If you had a c-section

[kkfeb04]

I had a c/s due to a very large baby. It could have been an induction but my body showed no signs of labor. As it was DS's head was 15", 10 lbs 22". I have no regrets.

I fully expected a RCS with DD. I was told we could try VBAC if baby was smaller. After my 32 week MFM appointment we decided that I was an unknown in labor and they will not give pitocin to induce so unless I went into labor on my own I would have a RCS. I scheduled it for 39w1d as my preferred OB worked that day (she was the one that delivered DS). DD had other plans and arrived at 37w0d. She was also huge (bigger than DS if she would have waited until RCS date), 14+" head, 9 lbs 2 oz, 21". I was having contractions starting at 36 weeks and felt like I was getting cut from the inside out and even on delivery day when contractions were 1-2 minutes apart, I wasn't even a fingertip dilated. I was basically an emergency RCS that day.

[formerlyllizzyb]

Apr 9, 2013 16:18:30 GMT -5 kkfeb04 said:

Apr 9, 2013 14:04:19 GMT -5 angiekay84 said:

I have mixed emotions! I really struggle sometimes with having had a c-section even though I was told starting at 38 weeks that is was highly probable. Sophia did end up with a huge 90%+ head and after being in labor for 19 hours, then have a c/s and not getting to my room until past 11 PM, being up most 24 hours with no sleep, my DH and I passed out immediately and spent our first hours as a family asleep. That makes me sad. I could have a RCS, schedule it for 8 in the morning after a night of sleep and get to spend those first hours actually with my baby.

......but then the "what ifs" start going in my mind. What if I could have done it?? What if I still could?? What if what if what if. What if I tried, the next baby has issues as well, labor stalls like my doctor says it will, she gets stuck, etc. and then I end up with a c/s anyway after laboring and I'm exhausted again? More than anything, I don't want that to happen again.

Don't set yourself up for being upset. Babies don't realize you have plans.  DD's RCS was scheduled for 10 am on 4/3, she arrived at 8:49 pm on 3/19.  

Both my kids were born at night and I don't regret it one bit. It's not like we slept that first night anyway.

angiekay84...my scheduled c/s baby came early, too...I was dilated to a 5 or 6 by the time I got to the hospital and in serious pain. Not the way I planned his scheduled arrival, lol!

[vidalia]

I'm still undecided...I had a very easy recovery but I know it could be different next time. Although I had an easy recovery, the surgery part was still really scary because I felt so aware of what was happening.

[angiekay84]

Apr 9, 2013 16:51:03 GMT -5 formerlyllizzyb said:

Apr 9, 2013 16:18:30 GMT -5 kkfeb04 said:

Don't set yourself up for being upset. Babies don't realize you have plans.  DD's RCS was scheduled for 10 am on 4/3, she arrived at 8:49 pm on 3/19.  

Both my kids were born at night and I don't regret it one bit. It's not like we slept that first night anyway.

angiekay84...my scheduled c/s baby came early, too...I was dilated to a 5 or 6 by the time I got to the hospital and in serious pain. Not the way I planned his scheduled arrival, lol!

Damn, you guys are messing up my fantasy delivery! I would be shocked if I actually went into labor since I never had any contractions on my own, even 24 hours after my water breaking! My husband has a dome of a head and daughter was huge. If I went into labor on my own, I'd be tempted to try a VBAC.

[kkfeb04]

Apr 9, 2013 17:46:41 GMT -5 angiekay84 said:

Apr 9, 2013 16:51:03 GMT -5 formerlyllizzyb said:

angiekay84...my scheduled c/s baby came early, too...I was dilated to a 5 or 6 by the time I got to the hospital and in serious pain. Not the way I planned his scheduled arrival, lol!

Damn, you guys are messing up my fantasy delivery! I would be shocked if I actually went into labor since I never had any contractions on my own, even 24 hours after my water breaking! My husband has a dome of a head and daughter was huge. If I went into labor on my own, I'd be tempted to try a VBAC.

Sorry...

I guess you didn't read that I had contractions for four days that were 1-2 minutes apart with DD. I didn't have one BH with my 10 lber so I was in complete shock. Hell I was still working the day I gave birth, like 2 hours before I arrived at the hospital when my OB sent me over from my 37 week appt (after my stop at BRU) I was in extreme denial.  I still wasn't a VBAC candidate nor was I dilated.

