VBAC - pros and cons - advice needed

[negrilbaby]

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.

I am in the minority but I hated my Elective C/S. Well you did ask!

Found it very very stressful. Arrived at hospital 7am, DD born 6pm that evening. Awful awful wait. No labour hormones to see me through the process and the pain. Some minor complications and adhesions and ended up with a drain for 3 days (they have to give you gas and air when you have them removed), struggled to bond with DD at first (who really could have done with another week or so in utero IMO).

Recovered quickly and well and no problems BF, which helped with the bonding.

If I had the choice again I would try for a VBAC. Am hoping that I will at least be allowed to go into labour with this DC.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

my friend and i both had emcs both pregnant again and talking about this subject lots.
i am a little on the fence but will probably go for vbac. with my ds i had to be hooked up to machines so couldnt be mobile. maybe if i had been i couldve giving birth naturally. iv heard with the risk of scar splitting you have to be monitored with a vbac. so no mobility again im guessing. can anyone shed any light on this? also my friend has said that at 8 months they examine you to see if you are fit for vbac and if not then you are booked in for cs. is this right too?

thanks ice age and mrs happy x thats means a lot...see so many women who succeed in having vbac and would have loved to try the pushing route xx

pinchme - it is generally hospitals' policy that they want to use continuous monitoring, but this, like many other aspects of birth, is up to you. You can be monitored with a hand-held monitor regularly and after each contraction in the second stage instead, for example. That way you can stay mobile.

When I had my VBAC attempt there was no exam at 8 months to decide whether I could go ahead. I can't think of why there would be, unless there was some other issue making you high risk.

Good luck - I hope you get the birth you want.

I think everyone should refrain from reviving ancient posts so they can post adverts telling women what they should do, but each to their own, eh?