32 weeks and confused about vbac or elective...when do I have to decide???

[suMadre]

Im 32 wks on my 2nd child, ds1 has just turned 2. Was in labor for 4 days but kept in the foetal assessment due to high blood pressure & uterus being 2cm for 3 days...finally made it to 3cm and went to labor ward, had all pain relief and drip to speed up contractions. They tried breaking my waters but the waters were gone (as Id told them but hadnt listened theyd been leaking for weeks)and I was also leaking meconium for a few days. Eventually had emergency cs as my cervix would not move past 3cm.

Up until this week my 2nd baby has been transverse so although I was hoping for a natural birth (and to stay away frm the hosp as long as possible into the labor)I sort of resigned myself to having to have an elective. Thankfully the baby has now moved head down in time for my consultant appointment...but I was surprised that the consultant going through my notes is urging me for a c-section (based on my ds1's size 8'14 ...I am 5'4 and was only 8stone before conceiving him..and on my failure to progress despite the contractions being strong for so long)

Consultant is now sending me for scan at 33+5 to get an idea of the size of this baby. My uterus measures 34cm eventho only 32wks however I barely have a bump this time and definitely dont feel like this is another big baby. So...I suppose the scan will give me a better idea as to size of baby (dont understand why they never did growth scan on ds1 when he was always ahead of dates and uterus always measuring ahead &looked like I was gona pop with twins at 30wks)but will I have to mnake up my mind the following day when I see consultant or will they offer another scan later on!?

Now that babys head is down and I am carrying this baby so much easier than the last one (Possibly the weight Inever shed frm ds1)and so active with ds1...I feel like Id just be giving up to go for an elective... but if I deicide to try for a vbac that could be another horrific nightmare like my 1st birth. Does anyone have any advice or experience of this?If I try for vbac will they induce me early?Will I be monitored? Will I be left at the mercy of the midwives who wouldnt listen to me at all last time despite me being high risk due to health problems(ironically I dont have them anymore but am high risk due to cs)?Will I be left for almost 4 days again? If something goes wrong will I be stuck in the same position waiting for a surgeon to come & might not be as lucky this time!?!Last time I was had blood transfusions and ds1 had infection due to swallowing meconium.

I desperately want a vbac for the following reasons : do not want to be on the post natal ward again (as it was horrific last time and treatment ds and I received was disgraceful and dangerous)nor away from ds1 for long, last time it took 10 days for my milk to kick in (had to switch baby from bottles but managed in the end)...and I wont be able to pick up ds1 for sometime... but these things will be made doubly worse if I go through another long labor with an emergency C...and I might end up in there for over a week again.

Does anyone have an experience of an elective?My sister had one at 37wks due to breech baby and although it wasnt a walk in the park...it seemed a lot less terrifying than emergency C. I presumed I would be urged to try for a natural birth and am a little panicked now that I have to make the decision...dh wants me to opt for elective as both ds1 and I suffered a lot last time...but Im still clinging to the hope that things will be different this time. How do I know if ds1 being so big was the problem...or if its cervical dystocia?

HELP!

Hi becktay are u now 41 wks or 42?aww I thought baby might have come for u by now but at least it will be sorted one way or the other shortly. My 34 wk and 36 wk consultant appointment were booked with "my" consultant but when got to clinic was seen by a different doctor - not consultant "one of the team" the one at 34 wks was a complete waste of time as he didnt even check me over as a mw would and didnt give me a consultation either,was so nonchalant I thought this guy cant be a doctor there must be a hidden camera somewhere,he ended the visit by telling me hes happy for me to try vbac but its unlikely...but in any case I'll have to come back at 36 weeks as he cant make the decision...only consultant can...then at 36 weeks seen another doctor who asked me what I want to do so I got a little assertive and told him that I had been sent for a scan at 34 wks by consultant so he could base decision on that and I havent seen him since...I was basically like YOU are the doctor not me!He was very vague and told me to come back again at 38wks to check babys position in the meantime to see mw this week...called gps for mw but they said shes fully booked,I insisted my consultant said I had to be seen this week so will be going thursday...still very much want a vbac but in a lot of pain due to the way baby is lying...and dont want to take such a huge risk so unless he turns which I dont feel he will...I will be going for the elective,hopefully before 40 wks as Im scared of going naturally in this position. Ernestosmum I think you are right about failure to progress...I will always feel had the care been better perhaps I could have had ds naturally but then some things we'll never know...its unfortunate that the system here (mayday,croydon...dont know about the rest of uk) is so bad that Im basing my decision for elective on the fact that I know otherwise I wont be monitored or listened to and could end up with a worse outcome than last time

