Hi Michelle,
I also had a similar situation. My first child was born emergency c-section in 1988. I had my second child in 1994 and had him vaginally. Back then the risks were not laid out like they are now, but I am so glad I did the vbac. I agree with everyone else that you need to do what is safest and what your Dr. thinks. If your Dr. thinks it is safe, I think the experience is worth it. As far as recovering from a c-section, I had my youngest in 2007, a month before my 38th birthday and I was on my feet and ready to go the next day. Keeping up with him now is a different story. lol Anyway, think it through and do what is best for you. Good luck
I am Kymberli, and I have had SIX VBACs after my first csection/baby. It was also do to "fetal distress", but that was because I was being induced and he wasn't ready to come.
First off, you need to get the book Silent Knife. You can get that from the library even. The drs tell you about the chance of rupture in hopes that they can get you to set a date, and they won't be called in the middle of the night, and the anesthesiologist doesn't have to wait there all night. It costs them more to wait for a VBAC, and the insurance pays it all as a regular delivery. Insurances needs to start paying more for the safer option. Csection gets them more money too, with much less time. And, if you don't think the OB isn't run like a business, it certainly is. But, that isn't what you asked.
You need to be the advocate for your health and that of your baby. A VBAC is MUCH safer than a repeat csection. You have a half percent chance of rupture if you are NOT induced. Double that if you are, which I would stay away from. If for whatever reason you have to be, and it is your only option for health reasons (if you go 3+ weeks overdue, baby size, etc), then make sure they do NOT use cytotec, because that would give you a much higher rate for complications. I would take a repeat over using that stuff.
Of course, you could homebirth, get a midwife for home, etc. That is always an option. I would guess that even though you had issues getting pregnant, doesn't mean your pregnancy can't go smooth. OBs are learned in all the things that can go wrong, as midwives are too, but midwives expect it will all go fine. And, that is how they treat. There is lots of info online about homebirth.
Also, it isn't just the mother that VBAC is safer for. Babies are meant to be born vaginally, because it squeezes all the fluid out of their lungs so they have less breathing problems. The brain is actually stimulated when it has been molded, that babies tend to be smarter, and the hormones that are released in birth, between mother and child, aid in bonding. The pain actually releases the love hormones for the mother, so there is a reason to it. Although you could opt for an epi, but one thing can lead to another.
I would say do whatever you can to educate yourself on the TRUTH of VBAC and how safe it is. You want a safe normal delivery, then you can do that. I had to fire a MW that delievered in the hospital because of some red flags, and thankfully I did, because that boy was 26 days late. He was 9 lbs and born in the water at home, and everything went great. That was baby number 5, 4th VBAC. Go with your gut, and if you choose the hospital, stay away from ALL interventions, including the stupid heplock, so that you can assure safety and the desire you have to come to pass.
Most of all, get the book.
I think that you need to do what you feel comfortable doing, and what your doctor may recommend based on your individual health not insurance rates.
Now, I had a c-section with my first child, a daughter, after 15 hours of labor and over an hour of pushing. I had the c-section because of a failure to progress--I couldn't move her far enough to even get close to crowning. The recovery was a long process. I was 31.
I just had my second child, a boy (over 9lbs), by a repeat c-section. The recovery was much better--less pain and exhaustion because there was no labor and not as much medication. I had an epidural with my daughter during labor and then got more meds when I went into surgery. I had a spinal block with my son. I'm 35 right now.
Now, I chose to have a repeat c-section because I couldn't deliver my daughter at 8lbs because she didn't fit through the lower part of my pelvis. The doctor knew this child was larger, and I could feel that he was larger. I'm also happy I did because during the surgery they discovered a uterine window (my uterus was thinning at my previous c-section scar area). Now, you've probably read the research and this isn't common. If I choose to have children in the future I've been advised to have a c-section at 38 weeks and avoid labor.
I don't want to scare you because as you've read, my experience isn't common. You should do what you feel comfortable doing, but be prepared if your birth plan doesn't work out.
I had a C-section with my first and my doctor insisted on trying for a VBAC withmy second. I have had multiple abdominal surgeries, and she insisted on trying for it. It was painful, but very gratifying. If you feel comfortable trying it and your doc and husband support you on it, go for it. I kinda like being able to say I've done it...it's not as common as the books say, most docs just go for the repeat C. Good luck!
I personally haven't had a VBAC. I did have a c-section with my son and if I get the chance to have another child, I will choose a VBAC.
I've done a lot of research on my own. And feel there are risks with both choices. But with me personally I had a lot of complications with a c-section and wasn't able to bond with my son right away. I don't want to go through that again. T
C-Section is surgery and every surgery has risks. The risk of uterine rupture decreases the longer you wait between pregnancies.
Best of luck
I had my first daughter when I was 23 by emergency c-section. My second, at 27, I tried to have naturally but after hours of hard labor my body just was not cooperating and I had to have another c-section. Can't answer your question exactly BUT if you were put completely out with the first and have the option to be awake for the second if you have to have another it IS much easier to get over it if you stay awake. I was scared to death to do it but my husband and dr. talked me into because it is safer and I bounced back much faster.
