help! im due to have my 2nd child in august! i had to have an emergency caesarean with my son whos now 4?

Question

the problem is is how do i choose to give birth next time? docs have said i can either have a planned caesarean or try a normal birth but i really aint got a clue as their are so many pros and cons to each.has any1 ever been in the same situation as this.please serious answers only. cheers! (had section with my 1st child as i had a serious condition called pre eclampsia incase u were wondering)

Answer 1

There are a lot of factors that increase, or decrease, your likelihood of having a successful "VBAC" -- vaginal birth after a c-section. So the decision to undergo a trial of labor after an earlier cesarean delivery is an individual one. A large percentage of VBAC's are successful - 60 - 70% - with a small percentage (0.5 - 1%) having a serious emergency, rupture of the uterus, during the effort.

So you and your doctor together should weigh your and your baby's characteristics and your OB history in making this decision. If you don't have eclampsia during this pregnancy, then you're in good shape for a VBAC - they tend to be successful more often when the reasons for the first c-section aren't there any more. (For instance, if you had to have it because the baby's head was too big for your pelvis, that might be likely to happen again, but if you had it because of your condition or because the baby was in a bad position, but this one's in a good position, then you're more likely to have a good VBAC.)

Your chances for a successful vaginal delivery are also better if you're not being induced, if labor starts spontaneously, and if your cervix at the start of labor is what they call "favorable" - soft, maybe already starting to open and thin out. They are also better if you're younger than 40, if the baby weighs less than 4000 Gm at the end of pregnancy (that's about 8.8 pounds), and if you're not extremely short or extremely obese. They're also better if, with the first C-section, you were sewed up in multiple layers rather than just a single layer of stitching, and better if the cut on the uterus was low and from side to side rather than straight up and down. (These are things your OB history will tell your MD if they're not the same doc).

Some of these you can determine during your pregnancy, while some you won't be sure of until you go into labor. If you want to have a vaginal delivery, your MD will want to evaluate you and the baby early in labor and to manage the delivery in a hospital setting where complications can be quickly recognized and handled immediately. (Some smaller hospitals don't have the staff to keep an anesthetist and surgical team on hand "just in case.")

But the biggest determining factor for you personally is, which set of risks are you most comfortable with? Will the labor be nerve-wracking, will you be worrying about it, or do you feel comfortable and confident that it will go well? A scheduled C-section is usually easier to recover from than a C-section after hours of exhausting, demanding labor, so some people don't want to try the labor knowing they may end up with a section after all anyway. But recovering from even a demanding labor is faster than recovering from major surgery, so if it's successful you'll be feeding & bonding with your baby sooner, and better able to take care of yourself and your toddler too.

After you & your MD consider the other risk factors, the most important factor is how you and your husband feel and what you want to experience.

Answer 2

I'm in the same situation, I had an emergency c-section after being in labor for 22 hrs without progressing. When I found out I was pregnant my dr didn't even give me an option about a c-section. He said that I am too small and will just have the same problem agian. Sounded good to me! I didn't want to suffer through labor agian just to suffer the pain of a c-section. Well My husband got stationed in Germany and there is not a military hospital close to our base so the army sends you to the germans, who do not believe in c-setions...go figure!! They refuse to schedule a c-section. So In the next 3 weeks i will go into labor and hope for the best! I am scared to death! Personally, I would rather go with the c-section. I know exactly what that is going to feel like, and I am seriously worried about rupturing. I've heard so many bad things, like something most drs don't tell you is due to your scar your unterus doesn't contract evenly making it hard to push the baby out. Yeah, your avoiding major surgury with the VBAC, but I definatly think there are more pros than cons to haveing a repeat section. Good luck.

Answer 3

Same boat as you! I'm due in August with #3. Had an emergency section with my twins (also PIH). I'm definately gonna try for a VBAC. The recovery from the section was too much (I felt) and would much rather try for the experience of a natural birth. I dunno, I felt cheated out of my birthing experience. There are some pros and cons of both. Talk with your doctor. There is a risk of uterine rupture with a VBAC, but hey, major abdominal surgery has its share of risks as well! Best of luck!


