With my first pregnancy I went in without a "real birth plan" since I figured it probably wouldn't turn out that way. My labor was short - started at 9am, got to the hospital about an hour or so later. Ended up with the epidural and by 3pm (ish) I was pushing. My pushing was not very long - maybe 30-45 minutes, but the baby's heart rate dropped too much (especially when they used the suction) so I ended up with an emergency c-section. He was fine. But it was a bit scary to be sure! (He ended up having the cord wrapped around his neck 3 times and once under this arm too.)
So having gone through that...emotionally I am leaning towards a repeat c-section. But...I do know every labor is different. And I have been told by the doctors office (I have seen 3 different doctors in the practice so far) that I am a good candidate for a "trial of labor" the 2nd time around. Part of me would be okay going through it, part of me not. There are risks either way - of course!
I know this is something I need to decide on my own. Well, of course my husband's opinion is important too! But I'm still undecided (I'm only 15 weeks, so I still have plenty of time). I was curious if other moms had a c-section and did a vbac or a repeat c-section and how they felt about it? Would you do it the same or differently?
If it were me, I'd opt for a VBAC. I was a childbirth educator for 13 years. My suggestion to you if you are considering a VBAC is to find a provider, OB or MW, who will support you in a VBAC, not a "trial of labor." Ask the providers what percentage of their prior cesarean patients attempt a VBAC and what percentage of those are successful. Look for someone with a high VBAC success rate. Good luck
R.,
Go for it! Check out International Cesarian (sp) awareness network (ICAN) they are online. Also check out Home birth ! So much to learn.
message for more info if you like,
Good luck,
M.
R.,
Do some serious research on your own before you make a decision. Your doctors are right, the chances of the same thing happening again are very slim. Each labor is different (as is each baby). A repeat c-section has many more risks for you. Hemmorage, blood clots, and back problems later in life are much more common for c-section moms. Also, it is good for a baby to experience labor. Babies who are born through elective c-section (without a trial of labor) are much more likely to suffer from allergies and asthma.
Additionally, if you plan to have any additional children, there are added risks. Each c-section creates scaring that increases the chances of both miscarriage and placenta previa. After two c-sections, it is nearly impossible to find a provider who will allow you a trial of labor. The National Institute of Health (NIH) now recommends that every woman who had a primary c-section with reasons that are unlikely to repeat and who has a low transverse scar should plan to birth vaginally. NIH and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynocologists made this recommendation in late 2010 and it is taking some time to get OBs to change from the old mindset of once a c-section always a c-section.
Please visit some websites and get some evidence based medicine rather than opinions of other moms:
www.vbac.org
www.ican-online.org
http://www.motherfriendly.org/
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/
www.acog.org
www.nih.gov
I had a c-section with my first baby in 2006. My OB insisted that we should induce - but did not give me a reason why other than it was my due date. I did no research and it turns out that she wanted to induce because she was going on vacation. Well, induction failed and I had a c-section. My baby was little (barely 6 pounds), had trouble breathing initially, didn't latch, had jaundice, etc... I had switched providers for baby #2 in 2010 and had a very VBAC friendly OB along with a great doula. Unfortunately, he was posterior with a double nuchal hand and after 42 hours of natural (that is right, unmedicated) labor, he was born via c-section. My OB told me in no uncertain terms that she had checked my previous scar (it was in great condition) and that if I have another baby, I will have a trial of labor. She doesn't do elective c-sections. We don't plan another baby, but I would definately plan to VBAC. My 2nd baby was 8lbs, 8 oz, had no complications at all, latched and nursed on the operating table and has had none of the problems that my first baby had. I am certain it is because he picked his own birthday and because he had virtually no exposure to any drugs.
Best wishes,
C.
I had to v birth first was only a few hours second even less pushed only 2 times they get shorter and easy as we go for me anyway not even any pain med for second i would try it such any easy recovery compared to c section espeically with 1 baby home already
If it were me, I would absolutely attempt a VBAC. As long as you're a good candidate and the reason for your first c/s won't automatically be a problem again, I think you should. Statistically, it's actually lower risk to have a VBAC than a repeat c/s. Also, if you're successful, your recovery should be easier, which is important when you have a newborn and a toddler!
