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October 2014 Moms
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VBAC vs RCS

slsl509slsl509 member
edited June 2014 in October 2014 Moms
I had an urgent CS with DD. I had a weird labor that jumped right into almost constant contractions with no relief in between at all. I had planned on no epidural but then I just went totally off the rails and the pain was out of control. My BP tanked after my epidural, her HR decelerated several times for several minutes, I had meconium in my fluid, etc. Anyway, it was kind of scary but the CS went well and my recovery was easy.

I have the option for VBAC and a good chance of success as there was nothing anatomically causing my weird labor.  But I am not confident in my ability to labor without an epidural. DH and I read those crunchy books and practiced all the breathing and guided imagery and relaxation techniques. I listened to meditations and practiced self-hypnosis - didn't help at all. Instead I was screeching like a banshee and alternating between trying to lay as still as possible and crawling out the bed and up the wall. All those laboring positions studied? For naught. I was out of my mind.

I have had 2 epidurals and both times resulted in my BP bottoming out and needing fluids and plasma expanders. I'm pretty sure if I have another epidural, the same will happen and Baby will be in distress.

A scheduled RCS would be nice - can plan to have DD go to my parents', family will know when they can visit, I'll know exactly when I can go on maternity leave (all of course pending I don't go into labor early), I don't have to go through hours of exhausting labor only to end up having a CS anyway.   Personally I don't feel like I missed out by not having a VB but people are happy to tell my I am. My vaj and I are ok without the experience.

I know nobody can really advise me, I just needed to talk this out. I think I'm supposed to offer candy or something?

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Re: VBAC vs RCS

  • persephonerosepersephonerose member
    I had a schedule c-section with my son. So I have no idea what my labor would be like. But due to my blood pressure and other health issues I am not considered a good candidate for a VBAC although I would have liked to have the option.  I also do not feel I missed anything by not laboring or having a vaginal birth.

    I feel like labor is such a strange animal. It is different for almost every person I know.  Do they know why you had such a strong reaction to the Epidural? If I knew I had a bad history with the epidural I might be really gun shy about trying to labor again unless you could really do without it. I know some women swear by hypno birthing.
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  • Justabean3Justabean3 member
    edited June 2014
    I vote RCS in your situation. If you have issues before and believe you will again than even the slightest hint of problem and they will section you.

    It wouldn't be worth it to me in your case
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  • SyllessaSyllessa member
    I am having a VBAC myself, but if I was in your situation I would absolutely choose a RCS.  It just seems like the safest choice for you.
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  • BeanNutBeanNut member
    I would choose the RCS since you know you could have major reaction to the epidural. And IMO other pain medications aren't adequate.


    Peanut 1.23.11 ~ Bean 9.06.12 ~ Little Boy 9.24.14
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  • Raesofsunshine1Raesofsunshine1 member
    You do what you feel is best but I have low blood pressure. When I got my epidural my BP tanked. I think the top number was around 83? Anyway, they did give me fluids and Baby and I came through fine. The fluids made me swell like crazy but the baby never showed any distress.

    This is just my experience. Maybe every baby is different? Wish you luck with your decision!
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  • slsl509slsl509 member
    Low BP is a very common reaction to epidurals but for me, it just gets too low which when you're trying to pump blood to a baby isn't a good thing.  DD was distressed and I worry about that happening again - basically I worry about causing distress and just ending up with a CS anyway.

    I'll ask my OB at my next appt but maybe I can just say that I want to go into labor on my own but if I feel like I need any meds to just proceed to a CS? I'll see what he says.

    I wish I DGAF about what anyone thinks about CS vs VB. I'm old enough to know better than to care but part of me worries that I really am depriving myself of some experience.
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  • Arctic_SealArctic_Seal member
    My plan is to hopefully go for a VBAC.  I had a c/s with my daughter for failure to progress due to occiput posterior.  However, this time, and I am okay with it, instead of doing a c-section as a last resort they offer it sooner.   So, if labour isn't progressing right, etc.  I go in for a c-section but if I am doing fine I keep trying for a VBAC.   

    We are also pretty sure we are hiring a doula to help manage labour. 
    Bean - 02/19/12
    Burrito -  10/04/14
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  • BreandMikeweddingBreandMikewedding member
    It sounds like what you are really struggling with is if you are missing out by not having a VB. I had a VB with my first and a CS with my second. I will be having a RCS with this LO and any future kids we have. My recovery from the CS was harder than that of my VB but I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything by having a RCS.

    Good luck with your decision!
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