V-BAC Have You Had One or Are You Going to Have One?

Why is it such a big deal how baby comes out?Did having a cs made you less of a mother???You will have pain either way. I had 2 cs.....First son had short cord 2 times around his neck......so there was no way for him to be born vaginally,second was a repeat. I was up and walking on the second day and running after a toddler on the 3rd.Try Vbac if that's what you want, I know many mothers who were successful.
I do not think CS are easier way out like some people say, it has 4 times higher mortality rate for mothers.

I haven't had a c-section so I don't know medically what you are going through but I think you should rent the documentary the business of being born. It will give you the strength to try for a vaginal delivery. Good luck you can do it.

I did it! You can too!

I had mine, drug free, at age 38 with a nearly 9 lb baby. My first was emergency CS.

1. Find a SUPPORTIVE birthing team. You MUST have an OB that supports your decision.

2. I STRONGLY recommend an experienced Birth Doula. This is a person who helps you & ADVOCATES for (supports your birth plan) you when you are in the throws of labor.

3. Have a Birth Plan, be flexible (I have lots of experience with this one)

Of course you had a painful labor if they gave you Pitocin. It creates violent contractions, not at all like natural contractions. You had to wait to get pain meds because if they give them too soo, they may wear off, & they can't give you more, it's a timing thing.

I had a difficult experience with my vbac. I dont think is the average experience. Even so, I would not have traded it for another CS. But, the CS was a lot easier (for me) to recover from.

You don't know what kind of experience you will get. Typically, I think your chances are really good to have a really good experience with your vbac if properly supported. There are risks either way, why not take the one that is healthier for you & the baby?

I have A LOT to say on this subject. I am a huge birth advocate whether or not you chose pain control. You are welcome to contact me directly if you'd like to really talk to someone about this/Raleigh OB's/Pro's & Cons of the whole thing.

Click on my name at the top of this message, it will give you an option to send a private note.

Best of luck to you!!

P.

I had to have to C-Sections due to breech positions. The first time was hard.. I DON"T RECOMMEND STAPLES AT ALL!! My incision got infected and wouldn't heal. After 7 days in the hospital, we were able to go home. The 2nd time around was a lot easier.. just 3 days in the hospital and NO problems. I only had to take pain medication the 2nd time for 4 days and then resumed the normal ibuprofen. I do recommend a LOT of walking. It does help. I decided after the 2nd baby, to get my tubes tied, (which I sometimes regret and a lot of time don't.) I did talk to a nurse while having my 2nd baby( a boy).. and she was was getting ready to have her 5th baby.. all c-section.

I had 2 scheduled c-sections. Here is why. My first child (son) was very large and was not dropping so I had a CS about 10 days before my due date. He was 9 pounds 5 oz. He would have been over 10 lbs. if I had gone to term. I had an easy recovery. Although I was told not to drive for 3 weeks, I felt fine.

When it came to my 2nd child (dgt) I elected to have another CS. My OB-GYN told me there was something like a 25% chance of the uterus rupturing with a VBAC. AS a speech therapist, I have worked with kids who were born after the uterus ruptured during delivery and they were severely handicapped. I did not want to take a chance. I had another easy recovery.

I have had friends who have labored for a long time and then had to have a CS and their recovery was MUCH harder. Why put yourself through that?

It is awfully nice to be able to schedule your delivery, esp. when you already have another child that someone will need to take care of.

I never felt cheated that I had not delivered vaginally. I still carried that child and it came out of my body. I highly recommend the C-section! Good luck!

Hey L.. I'm a labor & delivery nurse... The c-section rate is now up to about 40%. Women are having bigger babies than they used to, and with the risk of lawsuits doctors just aren't willing to sit around and watch fetal heart rates that don't look reassuring. If you got a healthy baby out of it, you didn't miss out. That's our goal for every patient. It is a whole lot easier to recover from a scheduled c-section than it is from labor then a c-section. (I had an emergency c-section as well.) It's all about what's best for mama's and babies.

