VBAC v’s elective C

I went with the 'better the devil you know' approach and decided an elective was best for me... but I'd had a pretty traumatic delivery experience with my 1st and knew that I couldnt cope emotionally if anything happened like that again. TBH the elective was brilliant.. relaxed, calm, everything went as planned (mostly) and I was home on day 4... best decision I ever made!

In all honesty I dont think a VBAC would ever have been successful in my case, partly for medical reasons, but mostly because my head would have made my body shut down, I was so scared of what if's and history *maybe* repeating itself.

Have you read through the vbac rollcall thread? there are several mums who successfully VBAC'd, and some who tried and ended up with c-sections, might be helpful to read their stories too.

One option is to take the 'wait and see' approach. You'll be referred to an OB towards the latter stages of pregnancy to discuss VBAC vs elective anyways, and you could set a limit for yourself, for e.g if you have low fluid again, then maybe too risky to try VBAC, so elective would be the other option, whereas if everything is normal, and you go into spontaneous labour by a certain gestation, then VBAC could be the way to go?

Yep, its something done with ALL post c-section pregnancies, usually around the 32-34 week mark.

I had a C section at 38 weeks. I was induced and i reacted to the gel. baby's heartrate didn't recover. I found that the C section was great, better than expected. I had the best people in theatre and healed well. Thinking about no 2 now not sure to have a vbac or elective c section. I don't one person who has had a good birth full stop.

I had elective c/s with my first, he was breach my waters had broke at 35 weeks and it was all a bit of a disaster. A disaster as in it wasn't the pain relief free birth at the birthing clinic I had planned on. Like you a c/s had never entered my mind, i just assumed it was something other women did...lol. That all changed the moment they said "oh and you baby is breach".

Anyway I had a great c/s, recovered really well, was driving again by three weeks, had no trouble with bonding or milk supply etc so overall not a bad birthing experience, just not the one that was written in my birth plan!

With number two I had already decided pre pregnancy that I would try a VBAC unless it got to induction. So basically if I went into labour great if not then I would go straight for c/s as induction often leads to that anyway especially if you are a previous c/s as well and I didn't see the point of a labour just to end up with a c/s anyway.

So all went well, I went into labour naturally 4 days overdue and had a successful vbac. Fully plan to push this one out as well. My labour was 14 hours (a little longer than they normally like to let you go, but they were tied up with 27 week triplets and left me and my mw to it ). I had an epi after 8 hours cos I didn't seem to be progressing but then went from 4-10cm in less than 2 hours, the epi wore off so did the pushing stage without it and in the end I think they may have topped it up as we opted for a vontouse as I had been pushing 2+ hours and was having pain, OB checked my scar just in case, mw wasn't taking any chances, but it was just babies shoulder digging in in the same place the scar is but they offered vontouse cos they don't like you to push for more than two hours and I was in so much pain I would have let them crow bar him out if they had offered.. One push with vontouse and out popped his head then I pushed the rest of him out myself.

The best thing my mw said to me was that at anytime I could change my mind and ask for a c/s (unless he was crowning, then it's too late, but bar that at anytime during labour you can change your mind).

They have a lot of timeframes in place for you as well, so when I saw the OB at 34ish weeks they said they don't let you go longer than 12 hours (but I did), they like you to come to the hospital straight away (I didn't), they only let you push max 2 hours (I pushed for more) and that if your labour is too slow they will push the synotocin (sp?) straight away. We were talking about doing that when the epi wore off and we found I was 10cm so didn't need it. They also said I would be monitored constantly but I told my mw no way was that happening, so instead I was monitored for 30 mins when I first arrived (had already laboured at home for 5 hours) and then was monitored once the epi was in. I was given the option to go in the pool, my mw said the OB would just have to put up with me getting in and out if they wanted to montior me. I didn't use it though as once in labour I didn't want to.

So basically they will monitor you a lot if that's what you want, but you don't have to do it their way and at any point you can call for a c/s and at any stage they think things aren't going to happen naturally then they will suggest it to you anyway.

I also had no thoughts whasoever about a c-section, having one had never even crossed my mind but then I had a really traumatic birth and after a crash c-section I was worrying about this before we were even TTC. Now that I am UTD and have a fantastic midwife, I have decided to go for a VBAC but if needs must at the time, I'm not opposed to another c-section - though the thought of giving birth at all still freaks me out after last time (I better get used to it though!).

My mw also said what two_boys mentioned, that a VBAC is likely to be more successful when you have laboured before so that's keeping me in a positive frame of mind - I got to 10cm and started pushing last time so at least that will be the same this time round - I hope so anyway.

Good luck for your decision and I'll be watching with interest for other replies.

Question Two_Boys, where did you birth? Good to ready they dont let you go for to long. I am only 15 weeks, and had been thinking C-Sect all along, but i have now changed my mind and reading how they monitor you etc is great. But i also know all hospitals are different...

Thanks for that Two_boys, i think i will be much happier to know i will be monitored and if its to much i get a c-sec, im sure my c-sec with DS was because of his positioning, but i want to be sure, so will also wait for my hosp apt for my final decision.

I saw a friend the other day 12 hours after birth, she looked amazing! Made me realize how much better off i would be with a VBAC.

Its SUCH a personal choice really, you can read all the pros and cons and stuff, and read about other peoples experiences, but it comes down to what you feel is right for you and your baby.

I chose to try for a VBAC, and my conditions were, if no labour by 41 weeks then Id have the eletcive, when I saw the OB we actually booked my section in for the 31st which would make me 42 weeks as that was the only spot left!!, then at 7 days over due I had an internal to check the cervix and I wasnt favourable one little bit!! So we decided we would try and bring my CS forward, as I was over it and tired, and I was too scared to try for the VBAC, and I was lucky to get in on the 27th! So I had a day to get ready!
Im very happy with my choice, I think it was the right one for us

ETA - Also, my OB said that the risks are roughly the same for CS and VBAC. So I chose the CS as that whats familiar to me and I knew it would go ok.

Edited by Sheza

I never thought I would have a c/sect but after being 2 weeks o/d & then in labour for a day they had to do an emergency c/s & got him out in 5mins. Not the start I wanted.

I had no plans on how DS2 would enter the world they pushed for a VBAC. They were going to start it at 7pm by inducing me but did not have any free operating room in case something went wrong, so did it 7am the next day. 12 hrs+ later he was born with VBAC...it was the greatest feeling ever even tho I had an epidural in preparation if an emergency c/s was required.

I tried for another VB with DS3 but he ended up being an emergency c/s.

If I was to have another one I would try for a VB but would not be disappointed if it was a c/s or if that was there recommended way.

At the end of the day you need to do what is best for you & the result is your baby will be born no matter what way you choose..



Edited by jazzy

I had a c/s with #1 due to placenta tearing and causing haemmorage mid-labour. I was pretty certain that wouldn't occur again and I wasn't ready to commit myself to all c/s from #2 onwards. I think most ppl probably make up their mind about it within the first half of their pregnancy but you will actually be referred to an OB at 28-33 weeks to discuss your options and the pro's and con's. So you can just put a list together for then if you like.

I'm glad I did VBAC. It means I basically have a choice with all my babies now (all the rest have been VB) and medical staff are very reluctant to induce someone with c/s history (risks are higher). A VBAC is usually less risky than a c/s and even though a VB hurts more than a c/s, the recovery time is much faster. Heaps. Which is really helpful when the c/s baby is then a toddler!