Vbac or ELC? Help!

[Marmite78]

I'm really struggling with the vbac Vs elective section question.

I'm 39, have had two miscarriages and one healthy birth via c section because my LG turned breech at 39 weeks.

My time in hospital at North staffs was pretty horrific after my section with my LG (she's 19 months now). The section itself was ok but I had retained products and had to go back after 6 weeks for an emergency d and c. I have no faith at all in the maternity centre there.

Recently two friends have had still births and I'm driving myself crazy about having said I'd have a vbac not a planned section.

I just can't shake the feeling that the section would be safer for the baby.

Any advice or thoughts would be really gratefully received.

Tia xx

I had an emcs cat 1 with my little girl 23 months ago and I've chosen elcs this time because I'm too scared to labour naturally after last time it was awful.

I'd have felt too anxious going into a vbac.

Good luck x

I had VBAC following EMCS (which followed a miscarriage). In my experience, if the hospital think VBAC is higher risk they will really push you for ELCS, therefore if they haven't that is a good sign. My conclusion after spending a lot of time reading up the stats was that VBAC more risky if end up induced but otherwise, if no particular health issues, then no riskier. I had two main reasons for VBAC - one was the ability to return to "normal life" quicker, picking up toddler, driving etc; the other was because I didn't want to spend a long time in hospital.

For me, was really glad I went VBAC as it worked out, I bonded with baby much quicker and recovered more quickly. So based on my experience, I'd stick with VBAC, but of course it's not right for everyone.

Thanks so much for your reply. I've been doing a lot of thinking about it and I've got to the bottom of why I'm so scared to vbac even though I'm definitely being pushed that way by my docs and midwife. I'm terrified about the still birth stories I seem to keep hearing. Just terrified.

I’m having to make same decision OP.

I had ELCS for breech and was a very good experience in my case, skin to skin straight away, bonded and started breastfeeding fine etc. Good recovery. Last appointment with specialist midwife was very pro VBAC and trying to persuade me in that direction. But like you, I can’t help but feel that another ELCS will be the safest option and I think that’s probably what I’m going to doing decide on.

My understanding is that a section is safer for baby but riskier for mum.

I had a emcs with my ds, if we were to have another I'm already pretty decided I'll go for a elcs. I had a stressful pregnancy and ds was poorly when born. If I'm going to do it again I just want the baby out safely, everything else I can deal with.

Can you speak to your midwife/doctor again? Get them to go through the risks of both options again in light of your particular fear about stillbirth.

I totally agree with you. My priority is for a healthy birth. If it's even slightly safer for baby to have the section then that's what I'll have.
My section with my LG was fine but we couldn't have skin to skin immediately, no delayed cord clamping and generally everything we'd asked for was ignored. She was born very healthy and so I had to just get over the rest.
I think if they'd agree to immediate skin to skin and delayed clamping I'd book the section now!
I've got a midwife appointment on the 10th so I'll talk it all through again with her then, I just get the feeling I'll get short shrift from her. I want to change hospital too so that won't go down too well.
Thanks again for the replies, it really really helps. Xx

I had a previous ELCS and felt very torn by the decision but ended up having a VBAC. I half hoped it wouldn't be possible so the decision would be taken out of my hands, but waters broke at 41 weeks, and all progressed very smoothly. Personally I'm really glad I've had the opportunity to experience both. I also like fact DS chose when to be born, being almost 2 weeks older, he was just bigger, seemed readier for the world if that makes sense. Recovery was incredibly fast in comparison, even though I had an episiotomy in the end. I remember a few days later dancing in the kitchen holding my 2 year old and thinking no way would this have been possible last time. However, majority of friends have gone for another section second time round and they all seem happy with it. Think it's just one of those decisions you'll drive yourself mad with having to make, you just have to do who you feel is right and not beat yourself up about it.

I'd like a vbac, I just don't trust the maternity services at my local hospital at all and I'd never forgive myself if something happened :/ I'm really torn.

I think when you’ve had mcs it alters your views about birth - it did mine anyway, to the point that I though the baby would be safer out and in the world than in me waiting for labour to start. No way could I have gone overdue I would worry for more about still birth then. I had generally good elcs experiences though and it sounds like yours wasn’t.

If you possibly can I would change hospitals ASAP, going into either a VBAC or and elcs whilst having no faith in the people looking after you is going to be really hard I think.

Although I had a difficult experience I felt that the hospital looked after me really well so I'd trust them with another birth.

If changing hospitals is not possible can you speak to them about a proper de-brief of your previous birth so you can let them know what went wrong and they can hopefully provide some reassurance.

I can completely understand why you're frightened by the vbac, I'm frightened to the point that I don't think I could do it. It's the uncertainty of the vbac that gets to me, an elcs has its downsides and I get that but I feel much more in control of it I think and that's what helps.

Ladies you've been so helpful, at least I don't feel stupid for being worried about it now.

I'm going to try and switch hospital and see who I can talk to about last time too.

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it xx