VBAC or elective section - how did you choose and were you happy with your decision?

[alicet]

I had an emergency c-section when I was 9cm dilated with ds1 after he became distressed. Made a good recovery and have only positive memories of my experience even though it wasn?t the water birth using gas and air I had planned. When it came to deciding how to deliver ds2 due in 5 weeks I have agonised over the pros and cons and had come down to deciding to have an elective section. Mainly when it boiled down to it this was what my gut reaction said and I think this is as good a reason as any. My main concern was that I wouldstruggle to look after ds1 but we had found ways round that by ensuring that either dh or my mum would be with me for the first 6-8 weeks and that they would be able to lift him onto my lap etc so he didn?t have to miss out on mummy time.

Well yesterday I went to a physio appointment as I have been having back pain and sciatica type symptoms and to cut a long story short I shouldn?t be lifting ds1 at the moment anyway ? should be trying to find ways round this. This made perfect sense but I was surprised at how much the thought of this upset me. I know regardless of how I give birth ds1 will have to get used to doing more himself once I have 2 to look after but it got me thinking that if being able to look after ds2 myself is so important to me maybe I have been silly to decide on an elective section.

So really what I would appreciate is to hear from people who had to make the same decision as me ? vbac or elective section ? how they came to the decision they did and do they regret / feel pleased with their final decision. With the greatest respect I don?t need opinions as to what I should or shouldn?t do from all the very well informed people on here. This is about trying to get a feel for other people?s experiences in order to make up my own mind.

Thanks very much for reading through my long post and I look forward to hearing your experiences?

Went for elective cs after emergency cs.
Didn't regret decision at all.

Arcticroll can I ask why you chose an elective section rather than a vbac?

With first labour I was induced after two weeks past due date.
Had really long labour and traumatic forced breaking of waters.
Eventually after failure to dilate further has emergency cs.
I was so shattered and tramatised following lenghthy labour plus cs decided didn't want to go through it again.
Elective cs was so much better and felt a lot better.
Did need a lot of help during first few weeks.
Good luck with your decision.

Thanks for sharing that with me Arcticroll. And glad to hear all went well for you.

I come very much from a VBACtivist stand point in that I had a VBAC, with spinal and forceps in the end and have had to deal with emotional trauma of STILL feeling cheated because I didn't feel dd's birth, was still cut again and still had recovery time from episiotemy. Do I wish I had an elCS instead?

NO WAY, not on your nelly, NEVER!

I still had the elation of having a VBAC, and now the knowledge that my body would be able to do it if I keep away from the intervention.

Next time it will be a HBAC.

So you see, it was important to me to VBAC. How important is it to you? What does your gut instinct tell you? There you will find your answer.

My gut instinct has changed. Before it was that I thought if I ended up with another emergency section I would beat myself up for not going for the easier option of an elective section.

Now I think I've realised its more important to me that I give myself the chance of making it easier for my little boy. If I end up with another emergency then so be it but I think at least I will have tried. So now my gut reaction is more for a VBAC.

Just worrying though that I'm just being hormonal and irrational now as I spent hours and hours looking into the pros and cons of each option almost to an OCD level. So I guess I'm anxious about going for an option that goes against what I have decided after months of rational thought.

ALso one of the problems is that people I know who have had sections (including me) have had very straightforward recoveries. Compared to a lot of my friends who have had pretty horrendous vaginal deliveries. I know that that doesn't mean it will happen to me but I think it's natural to be swayed by personal experience.

Plus I have never been someone who feels that I have missed out or failed by not having ds1 vaginally - I just feel that for me the birth is a small part of a much bigger experience and all I want is what is safest for me and the baby and also best for ds1. And I think more and more what is best for ds1 is the most important factor for me.

Oh Alicet! I can assure you that it is entirely normal to swither one way or t'other, to have wobbles and fears, to doubt yourself.... It's part of being a VBACer! [imho!]

You are entitled to change your mind as often as you wish right up until the time of birth.

I'd say go for VBAC but it's your decision in the end! No-one elses.

I was bullied in to an elective section by a consultant I had never met before. It was booked for 5 days over my EDD. I saw my usual consultant (who had resured my emergency section scar) and he said not to have a section if I didn't want one. I cancellled the appointment and she was born naturally the day after the previously booked section. I did have to have monitoring while I was pushing, and had a retained placenta, but it was fantastic! With the next one it was a given I would have a VBAC but it is only thanks to my being able to push quick that it didn't end up with a ruptured scar and crash section.

