VBAC

Okay almost four years ago I had my daughter Tegan.  I had to have a c-section because my blood pressure started getting to high and her heart started to decell.  They tried to give me mag sulfate...and pitocin to start my labor but it didn't work.  She just wasn't ready to come out.  So they decided to do a c-section.

I am pregnant again and I am thinking about a VBAC.  I know I would have to travel to a different hospital but it almost seems worth it.  I want to feel like I have worked to give my baby life. 

What do you moms think?  I am a great candiate for it.  Is it worth the risk?

hi melissa;  if you talk to your doctor about it; and he is confident and gives you the go ahead for the vbac; then I think you should consider it if you feel you want the experience of having a birth the "natural course" way.  I think you should do whatever is healthiest for you and the baby; prepare for a vaginal birth; but then if you need a c-section; it will be whatever it takes for your little one to arrive the heathiest way. 

Since I too had a c-section; I can't say what its like to give birth naturally; but I can see where you are coming from.

Keep your two options open; prepare for both; and give the VBAC your best shot if your doc thinks you can have a safe delivery.  It will certainly be an all emotional experince either way-  but I can see why a woman would want to push a baby out and welcome them in their arms after all that work!!!

hope this helps; and i hope you are enjoying your pregnancy!  :)

I agree with Vanessa, listen to your doctor.  I had two boys "naturally" and the third by C-section - the delivery was easier surgically, but the recovery was MUCH more difficult.  If you can get away without that big incision across the belly, you may be glad!

It is tough to pick a side.  If C-section wasn't a surgery I would say don't chance the vaginal delivery, but considering the risk of C-section I am not sure how I would want to go.  I had 2 natural births and I also had 2 abdominal surgeries years later and feel I can sort of relate to the C-section recovery & therefore I wouldn't choose that on purpose if I didn't have to.  Good luck, guess I didn't really offer you much here.  sorry :(

Had a VBAC two months ago.  It was nice to experience childbirth in a more "natural" way.  I only considered it because my doctor thought it was feasible..and the recovery would be shorter than with another C Section..which it was.  Good luck.

I am facing the same situation, melissa. I am due in 4 weeks and had a c-section almost 4 years ago. My situation is a bit complicated. My doctor is a family physician who has been my doctor literally 3/4 of my life so I would not choose a different doctor for my OB care. However, he is not able to perform a c-section or even oversee a VBAC. All hospitals in my area require an OBGYN to be present the entire time a woman attempting a VBAC is in labor. Finding an OB that has not cared for me to do this is almost impossible. I do have an appointment with a surgeon on Friday who may be willing to be present for a VBAC if he deems me a good canidate.

Now, I agree with everyone else here in that you should listen to your doctor. If he/she thinks you are a good VBAC canidate, I say go for it! The recovery alone is enough of an incentive for me to long for a vaginal birth. Plan for worst-case scenario and hope for the best-case!

By the way, recovering from a c-section is a ton of work! Having to care for your baby while you heal IS working to give your baby life! (Oye, I'm not normally so positive)

Both of my labors were really hard on me. I had the epidural, but I still had to push for close to 4 hours both times. My first was over 9 lbs and my second was over 10lbs, so I have a chance for another big baby.  I told my husband that I would really like to have a c section for the rest of the babies because I tore so bad with my deliveries. Took almost an hour to sew me up the last time!

So, if vaginal delivery is really important to you, then just remember that 80% of women will tear to some degree. True, its not as bad as a c section incision, but it still hurts and is itchy!

Well I think after speaking with the Dr. yesterday that I am going to go ahead and have a planned C-Section.  I think this is what is best for me and the baby.  I know I want to experience things and have a VBAC but it is really risky.  And with my track record maybe not the best choice.  My dr scared me yesterday when she said and I quote, "The risks of a VBAC are that you and baby will die."  Something about how she told made me think, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING? Why risk it?  Why go to some other doctor that you don't know anything about?"

So it is offical--a planned C-Section is the way I am going.  Plus it will be nice...no guessing about when the baby will come...I will have a date...and a time...and just be ready! :)

 

Keep us posted, please - you'll be in my thoughts and prayers for a safe delivery, healthy baby, and fast recovery. 

Don't let your doctor fool you with this kind of statment.  The reason that the maternal mortality rate in the US is the worst of all developed nations is because we have a 30% c section rate.

A c section is major abdominal surgery and with each additional surgery the risk of death is much higher than if you had a vaginal birth.  Those are the statistics on it.

Uterine ruptures from a prior cesarean with a low-transverse scar is a rare event and occurs in less than 1% of women laboring for a VBAC, http://www.vbac.com/uterine.html.

This is also a good article, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20427256/.

Good Luck!

I have nothing to add but holy crap Tegan is my sisters name...its very unique in the states :)

Original Post by hotharmony:

Don't let your doctor fool you with this kind of statment.  The reason that the maternal mortality rate in the US is the worst of all developed nations is because we have a 30% c section rate.

A c section is major abdominal surgery and with each additional surgery the risk of death is much higher than if you had a vaginal birth.  Those are the statistics on it.

Uterine ruptures from a prior cesarean with a low-transverse scar is a rare event and occurs in less than 1% of women laboring for a VBAC, http://www.vbac.com/uterine.html.

This is also a good article, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20427256/.

Good Luck!

 While all of this may be true, doctors and hospitals are more concerned about the possibility of being sued by a parent who lost their child because of a uterine rupture. At least, that's what I've been told by doctor after doctor in my area. While the odds aren't very high that I would have a uterine rupture, they just don't want to risk it. That puts those of us who want to try for a VBAC in a tough spot.

I had to post a reply just because of your daughter's name, Tegan.  Great name, that's my best friend since middle school's name.  I've never met anybody else with that name.  The closest I've heard is Tagan (sounds like megan but with a "t"). 

If I were you, I'd find a different doc because what your's told you sounds like a sack of crap.  Some doc's like to "schedule" c-sections for their convenience, which sucks and should not be done. 

As for the VBAC in your case, I'd definitely talk to a doc about this one.  From what I've heard about a VBAC it's all about how you were cut, was it a horizontal cut or vertical?  Ohh and it's the cut on your uterus that matters, not the external cut.  Vertical, chances of the cervix not holding together are much higher, so probably not a good idea.  But if it's a horizontal cut and you healed well, there shouldn't be any problems unless a doc says so. 

Maybe she is just scheduling the c-section out of convience.  But then again she wouldn't even have to do the VBAC she could be turning me over so she didn't have to deal with me.  :)  But shes not. 

Either way I go yes there are pros and cons.  But something in my heart is telling me to just go with the c-section.  I would feel horrible if my baby died because I wanted to give childbirth a try.  And I have already had a tubal pregnancy lost one of my tubes.  It is not a chance I am willing to take.

Who knows! :)

Thanks guys!

Mel