Vaginal birth after C-section?

Question

I had an emergency C-section with my first baby five years ago. I would be interested to hear stories/experiences of women who elected to have a vaginal birth after having had a C-section.

Answer 1

I wanted to do a VBAC, but it wasn't possible at my hospital.  I ended up having another c section.  My first one wasn't an emergency though.  My second one was planned, but ended up being emergency.  

I can tell you this, if you do have a c section again, it was a lot easier the second time around.  I think I healed faster.  

God Bless

Answer 2

i had an emergency c section with my first 5 years ago too.

I'm now 9 weeks pregnant and after my 1st scan have an appointment with the consultant at the hospital where we will be discussing this. I want to have a Vaginal birth but will have to wait and see if they will let me!  

Answer 3

Depends on the reason you had a c-section the first time.  I had a c-section with my first baby because my pelvic opening wasn't big enough for the baby to get through, so I never could have a regular vaginal birth.  My daughter had a c-section with her first baby because she wasn't dilating quick enough, but she dilated just fine for her second child, so she had her vaginally.  

Answer 4

I'm 12 weeks today with my second child. My son came 6 weeks early and by way of cesarean (I finally gave in b/c I was not progressing after 60 hours of labor :( )

I live in Germany and they hooked me up to antibiotics immediately after my water broke (1:30 pm May 24, 2007) and then pulled him out 60 hours later (11:52pm May 26, 2007).

I have been told that I am eligible for a VBAC, but with all of the stories I've read and been told, it really does not sound all that appealing to me. I think I am going to opt for another cesarean since I already know what to expect as far as recovery, etc.

Good luck in your future choice. Like another poster mentioned, it doesn't matter how the baby gets here, you're still a Mommie ;)

Answer 5

Depends on the reasons why you had a caesarian section for your first baby. Was it a "baby" reason, ie baby got distressed ? (heart beat dropping) or baby was breech ? (some women are found to have a breech baby in labour), was the baby in the right position (anterior -facing the right way or posterior - lying on your back). Was the baby too big to fit through your pelvis?.

Or was it a "mum" reason, i.e pelvis too small or the wrong shape for baby to fit through ?, your labour was not progressing (cervix wasn't dilating despite having regular painful contractions), did you get into established labour (4cm dilated is in established labour), if so, how dilated were you when you needed to have the caesarian?.

I am a midwife and i have looked after many women in this situation. Some are extremely happy that they did not have to have another caesarian, and some wished that they had had another caesarian.

When you are booking into the hospital the obstetrician and midwives will talk to you about what you would like to do. It is the obstetrician's job to explain all the pro's and con's, taking into consideration why you had a caesarian previously.

From a midwife point of view, i think it is important that you are aware of the care that you will be given during labour (if you choose to have a VBAC). I would speak to a midwife in the antenatal clinic or in delivery suite and ask them about care that women receive after previous caesarian's.

I have cared for some women that have huge issues, both negative and positive after having had caesarian's. And honestly, at the end of the day you get pregnant to have a healthy baby and it really doesnt matter how he/she gets here!!!!!!

Enjoy your pregnancy and make your decision for your personal reasons!! Dont allow other peoples negative comments and opinions influence your choices!!!! Goodluck and enjoy your baby!!!!

Answer 6

10-15 years ago, VBAC was all the rage, now doctors and nurses are finding it to have more complications than previously thought.  While many women do still choose the route of going VBAC, you are at a much much higher risk than if you opted for a second C-Section.

My aunt had her first child vaginally, second was a c-section, the third she opted to go VBAC and she had uncontrollable bleeding and died as a result, and this was only 2 years ago.  So while it may sound like a good idea, think about whats safest for both you and your baby.

Answer 7

I had my first 2 vaginally, 3rd was an emergency C-section, the 4th, nearly 12 years later, was another vaginal birth, without any drama in spite of the doctors' dire prognostications.

I strongly recommend the book "Silent Knife" to help you make a decision that is appropriate for you.  

Answer 8

my friend was unable to have vaginal birth after her 1st was born thru c-sect, neither her 2nd or 3rd birth  

Answer 9

If you haven't already... check out www.vbac.com

It's a very useful site

this one's good too

http://www.childbirth.org/section/VBACFA...

if you google vbac there's heaps of info... sorry I couldn't tell you anything else. I had a ceaser 6months ago and am very eager to try VBAC.