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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Second birth after c section - your experience

32 replies

Birchgirl · 29/12/2019 18:07

Hello

I'm just looking to hear anyone's experience of their second birth after having a c section the first time.

Basically I had my dc 11 weeks ago via EMCS and me and my partner are thinking of having another (have already been advised to wait a year)

What I wanted to know is if it is likely I'll have to have another section?

Thanks in advance Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Birchgirl · 29/12/2019 20:53

Anyone?

OP posts:
welshweasel · 29/12/2019 20:57

Had a section the first time so chose one the second! Can’t understand why anyone would do otherwise.

SproutMuncher · 29/12/2019 20:58

I don’t have any experiences myself but lots of people have VBACs so every chance you’ll be able to as well (if you want to!)

userabcname · 29/12/2019 21:00

I think you'll have the option to have a c section or a VBAC. Not had this personally but I know 3 people who've had EMCS - one opted for an ELCS the second time, one had a straightforward VBAC and one wanted a VBAC but ended up having another EMCS. Hopefully someone with personal experience will be along shortly with better insight!

2020BetterBeBetter · 29/12/2019 21:01

I think it will depend upon the reason why you has a c section. There is a good chance your body will do the same thing next time so if you didn’t progress the first time, you are likely not to the second time.

I’ve had four c sections.

2weeksholiday · 29/12/2019 21:03

I had an EMCS the first time, so elected for a CS with our second child. It was such a different experience, really relaxed and quick. The recovery was better too

LizzieSiddal · 29/12/2019 21:03

I had an emcs with DD1 and was determined to have an elective with my second. It was absolute fabulous- pain free, calm, and a much quicker recovery than the first.

I’d recommend it to everyone.

LastNameMarple · 29/12/2019 21:03

Lots of people do have VBACs, OP, and I did consider it but decided to go for another c-section in the end.

It was a very straightforward and even quite lovely experience compared to my first c-section.

snackarella · 29/12/2019 21:03

They will allocate you a consultant to discuss VBAC. Some trusts will allow a ELCS some don't but i was allowed an elective.

Ohhgreat · 29/12/2019 21:06

Success rate for VBAC is approx 70% (this varies between different hospitals). But it depends on the reason for csection- like previous posters have said, if you didnt progress first time, you are more likely not to this time.

CointreauVersial · 29/12/2019 21:11

I had a VBAC (DC3) - it went like clockwork, very quick labour, no probems. There was a bit more monitoring, but that's all (a bit of a pain, because it stopped me moving around).

Having said that, my EMCS for the previous pregnancy (DC2) was because of a failed induction / small-for-dates baby in distress, and not due to any failure to progress. Two years earlier I had had a perfectly normal vaginal delivery (DC1).

You should discuss it with your consultant and see what they recommend. I would always say a vaginal delivery is better (much faster recovery), but it depends why you had an EMCS.

SirVixofVixHall · 29/12/2019 21:12

I had a c-section the first time, after a failed induction for pre-eclampsia, I tried for a VBAC the second time but labour slowed down, I wasn’t dilating well, and I had a lot of pain in my scar, so the consultant said I needed a c-section, and my scar wall was very thing, so that had been the right call.
Worth trying for a vaginal delivery if everything seems fine, but you might end up with another section. The midwife team told me I had a 50/50 chance.

SirVixofVixHall · 29/12/2019 21:12

Very thin, not very thing !

NeurotrashWarrior · 29/12/2019 21:12

Lots of people have vbacs and there's a good fb group with tonnes of advice. It can depend on your area though; my hospital are quite strict at how far they will allow you to go (I was 42 weeks with my first, went past 40 with my second) and also tend to push towards a planned section.

I had a meeting with the head midwife who was very encouraging and also found that a consultant/ dr was happy to let me go to term but I'll admit I got cold feet as my first was so poorly.

My planned section was - it's sounds weird - wonderful. I suppose I was prepared, I did a section birth plan which they took seriously. It was very calm and peaceful and recovery was much quicker. Partly as I really relaxed into just lying around bf ing all day, perfecting laid back bfing.

However my eldest son was at school which helped a bit so no lifting of a toddler.

I was sad not to have a natural birth but the whole thing was extremely positive.

NeurotrashWarrior · 29/12/2019 21:13

Higher chance of a successful vbac the more dilated you were I was told by midwife.

Kenji · 29/12/2019 21:15

I had a vbac 3 and a half years after a planned c section. Absolutely no problems, got to 8 cms before begging for the epidural and all was good, apart from a couple of stitches. We lived rurally and there's no way I could have stuck 6 weeks of no driving with a lively 3 year old. Plus recovery was a lot faster. Would totally recommend it if it's something you're thinking about.

Kiki275 · 29/12/2019 21:51

Following with interest. I had EMCS 16 months ago and I'm due in July. Reason for CS failure to get past 4cm and distressed baby. Really hoping I can have a successful VBAC as I don't have the support at home to help with DS, (we live on and DH runs a working dairy farm - cows take priorityHmm) plus semi-rural so not driving would send me bonkers!x

Original poster
Birchgirl · 29/12/2019 22:15

Thank you all for your responses!

My EMCS was due to failure to progress (hate that term BTW) at 6 cm.

I just keep thinking that I would like to experience a vbac but on the other hand the thought of having another EMCS scares the hell out of my (found the experience v traumatic) so maybe a planned one would be better?

I have plenty of time to decide I know but It is nice to know that it would be physically possible for both I suppose Smile

OP posts:
CointreauVersial · 29/12/2019 22:22

One thing to note is you can't/shouldn't be induced once you've had a CS....so if you go very overdue in the next pregnancy you will be steered very much towards another CS!

Original poster
Birchgirl · 30/12/2019 11:31

Oh really. Why is that? Just out of interest

OP posts:
LastNameMarple · 30/12/2019 12:11

Induction after c-section isn’t recommended due to risk of scar rupture.

CointreauVersial · 30/12/2019 12:31

Induction causes contractions to be quite full-on, so is more risky for the scar. I was a week late, and had been given my date for the elective CS, but was determined to get my VBAC. Fortunately, after a sweep and a hot curry (!) I went into labour 12 hours before I was due under the knife -- phew!

It honestly depends a lot on the attitude/preferences of your consultant. Mine was very supportive of VBAC all the way through, and didn't seen any reason why I shouldn't try for it. Others may find they are being steered in another direction, especially if they have had a failed (sorry, not a great word, but you know what I mean) vaginal delivery.

Risk of scar rupture is very small, and a CS is not without risk, of course, and you have to factor in recovery time. Of course, it's ultimately your decision, but it really helped me, knowing the consultant and his team were confident with VBAC. I'd sooner rely on a medical professional's advice than tie myself in knots reading statistics on Google.

yellowallpaper · 30/12/2019 19:09

Planned 2nd one after emcs. Was lovely and calm.

cudbywestrangers · 30/12/2019 19:27

I emcs for undiagnosed breech then vbac. The vbac wasn't completely straightforward (distressed baby and ventouse) but it was the right decision for me and the recovery much easier than that from my c section, which is what I was aiming for with a toddler to deal with!

benandhollyagaaain · 30/12/2019 19:33

Your chances of a successful vbac depend on where you give birth as well. My first birth was induced and ended with emcs. If I had given birth to my second at the same hospital my chances of successful vbac were 50%. I opted for a different hospital where stats were 75%. In the end I had a planned cs anyway as I went over and decided it was the best thing for us

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