You didn't really say why you had to have the c-section the first time. Your doctor should be able to tell you that. It will be in your chart. If it was failure to progress, or arrest of dilation, was it because of the presentation? Sometimes babies get in there a little bit cock-eyed, and they can't come down like they should. If so, then you could try and labor again. If it was for fetal intolerance of labor you could definitely try it again. If it was just because of the size of your pelvis, then you should go for the scheduled c-section. Your first baby wasn't that big, and they tend to get bigger. It's not like they could induce you earlier since your first was 38 weeks. I have seen successful VBACS, and I've seen some have to end up with a section as well. There is an increased risk of uterine rupture when you labor with a scar on your uterus, especially if they're close together. Some doctors won't give pitocin to someone that has had a previous c-section, so if patients don't labor well enough to make progress they end up being sectioned. I think the best thing for you to do is to talk to your doctor and find out why you had to be sectioned in the first place. If it wasn't because of your pelvis, and you want to try it- that's your choice! And your doctor should support you in that. The reality is that ANY labor has the potential to end up in the OR. Obviously you're more likely if you have had to be sectioned before, but it's not a given. Just talk to your doctor about it. You'll know what's the best choice when the time comes. Good luck!

L.,

I had to have a cs with my first one due to failure to progress. I wanted to have a vbac with my last one and my OB was on board with this idea. I wound up having to have an emergency cs 4 weeks before my dd because of IUGR. However, I would encourage you to talk with you OB and see what they say about it. If you feel strongly about it then I would at least attempt it - with the understanding that you may wind up having to have a cs. Your aunt should be told that it is her job to deliver babies and not decide for you or any other expectant mother how to deliver. Vaginal delivery is the way God/nature intended babies to be born and delivery is usually easier with your second baby. And I would have loved to have only had to heal from a vaginal delivery instead of a cs. Also, the cost for me to have a cs was $18,000 total versus the vaginal delivery cost of $8,000. If you have good insurance and don't have to worry about cost then good for you. I wish I could have had a vbac the last time - but it just didn't work out for me but it wasn't because I attempted it and failed. At least tell your OB you want to attempt it and get his advice.

It was amazing to me how similar our birth experiences were!! With my first I was in labor for 19 hours before they decided to do a c-section. My water broke at home at 2am. I had no contractions after that point, but called my dr’s office and they told me to report to the hospital anyway since my water broke. It was just a trickle, not a gush. Anyway, took a shower and hubby and I headed to Rex. They gave me pitocin to get my contractions started and then I got the epidural at 5cm. My contractions dropped off CONSIDERABLY right after they inserted the epidural. I’m talking about going from being off the charts to 20% on the monitor. So, this is my first “issue” no matter how much doctors and nurses refute the point that epidurals do impact your contractions I SAW if with my own eyes!! So, my contractions were just very weak from that point on. I would progress 1cm like every 2 hours. Finally I made it to 8 and didn’t progress any further. After 6 hours at 8cm the doctor informed us that we were going to have a c-section. I was devastated!! Talk about post partum depression! Like you said… I felt like I missed out on so much and the recovery was HORRIBLE!! What really upset me most was that I didn’t even get to see my baby till way after the fact and even then I couldn’t hold her because my bed was reclined as far back as it could and trying to sit up just a little bit was IMPOSSIBLE. My baby weighed 7lbs 12 oz. Not awfully big.
With my second pregnancy I was DETERMINED not to have the same experience and consequently switched doctors. I went to Dr.’s Kamm, McKenzie, Smith, Harden, Bass, Saacks, and Marston. They were wonderful!! Dr. Marston delivered my second baby. I had a successful VBAC with a 9lbs 1oz baby!!!!! She was AWESOME. She was so calm and coached me through the whole thing. She sat on the bed right next to me. It just felt so “personal” for a lack of a better term. I did have an epidural the second time around and believe me I am totally for them!!! They are the greatest invention ever!! The only thing is I waited the second time around until I was almost at a 7. Yes, it was tough, but I was committed to having the VBAC and I was so afraid that the same thing would happen after they inserted the epidural. The sad part is at my 6 week post partum check up Dr. Marston, who was with a different practice at the time, told me that she was not practicing obstetrics anymore!
I am now 11 weeks pregnant with #3. Even though I really was very happy with the second practice I am just very weird about having a male doctor deliver my baby. Since Dr. Marston left Dr Saacks is the only female in the practice. What are the odds of having a male doctor on duty when the delivery time gets here? LOL
I switched again. This time I am going to the Alliance in Women’s Health at 4020 Wake Forest Road. I have already established that they are willing to go VBAC again. I am very curious to know who your dr was and which hospital you delivered at. I was not impressed with my first doctor AT ALL!! I heard that he has retired now. He told me four times that if I had the baby within the next hour he could go have his dinner. My husband and I are adamant that my c-section was due to the fact that he was just ready to be done with it. Especially considering the birth weights and the smaller one was delivered by c-section while I delivered a big baby vaginally!
My advice to you….GO FOR IT!!! Research it and just set your mind to it. Find a doctor that encourages VBAC’s.

