WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

Ok so I went to the Dr yesterday and he asked me what I would rather do. I'm 28 weeks today. My due date is Jan 31. So my decision is to try for a Vbac, my husband is against it because of the risks. I'm thinking even though my Dr said its my decision he would like me to go for a csection. The reason I say that is because my Dr told me that if I wanna do c section it would be scheduled for Jan 24th but if I wanna try for a Vbac and I don't go into labor myself then they would take the baby on Jan 31. Obviously my main concern is a healthy baby but I just feel like I want to try a Vbac in hopes it would be less of a recovery for me.
If anyone tried for a Vbac, did u only get a week to go into labor on your own? Was it successful? Any advice, tips or just your stories will help :)

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

Did you go into labor with your first?

I never did - I had a scheduled c-section because he was measuring so big.

My OB was willign to let me go very late - 10 or 12 days past due - because I never had a "trial of labor" as they refer to it.

I went into labor 9 days past due

Honestly, I was SO intent on having a VBAC that I strongly advocated for myself and insisted that I be allowed to go late as long as DD was not in any distress. I wanted to avoid a c-section as much as possible. I was an ideal VBAC candidate, so that helped.

There were other OBs in the practice who said that they were "willing" to allow me to go to 40 weeks before scheduling a c-section. I flat out refused to schedule a C that early. My choice, and I was supported by my primary OB. It really, really bothered me that my doctors were never on the same page.

Good luck. It's a tough decision.

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

My second DD was supposed to be a VBAC. They would allow me to go 2 weeks past my due date, but started BPP and NSTs after I went past it, and found I had dangerously low levels of amniotic fluid, flow through the cord was poor, and the baby hadn't had significant growth since my sono at 36 weeks. They wouldn't induce me since I'd had a previous c-section, but allowed me to stay in the hospital overnight to give me every chance to go into labor on my own. I started getting contractions, but did not dilate at all and I wound up with another c-section because the baby was better off out than in at that point.

I was very disappointed, almost depressed I did not get my VBAC. I am still upset about it 8 months later.

So, I would try if I was in your shoes.

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

I had a VBAC with my DD and will be going for a vaginal delivery again with #3 in March. My vbac was exactly 2 years after my c/s. my 3rd birth will be nearly 6 years after my vbac!

The only reason my first was a c/s was because he was breech.

My OB monitored the baby very closely, since he wanted the baby less than 8 lbs to vbac, he would not induce or do a version (she was also breech until like 36 weeks), and I had to go into labor on my own. He was willing to let me go a week overdue, but if nothing by then, he would schedule the c/s.

I went back and forth with my decision too.. my c/s was textbook and I had a great recovery. I didn't need to vbac, but figured why go for surgery if I didn't have to?? I know there are risks, but they are very small. There are risks with repeat c/s too. It depends on your comfort level. Never once did I feel that anything was going to negatively happen. my vbac was a great experience.

For every person who tells you to go for it, there will be 10 people who tell you not to. You have to trust your gut. I will say my DH was probably more freaked out about trying for the vbac, but in the end, he said it was the best decision I ever made!

Good Luck!

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

I had a c-section with my DD 6 years ago because she was measuring large. She ended up being 9 lbs 10 oz so I was happy that we went with that decision. I had an easy c-section, my recovery was great and basically no problems at all with it.

Now for the past 6 years I've toyed around with the idea of going for a VBAC. My doctor hasn't asked me if that was a consideration for me yet, and I haven't brought it up. He is talking as if we will do another c-section. Part of me wants to ask...but part of me is thinking that I'll have another big baby and that it won't be a possibility.

I have spent a lot of time wondering what labor is like. People say that you aren't missing out on much and that I should consider myself lucky that I haven't gone through it. But I still felt somewhat cheated...that I never knew what a full fledged contraction felt like.

Honestly if all of the conditions were right, I'd love to go for a VBAC. And if you do it please tell us all about your experience!

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

Did you go into labor with your first?





Yes. My water broke, 26 hours of labor that was extremely painful lol but after all that I only dilated 6cm and the baby's heart beat became a concern so they went with a c section.

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

I hopefully will be able to VBAC. I use mws and at week 30 I'll have a consult with the ob. My understanding is the risks are not that much greater with a VBAC. I waited 2 full years before conceiving again though.

With DD1 I waited to 42 weeks and had an unsuccessful induction. With this preg I plan on giving myself until 41 weeks to spontaneously go into labor on my own, if not I will opt for a csection.

I thinkits wonderful that your dr is so supportive! GL :)

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

Why would your OB schedule a repeat c/s for a week before your due date?

I'm a strong advocate for VBAC. Yes, there are risks, but there are also risks associated with a c/s - it's major abdominal surgery.

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

DD isn't even 3 weeks old so my perspective may be skewed, but as of now i would opt for a repeat C. my personal reason for that, although a VBAC is ideal in theory, the thought of enduring another 27 hour labor, 3 hour pushing, only to have her not descend and wind up with another section... it's just too much for me to endure emotionally and physically. the thought of going through that again absolutely terrifies me.

maybe my feelings will change after time passes... we shall see.

