I'm the PP and I just want to add that with a partial placental abruption it definitely changes the math. I don't think my c-section had any medical basis at all, and just based on the experience and recovery, I would always choose vaginal. But with any major risks, it's a different calculation.

I've had both, a c-section and a VBAC. The c-section, in hindsight, seemed like it was unnecessary (OB insisted on inducing me on my due date since she was on call, and then just as her shift ended, she declared a vaginal delivery wasn't happening - otherwise she would have had to stay late or hand me off). It was a physically and emotionally disorienting experience. I didn't get to see my daughter for several hours. I got wheeled back into the labor room after delivery and left alone, where an anesthesiologist arrived and said he was there to give me my epidural. "I've already had my baby!" I had to tell him. I remember how bloated I was, and how unpleasant the constipation was. It seemed harder to bond with my baby in that hazy state. Since I was 29 and in good shape, I did recovery quickly, but it's still major abdominal surgery. We were in the hospital for four days.

So I decided to have a VBAC if possible with my second. I used midwives, but when I cursed enough, they gave me an epidural. I got to hold her right after she came out for what felt like hours. Finally they said they needed to clean her up a bit, and then she was right back in my arms. I was discharged less than 48 hours after having her. I did have a tear that required stitches, but it was nothing compared to the c-section recovery.

So yeah, I am team vaginal birth all the way. Thank goodness we have the option of c-sections! So many women and babies have been saved. But there's a big chasm between the number of c-sections that are truly necessary (probably about 10%) and the number we're seeing (30% or more). And those "could have been vaginal birth" experiences are missing out on an easier recovery and bonding time, IMO.

If I were to have a c-section today, I would go into ready to make demands. No, you can't have a loud, chatty OR where everyone's gossiping with their coworkers; this is my child's birth! No, you can't wheel me and my child in separate directions. Have skin to skin contact as soon as possible.

The difference is huge between the amount of care you get in a vaginal birth and a C-Section. First, if you go into labor naturally, you might not be at the hospital yet when an emergency situation develops. You don't always feel labor the way you would think.

Second, when you have a C-Section, you have a dedicated team looking after you. When you go into labor, there is often one nurse who keeps an eye on you and no doctor. When I had my VBAC, I had a very particular situation where I had the entire ward to myself and my doctor on the floor ready to help at any moment. I would not risk labor if there were any chance of complications.

Also, adding bc I see OP is at risk for hemorrhage: it’s great that your docs are aware of the risk now. There are many lines of treatment, and even if you do hemorrhage you will almost certainly be OK. Wishing you well, whatever you decide to do!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think for a first time mom not planning to have any more kids, a planned c makes a lot of sense. Inductions can be great, but first time vaginal birth is really hard and can be risky. The main worry with c sections is damage to your uterus and impact on future pregnancies—which doesn’t matter much if you’re not planning on any more.

What is this crap? First time vaginal births is not “really hard” nor “risky” for the majority of women. What is this crazy pro c section agenda?

This crap is the perspective of a woman who lost 5.5 liters of blood and ended up in the ICU when I gave birth for the first time, as a healthy 31 year old woman. My second birth was much easier. First time vaginal birth is risky because your body has never done it before.

Anonymous wrote:For those of who you had planned or emergency sections what did you find useful during recovery? Besides additional help. Loose. Underwear? Any brand you liked? Scar patches? Abdominal binder? Can I just use my belly band? Ice packs? I was gifted some Friday mom vaginal ice packs but won't need them now I figured I could use them at the incision?

We also will have the option of a 4-5 day stay at our hospital - they said that's the norm so we can always Amazon things to the apt if needed. I'm trying to not overbuy crap I won't need

I just kept wearing my full panel maternity pants and that was sufficient support. You're going to want to bring very loose fitting pants to the hospital, like sweatpants or pajama pants. Your belly band if you need it.

I wouldn't bother with the scar stuff. It fades eventually on its own and it's under your underwear line. It will always be visible and that's perfectly okay.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP wrote

iknow in the best case scenario vaginal birth is "better" for baby and a better recovery but


- there should not be any quotes around better. Vaginal deliver IS better for both baby and for recovery.

