[woohoo502]

I noticed in the high risk thread that there are a few of you who will be going for a VBAC. I am tossing the idea around in my head. Part of me wants to give it a shot, but then there is another part of me that just wants to go in and have the section, because that is what I know. I know what to expect, what the recovery will be like. etc. I ended up needing the section because I got stuck at 4 cm and didn't dilate past that. I just don't know that I want to go through all the hoops again, to just possibly end up needing the c-section. I know my doctor would be willing to try for the VBAC if that is what I decide.

So, I would like to ask some questions if people are willing to share.

What caused you to have your previous c-section?
What made you decide to go for the VBAC?

[Mod-quietsong]

How long were you at 4th? That seems very early to decide you need a section, unless your water had broken or your baby was in distress. My first labor was 3 days long, and it took me the majority of that to get to 5cm. I was able to labor at home for that, and honestly could've stayed home another 6-8 hours before I got into hard labor and wanted to be at the hospital.

Anyway, I'm going for a Vbac this time for sure. My first baby was vaginal and my second c-section. The c-section was because I'd lost all of my water at 36 weeks, and he was both breech and very sick. Having dome both, I'll take a vaginal any day! Labor is obviously harder than just going into the OR, but the recovery after a section sucked compared to how quickly and comfortably I was on my feet after my first birth. I can't imagine caring for multiple kids while recovering from my c-section. I know it can be done, and I'm sure I'd do it, but I'd rather not, you know?

[mamaperry]

In really want to do a vbaC, time will tell.

What caused you to have your previous c-section? Emergency, child has a fat head and was sunny side up.
What made you decide to go for the VBAC? Recovery was to hard, and I had to go back in the hospital for 4 days bc I had an I fection.

[Lainey]

My last baby was a vba2c (vbac after 2 sections) and it was wonderfully surreal. He was 9lbs 1oz so considering how fast I went with him.... I'll be doing another vba2c this time. I can not say enough wonderful things about my vbac experience. It was amazing. No pain post delivery whatsoever, walking within an hour after giving birth, getting to eat immediately after delivery, getting to hold him immediately after.... It was all amazing. Every single bit. the only thing I'm changing this time is I'm going to try going all natural. I get a euphoric feeling just remembering Marc's birth. It was truly wonderful.

[Lainey]

My first section was an emergency section due to non-reactive heart rate. He came out gray, apgars were 1,2,5. He barely had sinus rhythm when they delivered him. We spent the next 3.5 months in the NICU, then PICU and finally the surgical floor getting him well enough to come home. He has cerebral palsy, global delays among other things.

Second section was a scheduled RCS because I was in a vbac ban area.

I tried for a vba2c because I really believedthat I could do it. I disussed it with my provider and she agreed that my risks were minimal. I was her fastest vba2c delivery to date. Apparently that hospital hadn't had many vba2c attempts so they brought in all the residents, student docs and student nurses to observe. Lol.

[Trannyfromtheuk]

My waters had broken over 24hrs before, wasn't dilating or even engaged!! Baby was getting very destressed so they need to get her out ASAP.

I believe if I wasn't pushed for an induction I'd have been able to do it naturally. So if I go for a vbac there will be as little medical intervention as possible because I beleive she wasnt ready to come out!

[ARMommy]

I was young when I had first daughter and my ob basically just scared me into having a c-section. When I had my second daughter they asked who my previous ob was and when I told them they said he isn't even allowed to practice at this hospital anymore.

With my second daughter I had wanted to have a vbac but just got scared. It took us 3 years to get pregnant with her and I knew what to expect with the csection.

Which brings me to now. It has always bothered me that I didn't atleast try to go vaginal with Grace and I promised myself that if we ever got pregnant again I would give myself the best possible shot of having a vaginal birth. For me that means no drugs, lots of birthing classes, and a doula. I also suggest watching The Business of Being Born and Pregnant In America. I won't say that I support everything in these movies but it does give you a good idea on what is going on and why csection rates are so high.

[woohoo502]

I can't remember how long I was stuck at 4, but it was something like 6 hours. I was induced due to high blood pressure, and they had broken my water at some point during the day. (It is amazing how fuzzy the details become)

Honestly, I know she wasn't ready to come. Things would have progressed much quicker if she was. And, I really think I am the reason I got stuck at 4. I should have waited to have the epidural, but I got scared that things were going to get very painful fast, so I got it while I was still able to handle the pain. If I had been able to wait it out a bit, I think I would have had a better shot.

