VBAC or C section

[WelshMammy123]

Hi,

I know that there have likely been lots of threads about this very topic but I'm hugely conflicted on what to do and so would welcome any thoughts or reflections on own experiences.

DD was born by emergency section after induction failed. Recovery was really hard and the pain was pretty intense. I was exhausted, didn't get to hold DD or do skin to skin (as I pretty much fell straight to sleep) and then found feeding hard (tbf DD had a bad tongue tie so this would probably of been the case irrespective of how she had arrived).

In 2016 I had a tfmr, I gave birth to DD2 at 16 weeks gestation. I went through labour which was very painful but very empowering. The outcome was tragically sad but we knew that would be the case as I would not be delivering a baby we would be taking home.

I'm now 29 weeks pregnant with DD3 and my thoughts have turned to how she will arrive. I absolutely don't want to be induced nor do I want an emergency section. I have no faith though in my body to deliver a safe, healthy baby. I'm hugely conflicted whether to opt for a planned section or to try for a VBAC.

The major thought I have is whether I will regret not trying the VBAC if I don't do it this time. My bond with DD is fantastic and so I'm not worried about bonding with my daughter but I do want skin to skin and to be able to feed her straight away. I don't want to look back and regret my decision and so am just interested in knowing how others have felt and whether anyone has regretted the decision they made? Thanks x

An ELCS is a very different procedure. I'm also 29 weeks and will be having one in about ten weeks time. I'm going to ask them to lower the sheet slightly so that I can see them lift DC2 out, and I'm going to ask to hold her (with DH helping) while they stitch me up.

DC1 was EMCS after a failed induction and DC2 ELCS because there it was obvious to me that my body just wasn't going to labour as required. If I had my time again the only thing I'd change would be to refuse the induction and go straight to a CS. I loved my deliveries.

An elective is much more sedate - it was enjoyable, a lovely atmosphere in theatre, immediate skin to skin, DH cut the cord, photos in theatre, breastfeeding in recovery.

I know each birth is different though and you've been through a tough time

Perhaps look on Which? for VBAC success rates at your local delivery unit and try the RCOG website for risks/benefits of each method. Personally, I went with the delivery which had the risks I was happy to take and which also I felt was achievable. Good luck

Thank you both for your responses. I think I need to read up a bit more on ELCS as my (limited) knowledge at the moment is based very much on my experience of my EMCS - I hadn't appreciated that they were very different. I just don't want to regret the decision. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts - it's really helpful x