What would you do?

[babythreeincoming]

Third baby due in February 2024 and thinking more about the birth and what to do.

First baby born spontaneously at 40+2 weeks which was a forceps and episiotomy delivery. I lost a fair bit of blood once on the postnatal ward which was controlled and managed by the team. I was home the next day.

Second baby induced and born at 38+2 weeks due to high blood pressure. Baby was born fine, although I had to get another episiotomy which resulted in a hematoma and PPH. I had to go under GA to have this resolved and baby went to NICU for two nights due to a quick delivery and a bit mucusy/jaundice. They did something wrong with my catheter so I had to have this in for a week and didn't get home until 4 days after the induction. All in all it was hard.

I had a consultancy meeting on the 10th of October to discuss my blood pressure and birth where she said I should go for a vaginal delivery and the team will be watching me like a hawk, although something is in my head making me feel very anxious about the birth. I am on aspirin each evening and have a blood pressure monitor/urine sticks to check that each week.

I know PPH will more than likely happen again and a section can actually result in more blood loss, however, I am petrified of it all being a mad panic and also baby not being with me. Should I opt for a natural delivery with the hope of everything being ok?

Thanks for reading and insight/advice is so welcome xx

Lots to weigh up. Do you have help on hand at home, to help with all the children 24/7 for the first week, and probably do most of the grunt work for about another four weeks?

@FoxtrotSkarloey Definitely a lot to think about. My DP gets 6 weeks for paternity so he will be around (may split the time, although definitely off the first two weeks post birth).

My MIL is going to come over a week before to help with the boys and probably for a few days after the birth so that will be useful.

In terms of nursery runs, my DP can do these for however long so I could realistically recover pretty well at home. I just don't know what to do 🙈

I don't know anything about PPH, so hopefully others will come along. What I would do is push harder with the consultant as to why they are suggesting vaginal. They should be able to justify their advice to help you make an informed decisions (and help you poke at if it's generic advice or they've really really considered your history).

FWIW, I have had two ELCS due to DC1 being big and breech. CS are not easy by any stretch, but, it was calm and ordered and, for want of a better phrase, it was straightforward. If you know you will have help for the first few weeks, it's worth considering.

@FoxtrotSkarloey Thank you for commenting and sharing your experiences!

The consultant just said I've done it twice vaginally now and it makes sense for me to do it again. She just screwed her face up when covering a section so maybe I need to delve deeper. I guess problems can arise either way...

Yes, they can.

I find it so frustrating the lack of clear guidance. With DC2, I could technically have tried VBAC, but no one would give me a solid opinion. All the stats and data I could find just made every option seem awful.

I'd pretty much made my mind up already - better the devil you know, in my case, due to no serious issues the DC1 ELCS - I didn't want to 'risk' VBAC issues and add tears or an EMCS to my delightful post-section tummy overhang! But then I spoke to a senior midwife in north reflections, explained everything (I had added complications of age and previous gestational diabetes) and she just said 'in your shoes I'd just have another section'. The relief was immense! It just helped me confirm my decision.

Anyways, I've warbled enough, hopefully this might bump the thread for someone with more relevant experience!

Thank you @FoxtrotSkarloey ❤️ I really appreciate all of this!