vag vs c/.s delivery....

amiamish

I know it's been discussed, but it seems all new to me since I'm finally in that place- well, in the upcoming months I will be. My doc has said she fully supports VBAC, and actually is encouraging me to consider it. My mom on the other hand- is FREAKING out, and doesn't want me to. (uterine rupture chance) I want to try because I like the idea of an easier recovery and no healing from a c/s.

However, I'm freaked out a bit. I'm afraid it's going to hurt so bad and I'll feel everything and tear, and ugh- it'll be horrible. Because with the c/s I just lay there and they do all the work. (LOL, I feel like I took the easy route with a c/s)

What was your experience with a VBAC or a vag delivery?

xbrooklyngrl

A Vag delivery isn't a walk in the park but its really not THAT bad, I pushed for a long time with B but I was up walking around in less an hour, while my neighbor, who gave birth the day before was still stuck in her bed that day.

If you are a good candidate for it, I say go for it!

Andrewsgal

I had two amazing vag deliveries. My first was med-free my second I had an epi. If I do it again I will go with the epi again. Yes it was painful I won't lie about that, but with both kids I was up and walking within the hour. I was sore maybe about a week, but nothing big. I took a couple of motrin with DD, and nothing for pain with DS. Honestly the worst part of my recoveries was the uterine contractions while BFing.

amiamish

Andrewsgal:

the worst part of my recoveries was the uterine contractions while BFing.

Hmmm, I don't remember those...surely I would have had those too right?

ANJ410

I mostly lurk here, but I am in the same position and don't know what to do.  I wish the Dr could guareentee a successful VBAC without complication....lol.  Anyway good luck and I am eager to see what other's experiences were.

buffalo_buckeye

I had a vag delivery and recovery was pretty easy (2nd degree tear).  I think pushing was really the hardest part; I pushed for 2 hrs and was really tired.  I don't think anyone who has a c-sec has it easy...you either get the pain with labor/pushing and a little pain with recovery or a lot of pain for a longer amount of time with a c-sec.

  If you don't feel strongly I'd probably just do the repeat c-sec, but if you feel like you missed something by not having a vag birth I would try for the vbac.  (I have a friend that was very upset she didn't get to have a vag birth and I guess some women feel this way.)  It seems like most of the moms I know that have repeat csec have an easier recovery the second time, but I'm just going by what they tell me.

You might look at the birth stories board for VBAC stories.  I think I've seen them there from time to time.   

becoming_untied

1st pg - vag delivery -->HARD recovery, stiches area hurt like hell. 

2nd pg - c-section -->easy recovery, healed much faster, felt a little less connected to baby and birthing experience which I didn't like

Good luck with whatever you decide!

KoriBrett

It's around a 1% chance of rupture... the SAME as a first time vaginal normal delivery. 

I can give you VBAC info in a little bit, gotta do some work right now.  I took a class - got lots of good stuff.  I'll page you later.

hikerbeth

Ami, I'm in the same boat as you.  I'm a good candidate for a VBAC but definitely scared.  I keep reminding myself that I want to avoid the surgery at all costs.  I had an easy c-section (scheduled because DD was footling breech and wouldn't turn with the ECV), but I was still stuck in bed for about 12 hours and couldn't really get up and walk around much for about 18 hours.  Staying in the hospital that long also sucked big time.

I'm scared because DD was 9 pounds and she was born at 38.5 weeks and they won't induce for a VBAC so I'm scared of a huge baby.

I am going to hire a doula who also happens to be a friend.

Kapalua

amiamish:

Andrewsgal:

the worst part of my recoveries was the uterine contractions while BFing.

Hmmm, I don't remember those...surely I would have had those too right?

I think you have those regardless-but they were worse the second time for me.  Not sure if that is b/c of the vag delivery or just b/c of it being the second kid.

Definitely do your research on the statistics-the risk of uterine rupture is SO low...not that much higher than a non vbac birth.  And surgery is not without risk either.  So, basically-take a look at the risks with each and then decide from there which you are willing to take. 

amiamish

Sounds great Kori-- thanks!!

