If you had a c-section for your first...

Will you/did you try for a VBAC in subsequent pregnancies?

I had a section with my son over 4 years ago after a failed induction. This time around, I'm not sure what I want to do.

I can easily be a repeat section, but not sure if I want to voluntarily go through major surgery again, even though I had an amazing experience, barely any pain and virtually no scar. Plus, I don't think I'll be able to lift up my older one for a few weeks after. He'll be just shy of 5, but he's a mamas boy. I'm also 5 years older than I was last time.

On the flip side, I have absolutely ZERO desire to go vaginally.

I have an appointment with my doctor next week and of course I'll discuss these concerns with him, but I'm just curious for others experiences.

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

I'm not yet pregnant with my second (not even sure if we are going to have one!). I had a c with my first bc my water broke on my due date and I failed to dilate enough after induction. She was so incredibly high that the doctor would not have been able to get her out anyways, even if I did dilate. When he opened me up, she was even higher than he thought!

He believes that she didn't drop at all because of the shape of my pelvis. So while I was still in the or, he suggested to me that my subsequent deliveries be via c-section. He believed that complications could arise if I attempted vaginal, based on the sequence of events of my first.

In short, I think it's good to have a thorough convo with the doctor not just in regards to this time around, but their feelings the first time.

If you had a c-section for your first...

I am not yet pregnant with my second but I wonder about this a lot. I went into labor on my own, fully dilated and pushed for 3 hours and DS would not budge. Turns out, he was born over 10 1/2 lbs so the dr believe the only reason I needed the csection was because he was just too big.

I guess if the second baby was measuring smaller than DS I could try for a vbac but I just don't know. I am obviously scared of something going wrong but I think I an mostly scared of trying to go vaginally and having it not work out again. When I was being brought to the OR, I just sobbed and cried to my family about how I was a "failure" for not being able to deliver vaginally. Looking back it seems so silly, but that pain stayed with me a long time. My emotional recovery took way longer than my physical recovery. So for that reason alone I am considering just going straight for the csection and avoiding that potential trauma again.

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

I had a c section with my twins. It was complicated and I had to go under general anesthesia and I missed their birth.
So for me I wanted to at least try if circumstances were in my favor. I was only going to try if I went into labor on my own before my due date. I had a c section selcheduled for my due date and my water broke 4 days before.

After 24 hours of labor I had a successful vbac.
I am so glad it worked out. Recovery was much easier and with 2 year old twins at home that wasnimportant.
The only draw back was I was by able to get my tubes tied which was my plan if I had a csection
Good luck with ur decision!

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

I had a c/s 3.5 years ago with dd because of cord issues.
This time my dr said its up to me if i want to try vbac or just do a repeat c/s.
Im planning on scheduling my c/s at 2 days before my due date and give myself a chance to go natural. I just made this decision this morn so it could change. I could just change it to c/s at 39w.
Its def a hard decision !!

If you had a c-section for your first...

I had an emergency c section with DD1...pregnant with DC2 and I really have no desire for a VBAC but it also isn't an option due to scar tissue from number 1...so..repeat it is but I am hoping this time will be better since it will be planned..

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

I hsd a c-section the first time because I had twins, and A was breech. I wanted to do a VBAC the second time and went over 40 weeks. Had a BPP and found that the baby had no amniotic fluid left. They wouldn't induce me because of the previous c-section and gave me overnight (in the hospital) to go into labor on my own. Despite some strong and regular contractions... I didn't and had another c-section in the morning.

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

I'm so torn. I had a 48-hour induction and never made it past 1.5. When my doc opened me up, he said there was no way he would have even come out on his own with me pushing due to the way his head was positioned. I don't want to go through that again at all.

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

I had a failed induction at 1 week late w/ #1 and it was hell and wound up w/ a c-section 9 days late. I'm having another c-section, and I barely even thought twice about it. My Dr said I can change my mind at any time, and I said the only way that was happening is if I go into labor on my own, get to the hospital and I'm super dilated... All highly unlikely considering my previous experience.

I like that I'll have a scheduled date, can make arrangements for my Dd (she'll be a few months shy of 3 when I deliver). And also that I won't risk all that labor hell just to wind up w/ a c-section again anyway.

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

I had an "emergency" c- section for DD in Aug 05 & then had a successful VBAC with DS in April 09. There was neverna doubt in my mind I'd go for the VBAC with #2. Should I have a 3rd I'll absolutely do it again.

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

I had an emergency section with dd. I also felt like a "failure" I was able to have a successful vbac and it sad amazing- and made me much more accepting of my c section.

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

Not pg currently but I love this board ;)

I'm another mama that had an emergency c with DD1 and successful VBAC with DD2. I always knew I'd try for the VBAC. The recovery was MUCH easier. It made everything from walking to BFing to sleeping easier too.

