Does anyone not regret having a vbac?

[BiscuitLover3678]

Still at TTC stage with my second, but already wondering what I’ll do next time round.

With DC1 I did all sorts of wonderful birth prep and hypnoborthing got me through an incredibly long labour, but the second I got admitted to the delivery suite it went t* up and ended in a section. The section itself was fine and I’d happily have one again (a part of me finds this the way less scary option). I know a Vbac could go wrong and I’ve already been told that I’d need to be consultant led and on the delivery suite if I go for a vbac. I know, I know I could really fight it and go for midwife unit, but I’m not happy enough with the risks considering how it went last time and the fact my scar could rupture.

I don’t really want more trauma and a horrific birth experience but I wonder if I’ll regret not trying.

Please tell me your (honest!) stories. With my first I also really hated the internal examinations so that didn’t help one bit. I felt like a piece of meat even before the section. The section at least got it done. 🤣

I wish people would talk about it all more!

You can decline internal examinations. They aren't really necessary. There are other ways for midwives to see how far along you are. There are a few studies that show they are pretty unreliable in measuring dilation with internals.

I had a vbac, eventually induced after long labour and it was great. I was in the shower a few hours after the birth and home in less than 24hrs. So glad the consultant let me do it. But I do have friends who don't feel the same...

I had a home VBAC. First baby, I was like you, I laboured at home and arrived 10cm dilated then it all went tits up when I got to the hospital. It was awful in the hospital, women screaming and unpleasant nurses.

My second birth was planned at home. Midwives were lovely. Birth was a bit complicated but didn't need any help after. For me vaginal birth recovery was much more comfortable and quick than emcs. Although this could go either way, depending on how the vaginal delivery progresses.

I'm very aware, that although it went well, it could have gone either way. I don't think other people's experiences are very helpful here. Try and chose the best hospital you can and then feel free to leave it open and change your mind as much as you like as pregnancy progresses.

Best wishes for a safe and calm labour and birth for you and your baby.

Not for a second.
First time around was a awful birthing experience which resulted in an emergency c-section. Second time was a planned one and it was calm and stress-free.

My first was a very long induction (5 days) which ultimately failed and ended in EMCS. I was so, so unsure what to do with my second. Ultimately I was too scared to try VBAC, I just didn’t want another long drawn out labour ending in EMCS anyway. I was worried that the risk of scar rupture would make me too nervous too push properly etc. I was just scared basically and decided ‘better the devil you know’ so had a planned section. Never regretted it, was a lot easier and less traumatic than the first. Am now pregnant with third and final baby and having another planned section. I discussed with consultation obstetrician before getting pregnant again and she said it was fine as I hadn’t had any complications with my first two surgeries, no excessive scar tissue or thinning of the area etc. Hoping for another straightforward birth. Good luck whatever you decide, you’ll never know if it was the ‘right’ decision anyway as the other way could have been worse!

VBAC here - in the shower half an hour after delivery, walking around a couple of hours later and able to do the school run, drive etc, which is much more important with the second. But appreciate not everyone gets that outcome and it’s an unknown.

I had an EMCS with DD1 and if I can keep another pregnancy long enough I will have an ELCS next time.

I had my section due to failure to progress, and this is one of the factors that reduces your chances of a successful VBAC.

DD was also back to back, as were both my DTwin's DC- I think it's almost inevitable that another baby would sit in the same position for me. Labour was unbearably painful (and ultimately pointless) for me, and I just feel I've been there, got the tshirt, no inclination to try it again.

I also have an excellent support network and had a very straightforward recovery from my last section, so I'm not overly concerned about the recovery whilst also wrangling DD. There's also benefits to an ELCS with respect to being well rested (theoretically!) before the surgery, as well as obviously being able to plan childcare, DH's leave and practical support from family which you don't get if you go naturally.

I think if I'd had a section due to breach positioning or another complication then I would be tempted to try, just to experience labour and give it a shot. But as I've outlined, I just don't see the point.

My 2nd birth went the same way as my first and I had another emcs. I was in the shower within hours, home in 24hrs and fine to do the school run too. CS recovery isn't always terrible!

If I'd had a third, I'd have chosen an elcs. Not because I regretted the vbac attempt but because I know my body doesn't do birth. Labour yes. But not birth.

I had VBACs with DC2 and DC3 that went really well - nice quick births, and I was very glad I'd gone for the VBAC (although both times there was a point around transition where I thought "why on earth am I doing this voluntarily?" (but with more swearing).

The main reason I'd needed a section with DC1 was his position (asynclitic) and I had got to fully dilated, so I was a good VBAC candidate.

I had two successful VBACs after the most horrific emergency section where I lost so much blood it sounded like the surgeons were jumping in puddles on the floor. The C-section was 14 years ago but I'm still haunted by it.

I waited 9 years before having my second baby and was bloody determined that it would be VBAC even though it ended in forceps!

I had a VBAC last summer.

On paper, there were quite a few complications - baby was slightly preterm so I needed continuous monitoring (which I would've declined if I was full term as I planned to have a home birth), ended up with a ventouse delivery, small episiotomy, retained placenta and subsequently had a 2L pph in theatre. However, despite all that it was honestly one of the best days of my life. I absolutely loved my labour, and felt brilliant afterwards. I was on an oxytocin high for about 3 days after, which I never felt after my first was born by semi-elective section (he was breech but I laboured before my planned CS date). My VBAC baby ended up in the NNU for nearly 2 weeks due to prematurity and I know I would have struggled visiting the NNU and expressing milk 3 hourly if I'd had another C section. I would absolutely aim for another VBAC if I was to have another (which I hope won't ever happen as I am totally done with having babies now!)

