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VBAC
Considering a VBAC but scared (Kinda long, sorry)
I had a really long labor with DD that ended in a CS because she was in a posterior position and almost 9lbs. I felt like I had a terrible recovery afterward, and honestly 2 years after her birth I swear my entire abdomen is still super sensitive. It's an absurd example, but I joke around with DH that I protect that area like a man protects his "boys". Honestly, I'm not 100% sure whether or not it's all in my head, or whether I do actually still feel discomfort from time to time. I have 3 friends that have also had C-Sections, and it seems like all of them had pretty easy recoveries, but one of them was planned (breech baby) and the other two were not in labor for nearly as long as I was before their Dr.'s "called it" and did the CS. So my theory as to why my recovery was so awful is that I was in labor for so long and therefore completely exhausted/drained before they did the surgery. I honestly didn't sleep for 48 hours going into the surgery, then it was like I was playing catch up at that point with a new baby.
So now that I'm pregnant with #2, I'm considering doing a VBAC (my Dr. said she'd be supportive of that since she didn't see any reason why I couldn't) but I guess I'm just reluctant. The recovery in itself makes me NOT want another C-Section, especially if I'm going to be taking care of TWO kids now. However, on the other hand, I'm worried that I'll try a VBAC and still end up with a CS (and another terrible recovery because of a labor beforehand!) I wonder if I schedule a C-Section this time around if the recovery will be easier because I'll feel better going into the surgery. I also don't want to be delusional about the recovery that might go along with a vaginal birth in regards to tearing.
I know it's still early for me to be worrying about this, but I feel like I don't have anyone to talk about this with. All my friends had such easy recoveries they have the "I'll just have another CS mentality" and my DH just says "whatever you want to do is fine".
Sorry for rambling and for such a long post. I guess I'm just looking to hear that other people are in the same boat. I'm trying to weigh my options but honestly, everything seems kinda' scary at this point.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
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Re: Considering a VBAC but scared (Kinda long, sorry)
This. I had a scheduled c-section with my son, and my OB said the recovery is much easier if the uterus is not allowed to contract before beginning the c-section. I know a few women who have had 2 c-sections, and they all said the second one was easier and the healing was quicker.
Thank you for both of your comments. It certainly makes sense that the recovery is harder after the uterus has been contracting beforehand. Honestly, I didn't have any reservations about the C-section other than I was terrified of the recovery afterward, but this makes me feel better.
Thanks again.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
i'll be going in for my 4th cs with this baby, and i have honestly recovered better and faster with each one. even so, if i knew then, what i know now... i would've tried for a vbac with my 2nd.
with my first, i was in labor over 36hrs and i didn't dilate past 6cm. all i know is that after that 1st cs, i was in a lot of pain, i couldn't even roll over in bed. with the subsequent cs the pain was never that bad. plus i knew what to expect, so i made it a point to move around more and not just lay there.
i wish i would've tried a vbac because my first 2 kids were 8yrs apart, so who knows how different labor for me could've been at that point, hopefully easier, as i was 16 when i had my first, and the docs say that sometimes the body doesn't labor well at that age.
but also like you said, i'd rather had vbac'd than go thru the healing process. with this 4th baby, i'll have a 5yr and a 2yr old along with this newborn, i'd like not to have too much down time, but repeat cs it is for me.
i think that if you go into it with an open mind and tell yourself you're going to try the vbac, but that you're totally ok with a repeat cs it won't be as bad as the first. going thru labor the first time, and then having an emergency cs sprung on you is very scary and stressful. at least now if you labor, and it turns out that you need a cs, you know what it's going to be like.
I think most people who consider VBAC have to deal with these concerns, so you aren't alone. It sucks that there is no guarantee you won't end up with another c/s anyway. It's a risk you have to accept--but really, any mom giving birth has the possibility of needing a c/s, even if she's had easy vaginal births in the past. Some people would just rather schedule a RCS than take that risk, and some people wouldn't. It's a matter of what you feel best doing.
As for recovery, you just never know. I had a long labor before my c/s and a very easy recovery. Generally a planned c/s will have an easier recovery and less complications than an unplanned c/s, but a VBAC will be the easiest. Again, you have to decide what you are comfortable with--taking the risk of the unplanned c/s in order to give yourself a shot at VBAC and the easiest recovery, or going with the planned c/s which may not be the easiest but then at least you have a better idea of what to expect.
GL.
Hey stranger
My was in labor with Madelyn for 48 hours before the c-section and my recovery was pretty easy. I can't give you any advice on RCS or VBAC but just thought I'd share another long labor and fairly easy recover (as far as recoveries go)
Blog a Log
I had a failed VBAC followed by c-s and the recovery was still much, much easier than my first c-s. They are not going to let you labor and push forever with a VBAC, like they did first time around. I would try for a VBAC. I am having a 4th c-s and wished I could have a vaginal. I have issues related to scar tissue that need to be corrected. I would like more children and do not know if this is possible because of all the c-s.
I had a scheduled c/s and a horrible recovery. I went on to VBAC with my second and the recovery was a million times better!
There are risks either way, and it is not an easy choice to make, but a big deciding factor for me was that I didn't want to have to recover from a c/s and care for a newborn and a toddler.
Good luck!
I was in labor, unable to sleep, for three days before my c/s and my recovery was fine. Not stellar, but fine. I don't have any sensitivity on my abdomen, though there's a bit of lingering numbness just above the scar.
Still, the recovery is why I went for VBAC. Though it had been fine for a c/s recovery, it was still harder than all my friends' vaginal birth recoveries. I talked to a friend who had fourth degree tears with both her children, and it still sounded like a better recovery than mine. Though I do know VB recoveries can be really, really bad too, my chances of a good recovery were greater with a VBAC attempt, so I went for it.
I would never have agreed to it, btw, if my midwife hadn't assured me I could change my mind at any time. If my labor was going pear-shaped, I could make the call to stop. Thus, I knew I wouldn't have another hellish three-day debacle and that helped me relax a bit!
I know many VBACers want drug-free births, but for me personally, my first labor was drug-free and the worst three days of my life. So for my VBAC, I was more open to the epidural. I talked to my midwife and an OB about it, cleared up any concerns I had with that option, and when, during my labor, I needed a rest, I got the epi and slept. It was fabulous!
So basically, I insured I wouldn't repeat my previous nightmare, and it really paid off. Though my labor was still long (a day and a half), it wasn't nearly as exhausting or painful (the difference between laboring with a posterior baby and an anterior baby is phenomenal), I was more well-rested, and I got my VBAC! I was up and walking half an hour later (just after getting my stitches) and we were discharged a mere four hours after delivery. I could bend over, pick up my toddler, etc. immediately. I was blown away by the difference between that and my "easy" c/s recovery.
All that said, it was a difficult decision for me, and I second-guessed myself a million times. There's always that risk, and you've got to do what you're comfortable with. Good luck, and congrats on #2!
Thank you so much for all the responses. It's comforting to know that I'm not alone, and that other women struggle with the decision as well. I'm glad to hear that some of you have had such positive experiences with VBAC's, and also with your RCS's.
Lorryfach - like you said, I think if I could feel more in control of things this time around (as opposed to last time when they just keep letting things get worse and worse before I practically had to beg them for a C-Section) I would feel better about trying for a VBAC. I think I'll need to talk to my Dr. some more in regards to how I'd like to see things go the 2nd time around and see what she says.
Sarah - I didn't know you had a C-Section with Madelyn! I'm glad to hear your recovery was pretty easy. She is such a little doll. I love looking at her pictures on FB. BTW, we LOVE the name Madelyn and are considering if it we have another girl. Nice choiceTrust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6