To Schedule a C or Not Too (And When?)

I've had two sections...the first one was unexpected and was after two failed inductions. It was a horrible experience for me all the way around. I did have a beautiful healthy daughter so it was very worth it! The second was a scheduled c-section at 10 days before my due date. I knew I was having a baby boy. The section went great for me the second time around but my son had TTN when he was born(couldn't breathe or get the fluid out of his lungs) and he was in the NICU for TWO weeks!!! What I found out while he was in NICU was that this happens all the time with repeat c-sections and the nurses there actually told me they don't understand why OBs continue to take babies so early before a due date. Apparently white, male babies are the weakest and most susceptable to TTN so if you are having a boy, I would highly recommend that you wait as close to your due date as possible. I would do things so differently if I had to do it all over again. I, too, considered VBAC, but I just didn't think the risk was worth it and my OB doesn't do them. I hope this helps you!

I was faced with the same thing, so in a nutshell here is how I based my decisions:
I researched and found that 24 months or more are recommended before attempting a VBAC---my deliveries were 14 months so this was the big kicker for me.
If you do a VBAC go ALL natural no drugs so you can feel what is going on.
I did not schedule my C-section...I went into labor three weeks early, so that was not a problem, however I wasn't going to schedule it until it got closer to the due date. It was not a big deal to go in as soon as I thought I was in labor, they checked me, waited an hour and checked again, I had progressed, so they prepped me and bumped me in front of the schedule surgery.
It is so hard to know what to do, so go with your gut and instincts. I am not a huge risk taker, but don't like messing with nature either.

IF you have questions...let me know. ____@____.com

K., I have not read your other responses, but I have to give my opinion here. First, VBACs are VERY risky, and a LOT of OB's won't even perform them. This is becoming more and more because of bad outcomes. It is less risky to have a section. My husband is a nurse, and he told me point blank after my first c-section that he would never want me to have a VBAC-- he's personally seen bad outcomes through the years. Some people just believe that natural is the way to go all of the time, and they are willing to overlook or skew the risks in order to convince people that natural is best. Don't buy into it. Look at respected MEDICAL data, and listen to the array of docs who have decided not to perform the procedure before you decide.
Also, 9 days early is not dangerous-- that is considered full term. My first daughter was born at 36 weeks and was perfectly healthy, except for low birthweight, which is why they induced early to begin with. Of course, I ended up having a section after 17 hours of hard labor, which I wish I had just done from the beginning. My 2nd planned section was much easier to recover from since it didn't begin with labor.
Good luck.

If you don't have complications, you should let the baby "cook" for as long as possible. I know doctors "know best" but I have to argue against inducing or doing a C-Section before the due date unless there are complications.

Personally, I've known of some nonserious complications that arose when a mom was induced or had a C-Section to fit her doctor's schedule.

Honestly, when it comes to giving birth, the baby knows best. There is a chemical change in the baby's brain that acutally signals your body to start labor. Even if you don't wait for that, wait until your due date or a day or two before.

If you are considering a VBAC, then read up on it. It is a viable option. I, personally, will have a C-Section with my next child as I did with my first (was medically required not elective) but I knnow LOTS of women who have had VBACs with up to 3 or 4 children.

Most importantly, don't let the doctor push you into something you are not comfortable with. If your baby wants to come sooner, then you do the C-Section sooner.

Good Luck!

I have had three c-sections ( the first one i had twins!). I had to have a c-section the first time because the baby B was stuck in my ribs and I was not large enough to have them. I chose to have a c-section the second time after research and prayer. It was great!!! They schelduled me 9 days before my due date and he weighed 6lb 13oz. I also was a schelduled s-section on the third, and it was also great!!! She weighed 7lb 10 oz. She was also 9 days before due date. It was great because I knew when they would be born and I could make plans for my other children. 9 days is not too early to have your baby. A c-section is better when it is not urgent!! I healed well and quickly after all three of mine.

That was my experience, but I know some people really want to have their babies natural. I think that it needs to be your choice. Ask your husband and pray over it for a few days and then make your choice. I know the doctor will take care of you either way! Good luck!!!

