Vbac or elective section. Talk to me.

[EdgeOfGlory266]

So I'm only 13+2 but I want to be prepared. I had an emergency c section 2 and a half years ago and as a result my MW has said I can choose if I want a vbac or a c section.
My friend has told me to go for the "easy option" of a c section. I don't see it as an easy option. My recovery was pretty horrendous. My concern with a vbac is that I may end up having an emergency again, but I like the fact that I will be able to get on with stuff much easier such a driving and sneezing without crying. I could be wrong. These are things that might be hard work after having my bits torn to shreds. 🙈

I don't know what to do. I like knowing that I will go into hospital on a set date and have baby in a calm environment. Help me. Give me your vbac / elective stories or any advice you can.

why did you have an emergency section ?
at what stage of labour did you have the section - how far were you dilated?

Either way has risks and benefits.

Why did you have an emergency section last time?

An elective is very very different to an emergency, which also makes a huge difference in recovery.

I was induced earlier due to Obstetric Cholistasis. Chances are, I will get it again. I was in labour for 6 hours on the hormone drip and DS got distressed. His heart rate was too low and I was only 1cm dilated. I didn't progress very well at all. It was his heart rate that ultimately decided the CS.

Very calm elcs here, and quick recovery. I had my elcs at 9.30 was out of bed by the evening, didn't need anything more than paracetamol and ibuprofen after day 1, don't ever remember sneezing making me cry, driving (with medical and car insurers approval) after 4 weeks. The (younger) woman in the postnatal unit with me who'd had an emcs was very sore and battered, I felt guilty about the ease of my recovery. I think it makes a big difference that it's a calm procedure with no medical urgency to get the baby out, and you haven't gone through the mill with hours and hours of labour first.

It does sound much better. I'm allergic to ibuprofen, so I worry that just paracetamol won't do the trick. After my section coughing and sneezing was horrible. I felt like my insides were gunna fall out. I guess I risk having another emergency. And if I'm gunna choose emerganxy and elective, it would be elective all the way.

I had a long labour with my first (very unpleasant, lots of monitoring - as I had been due to be induced they treated me as though I had been, even though labour started on its own), pushed for an hour and a half, went to theatre for Keillands forceps (the ones they use when the baby is high up and facing the wrong way) and then had quite a leisurely emcs as although baby was stuck both of us were fine. Afterwards I had some ptsd largely I think due to the unpleasant labour (I felt v out of control) more than anything else. Physically I recovered fast - was in a lot of pain in day 2 but then got better and walked a mile about 2 weeks later.

3.5 years later I tried for Vbac. I thought it would involve a better recovery if I managed and also I hoped if I was more mobile in labour it would work. Also I wanted a big family and I'd already experienced some impact on my fertility most likely from -according to my doctor- the first emcs. This time I laboured for less than 24 hours, was 10 cm when I got to the hospital, felt the urge to push, no drugs at all... then the baby's heart rate went haywire and about an hour later after 3 failed attempts at a spinal they knocked me out to do emcs. She was stuck in exactly the same position as her sister.

Second time recovery was worse, probably I think because I was in a lot of pain having had no spinal and I was very bruised due to the speed of the operation and pre-existing scarring. I've not been able to have a third so I can't tell you whether a planned cs would be better although my consultant said it would be. The good thing about the second attempt was I felt very in control the whole time, had considered another emcs and so was prepared, and it really put to rest any residual angst I had from the first time around.

Lots of luck with whatever you decide.

I had one emergency and then an elective. I really wanted vbac, but realized the consultant thought it would still end in c section. And I couldn't face another situation like the first, so I went elective.
It was great on the day.
The recovery was hideous....

