VBAC vs Repeat C-section

[ladydi]

I cannot decide whether to go for a VBAC or do the RCS. I feel like I should have a stronger feeling one way or the other by now (I'm 16 weeks). I know I could just wait until I am closer to delivery but I think if decide to do the VBAC I'd like to do a hypnobirthing class and try to go med free, and just really get myself psyched up for birth. My doctor said I am a great VBAC candidate since H's c-section was only for breech, and he seemed super supportive.

I think my hesitation is that when I was in high school my ballet teacher had a VBAC and she had a rupture during labor and lost her baby. My mind keeps going back to that even though I know the chance is very low. Ugh I just don't know what to do!

If you were faced with this decision, how did you decide?


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[skiesthelimit]

I decided on a VBAC but ended up with a repeat C/S.

I talked it out with my OB and a couple of ladies on the board. My OB said I was a great candidate. I had over 2 years between births so the risk of rupture was small. My OB recommended at least 2 years between births. I had 26ish months.

A lot of it depends on the reason for your first c/s. The reason I had my first c/s was due to fetal distress and not because of a stalled labour or big baby. I make small babies (6-12 and 6-13).

I did a lot of research and talked it out. If ever you want to chat just PM me. @the dahliharpa was a great help to me.

[Deleted]

I'm doing a repeat cs because my OB said the reason a need a cs last time just gave me a small chance of delivering vaginally. I was fully dilated and pushed for about 5 hrs and still couldn't get him out with forceps. If I thought that there was a good chance that I could actually deliver vaginally, I would do that in a heartbeat.


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[helicase]

RCS for me. With my first, I was induced 10 days overdue. The baby was big and got wedged in my pelvis. I didn't want to risk something like that again (induction, long labor, large baby), only to end up with a csection again. I took the guesswork out of it.

[honeybee503]

I decided to do a RCS. I had a failed induction the first time, and a lot of crappy feelings after about the c/s. I was finally at peace with it and knew I'd rather have a RCS and know what I was getting into. That way I wouldn't experience feeling as bad as I did the first time around when it didn't work out as I had wanted.

[sunshineluv]

I had to make the same decision. I wanted my doctors to tell me what to do. And they wouldn't. The reason I had a scheduled c\s with Henry was for size. He was big with a huge head.

I ended up waiting until the last week to decide. If I went into labor on my own I was going to try for a VBAC. I scheduled a c/s for her due date. I ended up not going into labor and having a c/s. I did have some complications after with hemmoraging but that could have happened with a vbac. It happened to my sister, so I don't blame the surgery.

I had an easy recovery and no regrets. Plus she ended up being 10 lb 3 oz. good luck it is a lot to think about .

[skiesthelimit]

Oh also, the biggest reason I choose a vbac was because I wanted a different birth experience. I had a very traumatic birth with X and the thought of another c/s terrified me.

It did take me a while to make my decision too. I saw my OB at 16 weeks (first appointment) to talk about it and made the decision at 20 weeks.

[imimahoney]

Well I'm no where near the end but I've decided that I would like to try for a vbac.

I was induced at 38 weeks due to health reasons and my ob believes he just wasn't ready to come out yet. He was head down and small (7.1) but became transverse and then got stuck during the induction. I also think my epi led to the inductions failure because I wasn't able to move him around and help get him engaged.

I'll keep talking to my doc about it and plan on hiring a doula. If at any time they don't think it's a medically smart decision then I will go to RCS route but at first, I want to give vaginal a try.

[eav2c]

I decided from the get go (and really even before I was pregnant with Oliver) that I was going to have a RCS. My OB was actually very VBAC friendly but I knew a few factors ahead of time 1) I was probably going to be high risk again and require a delivery at or before 37 weeks 2) That my first delivery left me in a bad place emotionally with the events of an emergency CS and I wanted to avoid that. Given those two factors, I did not feel like I was a good candidate for a VBAC.

I can only speak from my experience but my RCS was absolutely wonderful. It provided me some emotional healing from my first birth and I felt at peace with my first delivery for the first time. I knew I hadn't failed and I was able to walk into my RCS with dignity that I lacked with my first. I was also able to do instant skin to skin in the OR and also watched my OB pull Oliver out (nothing gory). The great thing about my RCS is I was able to let everyone know my wishes ahead of time and it was a calm surgery. Lots of laughs and talking.

You need to do what feels best to you and I'm sure you will.