I would really read up on VBACs....it's amazing what the doctors will tell you out of fear that is just untrue. Don't be "scared" into having a c/s, as you probably know, it has risks as well, since it is a major surgery! In most other states this is a non issue and vbacs are quite common....if it's more about convenience for you, then a scheduled c/s would be the answer. Just base your decision on what's best for your baby and you. I've ended up w/2 c/s, but wanted to try a vbac. My dr freaked me out at the last appt so badly that I just said, "ok". Now I really wish I'd given it some thought and prayed about it before making such a quick decision. All was well w/both babies so I'm certainly not anti-c/s, just think our bodies are made to give birth (yes, they really are) and I get annoyed when drs (not saying yours, just in general)try to scare women. Anyhoo....Congratulations and the result will be a sweet little baby so enjoy and trust your instincts!!

July 31st is not early...Perfect! C-section is recommended because you had one already and if it were me...I would do C-section. Plus the child won't be that big when they pull him out. VBAC has concerns since your first was a c-section!

K.

I love the long list of facts you got in the last reply. First I want to say that C-Sections save lives. But only when needed. I really just get pissed off that Dr's go right to a section. ok, my situation, first pregnancy, over 2 weeks late, induced, high blood pressure, over 12 hours labor, finally c-section! Exhausted, recovering from surgery, taking care of an infant. I did come in under the time when the bikini line incision was made. So I was assured 16 years ago, that it was very safe to do VBAC. Let me tell you within 2 hours I had a beautiful boy. Now to speak to that question of are you going to be able to deliver your large headed child....LOL!! I am a 5 foot 2 inch small boned female, (fat now,) but not then. My husband is a 6 foot 2 inch, big boned man. My first two were over 9 pounds and my third was 3 ounces shy of 9 pounds. It took a lot of effort to birth my second which was my first VBAC. I had to do a double count of 10 and finally he came out. He had a really large head. But really it was just a couple of hours and after wards I felt great. No surgery to recover from. Also, had my third VBAC, he was born in thirty minutes. No problems, and no surgery to recover from. In two hours I was ready to go home. We don't take surgery seriously enough. It's not a car ride. You know you are going to be right there in the hospital and if there are any complications your doctor is going to be there too. So it seems to me that leaving surgery as an emergency option is ok.

Congrats on growing your family!!

Many Blessings!!

Here are my thoughts...I first of all think that you need to decide what is right for you. Some people believe that the risk of a VBAC is worth the reward. Look at the statistcs and see what makes sense to you. I have had two VERY easy c-sections and I will be having my third scheduled c-section in September. I have no concerns about the baby or my own health. My experiences have been very positive. I chose to schedule my c-sections as I did not want to get in the situation of having an emergency c and going under general anesthesia versus a spinal. I wanted to be awake when they took the baby. It is a personal opinion for a very personal experience. I have had MANY people say that they were sorry that I didn't experience labor/delivery vaginally. To them I say that I don't knwo many people who adore childbrith, but we all revel in the glory of its aftermath. Every person is different and the circumstances are different. You have to decide where your level of comfort is and what is going to provide you with the most enjoyable and healthiest experience. Good luck...having two is so much fun!

I think you really have all the info that you need and it truly does just come down to personal choice. I don't think anyone here can really give you anything additional. I was in your same situation and I chose to schedule the C-Section at 38 weeks. Like you, I had a 2 year old and needed to be sure I could have family in town to watch him while I was in the hospital, which was a huge deciding factor for me. I certainly didn't want to go into an emergency C-section being worried about my older child. I had considered a VBAC but decided against it for me. Would your OB and your choice of hospitals even allow that? Many won't and that takes the decision away from you anyhow. It all worked out well for me. My daughter was born pretty big for only being 38 at weeks (7 lbs 6oz). She was perfectly healthy and happy. She probably could have done with an extra week or two inside as she was extremely sleepy and I had a hard time keeping her awake to eat for the first two weeks. Several people told me that that is typically true and that babies tend to be more awake after their original due date. Who knows if that is true or not, but it was for me. Either way, she was and is fine. I wish you peace with your decison. God bless.

I wanted to do a VBAC with my second and my doctor was great with the choice but as time got closer we began to think more about scheduling a C-section. Since I tend to grow big babies my doctor really didn't want me to go past due date & in their practice they will not induce for a VBAC. What we finally decided to do was schedule the C for the due date & if I went into labor first then we would try natural. We ended up having the C since my daughter decided she didn't want to make an appearance earlier! Good luck on your decision!