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South Florida Babies
VBAC?
Has anyone had one or know someone who has? My OB said I'm a good candidate for one, but hubbs is still a little concerned about the risks and possible complications. Obviously, I just don't want a repeat of what happened with Carley (not that the c-section has anything to do with that). My biggest concern is recovering from a c/s with a toddler and a newborn and not having much help other than DH since our family is down there. I didn't have the newborn care part of it while recovering from mine, so I really don't know how hard it would be with 1, let alone 2.
There's a possibility that I might deliver in Miami (DH *might* be deploying to the middle east for a year -- but that's a whole other story) which would obviously make this question pointless unless I choose to deliver at Jackson or Boca.
I'm rambling now....so any advice? C/S moms of 2+, was recovery difficult? Anything I should expect?
TIA for the advice 
This discussion has been closed.
Re: VBAC?
My SIL had 2 sucessful VBAC's. And she said the recovery was much easier with 1 and 2 little ones at home than a CS. So that was her experience. And her dr said she was a good candidate.
Now Im on the other end. I too had a very hard vaginal birth. Apparently Im narrow and my DD got stuck, they had to vacuum her out and her arm was stuck which gave me what I think it a nucheal (sp) tear. Kind of from the inside out. I was always in pain. I actually had my china repaired after my 2nd was born because it was always painful during sex and well now its great.
With my 2nd I had pre-eclampsia and they were afraid I was going to stroke, so they did CS. My CS recovery was 100% easier than my 1st (vaginal birth), but it was my 1st C not my 2nd (ive heard the 2nd can be harder).
So for my 3rd, I will be doing a C. My Dr has said though I am not a good candidate because of my narrow birth canal and larger babies.
Good luck whatever you decide.
I dont have time right this second to type more but let me tell you this, if you do come down here be prepared to not be able to find a doctor that will allow a VBAC, they are very hard to come by around here. Even drs who say they allow VBAC's scare you to change your mind at the end of your pregnancy.
And yes, recovering from a csection with one or more kids at home is very hard, especially if you have no one to help.
Everyone is going to have different stories so you have to take everything with a grain of salt.
First, Virginia is right, if you are going to go with a VBAC you will have to be very strong with your decision. I don't necessarily think that the Ob's want to deter you from having a VBAC, I just think that they have to tell you the complications that can arise from them and this on its own can scare anyone. Most VBAC's that do occur though are successful and complications are rare.
There is no guarantee that if you have a VBAC you will have an easy recovery; but I am sure you are well aware of that. In general, vaginal deliveries are easier to recover from than c-sections. But of course you will have opposite stories as Mel mentioned. Personally, my 1st vaginal delivery ended up with a third degree perineal tear which is no fun and makes for a harder recovery, but I would not say it was terrible. My 2nd vaginal delivery recovery was great with only a 2nd degree tear...I felt great after a few days!
There is something else you need to consider...and that is how many children you want. If you go with multiple c-sections, scar tissue tends to increase after each surgery, so although some people say you can have any number of c-sections you want, many doctor's will not recommend you to get pregnant as complications can increase after a certain point - and how many c-sections is considered safe really just depends on each individual. And of course, people do get pregnant anyway and it's not that the Ob won't deliver you..the baby's got to come out somehow...but it's a risk the patient is willing to take.
The closest encounter I have with VBAC's is with a good friend of mine. She was a C-section with baby #1 and considered VBAC for #2. She found an Ob who does VBAC's and consulted with him. Unlike you, she was told that she was an "ok" candidate. In the end, she and her husband decided to go for a C-section (more because her husband wanted it that way). She had a rough pregnancy with #2 because of pain from the scar tissue. After C-section #2, the Ob told her that a 3rd pregnancy is doable and that a 4th is not likely....she wants 4 kids. At that point my friend told me she wishes she could would attempted the VBAC. Recovery for her was not easy with a toddler at home. She told me she felt terrible for DD as she could not carry her for a couple of weeks. But all in all, she recovered just fine and she's doing well.
So as you can see, there are so many different factors. My best recommendation is to find a doc that does VBAC's in your area and talk to him/her about the pros and cons. It's all about risks vs benefits and it just depends what is most important to you. Wish you the best of luck making your decision!
BFP #3: 01/28/12, EDD: 09/23/12, MMC (BO), D&C 2/16/12 at 6.5 wks
BFP #4: 05/23/12, EDD: 01/31/12, Early MC at 5 wks
RPL Workup: + LPD (7DPO Prog = 7.8, Endometrial Bx = out of phase)
Elevated Alpha 2-glycoprotein IgA and antiphosphatidylserine IgM -->
Hematologist said not to worry and no need for treatment!
Dx: LPD
Cycle #1(08/2012): Clomid 50 mg CD3-7, Ovidrel CD13 + Progesterone = It worked!
BFP #5 on 09/10/12 (11 DPO). HCG #1 @ 14DPO = 131.6 HCG #2 @ 16DPO = 509
EDD: 05/23/2013
BFP #3: 01/28/12, EDD: 09/23/12, MMC (BO), D&C 2/16/12 at 6.5 wks
BFP #4: 05/23/12, EDD: 01/31/12, Early MC at 5 wks
RPL Workup: + LPD (7DPO Prog = 7.8, Endometrial Bx = out of phase)
Elevated Alpha 2-glycoprotein IgA and antiphosphatidylserine IgM -->
Hematologist said not to worry and no need for treatment!
Dx: LPD
Cycle #1(08/2012): Clomid 50 mg CD3-7, Ovidrel CD13 + Progesterone = It worked!
BFP #5 on 09/10/12 (11 DPO). HCG #1 @ 14DPO = 131.6 HCG #2 @ 16DPO = 509
EDD: 05/23/2013
My OB gave me the option of VBAC, but I decided against it. After my 1st c-section I had my heart set on a VBAC, but after giving it a lot of thought I just didn't want to take the chance of ending up with the same feelings of depression and disappointment if I had to have another emergency c-section.
I have to say that a scheduled repeat section is the way to go. I was so happy with my 2nd birth experience and personally I found the recovery to be exceptionally easy, maybe because my body didn't go through the stress of labor.
My OB now is the same one that delivered Carley, so they know the history of that pregnancy and delivery. The amount of time lapsed between the two was one of the first questions I asked and he said that all factors considered, I was a good candidate. My OB also said that they will continue to monitor me to make sure that I remain a good candidate for the VBAC. So that's the story up here.
Now, if I end up having to deliver in FL then I would go off of the recommendations of my OB there and make sure that all of my records are transferred.
My biggest reason for wanting to go with the VBAC over a c/s is that we want more children. We would love 4, so as you mentioned, the issue with the scar tissue and repeat c/s's overtime is another thing to consider. Looks like I have lots of research ahead of me!
ETA: My OB in VA is very supportive of attempting a VBAC, which is why I'm even considering it as an option. I know that most OB's in Miami are not as supportive, so I'd imagine that would play into any decisions I would make.
I had 3 small tears, nothing crazy, but for some reason the stitches didn't hold, they fell out and it got infected. it was a nightmare! but apparently it's not that uncommon. I found several girls on the 0-3 month board who were going through the same thing i was. i think it took me about 14 months to feel completely normal again.