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Austin Babies
would you ever VBA2C??
So today I met with an OBGYN up here. I obviously need a yearly doc, and since we're 90% sure we'll want a 3rd baby eventually, I want an OB that I'm familiar with when the time comes given my m/c history.
So I meet the doctor, and he's super nice. (Not Dr. S huggy nice, but who IS Dr. S huggy nice?!?) Anyway, I wanted to ask about his comfort level with a 3rd c/s, since it's a small (but new, advanced, and pretty highly regarded around here) hospital. If they weren't comfortable doing a 3rd, I could go to a city about an hour from here. So he says that yes, they do 3rd (and 4th and 5th, not that it matters to me since DH would be done now if I agreed!) but that I could also consider the VBAC option. Huh? So was not expecting that curveball. I gladly signed up for the repeat c/s with DD because I'd had such a positive experience with Dr. S doing my 1st c/s .... but this has me wondering if this might be a real option? He said that obviously any VBAC is a long shot and would carry risks, but then, so does a repeat c/s, so he just encouraged me to think it over and do some research since there's no rush here. IDK. I really never thought about this option and am very surprised it would be offered up here (this isn't the most progressive, open minded place). He said that the fact that we'd be waiting at LEAST another 1.5-2 years before TTC made him comfortable with the option in my case, as did some other things he saw in my history/notes. Basically he seemed not 100% on board with Dr. S's reasoning for the c/s, but that's neither here nor there at this point.
So. Just thinking out loud here and since you girls usually know all about all, figured I'd put it out there and see what you thought. And I know there's a VBAC board, but I'm not really ready to be that in depth with things ... I don't really even know yet how I feel about the option.
Thoughts?
the bug & bee blog
(read it. you know you want to.)
anderson . september 2008
vivian . february 2010
mabel . august 2012
(read it. you know you want to.)
anderson . september 2008
vivian . february 2010
mabel . august 2012
This discussion has been closed.
Re: would you ever VBA2C??
I don't feel I can give a true personal opinion since I had 2 vag deliveries. It's like asking me if I'd potty train a boy to pee standing
However, the numbers show vaginal birth is by far a safer option, all things being equal. Yes, there are increased risks with VBAC but the more I've read in the medical journals and literature, that risk is relatively low when weighed against the overal cons of c-section to both mom and baby.
I'll mention that I wouldn't attempt a homebirth VBAC under any circumstances but in a medically monitored situation (I mean hospital) I think it can be a wise choice. But that holds true for any known history of medical complications like placenta previa, placental abruption etc.
Yes, I would definitely try for a VBAC if the dr indicated I was a good candidate, even if it was after two c-sections. My emergency c/s went well and recovery was fairly smooth, but I don't want to do choose a c/s if I can deliver vaginally with the next baby. What's great is that you don't have to decide right now. You could choose to try for a VBAC and then at 36 weeks decide that you want a repeat c/s, or vice versa. I think it's great that your Dr has at least given you this option. FWIW, I haven't fully done my research since I'm not pregnant yet and I've only had one baby-one c/s. This is something I would've likely posted about too when the time comes.
But, you mentioned that your Dr. indicated that any VBAC would be a "long shot" for you. Why is that, if you don't mind?
Sure, I would. As long as he had gone over your history throughly, I don't see why not.
Did you tell him you make ginormous (yet adorable) babies?
Usually because if ya needed a c-section to get the 1st baby out, chances are lower that you'll be successful at vaginally delivering a 2nd (or 3rd). It totally depends on why the mother needed a c-section though. If it was due to high BP, position of the baby,fetal distress(cord issues) or other emergent need - there is a good chance VBAC will work. If **correction** a c-section was needed due to failure to progress or failed induction - chances are greater that history will repeat itself. Sometimes the uterus just isn't willing to let go
I totally get that the reason(s) behind the prior section(s) can predict the chances for a successful VBAC. I was just wondering why MLF's Dr would first say that a VBAC is an option but then tell her that it's a long shot--what were his reasons that a VBAC for her would be a long shot.
It would depend on why I had the first 2 c sections. If they were things that were unlikely to be repeat problems (fetal distress caused by cord around neck, twins, cord prolapse) then yes I would. If it was something like true soldier distotia (sp?) then it would be likely to happen again if my babies were the same size so I would go with a non emergency c section.
I know that some drs (probably Dr S, I love that man but he loves surgery) recommend a c section if the baby is larger than X pounds. I would have fought him on that. I also would have fought to labor longer rather than opt for a c section if I was having failure to progress. Up to a point I mean, fight is such a strong word. I guess I would have been asking for other options, but meekly agreeing is what I would have done in the past and I would not have done it now. We wanted to avoid a c section if it was at all possible and would have gone for a VBAC if at all possible.
