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!

Initially I said I'd got for a vbac after a horrific delivery with my first. He also ended up in NICU for non birth related reasons so there was a lot of trauma involved there. At the time I was told if I wanted a c section I could say at any point and that would be fine.

Well I did all the things, went to Daisy classes, did the breathing and the affirmations but as I got closer to the birth I realised I was just too scared. My first baby was so obviously poorly when he was born I saw a bit of his nose as he was hurriedly shown to me before being whisked away to NICU. I didn't see or hold him until over 24 hours after he was born. I came to the realisation that all I really wanted out of my second birth was to be able to hold my baby at the end of it and I knew I couldn't guarantee that I wouldn't have another poorly one but I could have some control over the birth.

It was a battle to get the c section I'd been told I could ask for at any time. I had to go to special classes at the hospital designed to persuade of them benefits if vbac. I had to meet with a specialist midwife to state my case. I really had to convince them I was an adult woman of sound mind who was able to state a preference for her medical care for mental health reasons. I stayed very firmly that by this point I was so frightened and worried about this birth turning into the 33 hour horror show my first had been that my labour would be ridiculous thanks to the amount of cortisol and adrenaline I'd be producing! I'm still angry at how much I had to battle for it but I got there in the end. Once I did the specialist midwife was great. We went though an elective c section birth plan, I was able to request my gown be on back to front so I could skin to skin straight away, oximeter on my toe so my fingers were clear to hold the baby, delayed cord clamping etc etc. I asked if the drapes could be lowered so I could see the baby be born but sadly they weren't comfortable with this, some hospitals will be. Others will let you have a 'natural' c section where they make the incision and let the baby 'push' themselves out of the gap-great for clearing some of the mucus that a lot of c section babies end up getting stuck because they haven't been through the birth canal.

My elective c section was worlds apart from my emergency one. It was calm, the things that were really important to me happened (finding out the baby's sex for myself for example), loads of calm skin to skin after birth and in recovery when he shuffled himself over and latched himself onto the breast for his first feed (I knew about babies doing this, my mum who was my birth partner didn't and was blown away). Honestly it was brilliant and such a beautiful memory.

So no, I don't regret not having a vbac for my second birth. Everyone kept talking about the risks of a c section but for me I felt like the biggest risks were to me and what was most important in my situation was having control over a birth that would give the least risks to my baby (I've no idea over the risks stats for baby in a c section vs vaginal btw, this was just my perception and what I felt)

That ELCS laid a lot of awful memories to rest from my first birth. If I were ever lucky enough to have another child I have to admit it would be a trickier decision though! Not because my vbac felt like 'less' because it wasn't. Just because I'm now curious to know what a vaginal birth is like. But it's only possible to even feel that curiosity after my brilliant elcs and if it had to be another cs that would be amazing too.

Good luck in whatever you decide and in your TTC!

I had emcs after a failed induction.
Then with dd2 I was surprised the choice was left to me.
I ended up having vbac after 9 hours of labour. And I felt euphoric afterwards!

You can decline internal examinations. I did for my last birth but I would say that I wish I had had one before I started pushing as I ended up pushing too soon and wearing myself out and then it turned out I wasn’t fully dilated so it set me back a bit.

@Gregsprinkles

I had a vbac and wish I hadn't. The process went as badly as my first, but instead of a emcs I had forceps and episiotomy, which was traumatic.

This is my concern

Does anyone know the statistics of vbacs and how long they let you do it for before a section? Is it just constant monitoring? Not sure I’ll enjoy that!

@BiscuitLover3678

Does anyone know the statistics of vbacs and how long they let you do it for before a section? Is it just constant monitoring? Not sure I’ll enjoy that!

I think the trouble is labour varies so much. With mine I didn't feel the monitoring was very intrusive, my labour was 5 hrs from start to finish but I did come close to another CS because he was a 10lb baby and I'm not very big and he got a bit stuck. They asked me if I wanted to have the CS or did I want to try forceps, Dr made it clear the decision couldn't be put off for long, I said go for the forceps and he said right I'll put the forceps on and if you move the baby with the next contraction I'll deliver him, if you can't move him on the next contraction even with my help then we need to go to theatre.

We all vary and some might have felt our discussion was a bit direct but I like that, I knew exactly where we were and what we were going for. He was delivered very quickly once the forceps were used. My husband was surprised that I was really back to normal so quickly as he had experienced the previous birth with me recovering from a GA and then having trouble with the scar.

Good luck.

That’s brilliant @ancientgranI really wish I’d had a doctor as good as that! For some reason the idea of forceps absolutely terrifies me, much more than a section! But maybe it’s just the idea. Could you feel anything? How was the pain afterwards?