We all know the obvious benefits of vaginal delivery. The c-section should only be used for true emergencies.

Op here- quotes are valid for my specific case. I have a partial placental abruption and contractions and induction can cause a full abruption where baby would be without oxygen. Especially if stuck or labor stalls. Risk of cerebral palsy or worse is very real with complicated cases.

In a best case scenario vaginal is better but best case scenario doesn't always happen for everyone. Also from my understanding far less trauma from a planned section than a true emergency section after failed induction or labor complications.

Hence why I'm leaning towards tol if I go into labor naturally and my body is ready/already doing it's thing. But inductions before 39 weeks and past 42 do tend to lead to more sections.

I also don't want to base my options solely on the fear of what if. What if the abruption gets worse. What if this GD baby gets stuck, what if my body stalls during induction.

I trust my OB to make the call in the moment but leading up to she is allowing me autonomy

I would absolutely go for a c section in your scenario! Zero question. The choice between a zero-risk c section for baby vs “let’s just hope your placenta doesn’t fully detach and baby starts to suffocate” seems like an absolute no brainer. Tell your doctor your top priority is a safe delivery for the baby and that you’re not against c section, and see what she says. The only reason she’s giving you “autonomy” is because some women prioritize vaginal birth over avoiding risk to the baby.

If there is EVER a time to make decisions based on “what ifs” and “worst case scenario avoidance”, this is it.

Anonymous wrote:OP wrote

iknow in the best case scenario vaginal birth is "better" for baby and a better recovery but


- there should not be any quotes around better. Vaginal deliver IS better for both baby and for recovery.

We all know the obvious benefits of vaginal delivery. The c-section should only be used for true emergencies.

false false false

what are the “obvious benefits” of vaginal delivery in any universal sense? mine went relatively smoothly for me and I felt back normal almost immediately in every way in less than a week. But my baby was born in distress and I would absolutely have traded a c section incision to prevent that. Meanwhile I know many women who had serious complications from a vaginal birth. my friend who is an OB opted for elective c sections to reduce risk to her pelvic floor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had two vaginal births and two unscheduled C sections. My oldest was a vaginal with an induction and I hemmoraged after birth it was very scary.

Recovery from both IME was similar in terms of pain and recovery time. Very different in terms of what needed recovery lol.

If you are at risk of placental abruption I can’t imagine not doing a C section. A scheduled C sounds very easy from what I’ve heard.

Thank you. I know pain is subjective but good to hear that it was similar but different. What did you find most helpful post C-section?

the most important thing was I did nothing at all but recover. husband took care of the baby 100% and brought the baby to me to eat for the firs two weeks, which I spent in bed and moving slowly around my house. After the first two weeks, I didn't do a single thing around the house, didn't drive, didn't lift a dish, change sheets, cook, laundry, nothing at all other than light baby care until I was about 3 months postpartum. Buy high waisted underpants for the scar. I was fine with ibuprofen and tylenol just three days after giving birth by c-section for this reason, I think.

This is perfect advice. DH handed ne the baby to nurse and then did diaper changes etc. Don't overdo it, especially with twisting. I did not drive for weeks, to avoid twisting to check my blind spot. I took slow walks starting the first week because I was nuts after bed rest at the end of pregnancy, but OB said to just rest.

I didn't need ice packs or anything special. I used a scar cream but, just being honest, the scar will look bad for a year. Mine looks great (invisible) now but it took time. OB advised against a binder, ask your doc.

You may not want to stay in the hospital that long. I think I stayed 2 nights? 3 at most. It's loud and people are always interrupting your sleep.

Oh, and I saw a great lactation consultant who helped with breastfeeding even though it was going ok. A little extra help is still helpful! She advised having DH give a bottle once a day starting at week 3 so that baby didn't refuse one later. This did not affect breastfeeding at all, and gave DH some bonding time.

Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was coming here to say induction 100 percent, but in your case, I would definitely go C-Section. No need to risk serious complications unnecessarily. I can also tell you that I have had a: 1- induction 2- completely natural 3- C-section and 4- induced VBAC and I literally cannot tell the difference in my kids whatsoever. They all came out and proceeded to be babies.

