Does anyone know of someone who had a C-section first, then a regular successful vaginal birth to second time.

Question

My doctors are trying to convience me to have a C-section the second time around because they say its too risky for me and my unborn baby if my uterus rips open from vaginal birth.

Answer 1

It depends on what kind of incision you had with the first - you should not deliver vaginally if you had a vertical incision because the risk of uterine rupture is so high. Also, just because you had a horizontal skin incision doesn't automatically mean your uterine incision was horizontal as well - you need to ask.

It also depends on how long it was since your last delivery. The longer it has been the better, more time to heal and build strong scar tissue. Less than a year would be too risky.

VBACs are possible and encouraged for many women, but if you personal doctor is discouraging you, you need to ask exactly why he feels it is too risky. For the most part, you should trust their judgement because they know your health history better than we do. But if you're still not satisfied with the answer, get second, or even third opinions.

Answer 2

75% of women who have had a previous C-section are able to have a successful VBAC. I'd find doctors who are supportive of VBAC and get a second opinion from them. You may have to go to a different hospital. I'll bet if you ask your doctor how many VBACs he attends, s/he'll tell you none or few. That's because he doesn't want to do them and you will not get a fair assessment from him/her. Most uterine ruptures of low-transverse scars were caused by induction medications. These are not at all recommended for women with no prior surgeries (and first pregnancies).

In MN, one year they had 19 uterine ruptures. Every single case involved the use of induction or labor enhancing medications and 3 were women who had never had a c-section.

If you have another kind of scar, the risk is higher and I could understand why they would recommend a c-section. I have a vertical uterine scar, so VBAC is not an option for me.

Finally, be aware that many women on pregnancy boards have reported bait-and-switch doctors. These are doctors that say all along that a VBAC is fine and then change everything towards the end. Several just fired their doctors and showed up at other hospitals for their VBAC, which in all these cases were successful.

Also, some doctors will point out how thin the uterus is. This is not related to surgery whatsoever.

Answer 3

This can be tricky...It just really depends..Yes lots of women have had VBACS..which is great. Here where we live, they are in the process (the state) of not allowing VBACS anymore. I wanted one with my last child two months ago, but was told that they no longer do them because of liability reasons, hospital staffing, etc, in case you need emergency C section. I was totally bummed, and when i was in for my c section, my doctor about S**t his pants and called everyone over to look. He said this is why they are no longer doing VBACS...My uterus was so thin that they could see my daughter without making an incision (uterine window). I was lucky i didn't rupture before that. So, i felt SOO relieved that they made me have a C, because that could have been distasterous. I even had ultrasounds every two weeks, and it was still unknown to my high risk OB. Of course timing has a lot to do with it, how long ago your C was, and all of that. So, people saying doctors are over estimating or feeding you hogwash, well, not so much. I thought the EXACT same thing, until it happened to me. I would say you and your doctor should make that decision...sometimes taking the "safer" way is best for baby (although i still don't find C sections that much "safer"...i think it causes too many breathing issues for baby)
In short, yes MANY women have done it, but maybe it isn't worh the chance? That's up to you!
Good luck and congrats! I hope you have a succesful VBAC!

*** Shera O is exactly right....

Answer 4

Sorry but your doctor is overstating the risk.

Women are having succesfull VBAC's (vaginal birth after cesaerean) every day. I am one of them. I've had TWO successful vaginal births after my first c-section.

Yes, there is a risk of uterine rupture with VBAC but the risk is LESS THAN 1 percent. Compare that to the multiple risks of having a c-section which is major surgery and requires you to be under anesthesia.

The truth is, there are more risks involved with c-section than with vaginal birth.

Since your doctor is trying to scare you away from a vaginal birth, I would strongly suggest that you find a good doctor or certified nurse-midwife to handle your prenatal care and delivery. Choosing to have this baby vaginally is best for you and baby, and in the rare even that anything should go wrong, just remember that a c-section can always be done in a pinch. A good doctor or midwife can help you have the vaginal birth you desire, and they will also know when to recommend emergency surgery, if needed.

Best of luck!

Answer 5

I had a coworker who did it an everything went great. She got pregnant with her second child a few months after having her first c-section. You should do some research on VBACs (vaginal birth after ceserian) on the internet (look for .edu or .gov sites for the most accurate information) and the library and make an informed decision. It is possible to rip your incision back open. So do your research, and talk to your doctor. Doctors are there to help and give you advice, but you are ultimately in charge of your health, so make sure you are informed for both situations.

Good luck and congrats on you new baby.

Answer 6

While I do agree with Suzanne that this sounds like a bogus reason, I want to provide some perspective. I'm a mom who has had two kids by c-section. Sometimes they are necessary. I was dead-set against it, and in fact planned an out-of-hospital birth with midwives for my first. Turns out he was breech, and I was devastated. I even went to an OB who would deliver breech babies vaginally. I tried to deliver him, but I wouldn't dilate. So much to my chagrin, I had a c-section. It was the best decision I ever made. My baby was HUGE (almost 10 pounds) and wrapped up completely in the cord. It would've been a disaster if I had succeeded in dilating. I feel strongly that he and possibly I would've died. And you know what? The c-section wasn't horrible. I was sore for a while afterward, but it wasn't really all that bad. So I hope you don't wind up needing one, but if you do, it's not the worst fate ever. :-) What matters is a happy, healthy baby and mom. I hope I have helped alleviate your fears a little bit, anyway. And I wish you all the best in your delivery, whatever ends up happening.

Answer 7

yes i know several woman who had a successul VBAC

but there are factors that can make safer or riskier

how long has it been since your last pregnacy and cesarian?

what type of incision what made in your uterus?

what your last cesarian performed in emergency/planned or simply under a failed trial in labor situation?

how is your physical health now?....do you exercise and eat correctly?

they are many more factors but do the research and if you think are a good candidate for a VBAC then stick to your guns and let your doctors you WANT A TRIAL IN LABOR before resorting to another c-section

if you are able to go into spontaneous labor and labor is progressing well WITHOUT the need of labor inducing drugs and you are dilating and effacing effectively with your doctor's supervision then a VBAC could very well work for you

good luck

Answer 8

This is called a V-BAC. Please do not let anybody convince you of anything even if it's your doctor. Look at it this way, your doctor might be using this as an excuse. Did you know they get paid lots of more money when they perform a c-section? They are only watching out for their pockets and they could care less what happens to you. I would advice you to look for another doctor that will not have a problem with a vbac or better yet a midwife. Midwives will help you deliver your baby with no complications. Consult with one, they will determine if you're a right candidate.
Good Luck!

Answer 9

A good friend of mine had vaginal births twice after a c-section (because of the baby being breech). Plenty of people do it.

Answer 10

My friend was telling me that because she had a C-section first, she wouldn't be able to have vaginal birth for her second. Well, she had her second with a vaginal birth... so YES YOU CAN!