Second baby after having first baby by emergency c-sec?

[ItalyLovingMummy]

DS is going to be 2 at the end of July. I am seriously thinking about a second baby, but I am really scared in all honesty. I took about six months to recover properly from DS's birth as I had an emergency c-sec and the follow up care was not very good. It seems to be different according to the area you live in. I have friends who had physio and very good painkillers, which seemed to make all the difference. I don't want to end up in the same situation and have an emergency c-sec. I have heard this happens quite frequently and am wondering could I have an elective c-sec? What could potentially happen if I didn't? If anybody had a c-sec with their first child, I would really appreciate any comments on how the birth of your second child went. If I don't get over my fear soon, then DS will end up being an only child, which I don't think I want. Thank you! x

There are some risks attached to VBAC, but as long as you don't have a home birth or induction they are pretty slim. You will probably be given the option of ELCS, but have VBAC suggested as the safer option.

I had an EMCS (but recovered much easier than you, with no physio - your experience sounds unusually bad) and had a pretty straightforward VBAC with forceps with second baby. Recovery was much easier than the first time and I would recommend it if you can manage it.

However it does sound like recovery from your first birth was very problematic so you should probably try and get an appointment to talk your notes through with an obstetrician who will give you the facts on your particular situation.

I think I do need to discuss my particular situation with my doctor. After the c-sec, I also contracted an internal infection, which didn't help and was pretty scary. I will read up on the VBAC option. Thank you for your advice.

I second Dilys' advice.
I had emergency CS with DD1. Lots of consultant input throughout pregnancy 2. I had added complication of having had pre-eclampsia with DD1, consultant was happy for me to try for VBAC with monitoring. Had DD2 with successful VBAC (& was definately the best decision to try) I have a 2 1/2 year gap so would have been going through the same thoughts as you when deciding to try for dd2 - I have to say I'm seriously glad I did!!

I had an EMCS with DS. I developed Pre Eclampsia and had to be induced but that didn't work properly and we were both in distress so he was delivered by c-section after 28 hours. He narrowly missed having to go to SCBU.

Afterwards I was really sore and battered and really quite poorly with anemia. I also got an infected wound. DS was very wheezy and dozey but OK. I look back on photos now and wonder how they dared let me out of hospital, I looked as awful as I felt. Midwife said afterwards that I should have had a transfusion but this was never offered in hospital.

DD was born 15 weeks ago when DS was 2.9. I chose an ELCS and it was the best thing I ever did.

I was so scared of having another birth like DS's with us both ending up so poorly and me being in such pain again. An ELCS is very different from an EMCS because there is no rush when they take you to theater and they can take their time reopening your old scar and getting the baby out gently. There was no panic this time, DD was perfectly healthy from the second she came out and I got to hold her a lot faster and I was much, much less sore. In fact, I was up and showering the next morning (less than 24 hours later - DD was born at 12.15pm) and asking to go home by lunchtime! I didn't need anywhere near as much pain relief and didn't get an infection. I even have a much neater scar now from where they re-did it.

I'm so happy with my decision. It made those last few weeks a lot less scary cause I knew exactly what to expect.

"There are some risks attached to VBAC, but as long as you don't have a home birth or induction they are pretty slim. "

Dily I am afraid you will not find much evidence to back up your assertion that a home birth is some kind of risk if a woman chose to have a VBAC.

A lot of women go on to have one or even more successful VBACs at home. Going with the stream of thought that everything we do is a risk, a HBAC (home birth after caesarian) is not the same kind of risk to be placed in the same breath with induction.

I don't want you to feel like I am attacking you. I'd just rather that the OP and others who are going to read this thread will not be misled by this misinformation.

Thank you for your advice everyone, I feel alot more informed now. Its very hard talking to friends who have only had a natural birth, or friends who haven't had children and don't understand why I'm nervous.

OP there is a VBAC yahoo group in the UK. If you google vbac, yahoo group, UK, you ought to come across it. Just join it and lurk. those women will be full of a lot of good and empowering information. Lurking will inform you if a vbac is something you may want some day.