[rxbeth]

If we have another (still undecided at this point) I think I would have a RCS.

Madison was a semi-emergency c-section because she was breech and I was in labour. I had no chance to even schedule a c-section because my OB really dropped the ball and didn't realize she was breech. I had a lot of disappointment because if he had realized earlier, we could have tried a version. Also, she was in the NICU for 2 days because of low sugar the first day. I blame that on her screaming for the full 30 minutes while they stitched me up and not getting to do skin to skin right away. She seriously screamed that entire time and I think she used all her poor little glucose stores. Not one person in the OR thought to come and have DH do kangaroo care.

I worry that if I try to VBAC and then need a RCS anyways, I'll have another horribly disappointing delivery so I would RCS to try to avoid that. It was very difficult on me.

[angiekay84]

Apr 9, 2013 17:53:02 GMT -5 kkfeb04 said:

Apr 9, 2013 17:46:41 GMT -5 angiekay84 said:

Damn, you guys are messing up my fantasy delivery! I would be shocked if I actually went into labor since I never had any contractions on my own, even 24 hours after my water breaking! My husband has a dome of a head and daughter was huge. If I went into labor on my own, I'd be tempted to try a VBAC.

Sorry...

I guess you didn't read that I had contractions for four days that were 1-2 minutes apart with DD. I didn't have one BH with my 10 lber so I was in complete shock. Hell I was still working the day I gave birth, like 2 hours before I arrived at the hospital when my OB sent me over from my 37 week appt (after my stop at BRU) I was in extreme denial.  I still wasn't a VBAC candidate nor was I dilated.

I did! I guess I didn't remember the specifics.  I would be in denial too, apparently!!


 I don't know if my doctor will let me try to VBAC.  She said I have a narrow pelvis (I HATE that!  How can they even really tell!?) and I have a hard time believing stuff like that.  It happened to me, yet I still am in denial that my vag is the problem!  My doctor was very much like, "we'll just schedule you next time" when I went in for my six week PP check-up.  I know my hospital is VBAC friendly, so I might have to switch doctors if she isn't willing to consider me and even talk to me about VBACing as an option.  Not that I'm planning another anytime soon, but we'll see!

[Deleted]

Don't get me started...

I'll be doing everything I possibly can to avoid another c-section.

All I can say for those of you who are on the fence and don't know. Or even if you say you are having a RCS - DO your research... find out your options. Your OB will try tell you it's safer to have another c-section when in reality it is no less if not more safe to have a VBAC birth.

[mabillon]

I had a really easy C/S recovery so an RCS doesn't scare me. Afer 27 hours of post-water breaking hard labor, I still hadn't gotten to 10cm and was starting to get a fever. I am leaning towards hopefully going into labor naturally with baby #2 (to ensure that baby is ready to come, my milk is ready, etc) and playing out the VBAC angle to see if I dialate and if it's moving quickly. If not, RCS.

[thedahliharpa]

Apr 9, 2013 20:16:52 GMT -5 angiekay84 said:

Apr 9, 2013 17:53:02 GMT -5 kkfeb04 said:

Sorry...

I guess you didn't read that I had contractions for four days that were 1-2 minutes apart with DD. I didn't have one BH with my 10 lber so I was in complete shock. Hell I was still working the day I gave birth, like 2 hours before I arrived at the hospital when my OB sent me over from my 37 week appt (after my stop at BRU) I was in extreme denial.  I still wasn't a VBAC candidate nor was I dilated.

I did! I guess I didn't remember the specifics.  I would be in denial too, apparently!!


 I don't know if my doctor will let me try to VBAC.  She said I have a narrow pelvis (I HATE that!  How can they even really tell!?) and I have a hard time believing stuff like that.  It happened to me, yet I still am in denial that my vag is the problem!  My doctor was very much like, "we'll just schedule you next time" when I went in for my six week PP check-up.  I know my hospital is VBAC friendly, so I might have to switch doctors if she isn't willing to consider me and even talk to me about VBACing as an option.  Not that I'm planning another anytime soon, but we'll see!

