VBAC or C-section?

ecpdvm

What are your thoughts? My first was breech, so I had a C-section. I feel like VBAC is the way to go, but my doctor is kind of like "do what's right for you" which is not very helpful advice. Does anyone have more concrete info (or a more persuasive doctor)?

mrskratt

Personally, I'm going for a VBAC. If I can get out of a major surgery, that would be fantastic. Plus, if I can successfully have a VBAC, then that's great for future pregnancies. 
I think your doctor would tell you if you were a good candidate for a VBAC or not. But if your last was just breeched, and they aren't too close together, then I think you would be a good candidate. 
My midwife and their team of doctors are all about VBACS if that's what the mother wants. 
It's just something you have to want, or not want. 

coffee89

I switched from one office to another for a vbac. The first ob was trying to schedule my RCS for 39 weeks when I was ten weeks along and had the Attic of "if you go into labor you can try" but the new place will let a healthy pregnancy go to 42 weeks and believes in giving a woman the chance if she wants it. I'll have more monitoring towards the end and a few restrictions of labor (have to use the monitor, have to go in earlier, can't induce).

I highly suggest finding an ican group to atleast hear what people's experiences are,that's how I found my new office. Even if you decide to go for the csec, they can be a lot of help.

TurtleMomma

I say go for it if you can!

sheviolentlyknits

For me I had already made up my mind to have a VBAC before I even left the hospital with my first. Trying to recover from major surgery while caring for a newborn is awful. Adding another child in there too? No way!

I had to call around quite a bit too find a hospital within an hour's drive that took vbacs (the fifth one I called finally said yes) and went with a doctor off their list that my mom (nurse for over 30 years) had heard good things about.

The labors were strikingly similar, which worried me, but the nurses and my doctor were really cheering me on. It was really nice to have a doctor who was 100% on board with what I wanted to do. Even though I had to get a million stitches, the healing process was so much quicker and although definitely painful, not nearly as bad as the csec recovery. 

Edit because I'm on mobile and a big ol butter thumbs

mtgreen21

I had a section with my twins then 2 vbacs after, had another section 2 years ago with my surrobabe and I will  VBAC with this one. Only downfall I have to have the epi cannula put in "just in case" and if I get one of the old school doctors in the group when I go into labor I may not be able to even try VBAC.

rozANDbenSINCE2001

I am having a repeat c section, but I'm also seriously considering getting my tubes tied at the same time so that's a contributing factor.

eta: my doctor didn't pressure me either way, but when I told we didn't want any more children after this baby, she gently suggested the tubal ligation as an option if I chose a repeat c section (which I already had even before I got pregnant again). My first c section was not stressful and my healing process was well managed and fairly quick. I felt very confident in my doctor's abilities and all nurses and staff were extra comforting and talked me through the whole process. I think it's just a personal choice. 

par_mach_kai

VBAC is healthier for mom if there are no complications. There is a risk of uterine rupture (like 1% is what I've heard quoted) but if you are delivering in a hospital with 24/7 anesthesia available, I think it would be doable. George Washington has a calculator actually telling you if you're a good candidate based on age, ethnicity, previous c-sections, etc etc. I don't know the validity of the tool, but something that could be helpful I guess.

https://mfmu.bsc.gwu.edu/PublicBSC/MFMU/VGBirthCalc/vagbirth.html

nsquaredlife13

@ecpdvm my LO was breech too. We ended up having a CS after trying ECV's twice. I'm hoping Number Two cooperates this time around and trying to go for a VBAC. Our hospital is VBAC friendly and they prefer vaginal births over CS unless medically necessary.

coffee89

Anyone who ends up scheduling a repeat, just know it is an easier recovery on average than laboring then csec. Not saying go for it anyway, that is a personal choice. I'm just saying don't let your first experience make or break the decision on what you really want.

lilbabybrown

I personally will be scheduling a C-section.  Our first was 8 days overdue so then I was induced.  Every time they would give me Pitocin, the baby's heart rate would drop and all the nurses would rush in with oxygen, flip me on my side and quit the Pitocin.  Unfortunately, when they would quit the Pitocin, the labor would stop.  After 24 hours of this (breaking my water and attempting other labor inducing drugs), I was only 4 cm dilated.  I just don't want to put my baby through that again - it was very scary.  Plus, I'm thinking about getting my tubes tied anyway, so I'll probably just do it all at the same time.

Kaytee1087

I am seriously considering a VBAC. OB said she wants to check my OR records from last time. I guess it depends on the way the incision is on my uterus that will determine my VBAC eligibility. If it's a certain way, then I risk rupture, so we'll see. My c-section was at 34 weeks to stop the progression of preeclampsia, so no I had no labor to speak of; it was right into the OR.

ecpdvm

Thanks ladies! My doctor says I am a great candidate for VBAC, but she really didn't give me any benefits of one over the other. I just want to do what's healthiest for me and the little nipper!