VBAC or C-Section?

[Zeeha]

Hi all. I'm really torn with what is best to plan for. I had an emergency c section with my daughter 15m ago. There were complications in removing her and the internal incision was extended either side so it looks a trap door. This means my internal scar is weakened and more at risk than a normal c section scar for opening up and rupturing.

I was told to wait a year before becoming pregnant again, which I did. I'm now 15+3 so due in early May. I was originally dead set on wanting to try for a VBAC as I've always liked the idea of labouring naturally (I reached 9cm last time) and also to avoid the recovery of a c section.

I had a painful recovery from the emergency c section. Just when I started to feel better after a few months, I suddenly was practically paralysed for weeks with severe pain and muscle weakness all over my body. A neurologist diagnosed this as being due to referred pain caused from the trauma of the birth, hence you can see why I'd want to avoid a repeat performance!

We are also hoping for future children, so I'm wary of multiple scars by opting for a elective c section, but the risks involved for my scar opening already are quite scary.

Currently this baby's placenta is completely covering my cervix, which is what made me first realise I may be left with no option other than an elective c section if it doesn't move up. This then brought up the levels of risk involved with each option, so I am now considering an elective c section and I'm very torn between this and attempting a VBAC which may ultimately fail and end in another emergency c section!

What would you be thinking at this stage? Help please!

heya! So I get your keenness to avoid another C. My first was an unplanned c and I was devastated and I knew this would impact future choices about another pregnancy. For baby 2 I went through the whole VBAC consultation and they gave me the go ahead (although I asked for birth centre and was told I was labouring against medical guidelines). I got to 9cm without pain relief and then baby was very distressed and poorly and everyone rushed to my room and immediately they put me in for a crash section under GA.

as I was going under I was delirious and begging to let them give me my chance of a VBAC (im glad they didn’t my baby would have died). I was so relieved she was okay eventually. But fuck me I was again devastated at another c section.

im now expecting my third and reluctantly accepting it’s got to be another c section. I get your fed up ness!! I really do. But honestly I would just go with what your consultant advises

I had a wonderful VBAC and it was a very healing experience for me. But I did think long and hard about having an elective C-section, mainly to avoid the disappointment if I tried and it didn't work out. That said, I didn't have the complications that you have. First of all I would wait to see if your placenta moves. If it doesn't, you won't have any choice and so you may as well make your peace with having another C-section. If it does move and a VBAC becomes an option, talk to your consultant and see what they recommend.

Hi OP, I recently posted the same in the childbirth topic if you want to have a look at some of the opinions on there. I had an ELCS due to baby’s positioning and also considering a VBAC this time, much like you I had a rubbish recovery, some set backs and I couldn’t think of anything worse with another child to care for this time round.

I’m going to speak to my consultant and maybe security a section for 40 weeks and opt for that if I haven’t went into labour myself before then.

Childbirth is so unpredictable it’s impossible to decide what’s best x