VBAC or ELCS

[schafernaker]

So I’ve got my decision to make. At the start of my pregnancy I was all for a VBAC (post EMCS due to failed induction at 33 weeks for iugr baby).

I’m seeing the consultant this week and she would like to have a decision on if I would like an ELCS. I know under no circumstances I would consent to being induced due to an awful experience last time.

However I’m now really undecided (mainly due to the corona changes) as to whether to have a VBAC or ELCS.

Pros VBAC:
Faster recovery
I wanted a vaginal delivery last time
Better for baby’s lungs etc

Pros ELCS
Can plan
Can give some control to the current chaos
Childcare for DD easily sorted.

So hit me with your thoughts, pros and cons. I’m honestly open to either option at the moment

I had an EMCS at 42 weeks with my first after three days labour. I did receive hormone drip for last 24 h and got to pushing but baby was very stuck and stargazing so EMCS it was. It was a difficult recovery with ongoing pain several months later so I opted to try for vbac with my second in hope of a better recovery. To be honest it was a decision that caused me so much angst over the course of that pregnancy as I couldn’t help but think the same thing would happen again. However I was assured that as I’d got to 10 cm first time, even if with the drip, that I had a good chance and there was no saying baby would be in same position. Roll on 41+4 and I’ve been in labour 3 days with awful contractions yet no feeling of momentum towards pushing. After a few midwife checks in the community and a sweep I eventually got admitted and was still only 2 cm. I requested a EMCS at that point. Baby was in exact same position and really stuck. I was told again I’d have never got it out on my own.

I was really proud of myself after, it felt like the hardest few days I had ever been through and I knew that I’d always know I had given things my best shot. However, would I do it differently given the choice again? Yes, absolutely. I was utterly exhausted and the toll on my MH those months of pregnancy wondering if I’d made the right decision were not to be taken lightly. I’m pregnant again and will be getting an ELCS this time. I feel a lot calmer about things than I did last time, COVID not excepting!! I wish you good luck with your decision, it’s not easy but you have to think of yourself and feeling in control and content with your decision 😊

If it was me I'd personally go in for a planned section.
They are much calmer then emergency ones and I've heard people have much better recoveries.
However I'm basing this on having a failed 5 day induction where I didn't get any sleep, was almost delusional by the time they decided I needed an emergency section at 2am in the morning and the fact nothing seemed to go right for us after.
Breastfeeding didn't work, we were readmitted coz of babies weight loss- she was a lazy feeder and just wasn't interested!
It took me so long to recover that this time I'm having a planned section for my second due in 3 weeks.
Obviously my experience isn't a great one so this time I want control. I honestly don't believe I would have a successful VBAC, and it's not like I can just abandon my daughter for days whilst I try.
This way I can sort child care, know she's well looked after. My husband can sort time off work and I know what I'm getting myself in to.
Plus I've had horrendous SPD for months and where my pain is, they physio I've been seeing said it's highly likely I'll do more damage if I try a VBAC and then that will take much longer to recover from and I don't want that!