VBAC VS Repeat C

If your c/s was for a non-repeating problem, then you have every chance for a successful VBAC. I had a unnecesarean with my first and vowed never to be bullied into that again (read birth stories on my website www.JulianArts.com)I went on to have a successful midwife attended VBAC 5 years later, another not so nice one (i saw an OB that time) 8 years after that, and am now expecting to give birth to my fourth baby, third VBAC in a birthing pool in our home with midwives. Hopefully i will be able to post the story of my website any minute now! (Due date is this Thursday!)

Check out the ICAN website, too. They are such a valuable source of info on c/s and recovery and VBAC's.

The risks of VBAC are virtually zero as long as you are not doing any kind of fancy medical stuff...no inductions, no useless routine testing and procedures. OB's find it very hard not to interfere in this process though since they are so worried about getting sued...try looking into midwifery options and maybe even homebirth...in CT you'll have great luck finding them...you'll have the best chance of VBAC that way. Plus, your risks increase GREATLY with every c/s delivery, while they actually are reduced with each VBAC after c/s (there is a link on my site to that article, too)

Plus, why risk hospital borne infections these days if you don't have to? Surgery is for emergency and life-threatening situations and should only be used for that! Plus, recovery from a normal vaginal birth is MUCH easier than a c/s--you'll be much better able to take care of both of your little ones afterwards...as well as yourself!

Best of luck!

Although I have not had a c-section, I have dealt with home birth after a prolapse (not a major one, but nevertheless, an issue). I can offer you some info if you *do* decide to VBAC. There is a (buried) treasure of knowledge on how to care for your uterus esp. while giving birth- how to care for all your tissues, and how to birth in a low-impact way.
1) Don't opt for induction- when induced by pitocin, cytotech, etc., your contractions are way stronger, putting more pressure on your uterus. If you feel like you need some help getting labor going, the herbs black cohosh and blue cohosh taken alternately every half hour can have great success- just find a reputable brand, as efficacy differs with lower end brands.
2) Don't do the kind of breath-holding, blood vessel popping pushing you see on tv. Breathe normally through your pushing. When you hold your breath, you are depriving your baby and your organs of proper oxygenation. Honestly I personally am not into pushing very much at all- if you listen to your body you instinctively know when to give a push or bear down. My first birth involved 45 minutes of intense pushing on my back- and I tore and prolapsed. My second was in my bathtub with no pushing, in a standing squat. He flew out on his own- 2.5 hr labor start to finish. No tears, no prolapse problems.
3) Labor in a way that is comfortable and allows gravity to assist you. Makes a huge difference- on your back is not as conducive or as fast.
4) Read up on supplements that help repair & strengthen tissue- this is how I dealt with my vaginal prolapse fears- for instance, N-acetyl Cystine.
5) Check out spinningbabies.com. Babies come out quicker and easier when they are in the right position, and there are things you can do to help your baby find the right position (posture, movements/exercises).
6) Fill your mind with positive birthing stories and ideas. Fear keeps you from relaxing and makes birth more painful (actually causes more uterus friction as there are different layers of muscles and the outer ones, when tense with fear/anxiety, work against the inner ones trying to get the baby out).

Ultimately, you need to soul search and decide what you really want, and what your instincts are telling you to do. I found natural birthing to be the most empowering thing I ever did, and not because it was some horrible pain/endurance feat- it was quick and almost effortless when I moved around and refused to dwell on negative thoughts. Yes, there was some pain- but nothing unmanageable. It was such a victorious moment when my baby emerged, bright-eyed and aware (instead of groggy, as may be the case with anesthesia), and I too was hormonally and emotionally charged, and we immediately bonded and got off to a great start on nursing.

Hi K.,

My first child was born vaginally, followed by an emergency c-section with the second, and then for my third I had to make the decision whether to go for a VBAC. I planned to have a VBAC, but unfortunately I never went into labor and they took my baby via c-section at 42 weeks. They will not induce labor after a c-section, so you have to go into labor in order to even attempt a VBAC.