I also used to suffer from vaginismus and can have trouble with smear tests which hasn’t helped.

I had to have continuous monitoring in my vbac and honestly I didn't even notice, it made no difference to me. They didn't start it till I was pushing and I was kind of out of it. I was vaguely aware of a midwife trying to reattach the clip every time it came off but it was there problem not mine, they didn't try to make me change position to make the monitoring easier. For me it would not be a factor in the decision at all.

Also if you've laboured before, you might be able to be induced through rupture of membranes only and no drugs. Basically it's because your cervix doesn't fully close if you've laboured beyond a certain point. It's worth looking into if you are concerned about being induced as it avoids a lot of the downsides of induction. I went for this option. I had to argue hard not to be given drugs to speed me up as the hospital is under pressure to free up your bed. I was glad I was well informed on the subject before my labour.

@BiscuitLover3678

That’s brilliant *@ancientgranI* really wish I’d had a doctor as good as that! For some reason the idea of forceps absolutely terrifies me, much more than a section! But maybe it’s just the idea. Could you feel anything? How was the pain afterwards?

I also used to suffer from vaginismus and can have trouble with smear tests which hasn’t helped.

I honestly didn't find the forceps bad although the midwife who saw me at home said, "Ouch" because she said they were high and twisty! I take it there are different forceps and she reckoned I'd had the worst.

Afterwards my main issue was I had piles that looked like a range of mountains, maybe the Himalayas or one of those monkeys you see in the zoo but I have a tendency to get piles but if I take reasonable steps they resolve quickly. I was badly bruised, I had so many student midwives come and ask to have a look as apparently my bruising was a talking point. In the end I threatened to start charging.

My other point of fame with student midwives is when I was alot younger I had a home birth, midwife and student in attendance but the student was so impressed with the placenta that she asked if she could have it to take back to the hospital to show the other students as it was "so beautiful." I thought the baby was a bit more impressive but each to their own.

It does help to have a sense of humour sometimes.

I do like a straight talking doctor who talks to you like an adult and listens to what you think.

@BiscuitLover3678 Just remembered when I was a very young mum to be,just 18, I went to classes. The woman running the classes was talking about relaxing and making exams easier and she said, "Don't be shy, just relax and hand it to them on a plate." Still makes me laugh.

I'm currently trying to convince my consultant that I'm having an ELCS after my previous emergency one. My cousin had a botched forceps delivery for her VBAC and her poor baby died due to the head injuries from excessive force. Apparently that is a tragedy, but not a valid reason for me to be put off - he can fuck off quite frankly.

Following this thread with interest as I'll soon have to make the same decision after a very straightforward ELCS with my first 4 years ago due to placenta praevia. How hard have people had to push to get a ELCS? This worries me too, I don't want that to be stressful and feel judged for my choice.

So glad I went with and managed a vbac, everything about the recovery and birth was better for me. Just wished my first hadn't ended up as a an emergency c-sec!

Also to add, I was a bit hesitant about a vbac for my second baby especially as the midwife said Id had to have constant monitoring but in reality I was still able to use a birthing pool and move around just fine, they just strapped a wireless monitor around my tummy and I didn't even notice it. From my experience, I would definitely recommend a vbac.

I had two straightforward, quick VBACs after a traumatic crash section under GA with my first DC. DD2 I had at home unplanned, but it was a very easy birth with no tears or anything. DS I planned to have at home and had a birth pool, which actually was quite uncomfortable as I was sweating like mad but couldn't get out by then! Again, very straightforward and I tore but elected not to be stitched so healed after 2 weeks ordered total rest. I had no internal examinations either time, as supported by my midwife.
However, my section was necessary due to DD1 being in severe distress - the reasons for your section will influence your chances of a successful vaginal delivery next time. Worth discussing this with your midwife as some issues are more likely to recur than others.

Me. It all depends on the reasons for the section and your recovery and how soon the next pregnancy is etc.. My section was scheduled due to the position of the baby so it was pretty calm although I was sad to have what I consider as major surgery on top of giving birth. My recovery was awful, just awful for several reasons so when I was pregnant again within a year I really did not want another section. Luckily I changed ob/gyn who was very supportive and said they would see how it went and did not promise me it would be possible. I had an entirely different pregnancy and was able to deliver with an epidural. My recovery was much easier, better and quicker even with a newborn and toddler. I went on to another v delivery 20 months later with just gas as pain relief. I think you should go with what you feel is right for you.

I deeply regret mine and I asked for an elective c-section the second time.

