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Childbirth

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

Original poster

C-section ! Is it true, once you have one, you're likely to have again!

50 replies

PopsicleHustler · 13/04/2023 08:02

And VBAC are actually very rare?

I had an emergency csection almost 4 months ago.
I was in labour for 27 hours and my little boy was getting stressed out and his heartbeat was so high. I had lost most of my waters the day before and suggested putting me on the dreadful drip to get the ball rolling as I was not progressing past 3/4cm for literally hours and hours. By the time it came to put me on the hormone drip, they said, no and that baby heartbeat is too high. You're going to have to have an emergency csection.

It was a horrendous surgery, I couldn't sit still, I had brilliant caring nurses and lovely doctors but I was trying to breathe through contractions whilst they were giving me a spinal block and something else. And I kept moving and having strange sharp shooting pains up my back and down my legs.
My legs felt awful and I was scared I would be paralysed. I was trembling and shaking through out. My mouth and lips were as dry as anything. Baby was born and wasn't breathing and had to be attended to by doctors.

We were both ill for a week and wired up to drips and had constant blood tests and checks for meningitis. I could barely move and was really struggling but the midwives and care assistants kept making me stand up intruder to help me and I get that but I was in such pain I could barely turn to lift the baby and getting out of the bed was horrendous pain, I really struggled.

I have had 6 children altogether and 5 have been born naturally with no complications and last baby born in January by emergency c section.

Still til now, I am still sore in some places, lower belly the numbness is still slightly there, bleeding has been on off for the best part of 4 months. Top of my bum / lower back was numb for almost 4 months also. I had issues with my scar as well, loose stitching came out and I had 3 infections.

All in all I can say I hope to never have csection again, it was awful but now I have heard that after you have a c section, it's like a domino effect and that you're likely to have it again and VBAC is very, very rare.

I would love to go and have number 7 in a couple years, (please dont post with comments such as 6 is enough or i dont care about the environment. My husband and I both work hard, the children are all happy and well looked after and get equal time and love)

But I am scared of csection again and in comparison vaginal birth is an absolute breeze. I had a water birth with number 3 and laboured in the water with number 4 but does anyone have any experience of this, ie all your children were csection and you just could NOT have a vaginal birth?

Thank you so much

OP posts:
MaryJean87 · 13/04/2023 08:10

It depends on the reasons why the c section was needed, or so I was told. I've had 4 sections. First was an emergency as baby got stuck and they said my pelvis was too small. The consultant told me that giving birth vaginally to a baby weighing over 4 pounds was not possible for me. After you have 2 sections they don't recommend a vbac anyway.

Mummy2C · 13/04/2023 08:17

I've just had my second c-sec - this time planned. It wasn't as bad as my first (emergency) and recovery seems quicker. Csec was recommended as my LO was measuring big. 6 weeks of recovery and being unable to do things is a pain.

TheBeastReleased · 13/04/2023 08:17

Hi,

Obviously no one can say for definite as we don't know the exact reason for your section, but generally after a c-section, the chance of achieving a successful vbac is 60-70%. In the UK, that's about the same success rate as a first time mum attempting a vaginal birth.

Given that you've had 5 vaginal births previously, have faith that your chance of successful vbac is good.

Original poster
PopsicleHustler · 13/04/2023 08:18

Wow @MaryJean87 thank you for your reply. I have been so lucky to have 6 children and deliver naturally , you are very strong and incredible to do two. The road to recovery is so different compared to natural birth. And people actually say csection is the easy way out. It's not and its horrible. Obviously so worth it in the end when you have your little one but my gosh the after pain is horrid and trying to stand up for the first time is dreadful.

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Original poster
PopsicleHustler · 13/04/2023 08:21

@Mummy2C congratulations

Its rough going when it is an emergency csection and I have heard planned is much easier, both in regards to the actual surgery and the recovery.

If I go into have number 7, I really do hope for a VBAC.
Everyone says I'm crackers but I just love big families and my husband comes from a big family himself

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Original poster
PopsicleHustler · 13/04/2023 08:23

@TheBeastReleased wow, 60-70% is a good percentage rate. That's made me feel a bit more optimistic. And I suppose the fact I have also had 5 vaginal labours without complications goes in my favour too! Thank you for your reply.

