C/S or VBAC

[legalseagull]

Just after some opinions. Bit of a WWYD

My Dd is a year old. I had a traumatic Labour with her and after 20 odd hours and her being in distress I ended up having an emergency section.

I'm now 6 months pregnant and the consultant has asked if I want CS or VBAC. I can't decide.

I'm really anxious about something going wrong with a VBAC. I'm worried it'll be traumatic again and the baby will be in distress. I'd rather have an elective CS than another emergency one.

However I'm also worried I'll spend the rest of my life feeling like I've somehow failed and missed out on the experience of a vaginal birth. That's really important to me.

wWYD

C section.

I had a horrifically traumatic labour and would not risk going through that again. I'm physically and mentally broken by it. The impact it had on me and my relationship with DS and DH is immeasurable.

I'm fighting for a section this time.

I had my 2nd child in June and went through a similar thought process. In the end I went c-section because my fear of something going wrong was greater than my fear of missing out/not experiencing a vaginal birth.

However my first ended up in NICU and I got all the way through pushing and failed forceps of a supposedly optimally positioned baby prior to my emcs.

Were you induced with your first?

If a vaginal birth is important to you, go for it. Talk to your OB and Midwife.

How long since your previous section? How's your placenta?

I know lots of women who've had successful VBACs.

I had an emergency c-section followed by an elective. The elective c-section was a dream. It was a wonderful experience and I'm so happy my dd entered the world so calmly and safely... but I didn't care about a vaginal birth.

It's such a personal thing.

I’d have another CS. My stomach is already ruined from my first CS so it can’t get any worse. But I’d like to keep my hoo-ha intact, thank you very much. I can do without both being ruined.

Pretty conclusive then! My DD has just turned one so it hasn't been that long since my Cs. I wasn't induced. I went in to labour naturally and it's only after 20 odd hours that her heart rate kept dropping.
@MilkyCuppa keeping my downstairs in tact is certainly a bonus!
I might book the section and then let fate decide if I go in to labour early. I just don't want to panic mid labour and start demanding a section then. I'd love to have the strength to overcome my anxiety though

On the whole, I think MN tends to be quite pro c section. So I think that will be reflected in the answers.

As a PP said, it is a very personal decision. Personally...I can understand the desire for a vaginal birth. Not at the expense of the mother's or the baby's safety, obviously! But if everything else is equal.

I was induced with my first and after a 72 hour traumatic labour and plenty things going wrong it ended up in a EMCS.
I fell pregnant at the beginning of this year and was adamant I wanted a planned CS as I just couldn't bare to go through that again. My consultant was absolutely fine with that. But I changed my mind at 36 weeks and told my consultant if I go into labour naturally before 41 weeks I will try a VBAC. Not quite sure why the change of heart, maybe the fact my partner wanted me to experience the whole vaginal birth (probably more than what I did) so I booked in for a CS at 40+6 and if I went into labour naturally then so be it.
I went into labour at 40+3 and after contractions starting at 8pm my DD was here at 3am. Absolutely no complications and what would be classed as a perfect labour (even no stitches!) Nothing like the traumatic experience I had with my first. I couldn't believe that I did it and so unbelievably glad I did. I was home 6 hours after having her and back to my normal self pretty much straight away!
Obviously I understand things aren't always that straight forward but I honestly believed my body wasn't going to allow a vaginal birth and it did. Anything is possible!
I have heard planned CS are very relaxing and recovery time is a lot better than a EMCS so honestly do what you think is best for you. If you have your heart set on a vaginal birth, believe you can do it. X

Thank you @hayleighxo that's an amazing story! Lovely to hear the positive ones

Just look at Ina May Gaskin and hypnobirthing...