VBAC or C section?

[happytree]

What would you choose?
Had emergency c section with DS. He was 16 days late and back to back so basically got stuck and distressed.
Would like to do it the 'normal' way but terrified of ending up in the same position and having to go for another emergency c section. /i am only 4'10'' and he was only 7lbs but would not move. (I was 10cm and pushing so it was incredibly dissapointing to be told it wasn't going to happen)
I've just had my booking app. with MW who has told me to go a =nd think about it before my consultant app.
Any experiences?
Thanks

[RancerDoo]

I was in the same position as you, and then my second got stuck all over again (but was also distressed, so I had a crash section). The consultant told me that "mechanical failures" like mine, which indicate something a bit amiss with my body are very rare though. For me, I badly wanted a birth experience where I felt in control so planning a VBAC, labouring at home etc meant I could have that, up until the point when I was pushing and DC2 got distressed anyway. I found the VBAC attempt very cathartic even if it was not plain sailing, and it was infinitely better than my first labour.

Other things that factored in my thinking were the recovery time, that with DD1 I had gone for an early epidural and afterwards felt like a wimp - I had some idea about doing it "right" next time, that I was thinking of having more children and I know CS make later pregnancies more risky.

Obviously, 2 emcs has shown that any future baby will need to be airlifted out, but it is only through trying that we find these things out.

Doubt that helped, but I promise a second emcs doesn't need to be nearly as distressing as the first! In fact when DD2's heartrate went terribly slow I was the first person to mention a cs.

[fiftyfifty]

I was in the same position when I was expecting DC2. I had an emergency cs with DC1 and was terrified of having a horrible experience second time around. I was totally undecided until DS decided for himself. I went into labour a week early and DS was born in under 4 hours. I needed an episiotomy but he was fine and I can honestly say I felt euphoric. I was on a high for days.
I am now 37 weeks with DC3 and will try for another vb. Am hoping for another quick straightforward labour!

It has to be your decision but you can change your mind up until the end anyway.

Good luck whatever you decide.

[Mumcah]

Your chances of having a vb would be quite high as you got to 10cm I should think.
I tried for a vbac but had another c section as I didn't progress beyond 4cm.
I'm glad I tried but I didn't have strong feelings either wat tbh.

[cate2310]

I had a caesarean with my dd and am now 18 weeks pregnant. I was adamant that I wanted a C section for my 2nd as couldn't face going through a long and traumatic birth again. I went to see the consultant yesterday, saying that it was what I wanted, for definite and my reasons why. She was quite happy for me to have one, and wrote this on my notes.
However, she did spend a long time chatting to me, and explained the process if I decided to go for a VBAC - apparantly, because I already have a c section scar, they would only let me go through labour for so long, and that I wouldn't be allowed to push for a long time either. If it did go on for too long, they would take me for a c section before it got traumatic and an emergency.
Now I'm really flumaxed, as yesterday I was convinced I was going to have another c section - now I'm toying with the idea of a VBAC!!!
Does that help at all?!