[Kibby84]

I'm 21wks pregnant with my second bub. I had CS in March 2011, and how have a healthy little boy.

Today I went to my hospital to speak with the doctor about VBAC and CS. I desperately want a VBAC for the recovery factor, experience birth and going home quickly. But is that really a good enough reason?

My hospital is very supportive of both VBAC and ERC (elective repeat caesarean). VBAC is the best option if you have straight forward labour, go into labour naturally and progress well.

I never went into labour with my first pregnancy, I was induced at 40wks because of early stages of preeclampsia. I never went into labour, failed induction, and then ended in a CS.

I do wonder if I will be able to go into natural labour, cause it seems that unless is is really "text book" which a lot of labours aren't, If I don't go into natural labour = CS, if I don't progress well, labour slows at 5cms =CS, if my blood pressure becomes an issue = CS. Emergency CS are higher risk than Elective.

If my pregnancy is progressing well, they are happy to let me go until 41wks, but then CS after that.

But both options have their risks, and even though small, when things go wrong, they go very wrong. I was so set on VBAC, but now thinking for the safety of me and bubs, perhaps elective. But then again, I don't want to regret not trying for a VBAC, cause I really want one.

I just don't know if my body will go into labour and do what it needs to do. I have no faith in my body, even though i know what it capable of.

Doctor gave me good advice, if i really want a VBAC, focus on VBAC, and not to worry about CS.

It is early days, as things might be clearly later on in pregnancy but I don't want to make the wrong decision or one I would regret. I just wish I could see into the future. Even reading recent studies that show ERC are better than VBAC. I'm so confused.

[lsolaBella]

With #2 I kept my mind open (#1 was c/s due to breech).

I did not have any result in my mind other then a healthy bubs and me.

As my PG progressed though, there were indicators that a VB attempt would most likely NOT be successful for me for that PG (including #2 having blood flow problems from the placenta which increased potential for bubs distress in labour and resulting in emerg c/s). So at 35wks I decided to go for a repeat c/s rather then VBAC.

For #3 I had booked in for a 3rd c/s, but DD put me into labour at 36w3d. OB offered me the opportunity to try a VBA2C but I declined. It ended up being a good choice for me as when I was on the operating table I was told that my scar was already under stress and would not have lasted another 6hrs of labour .


Personally with #2 I found the following helpful reading for looking at the risks for another c/s and VBAC.

http://www.rcog.org.uk/files/rcog-corp/GTG4511022011.pdf

[Julie3Girls]

It's a very personal choice.

#1 scheduled c/s for breech.

#2 attempted vbac, 17hr labour, emergency c/s

#3 successful vba2c 10hr labour.

I don't regret trying for my vbac with #2, even if it did end up with a c/s.

#3 I was very much torn as what to do.

In the end, I took the approach of if I tried for the vba2c, I might get it, or I might have a c/s. If I didn't try for it, then I was guaranteed to have a c/s

So I planned for the c/s, talked to my OB about what I wanted if we ended up with one (immediate skin on skin, no seperation etc). Got that all straight in my head. Scheduled in a tentative date for past my due date with my OB. And then put it aside. When I did go into labour, with both #2 and #3, it was very much a see how it goes process. With the ability to go with a c/s if things weren't going well.

[Guest_Dinah_Harris_*]

For me, a VBAC was absolutely the right decision. The recovery was SO much easier.
However, it really depends on your circumstances.
ETA: I also did acupuncture to ready my body for labour and took a supplement from a naturopath. The supplement I started at 30 weeks, the acupuncture at 35 weeks.
I went into labour naturally at 40+2 and had a 2.5 hour labour. I can honestly say it was quick and easy. I found the pain quite manageable, too.

This post has been edited by Dinah_Harris: 12/04/2012, 07:58 PM

[ProudlyPink]

I was desperate for a VBAC with DD2 as well. I agree with your doctor. If you really want a VBAC, focus on it. Doing that will mean you hopefully end up with a VBAC, if not, you will have a CS. If you focus on having a CS you will have a CS. Do you have private health that covers acupuncture? I was 10 days over due with DD1 before I stated having some mild contractions. With DD2 I saw my acupuncturist fortnightly from 30 weeks and went weekly from 37 weeks. She also gave me a herbal concoction to help ready me. I went into labour at 39+4 without a problem and had a successful VBAC.

Not sure if that helps, but that was my experience and I'm so glad I didn't go for a elective cs. My VBAC was wonderful despite all the sewing up I had afterwards!!

[littlerayofsun]

Your Doc is right - concentrate on the VBAC and then if you need a CS then you do. I had a CS then 2 VBACs, each 2 years apart.

The natural birth really was amazing and the recovery bears no comparison. However, I was incredibly lucky that my births were on time and progressed quickly. And I just did what my Ob told me and he got me there both times!

I did do acupuncture and walked kms a day to help bring on labour on my due date (baby came on his due date, and DS 3 days before).

Good luck!

[Kibby84]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I've been doing a lot of research and it seems that Elective CS is going to be my safest option.

Given I have blood pressure issues, the fact that I have had previous surgery in that area (laparoscopic for Endo/Cycsts), it seems Elective CS to be the safest option. I'm also really nervous about the risk of something going wrong, cause when it goes wrong, it goes terrible, fetal death,hysterectomy. I know the risk is low, but I'm not comfortable, given my other medical issues to take that risk. My guts says to go with a CS, as much as I would like a VBAC, I think it is safest option for me and bub.

DH and I discussed and he said he would rather me get an elective too, as it seems the safest option.

I will be able to plan for extra support from my family, who live interstate for when it all happens to look after DS.

I feel better now I know which path I will be taking and can prepare. Given I didn't have a bad CS experience, and I hear good things about Elective CS, I think it is the right decision for me.

Thanks for your support.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I've been doing a lot of research and it seems that Elective CS is going to be my safest option.

Given I have blood pressure issues, the fact that I have had previous surgery in that area (laparoscopic for Endo/Cycsts), it seems Elective CS to be the safest option. I'm also really nervous about the risk of something going wrong, cause when it goes wrong, it goes terrible, fetal death,hysterectomy. I know the risk is low, but I'm not comfortable, given my other medical issues to take that risk. My guts says to go with a CS, as much as I would like a VBAC, I think it is safest option for me and bub.

DH and I discussed and he said he would rather me get an elective too, as it seems the safest option.

I will be able to plan for extra support from my family, who live interstate for when it all happens to look after DS.

I feel better now I know which path I will be taking and can prepare. Given I didn't have a bad CS experience, and I hear good things about Elective CS, I think it is the right decision for me.

Thanks for your support.