Question for those who have had a c-sec and a natural birth

[Syd35]

Just wondering which option you would go for in a subsequent birth if you had the choice?

Reason I ask is because I had an emcs with my first and was thinking of opting for an elective this time round. The few people I have discussed this with think I'm mad although I truly believe this is the right option for me.

It would be good to hear others experiences.

Vbac every time, I want to walk out of that hospital a few hours after the birth with new baby and my husband. I have done both, vaginal birth all the way

Vbac for me too. I had an emcs first time round and a vaginal birth the second time. Recovery was just so much better. However, with my emcs I laboured up to 8cm so was shattered, battered and bruised, to add to the major operation. I suppose an elcs would avoid labour so not quite the same.

I would go for the section every time! I had an emsc and two vbacs. The section was done at 36 weeks due to pre eclampsia so I wasn't mid labour! I hated every second of labour.
I actually liken natural birth to leaving a broken leg to set on its own - we have better techniques now

C-Sec without a doubt. I know it's different for every women but I had virtually no rectory time as opposed to my first natural delivery.

I tore and needed two emergency blood transfusions, it ruined my first few weeks with PFB.

Also the after bit, the pain every time I had a wee for ages, how sore I felt. I felt battered and bruised after vbac. I recovered so much faster from section.

I had a planned section for medical readons for my first followed by a vbac.

it's a tough decision. An elective is nothing like an emcs but i would veer towards trying for a vbac, if only because fingers crossed you don't have to wait for the scar to heal etc. But this isn't guaranteed, you could try for a vbac and end up with another emsc instead.

vbac for me too.

I had a similar experience of labouring to 8 cm over two days + so was shattered by the time I had the EMCS.

Was a wreck, got wounds infection, terrible experience.

After vbac I was home same day and felt lots better.

I'll be doing it again in few months actually so hoping it goes ok!

There are so many factors. My VBAC was a 5 hour labour (vs 30 hours for emergency CS) but I have ended up with a third degree tear. VBAC was less than a week ago so can't fully comment on recovery but am pleased that my toddler can at least sit on my lap now.
I went for VBAC up to 39 weeks and asked to be booked for CS from 40 weeks. Baby came at 37 weeks on a v busy night at maternity unit so not sure how that would have gone if I had desperately wanted planned CS...?

Section

My vbac involved forceps and a third degree tear. Months to recover. Section I was back to normal 3-4 days after. Same recovery in hospital.

Section without a doubt.

First 24 hours after was worse than my other delivery but after that the recovery was so much easier and straightforward.

My section was my second delivery so no experience of vbac. I was an emcs, very close to delivering, so I had gone through a lot of labour too and still found it much much better.

My first birth was an induction which took two full days, resulted in forceps, an episiotomy which took 8 weeks to heal & an 11lb baby so lots of bruising to my pelvis, physio issues to my hips & stomach after the birth for months.

I chose a section 2nd time around and the recovery was far far easier and am having another section next week.

BUT I am eternally jealous of friends who have relatively normal deliveries and are out & about, totally fine within a day or two of giving birth. And able to drive straight away and wear jeans (took 3-4 months before even maternity jeans were comfortable on my scar) and just get back to normal faster.

So unless you know there is a reason the birth might be difficult I would go for VBAC for sure.

My first birth was a long labour followed by an emergency cs, the second was a long labour with a natural birth. They both had their disadvantages but neither stopped me from bonding with my dds. I suppose if I got to choose I'd choose a natural birth as it's a quicker recovery time and you usually get to go home quicker.

Had natural birth first time and emcs second time around.

For me the recovery was actually similar, though having a csection second time around gave me a licence to rest more :) DH and friends seemed to help me more as well.

I was pretty uncomfortable after stitches first time but of course had none of the super duper painkillers they give you after a section.

And while I was sad second time around to miss out on the incredible endorphin high after my first birth, I still fell instantly and crazily in love with DC2 just the same. Though I hated the dizzy feeling from the spinal block and not daring to hold DC2 for fear I'd drop the baby.

So many pros and cons. Not an easy choice. Good luck.

c - section for sure.
I had a natural birth with my DS (12 lbs 8 oz) born at 41 +2.
then a emergency c - section because she was a undiagnosed breach and i was 8cm dialated,with DD (11 lbs 4 oz) born at 40+1

I'm having an elective section on the 9th of Feb it was a very easy choice for me ill be 38 weeks and I know baby will be big.

Had an emcs (under general anaesthetic, no time for a spinal), then vbac, then elcs. I'd go for the vbac anytime.

Elcs, vbac1, vbac2

ELCS for suspected macrosomia.

First vbac was horrific. Baby was back to back, they attempted internal rotation, failed. Prepped for emcs for failure to progress, but managed to squeeze him out just before they took me to theatre. Baby fine but I required ongoing care as he tore up everything on the way out.

Was told no clinical reason for elcs so vbac2

Vbac 2 - Brain damaged baby due to hypoxia and poor monitoring (ie non existent despite CFM being in NICE guidelines for vbac). Baby Physically disabled for life as result because no one realised FHR was 28bpm for 45 minutes at least.

Section for me every time (even though I felt horrific after the first one) but if you do decide to vbac, please discuss CFM with your team.

Thanks for the replies, wow a mixed back of responses. I have an appointment to discuss options next week so hopefully that will help.

So sorry to hear your story madwomanbackintheattic

Definitely Vbac

Emcs, then attempted VBAC but ended with another Emcs. Neither Emcs was a true emergency.

I was thinking of a ELCS but decided to go for VBAC as we might want a third. In the end, I chose to have another section as after 9 hours of labour, I was still only 2/3cm dilated and baby was back to back (only found out this was what was making it so painful after I had the section). I then had to wait another four hours for a non-emergency emcs (still only 2/3cms). Consultant said they would only have let me labour for another 4 hours anyway. Recovery was a bit harder than for the first, so needed help with my toddler.

I would definitely chat it through thoroughly in advance but bear in mind that as s previous Emcs, you can basically change your mind at any point.

I'll let you know in a couple of months - currently waiting excitedly for my HBAC

The problem is you're not choosing between an elective LSCS or a straightforward normal delivery- if that was the case there would be no contest for most people. The choice is between the pretty secure section where there are unlikely to be many surprises, and a trial of vaginal delivery where the outcome (for baby, you physically, or the risk of emergency section) is unknown. I had an emergency section with my 1st, and if I'd had the choice between a section and a nice straightforward normal delivery for my subsequent babies, then I'd have chosen that in a heartbeat! But I wasn't willing to take that risk. Lots of people do though and have great vbac experiences.