Elective casarean? VBAC?

[tex111]

I had an emergency C-section with my first baby three years ago and I'm seriously considering an elective C-section this time. My first section was a very positive experience and I was showering and walking around the following day. I know each birth is different and there's no guarantee that another section would be the same but I know what to expect with a section and the thought of surgery doesn't frighten me. It certainly didn't hurt DS either so what are the reasons to consider a VBAC? I should also add that this will probably be my last baby.

My concerns with a VBAC are:

• possibly rupturing my scar. I understand that this can be fatal for me, baby or both and the thought really frightens me. I've been told that it happens about 1 out of 400 VBACs but I can't find any stats on mortality rates or the damage it can do to mother and baby. Does anyone have any information?
• my piles. I never got to the pushing stage with DS and I've still had really dreadful piles since his birth. I'm afraid that if I actually attempt labour again I could do myself some serious damage. Going to talk to my midwife about this but haven't yet.
• that I'll try for a VBAC and end up with a second emergency C-section. I've heard that this puts the most stress on mother and baby and I would much rather just schedule a section than go through the pain only to end up with one anyway.

Things I like about an elective section:

• being able to set the date and arrange childcare.
• knowing what to expect.
• the extra time in the hospital. I actually liked my stay with DS and I think it would be especially nice this time to have some alone time with the baby before going home.

I've never felt that I missed out by having a section the first time around. Is there any reason I should change my mind to VBAC?

tex111, the comments on that site look quite interesting, and I would certainly agree about the exercises afterwards (I had a great set given to me by one hospital after ds was born).

However it is American, and some of the things they are talking about wouldn't apply here (I think). Like has anyone had their immediately post c-section stomach massaged? What a horrible thought! and that site says this is normal - seriously has anyone here had that done to them?

There also seem to be lots of c-sections with GA, which is very unusual here I think. I also wondered how long other c-section mums had to wait until they were given their baby? I don't remember it being very long either time (bit longer second time as more stitching). I'm sure it was under half an hour before I was breastfeeding - now I'm interested to know if this is normal or unusual?

Hi Nooka, you're right. That is an American site and some of the info doesn't apply. I wondered about the massage as I didn't have it first time around and certainly do not want it this time! I hope that's just an American thing. I also think that in the US it's more normal for the baby to go to a nursery right after the birth if only for a few hours for things like antibiotic eye drops and the Vit K injection, though this seems to be changing. My experience with DS here in London was that he was in DH's arms within a minute or so of being born which was really nice and he never left my sight afterwards.

I wondered about the GA too but, again, I think that's more in the US. The fear of malpractice seems to determine a lot in the States. I've even heard of women having their arms strapped down during a C-section in the US which sounds frightening. I can understand why someone would want to avoid going through such an experience. Thankfully, the process seems to be more sympathetic here in the UK.

tex, they initially strapped down both my arms for my c-section and I convinced them to at least unstrap one of them ffs. I don't remember ds being gone for any undue length of time although he did have a vit K injection and had to be assessed a little more carefully initially. I think the massaging started the next day? I was so exhausted it's hard to remember. I would still have an elective if I ever got pregnant a second time. IMO the risk of rupture, however slight, is too much for me.

tex I had emergency section following non-progression of induced labour, elective section, then section following trial of labour.

I'd really recommend the michel odent book ceasarian- he is quite pro elective sections following spontaneous labours. My worst section was the elective- and ds2 was definitely not cooked. Provoiding everyone is looking for an early switch to section if things start straying from the norm then I think it fine.

BTW something weird did happen to my scar- it seemed to leak amniotic fluid a lot- but no harm done to either me or ds3.

My caesarian was 3yrs ago & although it was classed as emergency as my waters broke, it was expected anyway as dd was breech. My arms weren't strapped down ( ) & I was shown dd straight away after delivery & given her after a few minutes once she was srapped up. It was a really calm experience & if I needed to have another caesarian I wouldn't be at all concerned about it. Going to try for a vbac this time around though and see what happens. Interesting to read how different it is for everyone....

Jimjams, just ordered the Odent book. It sounds great. Very human and informative approach.

Jimjams, forgot to ask how many weeks you were with your elective. You said the baby was definitely not cooked. I'm reading the Odent book and his remarks about lung maturation and asthma is later life are interesting. My elective would be scheduled for 39 weeks and I'm going to try to make it as close to my due date as possible but I know that's only a guideline.