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Original poster

Can’t decide on elective or VBAC

32 replies

Polly5678 · 03/10/2021 15:24

I’m pretty sure this topic has been done to death but wanted opinions on my personal situation to help me make up my mind please!!

Due baby no 2 in 4 weeks time after an EMCS with DD1 nearly 4 years ago. Was induced at 12 days over with DD1 with syntocin. Got to fully dilated but my daughters heart rate started to suffer so whisked off for EMCS. Found recovery pretty tough after 24hrs in labour. DD1 brought to SCBU overnight for oxygen and suspected sepsis. She didn’t have sepsis but was hypoglycaemic and we weren’t able to leave the hospital until she was drinking a certain amount of milk. Took me a long time to come to terms with the birth.

Fast forward 4 years later I’m still trying to decide between an elective and a VBAC. Consultant has said I have a 60% chance of successful VBAC but I’m terrified of things going wrong again. I don’t have any desire to experience a vaginal birth and I’m only considering a VBAC because recovery is supposedly better? I’m slightly leaning towards an elective because better the devil you know?! But am I mad to go through major surgery again?!

Trying to make a decision is keeping me up at night and I’m really stressing about it.

What would you do in my circumstances?

OP posts:

kalidasa · 03/10/2021 15:29

Everyone I know who's had an elective (not emergency) section seems to have a good, calm experience. I had straightforward births and even quite enjoyed them in a way but in your circs I think I'd probably have the elective. 60% is not that high and presumably if you try and it doesn't work it means another emergency section after labour, which is what you want to avoid.

Helenmumoftw0 · 03/10/2021 15:38

@Polly5678 as the pp said everyone who has an elective seems to rave about it, I have had 2 natural delivery's but haemorrhaged severely with my second and have been recommend an elective with my 3rd to lower the risk as my uterus doesn't contract after carrying a big baby, being forced to go into labour and pushing the big baby out!

In all honesty its my worst fear so iv watched multiple videos and done so much research! The fact people are up and out the hospital the next day (in a bit of pain and on meds obviously) shocked me because after my son I was forced to stay in bed for 24 hours and then monitored after to! Seems like a breeze compared to my last experience 😂

shivbo2014 · 03/10/2021 16:44

I had an emergency and then an elective.I had an emcs with my 1st due to failure to progress. I was 100% sure the second time I wanted an elective as I didn't want to go through it all again and have another emergency. I really liked my elective the procedure was nice and relaxing and I was well rested as it hadn't all been a big rush. Recovery was fine,although I probably found it a bit harder than my 1st, maybe as I had my older daughter to look after and I took on a bit more than I should have. I'm expecting my 3rd now and will definitely have another section.

PunchyPaprika · 03/10/2021 20:06

I'm one of those who had an elective with my first and raves about it. It was a great experience for me - calm, relaxed, quick and painless. I also recovered really well and very quickly. I'm 17 weeks now with my second DC and won't even consider a VBAC. Another ELCS is definitely on the cards. Just hope it's as straightforward as last time 🤞🏼

GinnyBee · 03/10/2021 21:01

60% are not odds I'd like to gamble with! But I'm already thinking I'd like to have elective with my first, and not even attempt vaginal delivery.

In my reasoning, there are three possible outcomes of a vaginal delivery:

All goes well
Slight complications happen and you may need forceps / tearing
Emergency cesarean

An overwhelming majority of my friends have had 2. and a couple ended up in scenario 3. Not one has had an easy, smooth experience where nothing went wrong.

Whilst with an elective there are fewer variables. I know it's a major surgery and there are always risks, but to me it seems like the chances of it going as planned are higher than with a natural delivery.

Harlequin1088 · 03/10/2021 21:40

Go for the elective. Nobody is handing out medals for pushing your baby out of your fanjo. If you had a traumatic time last time then had to have an emergency section, it's absolutely understandable that you are going to be anxious this time round. Going for the elective removes that anxiety and the constant "what if X or Y goes wrong" going round your head. It might mean also that you actually enjoy the arrival of your little one this time. Wishing you all the best whatever you decide ☺️

MissM2912 · 03/10/2021 21:43

Have a read up on the microbiome- a vaginal delivery has significant long term health benefits to the baby which they don’t get with a section.

MissM2912 · 03/10/2021 21:44

www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02807-x

Hercisback · 03/10/2021 21:45

Almost exactly the same birth as you first time and I went ELCS at 41 weeks. Gave me chance to go into labour 'naturally' but the back up was there. I had the ELCS and it was amazing. So so much different to the emergency.

Tickly · 03/10/2021 21:45

Ive only had one elective (two vaginal) and it was excellent. Smooth recovery and very calm.

mrssunshinexxx · 03/10/2021 21:50

Very surprised you have been given 60% success rate when you dilated to 10cm plus your babies heart rate going erratic is not something that is likely to happen to next baby. I would and am going for vbac in 4 weeks after an emc last year the recovery was awful and I am hoping for a smooth vaginal birth , quicker recovery I can't bare the idea of not being able to pick up my toddler for weeks

Theflying19 · 03/10/2021 21:50

I had emergency section for dc1 as baby got stuck, heart rate dropped etc, tried forceps, ventouse, epidural didn't take quickly enough do had to have emergency general - baby ended up very sleepy, couldn't feed, lost weight, spent a week in hospital desparately trying to establish feeding.
Then had normal vb for the next 2 births. Obstetrician was cautious and wanted to book me in for planned c section for next birth. But midwife reassured me there was no physiological reason not to have normal delivery.
Recovery after section took much longer (plus no driving). Although stitches after tear with number 3 not so pleasant .

