C-Section vs. VBAC...HELP!

Pixie1225

Hello Ladies,  I posted this on 1st tri a couple of hours ago and I wanted to get some additional advice.  Everyone that was on 1st Tri is so helpful and understanding.  I am however still scared out of my wits.  In my heart, I know that I want a C-Section, but DH and Doctor are really trying to get me to do VBAC.  I am feeling so pressured and so scared that something bad is going to happen and that I am going to make the wrong choice.  I was so sure for my second pregancy that I was going to have a C-Section and all was going to be fine.  Now since the doctor gave me all of this stuff to read, I am scared of both options.  In my eyes, I could die either way.  I don't Google things for a reason, they just freak people out for no reason at all.  I don't like not being in control and second guessing myself and I need some further advice.  Sorry for the rant....

 POSTED THIS MORNING

Ever since my first app last week I haven't been able to shake the only thing that urked me.  My new doctor is trying to convince me on having a VBAC.  DH is open to the idea but I am just so hesitant.  I have an extremely small frame, my DS was 8 pounds, 21 inches long when he was born, he was face up and after 24 hours of labor, 1 hour of pushing they decided on an emergency C-Section.  I do not want to go through that again just to get the same result.  My question is......that if a VBAC is suppose to be SAFER for the baby and for mommy, then why do I have to sign a consent form?  Is there a consent form for a scheduled c-section because there are risks with that too.....which the consent form for the VBAC had no trouble badmouthing a CSection.  Now I am scared of both options!!  I promised my DH that I will do all of my research and we will make the decision together, but in the end, isn't it really up to me and what I feel comfortable with?

ILoveRunning

Yes, you do have to sign a consent for a c-section, whether it is planned or not (except for the most extreme cases where mom is not able).  I'm guessing you probably signed one for your last c-section and that you don't remember.

I'm sorry that you are feeling pressured, but it sounds like you have the time to make an informed decision.  In the end, it is your decision and you should feel comfortable about it without pressuring you.  There are legitimate, very small risks to either a c-section or a VBAC, so the best thing to do is continue talking to your DH and Doctor.  Thankfully we live in a time and place where most women who do go through childbirth (whether by c-section or vaginally) are healthy afterwards.  Technically speaking, a VBAC is less risky for a mother than a repeat c-section, but the risk is still very low.  If you want to have a large family, I would encourage you to at least consider a VBAC because of the risks of having multiple c-sections.

 Good luck! 

Happily Overwhelmed

You have to sign a consent form no matter what. I remember signing mine on my ride to the OR. I would assume you have to sign one for the VBAC ahead of time because you are consenting to wait it out and they are legally obligated to discuss the "what ifs" and the consent form says they've done that. It doesn't mean that the doctor is believing there might be an issue. They just have to be covered in any case.

If you don't want to go for a VBAC then don't. My doctors all seem to be pushing for RCS because they are easier. Not neccessarily for me. But they seem to like their schedules very planned. I'm really on the fence with RCS vs VBAC. I'm jealous you know what you want... But sorry to hear others are pressuring you to decide differently.

sbartschke

My Dr. suggested my first c-section because she thought I would end up in a situation exactly like your first labor. We did an elective c-section and it was so easy and not rushed or scary. I have already told DH that I will have a RCS with LO#2 (due November). Just like with DS the choice was mine and is yours. It is your body, if you are going to be worried about another emergency c-section situation and it is going to stress you out, then personally, I would go with RCS. You have plenty of time to make your decision the risks of complication is low either way you go. HTH Good Luck

Pixie1225

Thanks for all of the comments.  Everyone keeps saying that complications are low, but you read all of these articles and information on the internet and honestly the information about what could happen is scary.  I am not trying to sugar coat things at all, but it doesn't help my decision and worries.  I do agree with the above......this is causing me extra stress, which intern is stressing out the baby, I don't want that.  At the end of the day, I want my DH and Doctor to support my decision and be postive about it.  Because if they are going to be difficult and keep trying to change my mind, I have all the right to change doctors and tell DH that he doesn't have to be there.  It's extreme but that is where I am at right now. 

