Repeat C-Section VS VBAC??

awilliams2728 · June 2015

Any Mama's had a VBAC or considering one this time? Struggling to make a decision (I know I have a while, but woke up at 2 am this morning thinking about it). I haven't really talked to my OB yet, just mentioned I'd like to try. When I had my C-section in 2011 the nurses at the hospital mentioned that the hospital supported VBAC, but I know things could change. Really not much choice in hospitals or OB practices - I live in a very rural area (the next closest hospital that I would consider giving birth at is 2 hours away) - so not sure what I'll do if my OB isn't really supportive.

ramfam2507 · June 2015

I'm in the same boat as you! I had a c-section in 2010 after pushing for three hours and baby was still too high for forceps or vacuum and was going into distress.
I know it's still a while away but I find myself thinking about it a lot. My new doc is very big into VBACS but it's still a scary decision to make!

awilliams2728 · June 2015

My first appointment my OB said "so, repeat c-section?" And I said I would like to try for a vbac - she kind of rolled her eyes... so not sure how into it she really is. I would very much prefer a vbac but I'm not sure it's worth a fight if my OB isn't supportive.

Caligurl858 · June 2015

I just wanted to share my mother in laws story. My DH was born via c section. After him my MIL really wanted a VBAC and insisted on one, even though the doctors suggestion was another c section. so when BIL was born she had her VBAC. It was a terribly hard birth. He was pulled out with forceps, was black and blue for weeks, and she had a collapsed uterus and could never have children again . I'm not saying this will happen to you , and I hope it will not. But sometimes these measures are in place for a reason. MIL always says now " I was stubborn and wanted it my way , I got it and I payed the price "

Honestly if I was a doctor, I would roll my eyes too. And hope that they would hate me and go to another doctor so I would be free of the liability .

I don't mean that to be offensive, and I hope if you go with VBAC it will be a wonderful great experience. But I had to play the devils advocate here.

reneetsu · June 2015

I am having a hard time making the same decision. My OB is allowing me to entertain the idea, but I think she really thinks I should just do the repeat. When I had my son in 2012 I was induced and water broke at 9am and by 6 that evening only progress to 4cm and baby didn't drop any. Plus he was 8lbs10oz at 38 weeks. So she says with a big first baby it's likely this one will be bigger as the first baby is usually the smallest one. The only problem I had with the c-section was that I felt like I was robbed of the immediate contact with baby as you don't get that with c-section. I think the pain is there both ways just different so that does not have any weight in my decision.

jaredkate · June 2015

I'm considering it. I've had two previous vaginal births (prior to my c) and, according to my father, it makes me an ideal candidate to do a VBAC. However, my uterus shape could be an issue--my doc said we would talk about it when we got closer.

monaclemere · June 2015

I had a c/s with my first because after pushing for almost 2 hours she was still at zero station, I had a fever and she had a really high heart rate. Turns out she was crooked, presenting with the side of her head and 10 pounds. She never would have come out on her own.

I was offered a VBAC with my second, but I was warned that I may not be the best candidate. Ultimately I decided to just do the repeat c/s. I had a good experience the first time and felt it was the safest choice for me and the baby, since I wasn't the best candidate anyway. It was the right decision. My son was 10 lbs 3 oz and also totally stuck in my pelvis. I'm just not meant to birth vaginally.

I've seen the devastating things that can happen after a VBAC gone bad. I think unless you are an optimal candidate and your practice has a very high success rate, it's not worth the risk.

littleSkittle14 · June 2015

I had a c section in April 2014 and ann attempting a vbac with this baby. My OB and hospital are vbac supportive, but they did say that there are certain conditions that make a vbac more likely (ex: if your previous c section was due to a situation that's unlikely to repeat, such as poor fetal positioning, chances of vbac are higher. If your scar is low transverse, chances are higher. If you had a vaginal birth prior to your c/s, chances of vbac are higher)

Also, your desired family size can influence your decision. I want a large family so a vbac in the long run will be a better option for me than multiple repeat c sections. But if you are only having 2 kids, 2 c/s is relatively low risk for complications.

Basically it comes down to risk: with a vbac, you are taking on the risk at that birth. With a c/s, you postpone the risk to your next delivery, and the risk compounds with subsequent c sections. Both options can be catastrophic but usually not fatal.

Sorry I wrote so much! I am very interested in this topic!

Good luck with your decision!

littleSkittle14 · June 2015

Also, some OBs don't like vbac since they require more monitoring and usually involve more laboring at the hospital (which means more time at the hospital for them) vs a c/s that can just be scheduled. I am sorry she rolled her eyes at you. That is unprofessional to the max.

ssinnwell · June 2015

I had a c-section in 2008 after an unsuccessful induction and I am planning VBAC, my OB is supportive. She said that the risks are the least for v-bac, then scheduled csection, then attempted vaginal turned into c-section. It is important to me to try, so I plan to. I am high risk and they are still going to let me.

It is a very personal decision. I would recommend researching it and talking in length with your ob about it.

