elective booked and imminent last chance to consider VBAC - any ideas?

[ruty]

Elective c section booked and will happen in a couple of weeks. Had an emergency c section last time around, after very long [40] hour labour, blindingly painful contractions and no dilating. Eventually did get fully dilated with oxytocin drip and midwife breaking my waters, etc, but by then after two days and one failed epidural they then gave me an epidural which knocked out my legs completely. Don't know how much of all that was relevant, in the end ds's head so high up and twisted slightly that they couldn't even use ventouse so went into surgery. He was very big, 9lbs 14oz and a big head.
They have suggested an elective this time round because baby looks big and because of complications last time. I really would love to try for a VBAC, my worry is that i had multiple pelvic fractures after a road accident as a teenager, and no one can tell me if this is the reason I couldn't push ds out. Does anyone know anything about pelvic fractures and ability to have a VB afterwards? A niche question probably! would so love not to have to have an operation and stay in hospital this time, but just don't know what my chances are, and want to avoid an emergency c section above everything. Any ideas gratefully received....

Normally I'm pro v-bacs but obviously in your case, there are lots of other considerations.

Don't forget, they wo't be able to give you oxytocin to dilate you for fear of the previous scar rupturing.

Also, the risks of an elective section are different than an emergency one, especially following the difficult labour you had before.

It's a decision only you can make but I think you should certainly consider the opinions of the consultant

If there were no real complications last time, then I'd say go for the VBAC but the size of the baby (and head), your previous fracture history and the fact that if it all goes wrong, you might end up with an emergency section anyway make it more complicated than that.

Have you contacted any vbac websites for more info?

Ruty- I am considering a VBA2C now- my first labour sounds very similar to yours, except I went a whole 4cm-wow! but without the big baby and the pelvic question. I have two trimesters to get my head and heart around it. My second child was born by elcs and it was a lovely, calm experience, yes I had to stay in hospital a few days and I couldn't lift my son for a few weeks- but it was nothing like the emcs. I think I would consider the elcs in your situation, especially if you are worried about avoiding an emcs.

thanks for the replies, i rather stupidly managed to post this thread 3x so hadn't seen these posts. I didn't know that about the oxytocin luciemule - interesting point. would love to try for a VBAC but know i would be terribly disappointed if i had to have an emergency again, especially in the middle of the night! Still wavering though.
Good to know about you postive experience pinkyminky...

I know, my thread appeared twice, two, I don't know why.
I think it does depend upon how confident you feel, and how raw the first experience feels. I now believe it was fear that caused my first labour to fail- it is a powerful emotion. If you feel strong, go for it, or delay the cs to give you more time.

yes the fear factor a big issue.

Hello Ruty

My first labour sounds very similar to yours (without the fracture history). Long labour - eventually got fully dilated with oxytocin drip and midwife breaking my waters. Even then the baby had it's head in a bad position, was OP and too high to use ventouse. Ended up with Em c/s. Was exhausting and traumatic experience.

Second pg I planned a Vbac (read all about it etc.... - think I actually put myself under 'pressure' to achieve a VB). Initially Midwife had said I had a 70% chance of Vbac (standard) - but when I saw her at 39 weeks pg she said it was more like 40% success rate. Baby was big and still very high (given previous history of 1st baby not ever engaging).

This made me loose a lot of confidence. And I really didn't want to go through another emergency c/s.

Anyway - I went for elective c/s. It was fine, calm and much quicker recovery than em.

Other considerations were

• not getting enough one to one care during early labour (NHS overstretched etc..). so not feeling supported.
• not being able to be active during labour (to help baby drop and engage) as with Vbac they like you on the bed with monitor.

I am not suggesting you choose elective - the choice has to be yours. How confident and supported you feel etc..

The main drawback with my choice is that I am now pg with no.3 and will now probably have to have another C/S...

anyway - good luck

sorry Ruty - just seen this is an old thread!

you've probably already had your baby! Hope it went well.