You have been very happy with your c sections in the past so that's a very different perspective to be coming from. If you know they are great for you some part of me says why go with the unknown when the known works for you.
Hmm. Thanks to all who have responded so far!
To answer a few questions: yep, he was fully aware of the big bebes. He just kind of shrugged at that and said he'd seen tiny women birth 10 pounders, and less petite women not be able to birth an 8 pounder. He said that unless I'd had an xray done showing I had a small pelvis, he'd never venture to guess how big a baby I could pass through. It's definitely a concern for me, though. DD would have likely been even bigger than DS (she was 2oz smaller but nearly a week earlier) and since I've never progressed, I'd likely be going overdue .... and I just don't know how big a baby I'd want to push out Ye Old LadyTown, kwim? I think if I were to NOT have GD I'd be more encouraged about the likelihood of success, but it's really tough telling whether they were bigger babies because of the GD (since it was well managed) or genes (I was big, sister and brother were big, etc.)
duckie, pretty much what Taytee said re: failure to progress. He said the fact that I'd never progressed even one tiny bit *could* work against me, but then also said since I'd never gone to my EDD (my latest c/s was 39w4d) that obviously we don't know if I would have progressed at/after my EDD. I'm not sure he actually said the words "long shot" just indicated that I'd need to accept a certain degree of likelihood that a c/s might happen anyway.
I appreciate the input/thoughts, keep 'em coming. I was so taken aback by him even throwing this out there that I feel a little flustered. Good thing I've got some thinking time.
(read it. you know you want to.)
anderson . september 2008
vivian . february 2010
mabel . august 2012
Thanks for the input! I think the difference for me on that matter is that I'm not in Dr. S's care. If I were, I'd have a 3rd. Obviously there wouldn't be a guarantee that #3 would go as smoothly as the first two, but chances would be good. I know his surgical skills are highly regarded, and I do think that made a difference in my recovery. (And nurses said that more than once at both hospitals I had a c/s at!) Sooo....this new guy seems less surgical, more natural. Which makes me think I could have a whole different kind of c/s experience ... which makes me wonder if I would be better off giving it a try next time.
Again, thanks to those chatting with me about this!
(read it. you know you want to.)
anderson . september 2008
vivian . february 2010
mabel . august 2012
I think it's very cool too, whether or not I go that route when the time comes.
And also, Charlie is starting to look so much like you!!
(read it. you know you want to.)
anderson . september 2008
vivian . february 2010
mabel . august 2012
How big were your babies, mlf? My guess is that if you and your DH were big babies that you guys just make big babies, GD notwithstanding. I was 9.5 pounds, Mike was 10.5 pounds. Meredith was 7lb15oz at 37 weeks, and Alex was 11.5 pounds two day before his due date. I also thought for sure I'd go late with Alex because when I was induced with Meredith I was not remotely effaced or dilated, and my mom delivered my sister and me both a few days late. Nope - he came a few days ahead of schedule! You just never know.
I think it's awesome that the doctor is at least willing to let you try to deliver vaginally! That's very cool. You definitely don't have to decide now, but I would ask at some point what the plan would be if you want to VBAC but went overdue, as my understanding is that pitocin is not recommended for a VBAC.
Meredith, 6-1-06 and Alex, 11-5-09
OK, thanks for clarifying. Again, I think it's great that he is willing to give you the option of a VBAC.
Libby, come on up! I'll let you live with us in exchange for unlimited photo sessions.
I replied to your FB message, thanks!
Not super duper big, but not small. DS was born at 39w4d, 8lb 15oz. DD was born at 38w6d, 8lb 13oz. I was upper 8s, and I've never gotten a clear answer out of MIL about DH. 8s? (How do you not know?) So yeah, I think it was more genetics than GD, especially considering I never needed insulin and was considered borderline with DD.
I do wonder about the overdue/Pitocin question, that will be a great question for him at my annual exam this summer if I'm going to seriously consider this. I know he let my aunt go just over 42 weeks when he delivered her 3rd a few years ago, so he's definitely not a rigid "41 weeks" kind of doctor. I don't know if that would change for a VBAC patient? Again, pretty clueless about all this.
Thank you for sharing your story and for the encouragement! It's a lot to think about, but again, plenty of time to think it over. It does feel nice to be told I do have a choice!
(read it. you know you want to.)
anderson . september 2008
vivian . february 2010
mabel . august 2012