[jenedens6102]

I'm not there yet, not even thinking about trying at the moment......but for those of you who are and have had a precious c-section - anyone thinking of trying for a VBAC?

There were a lot of factors that I wish would have gone differently in our labor/delivery story and thus I have so many questions about if we'd done this, would things have gone differently.......don't we all do this from time to time. Anyway, I'm seriously thinking of talking to my OB in July when I go for my annual about a VBAC and his opinions (given how my body responded this time) for the next pregnancy, should we be blessed again.

[mia23]

I have no personal experience. But my cousin had a C-Section in February after 18 hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing and a one sided epidural (91/2 pound baby). She says that she is just going for C-Section the next time around because she never wants to feel the horrible labor pain again.

Now my SIL on the other hand had a C-Section with her oldest who was breech. But her younger 3 were all V-BACS. Anyway good luck with this.

[jenedens6102]

I never really got to experience the pain of labor, maybe that is why I'm not rushing back into a repeat c-section. However, I didn't have the best of time healing from my c-section - again another reason I'm not trying to jump back into one but my OB says it's because I labored so long, had my water broke so early and was on IV fluids for 26 hours. While I was dilated before going in I didn't really do much after I got there because (in my opinion) I wasn't allowed to do anything but lay due to having my water broke, an internal monitor and having an epidural put in when I didn't ask for one. I always wonder if I had the opportunity to sit up and rock, to stand and sway or walk, etc if things would have been different. Then of course DH always comes back with "you shouldn't have been induced - it wasn't time."

[MONI]

I'm not there yet either but that doesn't keep me from obsessing over it. I think I realy would like to do a VBAC mainly b/c I don't want to go through all the recovery time after the c section but I do have other issues that make me think that having another c-section would probably be best.

[Mom2MandyandTristan]

I have no experience in this but I do have a friend who had her first son via C-section, her second son via VBAC, and finally her daughter via C-section. Reason for the 2nd c/s was because it was 2 weeks past her due date and they couldn't induce her since she had a previous c/s...not sure what that had to do with it though.

[jerseyjandj]

i was thinkin the same thing ..... but my doc made the choice for me...... shes against it ..... i love my doc ..... so im trusting her

[jenedens6102]

That is why I plan on talking to my doctor. They thought my son was too big for my size and that's why we didn't progress beyond where we were when we went in 26 hours before he was born. Obviously if I do get pregnant again and it's another big baby I'm sure I won't have a choice. But it's an option I would like to explore. My main fear is recovering with a newborn and an older child (be it a toddler or older).

[megsc]

Only thing I have to offer is like Mia said, I had a one-sided epidural and no thanks on that again, should I have the choice. I was begging for a section but was 10 cm and worked through it but that was some fun, let me tell you...and she had her head in my back right side, of course the side it didn't take, and while I would be induced a thousand times b/c it went great, I'll remember that part for a long time and insted of begging, I'll get out my check book or something.

[JustPeachy]

I had a c-section and had a great experience. I also have a good friend that was in hard labor for hours with no progress. She was fully dialated but the baby was on a bit of a diagonal. When the baby became stressed, she wound up with an emergency c-section. I know she asked her OB about a VBAC and they refused so I asked my OB out of curiousity for her. Apparently, at least here in GA, the VBACs are considered risky by the insurance companies. So, if an OB wants their patient to have a VBAC, the medical liability insurance requires the OB to sit with the patient the ENTIRE time that they labor in case something goes wrong. There is a chance of your previous stiches rupturing in the same area b/c it will always be a bit weaker. For that reason alone, my OB said her practice does not do VBACs and you would need a very small practice for this to be possible. Good luck Jen!

[jerseyjandj]

wow thanks for the info just peachy my labor was like ur friends i had 32 hr of labor..and he just didnt want to come out .. i was also 41 wks and due to go in the next day but he then changed his mind and started to go into fetal distress..... my c section wasnt that fun .. at hosp i was fine ..but soon as i came home i developed a fever ... for 4 days then i pressed down on my abdomen n gush evrything came out went back to hosp cut open 3 stitches left them open had to so insecion could be wet packed .....i had a nurse take care of me for 2 1/2 months til i held now im kinda scared .....

[Cathy-TTC#2]

There are so many pros and cons to both so I think everyone's situation is different.

