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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

planned section or vbac?

28 replies

Saj1980 · 19/12/2017 20:13

Hi,

I'm looking for advice from anyone that's been in a similar situation to this:
I'm currently pregnant (27+4) and have had 2 emergency sections in the past. Both times I have gone into labour but there have been complications with not dilating enough, causing the baby stress and then finally being rushed into operating theatre for emergency c-section.

Both times it has taken me 6+ weeks to recover to a point where I can manage without assistance. I'm apprehensive about having another section, because of the recovery time and because there's increased risks. We don't have any family nearby so it's difficult to manage childcare etc which is making me think I should opt for a vbac?

I've spoken to the senior midwife who has said I can go for either option, and that there have been no problems to indicate I can't have a vbac.
I want to know if anyone else has been in a similar situation and how you've dealt with it, or from anyone with any advice really...it's making me stressed and sad :(

OP posts:

lovelyjubilly · 19/12/2017 20:15

I'm having my third c-section next Thursday (previous two were emergencies).
As far as I can tell, the recovery is thought to be much easier with a planned one as they can take the surgeon can take their time a bit more with the cutting/stitching and also you're stronger, having not also been through labour.
I'll let you know how it goes!

Original poster

Saj1980 · 19/12/2017 23:28

Thanks for that! That does make me feel a little more at ease Hope all goes well next week for you and if you can let me know how it goes that would be great! I’m not due til March!

OP posts:

AnnaT45 · 19/12/2017 23:36

I had an EMCS and then an elective. They were like night and day. I felt horrific after EMCS for a good 8 weeks. Elective maybe 10 days. It's a really tough decision but I decided to go for the elective as there was no Guarantee Id gave a great experience if I went for a vaginal birth.

What does your consultant say?

fruitpastille · 19/12/2017 23:40

I was going to try a vba2c but at the last minute baby was breech so had third section. Very glad as apparently my scar tissue was V thin and could have ruptured. I've recovered quite quickly and easily from all my sections but none have been emergency.

allthatmalarkey · 19/12/2017 23:59

Everyone I know who's had an emergency section then an elective one says exactly what AnnaT says. I've had two electives, the second I set for a date which would give me a chance of going into labour first, but that didn't happen. Both electives were relatively uncomplicated and the second one I recovered from really quickly because I knew the ropes. I was happy to drive by 4 weeks. Plus with an elective you can plan in how you're going to manage, eg arrange for family/friends to help, DP can book their time off (we couldn't afford for him to take the full two weeks, so he did a deal where he only lost a week's pay but worked a couple of hours from home each day). Has your consultant/midwife said how likely things are to go the same way again, eg 50:50 or whatever? If they say 9 times out of 10, yes, that's the kind of labour you'll get again I'm guessing you'd plump for the section.

Kintan · 20/12/2017 00:13

I’d go straight for an elective in your position - the issues you had in your first two labours may crop up again and you could end up with an emcs anyway - better to have rested well before the op. Good luck whatever you decide :)

blackdoggotmytongue · 20/12/2017 00:17

I would ELCS.
I’m just a bit shit at childbirth and after two disastrous VBACs (including brain damaged baby) I finally got a consultant who said yeah no more VBAC for you.

AnnaT45 · 20/12/2017 06:25

allthat has reminded me that my consultant agreed to do c section at 40 weeks as I said I would like to try VBAC if I went into labour before then. That way I mentally felt like I was going to try VBAC if I could if that makes sense.

I actually ended up having c section at 40+2 because my first one was cancelled. Maybe an option to consider?

eeanne · 20/12/2017 06:55

I was hoping for VBAC - first was ELCS for breech - but I got to 40 weeks with no signs of labor or engagement so went for another ELCS. I’ve recovered so much faster than the first time so no regrets.

ninnynono · 20/12/2017 07:02

I’d go for ELCS. I did with dc2 after an EMCS and it was fine. Quick recovery.

I live in a country with excellent private healthcare and i won’t even be given the choice for a vbac for dc3. It will automatically be ELCS, for my own well being.

Good luck with everything!

superram · 20/12/2017 07:20

I’ve had a caginal birth followed by emcs-no way would I push a baby out again. My emcs recovery was slow as they had to cut quite low but still preferable to vaginal birth. Planned section gets my vote.

LadyGAgain · 20/12/2017 09:47

I had elective following a Cat 1 emergency with DD1. Best decision we made. Wonderful birth that I was actually conscious for and recovery was so quick (appreciate this isn't predictable). Good luck and enjoy your new baby.

Luckingfovely · 20/12/2017 10:12

Another voice agreeing that a planned section is hugely better than an emergency - I had a disastrous emergency section followed by a lovely planned one which was completely stress free, and recovery was vastly easier.

In your situation I would 100% say go the planned route - given your complications it sounds you are most likely to end up with an emergency section again if you don't.

Original poster

Saj1980 · 20/12/2017 12:05

Thanks everyone! I’ve not been able to meet with my consultant yet, I have an appointment with her at 36 weeks in Feb.