This by no means is me saying that VBAC is bad......I was lurking on the VBAC board and read some articles and some posts.  All of those ladies support VBAC and that is great, I just don't think it's for me.

pepomntpat

You have to sign a consent form for any medical treatment-even a "normal" vaginal birth in a hospital. That's the way hospitals work.

For the rest of it, I would schedule an extra long appointment with your OB and go over the risks/benefits  of both options (as there are risks and benefits to both options) and make an informed decision that works best for you.

Rhenna

You have a lot of time to make this decision, try not to let it stress you out so much.  I think as your pregnancy moves along you will know what is right for you and become more confident in that decision.  You have your Dr.'s and husbands opinions so just leave it at that and try not to discuss it for now.  I felt the same way right at the beginning of my pregnancy but now that I'm 22 weeks I've finally decided on my own that I want a RCS and I feel good about my decision.  It helps really knowing what you want before talking to people that you know will only try to persuade you.  Now I feel like I can go to my Dr. and to DH and say flat out, "I'm doing a RCS."  If they protest, "it's my body, it's what I'm most comfortable with and that's that." 

Pixie1225

All of this advice is so helpful, thanks so much again.  I know that this is early, but the doctor said that we would chat again at my 12 week app.  Some of my friends are saying that this is really early and why are we discussing this now.  We have no clue what will happen at 39 weeks.  I am going to try and not to stress, thanks again!

iris427

If you want a RCS then tell your doctor and husband that is what you want.  If your doctor won't support you, find a new one.  Most doctors are more than happy to do a RCS--in fact, many do not do VBAC at all.  If this talk of all this risks is making you nervous, stop reading about them.  Read some normal, happy birth stories to get your mind in a positive place.  You have plenty of time and you don't need to spend your whole pregnancy freaking out about worst case scenarios.  GL.

aprillle

Aw, I feel really bad that you are being pressured about this so soon!  You have lots of time to consider your options and your doctor is worrying you for no reason right now. 

Don't read about the risks anymore - or at least take a break from it.  You should be enjoying being pregnant right now and not stressed out.  Or complaining about morning sickness at the very least! 

 

nealbl

I was induced ended in emergency C-section. Big LO was not dropping and her heart rate was getting dangerously low. My C-section was a breeze no complications. I never tried to push LO out in fact I only got to 2.5cm.

My OB said they would do another C-section this time. I am sure if I wanted to try VBAC they would not have an issue with it but honestly I wanted to do another C-section. It was really scary for me when they were talking about her heart rate and that she was in danger. I don't want to feel like that again.

I did put some good thought into it though. Do what you are most comfortable with

capulet

There are a lot of reasons I could say I chose an RCS over a VBAC (and fortunately nobody was pressuring me heavily in either direction), but in the end, I just didn't *want* a VBAC, I just felt obligated to have one, and I figured obligation wasn't as likely to get me through a successful trial of labor as actually wanting a vaginal birth.  Whatever you choose, you're the one who has to go through it, so it should be your decision and you shouldn't let anyone pressure you to do something you don't feel comfortable doing.  The risks for both are fairly low, and honestly I think most of us faced with the same decision, knowing the risks, make our decisions based on our experiences and expectations of birth more than the risks.

saywhut82

I think it is awesome you are able to choose VBAC or C-section. Personally, it doesn't matter what you choose, as long as you feel comfortable with your decision. Your DH and OB should respect your wishes, because it is your decision. With both procedures you have to sign a consent form because doctors do not want to be held liable if something crazy happens during either procedure. As for me, I have to wait another 2 weeks before I can find out if I am allowed to have a VBAC or not. Personally, I had an emergency C-section with my daughter and so I feel the option to choose was taken from me. I personally didn't like how long it took for me to recover from the surgery and the 4 years it took before I had feeling in the area where I was cut. I am not too keen on the fact that I could permanently lose feeling in that area if I have another C-section. So if I am given the option I will choose VBAC. Best of luck.