Vba2c or elective CS?

[OrlaOrka]

Hi, just wanted some opinions/experiences. Has anyone had a VBAC after 2 C Sections? I’m 14 weeks pregnant and have been offered the option as there’s a 4 year delivery interval and the consultant said it was reasonable, when I had my last C Section (in labour, 4cm but C Section due to fetal distress) the doctor had said it would need to be a section next time so really I hadn’t even thought about a VBAC. Both sections were for fetal distress not anything anatomical.

I obviously don’t want to do anything risky- although I’m sure my consultant wouldn’t have suggested it if it was! I’ve heard of lots of women having success with VBACs but unsure if that’s after one or two sections!

to be honest I’ve felt quite guilty after both sections that I’d somehow not done birth right (I know, ridiculous) and would quite like to experience a vaginal birth without complications if I can!

but also an elective section sounds quite calm!

sorry this is long now but I’d really like to know experiences of both birth and recovery differences with c sections or vaginal birth if possible! Thanks

not to drip feed, I am a midwife but haven’t worked in delivery for quite a while so I do have some knowledge but I’m looking for normal women’s experiences!

I’ve only had one birth, but it was a horrific delivery with forceps. As you have not had a vaginal delivery you don’t know how your body will react so you could end up with an instrumental delivery. I’m sure you know as a midwife that instrumental delivery is much worse than a section in terms of recovery and long term damage.

No one will warn you about instrumental delivery. People tend to think of all natural vaginal or C-section. I know someone who had a VBAC and has ended up doubly incontinent for life due to forceps.

It’s always a dice roll as you can have a terrible vaginal birth or a terrible c section. If I had been informed of the risks of a vaginal birth I would definitely have chosen a C-section.

If your previous sections have been fine I think if I were you I’d stick with that. My life has been ruined by my birth injuries (which are on the very extreme side) and there is no hope of recovery.

Thanks @Sundaysunshine21 I’m sorry you had a traumatic time, but I also am so aware that if I can not have what happened to you happen to me after 2 emergency’s already I would be grateful, it is true like you say people do tend to think a vbac will always turn out to be a better experience than a emergency section but your experience and in my professional experience I know that isn’t always the case. It’s hard because I would love the chance to have a normal, uncomplicated birth but I also know there are so many variances in that situation, I’m inclined to try and put as much control on the situation as I can and go for an elective section and it’s good to hear others experiences so thank you x

ELCS definitely.

Try VBAC Uk group on Facebook for more experiences, lots there.
I had 2 VBAC after one c section, both really positive experiences especially the last one. However my c section was due to breech baby; I think it's different scenario when you had a section before for another reason. I'd probably worry that whatever caused the previous section might happen again, although every birth is different.
Hope you take the best decision for you 🥰

I know it’s an old thread, but throwing my tuppence in. I definitely wanted a VBA2C with my third child and the consultant wasn’t even remotely concerned or anxious as it’s fully within the Royal College guidelines. Also, my first c section was for a breech baby and the second one maternal request (Covid and lack of confidence the system will handle a VBAC effectively). Unfortunately, I had a low-lying placenta that never moved far enough from the cervix so another c section it was.

wonder how you are doing OP?

Hey! Thanks for letting me know your experience, I’m still thinking about it and just basically seeing what happens in the pregnancy, my placenta is high so that’s ok. I’m just thinking if i need induction then vbac isn’t supported by my consultant so i suppose the choice is out of my hands, but I’m pretty happy with if I go into labour myself to give it a go and see what happens! Good to hear your consultant was on board too so it can’t be that unusual. How did you feel after the 3rd section?

It was the fastest of all three, half an hour give or take, and I was up and about within hours. Pain was no different from the other two. x

As for the induction, my trust supported a balloon. When the discussion about VBA2C was still on the cards, I was told to book an elective c section for 41+3 and try to get myself into labour naturally by then. I must admit, trying to make a decision was taking up a lot of bandwidth, so I totally get it x