Girls who had successful VBAC's...

goodgollie

I'd like to hear some pros and cons about c/s vs. vaginal delivery.  I've always thought I'd get a VBAC the second time around but now I am questioning myself after my cousin just opted to have a c/s instead of a regular delivery after her first son's traumatic birth with lots of tearing.  I really want to experience bringing my baby into the world myself, but a c/s was so easy!  I had really easy recovery, too, but DS was also in the NICU for 12 days so I was able to rest a lot. Is it true that having a smaller baby means an easier vaginal delivery?  I will likely not have over a 7 pound baby with my small uterus size.  Thanks girls!

MaybeBabyTime

This is the same fear as mine. I had a CS after 28 hours in labor. The first week or so was rough. But I always remember being thankful my who-ha didn't hurt (I was looking for some positives). With that said, I dream of a delivery where my child can be placed on my chest and feel the accomplishment of childbirth. 

I fear that I will have a 4th degree and never be the same....as selfish as it sounds.  

dakota01

I had a successful vbac with ds 2.  My first was breech and after a failed version (due to uterine septum) I had a c/s.  I admit the recovery from that was quite easy.  But, walking long distances, lifting and those restrictions really would have been hard to follow with a toddler in tow.  My vbac was great.  I ended up with a slight tear, which could have been worse considering my son was 8#12oz.  I was up and out of bed within the hour, showered and felt great.  I was sore on my bottom, but not nearly as bad as I would have expected with a tear and all.  The only thing that was hard, which I think I had that problem after the c/s too was having a bm, that was when it got a little uncomfortable with a tear.  I would go for a vbac again in a heartbeat!  I had my son on my chest the entire time after delivery and was feeling much better and less drugged as the day went on, which is different from a c/s.  Good luck in your decision.

lorryfach

VBAC pros:

Baby placed on my chest immediately. 

I got up on my own, walked around, bent over, picked up heavy things, etc. less than an hour after giving birth. I felt like a million bucks.

Less risk for future pregnancies/births than if you go through multiple c/s.

C/S pros:

You get to schedule around the birth. (My mother missed it since I went into labor before her flight came in.)

You don't have to go through labor and pushing. (I know some women want to experience this. I don't. I think it sucks pretty royally, actually.)

You know for sure you will not tear "down there." (I did have a minor tear and everything was totally fine, but I knew it was a bit of a gamble.)

 

I had a good VBAC experience. I'm VERY glad I did it. I got the benefit of a very fast recovery, which is what I wanted more than anything. I had a toddler to come home to, and after a hard pregnancy, I didn't want to wait around any more to feel good!

But it wasn't 100% awesome. I just don't like giving birth. I really don't. I was willing to do it for my kids, but I think it mostly sucks. We are done, but if we did have another, I can't tell you for sure I'd VBAC again. I think it would depend on the ages of my girls, because if they could understand what was going on more, I don't think I'd mind a planned c/s recovery. I know a lot of women wouldn't agree with that choice, but that's how I feel. I think it also depends on the procedure of the hospital. I know at mine, I wouldn't be separated from my baby if we are both healthy. If they were going to take baby away from me for no reason, I wouldn't sign up for that voluntarily.

goodgollie

Thank you so much girls!  

papagena

My VBAC recovery was a breeze compared to my c/s. I was up and out of bed within the hour, I was able to fully care for my LO without all the assistance I needed when I was recovering from the c/s, I hardly napped at all, (although I should have more) compared to napping all.the.time for the c/s recovery. 

Granted, my recovery was good, but so was my c/s recover, and really - even DH commented - it was night and day.  Personally, for me, there were no cons to the VBAC, other than the rigamarole I had to go through to get it.