Get a new doctor :-). Mine said the same thing at 6 weeks and a year later so I said see ya.She was wrong. Don't be strung along by a doctor that says things like "maybe" "might" "allow" "39 weeks".

[skiesthelimit]

Apr 10, 2013 12:45:27 GMT -5 @johlise said:

Don't get me started...

I'll be doing everything I possibly can to avoid another c-section.

All I can say for those of you who are on the fence and don't know. Or even if you say you are having a RCS - DO your research... find out your options. Your OB will try tell you it's safer to have another c-section when in reality it is no less if not more safe to have a VBAC birth.

Can you point me in the direction of information that supports VBAC?  I'd like to be fully informed.  The OB kept saying things like "risk for uterine rupture".  She never specified the "reason" for my CS.  I should have asked to see my chart. 

[Deleted]

Apr 10, 2013 13:53:33 GMT -5 skiesthelimit said:

Apr 10, 2013 12:45:27 GMT -5 @johlise said:

Don't get me started...

I'll be doing everything I possibly can to avoid another c-section.

All I can say for those of you who are on the fence and don't know. Or even if you say you are having a RCS - DO your research... find out your options. Your OB will try tell you it's safer to have another c-section when in reality it is no less if not more safe to have a VBAC birth.

Can you point me in the direction of information that supports VBAC?  I'd like to be fully informed.  The OB kept saying things like "risk for uterine rupture".  She never specified the "reason" for my CS.  I should have asked to see my chart. 

If you have a local ICAN group they are usually a great resource for information otherwise here's a few links:

www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/vbac-sabotage-is-your-doctor-really-vbac-friendly#.UUFJ_Fe8rDU

There's lots of good information on this site:
vbacfacts.com

vbacfacts.com/2009/06/06/interviewing-care-providers-questions-to-ask/

There is more out there I just can't seem to find the links that I've saved somewhere.. I'll look when I've got some more time, but that should give you a good start.

There is also a VBAC group on Facebook message me if you are interested in that as well and I can send you the link and vouch for you if you want to join.

Also on the Uterine Rupture issue: Dr's will try freak you out about this but once again do your research. Chances of a Uterine rupture in a vaginal birth without having had a c/s or in someone who has had a c/s are very minimal in percentage difference!!

[Dorothy Zbornak]

Apr 10, 2013 13:53:33 GMT -5 skiesthelimit said:

Apr 10, 2013 12:45:27 GMT -5 @johlise said:

Don't get me started...

I'll be doing everything I possibly can to avoid another c-section.

All I can say for those of you who are on the fence and don't know. Or even if you say you are having a RCS - DO your research... find out your options. Your OB will try tell you it's safer to have another c-section when in reality it is no less if not more safe to have a VBAC birth.

Can you point me in the direction of information that supports VBAC?  I'd like to be fully informed.  The OB kept saying things like "risk for uterine rupture".  She never specified the "reason" for my CS.  I should have asked to see my chart. 

This is always "the risk" a lot of hospitals use to convince women that they need a RCS. It's important to know why you needed the CS to begin with. I think most reasons are not because of structural problems in the mother's uterus or pelvis. After H, they told me my pelvis was too small; I even had an x-ray. My pelvic opening (or whatever the hell it's called) has a circumference of 10.3 cm, which is apparently smaller than average.But that means essentially nothing since everything expands during labor. Every doctor I encountered while pregnant with Butterbaby encouraged me to go for a VBAC, because true cephalopelvic disproportion is rare. I had a lot of dumb things happen with H's labor that led me to believe that I could have had her vaginally if I had done things differently. I did all of those things differently with Butterbaby, but I still had to have a c-section. I apparently make big babies and my pelvis is really too small to birth them.

That being said, I would totally encourage most women who had a c-section to go for a vbac. It was such a positive experience for me, and I went into it being with peace with the fact that I might have to have another CS. No mother is a failure because she didn't push a baby out of her vagina. I really enjoyed laboring and channeling my inner Ina May, to be honest. But once they hooked me up to pitocin because I wasn't progressing past 5 cm, it started to suck.

