Why should I have a VBAC?

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Hello. I am nearly 15 weeks pregnant and already worrying about the delivery. I had DS 3 years ago and as he was breech had an ELCS. I had always been really scared of the idea of a VB (mainly the idea of having a tear) but during the pregnancy I really prepared and was mentally prepared for having a VB and really felt it was the best thing.

I was really disappointed when I found out DS was breech and did everything I could to get him to turn as I was so focused on having a VB. In the end the ELCS was a really positive experience and I healed well. I did have a few problems establishing breast feeding as DS was a bit mucousy but we only had to stay in 2 nights.

At the moment I feel I should try for a VBAC but I can't really think why other than because I feel I would be wimping out by having another CS. I have been reading about the risks and they seem quite small. I also would like to know if the risks for a CS can be compared between electives and emergencies.

I feel that the risk of an EMSC is not worth taking and I am also really scared of the idea of a bad tear. DS was 8lbs 3oz at 39 weeks so I am also worried the 2nd baby will be even bigger. I also had a MC earlier this year and found the pain quite difficult to cope with so am pretty sure I will not be great at managing labour pains and will probably end up with a cascade of interventions.

I know it's my decision and there is nothing wrong with opting for an ELCS. I just know I was really sure I wanted a VB the first time round - I just can't remember why! I can think of lots of positives for a CS (which for me outweigh the negatives I can think of) but know I am probably missing half the story. thanks for reading.

I desperately wanted a VB for my second after EMCS for the first.
I couldn't be persuaded that a ELCS would be a better option,so the exact opposite to you,op.

My reasons were that I was hoping to heal faster so I would find it easier to get back to normal and care for DD1.I wanted a natural birth to experience it.And I wanted a far less medicalised experience and be able to feel more in control.I didn't want to feel so completely dependent on others like I did immediately after the my EMCS.

Unfortunately I ended up with a ELCS despite my very very best attempts.

But it's your body OP,and if you are given the choice,you do what is right for you without feeling the need to explain yourself.

Good luck and I hope whatever happens is a positive experience for you.

Thanks. I hope you were ok with the way things worked out in the end. I think we are opposites as I feel a cs would give me control as I would know what was going to happen. Healing quicker is a good point. I think I am being pessimistic though as I just think I would end up having a cs either way ( though I think you have a 70 - 80 % chance of success).

I was very upset for a while with how things turned out as I felt I was pressured into an ELCS. But several years on,though I would never have believed it at the time,the method of DD2's entry to the world has assumed very little importance to me.

But that's not diminishing the fact that it was,and is,important at the time,as it is with you.

I do think it sounds like you may be happier with a ELCS from what you are saying.

The one tip I can give is that if you do try for VBAC,have a good plan of how you want things to be if you do go on to have a CS.
I didn't because I was so determined I wasn't going to have one,and I think my experience would have been a whole lot better if I had.

I have to say too that my view is coloured as I didn't have very good care following my second CS in the hospital,and I then went on to have a quite painful recovery with an infection.So I was unlucky.

I remember really struggling with this decision while.pregnant with Ds2.

If it helps, I didn't make a final decision until my last consultant appointment where I could have booked in for the section. I decided not to and let nature take it's course and ended up with a vbac.

Looking back, either would have been ok I think. Helpful!

Advantages of a VBAC:
You are likely to recover quicker.
You are going home to your DS with a newborn so to not have an abdominal wound is an advantage.
You may find the experience quite exciting I did
Baby is less likely to be mucusy.
You'll find it easier to hold him/her so may find establishing BFing easier.

Advantages of an elCS:
You know the date in advance.
You know what to expect.
The surgical/anaesthetic risks are tiny.

I had 2x VBAC after an induced VB and an emCS. All my deliveries were fine, but I enjoyed the VBACs the most by far.

'Tis a very personal choice.
Have you had a chance to talk it through with your consultant/MW?

I had an elcs for dc1 then 3 vbacs. I made the choice to trial VBAC with dc2 after discussions with the consultant.

Basically it came down to there being no good reason to have another elcs. Having had a successful VBAC with dc2, I didn't really discuss having an elcs for dc3 or 4.

