Vbac or Elective C-Sec - please share your experiences

[Catrinka]

Hi everyone,
Im having a real hard decision between going for vbac or elective with my second and would like to hear some experiences - good and bad!

for context, I had my emergency C-section 7 years ago, so plenty of time to heal?!
she was found to be breach when I was in labour hence the section, but then in the operating room her heart rate plummeted so became an emergency within an emergency if that makes sense ! (Lost of senior people had to rush in, she was delivered very quickly then whisked off to neonatal)

I don’t recall recovery being horrific but wouldn’t say it was easy! I felt helpless unable to get up from hospital bed the first night so the midwifes had to change her nappy etc. I hated the blood thinning injections, and on checkup my wound had actually opened and became infected where I was told I had done too much (carrycots are heavy!!) and told to take it easy- impossible with a new born and husband back at work!

part of me automatically opted for vbac to “get the experience” but as time goes on I’m starting to think it doesn’t matter how they get here, just that they get here so now I’m really torn.

thanks all

Exactly the same position as you so following with interest!

Nothing is guaranteed so has to be personal assessment of risk, and what outcomes you are wanting. VBAC not always possible, just as any vaginal birth comes with uncertainty. Because it starts out on that pathway does not guarantee it won’t turn into emergency section (as you experienced already!) or assisted delivery (forceps etc). In both of these cases, recovery will be significant and often comparable or worse than elective. So, you may be lucky and get textbook VBAC and if you’re prepared to go into it knowing that may not happen then that’s a good route. If you want more certainty or to avoid certain things then planned section offers more (though of course not risk free and nothing in life is guaranteed).

i would always opt for section as I would never, ever consent to induction nor any assisted medical intervention (forceps or ventouse). I’m therefore massively risking things with a vaginal birth given the % that end in either one of these or emergency. I’d rather have planned than emergency so for me planned is best option. Good luck!

To 'miss out' on a vaginal birth?
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/5040559-to-miss-out-on-a-vaginal-birth

From earlier this week

I had VBAC 2.5 years after an emergency c-section (another 3 years after that) and was pleasantly surprised. The healing process was a lot smoother, and I understand there are complications that can arise like tears etc but they also might not happen. I had really big babies and only tore superficially. I found myself more debilitated by the section than by giving birth vaginally. They're a lot quicker to take action if you attempt a VBAC and it's not going the right way so you're not gonna be left for hours waiting.

I had a successful vbac and would opt for it any day over an elective section. My first birth was an elective section as my baby was breech and I found the recovery brutal. My vbac had a few hiccups, I had pressure on my scar which led to me having to get out the pool and be monitored on the bed throughout, but once my waters were broken it was very quick and the waters were actually what was causing the pressure. I had an episiotomy but still found recovery to be a dream in comparison to my first birth. Was out doing the school run and shopping 2 days later! Obviously I was incredibly lucky and it may not go the same way this time (3rd baby due July) but I felt very well looked after and that the midwives were taking action quickly at the first sign of any issues

Do you want a third or fourth baby? If yes, I'd definitely try for vbac as multiple c sections get riskier.

I wanted a vbac after emergency c section first time. I didn't want to be induced as risk of scar rupture and emergency c section increases. I wanted vbac so said I'd go to 41 weeks and then have planned c section if baby hadn't come naturally. Baby was due to be big. Nothing happened so had planned section. During operation baby got stuck and consultant had to be scrubbed in to help deliver. (Babe nearly 10lb) My cut had to be extended. They also said I had a lot of scar tissue that made it difficult to get baby out. Consultant said it was unlikely I would have delivered baby naturally. So I'm glad I went with the section. Recovery was the same. Okay, but not easy. I am glad I didn't have to do labour again. Grateful I don't have any pelvic floor issues. But sad that I didn't get to give birth 'normally'. Felt like I'd failed but have moved passed that now.

Is your baby predicted big? How big was your first baby? Did you go overdue?

I had an EMCS first time and an elcs on Wednesday. I was naively expecting to be up and walking around pain free after a day. Didn't happen. Pain is manageable but with regular painkillers. The surgery itself was lovely but yeah the recovery is hard

Oh and I didn't need the bloody thinners this time so that sss a nice surprise

Thanks everyone.

No this will be final baby. Im 17 weeks so no idea on babies size yet.

