Opinions on VBAC- Vaginal Birth After Caesarean

I'm sorry you had such a tough time with the first delivery. Going forward, if I were you, I'd check with both the hospital you plan to deliver at and your health insurance to see what their attitudes are toward VBACs. Not everybody is really supportive of them. I'd also talk to your OB or find another if necessary who is generally supportive of doing a VBAC. Due to the increased risk of complications not all OBs are really willing to go that route. Once you find a Dr that's supportive of your goal you'll have to have an in depth discussion that will probably be on-going the duration of the pregnancy to decide whether a VBAC is the best choice.

No matter how you deliver in the end the most important part is a healthy baby and mom (as you already know). Lots of women successfully have VBACs. But, if a VBAC doesn't work out don't waste what little energy we all have after having a baby on beating yourself up about how the baby arrived in the world! Good luck.

Hi C.,

I can only speak to you being nervous about going through another major procedure. I had to have a 2nd c-section b/c he was breach. The recovery time was quicker and I wasn't as tired.

One other thing, for various reasons I chose to go into labor instead of having a scheduled c-section one week early. They agreed up to my due date He ended up coming ten days early. I was happy to let him come when he was ready. Although wanting to experience labor pain had nothing to do with it. Good luck!

My good friend just had a successful VBAC and says it was a wonderful decision. She felt better going into it planning for a natural birth and letting her body decide when the baby was ready to come out rather than schedule a c-section. Plus all she had to lose was to end up with a c-section, which she'd end up with if she'd plan for one. She did have to find a doctor that was supportive and she and her husband hired a doula too whom they were happy with. There are risks, but it's mostly doctors who are nervous about malpractice rather than the risk to your health which is low.

Hi C., Congratulations on your pregnancy.

The first thing you'll want to find out is if your hospital of choice will do vbac's. Ours (EMMC in BAngor ME) will not, due to the death of a baby some years ago. And you'll want to have an honest talk with your doctor.

Then you'll be able to make an informed choice about your options.

Nicki

Ditto previous posters about finding out what is available in your area with regards to hospitals/birth centers/medical professional offering vbacs. I find that midwives tend to have more successful vbac rates than OBs and many work in hospitals and have back up OBs in case of emergency. I would also highly recommend having a doula for this birth. Even if you don't end up having a vbac, a doula will help you through the labor and make sure you understand what is going on and help you make desicions (i.e. a doula may have been able to talk you through the "we'd have to break her shoulder" logic).

I loved my vbac experience and would never have another c-section unless it was TRULY necessary. But regardless I would also go into any future birth with the support of a doula and full knowledge of what my hospital/birth center's policies are.

Good Luck to you!!

I agree with what a lot of other posters have said. You should start with finding information about your hospital's policies and make sure you are comfortable with your obgyn. I had an unexpected c-section with my first and my Dr. was great at discussing my options with me when I was pregnant with my second. I think the more you trust your Dr. and feel comfortable discussing things, the better chance that you will make an informed decision and a decision you can be happy with.

Congrats on the pregnancy. I wish you a healthy pregnancy and hope you find out the best option for you. Just remember the important thing is to deliver a healthy baby - whether that be naturally or via c-section.

I'm in the same position and am scared to death to make the decision. I know that the length of time between children helps to ensure that you gave your uterus enough time to heal. My son is 2 1/2 and will be 3 when this one arrives. I was fine that I had a section the first time. My son's heart rate was dropping with every contraction and I was only 5 cm so we chose a section. I think in the situation it was best I had too far to go with him in such stress. This time I hate choosing my "fate." Come on really which sounds more appealing surgery and it's risks or a v-bac it's risk along with anxiety about stuff I didn't experience the first time. Neither sounds like fun I am only looking forward to the end result. I also find it hard because I am not sure how many children we would like to have. I don't want to keep going in for surgery or think that I have to limit my family size due to repeat c-sections. I wish you luck as you find your answer knowing it's not easy.

Sorry to hear about your experience. Mine sucked, too: our little one was breech, and we tried everything in our power to deliver her vaginally, including bringing an old expert doc out of retirement to conduct the delivery. Well, eventually, I turned out to be insensitive to the epidural, and the doctor had told me that the delivery would have to be done with epi bc of the extensive manipulation that would be required of a vag breech delivery. So, I had a C.
This time around - second one due in april - I want to consider a VBAC. The risk of uterine rupture is vanishingly low - 0.01%? Is it possible that in your aunt's case they induced her, or had her on epidural? What exactly happened?
The problem is that in the end, the docs may come up with all kinds of reasons as to why they need to schedule you for a C. The reason being: it is lucrative and easy, but also reduces the risk of malpractice lawsuits for them. It's a very sad situation really, when more and more women are being forced to consider the riskier option of home birth when they cannot find a truly supportive OB that will not manipulate, frighten or arm twist them into undergoing a C. Good luck to you, and I guess also to me. Hope we are able to deliver healthy babies under the best of circumstances...

Hi C.,

I also had an emergency section with my first and when it came time to talk about how to deliever #2 with the ob he was very honest but let me make my decision. I felt I had a good relationship with him and trusted that he wasn't tellign me his opinion because he wanted to get $$ off my surgery. With #1 my bowel was knicked, but for natural I had a hard time pushing her out and she was only 6lbs. In the end I chose to have a c-section because I didn't have that overwhelming need to have a natural birth. He did tell me that if I wanted to try a vbac he was supportive of it but also cautioned against scar tissue etc. In the end it is YOUR decision and the doctor can't tell you what to do unless they know something medically nessecairy for you to have a repeat c. Good luck!!

M.

Hi C., I am a 44 year old woman with 2 boys.Now 14 and 12. My first son was delivered C-Section, he was 8.5 21 inches. Exactly 2 years later, 2nd son was VBAC, he was 7 lbs, 21 inches.If I had to choose which delivery was easier for recovery. Id have to say the C Section was a hell of a lot easier. I couldnt sit for 2 weeks and sat on a Fitz bath(or whatever its called) for 2 weeks. I chose to tear versus Apisiotomy(spelling) bc too many of my friends had problems going to the bathroom after. I have always been active,Im 5 4 weigh 125 pnds. Im a Personal Trainer.But I was 60 pounds overweight after my kids.I put em in a stroller,sprinted 1 mailbox, then walked for 2. I increased that as I went along.
Dont be scared of a VBAC,its a wonderful experience as hard as it is. To have done both, I feel very thankful to experience both sides of the spectrum. Both boys are active,smart and loving boys.
I have to tell u, the fear of my first childbirth-C Section after 19 hrs labor,was scarier for me...I dont do well with the unkown. His head was HUGE and got stuck in Pelvic Girdle. I couldnt deliver him.Heart rate was fluctuating like crazy ect.....I should tell u, I chose NO Pitocin for 2nd childbirth as well bc I hated it and it slowed down my labor the first time.
I wish the best, I feel like Im rambling. U sound like a strong woman, go witht he flow, read up on both and talk to your OBGYN. Good Luck!

After 3 hours of pushing - I ended up with a C section. My sons agpar score was 2 just after birth because I had some crazy earthy crunchy mid wife who kept pushing to keep it a VB until my husband demanded a doctor and C section. The C section ended up being over an hour and I had to be revived once and my son twice. The cord was wrapped around his neck twice and I am convinced if I had kept pushing he never would have made it. All of his vitals were great when labor started and the more that they tried to keep it natural - the worse his numbers started to fall. I won't have another child unless I am gauranteed to have another C section. There is no glory with VB - it's the baby and how you care for it and not the way it comes out. Don't feel bad - have a C section.