VBAC anyone?

Yailani23 · January 2017

Hi ladies. I searched this topic and saw that it was talked about a little here and there.

So my doctor has asked me at several appointments if I'd be interested in having a VBAC this time around and I've been considering it. I just wanted to know if any other c-section moms are considering it as well or just going straight for the c-section again? Any moms go through both? Recommendations? TIA

michaela0704 · January 2017

As of now I would be eligible but I'm just going to schedule it... it would be more for me than anything else and I feel selfish putting the baby risk knowing I did fairly well with C-section surgery and recovery.

The risk of uterine rupture is very low though and not everyone has had my positive C-section experience.

Also, I was very negatively impacted from a mental/emotional perspective when I had a failed induction after 48+ hours... I had been made so many promises for our worst case scenario of a 'family centered surgical birth' and it was nothing like they told me it would be, not a single promise was kept and I had no complications to explain why things weren't done as promised... so to give me and my baby the best start both mentally and physically for us and our particular mother-baby relationship, I'm having another C-section.

Jendink · January 2017

I have the option but honestly even with the low risk of uterine rupture it still scares me. Going to go with a repeat c section. I also know at this will be my last pregnancy so that also helped my decision. Some dr will encourage a vbac of you plan to have more children bc of the scar tissue. I'm waiting for my doctors nurses to call me and schedule the c section. I had a c section with my first bc of placenta previa. I didn't have a choice whether to deliver vaginally or c section. I had a pretty good experience with my first c section as I didn't labor at all. Going to go with another c section

neludelu · January 2017

This is my second baby, I had a csection with my first bc of failure to progress after 8cm for 24 hrs. My docs are pushing for a VBAC, I am not sure what I want. I had a really great recovery from my csection and the thought of tearing is terrifying. I do really want the pushing experience.... ah I'm torn.

stella1011 · January 2017

My doctor is open to it and has asked me what my intentions are.....I had an emergency c section for my first and I really don't want to end up with another traumatic experience. I'd hate to try for a vbac and end up with another emergency c section. So- i'm leaning towards a scheduled c section. My recovery the first time around was not too bad, so hopefully I have the same experience this time around. Also, the risks for a vbac scare me...so I think I will play it safe. As "safe" as a c section is- knowing it's still major surgery.

doodleoodle · January 2017

I keep waffling. Right now I'm leaning towards a RCS because being able to plan the date would be nice for DD's sake, the place where my incision was made has been really painful as of late and that makes me nervous even though I know it is normal, and I've read that only 60-something% of women have a successful VBAC. I'd hate to be exhausted from labor and then have surgery.

I had a really rough recovery from my section though and am dreading going through that again. Gah.

JessyKV · January 2017

I'm kind of surprised for how many people are opting for a RCS. Not in a negative way. I guess I just had a hard experience with mine so I can't imagine when people say they had an easy recovery with theirs and would want to do that again.

I'm totally for doing whatever you feel the most comfortable with and you and your doctor agree is the safest.

My first was a scheduled c section due to breech. I was sort of devastated she wouldn't turn and we had to do a c section but the hospital and my doctor were amazing and supportive. I just didn't react well to all the pain meds. I hated the spinal and how long it took before I could get out of bed. I was totally not mentally there for over 24 hours after DD was born and then in so much constant pain for 6 weeks. Nursing was hard but I don't necessarily blame that on my c section va being new and my nipples not being ready plus a tongue tie in my DD. I wasn't allowe to drive for weeks and it was so hard to sit, stand, walk, do stairs. It just was not the PP experience I had imagined.

