VBAC

[Boblina]

Hi there am I the only one here who is not sure about VBAC? I think it would be lovely and I am def considering it because of the better recovery time and well I would be able to do more with my 2 year old DS (emergency c at 33 weeks). But not sure about the pain, the internal, you know the long labour, possible cut, forceps. I know that I am sounding like a total wimp and I probably am, but how do you deal with it. How can you all be so sure that you want a VBAC? What makes you want it? Sorry, I just want to, I don't know what I want really. Just thought I would write it down and see.

paz1 - I'd love to say there was something that helped, but my sneaking suspicion is that it was mainly luck. Like SingingBear's DD, my DD was firmly tangled up in her cord - wrapped round neck and foot. So she spent about 3 days bouncing up and down with contractions doing no good until a C-section for distress. Only dilated about 3cm with her. No such issues with DS, so he came out pretty straightforwardly. I was pretty openminded about epidurals, but I was fully dilated with DS before I got to thinking abou having one - it all went pretty fast. Both mine were pretty average 7-8lb. So all I can say is good luck!

Hi - am resurrecting thread as this is still playing on my mind. Boblina and Paz1 -are either of you any further along in making your decision?

I personally have no overwhelming urge to experience natural childbirth and for that reason cannot help but think that elec cs again would be a great option for me.

At the moment....after lurching backwards and forwards between the options and trying to find out as much about both as poss I think I am swinging much more towards choosing an elec cs than VBAC. I feel that for me personally it is probably the right way to go. Have got an appointment with consultant at beginning of Sept where he'll probably try and talk me out of it .... again. And another appointment in October with consultant midwife to discuss VBAC ... so i guess...am not really any further towards a proper decision or at least....anyone agreeing with me. Will see how consultant apptmt goes and hopefully manage to get through this one without bursting into tears....again! Boblina - how about you?

Hi Paz1

I am quite fortunate, my consultant is not pushing me either way. In his opinion, the circumstances that occured before need not happen again, therefore (as things stand) it is entirely my choice. Of course, I could get to 32-34 weeks and that could change.

The only things he has said about VBAC are that
a) they wouldnt induce if I went overdue, do if that happened, it would have to be a csection
b) They are more likely to intervene earlier in a natural labour if things start to slow.

When talking about my csection recovery last time, he said it had been a very good recovery, so that could be something to take into account.

I need some brutal honest facts from more of my friends about labour...because I did csection, no one has really shared in any level of detail how their labours really were and how their 'bits' are after the labour.

The collegue I was talking to yesterday - her sister had a fantastic natural delivery but she says that nothing is the same down below, not the same feelings or the same tightness. Sorry if TMI.

And that is where I sway right back to elec cs. I already have the scar, my bits are intact and ok - it took me 2-3 weeks to recover after csection last time, but that was it.

Sorry for the long post...for me this is still quite premature as am only 18 weeks, but pregnancy has flown by so far so thought I should start to give more thought to the matter.

hi.i'm new to the forum..but with regards to this thread..i'm expecting my fourth..after 3 previous sections..my consultant said the reason he can't give me a definative answer is due to the fact that most women continue with c-sections..rather than birth..ive told that i wish for a vbac..if poss..basically i think from what ive researched,is that most consultants are not willing to take the "risk" of a vbac..so play it safe..if you are not happy with a consultants opinion..you are allowed to change consultant.,and ask for a second opinion.

Hi I still don't know what to do. I think that the idea of VBAC is not so scary as long as I can have an epidural. But I know that there are no garantees about that. I still don't feel the urge or anything to have a natural birth but I am still trying to find out what would be best for me. I would still like to hear from people and their experiences. I really need to make a decision and do what is best for me and my DS

Hi Boblina - how far along are you? have you discussed your options yet with the mw?

You may find that your hospital or consultant may sway your decision anyway depending on their policy.

If the reasons for the emergency cs last time are ones which are unlikely to present again, many hospitals encourage you to try VBAC.

This webpage is usful as it talks about the different scenarios that are likely to make a Vbac more successful, such as how far/whether you laboured before, and how far dilated you got to. It may help you decide what to do.

I'm still hoping for mine in November!

Paz1 why would you only be allowed 2 c sections, I thought it was 3?
Im really nervous now. I had emerg CS with 1st and am now 22 weeks and keeping an open mind. I was very high risk last time so Im being treated as high risk this time even though , so far, there's nothing wrong > reaches out, touches wood!
I have no idea what will happen and will do whatever they advise near the end, secretly would love to have natural birth though. I didn't know there were more risks with second section, why is that?

Thanks, I am now 29 weeks. I am being classed as very high risk for a number of reasons. Obviously each pregnancy is different but doctors are not saying whether or not they think I may have another early birth. So I assume that they don't think it is likely, but at the same time I shall be discussing my plan in a couple of weeks. So may be. I think I shall see what my consultant thinks. It will be interesting to see. Still I must say that the thought of VBAC is very scary indeed. It does worry me.

Hi, all, I have read this thread a few weeks ago but not contributed as I felt I was maybe TOO biased .

I was keen for VBAC for DS3's delivery for all the usual practical reasons: quicker recovery, mainly, and quicker to go home. Long story short, I had a very positive experience and am hoping to repeat it for DS4 (currently 12 weeks...).

I was lucky that my consultant left choice up to me and as I had a previous (induced) vaginal birth and an emCS (which was NOT a horrible experience, entirely necessary and DS2 would not be here otherwise) I did have the advantage of previous precendent.

I think previous posters on here have made a very valid post that of course all of us wanting a VBAC are hoping for good vaginal delivery and not a drawn out nightmare ending in a huge tear. I suppose having delivered a normal sized baby vaginally before helped my decision making, and also the thought that women have delivered like this since the dawn of time, trite, I know, but it did reassure me.

Equally, I can see huge arguments FOR a nice planned calm elCS. So I really think unless there are significant medical factors, it is very much a personal choice.

If after your delivery, you are happy with how things went, you and your babe are healthy and well, then surely that is all that matter, non?
Good luck to you all .

Paz1 and Boblina

I saw my consultant again this week and we discussed VBAC vs elec cs again (although am only 20 weeks so is still a little early). As things are right now, he is still happy for me to have VBAC or elec cs but stressed that the decision couldnt be finalised until much further along (more like 36 weeks), unless of course I decide to go the elective route - in which case is a done decision.

I asked him about the increased risk to me (as have read that the more csections you have, the higher risk of complications are to the mother). He talked me through the main one and tbh it isnt that big a deal for me not to want an elec cs.

He did say without a shadow of doubt that an uncomplicated vaginal delivery is far better for the mother than a csection, but as we all keep saying, we have no idea what our deliveries will be like.

So I am 99.9% sure that elec cs is the route for me. How are you both getting on with making your decision?

I read a book about VBAC that contained case studies this one and found it quite interesting. The writer is very geared towards VBAC but it is the case studies that are very interesting. They describe all sorts of VBAC from uncomplicated to really complicated - so gives you a full picture of VBAC