[ladydi]

Aug 20, 2014 14:22:54 GMT -5 @therealmc said:

I really really really wanted to do VBAC and then I totally chickened out. I deeply regret this decision, especially since Mia came early and was so tiny - I could easily have gotten her out. The only reason I had a section with Dylan was because I was induced and couldn't go past 9cm. I do try not to dwell on it but there are times in which I could have really used Captain Hindsight.

ETA: I chickened out because my induction with Dylan was awful.  I labored for almost 2 days and pushed for almost 6 hours.  I cried and was mentally shattered by it and having to go for a section.  I was terrified of going through that again.  

I'm also afraid I'll regret it if I don't do the VBAC. I felt a ton of guilt over my c-section with H for a long time. I also didn't go through labor at all - no contractions, my water just broke and I had the c-section so I don't really have that experience to be scared of. Your induction experience sounds so awful I can completely understand why you would not want to go through that again!


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[ladydi]

Aug 20, 2014 14:30:35 GMT -5 sunshineluv said:

I had to make the same decision. I wanted my doctors to tell me what to do. And they wouldn't. The reason I had a scheduled c\s with Henry was for size. He was big with a huge head.

I ended up waiting until the last week to decide. If I went into labor on my own I was going to try for a VBAC. I scheduled a c/s for her due date. I ended up not going into labor and having a c/s. I did have some complications after with hemmoraging but that could have happened with a vbac. It happened to my sister, so I don't blame the surgery.

I had an easy recovery and no regrets. Plus she ended up being 10 lb 3 oz. good luck it is a lot to think about .

I totally get this. I was sort of expecting my doctor to lean towards the RCS recommendation since I guess I had the thought that OBs are just c-section happy. When he didn't I was almost like "crap I'm really going to need to make this decision!"


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[thedahliharpa]

I can't elaborate now but my med free VBAC was awesome. My story can be found by searching the board and I'm happy to pm with you in greater detail and share resources. Both c-section and VBAC carry a very small risk but both are generally very safe. I'm not sure if the bump vbac board still exists but it was great a few years ago.

[Deleted]

I've gone back and forth throughout this pregnancy. With Brady I went into labor on my own and after 30 hours he was just too big. This baby is also measuring large and I know women can give birth to large babies. So I agreed that if I go into labor on my own I will try but if not we already have the csection scheduled for the 29Th My doctor didn't want me to go too far past my due date and with it being a holiday weekend I said Friday before. Due date is 9/1 I don't want baby to share a bday with fil whose is 9/2

[Beener]

RCS for me. Emmy got stuck in the birth canal after almost 2 hours of pushing and she was only 5 lbs. 13 oz. so if I couldn't get her out, the chances of any baby coming out vaginally was low.

I was happy with the decision but I never had bad feelings of "missing out" on a vaginal delivery like many women do.

[nilex0102]

I had a VBAC and was very happy about it. DS got stuck because if his large head so there was a reason he had to be delivered by c section. DD was a small baby and I went into labor on my own ( though overdue) and it was a pretty easy labor that progressed gradually compared to the zero to transition labor the first time. I had a second degree tear bit that healed very nicely and it was awesome to come home without major lifting restrictions and to be able to just deal with both kids.

[bridgilly]

I had a VBAC with B and it was a great experience for me. I pushed for 2 hours with G and was unable to get her out so I ended up with a c-section. I had a terrible csection experience where my bladder was nicked and I did not want to do that again. I knew that I was not a great candidate for a VBAC, but I really wanted to try and my OB was supportive. My OB explained that there is slightly more risk to the baby with a VBAC and slightly more risk to the mother with a RCS. But the risk either way is very small.

I would be glad to answer any more questions you might have!

[whodey]

I'm not even preg and I've thought about this, I am really disappointed that I didn't have a vag birth, so I think I would lean towards a VBAC, but I'm not a great candidate b/c I develop high BP and had to deliver early and my doc won't induce a VBAC, although everyone I know who had a sched c/s said the experience was much better than an unplanned c/s - sorry no help

[formerlyllizzyb]

I had a planned c/s due to my pre existing hip and pelvic pathology. I physically was capable of vaginal birth, but we didn't want to risk making other conditions worse.

I will be having a repeat c/s.

However, if my story were different (for example a breech baby), I'd try for a VBAC. G came early and I progressed quickly. It was a rushed c/s, lol.

