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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Did you have a VBAc and wish you'd gone for another section?

45 replies

Holymoly321 · 26/04/2007 14:20

Had first apt with consultant today - am only 12 wks. DS was c-section due to being breech. Have not made any decision yet as to how to have this baby, but was quite surprised when consultant was very pro section. Just wondered if anyone had gone vbac route and wished they'd had another section instead. I'm not an earth mother who thinks natural birth is the only way - for me, the birth is just one day out of a whole lifetime with the baby, so that is not a consideration for me personally. Just want to know about the physical side of things really.

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suzywong · 26/04/2007 14:21

OH my Gosh YES
in answer to your question
YES YES YES YES

Original poster

Holymoly321 · 26/04/2007 14:24

Why suzywong? was the Vbac bad?

OP posts:

suzywong · 26/04/2007 14:28

no, what I mean (sorry am on phone to my mother who has verbal diaorrhea)
I had spontaneous labour and ended with grisly emergency Caesar with ds1, I demanded I be allowed a VBAC with ds2 and sure enough went in to labour, laboured long and hard and ended with another colossal baby and an even more gruesome em C
so what I mean is that I wish I had gone for an elective Caesar and saved all the BLOOD and energy.

does that make sense?

Original poster

Holymoly321 · 26/04/2007 14:30

You poor thing SW - sounds like a nightmare. Anyone else like to share their thoughts?

OP posts:

wildwoman · 26/04/2007 14:31

Do you feel that you've missed out on anything by having a C section first time round smiling?

Original poster

Holymoly321 · 26/04/2007 14:34

Absolutely most definitely not WW. Just interested to hear other's experiences before I make a decision one way or the other. The only reason I would go for a VBAC is so that I can carry DS1, drive etc sooner after the birth. BUt is it worth it? That is the question. DS1 section was a very speedy recovery for me, but he is a heavy bugger now and as a toddler runs all over the place!

OP posts:

suzywong · 26/04/2007 14:36

you will not be carrying him much in the final weeks anyway, he'll get used to it
I worried about this aspect and tbh I don't every recall having to refuse ds1's demands for carrying as they wre frew and far between as he was happy to be out of my clutches, he was 2.4yrs, how old will yours be.

wildwoman · 26/04/2007 14:37

Will you have people around to help out if you have a c section again? I'm not sure why I am asking as have never had a C section I think I'm just bloody nosey!

lulumama · 26/04/2007 14:37

no, delighted had vbac....off to do school run..so brief post!

Original poster

Holymoly321 · 26/04/2007 14:41

Ds will be 2.2 when this one is due - hadn't thought about not carrying him so much in the later stages! Good point! DH will be around for a couple of weeks i'd imagine, plus MIL would prob help out (if I let her and could put up with it)!

OP posts:

hjscho · 26/04/2007 15:36

Had VBAC 2 weeks ago and really glad (although sitting is still a problem!). I feel the recovery has been slower than after my c-section for DS, but I am able to lift him when he wants a cuddle. He is 19 months and still needs a lot of attention, even though DH was around until today and did everything for him, he still wants to climb all over me and be lifted up and cuddled. I would really find it difficult not driving too, as DS would drive me mad in the house all day and we live too far from anything to walk.
I thought I wouldn't mind having another c-section, but when I was told that I would have to as DD was overdue, I was upset. That made going into labour the following day a relief and I didn't panic. I'm no 'earth-mother' and wasn't disappointed at having emergency section for DS, but I do feel a certain pride that I did it 'properly' this time.
You don't need to decide right now, do you? I said that I wanted a Vbac and had an extra check up at 36 weeks when I could have changed my mind.

lulumama · 26/04/2007 15:53

thing is, you had a section for a breech presentation, not because of any underlying medical issue, or for 'failure to progress'. foetal distress or anything else that could potentially reoccur...so why not go for a vaginal delivery? it is nothing to do with being an earth mother or being into natural bith, babies are supposed to come out of the vagina, and a c.s used to be a life saving only op! now we are accustomed to around 1 in 4 births ending in c.s,..my two pence worth anyway!

Rosetip · 26/04/2007 18:25

I had a vaginal birth with my both my (large) sons and, for a time, I did regret not having a c/s for the last one, now aged 2.
I was also booked in for a c-section because he was breech, however he turned head down on the day of the operation and the consultant talked me into trying for a natural birth instead.
I went on to have a pretty horrendous labour (3 hours of pushing, second degree tear, episiotomy, forceps, piles) however all the physical affects healed very well and quickly.
Emotionally I was very upset afterwards, due mainly to the difficult relationship that I had with the midwife who didn't listen and seemed to have a strong pro natural birth agenda.
My first vaginal birth was actually very similar to the second one physically (epidural, episiotomy, failed ventouse, forceps) however this was emotionally a entirely different experience due to the excellent relationship that I had with the midwife. She really listened and was happy to involve the doctors when we both felt appropriate. This was definitely the best day of my life.
I'm due in a month's time and am going for a c/s for two reasons. Firstly, the baby is predicted to be very large (I'm petite) and for me the safety of the baby is paramount. Secondly, I don't want to cause any lasting damage to my pelvic floor after the previous trauma.
I don't really want a c/s, to be honest, however friends who have had them have been very positive so I am trying to be brave.
I don't think that either method is a success or failure. The only thing that counts is the health of mother and baby. During my history degree I was always amazed by how unsafe the "natural" process of childbirth actually was, so I would look at all the options and go with your instincts.

seasonsreasons · 26/04/2007 23:27

Very happy that I had a VBAC. Agree with Lulumama.

