Opinions on VBAC

My first son was a C section. More I have the option either way. The reason for the C was because the baby's heart rate was dropping fen pitocin so that might not happen again. What are your thoughts? Have you or do you know of anyone who has had a VBAC? What were the results?

Opinions on VBAC

I do know a few. Everything went really well for them. Talk to your dr about it and let them know it's what you want or what you're thinking about.

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You asked for opinions, so I am going to give you mine. I think they are selfish. There is no medical reason to do a VBAC and having another C is the safer option. There is a reason many OBs won't do them. They can be very dangerous to mom and the baby. In my line of work, I have heard absolutely horrific,and in one case downright barbaric, stories about VBACs with catastrophic outcomes.

I had this discussion with my cousin the other day. She was carrying on about wanting to experience "real" child birth. I promised her she is not missing anything and that the goal is to have a healthy baby delivered in the safest way possible. That's the priority. Obviously, your OB is the best person with whom to have an educated discussion about this but since you asked for opinions, you got mine.

Opinions on VBAC

I don't think it is selfish to want to experience a vaginal birth or to want to avoid a major surgery. I don't think it's fair to make a blanket statement like that. If you're a good candidate and your doctor is in support of you having a VBAC, and it's important to you then it's something to consider. Is there risk? Yes. But everyone's medical situation and childbirth is different. There are plenty of low risk, successful VBAC deliveries. If not, it wouldn't even be an option. It's something to really discuss with a doctor to see what is the best decision for mom and baby.

Message edited 7/13/2015 9:17:59 AM.

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I know someone that went on to have 2 successful vbacs. She's so glad she did.

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Opinions on VBAC

IMO - not worth the risk.

Opinions on VBAC

My first was a C-Section. Was given Pitocin and never progressed past 4cm. I went into labor with him the day after my due date, but I think I went to hospital too soon since it was my first time. My doctor was very open to VBAC for my second even though I wasn't sure. I went into labor 9 days early with my second and my body seemed to progress better that time. My water broker on it's own after I got the epi and I had a successfully Vbac. He did need a little assistance with vacuum to come out, but he was perfect and I was very happy with the recovery. Good luck with your decision, I know it's a hard one

Opinions on VBAC

I don't think wanting a VBAC is selfish at all, as long as the doctor is ok with it.

Now HBAC's (home birth after cesarean) on the other hand where there are no Drs involved is way too risky and selfish. Those are the ones I hear horror stories about.

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Re: Opinions on VBAC

I had a C section wtih DS1. I was 40w 4d and sent it for induction as the puking throughout my pregnancy was unbearable and when out of control at that point. Dr stripped membranes in office and sent me in. I dialted to 3cm on my own, was induced, only got to 4.5. DS heart rate was crazy, after so long they called a C-Section. He was in a funny position and never would have come out, Dr also said, I am small and so it was prob a combo of both.

I am schedule for 7/31 for DS2. I went back and forth, Dr ended up deciding for me. I am happy he did. I really do believe it is the safer option for me and I don't feel like I am missing out on anything.

I do think that society puts too much pressure on the "vaginal birth experience" and breast feeding. At the end of the day, i have the same amazing bond with my child and love him more than anything, he came out, he is mine, i love him, he is healthy, I am healthy done. That is what is important.

Good luck with your decision!!!

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I attempted a VBAC with DD2; it was unsuccessful. I am very, very glad that I tried. I also don't agree that it is a selfish decision - c-sections, even scheduled ones, do carry risks especially as they become higher order. I am not thrilled that I had another one, and at the end of the day it is a factor in my determination as to whether we will have another child. If you're serious about wanting a VBAC there are a lot of resources i can direct you to which will help in educating yourself/your partner on the benefits as well as the risks.

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The way my OB explained it to me is that there are definitely risks for both. However, if something were to go wrong it would most likely be more catastrophic with a VBAC for both mom and baby.

Re: Opinions on VBAC

I had a c-section with DS because he was breech. With DD, I had the option to either schedule a c-section for 39 weeks or try for a VBAC and schedule a backup c-section for 41 weeks. The idea of being 41 weeks pregnant wasn't appealing to me, so I scheduled a repeat c for 39 weeks.

Anyway, I went into labor at 37w6d. At the hospital they were going to get the OR ready but I said if the baby was ok, I wanted to try a VBAC, and I did have a successful VBAC.

Having experienced both, I'm glad I did the VBAC. I had a relatively easy recovery after my c-section but the VBAC recovery was MUCH easier. I'm glad I did it. I don't think we'll have any more children, but if we do, I'd do the VBAC again.