If I wanted more children I'd also try for a VBAC.

I only want two so that's not a big deal to me. But three or more c/s do make me nervous.

[Regina Philange]

Lou was 9 lbs and I couldn't get him out. Maybe I would consider it but I can't go through hours of pushing w no progression again.

[Deleted]

Since my first csection wasn't planned it was not the most pleasant experience My epidural wasn't working so they had to redo it in the or. Also it wasn't my regular Ob. I'm hoping that since this time it's scheduled and with my regular Ob I will be more relaxed. I was having panic attacks on the table last time.

[laurensmomma]

I had a C-section the first time due to LO being breech as well. If I was going to get pregnant again, I would hands down do a repeat C-section, and let me tell you why. Let me say that some of my opinions are just that, not based on what the doctor said or medical fact. Just general feelings/thoughts I have.

1. My recovery was super easy. I didn't labor beforehand, and was in decent shape, so I didn't really feel like I had just had major surgery, with the exception of the first day or so.

2. The chance of still needing a C-section would be there. Since I've never labored before, I don't know how my body would handle it. For me, knowing that I could still potentially have to have a C-section anyways turned me off of wanting an VBAC.

3. Risk to the baby. This is the part where I have no scientific research or anything to back me up. It might be out there, but since I'm not going to be pregnant again, I never took the time to research it. I'm going mostly off of stories I've heard, or just stuff I've read. Like the teacher you had, I would be so scared to do anything that I thought could potentially be a risk for the baby (again, this may or may not be scientifically true, just how I felt).

4. Last, and probably most significant, having a vaginal birth is not that important to me. Honestly, in my early twenties I said I wasn't going to have kids. Partly because I didn't want the responsibility, but LARGELY because the thought of something that big coming out of my vagina did not appeal to me. So, when I ended up being breech with Lauren, I can tell you I shed NOT ONE tear over it, lol.

I hope you are able to make the decision that is right for you. Don't let fear stop you from doing what you want. Good luck!

[ladydi]

Aug 20, 2014 18:22:22 GMT -5 laurensmomma said:

I had a C-section the first time due to LO being breech as well. If I was going to get pregnant again, I would hands down do a repeat C-section, and let me tell you why. Let me say that some of my opinions are just that, not based on what the doctor said or medical fact. Just general feelings/thoughts I have.

1. My recovery was super easy. I didn't labor beforehand, and was in decent shape, so I didn't really feel like I had just had major surgery, with the exception of the first day or so.

2. The chance of still needing a C-section would be there. Since I've never labored before, I don't know how my body would handle it. For me, knowing that I could still potentially have to have a C-section anyways turned me off of wanting an VBAC.

3. Risk to the baby. This is the part where I have no scientific research or anything to back me up. It might be out there, but since I'm not going to be pregnant again, I never took the time to research it. I'm going mostly off of stories I've heard, or just stuff I've read. Like the teacher you had, I would be so scared to do anything that I thought could potentially be a risk for the baby (again, this may or may not be scientifically true, just how I felt).

4. Last, and probably most significant, having a vaginal birth is not that important to me. Honestly, in my early twenties I said I wasn't going to have kids. Partly because I didn't want the responsibility, but LARGELY because the thought of something that big coming out of my vagina did not appeal to me. So, when I ended up being breech with Lauren, I can tell you I shed NOT ONE tear over it, lol.

I hope you are able to make the decision that is right for you. Don't let fear stop you from doing what you want. Good luck!

This is on my mind too - my recovery from my c-section was so easy.  After the first day I only needed ibuprofen and I feel like I healed really fast. I know it could be very different this time and that chasing a toddler could make it a lot harder it's definitely a factor for me. My BFF had severe tearing from her vaginal birth, needed a transfusion for blood loss, and could barely walk for 6 weeks.  That is the only birth I've witnessed (besides Hannah's) so i'm probably giving it more weight than I should but lol yeah that's my vaginal birth comparison.  I need to try and get these other people's situations out of my head!

[jnoellee]

If I ever have another, I will go vbac. My Ob had already told me I would be a great candidate, as long as I waited at least a year after the girls were born. (DUH, I'm waiting forever...) BUT, in the event that I could somehow fall pregnant, lol, I would definitely go for vbac and hope to go medfree.

The only reason I had a csection for the twins was because Rose (babyA) was breech, butt first, folded in half.

