Anyone had a surprise VBAC after planning an elective c-section?

[auntyspan]

Hi all

I'm 32 weeks and after a rather horrible birth ending in an emergency c-section, I've opted for an elective with DD2. However, the close I'm getting to my due date the more i think I might be early, and go into spontaneous labour. I'm scared of this happening (DD1 was big, she never engaged) but also very aware of the difference the recovery period would be if I was to have a VBAC.

Anyone got any stories?

Bumping for you.

Not sure that everyone's experiences will be the same but my Mum and MIL both had vaginal births and caesareans with different children and both say the recovery after a normal delivery was much quicker and easier than with a caesarean. I'm sure this isn't the case for everyone and obviously times have changed! Just thought I'd add their opinion.

I recovered faster from my em cs than some of the girls in my NCT class who had vaginal births, but you just can't generalise.
Are you a long way from the hospital - would you not get there in time? I am booked in for planned CS and live an hour from the hospital. I'm just working on the basis that unless I progress seriously quickly then I'll still be there in plenty of time for a cs.

happened to a friend of mine several years ago.

She'd had a horrendous first birth, resultsing in EMCS. Was booked in for an elective.

She went into labour, got to the hospital, but the couldn't get her in straight away (other EMCS's in progress) - her labour progressed very quickly and she ended up delivery her 10lb+ baby via VBAC

Never heard of it happening to anyone else though.

I had an emCS with my DS1 and chose an elective for DD as I was too scared of having a natural delivery, even tho0ugh I really wanted to.

When I found out I was pregnant again I decided that I wanted to have the natural delivery this time as it would be my last chance as it were.

I got a good, supportive doula, got the most proactive consultant on board and had a fantastic spontaneous labour and laboured on gas and air. I needed a little hlep with forceps in the end, but it was a very positive experience and exorcised the ghosts of my horrible labour and birth with DS1.

My recovery was so much better, although I was laid low with severe anaemia, I still felt better than after my elective and was up and about as normal after only a week or so rather than the five weeks from before. bubbaluv makes a good point though. My recovery after my emCS was pretty good (although i was younger and fitter then) and better than a friend who had a third degree tear with lots of stitches recently.

If your DD was big and never engaged, have you been checked this time for pelvic disproportion?

Also, if you are booked in for an elective and then go into spontaneous labour, you can still have your section, although you'll be prioritised after any current emergencies, unless considered an emergency yourself (hence the question about disproportion as this would make you more of a priority).