What are valid reasons...

freeatlast2014

I always thought I would NOT want a VBAC because I would hate to labor and end up with a c/s anyway. I know what recovery is like with a planned c/s (DS1 was transverse) and I know how awful it is. But it's the known that is comforting -- the unknown is terrfying.

However, I just found out I'm pg with #2. I checked out this board and started thinking over the past few days...I'm probably only 6 weeks pg & haven't met with my dr. yet. She did tell me after my last delivery that I could VBAC if I wanted to next time around.

But what I'm wondering is what are valid reasons for having a VBAC? I don't mind the surgery...it went great last time but the recovery was awful. If I chose to VBAC it would be 1. so that I am not restricted from picking up DS#1 and 2. so that I'm not in the hospital for a long time cause I don't want to be away from DS#1. And that pretty much is it. Is that enough?

What were your reasons?? TIA!! 

MAprincess

Those were two big reasons for me.  But to elaborate- not only could I pick up my older child after my VBAC, I felt about 90% 24 hours after delivery.  I was in line waiting for Santa with both of my children at a week pp and I took a (very impressive) solo trip to Costco with both of them at 2 weeks pp.  What I am trying to say is that the recovery was MUCH quicker for me.

Also, surgery is dangerous in general- it isn't a walk in the park and things can go wrong.  I personally just didn't see a need to have unnecessary surgery if I had the opportunity to birth the way my body is built to do it, you know?  Someone posted some medical research not long ago about the long-term negative effects of a c/s on the mother.  And people have some great articles that they reference that we really should put at the top of our page.

Bottom line for me- why have surgery when you don't need it?  To me, that just seems weird.  But I get that the unknown is nerve wracking.  I was fully dilated and my midwife told me that she was "right there" and I think that was the first moment that I truly thought "Wow, this is going to happen!" But it was such a smooth delivery with such a quick recovery, I am so glad I did it.  I figured, the c/s is there when it is needed, but my second birth did not require it.

nosoup4u

Those are totally valid reasons. Another big one for me was that I didn't want to have three c-sections if we chose to have a third kid.

ashleyhuney

Totally know what you mean. My c/s recovery was awful but I couldn't imagine laboring, weakening, and then having the c/s anyway. After my son I wasn't sure I wanted more children (originally wanted 3-4) and I thought I wanted a RCS if I did try. A few years later I decided to try a VBAC and I am sooooo glad. My reasons were: I wanted to be able to be as fully functioning for my son, and the new baby of course, but while still PG my current child was my priority still. I didn't want to take more children off the table and I would not try a third PG after two c/s. My VBAC recovery was incredible compared to the c/s. I was up right away and back to normal so quickly. We are planning on a TTC a third

holly321

My reasons are the increased risks with each c section. 

I want to be able to take care of DD.  

I want an easier recovery. 

My csection with DD was awful.  They cut me open when I wasn't numb.  I had to be put under and I missed DD's birth.  My recovery was awful.  I was in terrible pain for at least 3 weeks. I could barely do anything.

YaraC

I think those are two very valid reasons. My reasons included those two and also:

Not having my baby taken away from me right after it is born.

Easier BFing and milk coming in earlier

Better for babies lungs

Less risk of something happening to me and leaving my kid(s) motherless

Not having my abdomen sliced open unneccessarily.

To avoid being strapped naked to a table in a room full of strangers. 

babyike

No one can make a judgement on reasons why a woman chooses a VBAC.  If your reasons feel important enough to you, then they are valid reasons for wanting a VBAC instead of a RCS.  

For me, I had several reasons for wanting a VBAC.  The most important from my perspective were:

1.  I wanted to be a better advocate for myself and our baby during labor and delivery.  (I felt completely mislead and taken advantage of during my labor and c/s with DD.  The 2nd bolus of meds for my epidural failed during the first incisions of my c/s, so I felt the majority of what was happening on one side of my abdomen.  Horrifying to say the least.  I let them knock me out as soon as I saw DH carry her out of the OR)

2.  I wanted a better recovery than I had after my c/s with DD.  (I couldn't even get up to go to the bathroom by myself for over 2 weeks...DH had to help me out of bed, onto the toilet, and off of the toilet.  Humiliating and so very painful)

3.  I wanted to feel like I could physically take care of both DD and our newborn.  (I knew this wouldn't be the case if I went with a RCS)

4.  We knew we wanted 3 children, and I was not comfortable at all with having 3 c/s.  I also refused to be "okay" with the idea of having an unnecessary surgery. 

And FWIW, I was able to get up and take a shower 100% by myself just a few hours after my VBAC with DS.  I swear that shower was hands-down the BEST shower I've ever taken in my life thus far!  My emotions postpartum after my VBAC were a complete 180 from how I felt postpartum after my c/s.  I literally smiled the entire 36 hours I was in my hospital room before being discharged to go home.  With my c/s I was miserable and crying the entire 4 days I was required to stay at the hospital postpartum.  

HTH and GL! 

EDIT:  typos and clarity 

maplehearts

I wanted to push this one out. There was just something in me that wanted to at least know what it felt like. I hated my c-section but I trusted that my new dr. would do a better job.

I agree with everyone else's reasons but they wern't my main motivator. I tried to be laid back (in my mind)  so I wouldn't be crushed if it didn't happen. I wasn't laid back around the Dr. at all.  

I also wanted to go into labor naturally, but I ended up getting induced. Maybe with the next one...

Klmorgan83

My main reasons were being able to pick up my older child.  DH is gone for 24 hours at a time for work, so I wanted to be able to fully care for both of them from the beginning.  Easier recovery was also one, I couldn't wear regular pants for 6+ weeks after my c-section.  And I also just really wanted to know what it was like to have a vaginal birth.  I didn't feel like less of a mother because of my c-section I just wanted to experience what my body was made to do.

But with all that being said, I ended up having my VBAC but had a horrible recovery (due to a spinal headache from my epidural gone wrong) that left me unable to care for either of my children for the first week.  I was admitted into the hospital for two days, separated from my newborn, unable to continue to breastfeed.  But even with everything that happened I do not regret my decision to VBAC, it was an amazing experience even though it didn't turn out like planned.  So now if we do have a third child I'll know that I can do it...I just won't have an epidural the next time!

JG362009

Those are great reasons to have a VBAC.  I hated my c-section and am just looking to have an entirely different experience this time. 

ks3pink

iI'm so glad someone posted this.  I have been lurking here and the c-sectio board and wasn't really sure what I wanted to ask on either board.  I have the same reasons as many others though I have this crazy fear of having to have an emergency cs for some reason.  This has really given me something to think about when I talk with my doctor on the 6th!  Thanks so much OP for asking and everyone else for the thoughtful responses!

angelina477

Recovery was ridiculously easy for me with a VBAC. I could not believe how quickly I was able to get back into the swing of things. I needed to feel that I could do it if I really wanted. DD1 was breech so I had no real issues with not progressing ect.