Honest Opinions About My Options

CVislo · May 2014

Let me see if I can try to make this all make sense.

I'm trying for a VBAC and my doctor fully supports that. For the last 3 weeks, I've had NSTs and cervical checks. 0 dilated and 0% effaced, but baby is showing no signs of stress. Last week, I expressed concern of ending up with a c-section. His words were "Let's wait one more week."

My 40 week appointment is tomorrow and while I can feel that my body is trying to go into labor, I don't think it will happen. I know the risk of uterine rupture and subsequent c-section go up with an induction, so I'm not sure if my doctor will even consider that route. Of course we will be discussing the different options at this point tomorrow at my appointment.

My question is this: Would you opt for an induction, labor for an unknown amount of time, and then possibly end up with a c-section due to lack of progression or baby's head being too big (happened to me last time.)? Or, would you opt for a repeat c-section at this point?

I've been told c-section recovery is easier when you do not spend countless hours laboring before it. This makes me lean towards a repeat, planned c-section. However, if my cervix is favorable and my doctor thinks it could be a high chance of sucess, then I'm leaning towards the VBAC.

I just don't know what to do at this point. I know, logically, that this baby will come out of me soon... But I just am so uncomfortable and have been this way since 35 weeks, that I feel as though I'll be pregnant forever. I want my body back to myself, I want to actually sleep... Even if it is only for small amounts of time. I want to be comfortable, not cranky, and not feeling like an old person with every bone and muscle in my body aching all the time. For those reasons, I'd like to just say that I'll have a c-section as soon as he can get me in. I just hate to feel like I'm giving up on the VBAC that I've really been hoping for.

I know this is my decision and that no one else can make it for me. I'm just hoping for some outside opinions from people who are not extremely over anxious for this baby to be born. My family has all suggested at c-section because he'll be here sooner and put me out of my miserable feeling state. I just want non-biased thoughts here, I guess.

haylo33 · May 2014

I was induced and had a really good experience but everyone is different. I would see what your doctor says because induction might not even be an option. No sense trying to decide between the 2 when there might only be 1 option.

CVislo · May 2014

I didn't think about that. I guess there's no point in stressing about something that I may not have a choice in any longer.

MissLadyTay · May 2014

I saw nine MFMs through my pregnancy. Five of them said they would not induce for a VBAC. BUT at 39 weeks, I saw one doc who said if I really wanted a VBAC, she would induce me. (Baby had to come out one way or another for low fluid.) I was TERRIFIED of laboring, pushing, and ending up with another C/S.

My doctor said to spend the days before induction walking constantly. She said to log as many miles a day as possible. I did (at least four a day) and it did help.

Then they used "low and slow" pitocin. I said if I didn't progress easily and quickly, we'd go for surgery. That decision put me at peace and helped me relax. Thankfully, twelve hours later I delivered vaginally. A bigger baby than my first, who would NOT descend. I would def try for a VBAC if they will induce you. I loved mine.

blessedandhopeful · May 2014

I was in the same boat. My doctor was going to let me try for a VBAC, but when I still wasn't showing any signs of labor at 41 weeks I had a RCS. Statistically, VBAC is safer than a RCS, but a RCS is safer than a RCS after a failed induction or TOL. My first section was due to a failed induction at 41 weeks when I was not dilated or effaced. My hospital will not induce a VBAC, so that decided it for me. If I were you I would try to wait until 41 weeks to see if you progress more and then go from there. I did as much as i could and waited as long as I was "allowed," so I feel like I gave it a good shot. You don't want to regret not trying your best, and if it doesn't work out then it should be easier to deal with. Good luck!

eghulse · May 2014

I'm in exactly the same boat, except for the lack of dilation. My ob will do everything she can to help me avoid another section, which I'm very grateful for. She will induce me at 41 weeks if it comes to that, though I'm hoping not. I would wait it out till at least 41, see what your cervix does. If it's still not favorable, I'd schedule. If you start to progress even a little, I'd at least try for the vbac.

jenb_99 · May 2014

I never considered VBAC for even a second, so I can't address your options, but I can give you a positive RCS story. I'm 5 days out from my RCS (and left ovary removal) and am recovering so easily that I keep forgetting I actually had surgery. I had intense RLP and muscle injury from carrying DD, so I'm more comfortable now than I was the entire 3rd trimester of pregnancy.

The surgery itself was pleasant - dare I say fun? (my surgeons were hilarious and entertained us the whole time) - I got to see and bond with DD right away, and breast feeding has gone beautifully from the start. I'm 110% satisfied with my RCS experience.

CVislo · May 2014

My doctor wants me to wait until June 2. On June 2, he'll check me and depending on the progress of my cervix, we will either induce or c-section. He warned me though that it will most likely be a c-section due to the fact that I've been contracting regularly for nearly 3 weeks with no progress at all.

jesstellina · May 2014

Risk of uterine rupture for VBAC after going into labor naturally is 0.8%. if you go into laor, it stalls out, and they use pitocin to augment, that risk goes up to 2-3%. If you dn't go into labor on your own and your doc just starts pitocin, the risk is about 5%.

My doctor gave me the option of breaking my water if my cervix was favorable, and then we would see i that got contractions started. She also said she would use a little bit of pitocin to augment if I went into labor but stopped makin progress. She wouldn't do a straight pitocin induction due to what she considered an unacceptably high risk of uterine rupture. She stripped my membranes at my 39 and 40 week appointments, but I never went into labor on my own, so I had my RCS at 40+4. I had scheduled it when I was about 36 wks along. The repeat section was soooo much easier to recover from than my first section had been. I attribute this to being able to go in well-rested instead of after a 25-hr induction. Also, I had a post-op infection after my first c-section, which is much less common in scheduled sections.

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