baby never descending - vbac vs. c-sec.

leshoequeen

I had a c-section two years ago after being induced, fully dilating, and pushing for two hours.  The baby never fully descended.  I had awesome nurses who helped me push in all sorts of different positions but she was just not coming out.  Now I'm pregnant and trying to decide if I want a VBAC or not.  My doctor is supportive either way.

I would like a VBAC for several reasons.  I'm hoping for an easier recovery to be able to take care of DD1 sooner.  I also want the experience of going into labor on my own and having a vaginal delivery.  I was very exhausted when I had my c-section and I think that helped with the anxiety during the c-sec, but I think if I were wide awake for a scheduled c-sec that I would be a nervous wreck.  

I am also not totally against the scheduled c-section because I don't want to go through the labor only to end up with a c-section.  I also don't want to go through the whole labor and have a bunch of tearing, stitches, etc.  

I guess I know that either route is not going to be pleasant!  I wish I had a crystal ball to see how the process would work either way!   In about a month I will schedule the c-section (about a month in advance) and I'm not sure if I want to schedule for 39 weeks and forget the vbac or if I want to schedule later and hope I go into labor on my own.  I'm so torn.

MAprincess

If it were me, I'd wait to see if labor happens and if you can VBAC.  There are so many reasons why your baby may not have descended that would be pregnancy specific and likely wouldn't happen a second time.  My guess is that, since you were induced, baby was not yet in birthing position and just not ready to come out.  Positioning is key for baby.

Also, I switched hospitals because my first would allow me to VBACif I went before 39 weeks because they would require I had a c/s then.  I was against this for many reasons.  Mostly because my first was born at 41.5 weeks so going before 39 weeks was doubtful.  My second was ultimately born at 41.1 weeks.  Had I stayed at the first hospital, they would have required that she come 2 full weeks early and there must have been a reason she wanted to be in there that long, right?

Go with your gut, but my suggestion is hold off on a RCS until at least 41 weeks if you can.  It will always be there if you change your mind.

Mamaofthesea

I think we ALL wish we had a crystal ball and could see how things would end up. I went through 35 hours of labor, including three hours of pushing before my c-section. I could see my baby's head in the mirror! She was that close! But she was positioned posterior and I just couldn't get her out. And then they saw meconium around her head, and it was over. 

At my last appt. the dr. did an ultrasound and determined that this baby is also (at least for now) in the posterior position. I'm terrified I'll end up with another c-section, of course after hours of painful and exhausting labor. Nevertheless, I have been certain throughout this pregnancy that I want to at least give the VBAC a shot. This is obviously a very personal decision, and one you have to make for yourself, but for me I just can't feel good about scheduling another c-section if there's a good possibility I can have a vaginal birth. Some of *my* most important reasons are:

1) Like you said, I don't want to be stuck in the hospital and away from DD longer than I need to be. And then when I get home, I don't want to be unable to care for myself and my children for that much longer because I'm recovering from surgery.

2) C-sections tend to prolong the amount of time it takes for your milk to come in. With my first c-section it took 5 days for my milk to come, and my poor DD was starving and frustrated. I had to supplement with formula, and it was all-round a stressful experience. 

3) I don't like the idea of having to be on strong pain killers while nursing. I know they say the meds are safe, but I'm not convinced.

4) C-sections are MAJOR surgery, and I just can't see subjecting myself to that if there's the possibility of another way.

5) I do really want to have the experience of a vaginal birth, of having my baby placed on my chest immediately, being the first person to hold my child, to look into his eyes before anyone else, and just being present for the whole experience.

6) Having the c-section terrified me. It took a long time for my incision to heal, and the thought of them just cutting my body open again is really upsetting to me. I think I would be just as scared this time around, if not more so. The pain of childbirth is somehow less scary.

In any case, I know it's not a sure thing, but the reality is it never is a sure thing for any woman. I would have never in a million years guessed my first would have to be a c-section. And even women who have had successful vaginal births can end up with c-sections the second time around. I know a lot more this time around than I did the first time, have a team of great midwives and OBs who are familiar my particular situation and the circumstances that required me to have a section the first time, and are therefore prepared to do everything to help me avoid the same thing happening again.

If you have talked to you dr. and she/he believes that your "problem" the first time around isn't necessarily going to repeat itself then that's a good sign. Also, this time around you can adjust your behavior to help baby descend before you go into labor. My OB told me that my best shot at a VBAC is to have this delivery look as different from the first as possible, so I'm doing things now to help baby get in the right position (stuff I didn't do with DD). 

Anyway, my long winded point is that I think we are all in the same position: hoping for a successful VBAC, but recognizing that it might not happen. My personal conclusion is that I will feel better knowing I at least gave myself the best possible chance than just accepting the RCS and always wondering if I could have avoided it. 

Ultimately you just need to decide what's best for you! Good luck making your decision. 

Jena503

There's no way of knowing what will happen.

Why were you induced? How long past your due date will they let you go this time?

Oh, and fwiw, my 2nd degree tear had nothing on a c/s. A tear is a lot easier to heal from - it's just not an area that's constantly getting stretched and moved like your abdomen, ya know?

For my first, I was induced at 38.5wk. They kept "losing the baby" on the monitor and running in panicking. I wasn't worried. I could feel the baby swimming around, moving from side to side, totally not engaged and not trying to make her way out. With my vbac, I went into labor on my own and I can tell you that when the baby is actually TRYING to come out, it makes a world of difference.