repeat c-section vs vbac

I was induced at 42 weeks with my son. Induction in itself has a higher rate of ending in c-section. When they broke my water the momentum of the water pushed the umbilical cord around my son's neck. Subsequently the lower into the birth canal he became and the harder I'd push the lower his heart rate would go. At the lowest recorded number his heart rate was at a 60. Had he been outside my body they would have been doing cpr. It was very scary. I don't know that anything could have been done differently. If the dr had known where the cord was he could have removed it from my son's neck. I'm not sure which would have been less traumatic for my son, but either way he was delivered quickly by emergency cesearean and is happy/healthy. I didn't know who I was for about the first three days of his life. It was about 3 months before I felt like a normal person again. He was healthy though and to me that's all that mattered.

Fast forward 18 months later- I concieved my daughter. She was born 27 months after my son's complicated delivery. I had the option of trying for a vbac. I went into labor on my own and everything progressed normally. I asked for an epidural and it caused my labor to stop. With the scar tissue being so fresh the dr didn't want to give me pitocin to start the contractions again. I had a choice- continue the labor without an epidural or go to surgery. I opted for no medication. She was born within an hour or two. They cleaned me up, I nursed her and then I got out of bed and went to the bathroom on my own. I had an episiotomy and it took a few minutes to figure out which muscles to relax and it wasn't the greatest feeling, but it defintely beat 3 days of being gorked out on pain meds.

I am now pregnant with baby #3. My initial OB cannot do vbacs. The practice that she works for won't allow the dr's to do them. I asked if I were to show up and just be delivered if that were permissable. She said that since it may be another dr on call for her that she couldn't do that either. Unfortunately I had to switch my OB. I started doing research and found one that is proactive about vbacs. She's had two herself. We had a talk about the risks of vbacs. The greatest concern is uterine rupture with out there being enough time to safely surgically remove the baby. There is about a 1-2% risk of uterine rupture. In all her years of practice the only rupture she's ever had came from a mom that hadn't even had a c-section prior. The baby was fine. If there is a rupture then there is also a greater risk of a hysterectomy. With this baby I have to go into labor on my own and she can't induce. They will monitor me very closely as well. So even with a vbac there will be a lot of medical intervention.

Repeat c-sections cause adhesions. The more surgeries the greater the adhesions. About 93% of c-sections cause adhesions. This rate grows with each subsequent surgery. I am currently dealing with adhesions and it hurts like crazy. Scar tissue inside the uterus can also cause issues with repeat pregnancies.

The current rate of csections in the US is as high as 1 in 4. There are many factors involved in this. The OB practice has the highest malpractice rate of any physician service. Instead of being proactive about doing everything possible to avoid a csection they'd rather limit their liability and go straight to surgery. It is also a convenience factor. Most dr's schedule their surgeries on one day. If 25% of their practice is delivered on a Tuesday then that allows them more time for other things.

I'm not an advocate either way. I'd pick a healthy baby over a vaginal delivery any day. I do know what was easier for my body though. If the reason for the previous c-section was something that was "avoidable" (for lack of better terms), enough time is spaced between babies, and you can go into labor successfully on your own then a vbac is possible. Ultimately it is a risk that you have to be willing to take. For me, the risk of vbac complications doesn't compare to the risk of another csection, especially since I know my body can do it. I also couldn't do this with a dr I didn't feel comfortable with. I am putting my life and my unborn child's life in her hands. There's a lot of trust established there. I have done research on her and feel that she has a proven record. If this birth ends in cesearean then I am ok with that too.

Good luck with whatever you decide! It's a tough choice!    

One reason I want more kids is because I love giving birth and so many of my friends think that is the stupidest thing they have ever heard.  So I totally understand why this is such an important decision for you.  I think you should keep researching to just find a place where a vbac is an option and then once your pregnant again just take it one day at a time because there are so many factors that will change your decision back and forth.

I think its great you are thinking about it now. Doing your research and planning now will help when you do have the second baby. My first and second were both vaginal deliveries. First was over due and induced due to low fluid and was seconds from being a c section, second 6 weeks early water broke and had to deliver. My daughter (#3) was an emergency c section at 32 weeks due to her heart rate plumetting. We were so lucky they caught it because my OB ws actually being very over cautious and had me on bi weekly NSTs for a POSSIBLE problem that didnt even exist. I am grateful he did or we wouldn't have picked up on the problem and may not have my little miracle.

So when I went to his office after finding out I was pregnant with number 4, he told me "No Vbac." and I trusted him. He saved my daughter, and I will listen to him. And to be honest, having done it both ways.... I prefer the c section. My choice is my own, and yours will be yours. We moms have to do what we feel is the best for us.

I really longed for the experience of a vaginal birth. My first birth story was not enjoyable. My babies were wisked away to the NICU immediately & I didn't get to see them for 2 days because i was so sick. I felt very disconnected. With this pregnancy, I thought long & hard about a VBAC, but was encouraged, for several reasons, by my doctors to consider a repeat C-Section. I am SO glad I did. It was a very enjoyable experience. It was planned which was great because I was able to make arrangements for the older siblings without totally disrupting their schedule & line up help for when we came home. Delivery Day was very laid back. I got to see her & kiss her right after she came out. My husband carried her to the nursery to meet the family & get cleaned up. Then, as soon as I was all closed up, they brought her to me. I got to hold her & nurse her within 30 minutes of her birth. I felt amazing ! I wanted to get up a few hours later, but they made me wait til that evening. The pain was minimal. I barely used my Pain Pump. One of my best friends delivered vaginally 1 week after me. I thought I was jealous. Then, she informed me that they cut her twice & she still tore. She was so swollen that she couldn't pee. She said her Va-J will never be the same. After her story, I was thankful for my repeat C-Section : )  I also had a huge uterine dehissence (which is rare) & my doctors were certain that a VBAC would've resulted in uterine rupture. SO, I am very thankful for the choice I made. Wishing you the best on baby # 2 !!! : )