Second birth after c section - your experience

[Birchgirl]

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

I had a CS at 9cm previously due to no progress, fetal distress and sepsis. DS1 has meningitis. I was induced second time with propess at 39+4 for acute polyhydramnios and likely late onset diabetes (previously also had late onset diabetes and 4.7kg baby). Had a normal birth (3rd degree tear and lost 2.5L blood) with 4.5kg baby. Would definitely do it all over again for number 3.

Some hospitals do induce Previous CS, my trust does. A cooks balloon is commonly used for this as used no medication, my trust use this and normal pessary. And syntocinon drip can also be used. Consultant will discuss risks of rupture based on method and your history.

Currently 17weeks along with our 2nd and had c-section with 1st after failed induction (induced because baby SGA). I’m hoping for VBAC but everyone I tell that to says “oh, wow, really?!”

I had two babies born after my emcs & they were plain sailing. It was much, much easier for recovery afterwards too. If possible, I would go for it but ultimately anyway out is fine as long as you & baby are safe & well.

Thank you all for your responses. It's nice to know both experiences x

I had EMCS the first time and tried for VBAC but ended up with another CS. But no resistance to attempting VBAC even though I was classed as "high risk". But I was told that now I've had two CS I'd have to have another if I got pregnant again, and they wouldn't recommend any more babies after that. Not an issue as I'm 40 and done after 2 but something for younger mums to consider x

Had an EMCS for failure to progress at 39+1 with first child. Waters broke naturally and spontaneously laboured but it was not to be and we called it a day after the best part of a 48hr labour when I'd had every drug going and failed to sufficiently dilate. I'll be honest, I felt like a massive failure. Milk was very slow to come in and while I recovered physically very quickly I struggled with DD1.
Had a review with a senior midwife when I became pregnant with no.2 a year later. Discovered only then that my first child was back to back and my notes were littered with comments about narrow pelvis, tilted uterus and other indicators that it was unlikely to be a successful natural delivery.
Had an apt with consultant to discuss ELCS versus VBAC and saw a different registrar twice due to consultant being called away. Both had completely different viewpoints, female was pushing for a vbac and was very jolly hockey sticks and pissed me off by not addressing my actual records and being utterly dismissive. Male registrar was very much of the have an elcs if you want, don't if you don't. They were about as much use as a choc teapot.
Spoke to a relative who was an obstetrician in another country and was far more help. Part of my issue was we were undecided as to how many children we wanted and so would a successful vbac be lower risk if we went on to have a 3rd child. He basically said that they wouldn't even bother to call a consultant in until it was a 4th CS unless there had been big issues in the past and because until you were opened up, the state of scar tissue was difficult to predict.

So I thought bollocks to it and booked an ELCS for 39weeks after a lovely midwife told me to stop torturing myself and it was all about everyone being safe and happy.

DD2 had other ideas and my waters broke at 37+1. Theatre was busy with emergencies and by the time it had freed up I was told I was at 8cms and it would all be over v soon.
3hrs later DD2 was delivered with forceps and I had 2nd degree tears. In hindsight both DH and I think I was managed into a vbac and only she was so small it would have been another ftp.
It took 12 weeks before I could sit down comfortably. 16 weeks before I could walk more than a mile.
Wish I'd had the elcs personally. Anyone who's had a lively heartwarming vbac, well done but aside from the initial euphoria at "having done it" it was literally a royal pain in the ass!

DD had a major emergency c-s followed by a very successful vbac. Go with your instinct when the time comes.