[Deleted]

Apr 10, 2013 14:03:54 GMT -5 Dorothy Zbornak said:

Apr 10, 2013 13:53:33 GMT -5 skiesthelimit said:

Can you point me in the direction of information that supports VBAC?  I'd like to be fully informed.  The OB kept saying things like "risk for uterine rupture".  She never specified the "reason" for my CS.  I should have asked to see my chart. 

This is always "the risk" a lot of hospitals use to convince women that they need a RCS. It's important to know why you needed the CS to begin with. I think most reasons are not because of structural problems in the mother's uterus or pelvis. After H, they told me my pelvis was too small; I even had an x-ray. My pelvic opening (or whatever the hell it's called) has a circumference of 10.3 cm, which is apparently smaller than average.But that means essentially nothing since everything expands during labor. Every doctor I encountered while pregnant with Butterbaby encouraged me to go for a VBAC, because true cephalopelvic disproportion is rare. I had a lot of dumb things happen with H's labor that led me to believe that I could have had her vaginally if I had done things differently. I did all of those things differently with Butterbaby, but I still had to have a c-section. I apparently make big babies and my pelvis is really too small to birth them.

That being said, I would totally encourage most women who had a c-section to go for a vbac. It was such a positive experience for me, and I went into it being with peace with the fact that I might have to have another CS. No mother is a failure because she didn't push a baby out of her vagina. I really enjoyed laboring and channeling my inner Ina May, to be honest. But once they hooked me up to pitocin because I wasn't progressing past 5 cm, it started to suck.

I'm sorry Dorthy! Like you said though sometimes it's just not possible no matter how much we'd like it to be. That being said definitely still try for a VBAC!!

[Deleted]

Another link: www.facebook.com/ImprovingBirth or it's Improvingbirth.org for their website.

Another thing I've thought of is something my Dr. actually told me. She said that our c-section rates are so high because of continuous fetal monitoring and also because of induction. Pitocin is a drug that needs to be used very carefully and actually get's used way to often because mothers want to have their baby now! Not wanting to go 2-3 weeks overdue which can often be safely done if baby isn't showing signs of distress.

[skiesthelimit]

X was small, 6lbs13oz, so I think he would have "fit". But he was in fetal distress from cord compression. My water broke on it's own when I was 37w6d. I dilated to 5cm on my own. He was face up. His heart rate dropped to the 20s with every contraction. I had the epi. I didn't progress more than 5cm. He wouldn't engage. They wouldn't give me pit because of his heart rate issues. I was 5cm for 6hours when they suggested a c-section. He was having decelerations from the moment they hooked me up to the monitor when I got to L&D. So I'm assuming the reason for my c/s was fetal distress. This makes me believe that I could have a VBAC for #2. I think that if X was positioned correctly he would have come out vaginally. But I've had the OB who delivered X and my OB at my 6 weeek PP visit tell me I needed to have a RCS. I'm not even sure they would take me on as a client if I wanted a VBAC. I find it strange since they are fairly new OBs. I would be ok with a RCS, I've never felt the need to absolutely have to push a baby out of my vagina. I just don't like the whole scheduling when my baby will be born. I'd like to go into labour on my own when the baby is ready.

[Deleted]

Apr 10, 2013 14:16:22 GMT -5 skiesthelimit said:

X was small, 6lbs13oz, so I think he would have "fit". But he was in fetal distress from cord compression. My water broke on it's own when I was 37w6d. I dilated to 5cm on my own. He was face up. His heart rate dropped to the 20s with every contraction. I had the epi. I didn't progress more than 5cm. He wouldn't engage. They wouldn't give me pit because of his heart rate issues. I was 5cm for 6hours when they suggested a c-section. He was having decelerations from the moment they hooked me up to the monitor when I got to L&D. So I'm assuming the reason for my c/s was fetal distress. This makes me believe that I could have a VBAC for #2. I think that if X was positioned correctly he would have come out vaginally. But I've had the OB who delivered X and my OB at my 6 weeek PP visit tell me I needed to have a RCS. I'm not even sure they would take me on as a client if I wanted a VBAC. I find it strange since they are fairly new OBs. I would be ok with a RCS, I've never felt the need to absolutely have to push a baby out of my vagina. I just don't like the whole scheduling when my baby will be born. I'd like to go into labour on my own when the baby is ready.

