If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

I planned on having a natural birth with DS (2 yrs ago), but ended up needing a C-section after being in what felt like days of labor. I didn't get past 8cm.... DD is due March 27th and I keep going back and forth about what to do. Part of my wants to try a VBAC, but then the other part is thinking just schedule it! I spoke to my doctor and she said it was up to me, she would have the nurse call to schedule a date which I could decide to not go through with when the time comes. She called today and said I could go on the 20th, but I panicked and said I would call back. I'm not really sure what I'm looking for with this post, maybe just to hear from BTDT ladies and how they came to their decision

If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

No regrets here. I ended up just figuring since I knew what to expect with a c/s, I should go that route.

Re: If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

I was supposed to have a VBAC and then because of complications I had to have another c-section. I was really upset, and it took me a really long time to get over it. If I could have had the chance of a VBAC I would have tried it, without a doubt.

If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

Kind of. I was looking for my doctor to steer me one way or the other but he just kept saying it was my decision. My husband is a worrier and hearing the possible complications scared him and so I went ahead and scheduled the csection, secretly hoping I'd go into labor on my own before that and see how it went from there. I also started to think of the positive of being able to make arrangements for my older child. When i asked, The doctor that actually wound up delivering me said he always recommends you try for a vbac, as long as you're a candidate. If I had heard my doctor say that and give me that bit of reassurance, I think I would have tried.

All that said, both csections went smoothly and my babies were and are perfect and healthy! Recovery from both was great for me so I can't complain. Who knows if a vbac would have even worked, I just still hate that I had csections and makes me question a #3 even more.

Re: If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

I know I would've regretted it if I didn't go for the VBAC. There were points, especially towards the end of my second pregnancy, where I was ready to throw in the towel. The idea of having a definite end date was looking fabulous when I was cranky, in pain, and exhausted. But I couldn't not try. I'm incredibly glad I did. I got my VBAC (read my birth story; it's on the other board). DD2's birth definitely healed some emotional scars leftover from DD1's traumatic c-section, and I just felt better and more confident as a person. My physical recovery was a walk in the park - huge bonus when taking care of a nb and a toddler. BFing was 1000x easier. Everyone's got to do what works for them, but I couldn't sign up for major abdominal surgery without a real reason.

Message edited 1/22/2013 7:55:33 PM.

Re: If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

No. I went to my DD. I didn't look ready to go into labor so we decided to do the repeat c/s. I am very lucky that I had a c/s. The Dr. said at the time of delivery that my uterus had thinned and he could see the baby . I think he also said something about being able to just cut it with a knife. So basically, if I had labored, my uterus would have ruptured. I would have been in the small percentage of women that it happens to.

If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

Not at all. I planned on having a natural birth with DD. Wound up getting induce at 42 wks. On the 4th day I had Csection. My uterus tore during Csection was I was told no VBAC. I went and got 2 other opinions. One Dr said yes I could, the other said no way. I opted not to and I was so glad. I don't feel like I missed anything, I healed very quickly since this one was planned. They even fixed my scar for me. It was like checking into a hotel to have a baby.

Re: If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

No regrets. It was easier to be scheduled, so we could arrange babysitting for DS. I knew what to expect with a C-section. I was 2 weeks late with DS #1, had a failed induction causing him to go into distress and had to have an emergency C-section. I wouldn't put another baby through that.

Re: If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

No regrets. I really wanted to vbac with my 4th. My dr and husband were against due to possible complications. My 1st was natural so I knew what that was like compared to the csection I had with my twins. I had hoped to go into labor before the scheduled csection as well and see what happened.

I found the second c-section's recovery to be much easier and my baby was healthy.

Message edited 1/22/2013 8:38:05 PM.

Re: If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

no regrets..in the end it is what it is and i was happy to have a healthy baby and be healthy myself. not everyone feels that way, but for me experiencing a V birth isn't something i have felt sorry for missing. i considered the VBAC but it just didn't work out.

Re: If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

My doc said I should go for vbac. I decided to repeat c section. I knew what to expect. I'm happy I did not do vbac bc nothing has changed down there , no bladder issues, no kegels my recovery was so easy the second time around. I highly Recommend c sections JK

Re: If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

I am in the same boat. I had an emergency c-section with my DS. I was very sick and had pre-eclampsia. My next baby is due in May and my DS will be 16 months old. I keep going back and forth about what to do. My OB told me if I want a vbac I need to really be committed to it. Today we booked my c-section date. I still think in the back of my mind I could go into labor and just have a vbac however Im very nervous about giving birth other then a c-section. I think I may just go with the flow and see what happens.

Re: If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

Another thing is that I hear second planned c-sections are so much easier then the first emergency ones.

Re: If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

ugh, I've seen a few of the doctors in the practice and they all say I can definitely try, but with the history of what I went through with DS there's like a 10% chance I would have a successful VBAC and I think that's what sticks in my head. I absolutely do not want to have a repeat experience of what I went through with DS and then end up having a Csection anyway.... I guess I really have to ask myself if it would bother me that much to not know what a natural birth is like!

Re: If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

No. With DS I made it to 10 cm and started to deliver his foot, and had an emergency c/s. I missed my scheduled c/s by 3 days by going into labor - he was a frank footling breech so there was no possibility of delivery normally without potential serious injury or death to one or both of us (I also had preeclamsia). With DD she was transverse breech so that made my decision for me. I had wanted to try for a regular delivery since I had made it to 10 cm fully effaced/dilated and they said I was an excellent candidate, but her positioning made me have a repeat c/s. It turned out to be a complete blessing as during the surgery they found staples floating in my abdominal cavity from an emergency surgery. I wish you the absolute best in your decision.

Message edited 1/22/2013 11:38:02 PM.

Re: If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

I was induced for medical reasons at 38w and never progressed past 4-5 cm with DS1. I had a scheduled c-section with DS2 at 39w4d, but was considering VBAC if I went into labor on my own. My water broke at 38w5d. My labor progressed pretty quickly, which surprised me since I never got anywhere close to the pushing stage with DS1. In the end, DS2 wasn't tolerating pushing at all and I had another c-section. I'm glad I at least got to experience laboring on my own. I was ok with and fully expecting to have a repeat c-section. I don't have any regrets about anything.

If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

I considered VBAC with DD2 but it was scratched at about 30 weeks since she was breach and my fluid was too low for her to turn. She never did turn head down either, she was breech at my delivery at 39 weeks. So, I think that made the decision easier for me to accept.

Re: If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

Posted by thiadora

No. I went to my DD. I didn't look ready to go into labor so we decided to do the repeat c/s. I am very lucky that I had a c/s. The Dr. said at the time of delivery that my uterus had thinned and he could see the baby . I think he also said something about being able to just cut it with a knife. So basically, if I had labored, my uterus would have ruptured. I would have been in the small percentage of women that it happens to.

Re: If you were thinking of doing a VBAC, but then ended up just going for a repeat C-section, did you regret it?

I really wanted a VBAC so I scheduled my repeat c for one week after my EDD. I figured that would give YDD enough time to come on her own if she wanted.

My water ended up breaking 3 days before my EDD. I wasn't in labor at the time, so I gave myself 12 hours to progress. I didn't. My OB said we could have the c section or she could give me pitocin to try to get things moving. I opted for the c.

I have no regrets because I gave my body an honest try at a VBAC.