Scared to try for a VBAC?

Re: Scared to try for a VBAC?

• papagena member

  October 2010

  I won't tell you which way to go - I think that's such a personal choice (I know it is for me).  I can commiserate on the fear, though.  It's funny - last time I had no fear around having a vaginal birth.  I figured it was normal, most women who have children do it, I believed that because I was in a hospital I'd be perfectly safe, my mom had always had fairly quick labors (around 8 hours), so I didn't expect a marathon that I wouldn't be able to deal with, etc. 

  This time, it was like I had two roads to choose from, one that I wasn't entirely happy with, but I knew, and the other one that I had so looked forward to but was still a mystery.  For me, I've always wanted a vaginal birth - I thought and expected it'd be something I'd experience as a woman and mother, so there was never really any question that I'd go for the VBAC, but I have had to deal with more fear surrounding it - not because of the 'additional risks' of a VBAC, if that makes sense. 

  I won't lie, I think with many hospitals, it really does help if you go in there really knowing what you want and being pretty committed to a VBAC, but you still have time to think about it and figure out what you want.  The thing I would definitely look at are the risks of multiple c/s if you're planning on having more kids down the line.   I think those, for me, have seemed like the most concerning/likely problems.  I don't know that that is really statistically true, though.
  

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• cutiegirl147

  October 2010

  I pretty much waited untill the end to really decide, and my doctor was fine with that.  She told me that I could choose to have a c-section at pretty much any point, including when I was actually in labor.  I really wasn't 100 percent decided untill I was in the hospital having contractions, but I was leaning toward VBAC most of the time, knowing that I could change my mind

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• spark&echo

  October 2010

  papagena:

  I won't tell you which way to go - I think that's such a personal choice (I know it is for me).  I can commiserate on the fear, though.  It's funny - last time I had no fear around having a vaginal birth.  I figured it was normal, most women who have children do it, I believed that because I was in a hospital I'd be perfectly safe, my mom had always had fairly quick labors (around 8 hours), so I didn't expect a marathon that I wouldn't be able to deal with, etc. 

  This time, it was like I had two roads to choose from, one that I wasn't entirely happy with, but I knew, and the other one that I had so looked forward to but was still a mystery.  For me, I've always wanted a vaginal birth - I thought and expected it'd be something I'd experience as a woman and mother, so there was never really any question that I'd go for the VBAC, but I have had to deal with more fear surrounding it - not because of the 'additional risks' of a VBAC, if that makes sense. 

  I won't lie, I think with many hospitals, it really does help if you go in there really knowing what you want and being pretty committed to a VBAC, but you still have time to think about it and figure out what you want.  The thing I would definitely look at are the risks of multiple c/s if you're planning on having more kids down the line.   I think those, for me, have seemed like the most concerning/likely problems.  I don't know that that is really statistically true, though.
  

  This, particularly the second paragraph.  What makes VBAC so scary to me right now (I'm at the end of my pregnancy) is because I have never had a vaginal birth.  I know what to expect from a c/s, so there have been several times during my pregnancy when I have truly been so scared that I felt that I should just go schedule a repeat c/s.  And the reason why I get so scared is because VBAC moms are often seen as ticking time bombs.  People don't hide their anxiety at my choosing to VBAC outside of the hospital.  I just keep reminding myself that in all reality, they don't know much about VBAC at all.

  And yes, I think it's important to think about how many kids you want.  I think we'd like three.  This was actually the main reason why I began seriously thinking about VBAC in the first place. 

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• Sazhrah member

  October 2010

  I completely understand your fear. I have had 3 v/b and 1 c/s. I wasn't so much planning this child because of my fear of having a repeat c/s or the possible dangers of a vbac. I think if anything, this is my only real fear during this pregnancy.

  I am TERRIFIED of having another c/s. It's not that I had a bad experience, it's I am so freaked out about the pain and recovery and possible more damage that may occur to my body with another one.

  I am new to this board and was referred by another board I am on and hope to get to read stories and experiences to help me make the best decision I can for the baby, me and my family.

  
  
  
  

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• iris427 member

  October 2010

  I think a lot of us have the same fears.  When you try for a VBAC, there is no guarantee and that is something a lot of us struggle with.  I know that I would regret if I didn't at least try for a VBAC.  Personally I would rather try for a vaginal delivery and have another unplanned c/s than not try and schedule a c/s.  But that is a very personal choice and no one can tell you which choice to make.  

  And FWIW I had a c/s after 2 days of labor and my recovery was still very easy. 

  
  

  
  

  Big sister {September 2008} Sweet boy {April 2011} Fuzzy Bundle {ETA July 2014}
  

  
  

  
  

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