Second PLANNED C-section or VBAC?

[shoobaloo]

I'm currently pregnant with baby number 2. I had an elective C-section with DS as he was breech. It was a very pleasant experience and the recovery was very quick and relatively painless. Now number two is due, I'm wondering whether I should have another section or a vbac. I've read so many comments from mums who had horrible emergency c-sections who would never have another, but my experience of a section was very positive. Anyway, thoughts please

My hospital says that the chances of a successful vbac after a breech (so long as your second child is not breech too) is over 80%. Personally, I'd hate not to try to experience labour and birth at least once, and so if I were you I'd definitely go for a vbac. There's absolutely no medical reason why you shouldn't have a great birth - you might even be one of those "built for birth" types and if you don't try, you'll never know.
I, on the other hand, have experienced full labour and an emergency section and am still trying for a vbac...
Polly

if no medical indication for a c section... i would say go for a trial of labour....there is no reason why this baby should not be born vaginally....i had a successful VBAC 15 months ago and found it a remarkable, positive & empowering experience.

my first c.s was failure to progress.....so no medical reason for me to have another section either...

have a read of this!

excellent discussion of c.s versus vbac....! pros and cons of both.

and read this too!! or i will be repeating myself endlessly!!

Shoobaloo, I'm one of those mums who's had one horrible emergency c-section and would never have another, which is why I will probably choose an elective this time round. I hear stories like yours and the recovery and overall experience seems much more positive.

Having said that, if I was in your shoes I think I would be tempted to try for a VBAC because your odds are much higher than mine of achieving it (because reason for first cs was to do with baby, not mother) and also, as Polly has said, you might be one of those women who gives birth really easily.

Also, if you've never experienced labour there must be an "I wonder what it's like" element, whereas I've experienced as much as I ever want to!

If you are planning more than 2, then consider VBAC.

I knew I was stopping at 2 and so went elective. It was fine and uncomplicated.

Shoobaloo, I had an elective for breech 1st time round, then another for a tranny & this time will have to have another because 1. you WILL have a c-section 3rd time (so I have been told) and 2. it's tranny again anyway! Like you I found electives quite pleasant & recovery afterwards good, but if I had the choice I'd have gone for a VBAC just because I prefer to do things naturally where poss and I find the thought of a c-section quite gruesome.

Shoobaloo, this is my situation exactly. I had an elective first time for ds and had a very good experience and I'm now 22 weeks with my second and deciding what to do this time. I have no particular desire to experience labour and a natural delivery and I think I am likely to opt for another elective - subject to reading up on all of the risks and speaking to my consultant. I worry that I push for VBAC and I end up with an emergency or I am overdue and they won't induce so I end up with an elective anyway, just 3 weeks after I thought I would have it.

I'd stick to what you know. I had a terrible first labour and found there to be nothing natural about it. Granted I had no pain relief however the whole experience for me personally was a living nightmare. I suffered terribly for up to 10 weeks after too. I am obviously opting for a c-section this time and people I know who have has c-sections seem very positive that said many who had a natural labour also had pleasant experiences!

I'm in a similar position. My 1st birth was c/s, technically emergency but I hadn't had a labour beforehand so it was probably more like an elective. My recovery was easy, I didn't feel traumatised, don't feel like I've missed out and have no desire to go through labour tbh.

This time round, if I'm honest, I'd like an elective. I feel really guilty about it though, the 'correct' response seems to be to push for a vbac so I'm still dithering about the whole thing. I'm just hoping the baby's breech and I don't have to make the decision!

Shoo - I suppose it would depend on whether you are desperate to experience labour/a vaginal birth. I know some women are and some (like me) just aren't that bothered.

I had an emergency (ish) c-section - not a real emergency, just failure to progress and if I have a second child, I will definitely opt for an elective c-section - I have no burning desire to experience giving birth vaginally and although, as you already know, it is painful to stand and walk for a few days, the recovery after the section is quick. I suppose as you have never experienced labour, it might be different for you whereas I did experience labour for 24 hours and have no desire to experience it again!

I don't feel any less of a 'woman' for having a c-section and never experiencing natural birth - my view is that it doesn't matter how the baby arrives, as long as it arrives in whatever way suits the mother and baby.

