VBAC or caesarean?

[verytiredmummy1]

I had a category one emergency c section in 2015 due to baby getting stuck in birth canal. I've been told that I have a choice this time whether I try for a VBAC or elective caesarean. What did you choose? How was it? I was up and about a couple of hours after my c section last time. Is there any chance they'll let me have a water birth this time?

Sorry for all the questions. Don't have consultant for a while and want to go to appt prepared!
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Anomite yes Im only 16 weeks but have my consultant appointment in four weeks so want to have an idea of what I'd like in an ideal world. I know I've got ages to decide. Tbh been a bit emotional about it. DH found me in tears the other day as I got myself a bit frightened. You lot have made me feel better :)

You'll find the right way for you, OP. It's so emotional. Or at least it was for me, too. I have my newborn here in my arms now. I spent 9 months worrying about how she would get here, sometimes crying over it. I don't think I could've skipped that bit, somehow. I feel I reclaimed control with a positive natural c-section but who knows I might be feeling elated and triumphant if I'd had a good vbac. It's a tough call, try and tune out all the other voices and trust your gut feeling. Good luck.

Emcs first time round. Was determined for my second to be a VBAC. Tried everything and ended up with an emcs anyway, after 48 hrs of on/off contractions! It was awful.

Pregnant for the third time and due soon. Consultant has recommended a planned csection, which I've agreed to. Part of me is disappointed, but I know it's for the best.

I wanted a water VBAC with DC2 - did lots of research and met with supervisor of midwives who agreed that I could try in the water with telemetric (wireless) monitoring, and move to section if problems.

Unfortunately I never saw the water due to another EMCS for failed induction. But it IS possible, lots of people do it. I'm now 14 weeks with DC3 and after 2 sections will probably go for ELCS. But at least I tried!

Mazzle you sound very similar to me!

I've only just reached a decision at 29 weeks, my first consultant appointment wasn't too helpful he just told me to go away and decide and tell him what I wanted to do at 35 week appointment. I honestly had no thoughts either way and was worried how I'd choose until the answer came to me in a dream (I know that sounds a bit airy fairy!!) I woke up certain that a C Section was what I was going to do and it's right for me, so please don't panic you've got plenty of time to decide and the answer may just appear from nowhere!

Yup Thomas, we tried. I wouldn't bother trying again though. Must admit, when the consultant said a section was for the better I was secretly pleased. Would happily go through labour if if meant a VBAC, but going through labour for an emcs is the worst of both worlds.

Still, the most important thing is that we got our babies, not how they got here.

Like Sparklycat says, try not to worry about it too much and do what's best for you.

Thank you for all of your messages.
I know it's stupid but I feel a bit cheated that I didn't get a proper labour last time and didn't get to meet my baby until 2 hours after op :(
So desperate for that not to happen again x

Re feeling cheated, if it helps, plenty of us have done it both ways and didn't find the VB to be an experience particularly worth having. I wouldn't say you're missing out at all, personally!

But in answer to one of your questions, presumably when you mention water birth you want it in a hospital MLU? I know many hospital MLUs are happy to try a VBAC if mother is otherwise low risk. You'd be risked out of a freestanding MLU because they wouldn't have fast enough access to EMCS if uterine rupture was threatened, same with a home waterbirth. But plenty of MLUs in hospital are right next to the CLU so they can manage the risk. If you have one of these locally and you've no other complicating factors, why not ring and ask for their policy?

I had a vbac after an emcs and it was great, recovery much easier and able to lift, cuddle my 2 year old etc.

There are birthing pools on the labour ward at my local hospital. So I could still have consultant led care which I've been given.

My recovery from my emcs was quick. I was up and walking a couple of hours later and discharged next day :)

I know it's silly to feel like I'm missing out :( I was in labour for so long last time and had been pushing for a while and feel a bit sad that I couldn't get my daughter out. It was made worse by the doctor who was there saying I wasn't pushing hard enough. She actually came and apologised after the birth as she said she shouldn't have said that because it was my daughters position that made her get stuck and no amount of pushing was going to get her out. Still makes me feel like I failed though :(

I had elcs for macrosomia, then vbac1, then vbac2.
Vbac1 was back to back, ftp, then I managed to push him out while they were prepping theatre, shredding everything on the way (which was nice)
Vbac2 ended up with a brain damaged baby.
I now have a consultant's letter that basically says 'ffs, give this woman elcs if she is ever stupid enough to get pg again'.

I know sod all about it really as didn't need a CS but have always thought if I was in the same situation then I would try for a VBAC if I had spontaneous labour between 37-40 weeks and then if induction was required as over due or for any reason really I would refuse and have CS. I'm not sure your allowed to do that?

They don't always want to induce after a section anyway, or if they do there's often a shorter period of time allowed. Again because of the rupture risk. Sometimes the choice is spontaneous VB or ELCS.