VBAC or section? Am I just being lazy?

[LissyGlitter]

When do you have to decide whether to go for VBAC or planned c-section? I had a horendous birth last time and don't want to go through all the trauma of that again only to have to have a section anyway and have the bad bits of both. I was definite that I was gonna have a section (I have a tendancy towards being, well, mental, and my mentalness tends to come out at times of stress, I'm pretty sure the labour of dd is responsible for the terrible PNP that I had till I got pregnant again, hence why I would rather it was all done in a more controlled way) but now I'm starting to think that the recovery would be hard with dd to care for too, and I did make it as far as pushing before they found out she was breech, so I know my body can do most of it, and it wasn't THAT bad...(OK, at the time, it was the worst thing ever, but that was mainly down to the midwives not giving the impression they knew what was going on and refusing me anything other than gas and air, the actual pain was, well, awful, but I can barely remember it now, and it would be kind of cool to know that I had produced a baby naturally, and I felt like such a failiure after having a c-section, and I got really sick of everyone talking about "too posh to push" and how beautiful an experience it was giving birth and all that, when my experience was a bit rubbish, all told. But then again it seems stupid to put myself through all that pain and uncertainty when I could just have a date in my diary, nip into hospital, have an injection, lie there while someone else gets the baby out, get sewn up and bobs yer uncle! (I am aware there is more chance of complications, but surely it's better to have a complication with about 10 people in the room all monitoring everything than to have a complication in a room with DP, my mum and some midwife popping thier head in every now and again and not listening when you know there is something wrong?) Plus I'm not very strong or fit, and I'd probably be rubbish at pushing. Plus I had a section where they actually did a t cut on my womb and the surgeon said I'd never be able to have a natural birth, although the consultant later said that was rubbish. Hmmm, what to do??? DP is no help and just says he'll support me whatever I decide.

Whoa, Lissy! What an OP!
Sorry you had a rotten time the first time round.
I think to make that kind of a decision it is really important you get all the infomration you can about either option.
I found this helpful and a bit of gentle googling bearing in mind to be critical of the sources of information you come across can be good as well.

Personally, I had 1 induced VB, then Emergency CS, then VBAC (my choice) and I have to say it was the most exciting thing I have ever done!

Speak to lots of people on here and in RL, speak to your MW, discuss with consultant (some are keener on idea of VBAC than others) and you will find you are more comforable with one option than the other.

Reading your post again (please oh please, use spaces more, my head hurts ) I get the impression you would prefer the elective CS? Has its advantages, more predictable, date can be planned etc, but the physical disadvantages outweighed them for me by far.

Get informed, then do what's right for you! Good luck.

You are not being lazy; those are legitimate concerns.

The first thing I would want to find out is the relative risks of VBAC vs section when you had that type of incision.

I don't know how long ago your DD's birth was but after mine I swore I would simply go for a section next time. Fast forward nearly 3 years and I am planning a VBAC and considering doing it at home. I guess what I am trying to say is it is important to get the facts about all of your options and work out precisely what it is about each option that bothers you so you can make the best choice. For me, my biggest fear is being ignored and forced to labour lying down again, hence the IM.

If you were to decide you wanted a VBAC there are things you can do to stop the things you are worried about from happening, such as hiring an independent midife or a doula and making a detailed birth plan, labouring at home for as long as you can etc. Oh, and I really don't think you have to be either strong or fit to push out a baby (at least I really hope not!), so I wouldn't worry about that!

Yup, I'm with MrsHappy and Pacific Dogwood, going for a VBAC this time, at home, with an IM, to try to avoid the horrors of last time. All your thoughts were mine when I first started thinking about the birth again, and I think the advantages of an ECS are more immediately apparent than the potential advantages of going for a VBAC Ii.e. its convenient, seems controllable etc), but start reading, weigh up the risks for you, and the relative importance of the different factors for you, then you can make the right decision (again, for you....).

PS I don't think you really need to make a decision until much later on - I saw a consultant early (he ran a VBAC group to give out the basic info to hopefully stop people thinking they have no option apart form ECS - very unusual for a consultant I think!), then had a follow up with him at around 30 weeks to discuss my thoughts/decision, but I'm sure you can change your mind even later than that if you want. So hopefully you've got ages to get your head around the different options.

PPS blimey, I'm not at all strong or fit, really hope that doesn't make a difference

Just v quickly whilst bath water for DSs is running:

1. You do not need to be fit/strong at all to deliver a baby. Unconscious woman have delivered vaginally, and in certain medical conditions such as major heart defects women will be actively encouraged NOT to push and let the final contractions do the job. Our bodies "know" what to do. As an aside: as a HCP and labouring woman for the 3rd time I was after DS3's delivery that I had absolutely no frigging IDEA what the "urge to push" even ment - let me tell you, it is not an urge, it is an absolute imperative, and your body will push whether you want to or not !!

1. IME a lot more consultants are now supportive of VBAC, usually the younger ones more so. There is a real drive to try and get ridiculously high CS rates of 25% down in this country.

1. Lissy, you are obviously not lazy at all , considering your options is only wise. A bit like you I was keen to avoid the recovery after CS as I knew I was going to to home to 2 mad energetic boys. Also, I was obsessed adamant that I was going to BF this child and figured my chances were going to be better if I'd delivered vaginally.

Righto, off to prevent major drowning/flooding the house disaster!

I had a much easier recovery after my emergency c-section.

8 weeks after my vbac and I am incontinent and feel/look mutilated from episiostimy and tears.

Delivery was with forceps so had no feeling of delivering the baby myself anyway. :-(

Do you want more babies after this one?

I have just been for a debrief of my first birth, which ended in emCS - I had a lot of the same issues + concerns that you seem to. I found it very helpful - it really helped to reassure me that I was making the right choice for me this time (I am 32 weeks pg) and give me confidence.

HAve you considered doing this? You may find it clarifies things for you.

Who did you have a debrief with?