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Original poster

VBAC - pros and cons - advice needed

31 replies

negrilbaby · 20/02/2010 15:02

Had DS two years ago and underwent an emergency cs. Long labour, big baby and exhausted mother! DC2 due in July and am really wanting to push for an elective cs. Has anyone else been through this - if so what did you do and was it the right choice? Really am interested in others' experiences around this.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 20/02/2010 15:06

I had a emsc for dc1 then 2 vbacs.

Vbac for me.

MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 20/02/2010 15:17

VBAC for me too - the main driver for me was having a toddler already and not wanting to have a long hospital stay and then be unable to lift him etc for weeks after a CS. Also at my hospital once you have had 2 sections you are considered automatic CS in future if you have any more children. And I think a small part of me wanted to experience a more "normal" birth if I could. But I was not hugely anti-CS either, and I think it is a very personal decision.

MrsHappy · 20/02/2010 15:22

I had emcs for DD1 then VBAC attempt which ended with emcs for DD2.

Really don't regret giving it a go, though.

Lulumama · 20/02/2010 15:27

I had a VBAC, definitely the right decision for me, i knew i would regret not trying, more than having another em c.s

i also did a lot of reading and research as to how to achieve the VBAC , so i knew i would have given it my best shot

had a really straightforward birth, 3 hours 15 established labour, no problems at all

were you induced first? did you have an epidural? did you stay mobile?

lots of things can contribute to a slow/stalled labour that can be remedied ,

if your gut feeling is for a c.s, then maybe that is what you should do

Klaw · 20/02/2010 15:29

VBAC vs Caesarean

moid · 20/02/2010 15:31

Successful VBAC after traumatic first birth.

BUT I really wanted it so if you have any doubts then think long and hard

ImSoNotTelling · 20/02/2010 15:52

I had ELCS with DD2, after EMCS with DD1, it was great.

My good friend had VBAC after ELCS, she was also pleased.

One of these things no-one has a crystal ball or can tell you what to do. Have a think. Do what your gut and heart tell you.

ImSoNotTelling · 20/02/2010 15:58

"DC2 due in July and am really wanting to push for an elective cs. "

If you really want an ELCS then have one. Please don't feel that you "ought" to have a VBAC for some reason, if what you want is an ELCS, then do it.

probono · 20/02/2010 16:04

Hi, the dealbreaker for me was having a toddler. I didn't want to be unable to pick him up and cuddle him, drive him places, be in hospital a long time away from him etc etc.

People do manage all that though, obviously! But I didn't want to be dependent on anyone else after number 2, which I would have been with a cs.

Emcs, 2 vbacs.

Second labour is different from first anyway.

probono · 20/02/2010 16:07

yy i would agree -- you have to really want a vbac

many obstacles are put in your way: "trial of labour" ie clockwatching and pressure: continuous monitoring recommended ie more painful and stupid positions: consultants recommending against etc.

I had to fight for my first vbac. Actually discharged myself from hospital after signing form "at my own risk" while in early labour to achieve it. You do need to want it and be well informed.

jojochanel · 20/02/2010 20:52

it's a very tough and personal decision. I had a good VBAC and going back for another. Was aware of the risks and consultant agreed that they wouldn't let me labour longer than 12 hours if I wasn't getting anywhere. 7 hours start to finish - dialted quicker than I could have imagined although was being timed for 2nd stage which was a bit stressful. Felt like I'd climbed everest afterwards I was so elated. Picking up my toddler for cuddles the next day. What a difference to the EMCS however I hear elective sections are much less traumatic as you're not knackered. VBAC for me but I went in mentally prepared for the possibility of another section.

Original poster

negrilbaby · 21/02/2010 14:36

Thanks for all this. First labour was very medicalised. I was induced (on due date) and tied to a bed by monitoring equipment throughout so didn't really experience any good feelings. I wasn't mobile and was on my back - not surprising the labour didn't progress. Am worried the second would follow similar lines - given my age the hospital will push hard for early induction etc.
I think I've made up my mind - but will do a bit more reading first.
Thanks again.

OP posts:

PussinJimmyChoos · 21/02/2010 14:48

Had em cs with DS 1. Not preg with no two yet (working on it!) but I know without any doubt my goal is for a VBAC if possible

I had failure to progress in my first labour and in retrospect, I think it was too much intervention and not enough walking around...they did tell me to walk more but DS was back labour and I was in a lot of pain that I found it very hard.

What can be done to ensure labour progresses better and faster the second time around?

Also, I had such bad water retention and carpal tunnel syndrome with DS, that I spent the last weeks of the pregnancy with my feet up or lying down on the sofa - if I stood for more than 10mins, my ankles would swell badly..I think all this lying down contributed to DS turning and not being in right position

How to remedy these sort of things?

