s/o VBAC - scheduled c-section moms

[chickens987]

Hypothetical, and this is purely to satisfy my own curiosity. If you had a scheduled c-section with #1, would you choose to attempt a VBAC with #2 or are you inclined to have a RCS?

[thatgirl2478]

I didn't have a scheduled c section with 1, but I chose the RCS. My reasoning went like this:

We are 99% sure we're done with 2 kids.
It was easier to schedule someone to come take care of DD1 when I knew what date I'd have DD2.
It would eliminate the risk of a rupture.
It would lessen my chances of having pelvic floor issues later in life (as per my OB).
I knew what to expect and that the recovery wouldn't be a problem.

ETA: 3 separate OB's saw me during my pregnancy and all 3 agreed that given my past history of not going into labor on my own (my first was a failed induction at 2 wks overdue), I would not be a good candidate for a VBAC.

[vanillacourage]

I tried the VBAC. OB even induced me at 41w (usually if you want to try a VBAC you have to have gone into labor on your own by your due date, sometimes even by 39w).

DS2 had heart decels that got scary enough we had to move semi-quickly to a c/s after about 12h of labor, but I'm glad I gave it a shot.

[hillarywhitney]

My c-section wasn't scheduled. But I think I'd like to try for a vbac next time. Though I've done no research yet. Ds is only 3 months old, so it will be awhile until I need to figure this out. But I'm hopeful I will be a good candidate for one.

[carolinagirl831]

Mine was scheduled when we found out DD was breech at 41 weeks 5 days. I had an u/s to decide on induction possibilities and it was then discovered she was breech. My body never had any signs of labor, possibly because she was breech? But it makes me doubt my ability to go into labor on my own. I also had some scary blood pressure issues at the end.
I will most likely schedule a rcs.

[hopecounts]

My delivery was a bit crazy.
DD was breech so scheduled, went in that morning at 38 weeks and she had flipped and I was a 'loose 2 cms' so we proceeded to an induction (in retrospect I wish I had insisted on going home and seeing what happened)
If/when we have another barring certain complications I hope to go for a VBAC.
It is statistically safer and DD and DH need me around so I gotta do what's best for me.

[chickens987]

hopecounts, did you end up with a c-section after the induction?

[holly116]

I dilated to 9 after 15 hrs of labor with a baby under 7lbs and she could never drop. After several scary decels, we moved on to the csection. Once my OB started the surgery, she confirmed that DD was never coming out safely, she was completely stuck in my too narrow pelvis. So I knew at my 6 week pp visit after DD when she looked back at her notes from my delivery that I was having RCS from that point on. My mom had 3 csection and almost all of my aunts too for similar reasons so it was never a big surprise that my first pregnancy ended this way. I'm just so thankful I've been able to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. Another time, another era, I probably would have been a statistic.

My practice and hospital is totally okay with vbacs, I'm just not a good candidate at all unless I have a preterm 32 week or earlier baby in the future. I had my second 18 months after my first, and my third 19 months after that. DH asked my doctor while they were sewing me up this last time how everything looked. She said that having a fourth would be no problem from what she could tell if we decide to go that route. I will note that I am completely healthy with zero health issues and haven't had any complications. I know that RCS can't happen for everyone so consecutively or repeatedly. But it isn't necessarily an automatic, nope, you can only have x number of babies because of a prior section. There are other variables.

[chickens987]

It's still a ways off for me, but I am leaning towards RCS (obviously I may change my mind). I wasn't happy with needing to have a c-section the first time around, but it was a piece of cake. And I like the idea of being able to plan for everything.

I think if someone could tell me I'd have a perfect vaginal birth with a single stitch, etc, I'd definitely go for it. But there is a vast unknown and a chance I could still end up with a c-section...

[hopecounts]

Oh yes, DD did not like pitocin and while I responded well by the time we got to pushing she was showing signs of stress and by mutual agreement we all decided it was best to call it.

[ladygrey]

Funny, I was just thinking about that today since TTC #2 is on the horizon. My doctor is very supportive of VBACs and said I would most likely be a good candidate for one (barring any future complications). I had a really great c/s experience and recovery, though, so part of me wants to stick with what worked the first time around. I guess I'll just cross that bridge when I come to it.

On another c/s-related note: moms who had a breech firstborn: were your other kids breech as well?

[narockshard]

My c/s was not scheduled, but I do hope to try for a VBAC for the next one. I went into labor naturally, it's just that my daughter's head was stuck in my pelvis (she was posterior), despite 4 hours of pushing. In hindsight, I wish I would have waited longer for the epi so I could have moved around more and possibly gotten her into position better.

