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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

VBAC or ELCS and why?

22 replies

starfish12 · 22/02/2015 20:39

Sorry I'm sure this has been done to death but wanted to get opinions.

Had my consultation with the registrar at 24 weeks who seemed annoyed I hadn't made up my mind (thought that was the whole point of the appt!)

He rushed through not even discussing why i had a c section first time, citing one of the benefits of vbac is that it saves the nhs money (hmmmm) and also said they induce you at 38 weeks for a VBAC.... surely that's not true?

I want to speak to my midwife in a couple of weeks but in the meantime thought I'd ask which you went for a what were your reasons...

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:

Lazaretto · 22/02/2015 20:44

I haven't had a c section but just want to say...no matter what they think you can do what you want.

seaoflove · 22/02/2015 20:46

What do you want? That's all that matters, honestly

If you got the green light for an ELCS tomorrow, how would you feel? Relieved? Then ask for an ELCS.

Chopsypie · 22/02/2015 20:46

I was told I wouldn't be induced as that increased the risk?

I went for ELCS, as due to other factors I was given a list of things that would and wouldn't be allowed and my consultants believed I had about a 20% chance of success with VBAC.

That added to being due Christmas Day and having a 17 month old at home the ELCS seemed like the best one for me and my circumstances.

My midwife really helped with discussing the issue, she set an extra appointment for me and we went through all of the guidance/risks and the conditions the hospital had set and I felt like I made an informed choice.

Bigbadgeorge · 22/02/2015 20:48

I'm going for ELCS after EMCS last time. I didn't progress well at all, in labour for a long time and was absolutely gubbed by the end of it all. Civilised ELCS for me! Midwife and consultant agreed, no persuasion.

NanoNinja · 22/02/2015 20:53

I had ELCS first time round due to a breech presentation. I was fully signed up to VBAC for my second, but was breech too and my obstetrician wasn't happy with two potential risks. She also was clear that induction would not be possible due to increased risk of rupture. Was absolutely the right decision to have a second ELCS - baby had a short cord and could not have been delivered vaginally. I was worried about 'missing out' on a vaginal birth, but couldn't care less now!

Roomba · 22/02/2015 21:29

I went for ELCS as then I knew exactly what would happen. I just couldn't risk the 30%+ risk of going through a trial of labour only to end up with an EMCS at the end of it (that's what my consultant told me, anyway). Plus when I had my first section, the surgeon told me my uterus was very thin near the incision and I would need to be very careful in case of rupture in future (this was dismissed as irrelevant by doctors I saw second time round though as she didn't appear to have noted this anywhere in my notes).

I was terrified of another section as the first was agony and I had a slow recovery, but actually it was brilliant second time round, very little pain and I was up and about in no time.

Glad I went for that option, but know several friends have gone for VBACs and all has gone well too.

LovelyWeatherForDucks · 22/02/2015 21:35

I'm aiming for a VBAC this time after a c-section for breech last time. I'm going for this option after awful complications with c section previously - though it's unlikely to happen again, I did not enjoy it and would like to experience labour (she says now...!). However I am very open to the fact it could go either way when the time comes. I don't want to be induced because of the higher risks, so likely to have a c section if baby doesn't come of its own accord by 41-42 weeks anyway.

GlowWine · 22/02/2015 21:37

EMCS first time here. When pregnant again was seen by consultant and discussed in detail reasons for the EMCS and options. I chose VBAC without being pressured to do so, and with their support, there were no counter-indications, first CS apparently result of 'inefficient first labour'. No talk about induction or otherwise, I went into labour naturally on my due date. It ended in another EMCS, but labour was definitely more 'efficient', but that's another story, but positive. Oh and this was about 7years ago.

emsyj · 22/02/2015 21:41

My emcs first time around was due to foetal distress - so a 'baby-related' reason (rather than a mum-related reason). According to my midwife this meant that I had just as good a chance of a vaginal delivery with DC2 as someone who had never had a section.

I had a very slow recovery from my (crash) emcs and found it quite traumatic. I was also terrified of the idea of a spinal/epidural and wanted to avoid that if possible. In the end I had a very straightforward, quick VBAC at home.
I would have expected your consultant to have had a more constructive discussion with you tbh, sounds a bit crap!
I have a friend who had emcs first time around and who put a lot more thought into her second birth than I did - eventually she had several meetings with the consultant and agreed a birth plan that she was happy with, which included a wish not to be induced, a preference to try a vaginal birth but with an option to request a section if the labour was prolonged etc etc. As she described it, she 'made a nuisance of herself' so that they would mark her down as 'difficult' and treat her with kid gloves - which they duly did, as it turns out. If you're unsure and want more information and guidance, do ask for it - that's what the medical staff are there for. You don't have to make a stark black and white decision of one route or the other - depending on your experience with your first birth, you may feel that you want to see if labour begins sponaneously and then labour for a set time and see how you feel, or you may want to book a section but try for a vaginal birth if labour starts before then - or any combination that you feel happy with.
Good luck and happy birth.

emsyj · 22/02/2015 21:42

spontaneously

MagicAlwaysLeadsToTrouble · 22/02/2015 21:45

I attempted a vbac but it ended in EMCS. Labour pretty much the same as the first time, failure to progress.