[artgal84]

I've been thinking about this a lot because my OB office is very pro vbac and the new doctor I met really guilted me for leaning towards a RCS. I was actually in tears yesterday after my appointment, it's a very emotional decision.

L was breech also but flipped when my water broke. She was positioned badly (kind of sideways) and had a big head from being breech. I pushed for two hours and it was terrible, I had bruises from my midwife pushing on my leg. My OB (the one I love and who is supportive) put my stats into a calculator and gave me a 40% chance of success. That is not compelling to me and based on the shallow pelvis I inherited (my mom and aunt had a lot of tearing and very hard births) I don't think it would be easy if I tried.

If I were you I might feel differently because you never got a chance to try with H. You might be awesome and have a great birth! I wish it was an easy decision, I think about it so much.

[jnoellee]

I also would vbac because I did not have an easy recovery from my c section even though it was scheduled and I was not in labor. The actual pain level of things afterwards were not what was hard, it was my reaction to the medications. I was barfing on myself minutes after delivery, and clawed my face from all the morphine. I don't do well with meds. I couldn't eat until day 4 because I was so nauseous. I felt like a train wreck. I could get up and move around by the second day, but it was everything else. I also didn't like laying there while they changed my pad and the dressings on my incision. With Elias I was in the shower within a few hours of his birth, and it was awesome.

[AllieHound]

Ill have a RCS. I went into labor on my own, but had back labor and failed to et past 7 cm after 36+ hours, cervadil and pit. I developed HELLP and my kids head was of the charts large. My OB thinks I'd be an OK VBAC candidate, but I don't. I also had a super easy recovery from the surgery itself, so it wa s an easy decision for me.

[thedahliharpa]

The link lives. It's exceptionally long.

forums.thebump.com/discussion/8161943/my-c-section-out-of-hospital-vbac-story-extremely-long 

[ruby412]

I'm going to go for a VBAC if we ever get pregnant with #2. I am tempted to go for an RCS just for the dilaudid, but that's not really a good enough reason.

[formerlyllizzyb]

artgal84 do not feel guilty about choosing a RCS if that's what you want/feel comfortable with. It's a perfectly valid choice.

We support you either way!

[formerlyllizzyb]

Aug 20, 2014 19:11:45 GMT -5 ladydi said:

Aug 20, 2014 18:22:22 GMT -5 laurensmomma said:

I had a C-section the first time due to LO being breech as well. If I was going to get pregnant again, I would hands down do a repeat C-section, and let me tell you why. Let me say that some of my opinions are just that, not based on what the doctor said or medical fact. Just general feelings/thoughts I have.

1. My recovery was super easy. I didn't labor beforehand, and was in decent shape, so I didn't really feel like I had just had major surgery, with the exception of the first day or so.

2. The chance of still needing a C-section would be there. Since I've never labored before, I don't know how my body would handle it. For me, knowing that I could still potentially have to have a C-section anyways turned me off of wanting an VBAC.

3. Risk to the baby. This is the part where I have no scientific research or anything to back me up. It might be out there, but since I'm not going to be pregnant again, I never took the time to research it. I'm going mostly off of stories I've heard, or just stuff I've read. Like the teacher you had, I would be so scared to do anything that I thought could potentially be a risk for the baby (again, this may or may not be scientifically true, just how I felt).

4. Last, and probably most significant, having a vaginal birth is not that important to me. Honestly, in my early twenties I said I wasn't going to have kids. Partly because I didn't want the responsibility, but LARGELY because the thought of something that big coming out of my vagina did not appeal to me. So, when I ended up being breech with Lauren, I can tell you I shed NOT ONE tear over it, lol.

I hope you are able to make the decision that is right for you. Don't let fear stop you from doing what you want. Good luck!

This is on my mind too - my recovery from my c-section was so easy.  After the first day I only needed ibuprofen and I feel like I healed really fast. I know it could be very different this time and that chasing a toddler could make it a lot harder it's definitely a factor for me. My BFF had severe tearing from her vaginal birth, needed a transfusion for blood loss, and could barely walk for 6 weeks.  That is the only birth I've witnessed (besides Hannah's) so i'm probably giving it more weight than I should but lol yeah that's my vaginal birth comparison.  I need to try and get these other people's situations out of my head!

Yep I have friends who had super easy cs recoveries and difficult vaginal recoveries. My cs recovery wasn't easy, but whatever. We really have no control over that part anyways...the body does what it can but we can't predict the future!