I was in labor for 16 hours before my very wonderful Ob/gyn said to me that the baby is not descending and they could not give me pitocin since the baby's heart beat was being impacted by the contractions...I had pushed a few times since I was almost all the way dlilated but it was of no use.....so finally I was dissapointed but I went in for a c section.....we have a healthy baby. If we ever go for a second one, I plan on waiting until I go into labor so that the baby can dictate that he/she is ready to arrive but instead of getting an epidural and trying VBAC - I will get a c section instead........this way I will not be cut up and sewn in two places either.......don;t know if this is what will happen but that is the thought so far.....................
I tried for a home VBAC with #2... ended up with another cesarean. I am still 100% staunchly behind VBACs and will be having another home VBAC when I'm pregnant with my 3rd. I do not regret my 24 hours of labor and can't wait to try it again.
I'd check out www.ican-online.org - they have a lot of information!!
This is very personal, and don't anyone here, or anywhere else, make you feel guilty about your choice. That's my first advice.
I was in a similar situation. My OB also talked to me about a trial of labor, and said I was a good candidate. I did a lot of research on the risks/benefits of each and I understand why some women want a VBAC, and I respect my doctors for giving me the choice. For personal reasons (the stress of being a basket case for 9 months, worrying about my labor and the health of my baby wasn't worth it) I decided to go with the repeat c section. I have no regrets about my choice.
My son was also an emergency C-section and my doctors feel that I am a good candidate for a VBAC. We're going to give it a try with the understanding that if things don't progess as expected, I will have another c-section. My sister had a scheduled c-section (twins) the first time and has elected to have another scheduled c-section.
It's really such a personal decision, but as long as you have a healthy mommy and baby at the end of it the "details" don't matter. Do what makes you feel comfortable.
From what I have read here and from other women I know, "most" c-sections mommas would LOVE to be told they were good candidates for a vbac, not everyone is. Also, that can change as the pregnancy advances, but I think if I were in a similar situation, I would prepare for a vaginal birth, with the thought in my mind that it may need to be a cesarean just in case. Good luck to you with which ever way it goes!
I had two scheduled c-sections. The first was because I was expecting twins. I never went into labor and made it all the way to the scheduled date. I had the most wonderful experience. So, when I became pregnant with my daughter, I opted for another scheduled c-section. It was even easier the second time around! A scheduled c-section is way different than having one after going into labor and pushing.
A friend of mine gave birth three ways: a vaginal, c-section after two hours of pushing, and her third was a scheduled c-section (went into labor, though, and had the c-section early). She said the third birth,c-section, was by far the best.
Just like a majority of the others have said, it's a totally personal decision. I can tell you I 110% agree with Diane & her advice for you to not let anyone bully you or make you feel guilty no matter which way you go (and trust me, there's plenty out there who will try).
Personally? I had my first child vaginally with technically no problems, though it was rough mentally as I was 22 years old & while I probably was as fully prepared as I could have been at that point in my life, it scared the hell out of me. With my 2nd child my doctor recommended a c-section due to scar tissue from a LEEP procedure I'd had done. Now, this time I was much more mentally prepared as I had a general idea of what to expect, so with him throwing a C into the mix at the last minute freaked me out. He did give me the option to labor & see if things progressed, but said I would most likely require the C at the end anyway, so I chose to skip the labor. Things went off without a hitch & I'm glad I had the opportunity to give birth both ways. If I had had any more children, I would have gotten C's.
My sister had an emergency c-section with her oldest after several hours of labor when the baby went into distress. She chose to have another C the 2nd time around as well, even being a nurse & having as complete of an understanding of the risks on either side.
People make different decisions based on their personal beliefs & what they're comfortable with. You'll need to talk to your husband & doctor(s) some more & do some research of your own & when you come to the right decision for you, you'll know. Best of luck to you!
I did a nother c-section. I went through too much when I tired to have my first. I was in labor over 24 hours then pushed for 2 and then they took him. After he was born I was so out of it. Everyone held him before me cause I fell asleep from exostion. So there was no way I was going to go through that again. I had pain from trying to have him natural and for the c-section. When I had my youngest it was just so much easier I went in when I was sceduled and had him and was just a little dopey after words but over all was good and held him right away.
Good luck with what ever you decide to do and God Bless!
