3rd Child Birth Options

[Dobbysocks]

Weird one as I am not pregnant but husband and I are discussing ttc for a 3rd. Interested to hear from mums of 3 who had a VBAC after two sections.

First - fully dilated crash, emergency section. Red button pushed and both myself and baby at risk of loss of life.

Second - planned c section due to birth trauma from the above. However, poor healing as infection and haematoma.

My question is whether you think it would be viable to try for a VBAC if we conceived a 3rd or too unsafe? It’s such a big operation I’d like to avoid if possible due to the physical and emotional trauma that can ensue. Though I’m well aware from child one the best laid plans may go awry.

Not the same but we are TTC a third and I think I would opt for a ELCS because I had an EMCS with my second and I would fear that a VBAC would ultimately end in an EMCS and then you get the worst of both options. But I’ve always thought if I do get pregnant I’d discuss it with the consultant and ultimately see what they say on what is the safest option.

I had a VBAC with my 2nd. It wasn't easy. It was like giving birth for the first time as I didn't dilate much with DC1.

Based on the way the midwives and doctors approached me so sensitively during my VBAC as if I was a ticking time bomb, I think if it was a VBAC after 2 CS, they probably wouldn't have allowed me to do it.

I'd recommend a VBAC though. Amazing experience (at least in my case) at the end. Easier post birth recovery too.

The docs would be nervy AF. You wouldn’t be induced, too unsafe. First sniff of trouble they’d have you on the table anyway

Similar situation, so following with interest

I'm leaning towards a TOLAC and would go for the c section at the first signs things weren't progressing

Yes this is why I went elective second time around. However, I found all consultants very dismissive towards my actual feelings. I wanted a more controlled birth. Most (all male) consultants told me to just go VBAC as I was fully dilated first time around and said it was likely to be successful due to that.

They did say I’d have to be continually monitored for a VBAC when I was weighing up options after my first section.

I don’t think they can actually refuse your birth choice to be honest. Just heavily guide you based on risk.

Yes I agree that there would be little tolerance and probably a quicker route to section. Hoping if I did go down that route should I conceive that I wouldn’t need induction. I went into labour naturally first time around. My issue was my body was, and I quote, ‘too efficient’. I had a precipitous labour where I dilated from 3-10cms in 13 mins sans any pain relief.

Yes, "heavily guide is you" is correct, though still putting it lightly.

The continuous monitoring was annoying, but a minor inconvenience in comparison to pressure. I don't want to dissuade VBACs, I actually encourage it. Just saying it will be very difficult, because not only will the healthcare professionals be on edge, but you will be too.

If you want to have more than 3 then try for a VBAC. If you think it will be your last pregnancy, then I'm not entirely sure it's worth it.

OP, have you ever had a conversation with a midwife about it? I think most hospitals offer a postpartum debrief that you can book to talk about your childbirth experience, go through your notes, and discuss these questions about future birth options.

I did this a few months after my first was born, as it was an emergency C-section and my baby was born small for gestational age, something that hadn't been picked up at all during antenatal care. My midwife asked if I had thought about whether I'd be interested in a VBAC in future pregnancies, and that she didn't see anything in my notes that would indicate I couldn't try for one.

I'm now pregnant with second and inclined to go for elective cesearean, but found that chat useful.

I had an ELCS and was really nervous beforehand as I'd heard the recovery is really bad. My recovery was fine though and I think its because (a) I had a really great surgeon (make sure you choose a great hospitals with great reviews - I was lucky being in london so could choose chelse and westminster), and (b) ELCS is much less traumatic to the body than emergency CS - they can take their time to do the surgery, so less ripping etc. I asked them to do "gentle" caesarian so I guess the surgery was especially slow, which might have also helped with the healing. As with all surgeries, the skill of the individual surgeon you have makes a huge difference to your recovery - if you choose ELCS ask if the consultant can do the surgery themselves and give mental health as the reason

I found my elective a bit of a mixed bag. I was hugely traumatised from my emergency section but physically healed very well and my scar was virtually invisible beyond a small line.

With my elective I don’t feel the surgical team was anywhere near as skilled and, although calmer, I felt there were more issues that cropped up. (Or perhaps I was more aware than first time around when fighting for my life)

They attempted to site the spinal around 9 times. I had so many marks on my back from this and numbness for a few weeks after. Had to scan my back in the end to do it. Had issues with recovery and my scar is totally uneven and tethered/puckered on one side and wasn’t joined together properly on the side I ended up with the infection on. It’s also a second scar rather than them using the first one. So lots of reasons I’d like to avoid another section if I ever end up in the position of needing to make a choice, on top of the physical demand.

Annoyingly my consultant from first time around who did my emergency op wasn’t with the same hospital second time around and was half way across the country!

If you had a precipitous labour with your first, would they even let you get to the point of going into labour naturally? And with 2 sections I'm not sure if induction would even be on the cards?

I was heavily encouraged to have a VBAC without induction for my second so it was definitely an option last time around, having already had the precipitous labour, to go into natural labour. Granted, one section only at that stage though.

But yes I highly doubt any form of induction would be allowed.

Poor you, that sounds like a horrendous experience, really sorry to hear you went through that! Not surprised at all that you don't want to have another CS! The most important of all is that you feel confident in the team who is caring for you, do you have a choice of hospitals/consultant where you're located? I know in smaller cities there usually isn't a choice but in larger cities there may be?