2nd baby after c section - advice welcome ;-)

[tigersmummy]

Hi everyone,
DH and I are planning to try for our 2nd baby as DS is now 2.3yrs. His birth tho was horrendous - 45 hour labour, wasn't dilating past 4cm and he got his shoulders caught in the cord so EMCS. I recovered quite well from c section, despite scar rupturing altho was traumatised from experience at time - really wanted vaginal birth.
What I'm wanting to know is will it be likely I'll end up with EMCS if I don't dilate again? I had LLETZ treatment on my cervix few years ago so could be reason why I didn't dilate? although this wasn't explored after DS's birth. So will I have to 'fight' for an ELCS? The thought of going for a VBAC then ending up with EMCS is TERRIFYING.....couldn't go through that again.
Any advice much much welcome!
Also, does anyone know about private birth options in Warwickshire?

I also had an horrendous first labour ending in EMCS. Prepared myself for a fight regarding elective second time around. They agreed straight away. HTH

Sorry to hear of your bad experience.
My first labour was bad with 12 hours at 3cm dilated before EMCS. Second time around I was convinced I would have a similiar experience but was wrong. I went for VBAC thinking there was a high chance I would have another EMCS but I had a normal labour(as normal as they ever get!) The only difference was that we all agreed that I would only be left for 2-3 hours without making progress before EMCS. My consultant was very supportive and happy to discuss things and if I had asked for a ELCS I am sure I would have got one. Be prepared to discuss things. I don't know Warwickshire but try NHs first and keep private option in reserve.

I had an ELCS by choicefor my first (which I did have to 'fight' for) so I was expecting the same for no2. Pleasantly surprised that after a calm discussion with consultant he happily approved a repeat ELCS for me. Think it helps to have your reasons and the pros & cons researched so they can see you've given it real consideration. Good luck.

That's very reassuring. Thanks for your comments.
mnistooaddictive - do you mind me asking what your 2nd labour was like?

You won't have to fight for an elective cs if that is what you want. Most hospitals will let you have a free choice between VBAC or elective. One doctor said to me "If you had a cs for your first, that is your passport to future cs".

There are loads of threads on here about the pros and cons about which choice is best and that's a whole other ball game.

My second labour lasted for about 10 hours from very first contraction. Had to go to hospital sooner rather than later due to easrlier EMCs so went in after 3 hours. Monitored throughout but could still stand and walk in small circles! Epidural 4 hours after being in hospital. Fully dilated an hour after that and baby born 2 hours later. The epidural didn't work in my CS scar but took enough of the pain away that I could cope more easily. The real advantage for me was being up and back to normal in a couple of days. If I had had ELCs I wouldn'y have beeen able to pick up DD1 for about 6-8 weeks which would have made life difficult.