I had a vbac and it was wonderful. I absolutely loved the whole (3 day!) labour. Ok...maybe not EVERYTHING...but most of it. I felt in control and powerful. It laid to rest a lot of issues I'd had following the emcs. Unfortunately I had to have another emcs with dc3 when I'd hoped for a second vaginal birth but it wasn't so difficult to deal with emotionally as the first one.

I spoke to a doula about all my different issues. I highly recommend it. A sort of pregnancy therapist!

Had an emergency section then an ELCS.
My hospital were great and helped me plan for a 'natural' c-section so that I could experience some of the elements of a VB.
They lowered the curtain for me to see DS, DH was able to cut the cord and they put DS on my chest straight away for skin to skin. It was lovely and I don't regret not having a VBAC. It's bad enough having damaged abdominal muscles without potentially having more damage 'down below'!

I had a VBAC following a section with first child as heart rate dropped. I did tear but healed well and more importantly didn't have the no lifting recovery period which meant that I could still pick up my very cuddly just 2year. I loved that I could take them both out in the double pram on Day 3 and push it myself.

I had a positive straightforward VBAC with my second DC but my first was planned section due to position so felt like I should at least try out a contraction! FWIW all of my friends who had an EMCS went for ELCS.

Horse for courses, my friend had a vbac and thought it was the best thing ever. She tried to convince me to do the sam, there was no way on earth after my birth I would have gone for a vbac.

I planned a VBAC in hospital with consultant in attendance, as I was told I was high risk due to the nature of my c-section and injuries incurred during it, and my age. What actually happened was I had my baby by accident in the corner of the bedroom after waking up in labour. Easiest birth ever! I credit the fabulous midwife I had for the last month of my pregnancy - she taught me so many exercises and ways to keep active and get my baby in a good position. First baby wouldn’t come out as they were very poorly positioned and got stuck that way after my waters broke.

One really important thing to remember is when people are giving accounts if their recoveries after emcs and natural, they aren't comparing elcs and natural.

Most people find the recovery from a elcs MUCH easier than a emcs, in the same way most people find recovery from vaginal birth easier than the emcs. That's because with an emcs, yoh are mostly doing it both ways and you're exhausted and have been in pain for a long time.

I chose to elcs for both first amd second child. Both I was very mobile very quickly, and back to normal within a week. Out shopping, changing nappies on the floor and pottering around making breakfast pain free by day 4 etc.

I have no idea how that compares to the vaginal birth I could have had, but I know its a lot faster recovery than many people I know who had emcs.

Two elective sections here, for medical reasons. They were great. My body "remembered" how to recover the second time round and it was much easier.

A nice calm c section, or all the pain, blood, possible dicing and slicing of my bits hmmm let me think .

My work colleagues had vaginal births, they sounded horrendous. 2 had emergency c sections they sounded awful too! Only one had a nice experience (was like shelling peas apparently) and was released from hospital the same night.
I am very squeamish though so perhaps that sways my opinion.

I had a VBAC for my second, natural labour a week overdue, a couple of stitches. Then had second section for twins. Had a VBAC2 for my fifth, 9lb 9oz baby, 4 hour labour on due date. I think the thing that gave me the confidence to try was the fact that neither section was for problems in labour, and previous labours had been fairly quick. Had to move hospital to find a consultant to support me with the VBAC2 though.

I tried for a VBAC, had to have the balloon so they only let me go for a day and a half of induction when it was clear it wasn't going to work rather than the several days of my first induction so I wasn't as tired and sore. I became convinced during pregnancy VBAC was the only way to go and I couldn't cope with 2 kids and c section recovery time, didn't want to leave DS for 2 days to go into hospital, scared myself silly really. Burst into tears when they couldn't break my waters. Then had my baby and it was fine. Got loads of painkillers, healed up fast, everyone was happy and my vagina has remained intact after two babies which is nice although my stomach obviously doesn't look the best. But eh who cares. Do it the easiest way for you OP, there's worse births than an elective section.

I had a traumatic EMCS with my first after a failed induction. Think I have stronger feelings about inductions than c sections! I chose a ELCS with my second, and it was the best decision for me and my family. It was all planned and controlled and recovery was fine. Completely different from my first.

I had two very positive VBACs and hoping goes the same way for a 3rd. It helped greatly first was so well supported with two midwives looking after me , playing calm music and even offering hot oil massages when my back hurt in labour! I was so grateful for the standard of care for every woman (we were living abroad) . It helped me when things were much more hectic and understaffed next time (uk) as I kept calm despite no support. It was quite quick both times so no opportunity for epidurals which was hard at the time but soon forgotten

Three VBAC after an elective CS for breech presentation at term. The first was awful (failed ventouse, forceps, undiagnosed third degree tear) and I asked for elective CS with the next. I was persuaded by the obstetrician to have an attempt at VB with the promise that we'd go straight to CS rather than having another forceps delivery if I had difficulties, and had a very quick and straightforward delivery. The last was a planned home birth and I'd have done the same if I'd had more children.

So no regrets. But if you'd asked me between the first and second VBAC I'd have said, "Definitely have an elective CS."