Forum Index
»
Expectant and Postpartum Moms
considering VBAC & scared of vaginal delivery
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
I had a c/s with DC#1 (failure to progress). Now pg again and considering a VBAC. I would prefer to NOT have major surgery, but I'm also afraid of possible complications & recovery from a vaginal birth.
I know someone who still has serious issues from forceps when he was born (granted this was ages ago) and another friend just had a huge 4th degree tear. I know every birth is different, but I'm having a hard time getting past these issues. Fortunately I had an easy recovery from the c/s. But I was really upset that I was so loopy during the delivery (overmedicated?) that I didn't really remember seeing my DC#1 until hours later in recovery. 
Anyone else having a hard time deciding about a VBAC? |
Anonymous
| I am in the same boat -- also had a c the first time with a relatively easy recovery but felt totally loopy during delivery. I'm 38 weeks pregnant now with plans for another C in two weeks. Still considering a VBAC but wondering if it is worth the risks and complications. |
Anonymous
|
I haven't had a C-section, but I did have a pretty uncomplicated vaginal birth, which is really the norm. While there are of course no guarantees, try to focus on the fact that the majority of vaginal births are smooth events - the ones with the difficult outcomes are just the ones that stick in your mind.
I would also consider getting a hold of and reviewing your medical records from your first delivery. "Failure to progress" is a commonly used and very broad category, and reading through your hospital records could help you figure out more precisely why things went wrong with #1, and if there are steps you can take to help reduce the likelihood of a repeat scenario. You could also consider talking to someone who really knows about unmedicated labor (midwife / experience doula / childbirth educator) or reading a book on it (The Birth Partner is great), as there are a lot of labor positioning techniques that can help get the baby in the right position and maximize the size of your pelvic opening. I definitely believe knowledge is power, and will help you figure out what the right choice for you is, be that a VBAC or a repeat C. |
Anonymous
Lets not forget about the risks associated with repeat c-sections. Have you read what those are? This is a good link: http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10210#c-section |
Anonymous
| I feel exactly the same way! I had a scheduled c-section last time because my DC was breech, so I'm a great candidate for VBAC and I'm planning to do it because I think it will be safer and the recovery will be easier, but I definitely have Fear of the Unknown - my C was actually pretty easy, and I'm positive that VBAC will involve more pain, even if it's better for me and the baby. Anyway, I don't have any advice (and hope others avoid being judgmental and agenda-driven - the "Have you read what those are?" above sounds unnecessarily snarky to me) but I can definitely commiserate! |
Anonymous
|
this is some good evidence based info on VBAC -- the statement that the NIH just put out about VBAC. i know it wouldn't necessarily address your feelings, but sometimes information can be empowering.
for what it's worth, i've had two vaginal births and found the recovery easy. i was up walking around within minutes of each birth. i haven't had a cesarean so cannot compare. but i did not have any major complications. i had small tears each time that i did not feel happening and that required 1-3 stitches and healed pretty fast. i know it's easy to fixate on the bad stuff that can happen so i wanted to share a non-horror story. good luck to you whatever you decide. |
Anonymous
|
oops forgot the link to the NIH VBAC report...
http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/vbacstatement.htm |
Anonymous
|
have you talked to your provider about your feelings about VBAC, and your fears?
maybe reading a book about VBAC would help. the book i like is "The VBAC Companion". A lot of that book addresses fears about vaginal birth, processing the first birth experience, etc. and it includes some good resources in the back that might be useful. also if you do choose a cesarean, perhaps you can talk to your doctor/anesthesiologist about a medication plan that would leave you feeling more alert after the birth. if you express these concerns ahead of time maybe they can figure out something that will work. i have had friends who have specified that they don't want certain medications during their cesareans because they don't want to be out of it or sleepy afterwards. good luck! |
Anonymous
|
At the risk of starting (continuing) controversy... I opted not to VBAC for a variety of reasons, and I felt comfortable with that decision. Yes, I realize c-sections are not without risk, but neither is VBAC (uterine rupture, for one). I actually felt better with a known than an unknown, and since I was only planning on two kids, it made my decision easier.
Anyway, I guess my point is, do what feels right to you. Don't fall for the agenda-pushers and feel like you *have* to try to VBAC if it scares you for any reason. A healthy, happy mom and baby are really all that matter in the end. Good luck. |
Anonymous
I'm not the PP, but I don't see what is snarky about this at all. She was just asking if OP had read about those risks. |
Anonymous
| I will be trying for a VBAC by the end of the year. Having worked in the health/hospital management field for a long time, I will tell you that I would be more afraid of a hospital-acquired infection and/or bowel damage from a c/s, than uterine rupture. I'm working with a great m/w, doula, AND delivering in a hospital. |
Anonymous
| 8:07 poster here - www.vbacfacts.com is another good site - she tends to lean toward homebirth, but i have NEVER seen so much research on VBAC - and she cites *everything*. The thing I've learned with parenting is that you can research all day and night, but you eventually have to make a decision that works best for you. |
Anonymous
| New poster here .... I want to VBAC, but one thing that worries me (from the NIH site a PP linked to, and something I've heard) is that if there is a uterine rupture, the danger is to the baby. A NYT article a couple months ago talking about this NIH meeting about VBACs summarized it saying, a VBAC is slightly more risky to the baby, and a repeat C is slightly more dangerous to the mother. If I tried to VBAC and anything happened to my baby, I don't think I could live with myself. On the other hand, we would like to have a 3rd child, so for that reason I think a VBAC would be better. I'm not happy about having to make this choice. |
Anonymous
|
OP here. Thanks for sharing your experiences & commiserating. I still have a lot to think about.
In the end the only thing that is important to me is bringing home a healthy baby. |
Anonymous
|
I had a successful VBAC last year, after emergency csection (failure to progress) 2.5 years ago.
The doctor's were great and would not induce me and if anything was off, they would not go through w/ VBAC, so that gave me some level comfort. Once in the L&D room, I also felt good, when I progressed much further w/ #2 than i ever did w/ #1. I was told that this would be a non-surgical delivery, which it was. Talk to your doctors & ask some questions. For me it seemed that the VBAC was not going to happen since I basically had to meet so many parameters on my own, but low & behold, DD just wanted to come! One more thing: I did not have a 4th degree tear or any type of uterine rupture, etc. I didn't even get painkillers, rather OTC motrine! Over all 6 to 1, half dozen to the other. Healing time was much quicker, it felt more natural. Good luck w/ your decision. |