Actually, studies show that the majority of women who attempt a VBAC are successful -- the average is about 75% success rate, which is really great!

The "P" word is Pitocin, usually abbreviated "Pit."

Many hospitals won't do an epidural until 4 cm (which is when "active labor" technically begins), because some studies have shown that to reduce the number of labors that end in C-sections.

It sounds like you need to try to have a VBAC -- you seem to want to give birth vaginally (which is only natural, after all), and if you just go with an elective repeat C-section (ERC), then you'll always wonder if you could have done it. I highly recommend vaginal birth, but I've never had a C-section, so don't really have anything personally to compare it to.

I agree with what another responder said -- get a doula! All studies about doulas have shown tremendous benefits with no downsides -- lower rates of all interventions, including C-sections, Pitocin, episiotomies, epidurals, vacuum or forceps, etc. Check out DONA, CAPPA or ALACE for more information.

I would also strongly urge you to check out ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) at ican-online.org for TONS more information on VBAC and repeat C-section. The most important thing you can do is to get a doctor (and secondarily, a hospital) that is VBAC-friendly, and won't slice you open as soon as you experience a minor "hiccup" in labor.

You can also check out my blog at http://womantowomancbe.wordpress.com for more information about C-sections, VBACs, and childbirth questions in general.

It really depends on the reason why you did not dilate past 6 last time. If it was because of your anatomy or a large baby, you might end up in the same situation. Were you induced last time? Sometimes that plays a large part also. Being a labor nurse, we do not see a lot of VBACs because there are more risks associated with it, so Dr's do not prefer them and as I said before, A lot end with a CS. You should discuss this in detail with your OB and see what their take on the situation is since many won't even attempt it. I hope this helps!!

As someone that had an Emergency C -Section with my first & a planned C-Section with my second, it is so much easier the second time around. It is planned, I wasn't in labor yet, it was much easier on all of us.

I really don't understand what you think you were missing? Having a child is a wonderful thing no matter how it happens. As long as you & the baby are both healthy, why worry.

I had a friend that had a baby 2 weeks before my first c-section. She called me to tell me she sort of had a baby. I was so upset, I thought she had lost the baby. She told me she had a c-section & the baby was OK. When I went in & my baby was breech & when they tried to turn her she went into distress & they told me I needed a c-section I was so upset. But afterwards I was so relieved she was OK. It didn't matter to me how she was born, just that she was.

When they asked me for my second child what I wanted I remembered all the stories i heard about vaginal tearing. I opted for a planned c-section & if I was to have other children I would do the same. I spoke to all my girlfriends that had a c-section and a vaginal birth & asked what they would choose if they had to do it again. They ALL said a c-section. Don't opt for a VBAC just because you think you missed something. Look at all of your options & choose what is best for you.

