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.

I had an elective section on Monday (week today). Had to be put asleep as spinal wouldn't work which meant I woke up in a lot of pain because I wasn't numb. Struggled with pain relief for the first 2 days & impacted ability to hold/feed baby as hurt to move at all & had to keep catheter in & not mobilise until the third day. On third day felt much better and was able to get out of bed alone to feed and change baby. Was sent home on fourth day. My hospital send home on dihydrocodeine. Since getting home have been sore when I've overdone it (I went to the shopping centre to go to mothercare half price clothes sale on day 5-mistake!) and haven't been really been resting as have been taking care of baby & have had to tend to visitors despite DH helping a lot. Pain isn't bad & only really becomes noticeable when I've overdone it.

On day 4 I told DH I would definitely have another section (first baby so I can't compare to normal delivery) because it wasn't that painful after the first few days so obviously I didn't think it was that bad! I'm not sure 4 days after a normal delivery if I'd have felt that way or not with no comparison point.

Thank you so much for all your info and your stories. It's really helped. My DH really wants me to go for an ELCS. I think even he was a bit traumatised by my last delivery. I really think ELSC is the way forward. There is no certainty with VBAC. Luckily I don't feel partially let down with myself that I couldn't have a VB last time. I know a lot of women struggle with that.

I had a very successful, very lovely VBAC with DS. As well as the fact that I felt wonderful afterwards (when ds was two weeks we went to soft play and DD got herself stuck up an outdoor play thing about 30 foot up - I just climbed up after her because I had forgotten I had just given birth) it meant that ds was delivered onto my stomach and then did the pull/crawl thing up me to help himself to his first feed.

I also felt that it "healed" me a lot from my first birth which hadn't exactly been what I had in mind!

However, the doctor / midwife were very clear that my first C-section was completely because of the positioning of Dd and nothing to do with my body. In their experience, people like that have a similar chance of a successful VBAC as first time birthers do - so about 75%.

I think I would have made a different decision if the first C-sec was because (say) my hips were too narrow for the baby to fit through.

I had an EMCS and am just curious why an ELCS is easier to recover from? Is it just because you know what to expect? I was induced due to high BP but only got to 2cm on the drop after 24 hours.

CuriosityDoor probably because you go straight into the operation from home rather than having been in labor having contractions for hours in advance. I've only had ELCS so can't compare but it was pretty stress-free, arriving at the hospital and relaxing until time to prep for the operation.

I think also the sense of urgency isn't there either. My EMCS was horrible. They struggled to get through my stomach muscles quick enough and my son was so high, they had to get him out with forceps. I

I had emcs followed by VBAC and based on my experience would recommend VBAC. Similar to OP I was induced first time (as waters broke then nothing happened). I failed to progress (got to 5cm and stayed there) with baby starting to get distressed. My section and recovery was ok although personally I think it contributed to me not bonding with DC1 for a long time.

I was keen for VBAC due to recovery time, particularly with having toddler to look after as well. DH was convinced I would end up with another emcs if I tried VBAC and wanted me to have Elcs. Consultant recommended elcs but couldn't then give me any convincing reasons why. I went for VBAC except if had ended up with induction would have instead have gone for elcs due to higher likelihood of it ending up there (and higher risk of uterine rupture).

Worked for me - needed ventouse but that was ok, bonded straight away, quicker recovery. Also gave DH a new respect for me as says there is no way he would have done it!

I had an emcs with DS 2 years ago. Recovery wasn't that bad really, although I suppose I have nothing to compare it to. I also lost a lot of blood and was in hospital for 5 days, but I only had myself and a newborn to look after when I got home and took it as easy as I could.

Planning an elcs for DC2 in October. My parents will be staying for several weeks to look after DS so I can focus on healing and the new baby. Am hoping for a better recovery though as I've heard it often goes smoother with elcs.

I did consider vbac, but to me it wasn't worth the risk of the same thing happening again. And I was told it was was quite likely to happen again as the problem was with me and not with DS. I also am not planning any more children and don't really care how they come out - as long as they do

This blog might help

www.theuphill.com/vbac-not-vbac/

Hello, emergency section then planned here. Both ultimately fine but planed was a better experience. I was excited to meet my baby as opposed to slightly indifferent due to being exhausted first time around. Sorry firstborn. You did grow on me! Recovery was fine both times, was even out the next day with my second. Yes there was pain but it was manageable. I was also able to look after my toddler ok after a fortnight. I heartily endorse planned sections if you think they might be right for you. Like you I wasn't bothered about having a successful vaginal birth. Just wanted the baby really! So that wasn't a factor. But I understand that's important for some people. Hope all goes well for you whatever you decide :)

I had an emergency c-section with DS (I was progressing quite quickly in labour but his heart rate was dropping and it turned out he had the cord twice round his neck). I was mobile 10 hours later (he was delivered at 9.25 in the evening) and didn't need anything stronger than paracetamol. This was years ago when they kept you in for longer so I was in for 8 days (this included an extra 2 because DH's mother was unconscious so he had to be there). The day after I got home DH had to go away for five days for work and I didn't have any family near - or close friends as we had only moved to the area. I managed to look after myself and DS without any problems (ignored the housework obviously). DD was an elective - it was a lovely experience and in her case I was up and mobile within a couple of hours (holding my stitches carefully obviously!). I felt really well and I think it was because I hadn't been in labour. Didn't need anything more than paracetamol for a couple of days. Hope you have a lovely delivery however it happens.

Thank you all for sharing your stories with me! It's really, really helped me. The idea of an elective doesn't seem as scary too me and I'm trying to factor in the fact that they may want me to have baby earlier due to OC. I think if I have an elective in mind, it won't come as too much of a shock if I do have to have baby early.