my midwife also said these are the hardest type of vbacs to have failure to progress is she right ?? many thanks

Milesygirl, there was a thread on here a few days ago called something like "Oh FFS is a VBAC really better than another C-section?" The title says it all really. If you read through that, you will see lots of contrasting opinions and experiences.

thanks tuttifrutti will have look now !!

hi, saw midwife today got to go and see consultant on tuesday to talk about a c-section , if i do have an elective when is it likely to be is it slightly before due date or as near as possible ,thanks .xx

morning bump !

On growth scans
Hmmm in my short experience they over size almost all the time
DD was estimated at 34 weeks to be a 10lb plus baby at birth (they were tryign to scare em into an early induction as they thought I had obstetric cholestasis and I knew I didn't)at 37 weeks they told me at least 11 lbs
she was born naturally 3 weeks weight 7lbs 8oz
Mind over matter mileysgirl
Good luck with whichever you choose!

milesysgirl - I think you last pregnancy was doomed to be C/S as you were induced well before your possible due date. It might have been that your pregnancy would have gone on for another 4 weeks or more if all had been normal. That is wht your body did not respond to the prostin so basically your C/S was because of failed induction of labour.
I think those circumstances make it reasonable to an attempt at VBAC this time, so I don't actually agree with your midwife. The VBACs that are less likely to be successful is when the previous section has been done due to failure to progress in second stage when the cervix is fully open.
If your pregnancy is progressing well, it would be a shame not to attempt VBAC. You could make a plan that if you did not go into labour spontaneously by 10 days past your due date, that delivery should be by elective C/S.
Babies are best left longer before elective C/S is performed if possible. In your case there is no need to avoid labour so that is why I am suggesting going past your date. HTH.

thanks for your replies got an appointment next tuesday so will hopefully know more then ,and will have a long and hard think about it before then .
if the consultant thinks a c-section is for the best do i have to just go along with it or can i disagree and try for a vbac???

You can do whatever you like - no one can force you into having a c/s, and I think they are unlikely to try to. They usually recommend at least trying for a VBAC.

It should be your decision. Consultant can give you an opinion but cannot force you to have a C/S. I would imagine you would be encouraged to try VBAC.

ok thanks alot for all your advice ,its much appreciated .xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Reading your original post i thought you wanted to go for a section and wondered if you could? Have I got it wrong?
Had late scans with my last 2, they were right.

After an emergency cs first time round I really wanted a VBAC with number two. So I did try and did have a long laboour followed by another emergency section (different reason). That said I am glad I tried again even though it didn't work because I now don't sit there thinking what if. It is such a personal thing and has to be what you feel most comfortable with. Good luck

VBACs are easier if you got to fully dilated the first time (assuming there's not any physical reason you can never give birth, of course), but that doesn't mean they are horrendously difficult if you didn't. It'll just be like a first labour so might be on the long side.

If you are firm enough and have your reasons lined up, it's likely to be your decision whether you aim for an elective or a VBAC. Now the tricky bit is making up your mind! (I change mine daily about what I'd do for a hypothetical #2, so you have my sympathies )

im really quite un decided at the mo at first i wanted a vbac ,now not sure weather to try or just have an elective c-section really dont want to risk having an emergency c-section again as i found it quite tramatic , and now worrying about having a big baby , in my ideal situation i would like to be induced / go into labour naturally at 38 weeks so would at least not have such a big baby ,but still have a go at a vbac !!!!!! dont want much do i ??!!!!!

size of baby really doesn't matter that much to be honest. I would avoid induction at 38 weeks as it is totally unecessary. Labour with previous section should have spontaneous onset. If you wait until 41+ weks, and it hasn't happened you could happily go for C/S. The normal length of pregnancy is really 41 weeks. If you have your heart set on having your baby at 38 weeks, then i would forget VBAC. A word of warning though, elective C/S at 38 weeks is not the best time for delivery. babies often ahve breathing difficuties and feeding problems. Elective C/S is better planned for 39 weeks at least.
If you wait till past 41 weeks, if baby is too big it will be unlikely to engage. I really do think it is worth giving VBAC a chance. You might have the best experience of your life and avoid major surgery when you already have a toddler to look after.