Anyone VBAC'd a big baby less than 2 years after EMCS?

[PSL1990]

I had an EMCS with my baby who weighed 9lbs 5oz. We're considering trying for another baby now and if we conceived quickly there could only be 20 months between babies.

I would like a VBAC but am nervous about uterine rupture. Has anyone had a VBAC less than 2 years after c section and given birth to a big baby? How did it go? I've read that both the short time gap and the size of a baby can increase rupture odds.

I know the next one could not be as big and we may not conceive straight away but I'd be interested to hear if anyone has any experience of this.

Thanks!!

I haven’t but I may be able to let you know in a few weeks time! My son was big (10lb 2!) and had an EMCS after an hour of pushing (they had a set clock on that). Due end of May with DC2 and growth scans put her as being big as well - no GD, looking healthy - I just make ‘em big!

I’ve been told I can have a CS if I want. It’s hard to know what to do for best. RCOG seems to say VBAC odds go down from 75% to 40% with big baby, especially if go over plus the risk of scar rupture goes up a bit. Hard to know what to do for the best!

I had a VBAC 22 months after an EMCS - though baby was 8 pounds so not esp big.

It was ok - as I did end up with forceps which I didn't really want. But I was well monitored and we had a plan agreed beforehand (can't remember the details, sorry) that they would go to a CS quickly if need be.

@DinoMamasaurus how exciting you are due next month! Congratulations! Oh I know.... so hard to know what to do. I'm not even pregnant yet and agonising over the decision already. What are your reasons for wanting a VBAC? What will the age gap between your children be? Did your doctor recommend VBAC? Sorry for all the questions!

@Yumsnet thanks for your message! In hindsight do you feel you made the right decision for you by going for a VBAC? Did the doctor ever discuss risk of uterine rupture specifically with you due to short time gap? Also, I guess all VBACs are treated as high risk... did you have continuous monitoring and did you have to lie on your back the whole time? Sorry for all the questions too!

Yep! I had a VBAC 18 months to the day after my EMCS. DS2 was 9lb 10oz. Was an assisted delivery in the end with forceps and episiotomy by wouldn’t have changed it for the world. Now due DD1 in the next few weeks and hoping for another VBAC!

Not sure how big is big but dc1 was an ELCS and was 6lb7 so VBAC dc2 popping out at 8lb12 21mths later was a bit of a surprise

I was strongly encouraged to try for a VBAC by the doctors (I had initially asked for an ELCS). And I'm glad I gave it a go.
Actually I think I was more worried about uterine rupture than the doctors, it didn't really seem an issue to them!

And forgot to say - I was on my back and as far as I recall it was pretty much constant monitoring, which was reassuring.

@Puggleface wow well done you!! I'm specifically nervous about uterine rupture. Did the doctors do anything to check how strong your scar was before your VBAC?

@DinoMamasaurus have you had your baby yet ? Hope all is well!

@Puggleface how did VBAC2 go? Hope all is well!

Hi @PSL1990 thanks for asking! It went amazingly well! Had about a 4.5 hour labour and baby was born just over 2 hours after arriving on delivery suite. I was very active for the first 3 hours and was offered wireless monitoring. I went from being 6cm to fully dilated in 45 minutes and baby was born en-caul. I had a wonderful ‘golden hour’ baby was delivered straight onto me, the cord wasn’t clamped until it had fully stopped pulseating, I delivered the placenta quickly (with a bit of help as I’d had a previous PPH) , and we breastfed straight away as well! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience!

@Puggleface oh wow, congratulations!!! That sounds amazing, so happy for you!!! Was it another big baby?

No, not this time, she was 7lb 3oz at 38.+6