ETA: For all of the "it's dangerous" comments - my OB told me there was a 1% chance of my scar rupturing. That's 99% chance it would be fine (and it was!). Major surgery is more dangerous than a VBAC, in most (not all) cases.

Message edited 7/13/2015 7:25:23 PM.

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I personally wouldn't do it.
But I'm extremely risk averse.

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If it is something you really want to pursue I suggest you find some support groups (Facebook has some really good ones) and talk to woman who are in the same boat. Your doctor may say they are VBAC friendly but in reality they might not be. The Stonybrook Midwives are very VBAC friendly but I would ask on the support groups for names of others if SB isn't your hospital.
There are many inherent risks to C-sections, especially repeat sections, even more so if you want more children.
Doctors are mostly concerned with covering their asses and will use scare tactics to dissuade you. If you want it, go for it. But be prepared to fight for what you want. A doula is highly recommended for VBACs.

ETA: If I had gotten pregnant again I would have fought tooth and nail for a VBAC. But that's a moot point for me now.

Message edited 7/13/2015 2:29:11 PM.

Opinions on VBAC

I'm bias because I specialize in medical malpractice. I have seen all the bad outcomes of a VBAC based on my specialty. There is a reason why many OB/GYNs refuse to consider them. The insurance is sky high based on the risks.

I will also add that a lot of the bad outcomes are due to the mother refusing to consent to the c-section until it is too late b/c they have it in their heads that they want a VBAC.

It's not worth the risk IMO. While I personally know someone who had a successful VBAC, I believe that the risks are greater and outweigh the reward.

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I know multiple people who had successful VBAC's and were very happy they had gone that route. Obviously all of them did it with the blessing from their OB and the OB felt they were not at high risk for needing a section based on their previous history (2 had malpositioned babies -breech/transverse babies, 1 was induced after water broke prematurely and babies HR dropped, and 1 had twins. I have not heard any horror stories but have heard of 2 cases where they didn't get to have their VBAC and ended up with C-sections (1 was post date 42 weeks, and the other failed to progress in the time allotted by the hospital). Both of these women were fine with the decision to have a c-section because of course everyone wants to have a happy healthy baby.
Do what you and your doctor are comfortable with. Their are definitely benefits to a vaginal birth both for mom and baby too if all else is equal and everything is going smoothly.

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I think having a VBAC is a personal decision and needs to be based on the individual. When talking with my doctor about it, he said it was something that I could certainly try for but described the worst case scenario risks as catastrophic and devastating. That was enough for me to have a repeat c-section. I would've had to have one anyway because my DS was breech. I'm so glad I did because when the surgeon was closing me up she said that the placenta had fused to my uterine wall and was very thin. If I had tried for the VBAC, it was very likely that I would've had a uterine rupture.

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I had a successful VBAC in 2013 and I would do it again if I could and went for #3. The recovery was so much better. I was induced with DS1, had a horrible C-section, lots of complications, all around horrific experience. No way did I want that again. I didn't see my baby for 16 hours!

VBAC's are not selfish. There are many, many risks associated with c-sections. Not sure why people selectively erase that from what they know.

My OB's were very supportive of my decision to try for a VBAC. I was induced with DS1 at 36w5d due to severe pre-eclampsia. I was very confident in my decision and I think that was key. I made sure to remind them that I wanted a VBAC all the time and made sure my DH knew also bc even he wavered at one point. When I got to the hospital they continued to be supportive and no one tried to convince my otherwise. I went into labor just before 7am and delivered my son, all 22.75 inches and almost 9 lbs of him, shortly before 3pm. Arrived at the hospital at 11am.

It was a great experience and were we to decide to try for a 3rd child, I would try for a VBAC again.

ETA: I delivered at 40w3d. My c-section was scheduled for 40w5d. My BP did start to go up slightly towards the end and I was on BP meds since about week 17. One my due date I was only fingertip dilated and there had been no change from the previous week. I was losing hope fast, lol!

Message edited 7/15/2015 12:15:30 PM.

Re: Opinions on VBAC

Ds1 was born via csection after a failed induction. I never progressed more than 5cm. I was on the fence about having a vbac vs repeat section. I weighed the risks vs benefits and for me attempting a vbac was what I went with. Ds2 was born vaginally. My water broke at 9pm. I started to have painful contractions around 130am. He was born at 341am after like 6 pushes.

Recovery is 100% better with my vbac. I did tear slightly and need a couple stitches but nothing like getting cut open with my section. I am so happy I did it plus taking care of my 22 month ds was much easier.