VBAC or another C-section?

[evuscha]

I’m going to start by saying I’m currently in the US and so a system is a bit different here, more medical and I have a dedicated gynecologist for my pregnancy and birth, not a midwife.

My last pregnancy, 4 years ago, ended in an emergency C-section because DD was face up and wouldn’t come out during the pushing part. Otherwise no other issues in that pregnancy or this one. My scar isn’t vertical/T, pregnancy is low risk, on paper I should be an ideal VBAC candidate.

I would love to hear your experience, is UK generally pro VBAC or is it often a scheduled C-section there too? Was your VBAC successful? My Dr, while claiming he’s objective, is pushing me towards the elective C-section, citing “increased uterine rupture risk” in general as a reason. (not due to any issues I specifically have) I’m getting a bit of a feeling it’s just more convenient for him, shorter, easier to plan, less risk of a lawsuit (big thing in the US), and more profitable for the hospital.(also a big thing in the US; with NHS I would assume it’s the exact opposite with emphasis on cost savings) I appreciate I might be paranoid so would love to hear what is the recommendation in other places.

I had an emcs first time as DS was too big to engage and I didn’t get past 7 cm. Planned a CS for number 2 but they arrived early and I changed my mind to a vbac. I was constantly on the monitor and very well looked after she was born after 12 hours of labour. I did use gas and air, tens machine and pethadine. I don’t think I would have coped without the gas and air.
Number 2 was a pound lighter, with a smaller head and in the correct position.
I had a cannula in and the pre op meds for the CS as well so they could move to a CS quickly if necessary.

I had an EMCS with my first baby. Second baby this year the hospital was fully supportive of me trialling a VBAC, I was a good candidate, low risk etc.

I went into spontaneous labour at 40+1, all going great, was at 7cm just a couple of hours into my labour when I started to get the most horrific pain and the babies heart rate dropped along with my blood pressure resulting in another EMCS. When they went inside I’d completely ruptured along my previous c section scar and down the left side of my uterus into my cervix and my little boy was in my abdomen! Very traumatic experience.

There is honestly no predicting these things but if I could do it over I would have opted for a c section!

Thank you so much everyone one for sharing your experiences, it has been very very helpful! It’s still hard to decide, since it really could go either way. I think I will schedule the C-section for something like 39+2, and if the baby comes earlier and things look good for a VBAC, I would try that.

@evuscha That sounds sensible, and remember you change your mind (in either direction) at any time. Good luck to you!!

Hi OP! I've recently had a planned c-section and the advice I was given was not to get pregnant again within 12-18 months due to increased risk of uterine rupture and I believe if I did get pregnant within that timeframe it would be safer to have a section to reduce risk of rupture during labour. As you are a few years post c-section I'd have thought that risk would be reduced so if you feel you want to try VBAC then you should! Good luck!

Yes absolutely, it’s been 4 years so in that respect it should be a plus. On the other hand, my age is now against me as I’m 36. I think the VBAC calculator estimated my chances at around 70%. But I will most likely see how things go until right before birth and decide last minute.

My gap was around 2 years 1 month from giving birth with my first baby to getting pregnant with baby no2 who I ruptured with!

The advice from the hospital after my rupture is two give my body 2 years to heal so I would definitely agree 4 years is a plus! :)

@evuscha all I would say Is if you are a low risk pregnancy booking a section for 39+2 it is very unlikely to go into labour before that as you aren't even full term if you really want to attempt a vbac book one for 41 weeks ? That's what I did and went into labour at 40+6!