VBAC vs Elective Section

[winterbabyrose]

Currently ttc for #2, and already thinking about the next birth due to a traumatic first birth. Just wondering what your experiences were if you went for a VBAC?

For context, with DD (now 16mo) I had a very low risk uneventful pregnancy, no issues or worries. I went into labour naturally at 41+1, I was 4cm by the time I got to the hospital and moved onto the midwife led unit and was aiming for a hypnobirth with nothing but gas and air if needed. I got to 8cm and my waters still hadn't gone, so the midwife broke them for me. After that, all hell broke loose and my body was trying to push DD out even though it physically wasn't ready, causing my cervix to swell and I actually went from 8cm back down to 6cm. We also found out she had moved and was back to back. They gave me the opioid injection for the pain, as it was too late for an epidural and as my body was pushing but I wasn't dilated enough they were giving me injections to slow the labour down, as they were worried. As DD's heart rate was dropping it was then decided that it would be a Cat 1 EMCS. From first contraction to her birth it was approx 14 hours.

Due to the nature of how bad the labour went, it affected me mentally for quite a few months and I had to leave the room when we had people over to meet her and DH was explaining to them how it all went. I couldn't hear it. It was so hard knowing with every involuntary push my body did, it was hurting DD and I couldn't do anything about it.

Anyway, now we have started ttc for #2, its all flooding back, so my instinct is telling me that I would have to do an ELCS next time purely so I don't have to go into labour and it will be more 'controlled' I guess. But then on the other hand I feel a little robbed of the opportunity to have a natural birth. My discharge notes from DDs birth state I am eligible for a VBAC for the next pregnancy.

Sorry for the long read, but if you are still here, what were your experiences of a VBAC and was it successful or did it end up in a CS?

Just to add, DD is perfectly healthy and never had any issues following the birth thank god. But they were worried at the time. I lost a bit more blood than they'd of liked, but nothing in the worrying realms.

I'm so sorry to hear you had that traumatic experience. It sounds as if an intervention led to your c-section, perhaps the midwife should have left your waters alone and allowed your body to labour naturally.
A sweep ruptured my waters for my vbac and I didn't progress into labour even after 36 hours. It was the intervention that caused my failed vbac, so for my subsequent births I allowed no interventions at all and had two natural births. I'm aiming for my 3rd vba2c in November. If you and baby are both well, there is no to accept interventions, trust your body. There is nothing more healing than a natural birth in it's own time 🤗

Hi OP
I read this and had to respond as my labour 3 months ago went exactly the same way.
Uneventful, low risk pregnancy. Got to 6cm dilated at home. Went into hospital and immediately felt my body shut down. Midwife in the birth center at Stepping Hill ignored my birth wishes and nagged to break my waters even though there was no medical need. I eventually gave in and let her after staying at 6cm for 12 hrs, then 3 hrs later was in theatre having an emcs because my cervix was swollen and became 'an edema'. I was in so much pain and so worried about my precious baby that I would have agreed to anything at that point.
I am absolutely traumatised and having PTSD symptoms. Been referred to perinatal mental health.
I am convinced that if I was allowed to labour naturally then it all would have been fine and it was breaking my waters that wrecked my labour. My contractions became so unnaturally strong and were slamming babies head against my cervix. I feel like everyone in the hospital was just horrid to my baby having no patience for her, not trusting her and forcing her out when she wasn't ready.
I can't believe this happened to you too.
I wanted 3 children and I am already worrying about risks to my future babies because of my now scarred uterus.
It's heartbreaking. I feel you.

My baby girl also ended up back to back despite being LOA all pregnancy. I literally can't believe how similar our labours were. Apart from with mine they didn't even try opioid injection or anything. Just went straight to emcs.