Buffolo--- I do feel "cheated" or like I missed something, but since I can't compare it to a vag birth, I guess I don't know what I'm missing. Does that make sense?

Hm...Maybe I'll take my Mom to one of these appts so she can talk to the doc too and get a better understanding of it. I really want her on my side, and in agreement with this. (odd huh?) DH is fully supportive of whatever I want.

amiamish

Kapalua:

amiamish:

Andrewsgal:

the worst part of my recoveries was the uterine contractions while BFing.

Hmmm, I don't remember those...surely I would have had those too right?

I think you have those regardless-but they were worse the second time for me.  Not sure if that is b/c of the vag delivery or just b/c of it being the second kid.

Definitely do your research on the statistics-the risk of uterine rupture is SO low...not that much higher than a non vbac birth.  And surgery is not without risk either.  So, basically-take a look at the risks with each and then decide from there which you are willing to take. 

you're right-- it's a risk either way.... I also worry about trying to heal after a re-c/s and the wound not healing right (like winery, I think that's what happened to her).

Ugh. Can't I just cough the baby out!?

jen5-03

My vbac recovery was SO much easier than c/s recovery.

At 2 weeks pp with a c/s I was able to start going out and hobble slowly through target. No walking fast, being very very careful with how I moved and sat down. Getting DD out of the bassinet was painful because of the bending. Took vicadin for about 3 weeks.

At 5 days pp with a vbac we took both kids to the park to feed the ducks... Walking at a normal pace, no pain at all really. Never took any pain meds except advil and just did that for the 36 hours I was in the hospital after the birth. My DH is probably sick of hearing me say how much freaking easier this recovery has been because I can't stop marveling over it!

My VBAC was a fantastic experience and I have no regrets about it at all. I was in labor for 27 hours, 24 of those in the hospital, but I only pushed for half an hour and for almost half of it I had an epidural and didn't feel pain. My birth story: https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/25074583.aspx

 

Goose51504

I labored forever with Peyton, only to end up with a c-section. Like some women, I kind of felt cheated out of the experience. So, I originally wanted to go the VBAC route when I got pregnant with Cullen. Unfortunately, none of the hospitals in my immediate area allowed them. For me, it ended up being a blessing in disguise because I probably would have ended up with another emergency section b/c C was so big.

And honestly, the more I thought about it, the more it didn't matter to me anymore. Who gave a damn if I pushed a baby out of my vadge? The hospital certainly isn't handing out prizes to those who do. And, that sense of accomplishment BS if for the birds. What mattered more to me is that I successfully carried a healthy baby to 39 weeks. He was my prize...my accomplishment.

I also had two wonderful c-section recoveries, which turned out better than many of my friends who had a vaginal deliveries. It really just depends on you. People can tell you that their vaginal delivery was super easy, no tearing, up walking an hour later, etc., but that doesn't mean you will, kwim?

If you want to try for a VBAC and are a good candidate, then go for it. Just know that if it ends up not being in the cards, it's NOT a big deal. At the end of the day, all that matters is a healthy baby, not how he/she got here.

 

 

amiamish

well damn Jen-- THAT'S what I wanna hear!!! (and do!) congrats to you--that's awesome!

femmegem

I'm going back and forth, too. I'm leaning toward the repeat c, mostly because I want to get my tubes tied while they're in there. IDK.

Temp159135562506975

I have had both - and my c/s was 10000x's easier than my vaginal birth recovery.

with my vag birth I had a 4th degree tear - was in pain for 8w++ and still have issues down there - probably need surgery someday- but that's years away b/c recovery time is so long.

the c/s was a breeze!!!  was off pain meds by 2 weeks PP... no issues - was able to bond with the babies so much better than with Griffin early on- b/c with him i was in so much pain and miserable- crying every night while soaking in the tub, praying to God that he would help me heal.