L.,

Congratulations!!

I had a vbac with my second child, and personally I would take it any day over my c-sections (yes that is pleural). I have three girls the first and last were both sections. It truly does depend as to why you had the cs to start with.In my case my first and last daughter were both pretty big and I wouldn't dilate past two. My middle daughter was a little smaller and I delivered her fine.

The important thing is finding a doctor that is supportive of vbac's and discussing all your personal feelings as well as medical needs. If you don't have a supportive doctor maybe talk to a few of them. Either way kkep an open mind and do what is best for you and your little one. Good luck and I'll be thinking of you.

i had a c-section with my 1st child and felt the same way you did...cheated. i always told myself that if God blessed me with another child, i was going to try for a VBAC. so do you research to see if you are a candidate. it all depends on the type of incision you have, the reasons for the last c-section, and whether or not your ob and hopsital will allow it...not all will. so if you are really wanting to and are otherwise a candidate, you may have to switch doctors and hospitals. all the research i did...books from the library, and internet searches...indicated to me that VBACS are actually safer than a repeat, non emergency c-section. your chances will be greatly increased though if you just have a good support system...from your hubbby, family and friends and especially your ob. i just had my 2nd(and last child...had my tubes tied due to the fact that i have very complicated pregnancies) and unfortunately i ened having to have another c-section. I developed preclampsia. My ob new how badly i wanted a natural delivery and she held off as long as she could, but my blood pressure kept climbing so we just had to go on and have the c-section so it did not turn into an emergency situation. i hope that you are able to VBAC in the future, but remember, even if it doesn't work, it has no bearing on you as a woman or mother, just be thankful that you have a healthy baby.

Hi L.,

I do have personal friends who have done what you are striving for with a VBAC just beautifully. I know they used support from http://www.ican-online.org/ and found local support groups and email contacts to ask their questions to personally. Also I have heard alot about making sure your OB group is on board with your decision and will support you. I had one friend switch practices in order to receive the support she felt she needed. Also all of them used a doula with VBAC experience and took great prenatal natural birth classes either through the doula or a private source so it could be more in depth.
So do some cehcking online and see if you aren't able to find some support either email or maybe a direct group that may meet nearby.
Best of luck,
D.

Hello. I did not do a V-Bac but I did have two C Sections. My opinion can only be on C Sections but I can say that the 2nd one is WAY easier! I thought I was going to die with my first one it hurt so bad! The 2nd one I knew what to expect and was up and out of bed that afternoon and showering the next morning, by myself! I was up and around at home right away and even figured out ways to get up out of bed by myself, I can give you ideas if you email me. :o) In my opinion, I like that I did not deliver vaginally b/c I never had to squeeze a baby out of it! ha ha Two of my friends have already had surgery for repair work inside b/c the babies messed up their insides as they came down the birth canal. that is something I don't have to worry about. They also tore or stretched and I did not. I could "be with" my husband after only 2 weeks, etc I did think about what I might have missed by not delivering vaginally but in my mind, I missed pain and being petrified of the unknown. I was afraid of going into labor when not near a hospital, or maybe alone while driving, or maybe my husband was traveling, etc With a 2nd C Section, it was planned, I checked in, got the IVs, went in and an hour later, there she was! If you think you will always wonder, do what you feel, but for me, delivering them healthy and easily without stress on me or them was key. You don't want to get 1/2 way and have to go C Section b/c it could be an urgent situation. Planning it is smoothe.
Hope this helps! W.

My oldest daughter is 17 and I had a C-sec with her. She just wouldn't drop down enough for me to push her out. 12 years later I had a VBAC with my second daughter. It went GREAT!!! I received the epidural at around 4 cm. I think they wait until then so that it wouldn't wear off too soon. I pushed through it all. I would recommend VBAC to everyone, if it is possible. My doctor actually encouraged me to have one...I thought once you have a C-sec you always had to have one. The recovery is so much easier, also. The only pain I had was minimal, with the stitches down there.