Elcs here due to previous surgery to remove fibroids. It was a very positive experience. Up and moving after a few hours and home within 2 days. I'm also not allowed ibrupofen due to bowel probs so it was tramadol for a few days and then paracetamol. I felt fine after a few days and great within a week or so. I think it's worth weighing up the risks to you and baby, the likelihood of an emergency section following a period of labour, or an elcs which will hopefully be a good experience with a better recovery. Before you leave hospital after a section someone should talk to you about how to cough and sneeze in such a way as to minimise discomfort to your wound, it makes a big difference. It sounds like you're leaning towards elcs, it sounds like the right decision but whatever you opt for, very best wishes. X

I had an emergency section the first time, and elective the second.

The first time around I was two weeks overdue, then a couple of sweeps got me into grudging labour for 30 hours, vomiting the whole time, after which I was still only four cms dilated. Heart rate went bonkers so was rushed into theatre.

Second time I wanted to have a home vbac. Had a birth pool in the kitchen and everything. I went 14 days overdue again and when I was examined the day before I was due to be induced (they'd wanted to do it sooner, I wanted to wait, we compromised on two weeks) my cervix was so high and tight the MW couldn't even get a finger in to do a sweep. At this point, things were sounding very familiar. Because they were leery of letting me wait any longer, I had the choice of being induced with a balloon and forced open, which from all the evidence had a high risk of going the same way as last time, or walking into theatre.

The point is that I did want to try for a vbac but not at all costs. My main priority was that I had a more positive experience than the first, which was horrendous and scary (as I'm sure yours was) and, I believe, contributed towards my firstborn being rotten at breastfeeding. I had my ideal plan, but changed it at the last minute to ensure a good experience. I believe it was the right decision; my elective was loads easier to recover from (this is because they're far gentler with your innards when they're not in a hurry) and the birth itself was lovely: candles, music, immediate skin-to-skin and laughter, none of which I'd had before.

You can change your mind at any point. If a vbac is important to you, have that as plan A and see how you go. If you get OC again (at what point are you likely to know?) then you can shout for a surgeon.

Best of luck!

I'd do your research and keep your options open a bit longer.

If the OC develops again. I'd seriously consider a c-section. You'll likely have to deliver early with OC and they won't induce you after a previous section because of the risk of scar rupture. Better to have it planned and sorted in your mind.

Fwiw, I had an emergency section with DC1 for failure to progress. I was aiming for a VBAC with DC2 as I also didn't recover that easily from my emcs. However, I got OC (didn't have it with first pregnancy) and so ended up with an elective section at 37 weeks. It was SO much better than the emcs, honestly. Very straightforward,felt quite serene and I recovered so much more easily.

If I had another baby (no chance! ) I'd go straight for an elective.

Three natural births here followed by an elective cs for 4th. I would go ecs any day- the calmness and control were amazing after the ventouse and forceps which had happened with the others. My recovery was easier too. Being able to wee without episiotomy scars stinging was amazing. I had declofenic as my painkiller for 10 days and paracetamol for a few days after. I was 44.

Thanks for all the advice ladies. I certainly think you have swayed me. I think a lot of is down to worrying about managing pain. Again declofenic I can't take. Any anti inflammatories really. Tramadol with a newborn and a 3 year old terrifies me. It sends me bonkers. I guess codeine might be an option as I had that with DS. I just hate being off my face on meds. It's so crap when there are painkillers you can't take.
I'm not sure when I'll know if the OC comes back. With my first I was around 28 weeks. I've read it could be as early as 17 weeks. I will have a chat when I meet my consultant next week. I love the idea of a natural labour but the emergency was horrible. I had to go to traumatic birth counselling. Was adamant I wasn't having anymore children. I'm not even sure why I am considering putting myself through that again. I just needed to hear some stories really.
As for being knocked out whilst having your baby. You poor thing. I wouldn't want that at all.
I'm seriously swaying towards elective.

I had one dose of morphine after my elective section, then just paracetomol for about 10 days. I honestly didn't feel any pain at all, just tenderness and a bit 'weak' in that area for a month or so. By my 6 week check I was fine and was doing Buggy Fit in the park three times a week by 8 weeks post-op.

