Elec C section or Vbac? Would appreciate some advice please

[thefamousfiveplusone]

I had a planned C section with my first DC as he was on the large side - this was based on medical advice and as I had no expectations I just went with it. Born at approx 39 weeks of memory serves me - although it has been 12 years since!! It was a very positive experience and recovery was quick.

I had a successful vaginal birth with my second which was pretty quick. Again a very positive, albeit completely surreal experience. That was 9 years ago now.

I am now 30 weeks pregnant with my third. I am 40 yrs old and at my 20 wk scan was told I had placenta previa. I have another scan in a couple of weeks to check whether it has moved. Likelihood being it will have from what I've read. If it hasn't then of course it would be c section but if it has there would be no reason for a section.

However my mind is already telling me to have a planned c section anyway. Especially as I'm due end of Christmas week!! With our other children to take into consideration I feel this would be a better option. Am I daft for thinking this?? Is it as easy as just requesting one and having it booked in? If so when would they realistically do it - 39 weeks? Which incidentally would be 23rd Dec

Any advice or words of wisdom would be most welcome

The decision for VBAC or ELCS is entirely personal to you. You need to consider all risks involved, convenience I’m not sure really comes into it.
On the booking front, you have had a previous CS so technically should be offered an ELCS but will be encouraged to VBAC as you have had a successful one before. If you choose the CS 39 weeks is the recommended time however, bare in mind it’s a buy time of year and ELective procedures aren’t done on BAnk holidays so you may not get booked in until after Christmas

Completely personal choice.

I had an EMCS with DS1. I was keen for a VBAC with DS2, but as my EMCS was the result of a failed induction, I also didn't want to be induced again and vowed they'd never again put me on the drip. I had a meeting with a consultant that was very positive, however I had a follow up appointment with a different one who told me that if it came to it, I would have to go on the drip, and that if I wanted a water birth, I'd have to take that up with the MW on the day. It all felt incredibly combative and I knew that I didn't want to be fighting any battles whilst in labour.
So yes, it was as easy as being booked in. She literally went out of the room to get a diary and I was able to choose DS2s DOB. He was born at 39+1.
(Now I wish I'd found my voice and told them straight that they couldn't MAKE me do anything, but that comes with age and confidence.)

But two days before Christmas? Even though elective ones are less traumatic from an exhaustion etc POV, it remains major abdominal surgery. Realistically, you're not going to be out of bed. You're going to be completely doped up on pain relief. All I did after my ELCS was watch box sets in bed with DS2 attached to or next to me. For three weeks.

You could go two weeks over. Which means that your baby won't be born until the New Year, leaving you and your bump to enjoy Christmas without recovering from surgery.

As I say, it's a completely personal decision. But had DS2 been due when you are, I most likely would have opted to wait.

Realistically, you're not going to be out of bed. You're going to be completely doped up on pain relief. All I did after my ELCS was watch box sets in bed with DS2 attached to or next to me. For three weeks.

Varies massively. I was discharged the day after my second emcs and was out for lunch and then Messy Church the day after that. Was walking 3 miles a day with the pram on the preschool run by week 3. By no means is that me saying opt for an elective, just that recoveries vary dramatically. My consultant said with my last one that getting out of hospital and getting out of bed seemed to lead to the easiest recoveries and certainly based on my experiences and that of my friends, I would tend to agree unless there were complications.

I was 40 when I had dc2. Whilst they were very supportive of it being my choice despite the fact that tiny dc1 got stuck at full dilation in an optimal position, they weren't happy with the idea of me going over 40 weeks if I opted to try for a vaginal birth. Have they mentioned that to you? When did you go into labour with dc2?

Thank you for your replies. It is helpful getting other perspectives.

@Dinosauratemydaffodils the consultant did mention that given my age they wouldn't want me going much past 40 weeks.

The recovery for my first C section was amazing. The circumstances were slightly different as I lived out in France at the time and it is standard practice to be kept in hospital for a whole week! That obviously wouldn't be the case here and I wouldn't want that now but at the time I had nothing to compare it to and just went with it.

I know the absolute best thing is to be up and mobile as soon as possible.

DC2 was born 2 days before her due date and I guess you could probably call it a text book labour and birth.

There is probably no plausible reason as to why I should choose an ELCS but I think having the option is making me feel undecided as to what I'd like to do.

DC2 was born 2 days before her due date and I guess you could probably call it a text book labour and birth.

Based on that, what about giving yourself until between Christmas and New Year and booking an elective for then?