Balloon VBAC attempt or ELCS?

[Tiredtoddlerma]

I'm really struggling to decide between balloon VBAC attempt or ELCS at 39w and would love to hear some experiences. I have an existing health condition and it's an IVF pregnancy so I'm not even kidding myself I'll get to spontaneous labour. My first section was because they were concerned my baby was small and my placenta had packed in at 40+3, but it hadn't and he was fine. To add another complex feeling into the mix, I had a missed miscarriage between this pregnancy and my son where I experienced contractions with the mife/miso that I remember thinking at the time 'one day I will go through this for a happy reason', so this is tugging at me a bit to give the balloon a go...

I had 2 sections and honestly would never have attempted a vbac. ESPECIALLY if it had to be induced (i had the balloon induction first time and ended up with a EMCS).

My understanding is that not many hospitals recommend being induced after a previous section.

Thanks for replying. Was your second section a better experience? How was your recovery? I'd love to give VBAC a go but you're right it's the induction risks that put me off, I've also read a lot of places don't even do it, and I know spontaneous labour is very unlikely to reach. I'm due right by Xmas so even more unlikely to be left alone on top of my risk factors! I wouldn't mind an ELCS, it's just the thought of not being able to pick up and cuddle my toddler while things heal. I remember recovery being tough last time.

Yes my second was planned rather than an emergency (as baby was transverse) and my experience was much better. Partly because I had a specialist team due to my horrendous experience the previous time (in lockdown).

Recovery was better this time as i knew to keep on top of painkillers, but also because i was able to arrange a lot more help as it wasn’t lockdown. I was very lucky that friends and family came to help me for the first 2 weeks.

We weren't recommended an induction for DC2, but we compromised and booked the ELCS as late as possible (39+6 in our case) to see if there was a chance of spontaneous labour first. DP also had a couple of sweeps.

Vbac inductions are not uncommon. Different techniques and thresholds for bailing out apply though based on the individual woman’s history & assessment.

That's a thought, pushing the ELCS to as late as possible to see if labour comes first @BarnacleBeasley, although my first was firmly staying put until they evicted him at 40+3!

My consultant did suggest this - giving the balloon a gentle go and if we felt it wasn't working, opt for a section before things became an emergency. This tempts me. @Greybeardy

I had a balloon induction for VBAC which did start labour and I got to 8cm but then DS started to show some small signs of distress. With my previous history (DD does like a bit of drama) they decided to move to a CS quite quickly. I'm glad I tried it even though it didn't succeed but ultimately it did end in a 2nd CS.

I had the balloon and loved it. It worked really well and the experience of that birth far far exceeded the first I’d had which has a C-section for breech. I was so happy I made that choice. Happy to answer any questions on it.

Would love to hear more on your positive experience! Do tell 🙂

I worry about this outcome @Amethystanddiamonds and how much harder CS recovery might be after a labour which I didn't do the first time, but it's good to know you still feel you made the right decision!

I think part of my issue was a really negative experience with my C-section. None of the midwives would believe she was breech (but I’d had a private scan just for fun so I knew 100%, but they said she must’ve moved as they could tell from feeling). I had to bed the hospital to scan me again (which they eventually did and lo and behold she was breech!). Then it was over Easter and they couldn’t do elcs weekends or bank holidays so it was v stressful and late, and I was so worried I’d go into labour spontaneously with a breech baby! The actual C-section I found v weird, the surgeon was v disinterested and blase which made it very un-special esp for a first baby. I lost a lot of blood but didn’t get a transfusion and was in a lot of pain and fainted but was still shipped home with just paracetamol. The whole thing I found horrible and was determined not to repeat.

I was overdue with my second and they were worried about lack of fluid so I agreed to try induction with the balloon. It was uncomfortable being put in but not painful, just felt weird, but everything felt weird by that point! It worked to stimulate by body into thinking the balloon was the babies head and my contractions gradually started and the balloon fell out 4 hour later when I was 4/5cm dilated. I had 2 wonderful midwives and my second daughter was born 4 hours later! Weird but I LOVED giving birth! I also lost quite a lot of blood this time but I felt much more in control and had a blood transfusion which was like life flowing back in my body! My recovery was SO much easier from vbac and although who knows if it was related - but my first baby cried non stop for about 9 months - which I put down to being yanked out with no preparation!! And also my long recovery. My second was the calmest happiest baby from day 1 and I attribute it to the calm birth!

I went on to have a third naturally which came flying out with no help needed!

Wow that's crazy, I can't believe you had to advocate for her being breech! I didn't enjoy my c section either - I found the pressure really uncomfortable and intense and the team weren't very understanding of how petrified I was. It felt like they were going to break my ribs at one point! And once my baby was out I just wanted everyone off me, ha. Thankfully my son was fine, no breathing issues or complications and my recovery although painful was ok so I can't complain really. Did you get the drip or did they break your waters after the balloon was successful? That's really quick progress! I worry because they want to try this week 39 neither me or the baby will be quite as ready as if I was overdue. They have suggested trying the balloon then making the decision for a CS in plenty of time if it's not going how I or they want it to, but I take what they say in a consultant appointment vs what happens on the day with a pinch of salt!

I had a VBAC with 2nd, it was hard but no one ever regrets a vbac.

2nd baby was WAY more chilled out than the first too.