Choosing between VBAC and ELEC stressing me out!

[IndigoAllfruit]

Hi everyone,

Last time I had emergency c section with good recovery. 4 years later pregnant with DC2. Can't decide if I want VBAC or planned c section. The more I read the more I worry about risks of either and get stressed.

I partly want VBAC because I read the positive bacteria reduces risk of asthma etc.. but I really don't want the experience of it. I also worry about baby losing oxygen in VBAC delivery and am scared of tearing (but I guess who isn't). I also worry there's a midwife shortage.

Last time my baby got stuck at 10cm dilated for 9 hours. It wasn't ridiculously painful or traumatic. But I feel for some reason I'll end up with c section anyway and planned is safer that not. DC1 was 8lb3 but very tall and thin, my husband is 6ft2, and I'm 5ft4 very narrow build. DC1 was sideways but they assumed he'd turn and he didn't fully.

Any advice?

I was in a similar position. Had an EMCS with DC1 at 10cm dilated due to malposition (following induction) - baby never moved down my birth canal despite pushing. Had a good recovery so wasn't wedded to a VBAC.

I stressed about what to do with DC2 all the way through my pregnancy. I hoped for a VBAC but was worried about all the things you mentioned so ended up booking a c-section so I had the certainty. I thought that if i went into spontaneous labour and the baby was in a good position, I'd give it a go.

In the end, that's what i got. Dc2 arrived a week early and very quickly so there was no time for anything other than a VBAC. It couldn't have been more straightforward and was quick because I'd got to 10cm the first time. I did have some stitches for second degree tears but they haven't caused any issues.

It's so personal and difficult - you'll never know what the right decision is until baby arrives. I'd made my peace beforehand with a VBAC going "wrong" and with a ELCS meaning a ELCS for any potential future DC and the complications that might mean.

Good luck!

I am in the situation as you I had a emergency c section 5 years ago , and now pregnant with 3rd and now deciding what I want , I've been doing the same reading a lot about it the risks and other things , it's making me think loads I have a growth scan at 32 weeks and then talk shout my birth their and then . I would love a VBAC as I have children and school runs but im the same worried if something goes wrong , and c section scar, was you told about uterine rupture and all that ? Xx

Thanks, it's 4 years and my scar has healed so well so risk of rupture thought to be low. I think all risks are higher with emcs than planned but for me vbac carries overall lower risks. Baby is measuring average to slightly large like last time so there's not thought to be a risk there either.

Edging towards vbac now due to potentiate quicker recovery and possible benefits to baby (though these arent completly understood). Also i got to 10cm last time and it wasnt particularly painful or traumatic. So going to double check risks on emergency vs planned section.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I'm in a not dissimilar situation in that I laboured with my first (although only to 4cm) then ended up with a c-section which I recovered from fairly easily and just wondering what you decided and what actually happened in the end @IndigoAllfruit?