[chickens987]

Nov 10, 2014 13:47:03 GMT -5 ladygrey said:

Funny, I was just thinking about that today since TTC #2 is on the horizon. My doctor is very supportive of VBACs and said I would most likely be a good candidate for one (barring any future complications). I had a really great c/s experience and recovery, though, so part of me wants to stick with what worked the first time around. I guess I'll just cross that bridge when I come to it.

On another c/s-related note: moms who had a breech firstborn: were your other kids breech as well?

Thanks. This is exactly my thought process.

My cw's DD1 was breech, DD2 and DS1 were not. Is it weird I wouldn't mind if #2 was so I wouldn't have to stress about VBAC or RCS?? LOL.

[humpforfree]

I would like to try vbac. I would like 3 (+?) kids and don't like the idea of that many csections. Also, the spinal flipped me out and I would like to avoid the meds if possible

[chickens987]

And the reason I posed this question to scheduled c-section moms is because I think mentally preparing for a c-section and not having to go through labor beforehand can positively impact your recovery - it's my hypothesis at least - so I think people who had scheduled them the first time around would be more likely to choose a RCS vs a VBAC. So far it's looking like my theory holds among this audience at least...with a sample size of 3

[hopecounts]

In general no not more common.
It is typically considered an unlikely to recur cause for a c/s which is one of the reasons that group has the highest VBAC success rate and are considered strong VBAC candidates.

there can be issues with the Mom's pelvis or posture that can encourage a baby to be breech but even then it's a small increase in occurence.

[statlerwaldorf]

My first c/s was not scheduled, but I attempted a vbac. I ended up with another c/s because of a placental abruption. My main reason was that we would like a large family and each c/s has more risks.

[hermione]

I would be a RCS. The thought of birth terrifies me and I did not mourn anything when my doc said she thought a CS was our best option. After crying because thought I was supposed to cry when my doc said that, I was like, "Great! Let's get it scheduled!"

[Deleted]

I am not a good candidate for a VBAC, so I will be having a RCS for sure. According to my OB, "good candidates" are those where the baby was the issue. Bad position like breech, stuff like that. My anatomy (little pelvis) plus DH's genes (big head) means it's VERY likely baby#2 will get stuck just like DS did. So, hence, RCS.

[Deleted]

Nov 10, 2014 13:52:28 GMT -5 chickens987 said:

And the reason I posed this question to scheduled c-section moms is because I think mentally preparing for a c-section and not having to go through labor beforehand can positively impact your recovery - it's my hypothesis at least - so I think people who had scheduled them the first time around would be more likely to choose a RCS vs a VBAC. So far it's looking like my theory holds among this audience at least...with a sample size of 3

I am TERRIFIED of my RCS. I labored for 9 hours with DS before ending in a c/s. The surgery was super scary. I was shaking uncontrollably, there were SO MANY people in the room, I thought I was going to pass out. In NO WAY is knowing I'm having a RCS going to "positively impact" me. I'm going to be a huge ball of nerves.

[chickens987]

Nov 10, 2014 14:12:30 GMT -5 @supergreen said:

Nov 10, 2014 13:52:28 GMT -5 chickens987 said:

And the reason I posed this question to scheduled c-section moms is because I think mentally preparing for a c-section and not having to go through labor beforehand can positively impact your recovery - it's my hypothesis at least - so I think people who had scheduled them the first time around would be more likely to choose a RCS vs a VBAC. So far it's looking like my theory holds among this audience at least...with a sample size of 3

I am TERRIFIED of my RCS. I labored for 9 hours with DS before ending in a c/s. The surgery was super scary. I was shaking uncontrollably, there were SO MANY people in the room, I thought I was going to pass out. In NO WAY is knowing I'm having a RCS going to "positively impact" me. I'm going to be a huge ball of nerves.

In case I wasn't clear, I meant mentally preparing for the first c-section can be positive. I agree that having to be rushed into a c-section unexpectedly would be terrifying and having that be your only point of reference would be hard. But as I said, my experience was great - I had weeks to come to terms with that being my manner of delivery, I woke up in the morning, showered, did my hair and makeup, and walked into the OR. I was scared of the procedure, but the atmosphere was very relaxed, I was able to talk through things with the team, and we were joking and chatting as I was being prepped. So that being my only experience, it was a damn good one. And I hope your RCS surprises you.

[ktw]

I had a scheduled c-section at 39w2d because I found out DD was breech at my 39w appointment. So, I didn't have long to prepare, but even with only knowing for 2 days that I was going to have a section, I had a very positive experience. I'm very tempted to just do a RCS with my second, as we only want 2 kids (3 at the absolute most), and I hesitate to try for a VBAC and all of the unknowns associated with it. I'll see what my doctors say when I'm pregnant again, but I lean toward just scheduling a RCS.