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MaryJean87 · 13/04/2023 08:26

Yeah it's definitely not the easy way out as recovery takes longer and it comes with its own set of risks and possible complications. Mine were all not too bad though. I think after the third and fourth sections I was in a bit more pain than usual as I had a lot of internal scar tissue. It was the day after that was worst for me. They try and get out you out the next day now, but I was in 3 nights with my youngest as I needed morphine.

purpledalmation · 13/04/2023 08:52

I think you would be silly to have a VBAC. After 6 pregnancies the uterus isn't as firm as it used to be and the cut from an emergency c section tends to be much bigger than a normal cut, so more possibility of uterine rupture. Take your doctors advice.

purpledalmation · 13/04/2023 08:53

Uterine rupture by the way is often fatal to mother and baby, so maybe think of your existing children?

febbabies2023 · 13/04/2023 08:56

I had a VBAC!

My first was an emergency section 3 years ago in July. When I fell pregnant with my little girl I wanted to try for a VBAC which midwives were happy for me to do.

I had her in February and she's now nearly 8 weeks old. Managed to give birth vaginally without epidural and with an episiotomy

My emergency section was my first born and my vaginal birth my second baby

Only afterwards was I told that normally if you have an emergency section with your first, women don't normally deliver vaginally after that either due to planning a c section or a failed VBAC!

But I definitely think you'd be able to do it given your history but as always you'd need to speak to your midwife / consultant

febbabies2023 · 13/04/2023 08:58

Also, just noting above posters on uterine rupture.

When I went into labour with DD I had awful shoulder pain which doctors thought could have been uterine rupture (it wasn't)
Also the chances of uterine rupture in the UK is 0.5% and increased to 0.8% if induction is needed

You'd just need to know any signs or symptoms

Meandfour · 13/04/2023 08:58

PopsicleHustler · 13/04/2023 08:18

Wow @MaryJean87 thank you for your reply. I have been so lucky to have 6 children and deliver naturally , you are very strong and incredible to do two. The road to recovery is so different compared to natural birth. And people actually say csection is the easy way out. It's not and its horrible. Obviously so worth it in the end when you have your little one but my gosh the after pain is horrid and trying to stand up for the first time is dreadful.

It’s not horrible and dreadful for everyone. Please bear in mind that not everyone’s experience was the same as yours.

My cousin and my friend have both had 2 VBACs so nothing to say you can’t try for another vaginal birth.

Morningcoffeeview · 13/04/2023 09:00

I had a horrendous first birth with forceps and some permanent damage to my lady bits.

Planned c section the second time and it was an absolute breeze, inc recovery, in comparison.

Axahooxa · 13/04/2023 09:00

Planned csection is such a different experience to an emergency.

You’ll need to really consider the risks of another baby (or babies- as you get older, more likely), especially as you didn’t heal quickly and there were complications.

TheDuchessOfMN · 13/04/2023 09:01

I had a VBAC and I know of plenty of other women who did too. It’s not at all rare. However, I would imagine that it being your 7th pregnancy would make things a lot more of a risk, so you’d need to discuss it with a consultant

saraclara · 13/04/2023 09:10

My first was an emergency c section, my second a VBAC. To be honest I felt worse after the second!

But after six children, the risks might be different, so I don't think any of us can say what your prospects would be

StuntNun · 13/04/2023 09:10

My first was a section then my second was a successfully VBAC. With my third I was hoping for another VBAC but he decided to get wedged in sideways (transverse lie) and the placenta started to abrupt so I ended up having to have another section. If it hadn't been for both those circumstances occurring together I would have been able to have a VBAC. Certainly all the medical professionals I saw were keen to facilitate VBACs so it can't be that unlikely to be successful.

Original poster
PopsicleHustler · 13/04/2023 09:26

@purpledalmation thanks for your reply.

