VBAC or C-Section

RyleeCarey

I had a c-section with my son at 28 weeks, he was breeched and his feet were stuck in my cervix so they had to get him out right away. I am now almost 35 weeks with my second little guy and have been on bedrest since I was 25 weeks. My doctor discussed with me at my last appointment about a vbac or doing another c-section. She gave me info about the risks of doing a vbac but she does think I would be able to do it. I cannot make up my mind of what to do, a vbac would be nice since I wouldn't have to spend time in the hospital but I'm very scared of something going wrong. My recovery from my previous c-section was not very great either since I suffered from spinal headaches afterwards and had to go back to get a bloodpatch done. I guess I was wondering if anyone else has had to make this decision, other advice would really be appreciated

MAprincess

Ask her to cover the risks of a c/s also.  There are equal risks to both.  Then make the call that you think is right for you.  Not sure if there are increased risks either way due to your first c/s being at 28 weeks.  Generally, a VBAC comes with the lower risks, which is why I chose it, but both of my births (c/s and VBAC) were full term births. 

My c/s recovery was average but my VBAC recovery was much easier.  I was ready to leave the hospital an hour after birth (and I did tear- but it wasn't bad compared to the surgery). 

It's such a personal choice, but I do recommend making sure you get the complete lists of risk and benefits for both routes for your personal medical history and make the decision with your doctor and DH.

Good luck!

Kissimi21

I agree with MAprincess.  Ask your doctor for the risks and benefts of both, then make your decision from there.

I talked things over with my OB and will be attempting a VBAC with these babies.  I weighed both options and decided that I would like to try for a vaginal birth, but if it didn't happen, at least I know what to expect with a c/s.

Daisy22

This is such a personal decision. I would sit down and talk to your dh about the options then go from there.

I always knew if my first was a c/s then all pregnancies would be. I have some very personal reasons for my decision and it was what was best for us. My first c/s was easy though and the 2nd, 3rd were even easier. Good luck with yoru decision

meg1974

I chose to have a RCS b/c the reason for my first one had more to do with me than with DD, so there was a chance the same thing would happen again. In your case, it sounds like you might be a better candidate for a VBAC than I was.

I do agree it's a personal decision, and you have to weigh the risks and benefits of both procedures.  

As far as the spinal headaches, those were probably from the epidural, not the surgery, so unless you plan to deliver naturally (meaning no medication), you would risk having the headaches again. I did read somewhere that some dr's prefer not to give medication with a VBAC so they will better know if something is wrong, so you might want to ask about that if it matters to you. 

GL with your decision! 

Angela814

My choice with DD2 was a VBAC. I had a c/s with DD1 due to failure to progress. She was 10 days overdue and a large baby - 9lbs2oz and 22". Due to her size, my OB didn't think that it was likely I would have a successful VBAC, but she was willing to let me try provided DD2 came before my due date. We scheduled a repeat c/s for 40w2d just in case. Well, I had absolutely no signs of labor up to that date, so I ended up with a repeat c/s. DD2 was 9lbs4oz and 21.5". My recovery from the second c/s was much easier. I'm not thrilled that I'll have to have another one, but I'm hoping the third is even easier than the second. (My OB wouldn't agree to a VBA2C.)