No- my vag birth experience is not the norm- and some c/s recoveries go bad - but the fact is- either way- you will never know... they can both suck the big one - and can both be fairly easy.

chelle828

I'm in the same boat.  Excellent candidate for a VBAC, but we are going for the repeat section.  Having a vaginal delivery just isn't important enough to me to risk mine and the baby's life.  Chances are everything would be fine, but I don't feel the need to take that risk.  Personally I know I'd be a panicky mes through the entire delivery wondering when I was going to rupture.  My doc talked to me at length about it and said that while she supports a trial of labor, in the end the safest thing for me and the baby is a repeat section.  With a section I know what I'm in for - yes the recovery is harder, but I'd rather be alive and recovering than risk being in an ICU or dead, or have a dead child.  If a VBAC is something you really want, I think you should go for it - it's totally a personal decision. 

Expecting0207

I had two c/s and debated the vbac but decided against it.  And if I had any question in my mind, the contractions with DD2 came on so much stronger and faster that I was just screaming I need my spinal!  However I don't feel I was cheated or anything.  I'm curious how the other experience would be but I don't feel I'm missing out.  I bonded with my girls right away, DD2 even more quickly than DD1.  Somewhere around 5-6 days pp with DD2 I was alone with the two girls and DD1 had peed through her diaper in her crib and I was able to get all 25lbs of her out of the crib and bathed and dressed.  It wasn't easy, I just moved slow, but I was able to do everything.

amiamish

Goose51504:

If you want to try for a VBAC and are a good candidate, then go for it. Just know that if it ends up not being in the cards, it's NOT a big deal. At the end of the day, all that matters is a healthy baby, not how he/she got here.

that is dead on right Goose- and I do have that thought: it doesn't matter HOW they get here, just that they are here and healthy. When push comes to pull (pun intended) I'll go with whatever.

 

Marce921

I can't tell you how a vaginal delivery is, since I've not had one, but if you are a good candidate for a VBAC, I say go for it. We have doctors I work with who allow them even after a couple C/S's. The risk of uterine rupture is SOOO low.

I'm opting for a repeat C/S, but my doctor told me I have a narrow pelvis and wouldn't be able to push out a baby over 7 lbs, so that's why I'm not trying for a VBAC. If, there was another reason I ended up with the first C/S, and I didn't have this other stuff, I would totally try for a VBAC. So, I say go for it!

eclaires

I agree w/ Goose.

For me, I'm not a good candidate for a VBAC - 3 doctors have confirmed that, so it's not even an option for me when the time comes.  Plus, my c/s recovery was super easy, even with being in labor for 30+ hours.  My hope is that a scheduled c/s will be even easier.

I know I'm somewhat biased, b/c quite honestly, pushing a baby out my vagina has never really appealed to me.  I've said before that my ideal birth would be me being out and waking up with a clean baby in my arms... haha.  So I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything, and wouldn't feel like that if I had a repeat c/s even if a VBAC was an option.

I think if you think you'll feel like you missed out on something, it doesn't hurt to try, and it seems like you have the right attitude about the end result. 

Bellisimo

I can't speak on vag deliveries since DS's head was too big and wouldn't come out!  Having had two c sections I can definitely say C Sections are the way to go....for me!  Even though the risk of uterine rupture is only .5%, the effects can be devastating for the baby neurologically!  That's what made up my mind.  After speaking to my OB (I was seriously considering trying for a vbac) she explained that the risk to the baby was higher with a vbac whereas the risk to the mother is higher with a c section.  It's a personal choice really. 

Oh, and what also helped make up my mind was discussions with both my OB and MH about some of the beautiful possible results of vag deliveries.  Whatever you do DO NOT google rectovaginal fistulas!  ;-)  That sort of sealed the deal for me.   I have to say that after my labor and long pushing session with DS that resulted in a C Section I felt so let down about having to have a C Section.  But, my repeat C was a freaking cake walk and I was even able to leave the hospital a day early.  There was no long hospital stay or days of being bed bound!  I was up walking the next morning and feeling great....with the help of a Dilaudid PCA pump!  ;-)   I can honestly say that I did not feel cheated one bit after my second C.  In fact, I felt more like, "Damn, this is the way to go!  I can't believe I ever pouted about failing at my first attempt at delivering vaginally!"