I'm having that same debate myself. I need to find out if my OB will even consider it, although she's pretty cutting edge, so I imagine she would if the hospital allows it. My first labor (2 years ago when I was 32) was only 12 hours and I had an epidural so it was going along famously when the baby's heart rate dropped due to the intensity of the contractions I was having. My OB tried everything, but finally we decided the safest thing for the baby was to do a C-section. The dr's did a great job, but it was a terribly difficult recovery for me. I am dreading having another one, but I also have fears about a VBAC. I talked to a girl whose in-laws are malpractice lawyers and had horrible stories of things happening. But then I have a friend whose friend had to travel 90 miles in CA to get to a town where she could have a VBAC and said it was completely worth it. My friends who have had multiple C-sections have told me that the recovery the second time is much easier, but I still have no desire to go through it again. Of course, I haven't gone through regular labor either - maybe I would feel the same way about that. :) Something I read is that there is some research being done about the thickness of the scar determining the safety of a VBAC and its success rate. Maybe that's something you can ask your dr. about. Sorry I don't have any more solid advice. Let us know what you end up doing! Good luck!
I recently had a VBAC with my second son last June. My first son was born c-section six years earlier. If you really want a VBAC, I would say go for it. Yes, there is a small chance of uterine rupture, and I was even scheduled for another csection with this one even though I had wanted a VBAC all along( my dr thought this one was too big to deliver vaginally, but I ended up going into labor and delivering in the middle of the night with a dr who was all for me having a VBAC, so it all worked out the way I wanted!) FOr me, the recovery was a million times easier. I was up walking around right after they removed my epidural, I got to eat about an hour after I delivered. Hardly any pain after, and I even had an episiostomy. I delivered both times at SMMC and everyone was great. The doctor that delivered me did stay in the room for a large part of my labor just watching the monitor, so they are very thorough. I did a lot of research on VBAC online and read a couple of books, so I was very confident in my decision. If you go for it, and for some reason do have to have another csection, at least you know you tried, but I did not want to put myself through that again voluntarily. Do what you feel is right, do some research and you will make the right decision for you and your family! ANd of course, everyone says this, but whatever it takes to deliver a healthy baby! Good luck, hopefully this helps!
I have only had 2 vaginal deliveries, both of which were intervention free and wonderful...so I can't compare vag vs. c-sect. But I know that our bodies were made to do this, they are often just not given the chance. You can do it, but you have to know your stuff and stick your guns! I looked through the responses and didn't see anyone recommend the book "Pushed" by Jennifer Block. It has a big section on VBAC that you might want to look at. Best of luck to you, good for you to at least research your options!
IMO you should do the V-Bac if you have the option. My first was cesarean for the same reason as yours. My second was a Vbac and he was 4 oz bigger than my first. My third child was a regular birth as well and she was 1 pound more than the previous. From how it went with me, it just gets easier. My ages at my childrens' birth were 20, 22 and 25, so although I was younger I still think you have a good chance of not having problems. It was MUCH better than a cesarean-I never want to do that again.
Michelle,
I tried to have a VBAC for child number two but was unsuccessful. I am glad I tried and the plan was already set with my doctor if it wasn't working so that made me feel better. I have 5 children and they wre all C-sections.
I only tried with the first two. As far as my recovery it seemed as each one was different. I remember my first and third being the most painful and took longer to bounce back. Why that is I do not know but at least it didn't keep getting worse. I had my last child at age 36. Whatever you decide I wish you the best and a happy healthy baby.
Dana
I know that I am a little behind on e-mails, but I have had both c-section with my 1st (she is 21) and VBAC with my 2nd (he is 13). I was in labor 13 hours with my daughter and they said "failure to progress" and did a c-section. I was 19. I had all kinds of problems. But, when I had my son my dr promised me he would do his best to let me have my son VBAC. I was in labor for 26 hours, but I had a heathy baby boy and had absolutely no problems with it. I was 27 then. I am so happy that I went ahead and had my son vaginally because it was an awesome experience and I was able to hold him immediately and nurse him right away, also. I was unable to do that with my daughter. I would say to give it a try! Good luck in whatever you choose!
No one can decide for you, but I'm in a similar situation except that I did deliver my first child vaginally. I read a lot, and have done as much researching as I can, along with talking it over extensively with my Dr. Most sources agree that having a previous vaginal delivery make your chances better for success. I would also be concerned about that 15-20 minute emergency c-section. Mine was for fetal distress, and they had him out in under 3 minutes. My hospital (St. John's Mercy) in St. Louis is equipped to handle anything. Just make sure yours is. Good luck! I understand your desire completely, and I'm hoping for a VBAC too!
I just saw your post. I had a csec with my first due to dropping heart rate and a VBAC with my second. There is a .5-1% chance of uterine rupture, but that is so unlikely. The chances for complications and even death are higher with a csection, for both you and your baby. Whatever you decide, know that it is very hard to get a VBAC these days, and even if a doctor tells you that you can, they may not really mean it. You have to look at their VBAC and csection statistics. They should be willing and able to give those to you. OB's are trained to operate, so that's often what they do. As for the time it might take to get the baby out for an emergency csection, 15-20 minutes is not unusual. In order to allow VBAC's, hospitals have to agree that they can perform an emergency csection within 30 minutes.