OP’s doctor has told her both are risky for the abruption for different reasons. If the choice were obvious, she wouldn’t be here asking.

They can manage her risk for hemorrhaging at the hospital if they are prepared. I would lean into a little more risk for me if it was less risk for baby.

This. Not because "anything for the baby" but because they can put extra blood into an adult in an OR way easier than they can get oxygen to an unborn baby in distress.

I had an induction (not by choice) with number one and a planned c section with number two. Will have a planned c section with #3. Granted, my first birth is the stuff of nightmares, but a scheduled c section is such a civilized way to give birth . I think comparing it to an uncomplicated vaginal delivery it’s obvious that vaginal will win, but any vaginal complications I would take a c section every time. I had a fourth degree year + other issues.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was coming here to say induction 100 percent, but in your case, I would definitely go C-Section. No need to risk serious complications unnecessarily. I can also tell you that I have had a: 1- induction 2- completely natural 3- C-section and 4- induced VBAC and I literally cannot tell the difference in my kids whatsoever. They all came out and proceeded to be babies.

OP’s doctor has told her both are risky for the abruption for different reasons. If the choice were obvious, she wouldn’t be here asking.

They can manage her risk for hemorrhaging at the hospital if they are prepared. I would lean into a little more risk for me if it was less risk for baby.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP wrote

iknow in the best case scenario vaginal birth is "better" for baby and a better recovery but


- there should not be any quotes around better. Vaginal deliver IS better for both baby and for recovery.

We all know the obvious benefits of vaginal delivery. The c-section should only be used for true emergencies.

Op here- quotes are valid for my specific case. I have a partial placental abruption and contractions and induction can cause a full abruption where baby would be without oxygen. Especially if stuck or labor stalls. Risk of cerebral palsy or worse is very real with complicated cases.

In a best case scenario vaginal is better but best case scenario doesn't always happen for everyone. Also from my understanding far less trauma from a planned section than a true emergency section after failed induction or labor complications.

Hence why I'm leaning towards tol if I go into labor naturally and my body is ready/already doing it's thing. But inductions before 39 weeks and past 42 do tend to lead to more sections.

I also don't want to base my options solely on the fear of what if. What if the abruption gets worse. What if this GD baby gets stuck, what if my body stalls during induction.

I trust my OB to make the call in the moment but leading up to she is allowing me autonomy

Holy smokes, I am not you or a doctor but if I was looking at placental abruption I would not consider labor.

+1
I had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, but I would not want to take chances with labor in your situation. This is no longer about getting what benefits you can out of vaginal delivery, but rather mitigating real risks to your baby because of these complications.

Anonymous wrote:I was coming here to say induction 100 percent, but in your case, I would definitely go C-Section. No need to risk serious complications unnecessarily. I can also tell you that I have had a: 1- induction 2- completely natural 3- C-section and 4- induced VBAC and I literally cannot tell the difference in my kids whatsoever. They all came out and proceeded to be babies.

OP’s doctor has told her both are risky for the abruption for different reasons. If the choice were obvious, she wouldn’t be here asking.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had two vaginal births and two unscheduled C sections. My oldest was a vaginal with an induction and I hemmoraged after birth it was very scary.

Recovery from both IME was similar in terms of pain and recovery time. Very different in terms of what needed recovery lol.

If you are at risk of placental abruption I can’t imagine not doing a C section. A scheduled C sounds very easy from what I’ve heard.

Thank you. I know pain is subjective but good to hear that it was similar but different. What did you find most helpful post C-section?

the most important thing was I did nothing at all but recover. husband took care of the baby 100% and brought the baby to me to eat for the firs two weeks, which I spent in bed and moving slowly around my house. After the first two weeks, I didn't do a single thing around the house, didn't drive, didn't lift a dish, change sheets, cook, laundry, nothing at all other than light baby care until I was about 3 months postpartum. Buy high waisted underpants for the scar. I was fine with ibuprofen and tylenol just three days after giving birth by c-section for this reason, I think.