Have just joined in on the vbac support thread so maybe thats what my gut reaction is telling me anyway. I think I probably need to stop thinking about it too much and chill for a couple of days then see if I still feel the same

NAB3 did your scar rupture in the end then?

Hi Alice! I shouldn't really post cause whilst I've made my decision, it hasn't happened yet, as you know! But like you I have gone back and forth over this since I got pg so know how hard it is and how daunting it is to stick to one decision at this point in the game.

I had an emcs with DS1 2 yrs ago - I was fully dilated, but he got extremely distressed, hearbeat crashed and my blood pressure fell very low. His head shape was also an issue and as the consultant told my DH at the time, 'would not have come out at all easily'. I had no issues around having the emcs, primarily as I had got so far and the reasons for a speedy intervention were medically necessary. Recovery was fine (although the post natal care in the hospital was dire but that's another thread!)

This time round, it was suggested that I consider an elcs and that is what I am going for. The mw's I have spoken to have said that whilst they would absolutely support a trial labour, it wouldn't be in any way open ended (ie, there would be a time limit put on it) - and most have said it would end in some intervention, be that section or forceps/ventouse. The good thing for me is that everyone at this hosptial (not the same as the original one) is determined that I don't have a repeat experience which is really reassuring.

I feel strongly that I dont want forceps or ventouse - I know lots of women have no problems at all with this method of delivery; I just don't want that for me or my baby. And if it got to the point of cs, I know that I would far rather plan it calmly and get the birth I want (as far as poss) as opposed to the ER re-enaction I got first time round!

Saying all of that, my SIL had a baby last week and had a sucessful vbac which totally threw the cat amongst the pigeons - but on reflection we think that we made this decision with all the facts and think it is the right one for us - only time will tell.

I too share your concerns about the recovery and coping with a toddler, esp as I have no family around. But I think a calmer birth with a recovery I have already experienced (alo that isn't to say this one will be similar...) is a good starting point - at least I'll know I'll be out of action and people will help, as opposed to other friends who had natual deliveries, experienced physical and emotional trauma but because it was natural everyone thought they should be fine...

The other intersting fact is that every medic I know who has had a baby has had an elcs.... they obviously know something we don't!!

I'll stop there - I just wanted to say I totally empathise because this occupies most of my brain power and rationale at the moment too. Hope I haven't confused you further!!

alicet
It didn't, but I was being prepped for a section when I pushed him out in 7 mins. Have been advised not to have any more.

SO NAB3 do you regret having him vaginally as a result of that experience and their recommendations or would you do the same again? SOunds like your first vbac was great and confirmed for you that it was what you wanted but the second wasn't so great?

Hi nellie! You sound like all the emotions you are going through are almost the same as mine! As well as wanting to avoid another emergency section I also wouldn't be keen on forceps or ventouse but I have been told I have a 60% chance of no intervention needed (with 20% for emcs and 20% interventional vaginal delivery). So I guess the odds are that I will get a straightforward vaginal birth if I go for that but you never know...

I think I also worry that my odds for succesful vbac are lower than that as at the first chance of any problems I think I would panic and ask for a section. And if I think I ahve that as a 'get out' I'm probably not emotionally in the best place for a successful vbac.

AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!

HI, My first ended being emergency, fairly similar situation to Artic. 4 years later, i moved hospitals, and chose CS again. The best decision I ever made - even better that the first time, when i was so drugged up, and exhausted I can't remember it all. The elective was fab, same easy recovery, back to work one week later.
Go with what your head tells you - I am sure you will be able to change your mind if nec.

I had a horrific labour with ds ending in emergency c-section. I chose to have an elective c-s for dd's birth 7 months ago.

Reason 1: I found labour extremely traumatic, painful and frightening. By contrast, the c-section was painless and I found the recovery much better than I'd expected.

Reason 2: big babies run in my family, and so do big heads. Ds was 9lb 8oz with a 38cm head circumference. A midwife told me I'd have had a 4th degree tear if I'd given birth naturally. Didn't fancy that much!

Reason 3: I have a medical condition (fibroids) which prevented me giving birth naturally to ds, and might have done the same with dd, but no doctor would give me a definite opinion on this. So if I tried for a VBAC, there was a good chance I'd have another emergency c-section at the last minute.

Reason 4: better the devil you know. I knew I could deal with a c-section, and I'd been told an elective is easier than an emergency (it is).