You've gotten a ton of responses already! I wanted to be a rebuttal to the ones who questioned, what difference does it make how the baby is born and I've had csections and they went fine, what's the big deal...

My csection was preplanned, scheduled in advance, no hurry, no bustle. I held the baby as soon as I was out of recovery and nursed within a reasonable amount of time. My recovery was picture perfect, no infection, no nicked bowel or bladder, walking (if slowly) the next day, no narcotics after I was released on the third day. As easy and good an experience as it could be.

My vbac was very different. It was a spontaneous labor, so every hustle and bustle you can imagine, this time with a toddler to get settled with grandparents, a mad dash to the vbac-friendly hospital some 45 minutes away. No pain meds (wouldn't have had time for them if I'd wanted any). It was crazy.

I'd do the normal, natural birth over the scheduled c in a heartbeat.

It was SPECTACULAR. It was EXCRUCIATING. and WONDERFUL. And excruciatingly wonderful. The time between his birth and my holding him is measured in seconds, not hours. I was completely lucid; no being doped-up, can't hold my eyes open, shaking from the epidural, puking if I try to sit up. You've heard of the "runner's high"? When you feel so good after you excerise? I was FLYING. For two or three hours afterward, I was so high off the endorphins and bonding hormones they were about scraping me off the ceiling; I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Remember how you felt physically after the section? Now imagine being able to sit up, swing your legs off the table, and walk down the hall, babe in arms, talking and laughing. Remember how you were on a liquid diet after the surgery? I was inhaling a ham and pineapple pizza two hours after the birth. And the recovery was no comparison. You're not allowed to lift x number of pounds for x number of weeks after the surgery. Can you imagine not being able to pick up your little girl when she's in front of you with her arms lifted up? No way.

I love my first son. With all of my heart. My heart bursts with love when I see and hold him. But I can love the child and dislike the way he came into the world at the same time.

So there is no way, NO WAY, short of a medical emergency that I would voluntarily sign up for major abdominal surgery for the birth of my baby. I've had the best of both worlds, honey, and the normal birth was the better of the two.

So that's my emotional pitch. If you're a stats/numbers person, how bout this. At the hospital practice I was at (it was a hosp nurse midwife practice) the vbac success rate was 80-90%. So whereever your aunt works is probably NOT the place you want to be vbac-in' at. Find a practice the does vbacs and does them WELL (by % success rate). Hire a doula/take an independent childbirth course. Read like a maniac. And go for it.

Some of my favorite sites:
www.vbacfacts.com
http://plus-size-pregnancy.org/CSANDVBAC/csvbacindex.html

You know your are going to get lots of opinions! I had my first cs because my son was 10 lbs...safest way for him to come out. I recovered fine. I did decide to have a second CS with my daughter, she was only 7 lbs 10 oz. Yes I could have done a VBAC, and I believe that it could have been done just fine. Yes my DR preferred for me to have a CS because of safety issues. If the uterus tears (and its more likely to after a first CS) they baby can suffer from brain damage. And yes of course there are dangers with CS too. I just asked the DR. what is the safest way to have this baby, she said CS. I guess I have to believe in the DR and their educated opinion and their oath to do no harm. I scheduled the CS when I wanted to have it, not on her schedule. If your DR doesn't support your choice whatever it is find a DR that will and one that will educate you on everything and most importantly do what's safest for your baby. Birth is hard regardless of how it happens but the end result is beautiful don't let 19 hours of labor shadow that joy. I always think of my best friend, she did 32 hours of labor, held the baby for 30 seconds before it was wisked away to the NICU and didn't get to hold her until she was 2 weeks old and finally took her home after 8 weeks. Whew! now that was hell and it makes me count my lucky stars!