Poor you, that doctor sounds like an idiot! Your thinking seems reasonable to me and everyone tells me how much easier an elective is over an emergency. I am only just over 40 weeks at the mo so unless bp goes wild I still have a shot at it if baby obliges! Any problems and he'll be forcibly evicted I guess.

Hi there,

I'm very interested in this thread as I had an emergency CS in march 08 with my first baby due to 'failure to progress'.I did go in to labour naturally and my DD turned back to back during the labour and was transverse when I had the section.

I'm now 7 weeks pregnant and not sure what I will end up doing.I will probably change my mind loads of times though,that's for sure!

Good luck everyone,it'll be interesting to see how everyone gets on with their choices

Mumcah
xx

Sounds like you have seen some shocking consultants lately - I really think the NHS under estimate what an issue this whole vbac vs e/c is for people!

i wish I could just roll back the time so I could refuse the inducement and instead have an active birth - that would make the decision this time a lot easier!

Still I do have a gorgeous son as a result of the section so maybe I should just be grateful...it was just all so trumatic...it's hard to push it out your mind!

Keep posting how you all get on!

x

Hi thanks everyone Im seeing midwife tmoro not in as much pain so am hoping baby has gone head down hmmm...these babies lol

woohoo baby is head down and 1/5th engaged midwife said he probably wont engage more until labor but he seems to be fixed there nicely...so hopefully I have a shot at a vbac...20 days til my due date. Annie I agree it is hard to block out but thank God your son (and mine) is ok and thats all that matters...hopefully these ones too will arrive safe and sound no matter what we go through to get there

Hi everybody finally seen a decent doctor (one of the team!) at consultant 38 wk check today & she was very supportive in me going for vbac...had a quick scan baby is head down in right occuptant lie...something like that...so hopefuly he will engage properly during labor and not go posterior (he is also an "avergae" size baby not huge like ds1. Plan is to wait for me to go naturally by 40 wks then at 40wks they check my cervix&offer me a sweep if nothing happens by 41 then theyl check again if cervix is favorable in which case they would induce me if not then they suggest ceserean...having serious period like backache the last 2 days so hoping I will go myself soon. Good luck to everyone x

Hi SuMadre,
Just to let you know I went into labour on Wednesday just after the Apprentice (my body just knew to wait!) and gave birth to beautiful son via vbac at 12.30 on Thurs. A truly fantastic experience and I'm glad I got the chance to go for it. Was def helped by lovely midwives and a lot of acupuncture.
Just missed out on elective by a day though!
I hope all goes well for you, vbac or section.
x

Just logged on for the first time in ages, what fantastic news becktay!!!!! So glad you got a positive experience this time round. Rachel xx

WOW Becktay thats such great news CONGRATULATIONS! I hope the labor wasnt too painful for you or ds...wow what a difference a day makes! Ive 9 days left and hopinh yheyl let me go natural like u how many weeks & days were u when u had vbac? That really is brilliant am so happy for u! Give little one a kiss

sumadre, why do you say you have 9 days left? you can book a section for 41 + weeks or discuss induction, although best chance of a VBAC is spontaneous start to labour

I was 41 + 4 when I delivered little boy 7lbs 8oz. As Lulumama says I would book c sec for as late as poss if I were you and give yourself a good chance of spontaneous labour. I think this is what made all the difference for me this time. X

aww thats great am really happy for u No I just meant that I have 9 days left until my due date! I went into labor 1 day after my due date last time so hopefully wont go too overdue but will wait at least til 41wks, doc said they will give me a sweep at 40wk check but as I see different consultant each time - another doc might not agree. Either way going to try vbac or book for section at 41/42...dont fancy being induced as I dont think it will end nicely. Confident about a vbac as everything different this time...and am keeping very active with ds