I would like to try VBAC for my current pregnancy. My DD was born via C section for breeched presentation. It was an emergency one because I had broken my water and had nothing left by the time I got to the hospital plus I was already 5 cm dilated. My daughter was born 2 hours later.

So I have a friend who is also currently my NP at my OB Gyn office and she tells me that only certain doctors will do VBAC due to risks (they just don't want the added risk for themselves and for the patient) and depending on their experience.

In all honesty, most doctors would prefer to do C section because it is quick. They are not on call and waiting at the hospital all day or days for labor to progress. It's sad but true. This isn't all OBs but most of them.

Of course whether or not you can have a VBAC depends on your reason for having c-section with your last pregnancy too, if you had complications, etc., and how many of them you've had in the past because your scar weakens after going in so many times and there is a risk of rupture.

My understanding from my friend is that because my c-section was for breached presentation that I'm eligible for VBAC this time around. Only 1 out of the 3 docs in the office will do them. If I had been failure to progress, etc. they would not likely recommend it.

I have toyed with the idea of repeat c-section but will have to see how this pregnancy goes.

[JustPeachy]

I'm sorry for your experience Jersey. Don't be scared. I was induced at 37 weeks due to preclampsia. Every time I had a strong contraction, the baby's heartrate dropped very low. So, they stopped the induction around 2am and got me on the schedule for a c-section in the morning. Everything went great with mine. Minimal pain afterwards. I was up and walking the next day as soon as I could talk them into taking out the epidural (hospital policy that it stay in for 24 hours as a pain pump). I'm still numb in the area but that is the only issue and I know it will take a while. It was really a great experience for me and I was happy to have the section rather than end up with a tear from pushing and an emergency c-section like others I know. Just make sure there is a good surgical assitant to watch those stiches this time around for you!

[kpxc]

I would like to do a VBAC but I know a lot of practices (at least in NJ) won't do them, I don't know about my OB though. I would like to at least give the natural way a try and not just schedule a c-section right off the bat but I don't know if my dr will go for it. I can't imagine trying to take care of 2 children and dealing with the recovery of a c-section again. I've heard that the endorphines released during labor make you forget the pain of childbirth, well I didn't have to go through all of that and I remember the pain of a c-section very vividly!

Oh yeah I made an appt with my RE for the end of June to talk about an FET! Teagan is 9 months next week, am I crazy???

[lauriej79]

As some of the other girls said.... my practice won't even talk to you about and I have 2 girlfriends that go to different OB's and they are the same way. There are 2 many risks. Apparently from all the pushing and the fact that you uterus has already been opened before you can actually rupture it which could be a life/death situation for mother and baby.

[jenedens6102]

Jersey, I had a similar experience with my healing. I never developed a fever but the day I left the hospital I started seaping a little yellow fluid. The nurse told me it was fine and to just wear an abdomenal pad so I didn't ruin my panties. However, it was more and more everyday. So when I took Ethan in for his one week appointment I went to my OB as well. He pressed on my abdomen and for 45 minutes we got stuff to come out, oh it's so gross. Then a few days later when I went back it was starting to develop a foul smell so we were worried about an infection beginning and went into overdrive. They opened my incision about 7 inches (pretty much a good chunk) wide and about 1-1/2 inches deep to start packing. I did this packing twice a day for four weeks, once a day for the next two. It took me entire maternity leave and first week back to work before I was considered "healed" from my c-section. This is why I am not thrilled to have another one but I'm told if I go in for a scheduled c-section I won't labor, be on IV fluids and have my water broke for so long - which is why my OB said my body did this. Too much fluid had accumulated within the fatty tissue and was pressing under the skin surface and making it's way out. As for the risk of upture I read on VBAC.com - a woman-centered, evidence based, resource. that it's like .5-1% much less then many let on. I guess there is no harm in at least asking my OB. With my annual being in July and Ethan's birthday being in March I shouldn't be back to visit with him before I start trying again - so better to ask now just in case. While I like the thought of having a scheduled c-section for planning purposes I am still so scared of having another bad recovery with two small children and a husband who works full time. Call me crazy.

KPXC- you aren't crazy. Sounds like perfect timing. I can't believe how much time has already passed. I'm always amazed at how quickly time passes us by.