I had 2 VBAC's after having a c-section for my first deliver(twins that were both breach). My experience was fine. I was told mine was possible because my incision was horizontal and not vertical and because mine was done due to the twins' position. The decision to have a c section was discussed with my doctor ahead of time, but the final call came when I was dilated to 7 and there was concern that one of the twins would be caught up in the other's legs during birth and be strangled. (A scary thought, so we opted for the surgery).
My next two pregnancies ended with a Vbirth and went fine. I did have the awful epesiotamy (sp?) though. Not comfortable at all! My recovery time was much faster after the V-birth, and I had had absolutely No complications at any time with any of my deliveries.
The twins were little: 5lb 7oz and 4lb 12oz and were full term. The next two were 7lb 2oz and 7lb 15oz , both also full term. The sizes of my babies had nothing to do with the c-section/VBAC decisions.

Just thought I'd share my experience and maybe give a little encouragement that multiple V-births are possible after a C.

Put it to Prayer. The Lord can see you through and give you peace about your decisions ahead.

L. C.

I will be going for a VBAC in February. I was told my original OBGYN that once a CS, always a CS. So, I found a new OBGYN. I asked around and Dr. Alan Holton came highly recommended. I made a consultation appt, and grilled him on VBACS. He asked lots of questions about my first labor and delivery, gave me tons of info, and let me know that I was a perfect candidate for a VBAC. (As a side note, I LOVE DR HOLTON!!!)
Your chances of doing it successfully are as individual as you are, but I would reccommend finding a Dr. that will at least listen to you and assess the chances. I was a lot like you, 18 hours of labor, dialated to 9, baby was face up, and her heartrate dropped. Dr. Holton said that it was unlikely for all, or really any of those things to happen again. BTW, Pitocin, which they gave me too, is connected to a higher CS rate.
I'd say just have a talk with your doc. If you're like me, you're not looking to be superwoman, and you wouldn't refuse a CS if you or your baby depended on it, but you just want the chance. I found out too that while a VBAC delivery must be constantly monitered, they are mostly successful.

Dear L.,

Yes, you can deliver vaginally after a CS. I did and my children were only 2-1/2 years apart. The first thing you need to do is find out if the doctor who did the CS performed it in a way that you can do a VBAC. I'm not sure how they know, but they do. My first doctor assured me that I could try a VBAC for my next child because of the way he did the CS. It has to do with the way they cut your uterus and how they sewed it back together, so that it will not rupture. I can tell you from personal experience that my second, natural delivery felt very different from my first. It progressed so fast that I didn't even get a chance to get an epidural! My daughter weighed over 8 pounds, so size doesn't really matter. Are you using the same doctor? You need to know exactly why the CS was performed; fetal distress, failure to progress, doctor had a tee time, etc. The reason for the CS matters a lot, too. Being that you already have a child, a CS would be a harder recovery because you could not lift your other child and she might feel jelous o fthe new baby because it will be difficult to cuddle with her. Although, stitches and hemrrhoids are no fun, either. Natural delivery is a lot cheaper, too. You just really need to understand all of the information from you CS. There is no harm in trying to have a natural birth and ending up with a CS if it is what is best for you and your baby. I would just be very firm with your doctor about what you want and make sure that your husband knows your wishes and can stand up for you. Good luck! L.

I'm not responding with the voice of experience, but I know of a book that has helped many women:

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin -

important information in there about VBACs.

It doesn't sound like you have to have another CS. It does sound like you'll need to do some homework to avoid it, tho.

bless your way...

Hi L....
With my 1st daughter who is now 2.5yrs old I ended up being induced at 37weeks because the doctor said she was "too big" 23hrs in labor they cut me because i didn't dialate past 4cm...She was 8lbs 12oz 20.5in...
I got pregnant with my 2nd daughter who is now 8.5 months old and I was determined to have a Vbac... I was in the middle of a huge move from Florida to N.c. ended up moving 7months pregnant... I went to a doctor 1time here and they were telling me I HAD to have a CS I refused and never went back ... Then 8pm the night before I became 41weeks pregnant I my contractions got real bad but I held out at 6am my contractions were 5minutes apart I told my husband lets go... when we got there I was 5cm dialated... my daughter was born at 4:54pm that afternoon (a lot of hours lol) I pushed her out in 4pushes! 7lbs 14oz 19.5in
The point is you can do it! I now believe had I not been induced with my 1st I may have been able to get her out naturally too... but I've learned to live with it now... I know how you feel about feeling "incomplete" and let me tell you something my 2nd daughters birth helped me with that feeling BUT sometimes I still feel like I missed out so while it may fill some of the void it will not remove it all just learn to live with it and make the best of this birth... and CONGRATS on wanting to do this and not just jumping into a planned csection... best of luck to you...

