Would you have a C-section if it saved you thousands?

Question

The question sounds backwards, doesn’t it? 😅
I’m curious what other people would do in this situation or if there are other factors I’m not considering. Here is my situation:
My due date is 3/31. My insurance starts over on 4/1 - new deductible, new out of pocket maximum. Anything that happens after 4/1 is basically going to be all out of pocket again. I’m hoping to have a VBAC with this baby because I’m a good candidate (first baby was breech), I’d like to experience labor and a vaginal delivery, recovery could be better, and we’d like 1-2 more children. However, I obviously can’t guarantee when I’d go into labor and I might not deliver until after 4/1. I also don’t want to induce earlier since there’s a much lower chance of success with VBAC with induction. The alternative is that I could go with a scheduled C-section at 39 weeks and all of the bills would be this insurance year! Barring any complications of course. Therefore, a scheduled C-section has the potential to save me literally thousands of dollars.
What would you do?
Most of me thinks that if I could guarantee a successful VBAC (which of course can’t be guaranteed), then it could be worth the cost. But if the VBAC fails and I need another C-section later when I could have had a much cheaper scheduled one, I could be upset...
Don’t you love insurance?! 😂
Open to all thoughts! Thank you in advance!! 🙂

Answer

I have no advice but I literally hate how we have to think about this kind of stuff. I just feel like American healthcare (I’m assuming you’re in America because healthcare here sucks) shouldn’t be this difficult. We pay so much for it and always owe so much. I’m sorry 😢

Answer

So sorry you have to deal with crappy options!! For me I guess it would depend on the deductible, and whether or not we had the cushion to cover it. If you do, I would wait. Another commenter's point about multiple c-sections in the long wrong being costly is a good one. Not to mention the "cost" on your body in terms of recovery and being at a greater risk for complications for any future pregnancies. Plus, even if you do attempt a vbac and end up with a C-section, the act of laboring naturally prior to surgery has been shown to have benefits for the baby. At the end of the day, it is your body, so you get to choose what feels right for you. And yeah, again, I think it's so crappy you have to deal with this!

Answer

I would induce and try for VBAC knowing if it failed the option to do a c section and save thousands is there.

Answer

Your last section—that if you could guarantee a successful VBAC, it would be worth the cost. I agree there. I would take that chance if it were me. Mostly because my doctor was just warning me about all the increased risks of multiple c-sections. I had one with my first and am praying I can do VBAC this time around so I don’t risk not being able to have more babies in the future.  
If you are able to have a successful VBAC, that could potentially save you money in the long run if it means you avoid future complications.

Answer

Also take into consideration that having more c sections may prevent you from having too many more kids. Not saying it 100% will; but my girlfriend healed so poorly after her 2 c sections that her OB recommended not to have anymore kids for her safety
I would say if you want to have at least 2 more children then the extra money is worth it to try and do the vbac! You can’t put a price tag on your family!

Answer

My twins were born 12/30 when I could have waited a week longer for this exact reason...insurance starting over...only difference is I was going to need a csection no matter what.

Would you have a C-section if it saved you thousands?

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