OK...VBA2C, I know loads of people have done it so why do I feel like I'm being really selfish to my baby to even consider it?

[paranoidmummy]

PLEASE help me here! I have posted a million times about his but seeing my consultant tomorrow who is extremely anti the mere thought of vba2c. There will be only 17 months between my last cs and this baby when she is born, which I think adds to their stress.

I have checked out doula uk and, even contacted a doula but, tbh, there is only one in my area who has no experience of vbac so I feel it is a lot of money to spend that I can't justify at the moment.

My husband is extremely supportive and says if I want to try naturally then go for it and don't let the cons fob me off. However everyone else around me looks at me in horror if I slightly hint I may try a natural labour. People I barely know have told me it would be 'selfish' and 'dangerous' for the baby. Part of me thinks this is true All i want is for my little girl to be born healthy and well and, although i would love to have a natural delivery I REALLY don't want to put her under any unnecessary risk. I can't find anything with actual figures on the internet so I don't know quite how much more risky a vbac is compared to a vba2c. I just don't know what to do...

All I am asking for is some advice really. Do I HAVE to make a plan for delivery tomorrow with cons (am only 17 wks) or can I tell him I haven't made up my mind? Am I being selfish? Would I be safer having a c section or do the risks of a 3rd c section outweigh a vba2c??? questions questions I know.Any help would be hugely appreciated.

Have you seen this page?

vba2c
It is from a homebirth website, but if you look towards the lower half of the page there is a summary of evidence regarding a VB after more than 1 CS.

I haven't had a VBA2C or even a VBAC (aimed for a VBAC but complications in late pregnancy meant I ended up with a section)...however, just wanted to say:

Firstly, you certainly don't have to be pressurised into making a plan for delivery tomorrow if you feel unsure. I didn't have the 'final' discussion with my consultant about VBAC until I was 34 weeks pregnant, and that was the third time I'd seen a consultant to discuss things as I wanted to do my own research, plus leave it nearer to the birth to see how I felt then.

Secondly, if your consultant is totally unsupportive, can you request another one? I had a completely unsupportive (and ill informed) registrar at my first appointment to discuss VBAC, so complained and requested someone else. Ended up with top consultant, who was happy to be led by me and signed off my birth plan requesting no induction, no continous foetal monitoring, an active labour etc etc.

Lastly, I hope someone comes along with some proper stats/facts about the risks of VBA2C for you. Have you looked at this website??. I guess how 'dangerous' it is for your baby depends on the reason for your last two sections, but I certainly do not think you are selfish for feeling strongly that you want to give natural birth a go.

Good luck.

Some more reading on the topic....might find some information you want to share with your consultant:

www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/CSANDVBAC/VBA2Cstories.htm

Some videos regarding vbac, vba2c, and vbmc:

ican-online.org/search/node/video

I've just come home from my second C-section which I am totally gutted about as was so determined to give birth naturally.

I found out on the hour before induction of baby no2 that last baby was OP but had reached 9cm so it was just bad luck really. Then they Artifically broke my waters and contractions came so fast and regular that baby no.2 went into stress so had to go into crash section.

To say I am gutted and have been down is an understatement. Particularly if like me your healthy and very mobile. The day I found out I was pregnant I used to dream of then natural birth/semi nat but did have problems with getting head engaged so am I to think that there is a slight shape problem with my cervix???

Would I put myself through another pregnancy hoping for a VBAC again - I really couldnt live on this as I got so many hopes last month its totally zapped me.
And would I want to put my hubby through it again - is it fair for him to see me going through such trauma???

Major decisions can be made in the last few months of pregnancy but your consultant must read your previous notes to confirm why it happened twice.

Best of luck x

Hi I have had VBAC1 and recently wanted a VBAC2 but was talked against it for these reasons...my previous sections were both emergencies which they said meant quite a high risk of more c sections, my crash section nearly killed me so planned was 'safer' than emergency, also I was very high risk with a cervical stitch in and with a blood disorder. I so wanted a VBAC but in the end went with their advice and DS and me are healthy which is the main thing.

Any thoughts please. I have just had a second c section for the birth of my new beautiful little one 11 days ago. It's my second c section, my first nearly eight years ago and I'm nearly 40.I did manage three VBAC's inbetween and was very much hoping for another but the section was needed due to a cord prolapse. Baby is doing very well but I have an infection in my scar....anyone had this too? How long did it take to clear? My other concern is I hadn't ruled out baby number six or seven even so this c section is a bit of a blow. Would I be risking my life to try for another at 41+, is a VBAC out of the question given it would be my sixth if I did have another? Would even a third planned section be risky? Some thoughts on any of this on board or off would be super