I don't have advice, really, just comments.

I, too, had an emergency CS and gave birth to a beautiful 3lb 0 oz baby boy. I was so upset that my perfect birth plan did not take place. My doc told me that there was no reason why I should be able to have a VBAC if we chose to have another child.

Like you, I want to try 'au naturale' and feel as if I missed something, but I must say that had a great experience with my CS and recovery (4 yrs later and you can't even see the scar). I also kind of like that I don't have some of the incontinence issues some other mothers have shared with me.

Make what ever decision you like, but don't feel like a failure b/c of your CS. (I only say that because you sound a little defensive of it as if you wouldn't normally approve of them if you'd had a choice). You still got the prize!! As you daughter gets older, you will realize that ALOT of things that seemed like end-all debate items become insignificant (spoken from the woman who was the breast feeding Nazi for well over a year, but still has a child with allergies...Go figure!!)

Dear L.,

I had my daugther with a c section. I was induced at 36 weeks and was in labor for 30 hours. Never dialated past 1. They ended up having to take her because I was pre eclamptic and my blook pressure was very high. I recovered extremely quickly due to the fact that they did not rush the operation. Others are not so lucky.

My youngest step daughter had an emergency c section because she was dialated, pushing for several hours and couldn't get the baby out. Hers was extremely bad and the OB bothed it. It took her 6 months to recover properly. She ended up having to more planned c sections and they were both good and she recovered very quickly from both of them.

It all depends on what happened during your first one. Did they rush through it due to an issue, were you in danger was your baby. You need to talk to the OB and make a plan. There are always times when something unexpected happens. However, if you really set up a time to talk to your doctor, I think you will feel more at ease.

E.

I know a lot of doctors don't like for you to go beyond 12 hrs after your water breaks. I went 12 hrs and dilated to 81/2. They didn't want me to go past that, I think they thought I was going to be to tired to push the baby out. Anyway, I got a doula for my second child and had a great delivery. Read up on as much info as I could on VBAC's.

I am a mother of three children. I had to have an emergency c-section with my first child. While I was giving birth, she flipped over sideways so there was no other choice. During my pregnancy with my second daughter, I told the doctors I wanted a V-BAC. To me, it seemed like everyone was trying to push me towards another c-section but I held my ground and said that is not what I want. During my labor, my daughter began stressing so they went ahead and did another c-section. During my last pregnancy there was no other choice, they wouldn't do a V-BAC after two c-sections. To me it seems like doctors and hospitals are not to keen on doing V-BACs. Personally, I wanted the V-BAC but looking at the overall picture, I am just glad and blessed to have three beautiful children.

Hi L., I had a similar story with my first born as you. I was in labor 25 hours and didn't dialate past 3 cm. I was very dissappointed too. I did have a successful VBAC with my second child. I believe the key to my success was having a doula. It is well worth the money. There is still no guarantee of course, but I think it could increase your chances of success. I am not sure where you are ... I can give you the name of mine if you are in the same general area ... you can talk to her and get a feel for whether you want to try it. If you aren't near where I am, I would recommend finding one in your area to talk to.

Good luck! D..

I would suggest you read Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The Complete Guide by Penny Simkin, Janet Whalley, & Ann Keppler, and maybe The VBAC Companion by Diana Korte. There are plenty of reasons you will hear for either a VBAC or a repeat CS and your best bet is just to make yourself knowledgeable about the issues and then do what is best for YOU. Best of luck in the future!

