Regret your VBAC?

MrsHA7 · October 2012

Hi all, I'm trying to figure out whether I want to attempt a VBAC or do a RCS. So far, I have been committed to a VBAC, but now I'm second guessing as I get closer to my EDD (1/3/12) and as I do more research/thinking about what would be best for me, baby, toddler, and husband. So my question is has anyone regretted having a VBAC? Or anyone have a VBAC and wish they had just done a RCS? TIA

Squirrel29 · October 2012

Have you asked the cs board this question? I can imagine that if you tried for a VBAC and ended up with CS you may have regrets. My VBAC was a success and I have no regrets. The birth itself was awesome, the recovery was easier than a cs, I was able to more easily care for my older DS quickly after the birth and my DH was able to take less time off from work. I guess the only thing that I didn't like about it was waiting to go into labor on my own. I didn't go into labor until 41 weeks and 3 days and those last couple of weeks were brutal. I know that there were several points during that time when I thought to myself that if I went through all of that waiting and ended up with a cs anyway I would be pissed.

MrsHA7 · October 2012

Thanks for your response. I didn't ask it on that board because I figured that I would get responses like you said - of women who attempted a VBAC and ended up with a cs again. Regretting the VBAC attemtp makes sense to me. I was more curious if there were really any women who had a "successful" VBAC but still wish they had done a RCS.

MAprincess · October 2012

I had a successful VBAC and don't regret it for a second. I avoided unnecessary surgery, recovered more quickly (I had a fairly quick c/s recovery, but nothing like the VBAC) and left the hospital within 24 hours of the birth with no restrictions.

What are some of the aspects that you are second guessing? Being nervous is totally normal- I know I was!

kat1221 · October 2012

This is a great question! I am nervous too about a VBAC.

I guess I'm nervous about the small % of possible rupture. Yes it is small, but it does happen. Out of those ruptures, there are also infants that don't make it. My friend that is a doula said it's .5% but it still scares the crap outta me.

I am also afraid I will go through labor and have a RCS. I went though a long labor with my son and had to have a CS and it was brutal but the recovery really wasn't that bad BUT I just don't want to schedule a major surgery if I can avoid it.

Both RCS and VBAC sound scary to me and I wish I didn't have to go through either but that's the reality.

nosoup4u · October 2012

I have no regrets at all.

I was really stressed about planning a VBAC at the time, but one of the reasons I wanted one was because I wanted the option open to have three kids (I'm personally not comfortable with the risks that come with 3+ c/s).

nosoup4u · October 2012

kat1221:
This is a great question! I am nervous too about a VBAC.
I guess I'm nervous about the small % of possible rupture. Yes it is small, but it does happen. Out of those ruptures, there are also infants that don't make it. My friend that is a doula said it's .5% but it still scares the crap outta me.

The rate of catastrophic UR is 1 in 2000. It's a very, very small percentage of UR.

tlew12778 · October 2012

I won't say I regret my VBAC but it totally was not how I expected it to be. And if I'm being honest, it was probably the most traumatic thing I've ever done in my life. My OB graciously said to me today at my 6w check up that it was my choice and he's totally right but it doesn't change my opinion that I found it more "stressful" than my ECS. However, I'd still choose to VBAC again and I'm not a masochist. I guess I figure I'd know better what to expect of my body. And it's taken me almost 6w to realize that the reason I found it so stressful was bc I lost total control of my body. This is an issue I have wrt pregnancy in general but it was multiplied 1000x over during labor and delivery. But basically I ended up with a precipitous labor with tetanic contractions and I sort of had to check out mentally to deal with the intense pain. So I didn't really have the time to enjoy it so to speak.

But like I said, I'd still VBAC again if we were to have another.

annabelle.27 · October 2012

tlew12778:
I won't say I regret my VBAC but it totally was not how I expected it to be. And if I'm being honest, it was probably the most traumatic thing I've ever done in my life. My OB graciously said to me today at my 6w check up that it was my choice and he's totally right but it doesn't change my opinion that I found it more "stressful" than my ECS. However, I'd still choose to VBAC again and I'm not a masochist. I guess I figure I'd know better what to expect of my body. And it's taken me almost 6w to realize that the reason I found it so stressful was bc I lost total control of my body. This is an issue I have wrt pregnancy in general but it was multiplied 1000x over during labor and delivery. But basically I ended up with a precipitous labor with tetanic contractions and I sort of had to check out mentally to deal with the intense pain. So I didn't really have the time to enjoy it so to speak. But like I said, I'd still VBAC again if we were to have another.

