Booking planned c-section but seeing if anything happens naturally

[aureliacecilia]

I'm pregnant with my second child. My first was delivered by c-section as he was footling breech. It was, on the whole, a positive experience for me. I'm now being asked by my consultant about how I wish to have this baby and I'm leaning towards requesting a c-section for, say, 40 weeks (in my area they carry them out at 39 weeks) and going with the flow if things happen naturally. I'm keen to avoid induction and I'm happy to go through another c-section. Has anyone done this and if so were you happy with your decision? I have until February to decide so I'd be grateful to hear your experiences to help with my decision.

Yes I did this and my son came early at 38+2. Section was booked for 40 weeks exactly. This was a Vbac and even though I ended up with a forceps delivery, I don’t regret a thing. Was up and about normally within a few days and completely healed after 4 weeks. Good luck!

I also refused induction!

Thanks @Bettyboop82! That's great to hear. I want to refuse induction too as I don't think it will help with my chances of a successful VBAC/risk of scar rupturing and more anecdotally my sister had a dreadful, stressful induction. I'm only happy to go for a VBAC if I go into labour naturally. The main reason for my earlier c-section was my baby's breech position so all of this may be academic if this one follows suit. Very pleased to hear you feel you made the right choice and were able to arrange this. I went into labour naturally at 35 weeks last time so I don't think I'll make it to 40 so I think I'd have a good window to give a vaginal birth a shot.

My situation was almost identical to yours, OP. My section was booked for 39+3 but baby was delivered on Sunday by EMCS at 37+2. I went into labour naturally but it wasn't progressing and I didn't want the intervention they were offering to continue with vbac. I was home within 24 hours, a lot less pain etc than the first section, overall a positive experience. Good luck!

I did this but at different dates and for different reasons. DC1 was delivered by EMCS after a failed induction and I was ambivalent about VBAC for DC2 but not keen on another section either. Booked an ELCS for 41 weeks with a view to having a VBAC if things happened naturally and looked straightforward before then. I didn’t labour so had the section.

My consultant was very supportive and, the hospital diary and public holidays notwithstanding, was happy to book a section for anything between 39 weeks and 40 + 10.

I found it more painful and a tougher recovery than first time round, but it was absolutely the right decision for me.

Thank you both for your comments. I suppose I'm ambivalent about how this baby is born. I didn't get a choice last time - I went into labour and was told I needed an EMCS due to baby's position. I don't feel I've missed out by not having a vaginal birth. However, I equally feel there's no reason why I couldn't have one so I want to give myself a bit of a chance as I imagine recovery might be easier, particularly with a child at home already. I didn't find recovery from my c-section too difficult before and despite it being an EMCS it was very calm and not stressful for me. I will speak to my consultant about booking in a CS just after my due date and seeing what, if anything, happens before then.

Hi I'm having a c section in two weeks and I'm really scared it's my first child I'm terrified