Question in response to previous post about having a 2nd c section

NewFamily09 · July 2010

I'm just curious, because a lot of people seem to be having repeat c sections. I'm curious of what your reasons are for repeating a c section. Did your doctor say you had to because of some condition or did you just choose to do the repeat c section. I think I want to try for a VBAC, but I would just like to hear the other side of it to see if maybe there is a good reason not to try for a VBAC and maybe I should reconsider a c section.

darlene'smommy · July 2010

My hospital does not allow vbac's. My c-section was planned right from the first appt. I was even told the 2 days it would be just depends on my doctor.

BabyS2008 · July 2010

My doctor does not do VBACs.

Sadietoo · July 2010

I'm going for my second VBAC.

Like pp said, some hospitals don't allow VBACs. Also, I think it greatly depends on how a person ended up with a c-section in the first place. If they labored forever with little progress, or if the baby wasn't descending...etc., I think in those cases, a repeat c-section might feel (understandably) like a better option.

In my case, DS#1 was born via emergency c-section because of heart decels, I was never in labor, they just found out this was going on during a routine exam, so they had to 'take him out' asap.

With DS#2 I went full term, had a short labor and easy delivery so it was definitely worth it...but still a bit nerve-wracking to make the decision to go ahead with a VBAC attempt, because you just never know. They definitely have you sign a number of waivers, which is a scary thing to do in itself, since it really outlines all the risks involved in your choice (whichever it may be)

However, what I've learned from reading the pros and cons of each, mainly from the documentation provided at the hospital, but also on my own research, is that there really isn't a safest or best option. While there might be slightly less risks with a VBAC that goes smoothly than a repeat c-section (due to it being 'surgery') there are more risks associated with a VBAC attempt, turned repeat c-section at the last minute.

Anyway, i could go on and on Bottom line is, it's a deeply personal choice, and as long as you have a healthy baby in the end, it shouldn't matter how he/she comes out

Jaimers375 · July 2010

My dr. left it totally up to me. She suggested, based on the reasons I had my first c/s that I have a repeat one, that I wasn't a good candidate for a vbac. My first was because my water broke, never went into labor on my own and after several rounds of pitocin I never progressed past 3 cm and the baby never entered the canal. I also had a big baby, 9 lbs 6 oz. They told me if I wanted to do a VBAC, but this baby was just as big that they wouldn't let me try it anyway.

Honestly, it's kind of nice, especially with a LO already to know when I'm going to have the baby. I know when the grandparents need to come over to watch him, there won't be any last minute scrambling, assuming I don't go before 39 weeks of course.

~*Sarah*~ · July 2010

i was told at my first appointment i had to have a repeat because of how close my pregnancies are but i am going to re visit this at my next appointment because maybe if they think i could be successful i will try to vbac. one some people chose to have another c section is the risk of rupture and losing your baby, its all Dependant on your situation. DD was what they call sunny side up i pushed for 2 hrs and she yo yoed so she was stuck and needed to come out. maybe this time if the baby is in the right position i could be successful we dont know. im interested as well to hear what people have to say.

Is it June yet? · July 2010

I really wanted to try for a VBAC until one of the doctors talked me out of it. The births will be 18 months apart and it's right on the borderline of "too close together". One doc told me that it's a 1 in 200 chance of rupture this close together. That was enough to convince me. Also, the docs in the group (there are 5 and I have seen 4 so far) feel I'm not a good candidate anyway because DS never made it past my pelvic bone. I pushed for a few hours and he didn't budge. His heart rate got erratic, so they cut him out since the pushing was causing him stress. I'm glad the decision has been made. It will help in planning for DS while I'm in the hospital (assuming I don't go into labor on my own before 39 weeks).

Mama_SAS · July 2010

My hospital doesn't allow VBAC either. That made my decision really easy.

My first was due to CPD. DS's head was too large for my pelvis. When they did the c-section they had to dislodge his head because he was stuck so bad.

vanessaNOV2 · July 2010

My doc gave me both choices, but also added that since I just had a baby (almost 9 months ago) that there is a chance of the c-section line tearing trying to push a baby through. That part didn't really affect my choice to want a c-section again. I went through a tough 24hr labor and ended up getting a c-section (20 mintues later my baby was born).

I think for me, its planned, the epidural didn't hurt that much, and there wouldn't be a day of labor and ending up with a c-section anyway.

Although the recovery from the c-section was alwful (not sure if some of it was from being in labor for a day), I have more help this time from family and friends, and I also have my MIL living with us.

marisah · July 2010

I chose a repeat C/S based on my first experience. ?I had a long labor, ended up on pitocin, finally did make it to 10 cm and pushed for 5 hours but baby would not come out. ?They used the vacuum and when he was born he had a very large fluctuant hematoma on his head and had to have a catscan to rule out bleeding in the brain. ?Also his left arm was wedged so hard that he had a pinched nerve and couldn't move his left lower arm much for a couple of days after. ?He was large at 9 pounds 6 ounces and I am fairly petite with very small hips. ?He also had to stay in the NICU for two days due to the hematoma and ingesting muconeum during the long birth process. ?I felt that it was safer for the baby to do the repeat C/S and that is what I was the most concerned about. ?I can definitely see why some people would choose a VBAC. ?It just wasn't the right choice for me.

