Csection or VBac

[MummyOf1Boy]

Hi all, need some advice or positive ELCS stories!

My dilemma is I had a EMCS with first child 7yrs ago after a 12hr labour and failure to progress due to DS head not being in the right position to come down.

So im due again in 8 weeks and have always wanted to try for a VBAC. Now its getting closer im questioning my decision for a few reasons.

1- My OH works away so if I go into labour naturally theres a chance he could miss the birth by the time he gets to the hospital from wherever he's based - he cant request to be based close to home and has to go wherever the work is, which could be abroad. Also he doesn't drive so would have to fly or get trains to come home.

2- if he takes time off too early and labour doesn't start naturally and I need inducing we could waste some of his 2 weeks off which is less time to spend with us as a family.

3- If i need to be induced i am only allowed 1 pessary and if nothing has happened after 8hrs I am automatically booked in for a C section the following day. Whats the chances of 1 pessary working?

4- ELCS would benefit me to organise childcare for my other child. We could plan the best time for OH to come home and make the most of our time off as a family and I know OH will definitely be present for the birth.

Whats everyones opinions? And also whats recovery time like? My EMCS was that long ago i cant remember but i do remember recovering well with no problems.

How soon after can you drive, thats my biggest bug bearer, do you really need to wait 6 weeks?

Thanks in advance ladies

Xx

I was in a very similar situation to you for my second dc. In the end I had a successful vbac and my dh was there, despite him having a job in another country. I was really glad as it was a much easier recovery. I’d had an emcs for dc1 due to her being back to back and no progress and in distress. For dc2 my labour was probably more like a first birth - 22 hours from first twinge to delivery and 8 hours of so called active labour.

Have you thought about saying you’ll go for a vbac but not if it’s an induction or with quite a low intervention threshold?

In terms of your partner being there, I’d arrange for a back up just in case. Make sure he knows how to get home fast from wherever he is and at whatever time of day it is and hang the expense. I’d he works away then you’ll probably not want to be halfway through a c section recovery when he goes back to work.

He will be based abroad for the foreseeable future so if he needed to come home in a emergency chances are it would take at least 4ish hours depending on flight times and if there was one soon.

Did you go into labour naturally with your vbac and how far along were you?

If i were to be induced they would only do low intervention anyway because of a previous c section. All i am allowed is 1 pessary and if after 8hrs its working they will break my waters but thats it. If theres no change after the 8hrs they will book me in for a section the following day.

Its our first child together and i really don't want my OH to miss the birth and neither does he. He can change his holidays and come home 3 days after my due date but I'm terrified i go over and go in to labour and he misses the birth thats why I'm swayed to a c section xx