I am currently 34 weeks pregnant and am really struggling with which decision to make in terms of delivery of our baby.
Small backstory -
First born 7 years ago, natural, 5 hours active labour 1 hour pushing.
Second born, 4 years ago, emergency c-section, we were rushed to the major city in our state (we live regionally) to have her. A horrible experience, both of us almost dying, I didn’t see her for 24 + hours after she was born. She is now disabled.
I am approaching the end of my pregnancy and I have the option of trying for a VBAC or an elective c-section.
My entire pregnancy I was adamant I wanted a VBAC and my hospital is very supportive of this. I am a “good candidate” however if the labour doesn’t progress I will need a c-section. There is also the (small) risk of uterine rupture.
Or we can elect for a c-section.
I am in two minds with which way to go. I know I can birth naturally having done it before but I don’t want to attempt it and have it end in a c-section. I hated that I lost all control of my c-sec birth.
To the women who have had an emergency c-sec and then an elective, can you please shed some light on the two different experiences.
I so want a VBAC and know I can (or have a very high chance) but I am also terrified of attempting a VBAC, having something go wrong and it ending in a c-sec and possibly problems with Bub.
I am just really struggling. Sorry if this makes no sense. My head is all over the place thinking about it. I’ve spoken with my doctors and my partner who are supportive either way but ultimately it’s my choice
4 Replies
I speak to many people as part of my profession! No experience myself! All of them have said the planned c-section was so different to the emergency one. It was relaxed, calm and their recovery was so much better than the emergency one.
Good luck with your decision x
Best thing I ever did was my planned c-section. It was so relaxed, calm and honestly just a beautiful experience. 10 minute operation, laughing and chatting surgeon/nurses, had my baby in my arms after a few minutes with dad. Recovery was simple, not too painful as I wasn't in labour.
I would never, ever attempt a VBAC after the calming and such beautiful experience from the elective.
I’ve had two “emergency” csections. First was failure to progress, over due, rapured waters over 24hrs then induced.
Second was attempt VBAC and all those who looked after me during pregnancy agreed to VBAC but once I neared closer, the push to book a csection was clear on their part.
Ended up having the early signs of infection with a high temp and not feeling 100% while in early stages of labor so we called the section then. They still classed it as an emergency although I’m not sure it was as the process to get me prepped and ready was relaxed, and they said I’d be pushed back if anybody else came in and needed surgery more.
Comparing the c sections and my second was far more horrifying then the first even though there was a bigger need to get the first Bub out and second was more elective but to be honest, I put that down to the different surgeons because it was something in particular that the second one did that scarred me.
I still plan to try VBAC third time around providing everything goes okay and that my instincts tell me to go for it.
I think at the end of the day, you do what you feel is right.
There are risks either way. And problems occur either way if they are going to. But you know what’s right...
I am bitter AF about my second ending in another csection, but I try and believe in the good and that it happened for a reason. Just like I’m going to aim for a VBAC third time and hope I have one so that I get to experience something I’ve always felt like I need to. But again, if not, at least I know I tried and that it didn’t happen for a reason.
In my personal opinion, I feel like I’d rather try and fail, rather then just give in and elect a section. Something in me, can’t elect major surgery over something I feel like my body can naturally do itself (even if it has failed me twice, I’m willing to trust in it to try again).
I totally understand why you’d elect as well but if it’s something you’re strong about, just see how things pan out
My c-section was horrible so I'd at least attempt a VBAC if I had another. My natural birth was much better and no recovery time after.