vbac when cs was on baby born @ 29 weeks

[kreamkrackers]

i'm not pg but can't stop thinking about what will happen next time, even though i'm thinking a few years ahead! with dd2 i had to have an emergency cs at 29 weeks, had a really rough time afterwards with a heavy bleed the crash team getting called and being jumped on by my consultant to make my womb contract. i had to spend the night in hdu and it took a long time to heal. now i'm wondering what will happen next time, we've been thinking about it lately and in a few years time we would want one more but i really don't want a cs again but was wondering if i'd have to as the scar might be stretched more if i get to full term this time. i know that if i had to give birth i'd want an epidural as i don't cope well with pain and the thought of feeling the baby coming out of my vagina scares the life out of me! has anybody else got experience or would know what would happen in my case?

Morning!

I had a c section for twins at 29 weeks (horizontal) and went on to have a VBAC at full term with my DD. No problems at all. I had a straight forward section with the twins though (although it was an emergency) It may be the consultant team want to keep a closer eye on you during your next labour but sure it wouldnt be a problem.

Hope it helps!

thanks

Hi kreamkrackers

I had a c-section at 36 weeks (though had a small baby - 4lb 12oz) and a VBAC 2 years later.

I don't think that the stretching of the scar will be an issue, as long as you have the classic 'bikini line' scar. That bit doesn't really get stretched, which is why they cut down there these days, rather than right down the middle of the bump like they used to do years ago.

I would be more worried about your desire to have an epidural. I did look into this quite a lot when I had my VBAC. If you have an epidural, you obviously can't feel anything at all. This means that any unusual pain which might be indicative of a scar rupture (very rare, but obviously also very serious) would be masked. An epidural also increases the likelihood of you needing intervention and possibly another c-section. Personally, I decided not to risk it, although I have heard of epidurals being offered to women having VBACs, so it's obviously a possibility. In any case, you should probably discuss this with your midwife/consultant at the time.

Judging from what you've written it sounds as if you are quite scared of pain. I wonder if, in the intervening period, you can do something to change your attitude towards pain, so that you are able to view the pain of childbirth as positive pain, which you need to feel in order to bring your beautiful baby into the world. (Just typing this, I feel a bit ridulous and lentil-weavery, but it worked for me, honest!)

Alternatively, if you are freaked out by the idea of pain and by the notion of a baby coming out of your vagina, why not opt for an elective section instead? Opting for a VBAC should be a positive choice, because you really want to give birth like that, not something that causes you fear and tension.

Oh, and you should also talk to your consultant about why you needed the section at 29 weeks last time, and how likely it is for that problem to recur in a 2nd pregnancy. This may affect your chances of a successful VBAC, anyway. (I was lucky, as I had a non-recurring problem the first time round.)

HTH.

thanks, that's a lot of advice! i had a classic cs. i think i do need to get over this fear of pain that i have, i've always been afraid of pain so i could do with some help with that.

i love my children so much and i do want another but i don't want to go through the pain of having them. i'd love to be able to grab the baby and pull it up to me as i'm giving birth. i love to bf, i love everything about looking after them but the thought of being in pain frightens me.

had dd1 vaginally was in a lot of pain but when dp went to the shop to get a drink i really calmed down by myself but the thought of feeling her coming out made me get the epidural which i loved.

dd2 was born early due to my waters breaking and going into labour 4 days later. she was bottom first and they were going to let me deliver myself but then they decided that the head might get stuck and not to risk it so had a cs.

i was screaming both times with each contraction (although calmed down with dd1 before having the epidural) and i remember the midwive telling me off when i was in labour with dd2 but i couldn't help it i was so scared.

because i've always had this attitude towards pain i think it'll take me a long time to change things. i couldn't think about anything else but the pain when i was in labour and even if my attitude does change that feeling might come back when i am in so much pain. i also have an attitude of what might go wrong so that'll also have to change.

thanks for all the advice.

No problem KK. I think you have two options, really. One is to try to deal with the pain issue. (Hypnotherapy, perhaps...? I don't know...) The other is to opt for an elective section. Then you can be totally in control of what happens.

Good luck. At least you are thinking of this well in advance, so you have time.

I agree that addressing the fear of pain may be something that will help you to make a decision...it's great that you're thinking about it beforehand. I think no matter how you do it- there will be pain involved. I found the recovery a ton better with the vbac, but every experience is different.

I had a csection (not emergency-due to hydrocephalus) at 34wks and had a full term VBAC the next time. I think as long as there isn't a reason that would make a vbac dangerous to you or the baby, you'll be supported. I had an epidural for my vbac. In fact, my dr. suggested I have one as he didn't want my labor to be overly stressful since it was vbac (it was stressful anyway as it I dilated so quickly I was already 9cm when getting to the hospital. Fortunately, they still gave me the epidural and I was able to relax and enjoy the birth. No interventions were necessary.) A little difference in approach that I've noticed since moving to UK (I had my other babies in the US). Not sure what will happen this time around.

Hope you find what works best for you!