This may be inflamatory, but...

msasnitu · October 2010

What is so wrong with having a second c-section? I'm pregnant with my second child after an emergency c-section due to failure to progress, and I'm undecided about what to do the second time around. I can tell many women feel very strongly about having a VBAC the second (or third...) time around, and I am not sure I understand. I'm not trying to create controversy here - I am genuinely interested in why you feel so strongly about it. Perhaps I haven't considered all the factors and there is something I just don't see...

chicsub · October 2010

Nothing if it's your choice. It's when OBs or whoever take the choice away and go against current medical recommendations or scare women into getting one (ACOG for example) that it becomes more of an issue.

Overall there is less risk involved with a vaginal birth (not that there isn't any risk, just less). Some people want to have multiple kids, so they'd rather not have c/s after c/s as well.

Hope that helps a little!

P.S. Were you rushed off to your c/s or was it FTP?

ABMcKinney · October 2010

I don't think there's anything wrong with it! I was so focused on having a VBAC with baby #2 because I felt like I really missed out on having a vaginal birth experience. After deciding at 38 weeks that a repeat c-section was in the best interest of myself and the baby I was pretty upset. After the planned c/s I realized that what I had missed out on wasn't a vaginal birth, I had just missed out on a good birth experience! My first c/s was pretty traumatic but my 2nd, planned, c/s was amazing. I'm so glad I got to have that experience! I might try a VBA2C if/when we decide to have a 3rd child, but at least I know that if I do decide to have another c/s I can make it a great birth experience.

BetchySprout · October 2010

Exactly what poster #2 said...nothing wrong with it if it is YOUR CHOICE.

Also, if you want a large family, having a repeat c-section(s) could severely limit the number of children you are able to bear.

I want a VBAC because I believe I was bullied into an induction which failed and then rushed to a c-section that was not necessary. That is my experience. Everyone else has their own reasons.

disbride061103 · October 2010

There is nothing wrong with a second c/s if that is what you want. For me, I wanted to at least try for a vaginal birth. DS1 turned breech 5 days before my die date. I had a c/s two days later. I never went into labor. Heck, I never had a single contraction that I could feel. I honestly felt like I missed out on the whole labor and delivery experience. My VBAC attempt was not successful. I had a c/s after 20 hours of labor. I am perfectly ok with how everything happened but I am beyond grateful for the chance to attempt a VBAC and for my wonderful doctors and hospital staff who did everything they could to prevent my c/s.

JoelsGirl07 · October 2010

As long as you make an INFORMED decision, then it is your decision to make. There are a lot of risks to having a CS - to you and your baby. If you have weighed the pros and cons and still decide that is what you want, then I (along with everyone else) should respect your decision and encourage you to make it the best experience that you can.

Like PP said, the problem we have is when OBs force women into repeat CS or trick them into it because they give false information. CS have a time and place, but they shouldn't be thrown around as such a simple thing. It's not the same as getting a wart removed.

ETA: The other problem I have with planned CS is that unless you go into labor, you don't know that your baby is ready to be born - even if u do it at 40 weeks. I highly encourage women NOT to schedule a CS, even if they plan to repeat. I recommend at least going into labor and then just going to the hospital and having the section. It infinitely decreases the risks to the baby.

iris427 · October 2010

There is nothing wrong with having a second c/s.

However, many of us on this board would prefer not to have one unless complications arise. I don't think there is a single poster here who would refuse a second cesarean if it were necessary but I don't think it's hard to understand that some people prefer not to have surgery that they don't need.

It all comes down to personal preferences. Both repeat cesarean and VBAC are safe options.

Harper'smom · October 2010

I had a tough recovery from my c-section. I didn't feel bad because I had a c-section but I felt like I couldn't be the mom I wanted to be during the first few weeks. Breastfeeding after the surgery was horrendous and even though we made it through I prefer to eliminate many of the physical obstacles of the recovery. On the other hand my bff sailed through her c-section recovery and won't consider a vbac. Maternal death rates are lower with vbacs than repeat c-sections and that is my key motivation. For me personally, willingly taking the riskier route without attempting a vbac would be negligent to DD and DH. But I am a huge worrier :-) I worry about the vbac risks as well, just a fraction less. Sorry for the formatting, posting on the phone.

nosoup4u · October 2010

For me, the biggest thing about going for a VBAC is if we want to have more than two kids. The risks of complications with having 3+ c-sections is something I'm personally not comfortable with.