Unsure about odds of same thing happening, my midwife says it’s likely as it’s happened both times previous. But she also said that every pregnancy/Labour is different!

I do feel a lot more confident now about having an ELCS as most of you in similar scenarios have said that recovery time is much better, and I won’t have to go through 12 hours of labour beforehand!

Thank you all for your help/advice!

OP posts:

HappyAndRelaxed · 20/12/2017 12:23

Some Consultants are reluctant to let you have a vba2c. It is possible but you may need to speak to your Consultant to check if they are willing to do it and discuss your options.

Original poster

Saj1980 · 20/12/2017 13:13

I was only thinking of a Vbac because of a recovery time of a few days as opposed to up to 8weeks. And we have 2 other kids (2&4) and no family around. My midwife is happy for me to have a vbac, and there was no recommendation for me to have another section following my last EMCS. But yes I know consultants often have different opinions, so I’ll have to wait and see what she says in Feb!

OP posts:

LadyPug · 20/12/2017 21:44

Wow this is really scary for me to read as I’ve just agreed to a VBAC but there have to be some good stories right? Not one person here is pro-vbac!

Original poster

Saj1980 · 20/12/2017 22:21

I’d like to hear some pro vbac stories too! I guess it’s not that common after a section or 2 to have a vbac?

OP posts:

LadyPug · 20/12/2017 22:22

Come and join my thread, I’ve just got my first positive story which has made me feel loads better. I’m really struggling to find positive stories and it makes me nervous!

RC10 · 20/12/2017 22:32

I recovered from my planned c-section very quickly and was pretty much back to normal after about two weeks, just had to be careful and take it slowly. Everyone I've spoken to says emergencies are a lot more rushed/rough so take much longer to recover from. So, from my experience, I would probably go for the section if I were you.

Good luck whichever you go for!

Mummyme87 · 21/12/2017 05:59

Ladies anxious about lack of positive VBAC stories, I can assure you there are many. Equally are many negativevelective CS stories... including my friend who had an elective last week for previous and is having a lot of trouble recovering with pain and infection.

I’m going for VBACin January with an induction booked for 40+4

LadyPug · 21/12/2017 09:46

Thank you Mummy that’s good to know! Good luck with your VBAC! X

allthatmalarkey · 22/12/2017 09:20

Mummyme I'm saying this as someone who booked my ELCS for 40+3 after haggling the consultant up to that or 40+8 (the dates available) which when I saw the stillbirth rate for my risk I was very glad I didn't go for. I'm quite surprised you've been booked in for induction. Everyone (midwife, consultant, NHS info) said that induction is not possible after CS as the risk of rupture is massive. Even with VBAC the risk is high (know of someone it's happened to). There's a woman on here who had a brain damaged baby before CS agreed to for next baby. ELCS has a longer recovery for mum than a good vaginal birth, but is safest by far for the baby when there are obvious risks. I once asked an obstetrician what the risks are for the baby of CS and she said 'well, they can sometimes come out a little mucousy...' and she thought about it for a second and said 'but they never need to go into special baby unit'. VBAC with no risk identified is one thing, but OP has high risk.

Mummyme87 · 22/12/2017 10:06

Thanks for the info. I’m a midwife myself, a sister on a very busy delivery suite so have a lot of information and fully aware of risks involved in all eventualities. I’m aware of the risks of induction, we routinely offer induction to Previous CS..balloon or propess. Current stats for Uterine rupture are 0.5%, induction using prostaglandin is 1-2% and augmentation using syntocinon is 1%. Those stats also change based on an individuals own circumstances.
An ELCS does comes with risks also, risks for baby are lacerations (2%) and respiratory distress requiring admission to NNU is a known complication, higher than that of a VAginal birth alongside the maternal risks, of which I see a fair amount of. So yes, ELCS babies are likely to be more than a bit mucousy.
I not only have heard of someone having a uterine rupture but have seen some myself... about 4 in 13years.

I am aware the OP has other risk factors for her VBAC, 2 pregnancy CS (spontaneous labour is more or less the same risk in 1 prev CS than 2 prev), however I wasn’t suggesting she had an induction, I was responding to the women who were asking about positive VBAC stories, of which there are many and equally negative and positive stories of ELCS.

So yes I am hoping to have a spontaneous vaginal birth, however this time would like to be delivered by 41weeks due to previous issues where my son had meningitis due to an infection I was carrying (not GBS) and prolonging to pregnancy assisted that progression of infection. I also got to 9cm last time so likely to labour well when it happens, my two consultants even went as far to say I was a good candidate for a VBAC including an induction based on my circumstances.
Anyway, thanks for valuable information of VBAC and it’s risks 👍

allthatmalarkey · 22/12/2017 11:50

Maybe it's just my area then that doesn't do it then. What are the risks if you rupture on induction? And what have you seen in terms of lacerations from ELCS? Just thought you were being a bit rosy about vaginal. If you're recommended an ELCS, isn't that based on the trade offs, balance of probabilities? Obvs you've got a lot of experience/knowledge, can have a very different discussion with your consultant to one of the rest of us.

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