How do you decide between VBAC and ELCS?

[honeymoonmum]

Just wondering if anyone has been lucky enough to be told it is totally their choice as I have. Saw consultant yesterday (34 weeks) and he was lovely and basically said it is totally my choice.

He has booked to see me again at 37 weeks to see how I feel then.

Had a really traumatic labour resulting in emcs 2 years ago and had terrible post natal anxiety and had to go on medication for it.

I have had my heart set on emcs and now I have been told I can do as I like I'm having doubts!!!

Basically neither option fills me with glee but emcs cuts out all the 'what ifs' for me. If i could be guaranteed a natural delivery with no instrumental intervention I would go for it but can't face the idea of another long labour THEN forceps etc (my son was big
I didn't progress and haemorrhaged losing 2litres blood ).

How do you decide?????!!!

I don't know, I am still trying to despite being 99% I want an ELCS (not yet gauranteed like yours).

Do you think the reasons things went wrong last time could be avoided this time with forward planning? (i.e. scan to check size, even if it's not a particularly reliable check)

I was given the choice, too, although the 'choice' of a VBAC came with conditions (continuous foetal monitoring, no waterbirth etc). I did eventually get the hospital to ease up on most of that, too...but ended up needing a c-section for completely unrelated pregnancy complications, anyway!

It is your choice and it's a good start that the hospital are acknowledging that. But it doesn't make it any easier for you to decide, I know all too well!

Do some research into VBAC, get some sort of idea about what sort of birth you want / what positive steps the hospital can take to allow you to avoid avoidable problems (the big one is - can you have an active birth, without CFM? Most of the research shows that you need to be able to labour actively to deliver successfuly via VBAC)....then you can weigh up how you feel nearer the time.

In the end, the choice was taken away from me, and i was totally fine about another section (my baby was in distress, so it was a case of 'out by any means necessary), but before the problems in my pregnancy, I had reasoned with myself that it was best to allow it to kick off naturally if at all possible. Personal choice, though (sorry, taht probably hasnt shed any light on the situation for you!)

I had a complete choice this time between a vb or elcs after traumatic emergency forceps birth with DD 18 months ago. I have some ongoing damage so they were happy for me to choose.

I can only say maybe read up the thread we have going on those of us who have decided to go for elcs this time round - many of us are still thinking 'if only' and 'I wonder if' etc as we weigh up risks. Then perhaps read some of the vbac threads and see where your gut instinct lies?

After my gut told me things were not going well last time, but I was ignored as a firsttimer until DD's heartrate crashed, I am a big one of going with your gut instinct on this choice! Would you regret more not trying a vbac or would you regret more trying and ending up with another emcs?

Think longterm too if you or the baby have had any issues from the method of delivery. I have rotational forceps damage to the bladder so that was a big part of my assessment. If I could be assured of no forceps that might have swayed me more to a vb (though I am also scared of another massive tear from a fast birth) - but my consultant made it clear from my review that the forceps were DD's best option. She was stuck fast head side on and taking her back up for an emcs when I had been fully dilated for over 4 hours was more risky than forceps.

In those situations I would want them to act in the best care for the baby so I didn't feel I would be able to say 'No forceps, straight to emcs'. As others have said, go through the notes and work out why the emcs was needed and whether it would repeat.

I am told the rare position DD chose is unlikely to reoccur, but my gut says it may well so I am opting for the sunroof this time.

Hi I have had 3 sections and 2 full term VBACs. I far preferred the VBACs, I was euphoric, felt I had 'done it' (hard to explain) and up and about right away, much less dependant on hospital staff (who were shockingly bad at my hospital) etc. It was just far better for me.I would have a VBAC anyday than a CS given the choice.

My last baby was an elective section as by then I had had to have another crash section for a second twin and once you have had 2 sections they are not as keen to let you VBAC (I was very high risk for medical reasons too). I was very worried as lost more than 3 litres shortly after my 2nd section (post op hemorrhage) requiring further life saving surgery.

If you do go for elective, it is far better than emergency section, I only stayed 2 nights (4 and 9 nights with my other sections). I had normal blood loss last time thankfully. Good luck with your decision.