Hello vbacers/elective choosers! I passed my due date yesterday (( went to consultant appointment and had an internal,unfortunately my cervix was posterior and closed so couldnt give me a sweep I didnt really expect anything to happen on my due date but was upset with the consultants plan to induce me next week, the original plan (with other doc) had been to wait til 41 and if my cervix still didnt seem favorable - for me to have an elective as my cervix didnt go past 3cm last time. I said I didnt want to be induced could I not preliminarily book for CS incase nothing happened...theyve provisionally booked me for the 5th of June - 16 days after my due date!!!!Maybe Im crazy but it seems highly unlikely I will go that long so a bit worried I will either go into labor or let them induce me...and end up with a painful labor but no cervical dilation...and another stay in the hope ward(foetal assessment)ending in emergency CS. I know I did decide to take my chances but was told they wouldnt let me go to long bcos of risk of rupture and also that they wouldnt induce me for same reason...but now its obvious (especially after a short stay on the same ward the other day after I fainted) that once u are in the hands of the midwives...it doesnt matter what the consultants have advised...u dont get to see a doc or be properly monitored until it is critical...so a little nervous about my plan for a vbac...would feel more assured if I could have elective even at 10 days overdue...just hoping I go naturally myself soon rather than be induced...dotn think I want to wait 16 days especially as Ive been told this baby isnt a big one...put surely he'll pack on the pounds if left that long!?! Plan is to have a natural and see consultant again next wednesday...hopefully a sweep will be possible...if not I dont really know what to do as I DONT want to be induced and kept in the "hope" ward for induction/slow labor/early stages (last time was 3 days at 3cm and told it wasnt labor) Does anyone know is there any way I can make them listen to me and give me cs earlier? The only reason theyre planning on leaving me until 16days over is bcos thats the first available date for elective in their book Hopefully I will have some good news before then...whether Im successful with a natural birth or end up with section. By the way baby isnt properly engaged yet

That is crap!! sorry please excuse my anger but this is YOUR pregnancy, and YOUR baby, and they can't force you to be induced!!! tell them no, you're not happy with that decision and you're not doing it, you can change your mind on any of your decisions at any time. I am surprised they can't do a csection for another 2 weeks, surely they can schedule you in. I would ask to speak to the highest person you can. senior midwife, top consultant.

Hi! I know I DO NOT want to be induced at all and Ive made that clear....but I dont think I can go another 2weeks I always get really strong irregular contractions and honestly dont see how I can take these pains that long. If I havent had baby by my 41wk appointment on wed...and they cant offer me a sweep I (and dh) are going to refuse induction and insist they book me for CS...I thought that was my right as they had said it was my decision. I seen the consultant himself this week but most of the time he is not in clinic so you see whoever is there - registrar,junior doctor...but I am not going to take this lying down...excuse the pun

Hi SuMadre,
I'm watching your thread still and completely understand where you're coming from with the anti induction stance. Just to let you know that I'm thinking of you and sending good birth vibes your way

thanks hun hopefully will have good news soon

Poor you suMadre, I hope you are feeling OK- I know it is so horrible going late- and especially with your worries over vbac. My friend Rosie went to 43+3 and had a beautiful vbac at home- but I don'tknow if I could have held out that long!! I would say though that just because one labour went one way it doesn't mean this one will be the same...And heads often don't engage until labour with 2nd ones (as womb is apple shaped and not pear or something- why does everything maternity seem to be fruit orientated????). You can't'make'them do a c-section earlier but you could get pretty assertive about it and see what happens??Anyway I hope it goes well for you- Thinking of you xx

That's true ernestosmum, my baby was up and down like a yoyo and didn't engage till labour. 2nd time was totally different.