I had a c-section with my first baby after 20 hours of labor and only getting to 8 cm so I know how you feel. And recovery definitely is not easy. After that I had three more children vaginally. At first I thought I wanted a C-section but in the end I'm glad I didn't. Recovery was a lot easier and I was able to enjoy my baby a lot more. You may have to have a C-section again but if you can go naturally give a try.

My first daughter was born by emergency cs after 16 hours of labor (4 spent pushing). Her heart rate dropped suddenly and she had to come out. She was turned trying to come out with the side of her face leading and the nurse and doctor tried to turn her for 4 hours- she had little scratches all over her face. She was 8 lbs and 22 inches. My second pregnancy was terrible- bed rest for 11 weeks and baby born at 35 weeks. I decided early on to attempt a V-BAC, the docs agreed expecting her to be a smaller baby. I was allowed out of bed on a Wed. and Thur. morning my contractions started. She was born 1 1/2 hours later after 3 pushes. I think my success came from the nurse who assisted me- giving me suggestions on turning my body and using a towel to pull on while I pushed. I would suggest you at least give it a try. It was such a completely differnt experience for me from the cs- less discomfort and the chance to hold her so much faster. Good luck!

Well like many have said you should gather as much information as possible and make the decision you're most comfortable with. I don't have experience with a VBAC, but I definitely want to try for one if we are blessed with another child. I also stalled out/failed to progress during my son's birth (was induced at 41 weeks). He actually entered the birth canal at an angle, huge cone head on side of head =), and after 34hrs of labor they were concerned about his heart rate so I agreed to have a c-section before it became a true emergency.
Since I had a bad experience with the c-section and a hard recovery, I'm much less afraid of the pain of a vbac than another c-section. However, I do know several people who said a scheduled c-section is much easier. So it seems just like vaginal birth experiences with c-sections are also unique for each individual.
For me I want the chance to at least try, but if for some reason it doesn't work out a c-section is still childbirth and an experience that is precious, because I'll get to meet my child. Every birth is unique and different for each woman (even some vaginal births don't get to hold the baby right away). So try not to think of it as missing out (I know it's hard), because in the long run the few hours of delivery (vaginal or c-section) are only a tiny tiny fraction of the experience of being a mom. So instead of dwelling on what didn't go right in my delivery I try to focus on being thankful we live in a day and age where getting a c-section (even an unwanted one)is an option, because not so long ago even a minor problem like entering the birthcanal crooked could have robbed me of the chance to be a mother. (However I'm pretty sure I'll refuse to ever let them do a scheduled induction again.) Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and I hope things go smoother this time around.

I am going thru the same thing. I had an emergency c-section with my son (too many issues to mention)but I really wanted to have natural childbirth. After I saw my son, I was so happy I had a CS because I don't think he would have ever come out. He was 9 lbs and 7 oz-I wasn't diabetic, he just took after his father who was over 10 lbs at birth. I didn't feel like I missed out on a natural delivery because I was just so thrilled he was healthy and alive. I was anti-c-section before I had him but I think my CS saved my baby.

Now I'm pregnant again and I have the same concerns you have. I am planning on having a Vbac but I have concerns. I don't know anyone who has had a Vbac and I don't want to labor forever just to end up with a CS anyway. If my second child is as big as the first, it seems pointless to even try to push him out. Although CS seems like the easiest and fastest way, there is considerable recovery involved and I have an active 2 year old to also care for.

So far the plan for me is a Vbac but I guess that is subject to change. The bottom line is, I want what's best for my baby. If you have a Vbac, that's great! but if you don't, that's also great! Ultimately, it's your decision and you should do what you feel is best for you and your child. I know I haven't been much help but I hope you do get some good advice on this subject. But please don't let anyone make you feel like you missed out, if you have to have another CS. Good luck and I hope you have a healthy delivery.