I do think of my children and they are my absolute world. And I wouldn't consider getting pregnant for at least another two years due to the worry and possibility of a rupture. This is something I discussed at length with numerous midwives and health care providers after having my last son. So will give my body time to recover. I would literally only consider one more baby due to the fact everything gets stretched and weakened. But I have had 6 and never had any complications except the last one. So I could very much end up having a possible vbac. I wouldn't be silly to have one. I also would discuss with my doctor before going ahead and getting pregnant so I know what is best for my body.

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Original poster
PopsicleHustler · 13/04/2023 09:32

Absolutely @Meandfour I was in the same ward with another mother who was up and about the following morning after having a csection, literally rocking the baby back and forth and walking around and bending down and getting dressed. Meanwhile, I was on the bed in absolute agony. I felt like I had been hit with bowling balls in the stomach.
Everyone is different, you're right. But for me it was the worst compared to vaginal delivery. And I have even had the drip with dd1 and I think the afterpains of c-section is even worse.
Another mum fronthe school run had her 1st baby emcs and said it was hard going but she said the 2nd baby born by planned c section said it was much easier and recovery a whole lot easier and felt more active the next day! Its different for everyone just like vaginal delivery and labour can be different for everyone!
Us women go through a lot!

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Original poster
PopsicleHustler · 13/04/2023 09:37

Wow @StuntNun you are a superstar. I can imagine that being quite difficult and painful with the baby stuck like that. Glad everything went ok in the end for you .

With my dd2, she got stuck after 32 hours labour! It was awful and they were considering c section then too. I just so happened to need the toilet then and the walk to the toilet helped swing baby back into the birthing canal from here her head was stuck in an awkward place. It was extremely painful and i was close to agreeing to the c section just to get it over and done with!

After i came back from the toilet, she was born within a few minutes. That was 2018! She's 5 now and quite dinky even though she was 8lb3, and now she's still in 2-3 yrs clothes as she's very petite.

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Original poster
PopsicleHustler · 13/04/2023 09:37

@saraclara so true! :)

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Original poster
PopsicleHustler · 13/04/2023 09:40

@TheDuchessOfMN hilarious name 🤣 love it

Absolutely, going forward when the time comes and we decide to get pregnant again I would discuss with my doctor. At the hospital after giving birth to my son in January the midwives said to get into contraception as soon as I can, due to the fact getting pregnant after a csection is very risky. So that was a must! Need to give my body time to recover and then if I can have number 7, I will talk to my doctor!
Even if I can't have anymore as am mid 30s now so only God knows if I can, I am still very blessed and happy with 6. I am very lucky to have 3 of each, 3 boys and 3 girls ranging from ages 3 months to 15!

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Original poster
PopsicleHustler · 13/04/2023 09:42

@Axahooxa yes, I worry about getting pregnant so soon and having any life threatening problems ! But anyone i have spoken to who have had c sections have always had c sections and rarely had vbac.
If I can have vbac it would be a dream come true!

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Original poster
PopsicleHustler · 13/04/2023 09:47

@Morningcoffeeview I have heard so many horrible experiences of forceps so am sorry you went through that. But am glad you had a planned c section which was easier in the end!

Planned does sound a lot easier from people i have spoken to and have had both planned and emergency and said that planned was easier.

I feel like my c-section surgery was quite rushed to get baby out quicker. He was really sick and wasn't breathing and I was freaking out behind the curtain because I couldn't see him and I was wondering what was going on and it was just awful. I suppose with planned the surgery is slower. And recovery gets easier second time around. In your case you did very, very well first time around. I also had issues with infections and loose stitching and that was bad too! I think if I have a csection again with number 7, that will be the last for me !

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elevenplusdilemma · 13/04/2023 09:49

You're more likely to have one again than if you'd not had one previously, but this doesn't mean it's inevitable. Many women have a successful VBAC.
This is due to various factors: the reason for your first section could present again for a 2nd time (big baby, breech presentation, small maternal pelvis, pre-eclampsia requiring quick delivery etc), scarring from a previous section may mean that it's necessary to be more cautious, and simply some mums prefer to book an elective section on a 2nd delivery to be more in control, particularly if their first section was an emergency and they're scared it could happen that way again.