For my 4th child the doctor highly recommended a c-section because of the risks. I went back and forth on it, I really wanted a VBAC, but figured what was the point of laboring and then ending up in another emergency c-section. That is such a harder way to go physically. I also had the added stress of being due right at the holidays and I found that I really wanted some predictability around that time because we already had 4 children who wanted me home for Christmas. I ended up having a scheduled c-section for the fourth baby, and I have regretted it to this day because she was born a whole 2 pounds smaller than the two c-section babies (she was the size of the one born vaginally) and probably would have come down and out just fine. But I obviously had no way of knowing in advance how it would have happened, so the most important thing is that we are both healthy.

Unfortunately I could not get my regular doctor for this one because he called me the morning of the scheduled c-section and said he had the flu. The doc he arranged for me had very poor repair technique, and I am left with uneven skin at the incision and a skin tag. One more reason to regret my decision. Now they tell me I should not have another one even if we wanted to.

With all that said, it is always considered a risk to VBAC, but then so is a repeat c-section. If you want to have more than two kids, I would really consider the VBAC because you have a better chance of being able to have more kids. As a matter of fact, a friend of mine has 13 kids, her second was born via c-section, but all the others were vaginal deliveries. That might give you some inspiration.

I know how difficult a decision this is to make. No matter what you decide, remember that in the end the most important thing is the health of you and your baby. One year after my last c-section, it is only a bad memory and I have the most beautiful daughter in the world (mom bias!). But I would cry if I had to do it again! Good luck to you.

D.

Hi, I had a vaginal delivery with my first then I had a c-section with my second and with my third I had a VBAC. I was considered low risk (1% risk of death from rupture and 1% risk for c-section) b/c I already had vaginal birth. The VBAC was great. I had an unmedicated birth to make sure that nothing interfered with my or baby heartrates, fever or anything else that may happen with epidural.I delivered vaginally and I am so grateful b/c I hated my c-section!! The recovery was so easy with vaginal and I was able to be with my other kids so much quicker. Good luck and follow your own instincts.

I agree with Kathleen H. I had three C-sections (pumpkin headed children) and never had any trouble as long as I kept moving (an older one is a great motivation) but definitely do what seems right for you - Good Luck!

I have had 4 c sections. I labored with my first but after 4 hours of pushing he just would not come so I had to have an emergency csection. With my second I tried for the VBAC. ( I really wanted to have the full labor and delivery experience).The doctors made me sign a consent before because up until me they did not support VBAC attempts. I loved the relationship I had with the practice I went to and sat down and spoke with my doctor about my wishes. He spoke with the other doctors in the practice and they agreed to it. They wouldn't let me push as long as I did the last time because they were afraid of a rupture. I didn't have any complications with my first requiring the section he was just not facing the right way and got stuck. So I tired for the VBAC but after pushing for 2 hours the baby would not move down any furthar so I had the emergency section. I would not have done anything different. For my third and fourth children I was not given an option. Now, unfortunatly, I can not have any more children due to the fact that I am at a high risk for death of myself and the baby. I would suggest the VBAC....atleast try for it and if it doesn't happen than atleast you tried. I would always be second guessing myself if I hadn't tried with my second son. Good luck with your decision!

Jenn P

I have had 3 c sections. Went through labor with first and never progressed past 5 cm. He was 10 1/2 lbs. I had repeat c's because I did not want to go through all that labor again just to have an emergency c section again. There were no complications. Some scar tissue had to be removed with my 3rd but that normal. One of the benefits was knowing when I was going in and how long I would be there to make arrangements for my other children.

Only advice would be to get up out of the bed and move around afterwards when they let you. I found the more I moved around the less sore I would be. I found I was more sore after laying or sitting for periods of time.

I hope this helps.

I would strongly recommend doing a VBAC. Having a section, let alone a repeat section puts you and your baby in a lot of unnecessary risks. I'm glad that modern medicine has this intervention for when it's truly needed, but most often it's not and the complications are many. Please contact your local ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) chapter leader for more info...start attending meetings and gathering info. There isnt a group in the world that has more knowledge about sections. Good luck!
http://www.ican-online.org/