Consultant appoint tomorrow for elective CS - but should I still keep VBAC options open - what were your experiences?

[CareerGirl01]

Had DD 4 years ago - was an emergency CS after induced labour, pushing for three hours and then attempts at ventouse and finally forceps. DD1 had to be pushed back in to come out via CS! Now know I went to second stage labour CS so there is a chance this could happen with DD2 who is due in May (am 22 weeks).
Seeing the ob tomorrow to book me in for CS - as midwife feels my age -42- and history mean its best to opt for CS. But I still want to feel I can give birth without all the CS recovery. Anyone else had similar and still managed a VBAC?

I had a v similar experience to you first time round and had the same dilemma second time round (although I was only 31 at the time of my second and I know that age can play a factor). I did go into labour naturally but don't think that is a major factor, as like you said, you got to second stage labour.

I personally felt it was safest and I was more confident having a C/S. However my Consultant and MW were perfectly happy to support me in trying a VBAC if that's what I wanted. Like I say though your age may be a factor in things like adhesions/risk of rupture and obviously I can't really give you any advice on that.

Good luck!

If you have an elective the recovery is nothing at all like an emergency - especially the kind you had. You will probably be up and around quicker than if you attempt another vaginal birth. (I've had both and that was my experience).

Good luck whatever you decide.

Cs recovery from an elective will be NOTHING like what you went through before.

My first cs was an emergency but nothing as late as yours (4-5cm), I was 34, recovery was easy. Second was another cs despite wanting a vbac (won't bore you with details), again recovery v easy. Still have a massive box of tylex I never used. I was 35 for dd. 21m between them.

I've a friend who had a vbac with her dc2 at about your age and she has such a bad prolapsed womb that they saidb if she got pg again, she'd have to go on bedrest.

Your health risks (I'm not a doctor!!!) are probably simpler with an elective cs tbh. You still get the baby you know!!! Hth

Thanks guys - all the shoving around that took place with getting DD into position for the emergency CS did not help my recovery for sure - I was 'only' 37 when I had her and extremely fit. My sister had exactly same thing happen with both her DDs- emergency both times as she tried for VBAC with DD2. We both have problems with our hips (as in congenital hip dislocation runs through the maternal side of my DDs family) but no one can tell us whether this is why the babies got stuck. I do and did loads of yoga, running etc and kept myself mobile (as much as I could) so I think I'm going to aim for the CS - it will probably mean my expectations will be lowered so I won't have a downer on myself if I can't give birth vaginally. That was the problem after DD1 - I felt I'd let everyone down by have the EMCS. Also was sick so only b/fed for a week - was ordered to formula feed because DD1 lost more than 10% of body weight. It may be vanity that is making me want to try for VBAC, but saying that it sounds like my recovery from a ELective CS will be better. Seeing consultant at 2pm today thanks all xx

Consultant is allowing me to keep options open. So have another appointment and scan at 34 weeks. Whatever happens he won't let me go past 40 weeks - so if I've not gone into labour by 39 + 5 a CS will be insisted! Ill probably go for the CS but I feel better today!