I was told daughter was measuring quite big but she was under 8lb in the end. She was exactly a week early. My waters went first, then contractions a good few hours later but then … warning this is gross… I had pure meconium running out of me so straight to c sec - so I havnt been in established labour before- I was like 2cm!

A good long gap and having had your C-section in the early stages both mean less likely to have problem with your wound breaking down which is the main risk factor for VBAC.
Remember you have all the choices.
Your doctor will recommend a highly
Monitored birth on a delivery suite.
However you might decide to have your baby at home, and that's your choice too.

Take the advice of your obstetrician.

Apparently I have a small pelvis and a birconuate uterus which came to light over the years. DC1 was born by c/s after several failed attempts at induction and an urgency to get them out as they'd basically eaten all the placenta! With DC2 I was told that there was a chance of vaginal delivery if the baby was smaller - the baby was nearly 1lb bigger and so was #3.

My kids are all adults now and I could not GAF how they were born!! Trust me, "the experience" really doesn't matter! I wouldn't have cared if they brought them out my nose so long as they were healthy!

I went for the c section after having so many friends have bad tears, after vaginal births. There was a 10% change of a third degree one for a vbac which I wasn’t happy with. My friend had one and said it took almost a year to recover from.
I also didn’t need the blood thinners as had no risks factors so that was great! Apparently an emergency c section was a risk on that tick sheet they have - no idea why, but that meant I had to have them the first time. Elective and no other factors meant not needed second time :)

I had emergency section for DC1 after induction 48 hours after waters bursting, then epidural then progress stopped. So wasn’t a “got to do it now” type section, just needed doing. So was quite relaxed but was a pain not being able to drive or lift much for a few weeks.

After lots of research, I chose VBAC for DC2 though would have gone for section if had needed induction as VBAC then more risky. Was determined not to end up in an epidural spiral of intervention. Needed ventouse right at end but was absolutely right choice for me. Bonded immediately with DC2 (took me weeks with DC1) and was able to pick up toddler and drive which made life much easier. And watching me go through the birth gave DH new respect for me as he knew he wouldn’t have coped - not a good reason to do it but a good side effect!

It makes me sad when I read posters who have been brainwashed to think that a vaginal birth is the 'proper' way to give birth. I've done both and I don't feel any greater sense of achievement for the vaginal ones! Your baby has been grown by you and delivered, that's all that matters. My mum had a still birth and so I've always just been of the opinion whichever way they come out is best at the time. We're all troopers ❤️

I had a VBAC with 22 months between my 1st and 2nd child and had no problems, although I needed an episiotomy with DC2, mostly because I wouldn't push harder as I felt I was going to explode!! I've never had any issues with my c section scar since having DC1.

I had an emergency c-section with no.1 and opted for a ECS with no. 2. Absolutely no regrets. I knew what was coming; recovery was slightly easier the second time round and being able to plan childcare for no.1 beforehand was a relief. I stopped at 2 but if I was thinking of having 3+ then I may have given the VBAC more consideration.

I had a successful and very swift VBAC with DD2, after an EMCS with DD1.

The EMCS with DD1 was because she was small for dates, induced, then went into distress. Issues I didnt have with DD2. Also, I had a normal vaginal delivery previously with DS (first child), so no reason to think I couldn't do it again.

The obstetrician agreed that VBAC was the most sensible approach, as long as I didn't need an induction. DD2 was late, but thankfully arrived under her own steam just 8 days overdue. Plenty of extra monitoring was required, which was a bit of a pain as it restricted me from moving about during the birth, but I'm very glad I didn't need a CS, as dealing with two toddlers and a newborn would have been much harder. Recovery was so much quicker.

I went for VBAC with dc2, ended up with here a crash section under GA

I'm in a similar position to you, but have the added element of my placenta potentially being attached to my scar so until I know if it is I can't make the decision. If it's not, my plan is to turn up for my elective section date, but if it doesn't happen, which is becoming more and more common in my trust that women are in hospital for days waiting, then I'm going to go home and either wait for labour and then hopefully go in for a c section or for a call to come back in electively.
My only thinking with vbac is I think I'll have a mental block and not believe it's going to happen and that I'll need another section anyway. My consultant did say a vbac could be unavoidable if he comes a bit early and took quick to get me in to theatre so I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for both. If I could have a quick problem free vbac guaranteed then I would go for it, but because it's not I'm leaning towards the elective as I've heard very positive things about an elective over emergency