Question for STM. VBAC?

tcwink · October 2013

With my DS, I endured 18 hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing (his head was almost out) only to have an emergency C-section. Our doctor asked if I was
interested in attempting a vaginal birth after c-section (VBAC) with this LO. My husband and I talked
about it and he thinks I should just go with cs, he said he had never been so scared watching me in labor with DS. I'm still on the fence. I don't know why either. Any STMs attempting a VBAC?

Fields09 · October 2013

I had an emergency c-section the first time around. My dr also suggested a VBAC. But honestly I'm too scared!

cnk459 · October 2013

I have had two successful VBACs and am hoping for another one this time.

For me, doing another major abdominal surgery as a "planned" thing, just isn't something I want to do. Remember, just like every pregnancy is different, every labor & deliver is as well. Just because you had to have a section last time (not sure why it was emergent based on the info you provided), does NOT mean your next delivery will be anything like that one. Especially since it's not your first.

I had a 36 hour (hard! with PIT onboard and CTRX every 1.5 to 3 mins -- they had to keep reducing the PIT) and pushed for 3.5 hours, in every position.. before I delivered successfully. Then, another labor, I labored for less than 10 hours and pushed maybe 6 times, total.

One experience does not necessary indicate that the same thing will happen.

I would strongly suggest you do lots of research on both options. IMO, if you repeat cs, you'll probably never be able to attempt another VBAC.. (risk of rupute increases with each add'l cs).. and for me, my VBAC recovieries were MUCH easier than my section recovery... especially with already having a little one to care for.

Research, and make an informed logical choice FOR YOU.. the worst thing anyone can do, is make a decision based on fear alone -- again, that's my opinion.

Good luck in your decision!

LolaX2 · October 2013

After 31 hours of horrible back labor I also had an emergency c-section. While doing the section they discovered that I could never have actually had nor will I have be able to have a vaginal birth. I am however a freak of nature with a double uterus that shares one cervix.....so no I do not even have the choice of VBAC....scheduled section 1-3 weeks early it is. I am hoping that since it is planned and I will not already be exhausted from 31 hours of labor first that it will be an easier recovery. I had to spend a full week in the hospital last time.

Side note - my poor son had a pretty large lump or hematoba (sp)? on his head for the first 6 weeks of his life where my contractions were trying to push him down and out, but there just was not room for his full head to fit.

tcwink · October 2013

cnk459 said:
I have had two successful VBACs and am hoping for another one this time.

For me, doing another major abdominal surgery as a "planned" thing, just isn't something I want to do. Remember, just like every pregnancy is different, every labor & deliver is as well. Just because you had to have a section last time (not sure why it was emergent based on the info you provided), does NOT mean your next delivery will be anything like that one. Especially since it's not your first.

I had a 36 hour (hard! with PIT onboard and CTRX every 1.5 to 3 mins -- they had to keep reducing the PIT) and pushed for 3.5 hours, in every position.. before I delivered successfully. Then, another labor, I labored for less than 10 hours and pushed maybe 6 times, total.

One experience does not necessary indicate that the same thing will happen.

I would strongly suggest you do lots of research on both options. IMO, if you repeat cs, you'll probably never be able to attempt another VBAC.. (risk of rupute increases with each add'l cs).. and for me, my VBAC recovieries were MUCH easier than my section recovery... especially with already having a little one to care for.

Research, and make an informed logical choice FOR YOU.. the worst thing anyone can do, is make a decision based on fear alone -- again, that's my opinion.
Good luck in your decision!

Thank you so much for the info. This was really helpful! Its really nice to hear from someone who has experienced it.

With my DS, his little shoulder was stuck on my pelvic bone. This caused his heart rate to lower significantly every time I pushed. Since we went at this every which way for two hours, my doc thought it was time to go in and get him.

I think you're right, I will do some more research and talk a little more to my doctor on it. Thanks again!

sweetmelissa0707 · October 2013

I had a successful VBAC with my daughter. If I could recommend it based on ease of recovery alone, I would say it was worth it. My C recovery was terrible and draining. I knew I couldn't do that with a child already at home. I plan to VBAC this one as well, provided all goes well. I agree with PP, each labor/ delivery is different. Things could surprise you. I'd recommend trying it, you are going to be under constant monitoring anyway, so they will be able to tell if things aren't going well.

