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C-sections
pinkmoonlight
member
Why choose a ERCS over VBAC?
pinkmoonlight
member
in C-sections
DH and I are in the mist of TTC number 2. Since having DD in August of 2010 I have been going back and forth between whether I want to VBAC with our next or just have a repeat c-section. I have extensively researched both options, but still am undecided for many reasons which include:
I labored 27+ hours with DD with AROM and Pit with and epidural for pain. Pushed for 2 with no progress past +1. She would slide back up after a contraction to 0 station. She went into distress and I had an emergency c-section with general. She was in ROA position according to my OR reports with no cord around her neck keeping her from coming down.
We were team green, I did not know I had a daughter until nearly 4 hours later after my parents and DH's parents all got to hold and love on her.
After my c-section my then OB (I have switched due to communication issues while at the hospital to a completely different hospital) told me big baby (DD was 9 pounds 6 oz and 20.5 inches long) small pelvis and minimal weight gain during pregnancy that I would always have a c-section. My new OB will allow me to VBAC but has told me to prepare for another c-section because while he is supportive my odds are less then that of someone who has not gotten to the pushing stage.
I know that there is always the chance no matter what, but I am terrified of missing the birth of my baby again. I also know that things like AROM, Pitocin and the Epidural could have caused all of this and while my reports say she was in the ROA position it is also possible that she was in a OP position.
To complicate things more we want at least 4 children maybe more.
So my question Why did you or are you choosing a ERCS over a VBAC delivery? What would you do in my situation?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Why choose a ERCS over VBAC?
With my second I was scheduled for a rcs and went into labor 2 days before. I was willing to try for vbac because I really didn't want another c-section. When I got to the hospital I was only dialated 1 cm and that's what I was at 3 weeks before. I was also not having regular contractions. They told me I wouldn't be a good canidate for it so I went ahead with the c-section. Hope this helps!
well i had talked to other moms who tried VBAC and they told me that the pain never quits around the incision area, and my DH was best man in a wedding 3 day before I was due 3 hours away and it was just easier to have ERCS then wait and see if he would be home, pr deliver in a different hospital in a city 3 hours away
It really depends on the circumstances of my first c/section. The important thing to remember is that both are reasonably safe, reasonable choices. Both have risks, but VBAC is not super crazy dangerous, and neither is a RCS.
For true CPD (not failed induction), pelvic anatomy issues, maternal health concerns, or other issues likely to happen again, I would consider a RCS.
For issues unlikely to occur again- breech (my situation), failed induction, multiples, fetal HR issues, I would definitely VBAC. I'm not one to consider convenience or not wanting to go through labor reasons to undergo major surgery, BUT that's MY opinion and my choice, others may think otherwise and that's fine. Your body/baby/choice.
At 41w Avery had not dropped, I had not dialated, and had not effaced. The doctor did not give me favorable odds for a successful induction. There with other concerning factors and after a 2 hour discussion with my doctor, I ended up with a c-section. (My doctor has a very low c-section rate and will actually deliver some types of breech).
A ended up being 9lbs and the doctor was able to confidently say that he would have been a c-section after a failed induction. I will be having a repeat c-section with any future children. My doctor said that larger babies, equals a larger incision, which creates a greater risk for uterine rupture. I have a friend who is preparing for her 6th c-section in 8 years and is super high risk. If she ends up with uterine rupture, they have 11-37 minutes to deliver the baby and save the mom. Had she spaced her c-sections out she wouldnt have such a high risk. (last 4 have been within 48 months)....
If your doctor is for attempting VBAC then go for it. BUT be open to the fact that you may end up with a RCS. I was a little upset about having a c-section and my mom said to me, did you get pregnant to have a vaginal birth or did you get pregnant to have a baby? As long as baby gets here safe is all that matters at the end of the day
Nope.
Mom matters too. Of course a safe baby is #1, but don't disregard the very real feelings of moms who were traumatized by or upset by their c/s experience.
I would recommend getting a new doctor. The chances or your baby being too big for you to birth vaginally are so slim. If you are even considering VBAC you need to find a doctor who is more supportive so that you actually have choices- sounds like your current doctor wouldn't totally be on board if you did decide to VBAC. For us that was a hard decision- it meant an hour drive for each appointment- starting to get annoying now that appointments are every other week but I'm confident in our decision.