You will however struggle to get your midwife to support you in HBAC foxytocin. My consulatnt was pro VBAc but the medical system as a whole is often anti HBAc due to percieved increased risks. From my point of view having had a EMCs I needed to be in the hospital in case anything went wrong again. It didn't butI felt reassured to be there. I know other people feel differently as is there right.
ILM - The thought that got me through was that the important thing was that my children arrived safely - how was beyond my control and I refused to worry about it. DD1 was EMCs after 40 hour labour and still only 3 cm dilated. DD2 VBAC 12 hour labour from first contraction to end. Good luck

From the friends I know, UK hospitals and midwives are very anti home VBACs. As I understand it, that isn't because of greater risks as such. It is because, if you are in the very small percentage of people who suffer a uterine rupture (I heard on Home Birth Diaries - ok, not the most scientific source of information- that the risk is placed at about 1 in 250), that is extremely hard to deal with at home and needs prompt emergency care.

IME Writing a few pertinent letters to the right people gets you what you are legally entitled to in maternity care.

Midwives have a duty of care to support mothers and give them evidence based information with which the mother can decide where and how she wants to give birth.

It is not their place to be unsupportive or anti HBAC or whatever. They are your public servant and as such can only provide you with information with which to base your decision. Unfortunately many of them prefer to wear the mantle of guru and tell mother what is good for them - based on their personal preferences and bias. Not clinical evidence. It pains me to hear women speak of consultants and midwives 'allowing' or 'may let you' do something. These things are normally based on their opinion or what will make their lives more convenient. Not what is better for the mother or baby.

If a uterine rupture is going to occur, a skilled midwife will be able to tell something is going amiss a long time before it goes wrong and there is time to transfer to hospital. Uteruses don't burst like balloons do.

Sorry about that rant. OP, if you want to inform yourself rather than go in hearsay and opinion, join the vbac yahoo group, the home birth yahoo group and look at the websites www.homebirth.org.uk and www.aims.org.uk.

I shall bow out now.

Gosh, that's interesting. The impression you get from talking to people who've had VBACS is that they are told it's very like a balloon - sudden and shocking! Thank Foxytocin.

OP - read the outcome on this thread!

VBAC

Thanks for the the links and suggestions guys. I have already made the decision to stop taking my pill in June when we return from our hols in Italy so although I am still a little worried, I feel much more knowledgeable and I do know that I want to try for a second baby now, whatever happens!

I'm pleased you're ready to try again. Definitely go and talk to somebody about the first time. Answer any questions you have and let go of it.

My dd is nearly 3 and I can't bring myself to contemplate another after an emcs last time (physical recovery was easy, no painkillers even, apart from horrendous anaemia, it was the emotional/psychological healing that didn't happen). I am currently seeing a birth trauma person to help me come to terms with it as I would like more one day. I'd have a hbac btw.

I'm so sorry you had that experience after your EMCS. It is very hard to explain to friends and family who have only had a natural birth how you feel afterwards and they don't understand why you don't want to get pregnant as soon DC1 is 9-12months old. Thats one of the reasons I joined Mumsnet as you get so many helpful and varied opinions that you just would not hear from healthcare professionals, who don't always understand your fears. I really hope you can feel better about things soon. x

I had an EMCS due to pre-eclampsia. It sounds as if you were really unlucky. I was out of hospital in a couple of days and healed quickly. The first day was agony (mainly because they forgot to give me painkillers), but it got better quickly. I didn't really get a choice of ELCS with DC2. The consultant just said there is no reason you can't try for a VBAC (they are trying to cut back ELCS in the hospital I think). Luckily I had a successful VBAC with just a graze and I felt on top of the world. I could have a shower straight away after the birth and walk around and pick up my baby and I felt fantastic. Going home and dealing with a toddler was easy too (might have been a bit more challengine with a c-section !)

Monitoring saved my DC1's life and so I wasn't keen on a home birth - his heart rate dropped like a stone as he wasn't keen on the contractions. I wanted my second baby to be monitored through my VBAC as I was terrified as what would have happened if we didn't (probably nothing, but there you go - just in case). Also I live 25 minutes from the closest hospital and so that would be a worry if we needed to get there quickly. Loads of women have successful uneventful VBACs at home which sound lovely though.

I am preg with #3 and still nervous about the birth, but the children play so well together - it's lovely to see them thrive.

Good luck, and it is highly unlikely that you will have to go through the same horror as with your first.

I had an EMCS with DS after 18 hours of labour, several haemorrhages due to placental abruption and a very distressed baby.

2.5 years later I had a VBAC. They induced me by breaking my waters, and 4.5 hours later I was holding DD. DD coped perfectly with the labour, with a good heartrate all the way through. It was a completely different experience, and the feeling of having done it myself was so empowering.

Good luck with ttc, and whichever choice you make for the birth!