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

Original poster

VBAC after 2 c sections

24 replies

mondray · 13/02/2023 20:58

Has anyone had this? I’m considering this for my third pregnancy but so scared of the risks of uterine rupture.

Has anyone gone through this and successfully?

What were the doctors/midwives opinions on it? Did they try to talk you out of it?

OP posts:
glasslightly · 13/02/2023 21:08

I looked into it after EMC and failed VBAC, with approx two years between. Consultant was kind but said she had seen a successful one (and it was a hospital who had previously been very flex with me on birth choices), research also seemed to indicate that chance of success was low (although I did meet one OBGYN who had herself done this). I weighed up the risks and the shit stick of labour plus a c section at the end and went for an elective which was bloody lovely !

mapleandpecan · 13/02/2023 21:12

I've had two EMCS and it isn't recommended for me. I think it depends on why you needed them.

First time I went into labour naturally but I didn't dilate passed 4cm. I got septic so had to have an emergency section.

Second time I was induced but failed to progress again past 4cm and baby was getting distressed so another emergency it was. I really wish I went for an elected for my second but I was desperate for vaginal.

If/when I have a third I'm not even considering a vaginal.

purpledalmation · 13/02/2023 21:23

Its really not advisable after two.

KEG05 · 13/02/2023 21:26

i haven’t done it personally I’ve had 1 emcs and 2 elcs but on discussion about how my third would be born the consultant said they would really much rather an elective after 2 sections but if I was really really keen they would do what they could to support a vbac. So it is possible I think. But not advised.

Original poster
mondray · 13/02/2023 21:44

@glasslightly I’m very much pro c section. Both of mine were great and recovery wasn’t too bad. So chances are I will end up with a third section. I just can’t help but feel it’s my last chance and so desperate to experience it.

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Original poster
mondray · 13/02/2023 21:49

@mapleandpecan
My first one was an emergency due to failure to progress. Laboured for about 17 hours after induction and couldn’t get past 7cm and his heart rate starting getting irregular.

Second one was an elective one, but lost about a litre of blood during this one. Not sure if that would affect anything.

would you mind if I asked why it’s not recommended to you?

No one’s really mentioned one or the other to me. Only beginning stages when I was choosing to go for elective with my second, the consultant mentioned that I would have to have a section if we had a third. Didn’t elaborate and I didn’t ask.

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Original poster
mondray · 13/02/2023 21:51

@KEG05
I have a feeling that my hospital would be against it anyway and I’m very likely to end up choosing a section due to it being less risky for both me and baby, but I can’t help but wonder what if.

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hellosunshineagainxxx · 13/02/2023 21:53

My consultant said if I choose to have an elective for my second it pretty much means that I have to have a csection for further births. I think it's due to the risk of uterus rupturing?

Original poster
mondray · 13/02/2023 22:01

@hellosunshineagainxxx
Yes that’s as much as I’ve heard as well, but just curious as there is information out there that the increased risk for 1 vs 2 sections is minimal.

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Garman · 13/02/2023 22:05

I was aiming for and approved for a VBA2C by a head midwife and consultant, however it was then discovered that I had placenta previa and had to have a csection. My previous ones were for pre eclampsia and failure to progress (which was 100% because I was an anxious mess due to previous birth trauma, not a medical reason), so they had been happy for me to try for vba2c as the previous issues were not relevant.

mountsleepyhead · 13/02/2023 22:23

OP after your sections did you get any feedback on the shape of your uterus?

One of my friends had EMCS for DC1, ELCS for DC2.

After DC2 she was told she had a bicornate shaped uterus that would have meant baby would have got stuck at the same point as her DC1 did.

mountsleepyhead · 13/02/2023 22:24



KingofCats · 13/02/2023 22:28

I had one after doing a lot of research about the risks. I had a private midwife at home and this was a safer option for me, 10 minutes drive from the hospital with 1-1 care due post birth trauma and hospital phobia from my two emergency failure to progress sections

Thirtymummafeb23 · 14/02/2023 01:29

ivenjust had my section section. Was told after this section that if I was to have any more children then they would be by section as I’ve already had two sections

mapleandpecan · 14/02/2023 09:00

@mondray it isn't recommended because my cervix didn't dilate passed 4cm both times. First time I laboured for over 36 hours (24 at home and 12 in the hospital).

