VBAC or C-Section????

LoriWilliam · September 2011

I'm in my second pregnancy, and have the option to either have a
VBAC or C-Section. Let me give you a little history. 10 years ago, I had twin girls. I only carried them to 7 months before I became very sick (i had developed gestational diabetes, and pre-eclampsia). The doctors ended up giving me a c-section.

So, my question is, should I try the VBAC, or just go with the c-section? I was thinking the VBAC, due to a shorter recovery time, BUT that means that I will have to wait to go in to labor, since my doctor will not induce. Or I could do the c-section, and schedule it. The c-section would be easier with my job, but more recovery time.

It's all so confusing, and I haven't done this in 10 years!

CamJack mom · September 2011

That is a very personal decision and not one that we can make for you. In my case, I am trying for a VBAC because my recovery for my vaginal birth was shorter than my c-section, although both were relatively great recoveries. I would not try to schedule my child's health around what's convienent for my job. That seems ridiculous. Birth is not about convenience, it is about getting a healthy baby.

Moozilla11 · September 2011

I am trying for a VBAC and it scares the crap out of me but if anything starts to go wrong I will let the dr do a C-sec if it will help the baby in the end.

Just choose what feels right for you.

Nichole06 · September 2011

It's a very personal decision, so do what you feel is best for you and your baby. I personally am having a c-section again. My dr will not do a VBAC, and I recovered very quickly from my last c-section. Faster than my neighbor did when she tore having a vaginal delivery. I did not plan to have a c-section with my son, but it was a positive experience for me.

EveryNameIWantIsTaken · September 2011

I'd be too nervous to try a vbac even if my doctor did them and I was a good candidate. I'm just scared of going through what I did with ds again and having my body failing me. But, that's me and it's my personal decision. Yes, scheduling it is nice. You can have things in order, but if that were my only reason, I wouldn't chose a c-section just because of that.

chankins14 · September 2011

I'm trying for a med-free VBAC. For me, the reasons that I wanted a med-free birth with DS haven't changed so I feel that it is the best option for me to try to do it again. And on top of that, I can't imagine not being able to pick-up DS while I recover. I pray every day that this LO comes out the door Mother Nature intended but of course, if anything were to go wrong & I had to have another c/s, then getting the baby out in the best way for the health of us is my priority. It is a personal decision & a tough one. Good luck with your decision.

LoriWilliam · September 2011

Scheduling it is not the only reason. I'm thinking about my DH, and how he would handle seeing me go through labor and a vbac versus a c-section. He absolutely hates seeing me in pain, and I need him to be strong and in the present for me. And because I have had a c-section already, I'm a little more "comfortable" with it because I know what it entails, whereas with a vbac, I have absolutely no clue, and that makes me a little uncomfortable.

MissBHaven1024 · September 2011

I had a C-section with DD who is now 5 years old, and I am going for a VBAC this time around. I am just hoping for an easier recovery time because the thought of recovering from surgery with a newborn and 5 year old in kindergarten, does not sound appealing.

Since I am going for a VBAC, my midwife will not let me go more than 3 days overdue, and they will first try more natural ways to start labor before introducing medicines.

I can't tell you what is best for you though, only you know that, however I don't think you should let your job carry a lot of weight in your decision. The end goal is a healthy baby regardless of how he/she gets here.

McSquishy · September 2011

I had a VBAC with my second and will be attempting one again this go around. No way in hell would I do a c-section again unless I absolutely had to.

jmdallacosta · September 2011

I don't really have much of an option right now. My baby is still breech right now. I am not too upset about it. My recovery for my vaginally delivery was worse than my recovery from my c-section.

Also, my OB, who I really like, will only do a c-section. If I want to do a VBAC, I have to drive either an hour to Boston, or almost an hour to Providence.

robynlynn83 · September 2011

My Dr won't do VBAC but, I also was never in a position to have a VBAC as my first two were emergency c-sections. In my personal situation, I wasn't prepared to try for a VBAC with #2 as I didn't want to go through labor then end up with a c-section again. My kids were closer in age and, given my history, I was at a higher chance of (although rare) uterine rupture. Knowing I wanted more children, the VBAC was never in my mind regardless of my Dr's judgment (although my OB then did do VBACs).

Like PP have said, nobody can make the decision for you but do what you feel is best for you and baby....and, don't let anyone make you feel bad for which you chose (based on the health of you and baby).

DarthNBJenni · September 2011

I'm having a repeat c/s. My first was scheduled, and this one will be, too (unless I go into labor on my own). I had a great experience with the first, and honestly - I'm scared of the unknown and don't want to risk a vaganus.

kscarlett5683 · September 2011

Your chances of success of a VBAC vary and depend on the reason you had a c-section in the first place....but what the variables are, I do not know beside my own. Speak to your doc about that. (I had a c-section because DD was footling breech. I was told this scenario created the best chances of a VBAC because of the unlikelyhood the next baby would be breech. An example of a lesser success rate is a c-section because the baby couldn't get past the pelvis. But I digress)

My doctor also said they do not induce for women who have had CS...apparently there are risks associated with that. They schedule a CS by policy about a week past your due date. If you go into labor beforehand, fine. Otherwise you go in for your CS.

I agree with their decision as I would like to labor naturally if I can. The benefits of a VBAC, according to my doctors, far outweigh the risks.

Hope this helps.

capulet · September 2011

I've decided to have a repeat c/s for various reasons. I had a decent c/s recovery and feel more comfortable having another one. I'm also skeptical that I would go into labor on my own before my OB practice would want to schedule a c/s anyway (DD was induced past 41 weeks and I had no progress - I was a late baby too; it seems to run in the family), especially now that I've been diagnosed with GD. It sounds like they want this LO out by my EDD. I am thinking that if I go into labor before my scheduled c/s I might try for a VBAC if my labor isn't as utterly hellish as it was with DD.

pennynjon · September 2011

It is a personal decision. For me, the risk that go along with VBAC outweigh the benefits. I will be a scheduled csection. Even if I wanted to try VBAC, my doctor won't do it and the hospital in town won't allow them.

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