To be honest, Edge, being knocked out really wasn't that bad of itself. I'm still glad I tried for a VBAC because I was so upset by my first labour and the really shitty 'care' I received, and labouring again genuinely helped with that. But I certainly wouldn't try again!!

I was knocked out for my two sections and they were great.. go to sleep and wake up with a baby! The recoveries were fine too, felt better from day 4 onwards. I'm so pleased I had them.

I would just play it by ear and make an informed choice nearer the time with the consultant. Anything can happen between now and then. I've had 1 vaginal and 2 elcs which were both fine. I planned a VBAC with 2nd but had another breechlings so went with the elcs. I'm waiting until around 36 weeks this time to decide but then again baby may decide for me if breech! As may yours if you get OC as they don't tend to induce due to increased risk of rupture.

I'm in a similar situation, I had an emcs last time, though first different reasons (dc wrong position and got stuck). I'm now pregnant again.

I asked a private obstetrician about vbac vs elective and they advised elective, said if one birth hasn't gone well there's no biological reason why the second one will be better, said Vbacs don't tend to go well (but I'm sure there are some exceptions). By the way (unfortunately) I can't afford to use this obstetrician for my birth so there was no geared interest In them saying this.

I'll definitely be having an elective but good luck whatever you decide.

For me (EMCS last October following long and slow labour, epidural and a sudden spin into back-to-back position) I'd take an ELCS all day every day. Without a shadow of doubt.

I have been looking into this as I had a previous emcs after a long and slow labour and I would hate to have another similar experience. I feel the recovery would be so hard from a cs with a toddler to care for. I am erring towards a vbac, I got to fully dilated last time so hoping it could be an option. I'm terrified of another bad labour and emcs.
I have done some research and found some statistics which suggest that around 74% of people who plan a vbac are successful which has given me hope, I thought it would be way lower than that.
I am meeting with a consultant next week and plan to ask to be referred to the consultant midwife to discuss using the pool and saying no to continuous monitoring (if safe to do so obviously).
If there is any hint of things not being ok I will opt for a elcs later in the pregnancy.

Oh and I'm also allergic to ibuprofen (and aspirin) and found paracetamol and cocodamol worked reasonably. I didn't take the tramadol as I was scared of losing my shit (after four days with no sleep I was right on the edge).

No advice but I'm in a similar situation. 18+3 and had a planned c-section due to breech. VBAC is a complete unknown as I've never labored at all. But with a child who will be 25 months at due date VBAC seems like easier recovery. However if it goes wrong and I end up with EMCS recovery will probably be worse.

ELCS recovery is tough but a friend had a natural birth with episiotomy and she was uncomfortable for much longer than I was after giving birth. I think unless the baby comes out pretty naturally with no intervention at all there's going to be discomfort and pain afterwards.

my dd had a vbac last summer.
her daughter at the time was 2.5 yrs and still loved being picked up and playing hard with her mommy. because of her toddler and knowing the recovery time she decided to try a vbac.
she had the most beautiful vbac I've ever seen (i'm a maternity nurse and have seen hundreds).

I've had an emergency section, vbac and elcs. I wish I'd not bothered with the vbac, loads of complications afterwards. Elcs was great and not as awful as the emergency section because I knew what to expect. Just make sure you have help with the older kid for a couple of weeks afterward. I only took paracetamol for the pain and was fine. Good luck with whatever you decide!

has a very long Labour resulting in a section with no1
tried for vbac and no2 was out after only 2 hours of active labour...no pain relief. was up and walking about an hour after. I had a second degree tear but it never stung and hardly hurt.

I was able to take no1 to preschool two days after delivery and drove etc. it was a walk in the park compared to the section recovery.
I dilate very quickly and was fully dilated with no1 in a few hrs but they were in a bad position and would never have come out naturally. the consultant said the fact I dilated normally increased the chances of vbac success to around 70%. if I hadn't dilated properly it would be around 30. you need to have a detailed chat with your consultant and get the stats before making a choice. good luck!