[Third little one on the way]

Hello everyone
I am new to this website but have been frequenting April due date since I have a 3rd baby on the way due april 26!!
I am really tossed up as to what to do and I'm hoping to get some help from you ladies who have had scheduled c/s. With my son I had to have emergency c/s because his heart rate dropped dangerously low and they didn't want to wait. Well now I have the choice as to whether it be vbac or c/s and I'm honestly wanting to go for c/s due to big babies with out having had diabetes. My daughter was 8lb 9 oz and son was 9 lbs 5 oz so I'm really leary about having this baby vbac. Could some one help me realize that c/s would be the best due to being able to schedule so my bf would be able to schedule around his work since he is out of town a lot and to find care for my other two little ones.
Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated

Take care,
Tanena

[Gaby&Emmy'sMama]

Hi Tanena

I'm Emma (26) & i'm pregnant with baby #2 - due June 23rd. Only you can really decide what is best in your situation.. I had an emergency c/s with DD, and will be having a repeat c/s this time - and part of my reasoning IS so we can organise someone to have Gaby, organise for Jase to have the time off work. A lot of people will tell me that is the wrong reason, but it is part of *my* reason & that's what matters to *me*. DD had a huge head & my m/w said that she doubts i'd have been able to get her head through my pelvis, so that is also another reason behind my choice..

[mommy x 10]

I've been thinking about that too. I was super surprised when my new doc said a vbac could be possible. I also have really big babies and up until my last pregnancy we thought I didn't have gestational diabetes. I have always passed the 3 hr test, but after having an 11lb 5oz baby, I decided next time I'd buy a sugar monitor and check just to see if anything was going on and sure enough there were certain foods such as cereal(that I ate loads of during all my pregnancy) that caused my sugar to go way up for too long and I also had high fasting sugars. I could control my sugar after meals just by diet but they put me on insulin at the end for my fasting levels, they stayed high no matter what I ate. My last baby was only 7lb 14oz so my sugar was the cause of my big babies. Finding that out is the only reason I'd consider a vbac. But I find myself torn because it does make things easier to plan for the other children. I know I dont' want an induction and my babies tend to come late. I've gone back to school and classes end mid May and our baby is due May 28th, so it would work out really well to do a repeat c/s on the 21st or so and then I'd have the summer off before starting classes in the fall. I guess I'm not much help but do know that you aren't alone in trying to figure out what to do. Of course, the doc did say that there could be some things that would prevent a vbac or make it way more risky so I may not have much of a decision to make...

[Third little one on the way]

Thank you both for your stories, its just nice to know that others have had this on their minds as well. I have spoken to my m/w about this and she said if I did choose to go vbac that she would not be able to participate but that I would have to go to an ob then to top it off to have it be listed as high risk, since I had to have transfusions which doesn't really make sense to me but what do I know . I have been speaking with my bf and this is his first and just keeps telling me to do what I think is right but I guess I just want some input from someone either than myself as to the pros and cons But I certainly do appreciate all the comments and everything and hope I will be welcome to stay in this forum because I do believe I will probably choose the c/s and not because of it being *easier* granted for me it was just for the other reasons.

Tanena

[mrschamberlain]

Welcome! I'm Angie, DH is Justin, and our son is Kaeden (10 months). It truly is a hard decision, especially when you are actually given the choice to able to try for a VBAC. There are pros and cons to both. Do some research, figure out your risks. VBAC definitely has the risk for uterine rupture, and I think that is a big reason why a lot of women choose for a repeat c-section. We're here for you if you have anymore questions or want to talk!

[AK Mom]

Hello. I am part of the April DDC as well. I have #3 on the way. I had an emergency c-section for my first because her heart rate dropped. There were complications with that one. Then I had a scheduled repeat c-section with my son 14 months later. That delivery was so easy. I had no trouble whatsoever and recovered very quickly. I am definitely going to opt for the repeat cesarean for this one too. My babies are not huge but for my size they are large. This one is already measuring quite large. I do not think it is bad at all to opt for a scheduled cesarean especially if it is a repeat. Good luck!!

[Ellemphriem]

Can't help there love. Mine was 1 was emergency and i won't try it again UNLESS both our lives are AGAIN in danger.....good luck whatever you choose......i would opt for vbac 1000%

In terms of a VBAC: the risk of uterine rupture after one incision is 0.4%. It increases just slightly if the births will be less than 2 years apart. I think it makes it like like 0.8%? So not astronomically horrible odds against you, in any case. C-sections carry risks just the same, and only you can truly decide which risk you'd rather take.

As for big babies.. MOST women can deliver large babies, even if they have a small frame. Sometimes there is a woman who can't, but under proper laboring circumstances, it's pretty rare that a baby is simply "too big."

But only you can gauge the weight of your decision, and decide if a vaginal birth is important enough to you that you'll risk the scheduling conflicts.

If I were in your shoes, honestly, I would ask for an ultrasound at 38 weeks or so, and try to gauge the baby's size. Mind you ultrasounds can be off by a couple pounds, but if the baby is measuring 7 lbs I'd say not really an issue, and if the baby is measuring like 10lbs, then change your mind. I know this is the C-section board, so I'm not pushing VBAC on you, but if it were me I'd do it, and have a C-section on the back burner.

Whatever you choose, we're here for support. I recommend you do your research on the pros and cons of both options, and come to an informed decision. Whichever option you think is right will be what's best for you and your baby.