VBAC or scheduled c/s the 2nd time around?

als33 · January 2012

hi ladies! i'm expecting #2 in August and i'm not sure which route to take. i had a scheduled c/s with #1 bc she was breech, so as long as everything goes ok, i should have the option for a VBAC. although i'm not sure i want to do that. my first c/s was an absolute breeze, and i would do it again in a heartbeat, but there's a side of me that thinks i shouldn't jump to whatever is "easiest." just wondered what your decision will/was the second time and why you made that decision? thanks!

Daisy22 · January 2012

My sister was in the small percentage that have a raptured uterus with a vbac. There was no question that I'd do a rcs. My fist c/s was extremely easy and the 2nd was even easier b/c I knew exactly what to expect.

I think you should do what you feel comfortable with. You could always wait it out until you get closer and see if you go into labor.

Squirrel29 · January 2012

I'm going the VBAC route because I've done both and my recovery with my first (vaginal) birth was significantly easier, with an already 40 lb 2 year old at home to look after I'd like to make things easier on myself. I was also fairly emotionally affected by my CS and don't want to go through it again. It is a very personal decision.

Whatever you decide just make sure you know the actual risks. Check out the VBAC board and there is a link a few posts down about the risks associated with RCS. I don't want to scare you but I think there is a lot of emphasis on the risks associated with VBAC whereas the risks of RCS are often overlooked or sugarcoated. Although there is a relatively small risk of anything going wrong in either scenario I believe there is a slightly higher risk associated with RCS.

MAprincess · January 2012

I agree that you don't have to decide now. You should talk to your doctor to see what his feelings are on the matter also. Though there is a small rupture rate with VBAC (as pp stated), there is a risk of death to you in the case of a c/s, as well as other risks to the baby. There are possible scary things that could happen either way. So, when you talk to your doctor, don't just ask for the risks of a VBAC, ask for the risks of a c/s also so you can weigh both fully informed in order to make the decision you are comfortable with.

For me personally, my c/s experience was fine. I just didn't want to have unnecessary surgery the second time around and felt that the risks were greater with surgery. There is an article posted on the VBAC board about it if you wanted to give it a read.

Good luck!

iris427 · January 2012

I chose to have a VBAC. Quite simply, I wanted to have a vaginal birth. I didn't like having surgery and I wanted to avoid it the second time if possible. I wanted to push my baby out and lift him up and hold him in my arms right away.

I think you need to weigh the risks of both methods of delivery. You hear a lot about the risk of uterine rupture with VBAC--and it is a small but very serious risk that you need to think about--but you don't hear much about the risks of repeat cesarean, some of which can be very serious as well. So I think that's something to consider. It's important to remember that both VBAC and RCS are safe and it's unlikely anything bad will happen in either case.

Ultimately I think you should go with whatever feels right to you. Please feel free to come over to the VBAC board and lurk or ask any questions you might have.

Houstonmom · January 2012

My first c-section and recovery was nightmarish (after a long, long, long labor and general anesthesia b/c my epidural stopped working, dd was in major distress, I stopped progressing) so for my second I went straight for the repeat c-section.

However, if I'd had a not-crash c-section the first time around, I probably would have been braver and tried for a VBAC the second time.

I chose repeat c-sections for my 2nd b/c I wanted the environment to be more "controlled" than what it was the first time and I'm sooooo glad I did.

But really, I think if I were in your position and my mom/the women in my family had a history of successful vaginal births (ie. they continued to progress and didn't stall and end up having c-sections anyway) and the baby isn't breech--I'd go for the VBAC.

kcvasquez · January 2012

iris427:
I chose to have a VBAC. Quite simply, I wanted to have a vaginal birth. I didn't like having surgery and I wanted to avoid it the second time if possible. I wanted to push my baby out and lift him up and hold him in my arms right away.
I think you need to weigh the risks of both methods of delivery. You hear a lot about the risk of uterine rupture with VBAC--and it is a small but very serious risk that you need to think about--but you don't hear much about the risks of repeat cesarean, some of which can be very serious as well. So I think that's something to consider. It's important to remember that both VBAC and RCS are safe and it's unlikely anything bad will happen in either case.
Ultimately I think you should go with whatever feels right to you. Please feel free to come over to the VBAC board and lurk or ask any questions you might have.

Could not agree more!

jdubh · January 2012

Our hospital doesn't perform VBACs, so if I even decided to go that route, I would have to go somewhere else, and choose a new OB.

jjhp2018 · January 2012

I will be doing a RCS. For one, my clinic doesn't allow VBACs.

For two -I just gave birth this past Aug and I am due this next Aug. So I definetly don't want to add anymore risks by trying a VBAC so close to giving birth. I'm hoping for a better recovery this time around!

mlf625 · January 2012

I chose the repeat c/s. My first was scheduled as well. They were both really great experiences. My new OBGYN up here (we moved to a new state) is open to VBA2C, but I think if/when we have a 3rd I'll just go to the c/s again. By now I have a good idea of how to help my recovery along, and let's face it - when you've got a kid or two at home, the convenience factor is huge. With c/s #2 it was really nice to have my parents come to town two days prior, get reacquainted with DS's routines, and know they were all tucked in bed asleep when we drove off for the c/s.

mommyaudra · January 2012

My doctors didn't really give me the option and i didn't ask if i could have a VBAC. I heard they can be dangerous to try a VBAC after having a c/s. I really dont want to go through what i went through last time, laboring for two days just to end up in a c/s and having really hard recovery, so i'm going to have another c/s. good luck with what you decide though!

jnealet · January 2012

I tried for a VBAC with the understanding that I could go until 40w to try and then it was c/s time. By 40w, I was done being pregnant and was totally onboard with a c/s. It probably helped that my first wasn't a big deal, since it was planned because of a breech baby.

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