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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

VBAC or Planned section?

16 replies

2020firsttimemum · 08/08/2022 18:00

I'm currently 12 weeks pregnant and although it's super early to think about it, I feel like I need to consider all of my options.

I had my first born in July 2020 and after labour went quite wrong, I ended up with an emergency section.

Now I'm pregnant again, I'm wondering what's best... I didn't mind the recovery too much first time around but obviously I only had the one. This time I'll have a 2.5 year old and a new born if I have a section.

I'm also terrified of like a 3rd degree tear or something 🙈 however, (weirdly I know) I actually kind of enjoyed labour.

So I'm very torn about what to do.

Anyone got any stories of either option?

OP posts:

Original poster

2020firsttimemum · 09/08/2022 20:09

Bump

OP posts:

rhowton · 09/08/2022 20:12

I had a planned c section with both of my children. It was harder second time round, but it was still a decent recovery and it was great to plan childcare around and was far more relaxing.

stormy11 · 09/08/2022 20:21

I have just had my 2nd section after an emergency section in 2020, the recovery is so much better with a planned section. It was a much better positive experience for me so I really recommend it.

FindingMeno · 09/08/2022 20:26

I had an attempt at vbac following my emergency section with my first. I ended up with another section, but I was glad I gave vbac a go.

Bootsandcat · 09/08/2022 20:27

Depends on what went wrong last time and if it’s likely to happen again? What does your medical team say? I had an emergency c section first time but because I’m tiny and make huge babies they recommended planned c section for number two. The planned c section was a much nicer experience

FoxtrotSkarloey · 09/08/2022 20:31

What support would you have at home after the birth? I've had two ELCS and was lucky that after the second, DH could have three weeks paternity leave and was then able to work from home so able to drive DC1 to/from nursery until I could drive again.

Recovery after both was straightforward, but I was careful not to lift DC1 after the second and not to drive for five weeks (felt ok so didn't wait for six).

Tigerstigers · 09/08/2022 20:45

I had elcs with dc2 after first was an emcs following a really bad 3 day labour. I think it was the best decision at the time, but I do feel like I've "missed out" a bit by not experiencing a natural birth. Elcs was a much calmer and nicer experience that the emergency one, recovery was straightforward with both. Having had 2 c sections, was one of my reasons for not wanting a third baby though, as I didn't want to put my body through another surgery. Something to think about if you think you'd like a larger family, as multiple csections can increase alot of risks to you and further pregnancies. Good luck op!

NorthernWanker · 09/08/2022 21:08

Almost 38 weeks and still havnt really decided! I have a section booked for the day before my due date but if I go early (I did with DS) then I'm going to try. I'm also going to ask for an epidural straight away as I didn't have one last time and got to ten centimetres, pushed for 2.5hrs and still had a section. My recovery was amazing last time but this time I've got a todddler to look after and I really want to bounce back quicker and life to resume as quick as possible.

Goodnewsday · 10/08/2022 00:16

chants: ‘SECTION, SECTION, SECTION’!

😂 As you can tell I’m quite a fan of elective c-sections. Sometimes I think so much emphasis is put on giving birth ‘naturally’ (vaginally) and there is still a definite stigma around a section so it’s almost like you can’t say good things about them! I think the recovery should be much better with an elective as I had an elective and my friend’s was an emergency around the same time. For over 2 weeks she struggled to even be able to take the pram to the end of her street, whereas by day 6 or 7 I was out walking to the local coffee shop. Everything was just very slow until 2 weeks then remained semi-slow til 6 weeks but in terms of actual pain there really wasn’t much at all and I’m a complete wimp! Literally the only thing I didn’t like was that horrible feeling that you will be familiar with, of trying to get up out of a flat bed when you can’t use your abdominal muscles at all! As soon as I got to 2 weeks that seemed to go away.