Edited to add: someone said something about it being preventable. Most notable and respectable studies/doctors agree that they don't know what causes this. It is THOUGHT to be genetic. Don't jump on some diet just because one guy says he's right. Read up on some facts. Lots of research on the subject here.

Answer 4

Been there! My first child was 4 when my second was born! My first was an emergency c-section. I had a c-section the second time too (just this past summer) and it was much easier to recover from because I knew what to expect. Also, it is much safer once you have had one to continue having them. It is safer for you and your baby. I do not know all of the medical stats to go with that, but my doctor quoted them to me and my husband and my hubby immediately decided on a c-section because he did not want to run the risk of losing me. Plus I think some insurances are very picky about it and want you to only have another c-section. So make sure you check that.

Answer 5

I had a c/section with my first child, and unfortunately after seeing a specialist, I was told that I wouldn't be able to have a natural birth, so my choice was gone. All I can say is that recovery was more difficult the second time around, because they were cutting through scar tissue, although it was still only a few weeks.

The difficulty was that I already had a toddler to look after and the recovery made it more difficult as I wasn't supposed to pick up heavy weights (after the first c/section, I got up quickly to answer the phone, and burst my stitches!). I wasn't allowed to drive for 6 weeks due to insurance purposes, so I had to rely on others to help me out.

As I had changed hospitals due to complications with the first birth, I had to fight to have another c/section, as the first hospital were extremely slow in sending through my records of the first birth, so slow in fact that the records came through on the Tuesday, and I had the section on the Friday, so you are very lucky that they have given you the option.

From talking to other mothers, it seems that they all recovered quicker from the natural birth, but with a section it is a calmer experience.

Answer 6

Preeclampsia is definitely a serious condition when your body doesn't get what it needs to support your pregnancy. The best thing you can do to prevent it is to eat a diet rich in protein. If you are interested in a VBAC it is totally possible. The benefits of a vaginal birth are quicker recovery, and way less trauma to your body. I have also spoken with women who were happy that they had both experiences and could feel proud that in each case they brought a healthy baby into the world. Happy pregnancy!

Answer 7

I am stuck with that same question. My first was emergency c-section. Now i am due in Sept and i have to decied what i want to do. I have thought of have my labor enduced the week befor the baby is due. But i have to see if the doctor will let me. I think normal birth is less truma to the body. You will be up and able to move around soor and better then you would with a c-section.

Godd luck

Answer 8

I am due in September with my second child. My first is 19 months. She was breech, so I had to have a c-section with her. I had discussed the option of a v-bac with my OB because I knew I wanted more children. Although I have the option of either delivery this time, I think I am going to have another c-section. I have spoken with many women who have had both and they all said they prefer the c-section. They all agreed that the recovery was easier. I use to think that giving birth vaginally was something I really wanted to experience. After having a child I now realize that it was my responsibility for 9 months to care for my growing baby inside me. To me that is much more important than how the baby is delivered. Best of luck for a healthy pregnancy and delivery (which ever type you choose) and baby!

Answer 9

I had a ECS with my first after both my son and I almost died, Under a general anesetic as they had to be quick 4 minutes from delivery suite decision- a trolley dash - theatre-his arrival. My husband in severe distress and trauma for months both ended up at birth reflections aform of counselling where they tell you why, and possible reasons. I have in my notes suggested cs unless go into natural labour before 36weeks. There is no suggestion in my mind that is not the route i'm taking in June plus my husband has said he could not go through what he went through last time + we can both be there this time, I was zonked out and he was left to stew on a corridor!!! yes at first I felt I'd bought my son in Tesco as it was done this way, but this time i'm going to be prepared and both a part of it. (my son will be 3 when we have our next)Hope you come to a descision between your self and your partner:o)

Answer 10

Preeclampia is an odd one, most first time mothers who have it don't develop it again. And as someone mentioned, it is easily controlled in most cases.

Having had a csection and several vbacs, I'd always go with the vbac. csections seem easy in terms of actual delivery, but the recovery time is longer and there are more risks of complications (you *are* cutting through three layers of muscle, nerves and blood vessels) Not to mention all of the energy it takes to recover, when you have a toddler, it's a PITA.

Good luck, and congratulations. i'm due in August as well.