Can choose between another vbac or C-section

[Anonymous]

I would avoid a c section if you can, but if you are going to go for one, I would just make it a planned one as I’ve heard those are a lot more pleasant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would avoid a c section if you can, but if you are going to go for one, I would just make it a planned one as I’ve heard those are a lot more pleasant.

This. I had an unplanned C after induction, then a VBAC, then another C (not planned, but calm, and I wasn’t in labor). The second C recovery was so much better. I did not feel like I needed the more potent pain killers for as long as I did with my first. I would either go for the vaginal birth, or just schedule a C.

It was, however, harder to get the nurses to administer oxycodone, and when I figured out how I had it phrase it a certain way (tell them my pain was an 8/10 or higher, which is so subjective), some of them did not hide their judgment.

[Anonymous]

I would say planned c sections are WAY better than emergency ones. Truly night and day. And if you were choosing between a second c or a vbac I would say planned c. But I guess if you already had a vbac I might do that just because the recovery is shorter?

But IMO planned c sections are the best. Calm, peaceful, minimal pain. I walked very quickly and often and didn't feel like the pain was that much of an issue. Had no problem walking up all the stairs in my house to get to my bed or anything and was back to a pretty good place within a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would avoid a c section if you can, but if you are going to go for one, I would just make it a planned one as I’ve heard those are a lot more pleasant.

This. I had an unplanned C after induction, then a VBAC, then another C (not planned, but calm, and I wasn’t in labor). The second C recovery was so much better. I did not feel like I needed the more potent pain killers for as long as I did with my first. I would either go for the vaginal birth, or just schedule a C.

It was, however, harder to get the nurses to administer oxycodone, and when I figured out how I had it phrase it a certain way (tell them my pain was an 8/10 or higher, which is so subjective), some of them did not hide their judgment.

I’m so surprised to hear how much pain med practices differ, presumably between hospitals. I delivered locally within the past month (scheduled c-section) and was just given oxycodone automatically every four hours - I never asked for it and the nurses never asked me if I needed it. They even woke me up in the middle of the night just to take it. However I think it helped my recovery a ton - I was walking night 1 (about 6 hours after the start of my surgery) and feeling back to ~80% within a week. I did stop taking the Rx pain meds two days after I got home (I was discharged with 30) because wow the constipation was horrendous and bad enough to make me want to stop taking them ASAP.

Overall my c-section experience was fantastic and I would chose it again in a heartbeat when it’s time for the next kid. I’m a FTM so nothing to compare it to, but it was very easy and recovery was so much better than I’d thought.

[Anonymous]

I would choose vbac. I and a planned C-section with first and recovery was terrible. My body does not handle surgery well. At all.

Second time had a vbac and everything wa easier.

But anyway none of these experiences are objective. So much can happen that impacts the labor and recovery.

Follow your intuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would say planned c sections are WAY better than emergency ones. Truly night and day. And if you were choosing between a second c or a vbac I would say planned c. But I guess if you already had a vbac I might do that just because the recovery is shorter?

But IMO planned c sections are the best. Calm, peaceful, minimal pain. I walked very quickly and often and didn't feel like the pain was that much of an issue. Had no problem walking up all the stairs in my house to get to my bed or anything and was back to a pretty good place within a week.

Op here with my history there isn’t a good chance I’ll be able to opt for a planned one as I tend to deliver early. I have gone into labor before times at 34 weeks and exactly at 38 weeks. I can check when they will scheduled planned c sections. With my second I was about 6 dilated when I reached the hospital and my contractions just come suddenly. They aren’t spread so I need to get to the hospital asap.

[Anonymous]

My hospital did a nerve block. I never needed meds other than OTC

[Anonymous]

I did C-section, VBAC, VBAC.

For me, each delivery got easier. Might have been just dumb luck.

Each recovery also got easier.

It was great to be able to take Baby #3 home in 2 days and feel healthy enough to play (gently) with the other kids.

Obviously, if I had NEEDED another C section, that would have been fine, but I'm glad it worked out the way it did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both of my scheduled C sections I had 4 nights in the hospital with around the clock oxycodone and Motrin (if I asked for it) and was sent home with 30 oxycodone pills. It was more than enough! And my kids are 5 and 7. That being said, continuing to need narcotics 2 weeks after your c section sounds unusual.

But that was 5 years ago… I’ve been told by other moms it’s not the norm anymore.

I had to ask for the stronger pills but they were very easily available. You do have to use the right language. I said my pain was 4/10 and the nurse was like “well… to give you the stronger pills it has to be a 6/10” I said , oh. It’s actually more like a 6/10. She says, no problem let me get your oxycodone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was given plenty of pain meds for my scheduled C, so I don't know what you're talking about...