In terms of the actual operation, as long as all goes to plan which it should if you don’t have any major risk factors, it’s an enjoyable experience I would say. I walked in, sat up on the bed, got the cannula in (the only bit I found painful and that wasn’t even bad), had the spinal which I completely missed being done so it was obviously fine, lay back, went numb, curtain went up, didn’t know they’d started, quick bit of cpr type pushing for a few seconds and suddenly a baby was there! It really couldn’t have gone better or been easier! I loved it and will 100% do it again with my second, which should hopefully be next year so I will have a toddler running around too but I think as long as my husband takes 2 weeks off work and my mum can help after that, as long as your toddler doesn’t need lifted then it will be fine ☺️ If you want to experience a vaginal birth and enjoy labour (weirdo 🤣) then go for that option instead! I just didn’t get that inbuilt gene where you want to experience that 🙈

Thejoyfulstar · 10/08/2022 00:21

My second birth was a vbac. Was a positive experience in that I was treated very well and my pain was well controlled, but I had a forceps delivery and lost loads of blood. Difficult recovery.

Had a planned section with number 3 and the recovery was even tougher. I've no idea which was the best in terms of recovery but the vbac is the one that I absolutely do not regret. You still aren't guaranteed a smooth recovery with a vbac so don't bank on that as a reason for doing it.

Original poster

2020firsttimemum · 10/08/2022 20:57

Thanks all!

For reference there was a few things that happened in my first labour.

I'll start by saying that labour started naturally and contractions came almost instantly after losing the bloody show.

Issues in labour included
Protein in urine & high blood pressure (pre eclampsia was ruled out)
Waters didn't break naturally
Meconium
Consistent dropped heart rate from baby
Failure to dilate past 5cm (I went to 5 and then back down to 4)
Hormone drip baby didn't like so had to come off it

Having said that, I almost enjoyed the labour part whilst it wasn't going wrong (crazy I know) and I feel sad that I may not get to do that again.

I don't think I'd be too worried this time if I tried for a VBAC and ended up with a section as mentally I'm stronger this time.

It's just so hard to know what to do.

I haven't had anything recommended to me, midwives have said it's up to me and I'll have a meeting with a consultant later in the pregnancy to discuss options if I haven't decided

OP posts:

Ginmonkey84 · 12/08/2022 12:36

I had a section with my twins and a home VBAC with my DD2. Recovery wise I’d say VBAC edged it for me simply because I couldn’t drive after the section. Pain wise they were on a par the days following if I’m honest managed by meds but quicker to recover with the VBAC even though I had a deep 2 degree tear. I would say feeling pretty normal by day 4 with VBAC and about 8 days for the c section. But the driving as I said edged it for me. I hated not being able to drive.

Kimberz · 11/12/2022 13:27

Hi.

Congrats on your pregnancy.

I had a planned csection with baby1 and baby2 was born 5 weeks ago VBAC. I was desperate to give it a go. Scared about my scar rupturing but all was fine.

I had a 2nd degree tear and episiotomy (forceps) but healing well. Was driving by day 4..!

I might have a prolapse though but think thats very common and will talk to GP at my 6 week check.

Id say go for it if your keen to try. My experience was a good one. X

Original poster

2020firsttimemum · 12/12/2022 20:42

Congrats on your new baby @Kimberz hope all is going well!

So far I've opted to go for a VBAC. I'm now 30 weeks pregnant so getting closer to D day. Although I'm having a lot of pain in my scar area which some days is quite unbearable when I'm trying to do anything so going to mention to the midwife tomorrow to see if this will affect my birth options

Also found out a few weeks ago that I had strepB so antibiotics will be needed regardless

OP posts:

Kimberz · 12/12/2022 21:30

Hey.

Eeek so close.

Ahhh ok yeah best to get that checked. Hopefully all is ok though and you get your VBAC.

I was quite anxious about a vaginal birth until I spoke to the Doctor at week 36/37.

Baby was 2 weeks early so I was glad to talk to the doctor when I did. Haha.

Orangesare · 12/12/2022 21:35

I had a long labour, with the drip to speed things up (didn’t work) and an emcs at 7 cm with my first.
Booked an elcs for my second, when into labour before and had a vbac instead. I did have an episiotomy but nothing else. The recovery was much better. From the moment labour started it felt different to first time round and it progressed normally.

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