VBAC Vs. Scheduled C-section

Melissa,

My 2nd child was VBAC, much to the chagrin of my husband and my Dr. He was 17 days late, and they both encouraged me to schedule a C-section after my due date, but I was determined to try for a vaginal birth, because I really felt like I missed something with a c-section. (My 1st was an emergency C after 16 hrs of labor I only dialated to 4 and the baby was in distress.)It was a wonderful experience for me and also my mom who was able to witness it. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer a year later, so even more I am grateful I was able to share that with her.

I'm happy your Dr. is encouraging you to at least try. Of course it's totally up to you- BUT- C sections themselves are risky which we tend to forget because they are so common now.
ON/GYNs are really under pressure to comform because of the liability, and probably feel like they have more control with a scheduled C-section. Anyways, trust your instincts and your heart. Good Luck!

T.

I had a VBAC 24 months after my c-section. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I have so much to tell you about it - your experience sounds a bit like mine. Inductions many times don't work and they put your body through a really rough labor. If you're baby isn't ready, it's not ready. Inducing it is unnatural. I was 2 weeks late with both my babies and they were healthy, strong, alert...I think it was an advantage. Who says they have to fit on a schedule? It is annoying. Doctors just have to be cautious because they would be held liable. I have heard so many success stories and no problems with VBAC's. I think people write about the bad experiences so that is why they would be more prevalent on the internet. Please call me. The experience I had giving birth to my son was amazing. I felt so great - strong, healthy, the rush of oxytocin...oh, I could go on. I was in my garden the next day. The recovery time is nothing compared to a c-section. I hired a doula which made all the difference in the world. She was so great. Please feel free to call me. I would encourage you to have it, especially if your doctor is supportive. That is really surprising to me.
People have VBAC's all the time. I loved it. A. ###-###-####

I would not go for the VBAC. I went through exactly what you went through. I was induced with my first and then after three painful days was finally c-sectioned. My next set were twins and I really wanted to experience a vaginal delivery. My OB-GYN would not allow it because of the complications I had with the first. he said that he was very uncomfortable with a vaginal delivery because honestly they do not know what went wrong with the first delivery. I don't think your new OB-GYN should just opt you for a VBAC especially because you had complications with the first. And because you are going through a new doc, he/she may not know what went wrong or if there were complications with the first. I had a very good friend of mine have two VBAC's with no complications. But the thing to keep in mind is that she did not have to have an emergency c-section like you or I, she only had to have the first a c-section because her son was breech.

I had an emergency c-section with my son (now 4) and a planned c-section with my daughter (now 6 mos). I was told that my chances for a successful vaginal delivery was small (my kids were about 6 lbs each, and my son was pretty much lodged in the birth canal at that size...). I had a horible recovery from the the first and a relatively easy/fast recovery from the second. The anethestic they use for the scheduled c-section is different and there isn't as much tramua to your body. That being said...if I could have tried a VBAC with a better than average chance of being successful, I would have. However, it was fine to be able to schedule the delivery, esp. since my parents came the night before to take care of my son and I was able to work up through the day before the surgery.

Good luck.

Melissa - Whatever you choose to do, just make sure you are as informed as possible of the risks and benefits. Ask your doctor for the ACOG (American College of OB/GYN) Bulletin on VBAC's - this is written information provided to physicians by their governing body about the risks and benefits of various controversial subjects (and some not so controversial) and management issues in obstetrics today. Once you read that, you will have plenty to discuss with your doctor. I would add that because of the potential risks with a VBAC, I absolutely would go to a hospital that has a Level III nursery/NICU with a neonatologist on staff and immediately available at the hospital. Your doctor can tell you which hospitals have this and the preferable place to deliver. Good luck.

I had a c-section with my son(now 6) after 1 1/2hrs of pushing he wouldn't come out but he was 9lbs 5oz so I was thankful for the c-section. I had my daughter(now 5) 14 months later and my doctor would not give me a choice other than another c-section because they were so close together and because my son was so large the chances of my second being big were very high because I had gestational diabetes with both pregnancies. My doctor said that my risk for rupture was very high and any risk wasn't worth it to me. I am currently pregnant with #3 and I will again deliver via c-section. I felt that for me it was the right decision to go with another c-section with my daughter and she was big 8lbs 14oz 1 week early. One thing that was nice about scheduling the second c-section is that I could plan for someone to watch my son while I was in the hospital and I knew exactly when I was going to have the baby. The down side of course is the recovery with another child at home. Best of luck to you and I hope this helped.

I had 2 regular births and then had to have a c section because my son was breech. I have done A LOT of research on VBACs, in case I decide to have any more kids. There are plenty of risk involved. There is tons of info on the internet. you need to do a lot of research!

Hi Melissa,

I was reading your responses and I see that you have a lot of different suggestions all across the board. Well me personally I have never had a C-section. I've had 2 vaginal deliveries. However, My cousin had 1 C-section followed by 3 very successful VBAC's. When she went into labor with her 2nd child I was the one to drive her to the hospital (because she couldn't wake her husband. Her contractions were 8 minutes apart and she had not dilated, the on call physician said that it was probably false labor, gave her a mild sedative, said that she will more than likely have to have another C-section and sent us home. She had the baby 2 hours later at home; Her husband delivered the baby with the assistance of 911. EMS arrived in time to properly cut the umbilical cord. I've said all of this to tell you that situations like these are so unpredictable; everyone has their own story. I think that every woman should have the experience of a vaginal birth (it is amazing). If you want to experience a vaginal birth, then pray for one and also pray that God will remove any disbelief you may have, and it will happen.
God Bless!