I was told directly from nurses at the hospital tour they only give Tylenol unless you really really need something stronger and when going home you may only get a few stronger pain meds.. this is OP.

That was my experience with a vaginal birth, but are you sure that’s the policy with c-sections? If so, that’s nuts…but unfortunately, believable. I herniated a disc in my back and was incapacitated and my PCP was on vacation, so I had to see a doctor who didn’t know me at all. I was in agony and she prescribed 5 pain pills.

Maybe I should double check. I stayed 1 week after my second pregnancy and that was vaginal. My recovery doesn’t seem to be the norm since I have really bad hip pain. I almost dropped the baby in the hospital because my legs gave in. Since sitting makes the hip pain worse I stand most of the day. I was still shaky after delivery and dh couldn’t stay the night. I couldn’t sleep at all so eventually I asked for a stronger pain med. The doctor resisted at first and suggested that I do physical therapy while I was in the hospital! I insisted I need something stronger while I am in the hospital. Dh also brought the big pregnancy pillow and that helped a lot. I do recall I had to use a wheelchair to get to the NICU. I have no way of knowing which doctors I will have as I am at a big practice. I do feel awkward bringing up pain meds with my doctor now. Postpartum at the hospital the doctor who was checking on me was with another practice. I didn’t have any sort of relationship with him at all and he kept telling me all I need is Tylenol. I told him since he’s a man and hasn’t given birth or had hip pain he doesn’t know what I need. He argued with me for awhile but eventually said I could have a stronger pain med so I could sleep.

That was a vaginal birth- yea, they aren’t going to prescribe narcotics for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was given plenty of pain meds for my scheduled C, so I don't know what you're talking about...

I was told directly from nurses at the hospital tour they only give Tylenol unless you really really need something stronger and when going home you may only get a few stronger pain meds.. this is OP.

That was my experience with a vaginal birth, but are you sure that’s the policy with c-sections? If so, that’s nuts…but unfortunately, believable. I herniated a disc in my back and was incapacitated and my PCP was on vacation, so I had to see a doctor who didn’t know me at all. I was in agony and she prescribed 5 pain pills.

Maybe I should double check. I stayed 1 week after my second pregnancy and that was vaginal. My recovery doesn’t seem to be the norm since I have really bad hip pain. I almost dropped the baby in the hospital because my legs gave in. Since sitting makes the hip pain worse I stand most of the day. I was still shaky after delivery and dh couldn’t stay the night. I couldn’t sleep at all so eventually I asked for a stronger pain med. The doctor resisted at first and suggested that I do physical therapy while I was in the hospital! I insisted I need something stronger while I am in the hospital. Dh also brought the big pregnancy pillow and that helped a lot. I do recall I had to use a wheelchair to get to the NICU. I have no way of knowing which doctors I will have as I am at a big practice. I do feel awkward bringing up pain meds with my doctor now. Postpartum at the hospital the doctor who was checking on me was with another practice. I didn’t have any sort of relationship with him at all and he kept telling me all I need is Tylenol. I told him since he’s a man and hasn’t given birth or had hip pain he doesn’t know what I need. He argued with me for awhile but eventually said I could have a stronger pain med so I could sleep.

That was a vaginal birth- yea, they aren’t going to prescribe narcotics for that.

I was given Percocet after my first vaginal birth in 2018. I had an episiotomy and very bad delivery - but yes, not the norm.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Another factor is my placenta is anterior now and there is a higher chance of back labor. I didn’t have that with the vbac as he was posterior. With my first who was breech it hurt like hell and I was happy when it was time to do an emergency c section as I was in active labor when they found out he was breech. It was soooo painful!!! I went from being fine to omfg I almost passed out on the way to the OR. I was screaming down the hall that I needed help even though people, doctors were around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Another factor is my placenta is anterior now and there is a higher chance of back labor. I didn’t have that with the vbac as he was posterior. With my first who was breech it hurt like hell and I was happy when it was time to do an emergency c section as I was in active labor when they found out he was breech. It was soooo painful!!! I went from being fine to omfg I almost passed out on the way to the OR. I was screaming down the hall that I needed help even though people, doctors were around.

If you're done having kids, have a c-sec with tubal ligation
If you're not done, shoot for a vaginal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Another factor is my placenta is anterior now and there is a higher chance of back labor. I didn’t have that with the vbac as he was posterior. With my first who was breech it hurt like hell and I was happy when it was time to do an emergency c section as I was in active labor when they found out he was breech. It was soooo painful!!! I went from being fine to omfg I almost passed out on the way to the OR. I was screaming down the hall that I needed help even though people, doctors were around.

If you're done having kids, have a c-sec with tubal ligation
If you're not done, shoot for a vaginal

I’m definitely done