If your first delivery was an EMCS, how did your second delivery turn out?

[paleandinteresting]

If you had an EMCS for DC1, did you go for a VBAC (and was it successful?) or did you request an ELCS second time round? Also, did your scar hurt during your second pregnancy?

The reason I'm asking is that I had DS by EMCS a year ago and have started thinking about TTC #2. Not pregnant yet, but spend a lot of time thinking about what my birth option would be. I got to the pushing stage with DS, but he was stuck, and I was taken to theatre when he showed signs of distress. Ventouse and forceps failed to get him out so EMCS only option.

DH doesn't want more than two children, so if I'm lucky enough to get pregnant again and the consultant agrees I would probably request an ELCS. I also had pregnancy-induced hypertension so was continuously monitored and administered drugs during my labour so that's something I have to take into consideration if I decide on VBAC (guessing PIH could be a problem again). But I did find recovery after the EMCS pretty bad, although with hindsight I think that might have been the shock of it more than anything. Just interested in hearing what you decided for birth #2 and maybe your reasoning. Thanks!

paleandinteresting I'll check in after my appointment and let you know - it's ages away yet, at 20 weeks I think and I'm only 12 just now.

ELCS 2nd after EMCS here, was amaziNG, I felt so in control and much happier, my recovery is so far been a doddle compared to EMCS, dd2 is 12 days old and everything is back to normal, my scar is amazing and the only blip i had was thinking i was strong enough 3 days later to have a bath and got a bit stuck haha, my lochia is a bit heavier this time as im doing so much more but i feel brilliant! Mw discharged me already too :) Best decision i ever made, i had amazing skin to skin too which in itself would make me recommend ELCS

1st birth crash section immediately on arriving at hospital, having laboured quickly and calmly to 9cm at home.

2nd birth home VBAC, gas and air, no tears or stitches.

I was asked by the midwife when pregnant with DD2 whether I wanted to be referred for consultant-led care, and I declined. You couldn't have paid me enough to have another c-section frankly: the pain, the recovery, urgh. I found it very hard also that I was under GA when DD1 was born and I think it affected my bond with her for a long time - I had a sense that she wasn't 'mine'. But I have several friends who had perfectly fine experiences of c-sections (all EMCS) who opted for ELCS with their second babies and were very happy with their decisions - they liked knowing the date that the second baby would come, they recovered quickly etc.

I was utterly fixed that I definitely did not want another section if I could help it, so my decision was made for me really - if you have a gut feeling of what you want, go with it.