So when I was pregnant with my second I asked my doctor about VBAC and sadly they were a non VBAC hospital so she suggested I switch doctors and hospitals since I was a great candidate for VBAC. I found a super supportive practice and everything went great. I went over 40 weeks which they did not like so they scheduled me to be induced at 40+3. The awesome
part was I had contractions the night before so I walked in to be induced at a 6. They broke my water and talked me into the tiniest bit of pitocin when my contractions didn't pick up. Looking back I with I would have declined but I went on to push 3 hours later and had a pain med free birth. It felt amazing and I was so happy. I got up and walked and went to the Bathroom immediately. I did have an episiotomy and stiches but they really weren't bad at all. I would take that any day over the c section pain that I had. Plus my DD was only 22 months I don't think I could have managed a young toddler and newborn with a c section like I had before. I know it could have been better the second time but I am also a believer in some of the other benefits of a vaginal birth for the mom and baby. So luckily I had a positive VBAC experience. I know there are risks to both and it's a serious decision for everyone.

So for this baby I'm hoping for another vbac. I would also love to go into labor on my own and avoid interventions but I'm keeping an open realistic mind.

I really hope that whatever anyone chooses it is a good experience and recovery because I know being a 2nd time mom is hard! And I'm really a little scared of having 3 at home!

JessyKV · January 2017

And for anyone going back and forth or just wanting to research c section and VBAC I found this website helpful. They also have local chapters that can help you find supportive doctors.
https://www.ican-online.org

jc_twomamas · January 2017

I'm going for it (hopefully!) I had a severe placental abruption with DS so I was not allowed to labor at all, due to the stress contractions would put on my already 9-10cm abrupted placenta. Cool uterus! Had a c section at 37 weeks.

Anyways, I'm preparing for a VBAC with my OB, but obviously will be prepared for any other circumstance as well! I also have a Doula (who I had with DS). I know quite a few women who have had successful VBAC's. If you and your OB are game for it, I would keep it an open option!

oliviarmann · January 2017

I'm hoping/planning to Vbac! I had a scheduled c-section with DD for breech, so my Dr says I'm a great candidate.

The c-section recovery was so much better than I had imagined (at the time I worked as a PP nurse and had seen some pretty rough recoveries) with minimal pain and no complications.

I want to Vbac mostly to have the bonding time with baby. DD was rushed off to the nursery and I didn't see her for about 6 hours although there were no complications with her. Also, if I can avoid such a major surgery with also having a 3 year old at home, that'd be great!

mrt · January 2017

@oliviarmann 6 hours is a very long time if there were no complications with her or you. Why so long? My sister had 2 C-sections and both babies stayed in recovery with her.
Also, fwiw, her Dr said they were open to a vbac if she went into labor on her own and also wanted to keep an eye on the size of the baby, as her first was over 9lbs. She ended up deciding on a C-section, and it was probably a good thing because her second was over 10lbs.

doodleoodle · January 2017

@oliviarmann my LO also stayed in recovery with me after my c-section. We were never apart while at the hospital. Did you have to stay alone? My hospital would have required the baby to go to the nursery only in the instance that I was left alone as I couldn't physically get out of bed.

doodleoodle · January 2017

@oliviarmann my LO also stayed in recovery with me after my c-section. We were never apart while at the hospital. Did you have to stay alone? My hospital would have required the baby to go to the nursery only in the instance that I was left alone as I couldn't physically get out of bed.

michaela0704 · January 2017

@oliviarmann that's interesting they separated y'all for that long with no complications... I would've thrown a fit!

My hospital didn't have a nursery so even after I had a seizure the first afternoon we thought it might make sense to send the twins to the nursery for a little bit so I could rest and we were informed there wasn't one... just the NICU and my boys didn't need that.

oliviarmann · January 2017

Unfortunately, it was just the norm at the hospital I delivered at for babies to be taken to the nursery for a transition period. I currently work nursery at this same hospital now (coincident?) and we are working hard towards the baby friendly initiative, so things have changed drastically. We no longer take babies to the nursery routinely; only sick babies/special circumstances. We even go so fas as to allow skin-to-skin on the OR table if both mom and baby are stable. This makes the thought of another c-section so much more appealing. I just wish I knew back then that it was even possible.. I absolutely would have asked for my baby to stay with me!

