Because I ended up having an unplanned c-section with Charlie, my ob wants me to have a c-section with baby bee #2. When you’ve had a previous c-section, there is a small possibility of uterine rupture with a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section). And if you attempt a VBAC but end up getting a c-section anyway, there is the potential for more complications than if you had had a scheduled c- section. Most OB’s prefer that you have a second c-section, and some don’t even offer the option of a VBAC. I think it’s also much more convenient for a doctor to schedule a c-section rather than wait for you to go in labor, since no one can predict exactly when that will happen. But 60-80% of women who try VBAC actually go on to have a successful vaginal delivery. (source)
I did feel like I missed out on the giving birth experience with Charlie because I went through a very fast, intense labor and three hours of pushing only to end up getting a c section. So when it came to considering a c section vs. VBAC, I decided to weigh the pros and cons:
C-Section Pros:
– Baby Bee #2’s c-section would be scheduled a week before her due date on October 31st, which is Halloween! It’s only one of my favoritest holidays and the day after my own birthday! I’ll have a little Scorpio mini me.
– I developed a keloid scar at the incision site, and my doctor says she could remove the scar. The scarring is genetic but I can do a lot to prevent it this time around by working with a dermatologist before and after the c-section. That scar is ugly and I’m vain!
– Second babies are usually bigger than first babies. Charlie was almost 8 1/2 pounds and I’m a small person. Could I push out a baby bigger than that? After all Charlie didn’t even make enough progress for the OB to use a vacuum or forceps.
– It would be easy to have a post delivery plan in place since we’d know the exact time the baby would be born. My mom would fly in, Charlie would be taken care of, and everything would be as planned out and organized as possible. I’d also have no waiting time since the c section would be scheduled. The night I went into labor was one of the hospitals busiest nights ever, and I waited hours in excruciating pain waiting for a room to become available so I could receive an epidural. I do not want to relive that experience!
– I had a pretty fast labor with Charlie. The contractions were about 5 minutes apart pretty much as soon as they started (you’re supposed to go to the hospital when your contractions are 5 minutes apart with your first baby), my water broke as soon as we got to the hospital, and by the time I got the epidural, I was 8 centimeters dilated. I know true stories of women who didn’t make it to the hospital in time to give birth with their second children. My hospital is all the way on the upper east side and I’m in Brooklyn (a 25 minute drive with no traffic). I could get stuck in traffic and end up giving birth in a cab, or worse being stuck in a cab and having complications!
– My ob would deliver baby bee #2. Because my OB is part of a practice, if I attempted a VBAC there is a very high likelihood that another doctor would be on call the day I go into labor.
– Even though the recovery with a c-section is more difficult than the recovery with a vaginal delivery, I know what to expect with a c-section. It’s actually less scary.
– I would be avoiding major abdominal surgery so there would be less health risks.
– Easier, faster recovery.
– If we planned on having more children, each c section increases your chance of placenta previa in future pregnancies. (source)
– And the biggest pro — the satisfaction of knowing that you pushed that sucker out.
Initially I thought I might give VBAC a try, but my labor was the most painful experience of my entire life, and I don’t really want to relive that only to end up getting another c section. Perhaps I would consider it more seriously if Charlie hadn’t been so big, since second children are usually larger than first children. The pros for a c section are outweighing the pros for a VBAC , so for now I have a c section scheduled for Halloween.
Are you considering or have you attempted a VBAC?
GOLD / pomelo / 5167 posts
I think the if it were the other way around it would suck. Meaning, If you had given vaginal birth to charlie and had to do a c-section for baby 2. In my case, I pushed an 9lb baby out (and he was stuck) but luckily i didn’t have to resort to a c-section. If the second time around, a c-section was needed I would be sad. All that work to make a passage for pregnancy #2 down the drain.
I think a c-section in your case is a better option. and seems as if there are more pros than cons.
cherry / 182 posts
I agree with Blushink above, and that it really seems like in your case, a repeat c-section makes more sense.
On a personal note, I was able to deliver Claire vaginally and I’m going into labor with BebeDeux with no expectations, just like last time, meaning if I end up getting a c-section then so be it. I’m actually not afraid of the pain, because with Claire I had an episode of severe round ligament pains in my 2nd trimester that was worse than my labor pains…and with this one I had to have an emergency appendectomy (again, in my 2nd trimester) and THAT was the worst physical pain of my life!
persimmon / 1255 posts
Similar to you, I pushed for 3 hours and ended up needing a c-section to deliver my baby girl who was 8 lbs, 13 oz ( much larger than any of us expected, lol). In all the pushing, I also separated my pelvic bone (not fun). My next one will have to be c-section and I’m totally cool with it as long as he/she is healthy.
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@geekinheels – i can’t imagine how scary an appendectomy must have been!
@red – yikes that sounds painful! charlie was 8 lbs 6 oz, and he was the largest baby in the delivery ward the 5 days that I was there.
cherry / 149 posts
I’m hoping for a VBAC the second time around.
The main reason being the that the recovery is (typically) quicker and major surgery seems to be something you would always want to avoid if possible. There is no level of convenience that would prompt me to submit to a scheduled C-section.
Especially now that I had a toddler at home, I don’t want to spend 8 weeks recovering from surgery, doped up on pain killers, and/or risk the dangerous complications that come with a C-section.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists now recommends that women try for a VBAC in most cases- since the risks associated with a C-section are far higher than the risks of uterine rupture with a VBAC.
(http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr07-21-10-1.cfm)
I’m seeking the care of a midwife again with my second pregnancy because I really don’t want to be pressured to have a repeat C-section, be pressured to deliver early, etc. when there is no medical reason.
It may not work out that I have a VBAC and I’ll be fine with that (as I was with my first C-section) as long as I know that I was proactive and did what I could to avoid it.
pomegranate / 3053 posts
I had a c-section with N b/c he was breeched. Shortly after having N, I had talked to my OB about having a VBAC later on and he said I was fine; but did let me know about the risks. He was fine either way but it was up to me. That’s why I like my OB so much. I would probably get a c-section again when we do have a second one just b/c I know what to expect; and, like you, it’s easier to have parents fly out if they know when your baby is born. I’ve heard all kinds of stories from friends who had vaginal births and having a c-section sounds so much less stressful. I’m okay not knowing what it feels like to push a baby out of me. As long as I have a healthy baby that’s all that matters, really.
cherry / 128 posts
Just wanted to mention that I used the Hypnobabies childbirth preparation method – I was skeptical before actual childbirth but decided it wouldn’t hurt. My doula said I was the calmest and happiest birthing moms she’d every had and overall, childbirth was not that painful. Uncomfortable, yes, but I have migraines that are much worse. I really recommend Hypnobabies to others. What also helped was being able to move around throughout child birth.
Recovery was also pretty quick; my bottom was sore for a couple of weeks and that was about it.
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[…] would have supported either decision. I blogged about the pros and cons of a c-section vs a VBAC here, and ultimately decided to opt for another c-section, largely because of my positive experience the […]