Need Advice - VBAC/ELCS

[Leostratts]

I have a decision to make, I think I’ve made it, of course anything being able to change..

I had my first child in 2021, uneventful pregnancy but sudden onset pre-eclampsia and HELLP which resulted in emergency c-section at 36 weeks.

I really want a vaginal birth, always have done so I’m very much VBAC motivated this time with an open mind it could be EMCS.

I’m currently 27 weeks, consultant led high risk pregnancy. My consultant has said there is no reason I can’t opt for VBAC as long as my blood pressure is fine this time. I do however, have a low placenta which if it hasn’t moved up by 32 weeks will result in a c-section but if it moves down I’m back to having the choice again.

I’ve had the risks/benefits chat already for both options and I still want to opt for VBAC.. in terms of being able to experience it, being able to have my mum in the room and the recovery with a toddler.

I just wanted to know if anyone was in similar situation and whether there is a right/wrong? The risks for each were about even and neither one felt a safer choice than the other.

My last birth was very traumatic so I feel like I got through that, I will be prepared for it going bad again, other than the worst case scenario happening, of course.

Last time I was off painkillers fairly quickly, the actual recovery from the section I coped with fine but I hated the blood thinning injections every day and not being able to drive for 6 weeks. Also I didn’t have a toddler and my own home to also tend to first time!

Sorry for the long post and thank you for getting this far!

Absolutely no-one can tell you it's the right or wrong decision. All we can do is say what decision we would make based on our own experiences and hindsight.

Your post sounds like you have thought about it thoroughly, weighed your options, considered what could happen, and made your mind up. Therefore I will say you are making the right decision.

@Dyra Thank you! Maybe I just needed someone to tell me my mind being made up is enough of a decision. The decision could still yet be taken away from me but fingers crossed!

I had a failed vbac last year, I actually had booked an elective section but cancelled it, as I realised I was so keen on a vaginal birth. unfortunately I had to have another emergency c section but personally I find the actual surgery and recovery fine (albeit I hate the feeling of not participating in the birth) but was super super upset that I didn’t have a vbac and still am… no idea why. But I would really really recommend you feel ok about the possibility of having another section if needed. I think I thought I felt ok to have one but underneath I was distraught and the feelings only surfaced after the second surgery.
but I was glad I tired, glad I went into labour again and I have no regrets about that?

@gfuche I’m sorry it was a failed VBAC for you, but you’re right, you tried to go for it and at least you can tell yourself that! I think you can refer yourself to something called birth after thoughts, maybe dependent on area you live, it might help to talk about it - I wish I did after my last birth.

I’m very much a ‘whatever happens, happens’ person so I’m prepared for whether it needs to be another c-section or not. I didn’t even get to experience labour or contractions last time, so if I can this time even that will be a bonus! At the end of the day, a healthy me and baby at the end is the main thing. I just will always have the preference for a vaginal birth, again, until I know whether my placenta has moved up then I won’t even know if I’ll have the option!

Thank you :)

Good luck!! And a healthy mum and baby is defo the main thing! It’s such an emotive subject and I hope your delivery is positive whatever happens :)

Hi.

I had a VBAC in Nov 22.

I had full pain relief as couldn't cope with the contractions, and an episiotomy with forceps.

It almost ended in another csection but I was so proud of myself for being able to do a Natural birth (well as natural as it could have been)

I had the whole pre-eclampsia and ECS the first time round.

Second time, I thought I wanted a VBAC, for the 'experience'. The baby was breach however, so had to go for a planned CS.

It was a walk in the park! Organised, calm, quick, safe, controlled. A world away.

Seriously, I would say don't sweat about having a VBAC for the sake of it. A few few short years on, and it's completely irrelevant to you or your child. I know when you're pregnant it's all you can think about and is highly emotive.

But the only thing that really matters is that you and your baby are safe, and so I'd take sensible medical advice very much into account.

@Kimberz Thank you for your positive story! And well done 😊

@Luckingfovely With all the information given for both, neither are the ‘safer’ option apart from a successful VBAC, which isn’t guaranteed anyway. Everything taken on board, a VBAC suits my needs a lot more but if it needs to be a c-section again, that’s fine. I’m aware a VBAC can be EMCS but I’ve done it before and it couldn’t have been more traumatic! At least I know somewhat what to expect. I think if I don’t keep my mind open and try for a VBAC that would play more on my mind than not having a vaginal birth, if that makes sense? If they were telling me c-section would be a lot safer then I’d absolutely go for that but it’s literally about even odds at the moment! Given my placenta moves up, anyway. Thank you for taking time to reply 😊

I was in a similar situation a couple of months ago. I ended up trying for a VBAC which was successful. I'm glad I did, and the recovery has been easier than my (uncomplicated) C-section, despite a minor tear and some unpleasant postpartum piles.

One of the reasons why I wanted a VBAC was because I am in France where it is standard practice to take the baby away during the C-section, which meant I didn't get to hold my son until I was in recovery. Being able to have skin to skin with my daughter straight away was priceless. I talked to my doctor about the skin to skin issue and am reasonably sure that if I'd ended up having a C-section again they'd have bent the rules and allowed us to have skin to skin in the operating theatre. But since the VBAC was successful I don't know for sure. I definitely think that planning for how to make a possible C-section better made me feel more relaxed about the different potential outcomes.

Another reason I wanted a vaginal birth was the recovery; having experienced the first couple of weeks after a C-section where you are really not very mobile and have to be really careful not to overdo things, I knew I wouldn't be able to pick up my 12kg toddler for a while after having a C-section. I think he has adapted to having a new sibling much better as a result of me having a VBAC, because I've been able to pick him up and cuddle him as usual, collect him from crèche (which involves kneeling on the floor to put his shoes on etc) and all the things I would normally do. I don't think he would have understood why I couldn't do those things if I had had another C-section.

I felt on a high after giving birth, loved being able to walk around, eat, pee and shower shortly afterwards, hold my baby without abdominal pain etc. Psychologically it's been much better for me this time.

@babyjellyfish Thank you so much for sharing! Your experience with having a VBAC is exactly the reasons why I want to opt for it, given that mine is successful like yours. I’m in the same position with a toddler and nursery and how much they will understand once baby is here. My last C-Section I also did not get skin to skin either, or even meet my baby for 24 hours as I was bed-bound. My partner had to take pictures of him and come and show me how he looked, the week and a half in hospital whilst he was in special care and I was on my own ward was horrendous.

Your experience of a VBAC has made me realise for sure, that’s what I want to aim for. If it doesn’t happen then it’s out of my control and what will be will be :)

Thank you!