Plus Size Repeated C-Section

[ChocGems]

Hi Everyone, I’ll get straight into it…

I had an EMCS with my first child 2 years ago when I was in hospital for 5 days being induced 5 different times - all failed. Ending up on the hormone drip which sent baby’s heart rate skyrocketing and was given 5 mins to get ready for the EMCS. ‘Failure to progress labour’ was the term I was given and all in all it was very traumatic and still can be 2 years later.

I always wanted more than one child but have been scared to even try after the first birth. The first pregnancy was a dream, honestly loved every part - no problems. But I am and was overweight. Obese by medical standards…

I am on a mission to lose a significant amount (safely) for myself and my DD so that I can be healthier for her. I also think if I do end up trying for a second child it will be better to be lighter, even slightly!

I want to know if anyone who is truly plus size (obese by medical standards) had a repeated elective c-section for their second / third babies? And also has anyone plus size had successful VBACs? I would rather think about it now before choosing to get pregnant so I am prepared to make the choice.
You don’t need to say how much you weigh at all.

Many thanks!

Yes I’m obese and have had 4 sections with no issues x

Thank you @Scutterbug! Did you find that you had to fight for the elective sections or were the midwives / consultants happy with your choice? I’ve heard they really push for VBACs.

I actually wanted a VBAC but they pushed me more towards c section. DD1 was similar to your experience, failed inductions. DS1 I wanted a VBAC but I went 10 days overdue and they won’t induce after a section so had section no 2. DS2 I hoped for a VBA2C and laboured but it didn’t progress so section no 3 and DD2 I was told would be a section full stop. I had 4 sections in 6 years.

Wow, that’s incredible! I’m glad you and your babies are safe and well ❤

My booking BMI with DC2 was 35. Had a successful VBAC. I was told that BMI wasn't that important in VBAC success rates, more why you had a c-section the first time round. I did have a planned section booked but baby came early. Consultant was happy either way and never mentioned weight.

@HonkingHorns thank you. That’s really positive! The reason was failure to progress after many failed inductions. The consultant on the ward said they didn’t want to do the c-section for me because of weight….was the same consultant who came back 12 hours later saying it was my only option!

BMI 31 with DC1 - home birth
BMI 33 with DC2 - EMCS
BMI 35 with DC3 - VBAC in birthing unit

Am now thankfully managing to lose weight, and hoping to have a fourth child and second VBAC sometime.

If you want a VBAC I'd recommend looking into the stats yourself and getting ready to argue your case when the time comes.

Weight aside, things do get riskier the more sections you have. I work in an operating theatre and although have never seen an absolute disaster, have seen some tricky sections where there have been multiple previous sections.

Obese. 2 c sections. Felt shit after and wished i was fitter but i was ok in the end. Get as fit as you can and thats enough. Dont do anything dramatic.

@FriedasCarLoad I’m so glad you had a successful VBAC! I think I’m leaning more towards elective section just based on how I didn’t even dilate to more than 1cm after several induction attempts with my first, so can see induction being required which isn’t good for VBACs.

@RiderGirl I know the more you have is a risk, I was petrified to even have the first section but didn’t have a choice and the baby had to come out. I don’t see myself having more than 2, not sure my anxiety could take it.

@Redlarge Glad you were ok in the end. I agree, I felt like crap after my section even though it went really well. I think the trauma of how I ended up having it made my recovery worse, that and my partner had spent half his paternity in the hospital with me while I was failing to be inducted didn’t help.
Definitely planning to shed some weight and it’s been 2 years already since my first section so the scar should be strong and established by now.

That's crazy. How else were they going to get the baby out in an emergency?!

I also had failure to progress during my first labour, leading to EMCS. But I had got to 10cm. Baby just didn't move when I got to the pushing stage due to malposition. I was induced via the drip.

My VBAC was really quick and they think it's because I was fully dilated first time round - my body thought it had done it before. Which it sort of had, just bailed at the last minute 😂I originally had the planned section booked for DC2 because they were expected to be big and consultant thought the same thing might happen again (I.e. baby get stuck). I didn't want to be induced again so chose c-section.