I had very fast and easy labours but tore badly with each. In terms of healing in the first few weeks I don't think there was much in it. With the section I couldn't stand and with the vbacs I couldn't sit

Certainly I wouldn't have fought for a VBAC over an elcs or vice versa. My elcs was a very positive experience and nothing like some of the emcs stories you hear. Likewise I had no problems (other than speed) with the vbacs and they were all very positive experiences too!

Don't know if that helps or not!

Hm I had 2 natural birth and seriously if my first was a section I would go straight for another section. After my 2 my vigina is in shreds my stomach muscles separated in my second labour as it was so fast and vilent to a very large baby that came with his hand forward. I will now probably need two surgeries anyways on my stomach and down below.
You don't get a medals for this... But others are right recovery is faster after normal vaginal birth... But seriously don't be pressured into VBAC and go with csection if that what you feel like.

Thanks for all the replies and good points. I have an appointment with a consulting midwife in January to discuss options so I am trying to think of lots of questions before then.

I was just been trying to work out why I feel I don't want a VB when it was so important to me before. I think actually I really wanted a "natural birth" and the thought I wouldn't even get a chance to try never crossed my mind and that's why I was upset. When I first got pregnant I thought I would take every pain relief option going (and thought a CS sounded like a great option) but after reading about side effects, attending NCT classes and yoga I thought I should really try and avoid them unless it was really necessary. I thought having a drug free birth was really something to strive for and then got the complete opposite.

I guess now I've had a CS and it was all ok really all my old fears about VB have come back and the alternative doesn't seem so bad. A lot of my reasons for wanting the ELCS seem quite trivial though such as having no local family so knowing the exact date would make planning childcare for DS much easier. I know having a CS uses a lot more resources so it does seem a bit wrong to have one with no need. If I'm going to try for a VBAC though I really need to get my head into a space where I believe it can really happen (though I think I am more realistic about accepting what I need).

Sorry about your bad experiences verysmall though I'm glad it doesn't seem so important now. I hope babynelly you are on the road to recovery - I have to admit that it what worries me most about a VBAC and is what I have always focused on when thinking about childbirth - I don't think I seriously thought about the fact that contractions are the most painful bit for most people as I was so scared of the moment(s) of exit.

I do have ages to think about this all but I guess I am a bit of a planner. Thanks again for all your thoughts.

I found this web site helpful

TBH, I think the way your baby arrives in this world is such a tiny part of being his/her mother that it would be a shame if you felt 'pushed' in to either option.
I do not believe that a VB is 'superior' or something to strive for necessarily although it has some undoubted advantages.

Read as much as you can get your hands on about it, make your decision and then 'relax'.

Like I said upthread, I really enjoyed my VBAC for DS3 to the point that I would've been disappointed if DS4 would've turned out a CS. But, my induced labour (DS1) and emCS (DS2) were not horrible experiences either. No significant tears here btw

Good luck.

OP, I was the same as you - really wanted a VB first time round and was mentally prepared for it, but had an EMCS as baby was undiagnosed breech. The CS and recovery weren't actually that bad, but DD had terrible trouble BFing (mucousy, low birth weight, tongue tie) so not all because of CS, but didn't help.
I'm now 8 weeks with baby 2, and already thinking ahead. Thought I would really want a VBAC but I also think a CS would make me feel more in control, compared to last time when I felt completely out of control - I know what to expect, risks are small, a VBAC might end in EMCS anyway.
Not sure what the answer is but sounds like you're leaning to CS. Think on it longer, you've got ages yet, and see what your instincts are closer to time. Good luck!

I had ELSC with DS4 (footling breech)

he was 3.5 when DS5 was born with VBAC, weighing 9lb 14 (my biggest).
it was fine, 7 hours from first contraction to birth.
recovery was quick

DD was born 2 years later, also VBAC (or is it technically VBA VBAC? )
she was my smallest, 8lb 3 and I didn't tear at all
recovery was amazing, I was surprisingly well and being pain free was just brilliant!

as she was my 6th I was on a high risk ward though and the MWs were a bit jumpy.

I'm expecting #7 in July and I hope to avoid a C-section.

Oh, Zing, massive congratulations !!
V happy for you.
Have - you are officially allowed

thanks Pacific !