What would you do?

I know the decision is up to DH and I but I'm so confused so I just need some advice.

Ok so in August 2010 I had DS#1. He was my first and I was seeing an ob. I went in at 39.5 weeks for an appointment and since I had no progress at all I asked how long do they let you wait until they induce. She said that they won't go over 41 weeks but if I wanted I could go be induced any day I want from here on out. I didn't know it worked like that...which apparently isn't good but what did I know...so I trusted her and we scheduled an induction on my due date.

I go in a finger tip dialated, they did one round of cervidil overnight then did pitocin in the morning at 9:30am. I was 3 cm by 11 so I got the epi and by 3ish I was 10 cm. They let me wait a bit then I started to push. I pushed probably 3-5 times and each time DS' heartrate went down. They said I had to have a c-section. At the time, I just wanted DS to be okay, I was scared.

After the birth, I hated that I had the induction. The dr talked me into it and I believed what she said. I hated that they didn't try to move me or anything to get the heartrate up. I switched to a midwife this time and wanted a VBAC but as I get closer I get more scared. I am having issues with this pregnancy
-gallstones which made me have attacks, hard to eat anything, as the baby gets larger he hits into my gallbladder and it hurts so bad
-baby is laying on my sciatic nerve and it's so painful
-I am having so many painful contractions. Midwife said because I am nursing still and because I'm chasing after DS.

Also, I'm scared because the baby is measuring a few weeks ahead and I also didn't wait a whole year to get pregnant after DS#1, he was almost 11 months when we found out.

WELL.. I had an appointment on Tuesday with the midwife and she got my op report from when I had DS. It said that when they took him out of me he was sunny side up and the cord was wrapped around his neck and body. So it was a blessing that I was induced because damage could have happened to him, my heart sank. He's bright and smart but what if I didn't go ahead with the induction then I could have had a horrible sunny side up labor and he could have lost so much oxygen to his brain.

I don't know if I want the VBAC anymore. I want a safe delivery and healthy baby. Not saying that's not possible with a VBAC I'm just scared. The midwives said it's okay that he is a big baby with a big head, that I didn't wait a year although it's ideal, etc etc. They said I can go to 42 weeks, that I can be induced. I don't think I want to wait that long or do I want to be induced.

DH and I talked about it and we want to see if I go into labor on my own up until my due date and if I do and conditions are right then we will try for the VBAC. I also told her I want a growth sono around full term to determine how big he is to also help make our decision. If I don't go into labor on my own then I want to schedule a section for the day after my due date.

She thinks we are wrong. She said that I probably won't go early but maybe could because of the contractions I'm having already (which one lady?) She thinks I should go to 42 weeks and that a VBAC regardless of his size is fine and that I shouldn't even bother with the growth sono.


What do I do?

Re: What would you do?

No one can make this call for you. Both birth options carry risks.

My LO was sunnyside-up too. Not fun, but women deliver babies that way all the time. Some do it drug-free, bless their hearts. Growth sonos are hit or miss. For some of my friends they were dead on, and for others they were off by two pounds. I don't know if I'd base a decision entirely on that. Most midwives I've talked to don't do them because of this. (I'm hoping for VBAC with my second and I'm looking into midwife groups now). Due dates aren't an exact science; they're really more of a guess. What if you waited a few more days after your EDD and decide from there?

Re: What would you do?

Im sorry that your going through this and I wish I had better advice for you. but this is a decision you and your DH have to make. I think the best thing to do is just get as much information as possible to assist you in the decision and see what happens naturally, if at any point your not comfortable waiting any longer than do what is best for you.

I would like to say dont regret decisions you made in the past, about being induced and all. Everything happens for a reason and your DS is ok. Thats the most important thing in this world. You cannot live life wondering what if, if you would have waited and think of all the possibly bad outcomes. You didnt have a bad outcome, you had a positive one so why even think about what could have been? You clearly didnt make a bad decision. You cant regret decisions in life because at that time, in that moment, it was the right decision and THATS what you need to live with. Dont regret anything!

I wish you the best of luck...

Re: What would you do?

I believe this is the first time I've heard anyone say you CAN be induced after you've had a c-section. An induction after a csection can actually cause a uterine rupture which is the biggest concern for a VBAC.

I had a csection with my first and am trying for a VBAC this time. I've been told a few times already that I have two options - I either wait until I go on my own because they cannot induce me, or I schedule a csection. If I don't go into labor on my own by 42 weeks, then I won't have a choice and will need a csection.

I am scared either way (I had a really bad csection recovery but I also fear the pain of vaginal deliveries), but I think the healing may be easier after a vaginal birth and since I already have a toddler at home, I would prefer the easier recovery. If I have no choice, then of course csection it is, but I'd like to try.

So long as you're giving birth in the hospital, they will be monitoring the baby the entire time and if there is any distress, you can always have a csection at the end. You just have to decide if you want to try for the VBAC first or not. Lots of luck!!!!

Re: What would you do?

With my DD, my water broke and I ended up w/ a C-Sect b/c my Blood pressure was very high. My OB says this time around the only way I am going natural is if i get to the hospital and the babies head is coming out (I hope not the case)..otherwise scheduled C-sect for fear of the scar rupturing.

Good luck again this is a decision that you and DH have to make like everyone says, I am just suprrised a VBAC is even being considered.

Re: What would you do?

Re: What would you do?