Don't let anyone snow you - there are risks for repeat c-sections also. Do your own research and make a decision from there.

ACOG opinion on VBAC

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

Not pregnant with #2 as I only had DD 6 weeks ago, but I was scheduled to have a c-section due to placenta previa and ended up going into labor 2 days before, therefore I had an emergency c-section! I actually had a pretty good recovery despite some complications and I think I would just do a repeat c-section if we have a second child. Obviously you have to do what will make you happy!

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

I did a repeat section. I really wanted a VBAC, but DH said absolutely no. He was too worried about the risks. I really thought the risk was low enough that I wanted to do it. He disagreed, and felt that we had so much trouble conceiving her, how could we risk losing her. So I caved. If you're going for the section again, be SURE because after 2, you'll have a VERY difficult time finding a doc to do a VBAC after 2 sections. I could not find one to agree to it. It was very upsetting to me...for all 3 sections. I still get angry when I think about the first 2.

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

I think it also depends on the reason for the 1st c- section. If you never progressed/ never went into labor naturally (like me), the chances of this happening again are greater. So your chances of a successful v-Bac are lower.

If you had an emergency c-section, bc the baby or you were in distress, then I think your chances of a successful v-Bac are better.

It's definitely something to discuss with your doctor.

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

I had a C with my 2 year old…and I am planning on having another one with my 2nd child…
I was back and forth, but in my situation my water broke and had to be induced, 24 hours later only 4 cm dilated…went on the pit and my son was then going in distress….I really don't want that to happen again….So i am opting for the section, which was great the 1st time around.

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

I had a vbac back in 2006 and it was the best decision I ever made. My kids were 2 years apart, almost to the day. No issues, no complications and I believe the risks involved are much less than having a major surgery (i.e. c/s). Again, my opinion, but you should do your own research and be informed.

I couldn't vbac again in 2012 for #3 because I had pre-eclampsia and he had to come out right away and my OB wouldn't induce because my first was a c/s.

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

My DC's are 4 years apart, DS1 was a c-section and DS2 was a successful VBAC.

I had a c-section with DS1 due to a failed induction. Due to complications my labor and delivery was very traumatic. I did not see my DS for 16 hours after delivery as I was kept in L&D for observation due to my medical complications and DS went to the nursery. I knew from my 6 week apptmt that I wanted a VBAC and asked about it then.

I had a great VBAC experience and would absolutely do it again. So much better than my recovery with DS1 and I didn't have much pain past day 3 of the c-section. I was actually very sore after my VBAC (DS2 was almost 9 lbs and just shy of 23 inches) and even felt some pain and discomfort but the way I was able to move and do everything was amazing. I was pretty set on trying for a VBAC and really wanted it so I wasn't dissuaded by the slim chance that something could go wrong as plenty can go wrong with a c-section. It's not for everyone though.

ETA: With DS1 I stalled at 6cm and actually went back down to 5cm hence the c-section. With DS2 I went from fingertip dilated to pushing him out in 8 hours total. It was quick!

My VBAC post

Message edited 1/4/2014 8:10:40 PM.

If you had a c-section for your first...

I went into labor w my DD, water broke, after 18 hours of labor I never dilated past 4 cm. I was devastated to have a csection but based one the baby's positioning the doc said there was very little chance shed have come out vaginally. My OB practice is not pro VBAC and although I'd love to have the experience of a Vbirth, I'm not willing to take the risk. My recovery was good, I never took anything stronger than Motrin and although ill have a 4.5 yo to also take care of I think a repeat csection is best for me..

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

If you had a c-section for your first...

DC1- vaginal, DC2- c/s, if I have a third I will 100% be VBACing. I hated my c/s. recovery was easy peasy and I have no restrictions as far as lifting DC1.

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

i'm due in april with #2 & i considered a VBAC, but honestly after hearing the risks, i decided to have another csection... the risks are just too risky for me

plus my first birth experience wasnt all roses and rainbows so i'd rather have a routine scheduled csection where i know what to expect!

Re: If you had a c-section for your first...

I've been debating this as well. I'm 13 weeks pregnant with #2 and as of right now, I have a repeat c scheduled. With my DS, I went into labor naturally but ended up pushing for 3 hours before my doctor said he needed to do a section. DS was just not coming down far enough. So while I would've liked to try for a VBAC I'm too scared of the same thing happening again and going through all that pain only to end up in surgery anyway. At least with a planned c-section there is no labor/pushing to recover from in addition to the surgery!

If you had a c-section for your first...

Its a personal choice. For me I did a lot of research, I joined different support groups from here to Facebook. My first is emergency cs due to failure to wait. I had a successful vbac on December 14. the recovery is great compared to cs.