What are the risks assocaited with a VABC or an elected CS after a ems?

[bytheMoonlight]

Had to have an emcs after failure to progress with dd. I had reached the third stage, was fully dialted and spent well over an hour pushing with no progress.

Forceps were not an option as she was too high and the surgeon said he would damage me trying to get her out so had an emcs, which tbh at the time, was a relief as I was exhausted and in a lot of pain.

Now I am 18wks with my second pregnancy. I have told the midwife I want a VBAC but I'm not sure if I am just putting unnecessary pressure on myself and if it would be easier just to book in for an elected.

I don't feel the desire or need to have a viginal birth like some women but if its the safer option then I will try for a VBAC.

At the start of this pregnancy I was scared about the thought of a VBAC, thoughts of the scar rupturing or the baby getting stuck again and ending up having an emcs terrified me.

But now I'm more concerned about delivering the baby in the safest way possible - I keep having the thought that I'm a mum and I need to do this the safest way possible to make sure I make it back to dd.

So is there a lot of difference in the risks between a VBAC and an elected cs?

Have a read of this

Both methods have their risks.

I had emergency section with ds1 and elective with ds2. I know people talk about sections being major surgery, etc. but I felt it was my less risky option. And it did turn out to be a very good experience!

am totally in same boat btm. Im 27weeks and still haven't made my mind up.
My two main concerns are, 1. what if something goes terribly wrong with a vbac and I could have prevented it by having a ELCS and 2. what if I go all that way again and end up in theatre anyway? I would much rather have the control myself than it get taken out of my hands AGAIN.

I have read so much stuff I'm practically overloaded with info, Ive got the VBAC handbook and Im still undecided. I take a lot of comfort from the ELCS thread on here.

Hope you manage to make a decision that you feel 100% happy with.

I'm even more confused after reading that Libra.

Kitty it's so hard to know isn't it

kity, those were exactly my reasons for going with elective! In my situation, the first birth was so traumatic that I knew I couldn't risk anything like it again (had PN PTSD). As awful as the first time was, at least it made the decision for the second birth a no-brainer.

The thing is, the ultimate decision is so personal, you'll never find that two people make the same decision with the same information/circumstances.

I had failure to progress with ds1 (never got to full dilation, poor chap was very distressed and emcs was v v obvious decision)

I was v disappointed with the outcome, and focused on that for a long time, failing to notice that I got a v healthy baby boy out of it (and no actual problems for me, just not a perfect birth).

So I focused on vbac for baby no 2 - optimal foetal positioning and antenatal yoga in particular. I got my vbac but also a 3rd degree tear. Technically, I think that birth would count as more problematical than the first, because of long term continency issues (minor, but may re-emerge as i age) but for me, was an outstanding success and I didn't fret about birth afterwards the way I did with ds1.

I also knew all the way through the labour that any rupture of the cs scar (v v slight risk) would be picked up by the monitor, and it never worried me.

But the consultants advice was that because of the nerve damage I suffered with 3rd degree tear, I should have an el/cs with no 3. I was gutted but reluctantly agreed. Was extremely straightforward. Any op has risks but I believe they are v ltd with el c/s in these circumstances.

I believe that you'll not get anyone to actually sign you up for a c/s until fairly late in the pg - can be v stressful if you're concerned you'll not get agreement to your decision to have a c/s. This was my experience with ds3, even though I was 'reluctantly accepting consultants advice' - might just be my hospital.

Approach MW/ consultant and talk through your issues if you can. Find out if you can opt for trial of labour and how you dip out of that and go for el or emcs - each hospital will I guess have it's own practice.

Good luck.