What does your midwife say?

needtogetfit21 · 03/10/2021 22:07

I was in the same dilemma as you but the consultants were more in favour for an elective so that's what I decided in the end. However before I got to the elective date my contractions started. They didn't have any theatre space so kept me overnight and then the following morning when they assessed me, his heart rate was low so they whisked me off straight away for an emcs

Pizzalover77 · 03/10/2021 22:20

I would go elective, don't stress yourself out. I had my second section 4 months ago and so glad I went for it.

Original poster

Polly5678 · 03/10/2021 22:21

Thank you all very much for your comments. My midwife and consultant haven’t tried to sway me either way and have made it clear that the decision lies with me.

I also only know one person who’s had a textbook (although painful) birth! Everyone else I know has tore, had an instrumental delivery or a csection. I’m not sure how well I’ll cope emotionally if I give a vaginal birth a try and it ends ups in an emergency with another baby in SCBU but then a small part of me thinks what if I miss out on having wonderful VBAC!

If I do have another section my daughter is 4 so she won’t need picking up and will have an understanding that she needs to be careful.

It’s a tough decision but appreciate all your comments

OP posts:

Wedowonder · 03/10/2021 22:55

In your circumstances I would choose an elective

Hmumoftw0 · 04/10/2021 22:09

@Polly5678 I had a wonderful vaginal birth with my son, I was induced but only had gas & air, felt totally in control until the transition stage but still delivered him fine no tearing was exactly what I wanted, then I haemorrhaged and ended up in theatre thinking I was going to die, so although it was lovely a section is my safest option so I'm running with it 😆

SaraKitty · 05/10/2021 20:13

I had an ELCS after a traumatic induction on my 1st, it’s great that you fully dilated and the heart rate was likely down to the induction . There is a high chance all would be straight forward without an induction and on your second , your body knew what to do . However it depends how raw your trauma is. For me I had my second 18months after my 1st. The choice of ELCS was the right decision for me at that time . Recovery was fine - better than my first time (episiotomy + episiotomy repair + sepsis). Now I am pregnant with my third , it will be 3.5 years since my ELCS when I give birth . I plan to try for a VBAC but I’ve had time to get over my experience . I would like to try and experience a spontaneous birth for my final child . Just because I haven’t had it before and I’m consultant led this time so feel extra support. However , If they tell me I need induction I will 100% get an ELCS ! Go with your gut , I didn’t regret my decision

mayblossominapril · 05/10/2021 20:20

I got to 7 cm with my first then an emcs at 42 weeks as his head was too big to exit. I booked an elcs for my second as I didn’t want a repeat long labour going no where.
Dd had other ideas and I started at 38 weeks refused a cs and gave labour a go. It was a straight forward labour just needed an episiotomy. Dd was smaller but only just small enough to exit.
I don’t regret booking the Elcs or choosing to VBAC but I was lucky that it was straight forward

Treacletoots · 05/10/2021 20:22

I really really don't understand why women wish to try for a VBAC. I'm sure the only reason midwives push for it is either a job protection racket or saving money.

As another user said upthread, you don't get a medal for pushing a baby out of your vagina. If you've got a safer, easier, calmer and all together better alternative available, grab it with both hands and don't think twice.

I had an ELCS with DD as she turned breech and I thank my lucky stars she did. The midwives wouldn't even entertain a conversation about it, which I find pretty disgusting. It's not their decision yet they seem to think they are the gatekeepers.

My ELCS was calm, quick and pain free with no recovery issues. Compare that to a lot of women in my group who had a much, much worse experience with their 'natural' birth. It's not worth the risk when there's a better option.

Twizbe · 05/10/2021 20:33

I don't know anyone who was pushed to try a VBAC.

Everyone I know who face the choice went for an elective section. For all of them the recovery was better than the emergency one they had first.

I had two beautiful vaginal births so for me it's vaginal birth all the way BUT if I was you, I'd do the elective.

fobfan · 05/10/2021 20:48

ELCS for sure! 60% doesn't fill me with confidence to be honest.

I am biased because I was booked in for a maternal request CS for mental health reasons. My son was born prematurely and vaginally and it was a good experience actually (!) - BUT if there is a next time I will definitely request a CS again.

mrssunshinexxx · 05/10/2021 21:00

@Treacletoots and I really really
Don't understand why people make out like major surgery is an easy option. It is also better for the baby to be pushed through the birth canal.

SC22 · 05/10/2021 23:08

[quote mrssunshinexxx]@Treacletoots and I really really
Don't understand why people make out like major surgery is an easy option. It is also better for the baby to be pushed through the birth canal. [/quote]
Its better for baby if it's straight forward, which is not always the case as we all know.

OP if my odds for successful VBAC were 60% I'd book a ELCS.

mrssunshinexxx · 06/10/2021 12:39

@SC22 both 'can' come with major risks

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