I was induced, was utterly in pain for 4 hours and there was no doctor around to give me epidural. Then epidural arrived and 6 hours later I started pushing. Baby's heartbeat dropped, the emergency button was pushed, the room was full of people, the doctor said "I will take the baby out in 3min". Then, blood everywhere, a massive cut, ventuse delivery and the baby was out.

I regret it everyday, not that I have given any other choice though...

All that I left with is pain 2 years later and no way I can't enjoy any sexual intercourse due to pain.

I am sure if I had a c-section I would be perfectly fine 6 weeks later.

In my experience, NHS costs get priority over anything!

@Hopitihop

I deeply regret mine and I asked for an elective c-section the second time.

I was induced, was utterly in pain for 4 hours and there was no doctor around to give me epidural. Then epidural arrived and 6 hours later I started pushing. Baby's heartbeat dropped, the emergency button was pushed, the room was full of people, the doctor said "I will take the baby out in 3min". Then, blood everywhere, a massive cut, ventuse delivery and the baby was out.

I regret it everyday, not that I have given any other choice though...

All that I left with is pain 2 years later and no way I can't enjoy any sexual intercourse due to pain.

I am sure if I had a c-section I would be perfectly fine 6 weeks later.

In my experience, NHS costs get priority over anything!

Costs nhs an average of £50 difference i read?

Also VBAC stands for vaginal birth after cesarean. If I understand correctly you are talking about your first birth.

@JustWonderingIfYou

Oh apologies! Yes, it was my first birth experience. Didn't notice the thread was for births after c-section. Then, I would go for c-section all the way!

It can't be only £50 difference though... one is "push and out" in theory, the other is a proper surgery....

@BiscuitLover3678

Does anyone know the statistics of vbacs and how long they let you do it for before a section? Is it just constant monitoring? Not sure I’ll enjoy that!

With DC2 I got to hospital at 9cm dilated, had a quick internal exam (now that was annoying and in retrospect I kind of wish I'd declined it) and then IIRC had heartbeat monitor mostly strapped to bump.

With DC3 I was allegedly only 2cm dilated when I got to hospital and according to protocol they "should" have sent me home but the midwife said "as it's a third baby and they can be unpredictable I'll just do a 20 minute trace and then we'll see how you are" and by the time the 20 minutes elapsed I'd had the baby...

@Hopitihop

Sections cost more at the timr they happen, but the costs for vaginal birth are still there but are more hidden.

The £50, difference is when you take into account further treatment required for birth injuries, reconstructive surgery, physio, psychological help after traumatic births and the legal costs for birth injuries.

It's so hard because you just never know which way it's going to go. A straightforward natural labour is of course the ideal option but who can guarantee it'll be straightforward?

I am pregnant with my second and hoping for a VBAC but if there are any complications later on in my pregnancy or it looks like I may need to be induced then I will go for elective section. The odds of having a straightforward vaginal birth are already lower for those who have had a previous section and for me it's about weighing up those risks and making the choice that is going to be best for me and my baby.

That said, I will feel disappointed if I don't even get to try for a VBAC. Rightly or wrongly I feel like it's something I would get a lot of personal satisfaction from and would love to experience that rush of hormones and adrenaline that I never got from a c section.

I had an elective section following an emergency one. I in no way regret not having a vaginal delivery, I figured it just wasn't worth the pain, hassle and longer recovery of another emergency section (which was a fairly likely outcome if I attempted VBAC).

I might have been keener on attempting a VBAC if I had wanted more dc but I knew we planned to stop at 2!

RCOG actually has some good guidance on VBAC and the characteristics that make it more/less likely to be successful which I found useful when deciding.

I had a really good experience with my VBAC with my second DC. First one was caesarean due to DC1 being breech so I didn't experience labour at all. VBAC was a quick labour - 6 1/2 hours, straightforward delivery early in the morning and got to go home the same day. No regrets! I don't think the fact that I'd had a prior c-section made any difference. Obviously I know I'm extremely lucky with the birth in general.

I had two vaginal births.

Both went okay, in that the first was 11 hours of labour, the second 15 hours. Some tearing, some tendency for stress incontinence in my late 50s.

I was in an environment where 'natural' was heavily promoted.

But, tell you what, if I knew then what I know now, I'd have gone elective C for both.

There's no 'at least I tried' about it. Modern elective CS is pretty much safe (as far as it goes). I wouldn't think twice, now, were I birthing. I'd go CS.

And, as already stated, my body wasn't that badly damaged. Tho my DH was great, I can't imagine you'd feel the same about your wife as a sexual being having witnessed her giving birth.

Sorry, but I think true.