BJKL

I have not had a c/s but I have to tell you that I would count my pain during labor as a 9 out of 10 before the epi but my recovery was a breeze.  I even had an episotomy and it still was ok.  Sore for a few days but manageable with advil and no problems moving around at all.  We were out shopping within 4 days. 

goodheartedmommy

The uterine contractions after birth get worse with every kid. No one told me this before I had Bella and OMG--it was awful. With Maile, I took something called motherwart every 30 minutes. It was disgusting, but the pain was much less (still there, but my afterpains with Bella were worse than labor).

If you have an epi, you're not going to really feel your labor or delivery. I didn't with Ethan. A VBAC is less risky than a repeat C-section for the majority of women. 

All 3 of my immediate recoveries were a breeze. 

amiamish

rectovaginal fistulas ... hm. I may google it tonight, but not here at work. I want to be "fully informed" LOL- and I'm curious!

man.. I knew this would happen. 50/50 answers. I have to decide for myself, dang it. I don't wanna. (j/k)

Angela814

No experience yet, but I'm planning to try for a VBAC this time. That's actually been my plan since DD was 2 days old. The chance of uterine rupture isn't actually all that higher in a VBAC vs "normal" vaginal birth (2% vs 1% I think, depends on where you look though). Complication rate from a c/s is actually higher. Plus my c/s sucked, so I don't want to do it again!

amiamish

Angela814:

The chance of uterine rupture isn't actually all that higher in a VBAC vs "normal" vaginal birth (2% vs 1% I think, depends on where you look though). Complication rate from a c/s is actually higher. Plus my c/s sucked, so I don't want to do it again!

I think that's what my Mom is hearing too-she words it as "it DOUBLES the risk of rupture!!"

Angela814

One more thing - I hated being stuck in bed, unable to take care of my baby and stuck relying on DH for help. (One night I could not wake him up at all as DD lay there screaming. I had to somehow maniver her cradle around to my bed so I could pick her up. Sucked.)

I'm not a good candidate for a VBAC. DD was 10 days overdue, 9lbs2oz, and sunny side up. I only dilated to 9.5cm before my cervix started to swell shut. My OB thinks her head was too big to fit through my pelvis. I'm still hoping for a lighter, smaller baby born on time (and facing the right direction) so I can at least try for the VBAC. If it doesn't work out, that's fine. I'll do whatever's safest for both of us.

soontobemrs.S

My vaginal recovery was terrible. I tore six ways to Sunday lol and was in a lot of pain for weeks. I have friends who've had a c section that said recovery was a breeze. I think it all depends on the person. Despite how bad the recovery was for me, I'd still want to go vaginal again.

Angela814

chelle828:

With a section I know what I'm in for - yes the recovery is harder, but I'd rather be alive and recovering than risk being in an ICU or dead, or have a dead child.

Statements like this really bug me. Yes, there is a risk to a vbac. There is also a risk to a c/s. (Some stats actually show a higher risk of complications with a c/s.) Just because I'm choosing a vbac doesn't mean I'm risking my life or my baby's.

UBMyBaby

I have had 2 vag deliveries and no c/s. 

My first delivery was a 12 hour labor, with about 15 minutes of pushing.  I had an epi but still felt a ton.  I know many women who say they had to be told when to push and couldn't feel anything but pressure, but I felt quite a bit.  I have a high pain tolerance though.  The physical labor was about what I expected, but DD was born missing her hand which made my birth story very different from what I had envisioned.  She was 6 lbs which made pushing her out quicker than what I thought, too.  I did tear a little and the stitches were no biggie. 

A year later, DS was born.  I always say that his labor was half as long (7 hours) but ten times harder physically.   He was 8 lbs, 11 oz and sunny side up.  The epi did not work the same at all.  One leg was completely asleep and the other was very much awake and I felt everything.  They tried turning him so many times--my dr had her whole arm in me.  I couldn't believe it.  Since he was still sunny side up, I pushed (for about 25 minutes) while her hand was there trying to turn him with each push.  I was in A TON of pain.  I actually was screaming for help.  Not my finest moment, but I got him out!!!   Again I tore, this time a bit more, but still not the end of the world. 

Every so often, I think that I am proud of myself for getting through it, twice!  DS was seconds away from being an emergency c-section due to distress, and that would have been fine too.  As long as they get here safely, I say it's all good and be proud!