Cryscross1009 · January 2017

I only posted a few times at the beginning of the board then got sidetracked and never jumped back in, just lurked.

I figured this would be a good time to jump in since I've been struggling with this too. I've had 2 sections. The first was because I started hemorrhaging at 39 weeks (vessels between the baby's head and my cervix). The second was just a repeat. Unfortunately the doctor that delivered both has moved to the east coast, which kills me because I totally adored her!!

My doctor now is very supportive of a vba2c, she actually assumed that I was doing one. I've gone back and forth but am leaning more towards the vbac. There are risks associated with both and I am definitely scared of laboring, getting to a 10 then needing an emergent C-section for some reason. So much back and forth, I'm glad I've still got some time to think about it.

Edit: bump ate half my post.

mishmosh26 · January 2017

With DD two years ago I was induced at 37 weeks due to PIH. Induction was horrible. The induction failed and I had a csection. I had hardly progressed at all, I think I made it to 1 cm and wasn't effaced at all. Dr told me I had a small pelvis anyway. Around 12 hours after the csection I had a hemmorage. After all that I actually felt like I recovered very fast from the surgery and was almost feeling normal after being sent home from the hospital. I never really felt any regrets about how DDs birth story played out because it all went how it needed to go and I tried to stretch the induction at long as I could.

Since DDs birth and up through my first appointment I had come to terms with the fact that with this pregnancy I would need another csection and would never experience a vaginal delivery. This pregnancy I decided to switch the OB practice I would see. I get to my first appointment and was shocked to discover that they feel I am a great candidate for a vbac! This doc said my pelvis is a little narrow but "not concerningly so." As long as I go into labor on my own, they are happy with a vbac and will let me go until 41 weeks.

My mental debate now is if a vaginal delivery is something I want to add to my life experience? Do I want to experience my water breaking and natural contractions? Will a vbac really be a less painful recovery? Would a scheduled csection be easier? Will I wish I picked the less laborious option halfway through the delivery? Lots of time to make the decision, but at this point I am leaning towards a vbac. It definately helps to read everyone else's stories and thoughts on this topic here!

michaela0704 · January 2017

@mishmosh26 you had a very similar experience to mine except I wasn't ok emotionally with how it ended... I had banked on a medfree vaginal birth and was so frustrated with my body. Then you add that I wasn't prepared for the C-section, what to expect other than this rainbows, clouds, and unicorn story my midwife had painted for me... I'm ready to go in knowing what to expect as I think if I get myself mentally prepared/started with a VBAC and it ends in a RCS I'd probably have to deal with the emotional issues again... and I just don't want that impacting me while I start my journey with this little guy. It sounds like you'd probably be ok with either outcome and are a good candidate for VBAC... I'd definitely consider it if I were you!

richdog · January 2017

My doctor is open to VBAC or another C-section. We are going to wait until we have our 20 week ultrasound to really weigh the options. That way we will know if this baby is growing the same as #1. At 20 weeks with #1, we knew she would be large. I think I'm wary of saying yes to VBAC because of the long hours of back labor and then eventual unplanned C-section we had the first time. I'd like fewer surprises if possible. Plus, having an increased chance of my uterus rupturing (no matter how slight) scares me.

kdanjou · January 2017

Like some PPs mentioned, I had a great c-section experience with my first. She was breech. I am a good candidate for VBAC so for now that is my plan. If this one turns out to be breech or for some other reason we have to schedule a c-section, I'm ok with that too. There are risks either way. I'd rather not have major surgery again if it can be avoided.

vixey · January 2017

DD was a c-section. I had an easy recovery and am opting for a RCS. I told my doctor that was the plan, and they haven't brought up VBAC as an option. Because DD's c-section was an emergency, I prefer the idea of scheduling this one so I don't have to experience that type of emergency situation again.