GardenMama116 · June 2015

No personal experience here, but I have one friend who had a c-section because her daughter was breech. She went on to have 2 successful VBACs. I have another friend who has a c-section with twins. She labored for 30+ hours with her second pregnancy but also has successful VBAC. I have a third friend who had a c-section (cajoled into it because it was 4pm on Friday and doc got off @ 5pm for the wkd. If you want me to deliver your baby, it's a c-section now). She was approved for VBAC but again had a c-section (I forget those details). She had to look really hard to find doc who agreed to VBA2C with her third pregnancy. She ended up having a third c-section (I forget those details too).

The purpose of me sharing this is that you can plan for a VBAC and have no issues or you can plan for one and still end up with another c-section. Good luck!

jaredkate · June 2015

Everything Little Skittle said is accurate. Typically the reasons some hospitals won't support them is not because of safety but convenience and revenue. Knowing the c-sec rate for a hospital can tell you a lot about their labor and delivery practices. In general, university and teaching hospitals have a higher level of expertise and community hospitals have higher c-sec rates and lower support for vbacs.

awilliams2728 · June 2015

Thanks all - I've actually done a good bit of research and will be talking further with my OB. I would much prefer a VBAC for myself - I nearly had a panic attack in the OR when they were getting me ready for my 1st c-section. However ultimately it will depend on what's best for the baby.

I do believe that my first c-section was a result of too much intervention. We decided to induce at 40+1 (my husband felt that because the doctor mentioned it that we should do it - my cousin had lost her baby at 40 weeks a year earlier and had refused an induction a day prior - he was terrified this would happen to our son). Had a foley bulb, pitocin, and my waters broken. Was also on continuous fetal monitoring so every time his heart rate dipped I was told to lay on my back in the bed. I personally think had I went into labor on my own and been allowed to move around like I wanted I would not have needed the surgery. I just don't think my body was ready.

It was over two hours after he was born before I got to hold my son and I resent that. I should have had that time with him - not some random nurse.

I've heard some about "gentle" or "family-centered" c- sections where your arms aren't strapped down and you can hold and nurse your baby while you get stitched up. Anyone have any experience with that?

ssinnwell · June 2015

awilliams2728 said:

Thanks all - I've actually done a good bit of research and will be talking further with my OB. I would much prefer a VBAC for myself - I nearly had a panic attack in the OR when they were getting me ready for my 1st c-section. However ultimately it will depend on what's best for the baby. I do believe that my first c-section was a result of too much intervention. We decided to induce at 40+1 (my husband felt that because the doctor mentioned it that we should do it - my cousin had lost her baby at 40 weeks a year earlier and had refused an induction a day prior - he was terrified this would happen to our son). Had a foley bulb, pitocin, and my waters broken. Was also on continuous fetal monitoring so every time his heart rate dipped I was told to lay on my back in the bed. I personally think had I went into labor on my own and been allowed to move around like I wanted I would not have needed the surgery. I just don't think my body was ready. It was over two hours after he was born before I got to hold my son and I resent that. I should have had that time with him - not some random nurse. I've heard some about "gentle" or "family-centered" c- sections where your arms aren't strapped down and you can hold and nurse your baby while you get stitched up. Anyone have any experience with that?

That was my exact experience to a T for my induction... and it was awful... to have all that then have a c-section is the worst, hence my want to VBAC.

MegStark · June 2015

My OB supports it as long as the c-section note from my old doctor says the incision on the uterus was horizontal and not vertical (can be different than the scar you can see on your abdomen). Also, they'll never induce after a c-section or put me on pitocin. For that reason, I'd be happy to try for a VBAC, but I know going into it that it's likely I won't go into labor myself and will end up with a c-section.

jaredkate · June 2015

I had my baby with me immediately following my c-sec, in the OR. He wasn't out of my sight for any period of time and in my arms. Look for "baby friendly" hosputal designations. Those are hospitals with WHO certification for promoting practices that improve breastfeeding outcomes and are family-centered care.

awilliams2728 · June 2015

I so wish I had the luxury of choosing my hospital!! Unfortunately I live in rural West Virginia - apparently there are no "baby friendly" hospitals in all of WV - let alone within an hour of me.

SunnyD2015 · June 2015

I didn't have a choice because my doctor does not do VBAC deliveries. If I wanted one I could have gone to my family doctor to attempt it. Sometimes I wish I would have tried but then again, I really like my doctor so it was a decision I had to make. I opted for a repeat c-section. I have now had 3 c-sections, a left tube removed and a D&C which puts me at high risk for a multitude of conditions. I tempted fate with this one and now I am finding out all the complications that can arise with multiple c-sections/surgeries. I am high risk right now. I have placenta previa and the placenta is sitting above my c-section incision. This can cause a condition called placenta accreta, where the placenta attaches to the c-section incision. If this happens, then it means bed rest and possible hospital bed rest, a 32 week delivery and possibly hysterectomy. I am to race to my high risk OB if I have any bleeding.

I say if they let you try, go for it. It could mean future vaginal births for you too.

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