VBAC Or Repeat C-section - Buffalo,NY

I had an emergency c-section nearly 2 years ago. I will try for a VBAC this time around. If you feel comfortable and want to go for it I would do it. Yes, it might be exhausting but you have a 50/50 chance of having success! I would always wonder would could have been so I'm going for it. Either way, good luck!

I don't have firsthand experience, as I delivered all of mine vaginally. However, my SIL had three successful VBAC's after her first was an emergency c-section. She was very happy with her choice and didn't have any complications.

I had a VBAC and it was, as my doctor said, textbook! I would encourage you to try! If you're not progressing on your own, they can't give you much to get your labor going, so the decision may not be all yours. I went into the hospital 3cm dilated and it just progressed naturally. So glad I did it!

Baby #1 natural, baby #2 c-section, baby #3 VBAC. I had a natural delivery first, so that may have made it easier. Some docs will only do a VBAC if you've had at least one natural delivery. Good luck! Glad you are considering it!

First of all, you need to see if your insurance will cover, a VBAC, or the hospital you will be delivering, at.
Not all will.

Now that it is known that you were allergic to the anesthesia that was given to you prior, you should ask the Doc to look into that along with consulting an Anesthesia Doctor, and see what alternatives there are.

I had an emergency c-section with my first.
And a c-section with my 2nd. My choice.

Personally, I would not risk a VBAC. Chances are slim that you could rupture,. I do not take chances, that is why I am of the opinion of repeat c section. Why did you have anesthesia last time? You should be good with the epidural. Good luck. Do what you feel is right.

There are a lot of things to consider. First, do you feel like you missed out on your chance to go through labor and deliver naturally? Do you regret going straight to a c-section? If so, a vbac might be the right choice for you.

If the only reason you had a c-section the first time around is because the baby was breech, and you had no other risk factors, you are probably a good candidate for a vbac.

Personally, I had an unplanned c-section with my first following a long labor and lots of pushing with no results. I scheduled a c-section with my second, not wanting to attempt going through labor the second time around.

My first child was a emergency C-section and I had a really hard time with the recovery. I had issues with anesthesia and my daughter had problems latching on so that made the recovery even worse. When I became pregnant with my son I did a ton of research on ways to not have a repeat c-section. I ate great, attempted to exercise but was sick a lot so that was hard. I talked it over with my OB and he was fine with me attempting a vbac but wanted a IV in just in case. So I agreed to that and it never was hooked up to anything. They asked if I wanted an epidural and I kept refusing it. I hired a doula to support me so my husband wouldn't have to overly do it. It was really cool because I knew exactly when I was at 10 and when it was time to push. I changed positions because I instinctivly what was the best position for me to do so. I actually felt him sliding down so I knew where his body was at all times. It was really nice being in tuned with my body! It did hurt at the time, but the recovery was such cake!!
Whatever you decide, congratulations!!!!

I scheduled a second C-section after my first emergency C-section (baby sunny side up and not progressing with two hours of pushing and 24 hours of labor and broken water. They had to get her out).
I agonized as to what the right choice was for me. Honestly going through labor and pushing then ending in surgery really wiped me out bad. Recovery was rough. I didn't want to labor only to get surgery. So I put it in Gods hands. I made Him a deal. We scheduled the C-section, but I told God if I went into early labor, I'd go ahead with the VBAC. Well no early labor. Turns out baby had a double nucle cord around neck. My OB said I never would have vaginally delivered that baby.

The truth is Maria, its anyones guess what will work out best for you. There is no guarantee your labor will end without surgery. There is no guarantee you won't get a third degree tear (which would be worse than surgery). I called a trusted family friend who was an OBGYN to get his take. He reassured me that most his patients were very happy with the scheduled C-section.

I don't know if there are alternatives to the medication they can put in your epidural. If not, then looks like you are better off to try a natural birth. But if you believe in God, then you know he's the only one who knows the future. Thats why I think its best to pray about these things and ask God to lead in your decision.

I'm sorry that you don't tolerate an epidural. I don't know how I would have managed giving birth without one, to be honest. I cannot STAND Demerol...

I think that if your doctor says you are okay for a VBAC, you should try. Your labor will be brutal too, I have to say. But your recovery should be a lot easy with a vaginal birth.

However, if things go south, accept that you need to be flexible and let the doctor keep you and baby healthy.

Good luck!

I would try the VBAC. I tried with my 2nd baby, but didn't get past 2 cm after 12 hours of pitocin-induced contractions. Your chances of having a successful VBAC are higher if you go into labor on your own than if you are induced.

I've now had 3 c-sections, with a 4th coming up in a few months. I still wish I could have experienced vaginal delivery at least once.