Chances of failure to progress happening again whether I go into labour naturally or via induction is extremely likely. I'll therefore end up with a C-section regardless.

purpledalmation · 14/02/2023 15:44

mondray · 13/02/2023 21:44

@glasslightly I’m very much pro c section. Both of mine were great and recovery wasn’t too bad. So chances are I will end up with a third section. I just can’t help but feel it’s my last chance and so desperate to experience it.

I've had two VDs and believe me youre missing nothing.

archimedescat · 15/02/2023 21:47

I had vba2c last year. I had various opinions from the midwives about what the drs would say. First Dr went through risks and it all seemed much the same as vbac. Came up with plan for elective a couple of days after due date if labour hadn't started because she said chances of success lower if go post dates, but to try if labour started ahead if that. Consultant was very clear that the hospital policy was not for vba2c and wanted to do elective at 39 weeks but they would 'support' if I wanted to go ahead.

I would have been ok to have the elective after due date but I was very pleased to go into labour before that and see it through. I wasn't sure the hospital would actually be supportive but I got a couple of lovely midwives including a student. I ended up with forceps, I would do it again, but no more babies for me. I feel they moved to forceps faster than necessary as Dr on duty was not happy with a vba2c! Recovery was smooth and I felt much happier with it.

Purple Dalmatian it's not all that helpful to say op isn't missing anything, I felt I missed something in having csections and having a vaginal birth confirmed that to me.

mapleandpecan · 16/02/2023 13:54

Do you mind my asking why you had two c sections? @archimedescat

archimedescat · 16/02/2023 16:26

DC1 was failed induction / lack of progress, then with meconium and infection. On delivery it turned out her head was at an angle (asynclitic?) which may have been why it wasn't progressing.

DC2 I was 8cm on arrival at hospital so should have arrived very soon after but then waters broke, there was meconium again, progress stopped and he wasn't descending. I don't know why this was, but I was most keen to avoid having a sick baby and days in hospital so moved to a section fairly quickly.

To me DC3 felt to be in a much better position, more engaged than I felt with the others. Also there was no difference in opinion on dates for this one and labour made a slow start several days ahead of due date. I had a good feeling it would work out. Babies all similar sizes. 3+ years between each

nightfeedtime · 17/02/2023 16:27

I'd recommend VBAC UK if you're on Facebook. Plenty of success stories of vba2c on that page.

If I were to have a third, (which I'm not likely to!) then I'd opt for a vba2c . Some hospitals may not support it but it is ultimately your choice.

I think it depends on your reasons for section though. My first was at 10cm due to position of my dd and my second was at 9cm but I'd progressed that quickly in 3 hours. I opted for a section at that point but baby was trying to come naturally.

Lelophants · 17/12/2023 12:51

I’m not sure if you’re still around op but how did it go in the end?

Original poster
mondray · 17/12/2023 16:41

@Lelophants
I'm still here. Well funnily enough I wasn't actually pregnant at the time. Just very early days on planning. We have only just started trying and on our first cycle this month 😂. I tend to get ahead of myself when I start planning things haha.

We are still in the boat. Still hoping for a VBA2C and have been part of a Facebook group mentioned above with plenty of people that have actually done it.

From the sounds of it you do have to be quite pushy and advocate for yourself as most doctors are quite set in their ways.

I am assuming you're in the same boat?

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Lelophants · 17/12/2023 17:49

mondray · 17/12/2023 16:41

@Lelophants
I'm still here. Well funnily enough I wasn't actually pregnant at the time. Just very early days on planning. We have only just started trying and on our first cycle this month 😂. I tend to get ahead of myself when I start planning things haha.

We are still in the boat. Still hoping for a VBA2C and have been part of a Facebook group mentioned above with plenty of people that have actually done it.

From the sounds of it you do have to be quite pushy and advocate for yourself as most doctors are quite set in their ways.

I am assuming you're in the same boat?

Good luck with it all! I’m not but going for my first vbac. Hoping I have other options later on down the line if it doesn’t work out.

Original poster
mondray · 17/12/2023 20:30

@Lelophants If it helps at all my consultants were pushing me to do a VBAC with my second, but I chose to do an elective as I was ademant I wasn’t going to have a third. That went out the window quickly and now I’m regretting just not going for it.

I think after two sections they’re reluctant for VBAC. But you should be quite straight forward if you’ve only had one.

Good Luck. Hope it goes well.

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