I had a c-section with my son 5 yrs ago and am looking into have a VBAC with this baby. The reason I had a c-sec with him was because his head was not in the birth canal he was trying to come out with his shoulder first. Realized this after 17 hours of labor and dilating to 8cm.
My Doctor said I look like a good candidate for a VBAC but I am still on the fence. My #1 priority is to have a healthy baby so I am still trying to weigh the pros and cons of both. If I have a c-section I also plan to have my tube tied while they are in there too.
So what are your experiences with having a VBAC?
I also wanted a VBAC with my second child because my first never dropped into the birth canal since he had a huge head. Unfortunately, when I actually went into labor, my baby's heart rate kept decreasing with each contraction so I opted to have another C-section. I hope you get to have one and am sorry that I do not have any advice to share. Best of luck to you!
In Europe a c-section does not mean that you have to have one again. My son also did not enter the birth canal and I had a c-section after very long labor. The doctors and midwives immediately told me I should not worry, that this has nothing to do with the next one at all. This thing "once a c-section always a c-section" is totally outdated. They just earn more when they perform them, and maybe insurance reasons, but if you are healthy there is no reason to not have a regular birth. Good Luck!
My first was a c-section because she was breech. Second was a flawless VBAC three years later. I'd take vaginal delivery over abdominal surgery any day. Good luck!!
I had 2 emergency C-Sections. With my second child, I prayed that I would deliver naturally. I was heart broken when my dream of pushing my child out of me came crashing down. Weird huh?
Go for it..............
and good luck!
1) some hospitals will not allow a VBAC
2) Some insurance will not cover it.
3) So research this first per where you are going to deliver and if your med insurance will cover it.
I had a c-section with my first child. It was an emergency. I opted for a c-section the second time with my son. Doc gave me a choice but I opted for a c-section.
I had a c-section with my first because he was breech. 17 years later he still has issues with which direction he need to be in. ;-) I had 3 successful VBACs after that. I wouldn't have it any other way. It was much easier to recover from labor and delivery than from my c-section. And I didn't even labor a all before my c-section. If you really want to, then GO FOR IT! BTW - my last one was even unmedicated, but not by my choice...he was just in too much of a hurry!
Did it 3 times and the final was a natural labor....Loved every minute of every birth. Recovery of course is easier as I am certain you have been told but I am with you. a healthy baby is the main goal here so however your little person makes it into the world will be perfect. If you get the opportunity and decide to go for it, labor at home as long as you can to have the freedom to move around as necessary. It's funny how we run to the hospital anticipating that by simply being "there" the baby will now know to come. :) I found with my last, I was able to dilate to 7-8 before getting to the hospital and delivered my litrle one naturally! It was always my goal and what a great experience.
Good luck to you and go with your gut.
Hi, I did it both ways. Our first was an emergency C-section (cord wrapped around her neck tightly...so no choice)...with our second, I had a VBAC and it went very smoothly...no issues whatsoever. Then when I got PG with TWINS I did have a choice....C-section or Vaginally. Everyone said healing was sooooo much quicker and easier with vaginal delivery....but for me, I found it NOT a whole lot different....so, I really preferred with the twins to choose the date and NOT go into hard labor and just do it "easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy" with #3 & #4....and have to say, healing time was a breeze having already had the first c-section. But IF you're going to have your tubes tied anyway and have to go in and have that done anyway, I'd certainly consider having it all done in one 'fell-swoop'....but thats just my humble opinion....btw....all my brood are grown now:) Time just flys!
I have never had a csection, but I am in a childbirth educator and doula training program. If your first csection was due to baby's position, there should be no real reason why you couldn't try (and succeed!) a VBAC. Plus, your provider will always keep you and your child's health and safety at the forefront. If that is ever a question, they will do whatever is necessary...including moving to a csection.
A positive, supportive provider will help. Have you ever thought of having a doula, as well? An additional, knowledgable support person can be a real asset in a VBAC delivery.
You CAN do this! Congratulations, Mama!
I agonized about VBAC. In the end I made a deal with God that if I went into early labor I'd go VBAC, otherwise I scheduled my C-section and put it no the calendar. The surgery date arrived and i never went into labor. Baby had cord around her neck two times. Dr. told me I would never have vaginally delivered. Repeat C- section recovery was a dream compared to laboring and emergency C.
I had a VBAC and wouldn't have done it any other way! It was perfect as far as birthing is concerned. :)
Congrats on the baby!
it went great for us! 1st delivery was epidural/vaginal. 2nd was c-section. Last delivery was an all-natural! Pit drips with all three....
My second child was a VBAC and it was such a positive experience. My first was a emergency c-section because I had a prolapsed cord and my daughter's heart rate dropped and she was in distress. My daughter was healthy but the recovery was difficult for me. For my son's birth, I really wanted to attempt the VBAC so did research on diet and such in order to reduce the chances of having another c-section. I also chose to have his birth be unmedicated, because having a epidural increases the risk as well. I made a deal with my Dr that I would have a IV needle in my arm, just in case. So I had that in but it wasn't hooked up to anything. I was monitored, which for me was a no brainer, because the monitor is what detected the issues with my daughter. I did have a date set up to do the c-section because pitocin could weaken my incisiion site and cause a rupture. Anyway, I was able to follow my plan and the delivery with my son was easyish and very quick. The ish is because w/o the epidural, it really hurt but I was so focused that the pain only got bad at the very end. It was so cool though because w/o the drugs, I actually knew exactly when I was 10 centemeters and I also could feel him sliding down the birth canal!
With a VBAC you won't get your tubes tied, but barring any complications, the recovery should be much easier then w a c-section.
Good luck and congratulations!