I was too wimpy to try VBAC since I was in labor for 14 hours and then had to have and emergency c-cestion with my first. I was worried that was going to happen again. However, you had one bc of breech, so this is a different situation. How long since you had your c-section? I think that makes a difference, from what I remember reading. I like the idea of being able to schedule the delivery as we have a lot of out of towners and they all came for the first baby and missed it bc I was two weeks late! I also felt sick after the epidural the second time. Another reason I chose a c-section is that I already had the scar and didn't really want to deal with two different areas of issues. Scars have healed so nicely though and you can't see them two years later.

Both of my kidswere C-sections. The recovery for the second was actually easier than the first, because I was not in 18 hrs of labor to finally decide on C-section.

My doc's would not do a v-back and as it turned out, my daughter was not in the right position when I went into labor anyway.

We prepared for the C-section with different stroller etc. So I would be able to get out and about with my daugther.

My sister n law, had a natural birth, but it should have been C-sect for the size of her kid.

Do you know what in the anesthesia you were allergic to? I know for the second time for me I had a spinal, not an epidural. Not sure if the meds are different, but I know the procedure is different. I was worried that my second C-sect would end up with me knocked out agian like with my first since the Epidual did not work.

Good luck and congratulations.

It's really up to you - as long as your doctor agrees.

I know women who give birth vaginally who are up and walking and feeling good within 24 hours. This is a far easier recovery than a c-section.

My personal experience, like some others below, was a long and difficult labor followed by an emergency c-section - the worst of both worlds - complete exhaustion plus the surgery recovery. I chose a repeat c-section for my second, because although I knew the recovery was harder than a vaginal birth, I could not bear the thought of another possible dual recovery of a difficult labor AND c-section again.

Also, I didn't feel like I 'lost out' on anything after having a c-section instead of a vaginal birth, but I know that some women feel strongly that they want a vaginal birth, and that's ok too.

You're not required to have another c-section. If this baby ends up breech, it could turn head down right until it starts descending into the birth canal during labor. You could have gone further along in your first pregnancy and attempted an inversion to turn the baby or tried baby spinning to get the baby to turn naturally. A c-section isn't usually needed when the baby can turn itself if you haven't gone into labor yet.

And since "breech" was the reason for the c-section, I personally see no reason not to attempt a VBAC.

All of that said, it really depends on you and your specific situation and health and this specific pregnancy. This is a conversation that you really have to have with your doctor. You also have to discuss alternatives to epidurals.

Well, if your doc says that VBAC is a safe option, and you want to try for it, why not? I have only had 1 child, vaginally, with Stadol as the medicine I used for pain (short lasting). Labor was 9 hours total, with minimal tearing (didn't really know I tore). Good luck with whatever you choose :)

I, too, had an emergency c-section with my first because he was breech. I had a VBAC with my second and everything went smoothly. I would definitely suggest going with the VBAC. Recovery is SOOOOO much easier! I didn't even realize how much I missed those first couple of weeks with my first due to the pain and the meds they gave M.. If your doctor is comfortable with the VBAC and sees no reason not to give it a try, I would definitely go for it.

Good Luck!

International Cesarean Awareness Network - on Facebook and they have a web page. READ. Make yourself aware. Contact a leader. Get information. Your first c-section may not have been necessary - women can give birth to breech babies! Find a birth doula - so that no matter the outcome, you and your baby have everything your birth plan states. Your husband is your husband, your birth doula is your advocate and your second set of eyes so you can concentrate on your birthing your baby. Worth every penny.

Good luck,
M.
PM if you have more questions, there is an ICAN meeting about an hour away from you, leaders too.

#1 vaginal, epidural. Tough, tough delivery.
#2 c-section, epidural
#3 vaginal, all natural.....& the absolute best delivery!

& pit drip with all 3.

You didn't say how far apart the babies are. If it is under 2 years, my ob said that there is a high risk of tearing in the abdominal muscles....so at 18 months I had to have a c-section and didn't have a choice really. Have you talked to your doctor?

I had a repeat c-section because of the risks involved in a VBAC. However, my doctor was 100% confident in her ability to have me deliver a healthy baby and keep myself healthy through a VBAC.

So I think it's really what YOU are comfortable with.

I think what's best for you should be determined after speaking with your doctor.

In general, the risk comes from the strain of pushing and your weaken abdominal and uterine walls. Some doctors,even today, won't do them as they perceive it as too much of a risk. You have to weigh the pros and cons with your doctor. What may be okay for one woman is not for another.

I've had two c-sections. The first time was awful, they truly don't know what happened and why it went wrong, but it did. When she finally came out I was so doped up and out of it that I missed out on that moment. When they cleaned her up and brought her to me to see, I could even stay awake, coherent enough to even take in my precious baby. It really sucked. However, with my son it was a different experience. No reaction etc and I was fully aware of what was happening and it was a much better experience. I say that to point out that this time a c-section may be a entirely different experience, for the better.

Again, I would do what is best physically for you.