We also want four kids eventually so VBAC was #1 for us because with every c-section the risks of death to both mother and baby get higher and higher. With subsequent pregnancies, your risks of miscarriage go up with each c-section as well.
Like HonkyTonk said, of course everyone wants the outcome of a healthy baby but I also had to think about me. I was 100% traumatized by my son's birth. It was similar to yours- team green, "baby in distress", had to be put under because epidural didn't work and woke up an hour later to a nurse telling me my son was in the nursery with his daddy. Totally ruined my surprise not to mention that the first full day of my son's life was a complete blur and in all the pictures I look high... well I WAS on morphine for 24 hours. Recovery was also NOT a breeze for me and I'm glad my hsuband had already scheduled a month off of work for our son's birth because I wasn't even able to walk on my own until 2-3 weeks after the birth. It's extremely cruel to say to a mother who has experienced birth trama like that that "as long as the baby is safe thats is all that matters" because its not. I matter too.
VBACs are legal in the entire US. Some hospitals might have official or de facto bans, but all women have the right to attempt a VBAC.
https://vbacfacts.com/2009/02/28/is-vbac-illegal/
OP - only you can decide VBAC or RCS. If I were you, and knew I wanted four kids, it'd be worth it to attempt a VBAC, as the odds of succeeding are reasonably high, and there are risks that come with having three or more c-sections. Have you talked to any other providers about what they think? It might be worth getting some more opinions.
You can also make a c-section birth plan and request that only your DH holds the baby, etc. if you opt for a RCS, or if even one happens with a VBAC attempt.
DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)
I strongly agree with this statement and am so sick of people saying 'as long as baby is healthy' and 'nothing matters once the baby is in your arms.' For a long time, these statements were true for me but it was because I had pushed aside my own feelings about my experience in order to be a good mama. Once being a mother had become routine and I was in the full swing of things, the feelings and emotions started to resurface.
I am having similar feelings OP. I am pg with #2 and know that I will be torn on what to do. On one hand, I want so badly to have a VBAC but I do not want to risk having a similar experience as I did with #1. If I am 2 weeks late again, not dilated and baby at 0 station - I may forgo the induction and have another section, so at least I will be awake and present for the birth of my child, maybe be able to hold and nurse him or her. If I am dilating, baby is descending, etc...I will certainly go for VBAC.
In the next few weeks my plan is to consult as many professionals, experts, articles and books as possible to do whatever I can to make a VBAC possible.
I just had a repeat 10 days ago. I am happy with my choice. I had my DD at 39 weeks, when my OB does them.
My son was born at 39 weeks also. I was induced for pre-e and after 8 hours of nothing, my water being too high and they attempted to break it 2 times and failed I opted for a c rather than wait longer. His head was stuck and he owuld have been a csection so I am happy with that choice too.
This time it was out of scheduling and really no interest of having a VBAC. I needed to know because of my son and families' work schedules, I was restarting grad school (go back tomorrow 11 days pp). I walked into OR, got my spinal, was talked through as much as I wanted to know. My doctors announced, showed me babym took pictures and she went with DH to be weighed. I met them in recovery again after more pictures before leaving the OR and had skin to skin and was awake.
I DID get sick in my room later that evening a few times, which sucked but I got through it.
I am done having kids, unless we have another surprise so the VBAC issues there wasn't something I cared about either.
Some of us feel this way, some of us don't, and that seems to be the biggest determining factor in whether us c/s moms want to attempt a VBAC. As for me, I'm pretty indifferent as to whether I ever experience a vaginal birth, but I realize that what is true for me is not true for everyone.
I think when you have a complex birth experience, you have to parse what it is that dissatisfied you about it. In your case, it sounds like it's specifically the fact that you went under general anesthesia and were the last person to meet your baby are what bother you about your DD's birth, not just that you weren't able to have a vaginal birth, but that may be a factor too. Even if you do attempt a VBAC and end up with another c/s, you aren't doomed to repeat the same traumatic experience of an emergency surgery where you're completely absent from your LO's birth. How you feel about the chances of your experience recurring, how you feel about trying for vaginal/natural childbirth, and how you weigh the relative risks of VBAC vs. RCS (which it sounds like you've researched) will also factor in your decision.
If I were in your shoes, I think the deciding factor for me would be wanting to have a large family (we are likely done with two). That alone may be worth attempting a VBAC now to increase your chances of safe pregnancies down the line, even if your OB thinks your chances of success are not that high.