If you'd like to know the reason for you c-section you can ask for your medical records. I know I went to the hospital and looked through my chart until I found what I was looking for.

In my case a c/s was necessary as hard as it was/is. She was footling breech. The sad part is that Dr.s aren't taught how to deal with delivering breech anymore they just assume it's a good reason to have a c-section. I struggled with this until about a month ago actually when I finally went and looked at my medical records and found out she was footling breech. Until then all I'd known was that she'd been breech but not which breech presentation she was. All of this is why I'm so adamant about educating yourself about VBAC.. ask your Dr. questions if they are anti-vbac I'd be running the other way as fast as I could because they are setting you up for failure. Then again I'm one of those who really wanted a vaginal un-medicated birth. I was dilated to a 10, my water broke.. I ended up sitting with my butt in the air.. having meds to stop contractions so that the OR team could do the c-section It made me an emotional wreak!!

[Dorothy Zbornak]

Apr 10, 2013 14:06:33 GMT -5 @johlise said:

Apr 10, 2013 14:03:54 GMT -5 Dorothy Zbornak said:

This is always "the risk" a lot of hospitals use to convince women that they need a RCS. It's important to know why you needed the CS to begin with. I think most reasons are not because of structural problems in the mother's uterus or pelvis. After H, they told me my pelvis was too small; I even had an x-ray. My pelvic opening (or whatever the hell it's called) has a circumference of 10.3 cm, which is apparently smaller than average.But that means essentially nothing since everything expands during labor. Every doctor I encountered while pregnant with Butterbaby encouraged me to go for a VBAC, because true cephalopelvic disproportion is rare. I had a lot of dumb things happen with H's labor that led me to believe that I could have had her vaginally if I had done things differently. I did all of those things differently with Butterbaby, but I still had to have a c-section. I apparently make big babies and my pelvis is really too small to birth them.

That being said, I would totally encourage most women who had a c-section to go for a vbac. It was such a positive experience for me, and I went into it being with peace with the fact that I might have to have another CS. No mother is a failure because she didn't push a baby out of her vagina. I really enjoyed laboring and channeling my inner Ina May, to be honest. But once they hooked me up to pitocin because I wasn't progressing past 5 cm, it started to suck.

I'm sorry Dorthy! Like you said though sometimes it's just not possible no matter how much we'd like it to be. That being said definitely still try for a VBAC!!

Yeah, I am certainly glad I tried. But should we ever have a third, it's going to be a planned section. I WOULD be afraid of uterine rupture after two CS, to be honest. And I know that I can't give birth naturally. Bummer, sure, but I guess I don't know it any other way, either.

[Deleted]

Apr 10, 2013 14:28:49 GMT -5 Dorothy Zbornak said:

Apr 10, 2013 14:06:33 GMT -5 @johlise said:

I'm sorry Dorthy! Like you said though sometimes it's just not possible no matter how much we'd like it to be. That being said definitely still try for a VBAC!!

Yeah, I am certainly glad I tried. But should we ever have a third, it's going to be a planned section. I WOULD be afraid of uterine rupture after two CS, to be honest. And I know that I can't give birth naturally. Bummer, sure, but I guess I don't know it any other way, either.

You have to do what you think is best. In your case you also know that it's virtually almost impossible to have a vaginal birth so a c/s makes sense.

[thedahliharpa]

@johlise , yes you can request your surgical records. I did and they were required for my interview with the birth center. Parts were hard to read because they were straight up lies. Oh well my BFF still has the same OB and she told her all about my fabulous VBAC.

[Deleted]

Apr 10, 2013 15:44:08 GMT -5 thedahliharpa said:

@johlise , yes you can request your surgical records. I did and they were required for my interview with the birth center. Parts were hard to read because they were straight up lies. Oh well my BFF still has the same OB and she told her all about my fabulous VBAC.

Ugh that sucks, but I'm sure that isn't uncommon either!

I know that on mine the Dr. who did my section wrote down the wrong name for a Dr. that my OB consulted about vaginal breech delivery because my OB told me it wasn't that Dr. when I asked her. Mostly I went in there looking for what type of breech presentation T was which was all I wanted out of it.