Vbac or planned section

[SSimp24]

I'm pregnant with baby number 3.

First baby - natural birth only gas and air and diamorphine.

Second baby - planned section after baby being breech.

I've been told I can have Vbac or planned section.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What did you decide? I'm at a loss at what to do. Can't decide so looking for people in similar situation to try and help me decide.

Tia x

Does your hospital run a VBAC clinic? I found it invaluable as they went over all the risks taking in to account the reasons for the section. They also covered what could and couldn’t happen with a VBAC, pain relief, monitoring etc.

if you’ve already had a relatively straightforward VB, it’s likely a second one will be easier. I was told if you’ve previously got past 5cm dilation, a VBAC is more likely to be successful.

you’ve experienced both, so it’s probably down to which recovery you found easier.

Which recovery did you find the worst? That’s where I’d base my starting point and work from there.

Planned section is obviously easier with 2 children to organise childcare, but then the recovery with 2 and a newborn would be a tad testing.

I agree with pp- if you’ve had a previous vaginal birth the VBAC will have a better chance of success.

If I asked you right now which you’d prefer what would your immediate answer be?

If I had a third baby, my situation would be the similar. Both babies were 37 week inductions, with baby 1 being a vaginal birth, and baby 2 an emergency C-section (though he was breech up until nearly 37 weeks!).

I've decided that should we ever go for DC3, I would attempt a vaginal birth. All the research I've read says that the main factor to a successful VBAC is to already have had a successful vaginal birth. I can't remember the exact percentage (I think it was ~70%), but the greater proportion of women attempting a VBAC with 1+ prior vaginal births were successful. That, and while the C-section recovery was no where as bad as expected, the vaginal birth recovery was far easier. Attempting a vaginal birth is also important to me.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

I haven't been in your situation however as you have had vaginal delivery previously, VBAC chances should be more successful.

I think this one is it's prob down to your preference

@Cileymyrus as far as I'm aware there isn't a clinic but I will look into this ☺️

@Ostryga honestly I wouldn't be able to give you an answer. I have positives to both, not many negatives to either to be honest. I'd be swayed to a Vbac for the simple reason of being able to drive quicker. Section for the childcare planning etc.

Both recoveries went well to be honest, so I honestly can't decide from that either.

@daysleepers I'm glad to hear that they are more successful as I was worried I'd go through all the beginning of labour then have to go for a section in the end. Obviously I know this can happen in any situation but that's playing on my mind too.

Sorry I'm not much help 🤦🏻‍♀️

Hey.

I had a planned section with first baby (breech)

Then just 9 weeks ago had a successful VBAC with baby 2 (forceps and episiotomy though)

Good luck and go with your gut

I had an ECS with DC1. Was 9cm dilated but his heart rate dropped. Recovery was easy but was still 3 to 4 weeks before I could lift anything other than DC.
DC1 was a very huggy child and a bit of a squishy toddler. No way could he have had all the snuggles that he was used to if I'd had another section. Was lucky to have a quick VBAC with just gas and air.
They offered me a balloon induction as they recommended monitoring birth due to risk of section scar being damaged. This gave me a bit more certainty around timing for child care. Was so lovely to take them both out in the double buggy the day we came home from hospital.
Apparently as I'd been so far delated I had a better chance of a successful VBAC.

Hi, I'm in a very similar situation to you OP and just can't decide 1st baby induced and uncomplicated lovely VB 2nd baby failed induction due to poor position ended in cat3 emcs my 2 are now 13 and 10 now 27 weeks with baby 3 and really just don't know what to do consultant and midwife supportive of both and there are pro and cons to both so I just can't decide I like the idea of quicker recovery and being able to drive sooner if successful Vbac but terrified of rupture up going through days of trying to Labour and ending in another emcs
For the emcs I like the idea of being able to arrange childcare and pre plan and also that I'm already there and open if anything was to go wrong but then not keen on the recovery not being able to drive for a while ect o had complications in last pregnancy and think I'm just gunna wait and see consultant is happy for me not to have any kind of plan until 36 weeks and then just go with what I am comfortable with but I have no clue a my this point lol

@Heath2330 I completely get what you mean. Mine will be 3 & nearly 6 when baby is born and it'll be summer holidays so don't want to be stuck in unable to drive too x