3flightsofstairs · 27/04/2007 00:27

Hi there, I'm currently 31 weeks with a 17 month old and am going to try for a VBAC - only because I'd like a shorter recovery time for DS (not an earth mother here either and don't feel I missed out on the birth experience after being left at 10cm dilated for 6 hours while waiting in the queue for theatre). My problem is that I now don't trust the medical staff to work together - MWs want vaginal birth, docs want medicalised one (or that's what they did before and my doc sis says that was her experience when she did obs and gyn too).
However, the consultant does want me to to have a trial of labour - but why? So she can keep down her c-s rate and reduce bed days (as you have to stay in hosp for longer and that costs more money)! And before anyone jumps on me to tell me that this isn't true, I used to do projects for the NHS to help them reduce their costs and this is one of the ways they do it! Not that I'm against it either, it does make sense. It just helps to understand that staff do sometimes have agendas that don't necessarily have anything to do with you!
Good luck is what I say, in whatever you choose.

SofiaAmes · 27/04/2007 06:18

I had emergency cs (after 40 hours of labor) with my first and a vbac with my second and now wish I had had an elective cs with both my children. My second is 4.5 yrs and I still have pain from the ripping of my vagina and a pelvic floor that doesn't work properly.

Original poster

Holymoly321 · 27/04/2007 09:09

This is all food for thought. 3flights, good luck with the VBAC, let us know how you get on. My mind keeps changing from one min to the next!

OP posts:

Genidef · 27/04/2007 14:09

3flightsofstairs - it is better for the baby if you go into labour naturally, even if you end up having the c. I'm not arguing about the stats - I bet you're right. But it might be something to consider.

Klaw · 30/04/2007 18:39

Absolutely not! Even though I had forceps assist and an episitomey for my VBAC I never regretted my VBAC at all, but then I'm more of an earth mother type. I hope to have a HWBAC next time!

Being well researched about VBAC will help you to make the best of your Trial of Labour (HATE that term!) and minimise any risk that it may be traumatic, i think many of those who hated their VBAC probably were not supported very well by their HCPs and had to labour with outdated protocols that benefit the HCPs rather than the labouring woman (Sorry, rant coming on!...)

I'll leave it there for now, but rest assured that if you do decide to go for VBAC there are many of us who would be willing to help you to ensure it is a positive experience.

VBAC pages
Caesarean pages

BlueberryPancake · 02/05/2007 13:41

Hiya,

I tried for a VBAC and had a very positive labour, but ended up with a second c section because of 'dysfunctional' labour (that's the official version) i.e. labour basically stopped when I reached 10 cm - for about 3 hours! Although I tried pushing the baby out, as I wasn't feeling the 'urge to push' and he never descended.

I DO NOT regret at all having had a trial of labour. I gave it my best shot, and feel very proud of myself for having done my very best to have a VBAC. However, I don't regret having had a second C section either because I was terrified of ventouse and foreceps - that was very clear in my birth plan. DS2 was 9 pounds 7 and born last Thursday and he is a very happy and healthy little boy.

Rochwen · 02/05/2007 15:10

I'd go for the section. You've got that scar already. Why add another one at a really sensitive part of your body.

Unless you really have to experience a vaginal birth (and remember there is still a chance you'll end up with a section anyway) take the section and save your pelvic floor.

doodella · 02/05/2007 21:03

i just tried for a VBAC but ended up with another emergency section. Labour wasn't progressing and it turned out that the previous scar had started to open. Althoug grateful baby and i were ok, recovery from the section has been really hard (DS1 is 22 months)and has felt much worse than section 1, probably because with number 1 I could just sit around alot. I think as long as you and baby are closely monitored during labour, it is worth a try. Having said that, all the people I know seem to have straightforward vaginal births with no lasting problems, so that is what i am comparing to having the after effects of a section. I must admit I feel a bit of a failure in the birthing stakes.

lulumama · 02/05/2007 21:11

rochwen

simply being pregnant affects the floor, yes, vaginal deliver has an impact, but so does carrying a baby

not everyone tears or needs an episiotomy

my VBAC left me with an intact perineum and no long or short term issues..!

needing to experience vaginal birth is incredibly important for many women, for whom c.s was not a pleasant experience..

doodella..if you are feeling sad or low, after birth, have a look here, soem useful links re birth trauma

doodella · 02/05/2007 21:17

Thanks lulumama, I am feeling a bit crap, I will investigate those sites..

lulumama · 02/05/2007 21:22

hope that helps x

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