Nymphadora · 21/02/2010 14:59

Elec first time then was talked into VBAC through having dd1.

43 hours of labour to get to 3 cm and was already begging for STRONG pain relief. Hit the Dr then had emergency c-section, 2 blood transfusions, lost 3 days (including 9/11) , suspected DVT and discharged myself at 6 days to live with my parents for 2 months.

ELCS all the way now

ImSoNotTelling · 21/02/2010 15:18

Oooh they won't induce at our hosp if you have had a previous section. Maybe it is different at yours? But I also was induced and ended up with an emcs first time around. The fact that they didn't induce made me feel like I could give vbac a go - then i had suspected placenta praevia. I had to go for a scan to confirm it and on teh way I realised that I hoped the pacenta was low so I could have a section.

At that point I realised that what I wanted was a section.

It is such a hard decision though. But as I said to my friend when we were both deciding - it seems like a huge deal now - but whatever we decide will almost certainly be fine - and once the baby is a coupld of months old we'll be wondering why we agonised over it so much!

probono · 21/02/2010 16:16

They shouldn't induce as it increases the risk of scar rupture, which is normally tiny.

Pussin, things I did for my vbac which helped:

optimal foetal positioning exercises during preg

stayed at home as long as possible, walking up and down stairs, rocking on a bucket, that kind of thing, eating and drinking

did not go to 39 week consultation appt to avoid being given a "just in case" cs date

avoided the doctor during labour by "going to the toilet" etc (asked dh and midwives to tell me if doc was coming)

getting the belt thing off after five minutes saying I'll have it back on in a bit and just delaying all the time

changing positions, staying mobile and having gas and air instead of epidural

probono · 21/02/2010 16:18

oh and the discharging thing, i was in for something else but it started so I went home and stayed there

probono · 21/02/2010 16:20

wow nymph you had a shocker of a time poor you

Nymphadora · 21/02/2010 20:10

Oh and i split up with my xh 2 weeks previously so not a good month really!

Angela82 · 21/02/2010 23:04

I had a v long labour and an emergency section the first time. Second time I had an elective section. The first experience was so traumatic and still very raw in my head and I really actually enjoyed my elective section. It was definitely the right choice for me at the time.

On my third pregnancy now and planning a vba2c. I would really like to experience a natural birth and after learning more about why my first experience probably went the way it did I feel I have a lot more chance this time at a natural birth and I just want to give it a shot.

It's a very personal decision.

xxkt1xx · 22/02/2010 01:17

i tried for a vbac and failed as dd2's HB was going up and down.....really wish i could have had vbac
xx its a personal thing really
good luck with your choice

iceagethree · 22/02/2010 07:43

It's not failure, my goodness it's not failure kt1. Stop that at once! You did the right thing for your baby! My goodness how is that failure?

mrsmontano · 22/02/2010 12:09

I have an emergency section for the first and an elective for my second, it was lovely and I don't regret it for one minute.

I went home the next day and was much fitter afterwards than some mothers I know who had a VB and tore. and it's very different (nicer) than an emergency cesarean.

Do what you want and don't let anyone else influence your decision. good luck!

MrsHappy · 22/02/2010 20:28

xxkt1xx - definitely not a failure. I hated my first emcs because there was very little emergency about it, the baby just appeared to be stuck. Second time around I ended up with an emcs because of foetal distress (terrifying hearing her heart rate plummet and staying down for ages) and in those circumstances I just found myself being grateful that I live in an age in which c. sections are available and relatively safe (even though I would rather have had a vaginal birth if everything had been ok). You're brave for having tried, I think, and smart for doing the right thing for your baby. I'm sure vaginal birth is a "good thing", but not at any cost.

MrsHappy · 22/02/2010 20:38

negrilbaby - a second labour does not need to follow those lines. My first labour was much as you describe and the second time around I stayed at home for as long as I could (to fully dilated as it turned out), eating, drinking and pottering about. On arrival at the hospital I was in a midwife-led unit with intermittant monitoring (hand held monitor), in the pool and quite relaxed. When the baby started to become distressed I transferred and had my section within an hour. But in general the labour was much more fast and manageable than the first. I found it fairly easy to negotiate less intervention, too.

Would recommend you read "The VBAC Handbook" if you are mulling over a possible VBAC. It is basically a comparison of VBAC and repeat section and it tells you how to improve your odds of success should you want a VBAC.

Having said that, if your instinct is to go for a section and that is what you are comfortable with that is what you should ask for. You may not need to "push" at all - certainly I was offered a section initially.

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