This link is sorta graphic about repeat c-sections!

https://www.philly.com/inquirer/health_science/weekly/20100531_Dangerous_delivery_shows_peril_of_multiple_C-sections.html

Jen&Len · October 2010

There is nothing wrong with it. I actually kept wavering back and forth for most of my pregnancy until my OB told me that I had to make some sort of decision so he could put it into my chart (but told me I could still change my mind at the last minute). For me it was more about being able to care for DS after DD was born. He was 21 months at the time and still required me to lift him into his highchair, crib, car seat, etc. My mom was with my for a little bit, but DH works long hours and overnight shifts, so I would be by myself pretty often. I actually thought my c-section recovery was easier in general since I had pretty horrific tearing/episiotomy, but at least I was able to do what I needed to do with DS without being in pain.

babyike · October 2010

I agree with the PPs. There's absolutely nothing wrong with repeat c/s. The issues IMO are regarding wanting to have more than two children (3+ c/s carry much more severe risks for complications) and that some providers inhibit pregnant women from making informed decisions about their pregnancies and births.

VBAC is not for everyone, just like repeat c/s is not for everyone. But for me, even if this VBAC ends in a 2nd c/s I will still go for a VBA2C in hopes of avoiding the heavy risks of a 3rd c/s.

msasnitu · October 2010

Thank you, everyone, for your answers. I'm still really early in my second pregnancy - haven't even had the first doctor appointment yet to discuss the issue - but the decision of VBAC vs. c-section has been on my mind a lot. I still don't know which way to go - I'm not sure if I'm a good candidate for VBAC, but I appreciate all of your input.

margeincharge2 · October 2010

I agree with the ppers. I don't judge anyone who does a repeat c/s. The reason I would like to try for a VBAC is because I didn't get to labor at all w/ DS and went straight to an emergency c/s. His birth was fairly traumatic and a pretty hard recovery, with a lot of breastfeeding difficulties. I think recovery from a vaginal birth would be a lot easier on me mentally and physically.

I was really hoping for a med free birth with DS and I'd like to try again with #2. Those are my reasons for wanting a VBAC. But, I have a 25% risk of getting some kind of PIH again and if that happens, it's an automatic c/s for me. So I have some reservations about trying for a VBAC only to get my hopes up and end up w/ a c/s again. Sometimes I think it is just easier to go for the repeat.

It's such a hard decision. GL in whatever you choose.

Coxity · October 2010

Like you, I was given the FTP label after being at 9cm for more than 20 hours. Also, like you, I am on the fence about a repeat C vs. VBAC. In favor of a repeat C, I really had no trouble healing and I am not sure I could take 31 more hours of labor like last time just to have another C. That would be a lot of disappointment.

However, I am reluctant to choose this given how much going through the labor process with my DH meant to us emotionally. He was my knight-in-shining armor and I will never look at him the same way again after he supported me so beautifully during such a hard time. The first 24 hours of (natural) labor were really beautiful in their mystery and bonding. I would greatly miss that if I opted for another C-section.

I want to go into labor naturally and experience it again. I'm just not sure I'm up for hours 24-31 and the potential disappointment. You know?

lite-bright · October 2010

I'm not pregnant with my third yet, but the answer for me is that I don't feel strongly about it one way or the other -- which is why I like to read this board, to hear about other people's experiences in preparation for when/if we have a third.

My first DD was vaginal, my second was a c/s due to being breech. I don't regret it at all and I don't feel like the c/s took away anything from her birth -- but I had a long, very hard recovery. A vaginal recovery isn't a picnic, either, though, don't get me wrong -- but the c/s recovery was much worse for me. Like, hard enough that I sometimes question whether to have another child b/c I'm not sure I want to go through that again. :P If I had had a second vaginal birth, I don't think I'd have that hesitation.

But even if I have another hard c/s recovery, for me, the decision whether or not to VBAC is going to come down to risk -- the risks in general, and the risks in my particular case, given my medical history and success with one vaginal birth already (I've been told this makes me a very good VBAC candidate). Having had one of each kind of birth and having each one be a pretty positive experience, I don't feel like I've missed out on anything or that I want a VBAC for the emotional part of it -- I don't have anything against my c/s except the recovery, and I've gotten through one, so I know I can do it again if I have to.

So when the time comes, I'll be doing a ton of research and reading a lot of studies along with keeping in mind other people's experiences. But if my second pregnancy taught me anything, it's that each pregnancy and birth truly is its own experience and may be very, very different than what you got the first time -- and it's always unpredictable!

Want a personalized experience?

This may be inflamatory, but...

Re: This may be inflamatory, but...

Choose Another Board

Search Boards