what made you choose a vbac?

delwynne

hi guys, i have had to make the decision between a rcs and vbac....i chose a rcs, i am not here to judge u all and i hope u wont judge my choice i am merely here asking what was ur big deciding factor in choosing to go vbac? i wouldv loved the recovery of a vbac over a csection anyday, but for me i think rsc was the best decision, anyway anyone who would like to jump in with how they come to their decision, i would love to hear ur story! and good luck to all u brave mums!

margeincharge3

For me the main motivating factor was wanting to avoid surgery. My c/s recovery went as well as it could have but I knew it was still more difficult than a vaginal birth. I didn't want to deal with recovering from surgery plus having a newborn and 3 y.o. I also don't know that we're finished having kids and each c/s only increases risks for complications.

Also, all my reasons not to have a vbac were based out of fear. Mainly, I feared a rupture and I feared not being successful. Neither one seemed a good enough reason for me not to try for a vaginal birth.

A37licia

My two reasons were 1) we wanted more than two children and did not want to have additional surgeries (up to 4, no thanks) and 2) I strongly desired my child to pass through the birth canal for the health benefits through life that it brings (with colonization of bacteria and fluid being squeezed out of the lungs, delayed cord clamping, etc). I'm soooo thankful God gave me a VBAC with my second to pave the way for straightforward births in the future - it would have been harder (but not impossible) to find support for a VBA2C.

holly321

I had so many reasons....

avoiding the recovery of a csection.  My csection ws under general, so I wand to avoid the trauma that brought.  I wanted to experience vaginal child birth.  I don't like the added risk to each pregnancy after a csection.  IMO rcs is completely unnecessary.  Also. With dd I dilated to about 6, and wasn't in labor, it wasn't easy getting there, I was miserable for weeks. And tht felt like such a waste.  

cchill01

I had so many reasons...

1.  I think my first c-section was unneccesary...failure to wait. I didn't believe that there was anything 'wrong' with me or my body that I couldn't do what nature intended.

2.  I had a long recovery...almost a year before I felt totally healed.  I wanted to be able to pick up my DD#1 immediately.

3.  I would never want an unneccesary surgery of any kind and the risks that come with it.

4.  We may want a 3rd child, and a 3rd RCS is even more risky than the 2nd

5.  I wanted the birth experience.  I wanted to prove that I could do it.  I wanted to cuddle with my baby immediately - without feeling drugged and violated.

6.  The ACOG recommends a trial of labor for almost all women.

7.  The March of Dimes and others recommend a trial of labor in order to prepare the baby's lungs for breathing - among other benefits.

preg_amy

cchill01:

I had so many reasons...

1.  I think my first c-section was unneccesary...failure to wait. I didn't believe that there was anything 'wrong' with me or my body that I couldn't do what nature intended.

2.  I had a long recovery...almost a year before I felt totally healed.  I wanted to be able to pick up my DD#1 immediately.

3.  I would never want an unneccesary surgery of any kind and the risks that come with it.

4.  We may want a 3rd child, and a 3rd RCS is even more risky than the 2nd

5.  I wanted the birth experience.  I wanted to prove that I could do it.  I wanted to cuddle with my baby immediately - without feeling drugged and violated.

6.  The ACOG recommends a trial of labor for almost all women.

7.  The March of Dimes and others recommend a trial of labor in order to prepare the baby's lungs for breathing - among other benefits.

Almost all of this, except #2. While my recovery with DS1 was long and unpleasant, it wasn't quite that bad. 

And ditto squeezing through the birth canal and all the benefits that come with it, including the benefits for the lungs and bacteria introduction.

SarahRae85

For me, it's mostly because I know my chances of success are high enough that a RCS does become the "unnecessary surgery" so many people talk about. I had a successful vaginal with my first and my c-section was due to cord prolapse, aka a complete fluke and not due to failure to progress or anything else that could potentially reoccur.

So, for me, a VBAC is the "obvious choice". If my doctor were to express concern (he hasn't even with me measuring large, which is why I respect him enough to listen. I probably would have ignored the doctors I saw for my first two pregnancies), I would consider a RCS, but for now, VBAC is the plan.

ETA: Another deciding factor: The difference between a vaginal recovery vs. a c-section recovery with two rambunctious preschoolers at home already.

ColeyHouse

I'm choosing a VBAC because of 2 main reasons. first, i watched alot of those baby shows and i know i missed something being able to see my baby right away, having her on my tummy and just embracing that joy. with my c-section i was basically knocked out, except for the occasional in and out thing, i only saw my daughter for a split second before i was out again. not til recovery did i see her which took an hr after i was awake. secondly, it took far too long to recover from the c-section. i dont know if it was normal, but it took forever!!!! lol and it was extremely painful. with this one, i want to be able to help my DH out, since we do have a 3 year old. dont want him to have take care of 2 kids and me! lol good luck to you also!! your just as brave, too!!

Jen524

I wanted to go into labor on my own if at all possible (had an induction with DD1 that probably should not have happened).  I wanted to have an easier recovery.  I also was very frustrated with DD1's birth because I went through the entire induced labor for 36 hours with no epidural, got to a 10, and pushed for over an hour before they decided she wasn't moving and I needed the C-section.  I regret parts of her birth and I wanted to try for a VBAC because I was much better educated this time around.  I also think if I would have gone through the entire labor/pushing again and ended up with a c-section the second time.  I would not feel like as much of a failure because with my first labor/delivery I did not speak up for myself.  If I would have ended up with a c-section the second time, at least I would have known I would have done everything in my power to try for a vaginal birth.

I also wanted more than 3 kids or at least the possibility and the docs in this area are hesitant to do 4 sections.   

However, I told my husband who was a great support that if for any reason during the VBAC it looked like I was in trouble or the baby was - I would be for a c-section.  Luckily, the labor was much easier and the birth and recovery so much better than my c-section.  It was also a very healing birth for me. 

It definitely was not an easy decision because there were risks on both sides.  I am happy I was able to VBAC.  Good luck to you!  You made the decision that is best for you and that is all that matters.