Second birth after emergency section?

[daisydotss]

Hello!

I’m currently 32 weeks pregnant and stressing over how to plan to give birth to my second DC. I had an emergency section (heart rate dropping) 20 months ago with DC1.

If you had a c-section with your first, how did you chose to deliver second time round? Did you have a successful V-BAC?

I don’t want to miss out having the experience of a vaginal birth, but also I’m scaring myself with the complications that can arise with one after having a section!

I wanted a VBAC but I went overdue and they wouldn’t induce so I had section no 2 (then section no 3 and section no 4!).

I had a VBAC after an emergency section and it was absolutely fine! You could ask your midwife or have a look into the success rates of VBACs but I know a few people who’ve gone for it and all have gone well. They may suggest you have additional monitoring, they were certainly not keen on me being in a pool but in the event DS2 came so fast there wasn’t time to fill the pool anyway

How did you find the subsequent sections if you don’t mind me asking? ☺️

This is what I wanted to hear! Did you have any tears etc. how did you find the recovery in comparison to the section?

Honestly they were all fine. I recovered well from all of mine x

I did tear but that’s more to do with DS being in a towering hurry (3 hours start to finish!). Recovery was ok, obviously it was uncomfortable for a week or so as I’d had stitches but nothing I couldn’t manage. Lots you can do as well like a cushion and frozen pads with witch hazel

I had a VBAC after section. I was induced as well so it seemed likely I was heading to another section. Also, he was 9lbs 11 so feel everything was stacked against me but birth was fine and I’m pleased I opted for it. I did tear and it was sore but recovery was easier than the section.

I had a VBAC 21 months after an EMCS. It went great. I had a sweep at 40 weeks and then went into labour the next evening. Spent about 14 hours in early labour, then had an epidural and DD was born 2 hours later.

I remember having this dilemma. I went with ELCS. I felt like I would feel more in control and would know what to expect in terms of recovery, planning childcare etc. I also felt it reduced risk to the baby as my first baby was poorly after birth due to my labour. I recovered so much faster from my elective section than the emergency so feel it was the right decision for me.

I had a VBAC on baby 2 and it was a fantastic experience. I did a hypnobirthing course which I really believe helped, when the time came I laboured really calmly until I got to 6cm and then used gas & air until delivery! I didn't tear and overall found the recovery much easier than after the section. Best of luck!

I had two subsequent VBACs. Both straightforward although I did have stitches after both. For baby no. 2 I had to have a cannula in my hand throughout labour just in case a general anaesthetic needed to given in a hurry, but they didn't insist on that for no. 3.

I had a VBAC with DS2. The only way I managed it was because I had a wonderful doula who kept me at home until the last minute as I was overdue; and the hospital would have pushed intervention on me that would have no doubt ended in caesarean.

I had an EMCS with DS2 for very low fetal heart rate (DS1 was vaginal birth).

I wanted a VBAC with DD but unfortunately needed another EMCS as I had a full placental abruption after going into labour at 31+3.

I'm planning a 4th baby very soon and will definitely be trying for VBAC.

I had 3 VB's and then dc4 was an elective c-section at 35 weeks due to my waters breaking early and him being in the wrong position. Tried for a vbac with dc5 but it didn't work. Got from 0-2cm in 45 minutes quietly in the bath. Then from 2-4cm in 4 hours on the drip. This is very unlike how i normally labour as i normally start slow and get faster and i usually go from 4cm to baby born in a couple of hours.

Then ds got into distress, my infection turned into sepsis and he had to be hauled out through the sun roof.

I think I'm not good at labour with lots of monitoring and stress so if i get pregnant again i would go for a c-section seeing as a vba2c without monitoring wouldn't be safe.