I was wondering if any other STMs are struggling to decide whether to try for a VBAC or schedule a RCS.
I am probably a decent candidate for VBAC(my c-section was because DS was breech), but my c-section went really well last time and I felt that I recovered quickly. We were able to bond and breastfeeding was successful(still BF) Also, my son was 9lbs 5 oz and I am afraid of having an even bigger baby this time. The uterine rupture risk freaks me out even though I know it's very low.
The main thing that makes me consider VBAC is that I am going to have a 20 month old to take care of at home. I don't have a strong desire for a certain birth experience; it's mainly recovery I am thinking of. I also hated being in the hospital for so long.
For other STMs, are there any specific websites you went to or articles you read that helped you decide. Any other considerations you had?
I'm right there with you. Though my C-section was in part due to cord issues, but I also wasn't progressing on my own and ended up getting induced.
As my doctor explained it to me, they'd want to schedule a RCS around 39 weeks (maybe because of my age? I'll be 37). However I'm a decent candidate for a VBAC, though they won't induce because it could put too much pressure on the scar. So I'd have to go into labor naturally (and actually progress) before 39 weeks to try.
Part of me says why not roll the dice and give it a try if presented with the option? BUT a RCS would be amazing too, because HELLO toddler at home. Plus I'm totally type-A and like to plan things out. Besides, I'm not planning on anymore kids, so I don't have to worry about excessive C-sections.
So that was probably not at all helpful, but it IS a peak into my current thought process on the same dilemma. I'd love to hear what others are thinking.
JoeLies I think that was super helpful, especially because you brought up more children. We want 3 at most, so that is another thing that makes me ok with a c-section.
I'm going back and forth on this. I'm a "perfect" candidate for VBAC according to my OB, because I've had a successful vaginal delivery, and my c-section delivery was baby-related, not mom-related, and completely uncomplicated. If I were to do a VBAC, I would have an epidural placed so that in case of uterine rupture, they could take me directly to surgery and not have to put me under general anesthetic w/ intubation.
If I were only thinking about this pregnancy, I would go RCS. My recovery was so easy with my c-section compared to my vaginal delivery. I didn't find the surgery part bad / scary at all.
But we are thinking about trying for one more after this baby. And I am not afraid of much, but I am afraid of three c-sections. The risk of complications are much greater for your third compared to your first or second. The complication is quite often a bowel perforation. My baby died from infection caused by a bowel perforation (caused by another procedure, obviously). My sister, who is an internal medicine doctor, has treated several women in her ICU just in the past 6 months who had bowel perfs from C sections -- some died, some sustained brain damage.
Of course, my sad inadequate human brain has availability bias, so these complications seem far more likely to me than they are statistically because I know of so many first or second hand. But I'm not sure I can shake the fear. And if I can't, then I think I'd ultimately go for the VBAC because I'm less afraid of that option, if that makes any sense?
I also have a lot of issues with hospitals and ICUs and surgeons after the past two years, so that colors everything for me. We will, knock on wood that all goes well with the pregnancy, be delivering this baby one floor up from where my youngest son died in my arms almost exactly one year earlier ... so the whole thing is an absolute, utter mind fuck.
TL;DR I'm a head case, but I'm leaning towards VBAC with epi.
steveo, I am so sorry for your loss. I really appreciate your response and it definitely gave me some more considerations. I was not aware that the risk of bowel perforation was higher with the third c-section. I guess it makes sense because there are more adhesions/scar tissue. I think what scared me about multiple c-sections was the risk of placenta previa/accreta, but that is definitely something to think about. Thank you.
FTM here but I just wanted to say that the size of your baby does not necessarily correlate with if/how bad you tear (I'm guessing that is your concern?).
Women have torn badly from 6 lb peanuts. Women have had minimal tearing from a 10 pounder.
FTM here but I just wanted to say that the size of your baby does not necessarily correlate with if/how bad you tear (I'm guessing that is your concern?).
Women have torn badly from 6 lb peanuts. Women have had minimal tearing from a 10 pounder.
I am concerned and scared of tearing, but also the risk of uterine rupture is higher with fetal macrosomia. How much higher though, is something I need to research and look at some more articles to find out.
ETA: Actually, in the ACOG guidelines, it says suspected macrosomia is not something that by itself should rule out TOLAC/VBAC. I would still like to know what the increased chance is though.
I delivered DS via c-section due to his position in May 2014. Like sosayweall, I also had a big baby and am a little nervous about the uterine rupture risk (even though it is low). My c-section recovery was fairly easy...obviously I was sore and had to be careful but it was not as bad as I feared. Luckily all I had to take was regular Motrin to manage the pain. I do believe that getting up the very next morning and starting to take short laps around the hospital floor helped speed along my recovery. I think DH and I will be done having children after baby is born, so that would put me at two c-sections. steveo, I didn't know about the bowel perforation risk...is that more of a concern for 3+ c-sections?
I haven't done research on any of this yet. But I'm not sure which way I want to go either. I didn't progress well at all with DS, so a little worried about trying a VBAC and ending up with a C-Section anyway, as last time around 24 hours of labor etc and then C section wasn't what I wanted at all. My recovery from C-section was good and I "think" we will be done after next baby. They aren't sure why I didn't progress with DS either. I was told from last OB that there was a good chance I would need a C-section again, but would have to discuss when time came.
Agree with heartbot on other risks, but also jags8 is exactly right on the tearing issue -- I tore like a mother effer with M, and he was only 7lbs 1oz -- it was all about the speed of his delivery (i.e. lightning), not his size.
I don't think I'll have a choice because I have GDM this time but I had a C with DD which was emergency because her heart rate kept dropping and went way too low. I'm the odd duck in that I don't mind a C and actually preferred it. I know it's major surgery and the recovery is tough but for some reason I was more scared about pushing her out of my vag. I know it's crazy. I hope those of you who want the VBAC are able to have it! I know it's tough for some to make that decision and especially tough to have that decision taken away.
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