Kellina · July 2010

I think it does depend on WHY you had the 1st section...

for me, I had GD and they knew baby was big- 9lb 11oz. I am 5'1" and very petite.I had a scheduled c/s, but I did go into labor 3 days prior! I made it to 4-5 cm before they got me into the OR. They said DS hadn't moved down at ALL and he should have. And that there was no way he would've fit through my pelvis.

This time around, I will probably do a VBAC if baby isn't huge!! If baby is big, they probably won't let me try!

g8orell · July 2010

With DD, I was in labor for over 24 hours...15 hours without an epi and several hours of Pitocin and after all that, I was dilated to a big fat 0cm!! I have a very narrow pelvis...couldn't even fit a 7lb 9oz baby! DH is very tall (6'2") and broad shouldered...DD had broad shoulders as well. In fact, she even got stuck in my pelvis during the c-section. My OB said it's up to me, but given the fact that I have a narrow pelvis and this is a boy (which tend to be bigger), it's probably not gonna work out. And I DO NOT want 24 hours of labor to end up in a c/s again!

stephanieroyer · July 2010

mine is for medical reasons. with DS it was an emergency section and the Dr preforming it cut in too deep and too wide, because of that what he should have done was sew the tear, place a fold of skin over the tear and sew it again, but what he did was just sew it once and tell me never to try a VBAC. in my eyes he's a complete a$$ and should have done his job better, but there isnt anything i can do and DS came out healthy and as long as this child does too im alright with that.

erbear · July 2010

not many docs in PA do VBACs. I found one who does and I'm considering it if I'm a favorable candidate.

hudsaunt1 · July 2010

My hospital does not do VBACs. And there is no way in HE!! that I want to go through 42 hours of labor again (even with all of the meds.)

lolc · July 2010

This will be my 3rd c-section. Even if the doctor said I could have a VBAC for #3, to be honest, at this point, *I* don't feel comfortable with that option. I would be WAYYYYYYYY too stressed out about uterine rupture, even if the chance is still small with a 3rd c-section.... it's not a risk I am willing to take at this point.

I wanted a VBAC for baby #2, since I did NOT plan to have a c-section for baby #1 and felt really robbed of the "natural" birth experience. I had a nearly impossible time finding a doctor who would perform a VBAC (I'm in FL). I finally settled on an OB who said that *IF* I go into labor on my own before the scheduled c-section date, that I could try for a VBAC. He scheduled my repeat c less than 5 days before my due date. But alas, baby #2 never started labor, so I had a repeat c-section.

My repeat c-section was a WONDERFUL experience. I am nervous about having a 3rd c-section, but I have come to accept that c-section is the way to go for me, and that I am no "less" of a woman or mother for having one than if I had a vaginal birth.

Goldiefrocks2 · July 2010

I had an emergency c section last time after 18 hours of labor due to the baby having a fever and low amniotic fluid because he was a week overdue (according to the doctor). He said I could do VBAC but to wait at least a year. But, we accidentally got pregnant 4 months after the baby was born so it's too early for VBAC.

pook1105 · July 2010

I was told that i wasnt a good canidate for VBAC since i had no progress with my son and i ended up having a emergency c/s. So my DH and I decided on a repeat just to keep the baby safe.

smllel · July 2010

lolc:

My repeat c-section was a WONDERFUL experience. I am nervous about having a 3rd c-section, but I have come to accept that c-section is the way to go for me, and that I am no "less" of a woman or mother for having one than if I had a vaginal birth.

This...and my 1st was 10.7 lbs. I did not have GD, just genetically big babies. #2 was 8.13, which was big enough...the sono said she was over 9. Baby #1 was stuck in my pelivs and her shoulder was bruised.

Honestly, I truly trust my dr. She takes the safe route and that is what matters to me.

Luv*N*C-los · July 2010

It's hospital policy that "once a csection, always a csection". I kind of was upset about it at first, but truthfully I think I'm terrified about having a vaginal delivery so I'm fine with it. (My first one was an emergency c-section cause DD's heartrate kept dropping during contractions).

Meeshe · July 2010

I'm hoping for a VBAC but realistic it may not happen. I was induced at 40 weeks, 5 days. After 36 hours, never dilated past 3 and water had been broken by that point for over 12 hours. She was 9'11" at one week overdue.

My dr. is in general pro-VBAC. She told me she wouldn't say no but wasn't very optimistic given how things went. She said my cervix just wouldn't budget. I've althought thought it was probably due to her being big, nearly posterior, and me being induced. However, there is no way to know. We both agree no induction. So my hope is to schedule on or after my due date and give me some time to see if I go into labor on my own. Dr. said we'll also do a late ultrasound to estimate weight. While we agree they're not very reliable, they're not usually off by 2 pounds for example.

So we just decided to keep talking about it and see how things progress so I say I'm trying to remain optimistic, but realistic.

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Question in response to previous post about having a 2nd c section

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