Good luck with whatever you decide!

KelMel

I had a c/s with DS 1 because he was breech, and although my c/s went fine and I healed great, I did feel like I missed out on something. 

So this time around I really wanted a vbac, and my doctor supported them.  Everyone in my family kept telling me just to do the c/s again, including my husband because they were scared.  I ended up going into labor on my own, 9 days early, I had the vbac and it was the best experience.  Everything turned out great, and the recovery was 10 times easier than the c/s. 

Good luck with what you decide!

amiamish

Angela814:

chelle828:

With a section I know what I'm in for - yes the recovery is harder, but I'd rather be alive and recovering than risk being in an ICU or dead, or have a dead child.

Statements like this really bug me. Yes, there is a risk to a vbac. There is also a risk to a c/s. (Some stats actually show a higher risk of complications with a c/s.) Just because I'm choosing a vbac doesn't mean I'm risking my life or my baby's.

ditto Ang but I thought maybe it was just me being oversensitive about it.

mulrooney

DD1 was a an emergency c/s 7 weeks early due to pre-e. ?I never experienced any contractions or anything remotely normal about giving birth. ?My c/s recovery was actually fairly easy plus she was in the NICU for 3 weeks so I didn't have to worry about the same kind of care. ?but with #2 I was worried about recovering from surgery with a newborn & toddler. ?I decided to attempt a vbac so that I could at least experience labor but I prepared myself to accept whatever needed to happen to keep both of us safe. ?I trusted my dr to help me make the right decisions. ?I also fully planned on pain meds since I didn't need to experience it all natural to get the idea. ?Plus I am a wuss with pain. ?

?I ended up laboring at home for 6 hours, 1 hour at the hospital, progressed very quickly, got the epi and pushed for half an hour. ?The dr left the room thinking I would push for a while longer. ?The nurse had to call her back in and told me to stop pushing since her head was halfway out. ?Dr came back in and DD came flying out with only a minor tear. ?It was a great experience. ?The recovery was sooooo much easier and I don't regret my decision for one minute. ?

One drawback is the pain meds with a c/s are better ?

amiamish

mulrooney:

DD1 was a an emergency c/s 7 weeks early due to pre-e.  I never experienced any contractions or anything remotely normal about giving birth.  My c/s recovery was actually fairly easy plus she was in the NICU for 3 weeks so I didn't have to worry about the same kind of care.  but with #2 I was worried about recovering from surgery with a newborn & toddler.  I decided to attempt a vbac so that I could at least experience labor but I prepared myself to accept whatever needed to happen to keep both of us safe.  I trusted my dr to help me make the right decisions.  I also fully planned on pain meds since I didn't need to experience it all natural to get the idea.  Plus I am a wuss with pain.  

 I ended up laboring at home for 6 hours, 1 hour at the hospital, progressed very quickly, got the epi and pushed for half an hour.  The dr left the room thinking I would push for a while longer.  The nurse had to call her back in and told me to stop pushing since her head was halfway out.  Dr came back in and DD came flying out with only a minor tear.  It was a great experience.  The recovery was sooooo much easier and I don't regret my decision for one minute.  

One drawback is the pain meds with a c/s are better  

I love these stories! This is my dream birth for #2.

and FWIW-- I hate taking meds of any kind. I barely took meds with my last c/s after I was out of the hospital.

Sunrise77

I had a successful VBAC with DS#2 and it was SO much better than my previous c-section. I did tear (3rd), but honestly, it wasn't bad at all. I was up and moving around shortly after delivery and felt great. I remember hating how hard everything was after the 1st c-section....having trouble just sitting up. None of those problems after the VBAC. Also, having a toddler at home, it made taking care of both kids much easier.

So glad that I went this route. I would recommend it if you are a good candidate and if you can find a hospital that will perform them -- and has a good success rate. That final point is important, as there are several hospitals around here that will allow them, but I think it's important to go with one that demonstrates a good track record with them. 

Oh, and one final point -- DS#2 was 9lbs 4 oz.....and again, it was totally fine!