snowclouds · October 2013

I had a c-section last time and am planning a VBAC this time around. From the risk standpoint (uterine rupture), they're not any higher than the risks accompanying a major abdominal surgery. I know I might end up with another c-section, but I'd rather avoid it if I can. The recovery will be much faster with a vaginal birth and I hope the whole birth experience will be better overall.

momofmanyinthemitten · October 2013

My water broke early with #1, and even with several rounds of cervix softeners and pit, I couldn't get past 1.5 cm. They did a c/s. My recovery was really quite easy. With #2, I successfully VBACed. I say successfully because he did come out of my vagina. It was a horrible labor and delivery. I pushed for more than 3 hours only to have to choose between vacuum or c/s because he was stuck. It didn't help that I am small and he was a big baby. I chose the vacuum. I had a 2nd degree tear, couldn't sit for 4 weeks, lost quite a bit of blood, and lost all control of bladder and bowel functions (that was really fun!). Recovery was waaaay tougher. This time around, I'm using a doula to help with pushing positions. I'm convinced that it can only be better this time around.

myschlove · October 2013

My doctor told me that while there are risks either way that I was fine to try a VBAC. The only thing is with that, they won't induce you because the labor inducing drugs like Pitocin can make you cramp harder and that increases your chances of tearing. But she said that is extremely rare and there are signs before it happens!
Honestly, as easy as a C-section is the recovery really is so difficult and I feel like it affected my ability to nurse in the beginning and how my milk came in so if at all possible I really want to try a VBAC! The recovery will be easier especially with a 35 pound toddler wanting to climb up on me! I mean I really could not even go to the bathroom or take a shower for two weeks without someone being there to help me!

But talk to your doctor, if they feel like it safe to try my vote is to go for it! If your doctor says you're at high risk and it's not a good idea that I wouldn't do it! Our goal as always is a healthy mommy and baby !

you will have to make the decision that's best for you and either way you choose is going to be okay!

myschlove · October 2013

I can totally understand… I feel bad because I didn't even try! But my DS was measuring at 11 lbs. 1 oz. by the ultrasound and he was at risk of having complications with delivery because of his size. Thankfully he was only 9 lbs. 7 oz. but the doctor said his head was wedged in my pelvis and he would've ended up being an emergency C-section so I feel like I made the right decision but part of me feels like I failed because I didn't even try. I have had three or four friends have emergency C-section's after hours of labor and I didn't want to go through that as well... So this time I feel like if I just try it and even if I'm unsuccessful at least I tried!

Plus this may sound silly, but I would feel like super expert mom to have gone through both kinds of birth so when I'm talking to other moms whose only experienced C-section or vaginal I can say I really know the difference!

tcwink · October 2013

poru said:

ColleenSwerb said:

My dr asked me at my appt too, RCS or VBAC and I was undecided. I still kind of am. I have no real desires for birth outside of a healthy baby, and that's how I felt with my first. I don't HAVE to have a vaginal birth to feel complete in life. Part of it for me, is fear of the unknown. I've been through a CS and recovery (and my recovery was really easy), I have not been through a vaginal recovery. I don't know what to expect from that. I'm not deciding for a RCS just yet. DS got stuck and never would have come out, but who knows if that will happen again. I'm against unnecessary CS's, so I feel it would somewhat hypocritical to have an RCS without giving my body a chance to do what it's supposed to do. So I'm tentatively going VBAC. BUT I have no desire to be induced if I am not favorable. So I'm planning on just seeing what my body does.

I love this sentiment. I still have emotions of sadness. Oddly its not because I didn't get the vaginal delivery I had planned on, and that I might never have one. It's that I "failed" at something I tried. Part of me wonders if its emotionally better for me to follow my Doctor's advice and have a RCS instead of setting myself up for failure again. I don't need a vaginal delivery to feel complete, but I hate failing. Ah the woes of a Type A mama.

You took the words out of my mouth!! I do have that feeling of failure sometimes. But like my husband said, "How can you feel like failure when you look at our beautiful, healthy son? You did that hun. I just held your hand!"

AcaAwkward · October 2013

I had a scheduled CS with DD due to some somewhat rare complications with the cord and placenta (severe VCI) and the layers of my membranes. Really hoping for a VBAC this time -- for two reasons (1) recovery: I can't imagine how difficult it will be to recover from surgery with a 2 year old who wants to play and can't understand why mama can't pick her up; (2) I am one of those women for whom vaginal birth is just really important. I really wish I didn't care so much, but I do somehow feel "less than" because I didn't deliver DD vaginally.

Do a little research and noodle on it for a while and you'll be golden, whatever you decide!

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