I agree with this. I don't regret having a vbac per se, and if I were to become pregnant again I'd plan another, but it wasn't what I expected and the recovery was rough, physically and emotionally. However, I also had a precipitous labour and I suspect that had much to do with it- precipitous labours are often perceived as more stressful and painful than average labours.

iris427 · October 2012

I think it is important to remember a VBAC is still giving birth. Sometimes in the process of advocating VBAC, it gets idealized or romanticized. But you are pushing a person out your vag. It hurts, it is hard work, and you will need to recover. I had a pretty smooth VBAC but it was still very intense. My recovery was different than my c/s recovery, not better. But even so, emotionally I was happy I chose VBAC because I would have regretted not trying. I have no regrets, and if I ever have a third, I will hope for another VBAC. GL with your decision.

tlew12778 · October 2012

iris427:
My recovery was different than my c/s recovery, not better. .

ITA with this. At 6w out I am still recovering. I have granulated tissue and my pelvic floor muscles are shot (feels like everything is just going to fall right out!). My OB said the latter will likely last 2-3 months. In comparison to my CS I was feeling normal by now. I'd say the immediate aftermath of the CS was worse for me but the total recovery time shorter. I still wouldn't choose it again though.

MrsHA7 · October 2012

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I really do appreciate them! I guess my fears are about attempting a VBAC and ending up with a CS anyway. Like a pp said, my biggest reason for wanting to attempt a VBAC is because I'm not sure how I'll feel emotionally if I don't try. I had a lot of feelings post-cs last time about being a failure (that I was totally unprepared for), and I'm sort of seeing this birth as potentially my last chance to have the birth experience that I had always imagined. Obviously I know that anything can happen and it ultimately isn't up to me, but having the option to have much of it up to me (i.e., choosing a RCS) is tempting.

My biggest issue in deciding is probably how my recovery will be with each, which of course I can't know or predict. I suppose much of this question is just my overall anxiety about giving birth again!

Twizzle · October 2012

I don't regret it at all. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I couldn't have asked for a better birth. I was on a high for weeks afterward. The only negative thing has been my pelvic floor recovery after a 2nd degree tear. At 2 months out I still have bad stress incontinence. But it might have been the same with RCS since pregnancy can impact your pelvic floor too.

nosoup4u · October 2012

MrsHA7:
My biggest issue in deciding is probably how my recovery will be with each, which of course I can't know or predict. I suppose much of this question is just my overall anxiety about giving birth again!

I was a bit surprised at how worn out I was. I mean, I knew there was still a recovery for a VBAC, but I had been so focused on having a VBAC, I forgot that giving birth either way is hard work. But it was still a quicker and easier recovery than my c/s.

Hang in there! It's totally normal to be anxious about it!

mama31 · October 2012

When people asked me after the first months I said I regretted it. DD2 was born less than 2.5 hours after my first contraction and 30 minutes after I made it to the hospital. I wasn't planning a natural birth, but got to the hospital too late to get drugs. I tore pretty bad and they had to use a vacuum to get her out. I had an awesome CS recovery, so I didn't expect my VBAC recovery to be so hard and took longer then expected. When I look back on it now I am happy I did it and got to experience both. In the end a healthy baby is all I wanted.

penguingrrl · October 2012

I had a successful VBAC and will be trying for another VBAC in Feb. The recovery was so much easier, both in the immediate (after my C I was violently ill for 12+ hours) and in the longer term. Having done both I can't imagine what would convince someone to have a c-section if vaginal birth is an option.

sunnydays99 · October 2012

No, I have never regretted my VBAC. the recovery was so much easier which meant that I was able to immediately care for my toddler as well as my newborn. I was only in the hospital for one night instead of the four nights with my c/s.

That said, I did have some hesitation going into it...mostly worried that I would end up with another c/s and be very disappointed in myself. I had to come to terms that I really had no control and to try VBAC but always know that a repeat c/s may be necessary.

LLB430 · October 2012

I am 5 days out of my VBAC and am still in shock as to how well and fast it went (3 hours of labor after pitocin started) So far my recovery has been soooo much easier. However, my 1st pregnancy was very difficult due to high bp which may have contributed to my awful recovery.

Uiowachick01 · October 2012

I had a VBAC 12 weeks ago, and I do not regret one single moment. It was everything I hoped for and more. My beautiful birthing time was completely amazing.

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