I have thought about asking my doctor if we could schedule the section on the later side, maybe past my due date, and if I go into labor on my own, then I will try for the vbac, if not, then I will do the section. I guess I have some time to decide.

[Mod-quietsong]

I think that's the best way to go. If you do go over, you can always do a section, but give your body time to get ready As for the pain, it comes fast for some and slow for others... But you can get an epidural as late as 8cm (at least, that's when I got mine!), so you can always wait and see what the pain does. Either way, good luck hon!

[themorethemerrier]

What caused you to have your previous c-section? Twins with breech and transverse positions.

What made you decide to go for the VBAC? I went for a VBAC last pregnancy, although I didn't get it. I made it to 9cm and stalled with a baby whose heart was decelerating. I did find that my recovery from the second section was much better due to the natural labor hormones in my body from at least going into labor on my own.

So, hopefully I will be going for a VBA2C this time around. Even if I do end up with another c-section, I want all the benefits of my body going into labor on it's own. Good Luck making a decision.

[*~Ginny~*]

What caused you to have your previous c-section? Failed (unnecessary) induction. After 58 hours of labor, my body was shutting down and I required an emergency cesarean.

What made you decide to go for the VBAC? My goal is a natural birth.

[doremi]

I had a c/s after 13 hours of labor, 3 hours of pushing. I was fully dilated, and then he got totally stuck at a +2 station, and was NOT coming out, no matter what position I tried. I have considered a vbac the next time around, but given that I was fully dilated when I went in for my last c/s and actually pushed, my odds of a successful vbac are lower than in other scenarios. My OB is open to vbac, but we have decided (for now, anyways) that c/s is the safest thing for me and baby, especially since my greatest fear is a failed vbac ending in c/s, which would increase my risk of hemorrhaging again like I did with my first delivery. I'm tempted to do what you are thinking of doing, scheduling the c/s really close to my due date, and then attempting vbac if I go into active labor on my own. I'm not scared of laboring (been there, done that), I'm just REALLY scared of trying to do it again and failing, then going into surgery exhausted.

[Mod-MeggysMommy]

I had a c/section with Megan because she was breech and I found out that I have a unicornate uterus and that would have made a version almost impossible. My doc did give me the option to do it but I didn't want to risk just ending up in labor anyway and be rushed for an emergency section. He did tell me that if my next baby isn't breech we can try a Vbac but our hospital has to change their policy on that. I say if you are comfortable trying for a vbac go for it! Definitely look at all options and do what is right for you

[WhoaMomma!]

What caused you to have your previous c-section?

I was stupid and let them induce me bc I had hit some imaginary deadline (41w4days gestation). My dd wasn't ready to come out. After a cascade of interventions and a series of bad drug reactions, a c/s was necessary to save both our lives.

What made you decide to go for the VBAC?

Well, I don't believe in scheduled cesareans, so it was a no-brainer for me. But even if I did, my dd had problems immediately after birth and for several weeks that resulted from being born before she was ready. There's just no way to be certain a baby is fully cooked unless the BABY triggers the onset of labor. Even in moms wanting a ERCS, I would strongly urge waiting for the onset of prodromal labor.

[Glimmering Girl]

What caused you to have your previous c-section?

all of my babies spend the whole pg tranverse. My first one turned at the last minute and I had vaginal birth, my last two didn't and I had c-sections.

What made you decide to go for the VBAC? I actually don't think they will let me go for it, but I will be asking as it is an easier recovery with three other kids running around.

[MommaWolf]

Doremi, my story is similar. I was in labor for 25 hours, no drugs, fully dilated and pushing for hours and hours, but baby also got stuck at +2, and I had to have a c-section. I would love a natural birth, but I would vastly prefer a c-section to a repeat of what I went through last time. I was completely spent when my girl was delivered by c-section. I always wanted a natural birth, but last time has got me scared. It bothers me that in olden-timey days, without the benefit of modern medicine, me and my sweet girl may have been one of the legions that didn't survive childbirth. I am not sure what I will do this time around.

[ldlight]

I had a c-section due to failure to progress ( didn't get past 2cm) She was comfy hehe. I was induced at 38wks because of her size and I'm sure that's why she just wasn't ready. After 48 hrs they decided to go ahead with a c-section, I know now that I should have went home instead.

I want a VBAC because I felt robbed of the birthing experience. I didn't get any contractions worse than the cramps I have now and I feel like I really missed out on the experience.