But I'm really glad I "gave it a go" so to speak. Ok the end result was still a section but I tried and I feel better having done so.

Though quite looking forward to my ELCS for the next one!

herethereandeverywhere · 23/02/2015 13:23

I had a traumatic VB then an ELCS. CS was the better birth and recovery by every measure possible. Given the amount of further hospital intervention DD and I had after my VB I am certain that my VB cost more than my straightforward ELCS.

The additional cost to the NHS is marginal once all factors are taken into consideration (£75 I think) and I'm pretty sure that excludes the vast cost of litigation for negligently attended VBs every year.

If you want to try VB by all means go for it but you are rolling the dice as to how straightforward and intervention free your birth will actually be. With ELCS you know all the risks and eventualities with certainty.

Mrsteddyruxpin · 23/02/2015 13:25

Elects after emcs - I asked as short time between pregnancies (less than six months) I didn't want to risk it again. Long labour, no progression, baby in danger.

Jackiebrambles · 24/02/2015 13:36

I had an EMCS last time and I'm 23 weeks now with my second.
I have got a consultant midwife appt soon and I'm going to ask for an ELCS.

I had a tough 16 hour back to back labour last time, and a failed epidural, before the em section as DS was in distress.

If they can't guarantee that won't happen a second time (which they can't of course!) then a want a section. I will argue if I need to.

takeitonthegin · 24/02/2015 13:43

I had an Elcs at 37 weeks with DC1 due to baby being breach. Vbac with DC2 and im hoping and praying for a Vbac with DC3. I will probably cry if I have to have another section as the Vbac was a far nicer, less painful experience for me. I found the recovery from a section horrendous.

What do you want? Everyone will have different opinions and experiences, what you want is the only thing that matters.

WellTidy · 24/02/2015 13:48

EMCS due to failure to progress with first birth. I didn't dilate beyond 8cm, and then the baby's heartbeat dropped. It did recover, but by then I was already in theatre. Turned out that the cord was around his neck and a leg (possibly due to him having been breech, and I'd had a brutal ECV to turn him).

Went for a VBAC with second birth. I was monitored throughout. Ended up with another EMCS for failure to progress. I was gutted when the decision was made, as I felt that I was doing really well coping with contractions etc. I didn't get beyond 5 cm. I was really upset at the prospect of recovering from another CS. The baby ended up weighing in at 9 lb 5 oz, so I woudn't have enjoyed pushing him out either.

After delivery, the consultant said that if I was ever having another baby, I should only have an ELCS.

ThatBloodyWoman · 24/02/2015 13:50

Emcs first time.
Desperately wanted vbac second time.
I was told I wouldn't be induced because of increased risk.
Do your research op,don't make a decision based on the consultants impatience,and make an infomed choice,because within each choice there are variables to consider.

MyDarlingClementine · 24/02/2015 17:57

well ask the consultant about costs to maternity services from claims when things go wrong with VB, as that is what costs are maternity services more than anything, disabled or damaged children caused from the labour and birth, needing a lifetime of support.

anyway - elc.

jaykay34 · 25/02/2015 13:00

I had a Vbac and loved it. Was a really short birth - just 4 and a half hours.

I was not induced at 38 weeks - this wasn't even suggested, infact I was told I couldn't be induced and would have to go into labour naturally by 40+10 or I would have to have a c-section. I think it varies with every consultant/hospital you see.

Jackiebrambles · 25/02/2015 13:16

I've heard the same Jaykay, I was told that they won't induce if you've had a previous section as its too risky. I haven't had my consultant appt yet though so not sure what they will say on that.

fingermousey · 25/02/2015 14:29

I had emergency c-section first time and c-section the second time. I TOTALLY regret the c-section. I am permanetly have pain on my right side and have a less than perfect working bladder. Look up adhesions before making your decision, it's often brushed to one side, but is a debilitating side effect if you are unlucky enough to suffer with them.

But, ultimately, it's important to make your own decision. YOu can never really know how it will be with either option, but knowing your decision was yours and no-one else's helps if you end up regretting the outcome.

Thepurplegiraffe · 25/02/2015 14:51

Following as I am trying and failing to make the same decision at the moment. I haven't had my consultant appointment yet but would like to have an idea of what I want before I go so I'm not pressured into vbac if it's not what I want.
To be honest I have no good reason not to go for vbac as I had a straightforward elcs for breech with a very easy recovery but I am terrified of something going wrong needing a emcs and harder recovery, and of childbirth in general. More than the first time round.

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