C-Section or VBAC

When did you have the discussion with your doctor?

Did you have to bring it up or did the doctor start the discussion?

I had asked at my 6 week check up after DS about being able to have a VBAC if and when I have another child. And he said highly unlikely since I was 41 weeks with no sign of going into labor, was induced, 27 1/2 hours of labor and only dilated to 7cm.

I really believe the choice of having an epidural (to save strength for delivery) after 24hrs stopped me from dilating further.

I want to at least go to 40 weeks and if I don't go into labor on my own then schedule c-section - is this possible? I know they rather not induce in VBAC cases.

Thank you in advance for any answers and/or info you can give me.

Re: C-Section or VBAC

I'm trying for a VBAC this time and am allowed to go to 42 weeks. They want to give me as much time as possible to go into labor.

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Re: C-Section or VBAC

I am doing a VBAC this time around and expressed my wishes about not wanting a c-section again after what happened with mine. I plan to go until my water breaks or as far as they will let me. I went 2 weeks early with DD and she was 8 lbs when she was born so she would have been huge by the end.

Re: C-Section or VBAC

I spoke to my doctor at my first appointment (8 weeks)

My first son was induced, two weeks late, and was almost 10lbs. I was not even dialiated a centimeter.

They told me they didn't recommend a VBAC which was fine with me since I didn't want one anyway.

Re: C-Section or VBAC

Thank you ladies for responding - I will bring it up to my doctor at our next appointment.

My son was 8lbs 12oz - I didn't dilate on my own either.

Re: C-Section or VBAC

they would not let me go past 39 weeks...should have went for the VBAC....but changed my mind several times during pregnancy...had horrible issues related to the spinal wearing off during the operation......

Re: C-Section or VBAC

I'm trying for a VBAC too, I'm allowed to go until 41 weeks.

I asked around 20 weeks and was pleasantly surprised they are all for trying for a VBAC.

Now that I'm getting down to the wire (37 weeks) I'm starting to get nervous that I won't go into labor on my own. I was induced a day after my due date with #1 and progressed until the baby's heart rate dropped and then it was an emergency c-section.

I asked at my last apt about just doing a c-section and was told that if i really got to a point where I was done I could schedule my date, i could even wait until the night before to do it as long as i didnt mind being later on in the day.

But my dr. talked me out of the c-section
and told me to give it some more time.

Re: C-Section or VBAC

I had a VBAC last March.

You need to either have an OB who is VERY pro-VBAC, or strongly advocate for yourself as to what you want.

Please keep in mind that no one can force you to have a c-section before you want one (though close monitoring is essential to the health of you and your baby)

I had two OBs in my practice willing to let me go to 41/42 weeks, and I had two others who wanted to schedule me for a c-section at 39 weeks.

I was an ideal VBAC candidate because I had a scheduled c-section due to DS's expected size (10 lbs) and he ended up being only 7 lbs 10 oz, albeit with a large head. I never had a single contraction.

If you and your OB feel that the epi combined with the induction failed to alllow you to progress the way you would/could have, then in my OPINION that's a good reason to try for a VBAC - but of course I am NOT a doctor.

Oh and I had the conversation at my first appointment so there would be no surprises and I made sure to bring it up at every appointment because I always saw a different OB/NP.

Good luck with your decision

Re: C-Section or VBAC

I had the discussion with my OB at my first appointment today (at 9 weeks!). She said it's up to me, I don't think she is very pro-VBAC but she certainly wasn't against it. She said something about "counseling" during the pregnancy so I'm not sure what that is about, I guess going over the process and risks? I'm not going to worry about it too much until I know this baby isn't breech like the first one!!

Re: C-Section or VBAC

I discussed it with 2 drs. One was about 6 months after DS was born. She just said when the time came we would discuss it more but I probably wasnt a good candidate.

Second, it wasnt really even entertained.

Neither Dr was the one who delivered DS (she retired). The basic reasoning for me is that I never made any progress, never had 1 contraction, had a scheduled c/s at 40 weeks because DS was 9lbs 14oz. Many Drs have a weight limit, so they wont do it if your baby is over 7lbs (for example) and being as this one has measured at least 1.5 weeks ahead since 12 weeks we are not anticipating a smaller child.

I will also say I have NO desire to have a VBAC so I never pushed it further

Re: C-Section or VBAC

Thank you all for the responses - I will take all the info gathered here plus some that I researched and discuss with my doctor at our next appointment

Re: C-Section or VBAC

One of my friends had a c-section with her 1st and felt forced into it. She switched practices with her 2nd and ended up with an emergency c-section after an attempted VBAC. She switched practices again and is now using midwives. She really wants a VBAC. I don't think she has ever gone into labor on her own. She's allowed to go until 41 weeks. I'd make sure your doctor is pro-VBAC, will support you through the process and won't rush into a repeat c-section. Good luck!

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I have no interest in a VBAC - My Dr. asked me @ my 1st appt (9 weeks) if I was considering it and I said no thanks -

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I'd discuss it sooner rather than later. A lot of OBs aren't necessarily VBAC friendly. And if that's the case, you want to find one that is.

Before even getting pregnant this time I knew I wanted to VBAC. Then I found out there were 2 in there and I asked where I sign up for a repeat c-section