jesselayne8 · January 2017

I had a csection with #1 after a failed induction (never progressed past 4cm). Number 2 I wanted a VBAC more than anything. My dr induced me at 40w4d and I never progressed past 6cm. #3 my dr agreed to let me VBA2C if I went into labor on my own. At 40wk2d and no signs of labor I had another csection. With this one a small piece of me is still hoping that spontaneous labor happens and happens so fast that I can have a VBA3C but that is very very unlikely. We will be scheduling csection #4 after my due date.

onaed · January 2017

@JessyKV thank you for sharing your experience. I am debating a vbac right now. May I ask why you said you probably shouldn't have taken the pitocin?
I have mixed opinions on taking it from my first labor (I swear it caused my contractions to become too strong too quickly) so was just curious about your experience with it during your vbac.

Yailani23 · January 2017

I love reading all the feedback for and against. It helps in my decision even though I'm not 100% sure yet.

I had a easy and quick cs recovery with DD and everything healed nicely. I go back and forth because I kind of want that experience of skin to skin right away and having my mom in the room and all of that. I am however on the fence since reading about the rupture that can occur. I didn't labor passed 4cm with DD and I'm thinking it might happen again.

JessyKV · January 2017

onaed said:

@JessyKV thank you for sharing your experience. I am debating a vbac right now. May I ask why you said you probably shouldn't have taken the pitocin?
I have mixed opinions on taking it from my first labor (I swear it caused my contractions to become too strong too quickly) so was just curious about your experience with it during your vbac.

I didn't mean I shouldn't have taken it I guess. I mean I wish I wouldn't have taken it so early into my labor (or at all). Technically it wasn't needed yet. Yes, my contractions weren't stronger 2 hours after breaking my water but I was at a 6 and we could have just seen how my body let it played out. I was in no danger and only 2 hours in to the usual 24 ish they give you after your water breaks. There was really no reason to rush my labor. Luckily there were no bad effects for me at all. It kick started my contractions and I had my son soon after which was probably good because I wasn't worn out or tired from Laboring all day or something. Yes it made contractions worse but for me I only suffered less than 2 hours of painful pitocin contractions before I pushed so it wasn't bad at all. I guess for me I just wonder what my body would have done without any interventions because they weren't really necessary that early in the game. But it was a pretty darn perfect outcome
so I really can't complain. I would do pitocin again if needed. I just want to wait a tad longer this time if possible.

Mport90 · January 2017

I am scheduling my c section this time

I am very confident in my decision. It took me a long time to come with terms that I was not able to birth vaginally and now that I have come to terms I never even want to go through that again to end in another emergency situation. I am totally for anyone that feels they want to try, awesome for you!! But another c sec is best for this mama.

bornmommy · January 2017

Just jumping in to help the "on the fencers" make an informed choice. I have supported quiet a few VBACs now and the most important thing is that you are informed. Sites to gaze at and research -

VBACfacts.com
evidencebasedbirth.com
improvingbirth.org
Ican.org (someone already pointed this out)

Another couple things that helped my clients was being informed of the signs of uterine rupture and reading successful VBAC stories. Good luck!

ama7165 · January 2017

I am also on the fence. My first was an emergency c section so the idea of planned appeals to me, but I guess that's not guaranteed if you go into labor prior to scheduled c section. I also had an easy recovery from my c section but I think it would be harder with a 3 year old also.

mezalune · January 2017

I am another VBAC hopeful following a scheduled CS for breech baby #1. I was amazed at how quickly I recovered from the surgery but with a three year old at home, I'd love to not have to deal with all of the postop precautions. My OB is very supportive and suggested I wait to see how big we estimate this one to be - my first was 8'12" so not enormous but I have a history of GD too, so big babies are certainly possible. Truly, if I end up with a RCS, i will be fine with it. (And I will add the fear of tearing "down there" with a VBAC is a bit strong!)

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