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

Personally I want a VBAC but my OB is very against it. With #1 my water broke, 22 hours of labor, pushed for 3 hours and they saw that he was facing up and my BP was spiking. Then they saw the meconium (sp?) and immediately rushed me to the OR for a c/s. I have stage 4 endo and had 3 laps done prior to DS so my uterus was already in bad shape. My uterus can't take me pushing this time around. I'm bummed because I feel the recovery of a c/s with a toddler is going to be horrible.

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

With my 1st pg I ended up delivering via c-section at 40w6d b/c I was showing signs of preeclampsia (my BP had skyrocketed and I had protein in my urine and was starting to swell). At that point I was having minor contractions, but DD#1 had not descended, nor was I dilated at all. OB and I decided it was best to just do a c-section. He told me he would not do VBAC once I had a c-section. It was his policy.

With DD#2 I had to change OBs b/c of insurance. New OB was open to VBAC. I wasn't too hopeful that I would go naturally, so we scheduled a c-section for as late as possible before my due date (Due date was a Sun so c-section was scheduled for the friday before). Dr checked me the day before my c-section and I wasn't dilated, wasn't contracting, and DD#2 was very high up. I decided it was best to just go through with the c-section.

You have to do what you are comfortable with. If you really want to try for the VBAC then discuss it with your OB and your DH and decide what's best for you. I don't regret having both my c-sections.

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

I am struggling with this decision too.

I labored with my first but she didn't descend far enough and hit my cervix at an angle so I never fully dilated. I ended up with a csection.

My doctor asked me what I want to do with the second b/c she knows that I really wanted no intervention the first time around.

At this point, I have decided to give myself until my due date. If I do not go into labor on my own by then, then I will schedule the csection for the following week.

I really want nature to take its course, but at the same time I don't want to risk complications.

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

I wanted a VBAC but my doctor wasn’t for it. There are doctors that are experienced in VBAC and you may want to get counseling from them before you make a decision. I did and after the counseling, DH and I both decided it wasn’t worth the risk.
This might be helpful to you as you make your decision: Make sure your doctor is committed to being immediately available for you for your VBAC —there’s a difference between “readily available” and “immediately available”. I also read somewhere that a VBAC should only be done in hospitals that are capable of undertaking emergency deliveries. Contrary to what I thought, not all hospitals are capable of this! Check with your hospital and your gynecologist. It’s always better to be on the safer side. In my experience, because everything was planned, c-section recovery was actually shorter the second time around.

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

Message edited 11/11/2011 10:05:40 AM.

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

I'm trying for a VBAC.

When I asked my doc about it he gave me the-

1- I must go into labor on my own by my due date
2- I cannot have any issues prior to delivery (pre-eclampsia or something like that)
3- I cannot be induced for any reason.

I'm going to see him on Monday at 36w 5 days, at my last appt he said he'd start checking me then.

I have a feeling he's going to want to schedule something close to my due date- this way there's a plan. I'd be willing to schedule something for the day after I'm due, but not before.

With DD1 I was induced at 39w and never progressed past 3cm after cervadil, OB breaking my water and 12 hours of pitocin. Unfortunately, DDs HR was dropping with every contraction so they brought me in for a C.

I still think the doc rushed into the C. I found out he left for vacation immediately following the surgery.

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

I had an emergency c/s at almost 32 weeks, didn't get a chance to be induced or anything due to the circumstances.

They knew I didn't want a c/s, but it was beyond anyone's control at that point. The OB who performed my c/s actually told me that she was going to do it in a way that I could try for a VBAC in the future which made me feel better.

Now that I'm pg again, my OB asked me at my first appointment if I wanted a repeat c/s or if I wanted a VBAC. I said VBAC she said ok, wrote it in my chart and that was that.

I imagine as we get closer she'll go over all the rules etc., but I've always heard that the basic VBAC rule is that you cannot be induced (so you must go into labor on your own).

So we shall see. I had a really rough recovery from the c/s and I'm DREADING the possibility of having another one. In the end though, I will do whatever is best for baby's and my health at that time.

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

My OB asked me the same question. With DS#1 I had a c section after 3 hours of pushing. DS was having a hard time going under my pubic bone. My pubic bone according to my OB who performed the c/s was set too low. He was able to examine the opening from the inside while they had me open on the operating table. He said I can try for a Vbac but I might run into the same problem. DS wasn't breeched but he his head was facing the wrong way. So during labor my OB just reached in and turned his head 90 degrees. He still refused to come out. I'd hate to go through that many hours of pushing and wind up with another c/s. And technically I did not go into on my own. I got into a car accident at 38 weeks and the contractions started. My OB is not opposed to a Vbac but she doenst think my success rate is high. she said if I have a smaller baby it might work out.

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

I'm choosing to do a c-section for my 2nd.

My 1st I had pushed and then had to do c-section because baby's heart rate was dropping.

Hontestly, I just want to do what's best for the baby and my c-section recovery was fine. I don't feel like I lost anything not having a vaginal birth. A healthy baby is all I need.

It's a personal decision. Do what's best for you

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

I am a labor and delivery nurse and a big advocate of VBAC's. There are alot of things to consider-Whywere you sectioned the first time? Do you plan on a big family? Do you have the help with your first if you have another section etc...I teach birthing classes and have potential VBAC's in my class frequently, and have a great success rate. If I can be of help let me know Good luck! Wendi-babybreaths.net

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac

Re: WWYD--C Section or try for Vbac