Vbac or repeat C-section?

Question

I'm 35 weeks and I scared to death, I had a baby almost a year ago Sept 20th , I did get to 10 CM but due to fetal distress I had to have a c section, My doctors are starting to ask me weather or not I want try a VBAC or a repeat C- Section (I had a low transverse). I'm Due Oct 13th. What would you do? I still unsure about what I want to do? Does anybody have advice of a similar experience.

FYI: Dont tell me to ask my doctor, Im asking for personal experances. Thanks

Answer 1

My personal experience as a mom delivering is that I would go for the c-section.  They get those babies out quick and their isn't time for neurological damage due to low oxygen.  The recovery isn't bad at all, I am overweight and have had 3.  With the c-sections there is more of a chance to having breathing difficulties but there are plenty of options for that once the baby is born.  Sadly I have seen kids with severe brain damage from getting stuck and have no oxygen.  It is rare, but I have seen it, and more than a few times.  When considering a v-bac I would want to know how many has the doc done?  When did he/she do the first one?  My first was delivered c-section due to respiratory distress.  With my 2nd I really didn't have to think to hard before I knew I wanted another c-section.  When I told my doc I wanted to repeat the section he said good, its safer.

Personally as a nurse and a mother what makes me nervous about v-bac is that its not done that often.  Looking at the Doula's sites it shows this choice has dropped 67 percent and only 10 percent are choosing it.  I am not concerned about uterine rupture, the chances of that are very low, that would only concern me if the births were close together.  My concern about v-bac is the hypoxia causing neurological damage.  Talk to any pediatric speech language pathologist and they will tell you I will never have a vaginal birth after the damage that I have seen.  And I have to agree, no way.  Of course the chances are low, but there are several born each year that end up on a friend's caseload and its heartbreaking, the prognosis is so poor.  To me having seen it, its not worth the chance.

To the Doula: you haven't had a v-bac yet, and I can appreciate that you have had a good experience witnessing one, I can tell you that I have experience with a few bad ones.  Complicated births are rare and with proper care can be handled, but the chances of complication are higher with a v-bac and that is a fact.

IF you do choose to do a v-bac with or without a doula or midwife, I would definately advise doing it in a hospital, therefore if complications arise they can be handled swiftly.  I don't advise anyone to do a home birth even if they aren't high risk just because you never know.

Answer 2

i was told once a c section always a c section was the rule but it should be your choice whatever you feel safe with i was happy when i had my c section cause yeah it more painful after word but you know your baby gonna be okay cause c section you can plan a head of time and there no waiting for water to break or anything you pick a date and go  

Answer 3

I had a cesarean with my first and let me tell you I will most definitely be having a VBAC with any subsequent babies.

There is a low risk of uterine rupture (0.5 - 1.0% for VBACs compared to 0.1 -0.7% for non VBACs). Uterine rupture is serious but is not necessarily a death sentence for you or baby.

I work as a doula and recently supported a client through a VBAC and it was such a beautiful, healing and powerful process to witness. She and her baby are very happy and healthy.

The best thing you can do is get informed and empower yourself to have a great birth. Get support. Consider hiring an independent childbirth educator to give you objective and reliable information. Also consider hiring a doula - she will help prepare you for the birth and will support you the whole way through the labour and the early postnatal period.

Also ask yourself: What are you afraid of? Fear can slow labour down and make the whole process difficult and painful when it doesn't need to be. Discuss your fears and anxiety with a supportive friend, a midwife, your partner, your mother or doula.

Either way, VBAC or no, make sure the decisions you make are well informed and not made out if fear. You won't go wrong.

Good luck and happy birthing!

Answer 4

Am pregnant with my first child and due in Dec 31st,but i will give u one advice pray more often.Cause am scared than you.