[humpforfree]

Nov 10, 2014 13:52:28 GMT -5 chickens987 said:

And the reason I posed this question to scheduled c-section moms is because I think mentally preparing for a c-section and not having to go through labor beforehand can positively impact your recovery - it's my hypothesis at least - so I think people who had scheduled them the first time around would be more likely to choose a RCS vs a VBAC. So far it's looking like my theory holds among this audience at least...with a sample size of 3

I don't know where I fall with scheduled vs emergency- we were planning on a CS in 2.5 weeks if he didn't flip (which I was still really really hoping for). Then at the doc they said he needed to be taken out ASAP due to low fluid. I had a few hours to mentally prepare, but was not at all expecting to have a CS THAT day. Either way, I did have a fabulous recovery but still would like to avoid another CS if possible.

[chickens987]

Nov 10, 2014 15:07:28 GMT -5 humpforfree said:

Nov 10, 2014 13:52:28 GMT -5 chickens987 said:

And the reason I posed this question to scheduled c-section moms is because I think mentally preparing for a c-section and not having to go through labor beforehand can positively impact your recovery - it's my hypothesis at least - so I think people who had scheduled them the first time around would be more likely to choose a RCS vs a VBAC. So far it's looking like my theory holds among this audience at least...with a sample size of 3

I don't know where I fall with scheduled vs emergency- we were planning on a CS in 2.5 weeks if he didn't flip (which I was still really really hoping for). Then at the doc they said he needed to be taken out ASAP due to low fluid. I had a few hours to mentally prepare, but was not at all expecting to have a CS THAT day. Either way, I did have a fabulous recovery but still would like to avoid another CS if possible.

You posted as I was writing that - so my sample size is 5 now

[carolinagirl831]

Nov 10, 2014 14:21:37 GMT -5 chickens987 said:

Nov 10, 2014 14:12:30 GMT -5 @supergreen said:

I am TERRIFIED of my RCS. I labored for 9 hours with DS before ending in a c/s. The surgery was super scary. I was shaking uncontrollably, there were SO MANY people in the room, I thought I was going to pass out. In NO WAY is knowing I'm having a RCS going to "positively impact" me. I'm going to be a huge ball of nerves.

In case I wasn't clear, I meant mentally preparing for the first c-section can be positive. I agree that having to be rushed into a c-section unexpectedly would be terrifying and having that be your only point of reference would be hard. But as I said, my experience was great - I had weeks to come to terms with that being my manner of delivery, I woke up in the morning, showered, did my hair and makeup, and walked into the OR. I was scared of the procedure, but the atmosphere was very relaxed, I was able to talk through things with the team, and we were joking and chatting as I was being prepped. So that being my only experience, it was a damn good one. And I hope your RCS surprises you.

I agree with Chickens here, actually it made it super easy and is one of the main reasons I want a repeat .

[t]

I plan to do a RCS with #2. My ob practice is supportive of vbac, but during my emergency cs, the doctor yelled over the curtain "c-sections from here on out!" As she was shoving DD's poor little head back up the canal. I progressed on my own, but she would have never made it all the way down.

[tealblue]

I don't really know where I fall in these questions. I was scheduled to have a c/s but I went into labor early and did get a c/s. I didn't labor too long but I didn't walk in with pretty hair and makeup either.

I'm torn on baby 2. I had a great recovery with DS but I don't remember anything in the OR (and I was not knocked out) and I vomited a lot after birth. So I would like to avoid that and avoid a ton of drugs. I do like the scheduled part of labor and getting 2 extra paid weeks off work. Soooo I have no clue what to do.

[Birdie]

My first wasn't scheduled but I'm leaning toward a RCS for our next. I am sad I missed the experience of a vaginal birth but I would be more sad if i had a repeat of #1 where I was so drugged out by the time DS finally came that I don't remember much of the birth. A friend of mine had a similar experience with her first and said her RCS was like night and day and much more "enjoyable"

[thecatinthehat]

My first was not scheduled and there was a scary ~20 mins before I got wheeled into the OR. As DH would put it, I would have been the mom who died or whose baby died in my birth canal had I had a baby before C-sections were possible. So yes, I mostly will opt for RCS. I am just not going to risk it. If my complications that lead to the c-section were probably different, I might be inclined to try to deliver vaginally next time.

[laurenh]

Technically I was scheduled for an induction with DD but when we got to the hospital she had turned into an unfavorable position and we went c/s.

I'm opting for RCS this time because laboring and ending up with an emergency c/s or having one twin vaginally and one via c/s sounds like a complete nightmare. And also, scheduling childcare for DD is also easier.