I'm very pleased I made the decision I did. The elective cs was a great experience, totally different from my scary crash section 2 years before. I recovered feeling in my legs 2 hours later and was walking the next morning, driving after 3 weeks, back at the gym after 8 weeks.

Sorry for long post - I got a bit carried away!

MrsBoo and TuttiFrutti - how old were your dc's when you had the elective sections second time around? And how did you get round the whole not being able to lift them thing?

Ds1 will be 20 months and I'm concerned that not being able to lift him for 6 weeks will be a major problem even though I will have a lot of help

Tutti, your post has been really helpful to me - thank you. Alice, friends of mine who have DC's (2yrs) and had electives recently said that they were picking them up, albeit very carefully and with someone else there, within a week. I think if you've got help at home, they'll be able to pass your DS to you won't they?? My worry is how to get my DS in and out of his cot and bath as he point blankly refuses to do it on his own!

alicet I have never realy thought about it tbh. I think I would still have chosen the VBAC as we probably wouldn't be having any more anyway. But now you have got me thinking and the main reason is the risk to me. However, it is the right thing to not have any more. 3 is a lot and it is hard at times. Have had 3 lots of PND and one lot of AND so it has probably worked out the way it was meant too.

I had a vbac and I loved it. I know that sounds strange given the pain etc but it was very happy and intense and positive.

I hated the Caesarean and I suppose that's why I went for a vbac. I felt tense and unhappy every time I thought of having another c-section.

Alicet, Im sure you know by now my feelings. I had Emergency C section with DD and have been hoping for elective this time round, but has been told by my consultant no
I have settled on the idea of trying for a VBAC and hoping all goes well. If I end up with EC again theres a chance of having to have a GA due to drugs im on and them not being out of my system in time.
I truely believe that the main reason for me wanting a C section was fear of the unknown. I knew what i was like after my section, i knew what was going to happen, having never had natural (i only got to 4cm) i have no idea.

Im now settled with the idea of VBAC and hoping to be home as quick as possible for my DD who is 4.

HTH

Lisa

I had a v. bad experience first time (crash ceasarian, baby compressing cord so not getting oxygen). Just didn't want to go through the same horrific panic again, elected for an elective with my second and never regretted it for a minute.

Now my DCs are older, 6 and nearly 4, I'm losing that sense of "but I didn't actually give birth to them". Am just grateful that I was conscious throughout my second child's delivery: compared to being unconscious, it was lovely.

Alicet - my ds was 22 months when I had dd, so very similar to your situation. My dh took 2 weeks paternity leave, then my mother came to stay for a week, so for the first 3 weeks I had someone else there to lift ds. It helped that it was an elective section, so they could book the dates in advance and I knew for sure I would have help then.

Also, before dd was born, I went through my daily routine with ds and planned for every time I normally lifted him up, then I thought of a different way of doing it. For example, I used to lift him into a highchair for meals, but I bought a little wooden chair he could sit in which didn't need any lifting by me. Also I used to lift him onto a changing tray to change his nappies, so I just put a changing tray on the floor for that. I got the type of step used for potty training so he could get into the bath easily.

i had an elective second time and it was a huge relief

it took away my fear of having another long and painful failed natural delivery

i just looked forward to the big day and i recovered really well - a very very positive experience

my thoughts were that if i went for a vbac it was not going to be a lovely water birth - it was going to be hard ( baby was breech for later stages of preg and measured large - she was 10.7lb in the end) and I just thought - who am I trying to please here? I just wanted my baby - not a medal.

I did do a wonderful course with the nct though which helped me go through my first delivery and learn more about what had happened and why and that gave me the confidence to make my decision - i would recommend it

alicet, you could be me! I;m 29 weeks and had very positive elective c-section with DS as he was breech. Great fast recovery, no probs etc. DS will be 2yr 2mths when current baby is due in November and I have been swinging one way and the other for the entire pregnancy for exactly the same reasons as you - wanting to be able to pick up and cuddle/care for DS1. I have even seen a doula with the view to going for a VBAC (the doula had a VBAC herself) and that was over a week ago. I need to decide if I def want a VBAC before I pay her a non-refudable deposit to book her for the birth. It is SO hard making a decision, esp as the section first time round was so easy and have never had to go through any sort of labour. I feel for you, I really do. One min I think 'hey, women have been doing this for years and so I should be able to do it to', then I think about long diff labours, intervention, tearing etc!!! Good grief it's hard!!! Have you come to a decision yet?