VBAC or Repeat Cesarean? 🤰👨‍⚕️🏥🥴

Question

We have our second Earth-side baby on the way!  We just found out gender, and as the pregnancy progresses I keep going back and forth on a VBAC or repeat cesarean.  
Anyone else made the decision one way or the other? Pros? Cons? Suggestions?
I've been doing all the research but I don't feel sure about either decision.  I'm 20 weeks so have some time, but I would like to have an idea of a birth plan. 🙈 Our first cesarean was unplanned but not emergent. Little one's head was tilted and I wasn't continuing to progress with a "lip" stuck at 8.5 and the rest at 9.5.  She was also a big gal, 9lbs 7.3oz.  and I was 6 days over my due date.  There is no immediate medical reason to go straight for the repeat cesarean based on my first go around.  I'm not sure how much of a factor that is in deciding on our newest addition.

Realistically this will probably be out last pregnancy.  Not sure if that factors in as well. 
My only regrets about my first cesarean was I didn't pull the curtain down to see my little one born, and that I wasn't able to do immediate skin to skin (but I have friends that weren't able to do that with a vaginal birth too so). 
I'd just appreciate some thoughts from real people rather than reading more medical articles laying out pros and cons and factors to consider. 😅

Answer

I had Avery traumatic emergency csection and induction. So I am going for a natural vbac in a few weeks 100%. I am all for an epidural again. In my opinion and from my readings it is so much more healthy for baby and momma. Also the recovery is suppose to be substantially easier. It’s a very personal discussion and there is no right answer. Good luck whichever you decide.

Answer

Vbac!

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We lost our daughter in 2019 due to labor complications, and had a traumatic c-section. I’m pregnant now with my rainbow baby and I’m absolutely stressing about my delivery. When I talked to my doctor, I told him I don’t care how I deliver, I want the SAFEST one. I want to bring my baby home. Without hesitation, he said c section so that is what we are going to do. I would discuss it with your doctor and see what their recommendations are. I’m sure if I wanted to do Vbac, I could but I don’t even want to chance it.

Answer

Sorry in advance for the long post!! 😝
I had a scheduled C-section in 2019 because baby was breech and just had a VBAC 2 weeks ago. The VBAC is still fresh in my mind, so my opinion may change over time, but I personally think there isn’t one “right” or “wrong” answer. Fortunately, if you’re in a position where you have a choice, that’s a good sign! 🙂 I will also preface these stories with the fact that I stayed in really good shape with both pregnancies (running until 34-35 weeks, walking long distances after that), so I strongly believe this effected my recoveries and ability to push through.
Since my C-section was scheduled, I never went into labor. It was a very controlled environment and an overall good experience! I only needed Tylenol and ibuprofen for pain afterwards. I was walking laps around the unit the next day and was up to a couple miles walking within the first 2 weeks. I saw a pelvic floor PT just in case, had essentially no pelvic floor issues, and was able to start running again at 6 weeks postpartum.
My VBAC was a slight surprise because baby was transverse the whole pregnancy and only turned head down 6 days before my repeat C-section was scheduled! I started having bad back and hip contractions on the night of my due date and was unfortunately stuck in early labor for 4-5 days. The hip pain became severe enough that I went in to L&D two nights in a row for pain. Fortunately, I was progressing enough the second night that they admitted me for an epidural and labor augmentation. While I would have loved to have had him without pain medications, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the epidural. I progressed from 4 cm to full dilation quickly (like 5-6 hours), but then ended up pushing for 4 hours. The nurse said most women would have been in tears from the pushing experience I was having. Baby’s head got stuck until the edge of my pelvic bone, so we went with forceps and he came out almost immediately after that. Being able to have baby placed on my chest immediately afterwards was so beautiful though!!
My recovery after VBAC in the first 7-10 days was ROUGH! I had second degree tears requiring internal and external stitches. Significant perineal pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, heaviness, couldn’t sit comfortably, couldn’t get into a sitz bath, couldn’t even walk around well. I ended up getting a fever around 30 hours postpartum (only about 4 hours after being discharged home 🙄) and spent 6-7 hours in the ED, where I was diagnosed with endometritis and placed on antibiotics.
At first, I was very strongly questioning my decision to VBAC. Now at 2 weeks postpartum, I’m starting to feel much better and am overall very glad I went with VBAC. I feel good having been able to avoid a major surgery and I am thankful for being able to have had the experience of a vaginal birth. I do plan on having another child (likely just one more, but maybe two), so that played into my decision for VBAC too. My OB told me that if I only wanted one more child, she would have encouraged C-section more, but since I’m planning more, she’s very glad I had a VBAC.
Ultimately, I think you have two great options and will make the best decision for yourself and your family. These are just my experiences. 😊

Answer

100% go for the vbac! Best decision I ever made and I’m having another vbac in 2 weeks

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My first was an emergency Csection and with this pregnancy (Due in 3 weeks) I was given the same options as you. I kept going back and forth until week 32. I chose to have an elective Csection just because that way I know in advance my mom will be available to care for my 2 year old when I deliver. The only thing holding me back from a Vbac was the uncertainty of it as to when I would go into labor. If my mother didnt work and was available everyday, I would have definitely loved a Vbac!

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I’ve had 2 vaginal births and 1 c-section I would choose vaginal every time the recovery from my c-section was very painful and long and made it hard to take care of my other children about 6 months b4 I felt “normal” again I’m going for a vbac in august fingers crossed good luck to you in whatever you choose

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It’s whatever you feel comfortable with really.
I loved my VBAC and am hoping for another in July.

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Just thought I’d add, my first baby was also asynclitic (the tilted head) and had a hard time coming down. He was 9lb 3oz at birth, birthed vaginally but after 4 hours of pushing 😭
I just had my second baby and he was not asynclitic this time and was only 7lb 8oz! My labor was way quicker and I only pushed for a couple min!! 
So even though the first was tough, doesn’t mean the second will be!
Id go for the vbac💛💛

VBAC or Repeat Cesarean? 🤰👨‍⚕️🏥🥴

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