Hi sorry a late reply been a little busy ds2 was born 1 week ago tuesday 26th may at 9.03 am weighing 8lbs 8 ounces...at 40 +6 wks. The night before he arrived I was in agony as I had been for the last few days,just like my first birth the pains I felt didnt sound or feel like what everyone describes labor to be...but they had become so unbearable for the last night or two...and I started to panic about scar rupture as I knew Id either be induced or left more than 2 weeks overdue...so I decided I had to call the labor ward and insist on being checked...the pains and pressure were so bad but I didnt really understand from where so I lied (lol) to ge them to let me come in (as they wouldnt unless my contractions were a few mins apart)and said I had pain in my csection scar...so I went into the labor ward that monday night and thankfully seen a doctor who examined me - contractions were sky higih as with ds1 but cervix still totally closed and posterior and babys head not engaged...on examining me the doctor found that I had scar tenderness and that the pains where infact the baby pressing on my scar!!!! She couldnt believe my consultant intended to leave me 42+ wks and said she would not advise induction udner any circumstances...they confirmed what I suspected that I had been in slow labor for last few days...but with all the risks and factors to consider - ceserean was the best option...they gave me until the morning for my labor to become established(although we all knew it wouldnt really)and if not the decision was to give me a semi elective/semi emergency ceserean some time the next day. I was still hoping for a vbac but I knew this was my only chance of a safe delivery so when they decided the following morning that I definitely needed another c-section I gladly took it. Didnt expect for the team to be ready so early and as there were no emergencies on the ward - they put me ahead of the other electives., theyd sent dh home to sleep as either way - whether natural or ceserean they were keeping me in & I would have baby next day...so he had gone and next thing I knew I was signing the consent form beofre I could even call him in time. DH made it into theatre after the spinal and everything else! Was so scared he wouldnt make it! Treatment this time on labor ward was great,lovely doctors,lovely midwives...and first day in aftercare had lovley treatment too...the first night was the same horrible experience as my previous one but this time I was more prepared for it and more alert as hadnt had full blown labor beforehand....and ds2 was totally fine hadnt suffered like ds1 so wasnt sick all night. All in all the experience in the hospital wasnt good but better than last time. Im still a bit sad that I didnt have a natural but am glad I didnt take the planned elective and waited as long as I possibly could for things to start naturally...which they did but failed like last time so I know I tried my best and in the end the doctors sort of took the decision out of my hands...plus with all the odds against me and the pains and warning signs...ceserean definitely was the best choice in the end. I'll always wonder if it is just my cervix which is incompetent lol or if ds1 being so big and waters gone by time labor started...cord around neck and so on were the factors for failure to progress - and my second wasnt successful due to the first ceserean 2 yrs before...I guess I'll never know. Im just glad me and baby are ok and next time pls God if we have a 3rd I wont have all the worry and will just have to accept an elective...hopefully before 40 wks. Good luck to everyone else....its such a hard decision but at the end of the day everyones situation is different...the only advise I would give people is that I do feel my 2nd labor or latent stage if u can call it that...was following the exact same pattern only even slower and more dangerous, the doctor said it was a disaster waiting to happen...so although every labor and pregnancy are different - I do feel my body reacted a similar way on my 2nd one - only I managed to ignore and deal with the pains for longer which could have been really fatal had I not listened to my instincts and insisted on being checked...I dont like to think about if Id waited until 42+ wks...I imagine the pain would have become more and more unbearable until I went into the labor ward and baby might have been in distress like my first from all the contractions over time.So my adivise would be to stand up for yourself in what u think is right as only u know how youre feeling,listen to the doctors and midwives but dont let them fob u off!

CONGRATULATIONS!! Well done you SuMadre, I've been waiting to hear about the arrival of your little one. Glad to hear you cooked a healthy lovely brother for DS1.
Hope you are being well looked after at home this week.
xxx

thanks hun x

Congratulations to you!!!!! Sounds like you had a really tough one, sorry to hear that- but glad to hear that you and baby safe and sound. All we can do in this game is make decisions that are right for us, based on our own circumstances and situations. You did soooooo well to do this and you listened to your own instincts which is really hard to tune into. I hope that you are recovering well from the birth and baby is adjusting to life 'on the out'- remember to take care of yourself and not do too much. Best Wishes xx

Congratulations to you!!!!! Sounds like you had a really tough one, sorry to hear that- but glad to hear that you and baby safe and sound. All we can do in this game is make decisions that are right for us, based on our own circumstances and situations. You did soooooo well to do this and you listened to your own instincts which is really hard to tune into. I hope that you are recovering well from the birth and baby is adjusting to life 'on the out'- remember to take care of yourself and not do too much. Best Wishes xx