Hi,

I was in exactly the same position as you three years ago. I had an elective section with my first child as he was breech - fantastic day, very relaxed and quick recovery. Three years on and pregnant with number two I have to admit that I really wanted somebody to tell me that the best thing for me and the baby would be a repeat section - nobody did of course! I read so many different studies and they all seemed to say safest option for the baby for somebody in my position was VBAC. Well, I gritted my teeth and told my midwife that was what I wanted. Best decision I have ever made, I thought the section recovery was good but when I was striding off down the delivery ward carrying my hour old daughter on the way to the bath it actually put it into perspective the difference between the two deliveries. One of the biggest attractions to a repeat section for me was the fact that I would avoid a dreaded "emergency" section, but when it came to it I found out that I was never going to end up on the emergency section conveyor belt. As a trial of scar labour I was only really going to be allowed to labour as long as everything went well. It was agreed beforehand that if a section was looking likely it would be done sooner rather than a last minute emergency.

I'm now 9 days overdue with number three and nearly cried when told she was breech at 35 weeks and a section looked likely - was so happy when she turned three weeks later! Now just need to get her moving as options for inducing her are limited due to previous section.

Hi - have been interested to read all these different views about caesarians. My first labour was horrific (10 days overdue, 3 days induction, lots of nasty drugs and drips, got to fully dilated but my daughter kept getting stuck, so after forceps and ventouse, had an emergency section - completely knackered after the whole experience). Now 4 weeks away from having No.2 and have been getting nasty flashbacks, so think I've decided to go for an elective - I've been offered one based on my past experience. I was lucky in that I recovered quickly from the first one, but my daughter is only 21months old, so understand this time will be a bit harder to deal with. HAve no qualms about 'failing' as I tried the whole labour thing, but baby had other ideas. Healthy baby and positive experience (especially if more children are wanted!) have to be more important than feeling you've 'failed' somehow by not going through a natural birth.
x

Bassbabi, we could be twins! Well, almost - my first birth was similar to yours, I'm having my second in Feb when ds will be 22 months. Like you, will be choosing an elective.

IME if you've had a really bad first birth experience you are more likely to choose an elective cs second time round. If you've never laboured, you are more likely to try for a VBAC. Not rocket science really, we are all the product of our experience.

Very tricky decision - just made mine this morning!

I also had a positive experience of section with dd (emergency, so called, but totally happy and calm - no rush) and as an older mother, with previous section and history of PIH, most consultants would have booked me in for a section without a second thought. Mine thankfully gave me a choice, and I would have gone for a VBAC...nervously, but still would have liked to try one. As someone else has said, if yo'uve had a previous section they only give you a trial of labour: 12 hours active labour tops, I was told, and any sign of distress and its off to theatre anyway.

As it turned out, my baby has been transverse till 37+ weeks, and is now head down but 'unstable lie' and my bp is skyrocketing again...VBAC with medicated bp is a step too far for me, given what it entails, so I'm going to have my baby tomorrow morning by planned section. I do have some feelings of loss about it, but hopefully won't have any regrets - I had to look at the overall 'bigger picture'.

And having enjoyed my first section, I'm now getting excited about tomorrow...

I feel it is important to go with whichever method seems best for you, regardless of how you may feel others perceive it.

I was determined to try for VBAC with dd after an emergency c-section with ds 28 months earlier - my reason was almost soley the recovery time. I figured ds would be jealous enough of his new sister, without me telling him that I couldn't pick him up because of my c-section. Luckily I got what I wanted, although I have to say it was not an easy labour and there were many points along the way when I was close to changing my mind. Recovery wasn't great, but far better than first time, so I was really glad I kept to (and was able to keep to) my plan.

Hi, I had a vbac after two c-sections, one for failure to progress and one for feotal distress. However both times babies came out with apgar scores of 9 and 10, go figure hmmmmmmmmmm
I recieved alot of support at the hospital from some very psitive midwives although the doctors were not keen at all. At my last section they forgot to tell me that I would have to have a c-section next time, and have been told that I will always be treated as high-risk in all future pregnancies, ho-hum....
I would say go for it, don't make any decisions you may regret later, if you want to try for a vbac, even if it is just to have the experience then try!
My recovery has been remarkably fast this time, I am able to pick up my children, and have a normal day, it is fantastic!
Ultimately this has to be your decision, do not listen to the proffesionals, make up your own mind.
I know some of my friends had dreadful experiences, including one whose scar took 9 months to heal, another that was kept hanging around the hospital for three days waiting for an 'emergency' c-section .

take care, kay,x

kdinas ...congtulations !! have tried to track you down by starting a thread and catted you this morning!!! so pleased for you xx ((hugs))