Hellobee Boards

I had an emergency C-section and I had what was called a miraculous recovery - I was like off walking to the bathroom within 2 hours and power walking down the halls the next day to get to my son in Nicu. I felt fine and could lift everything. My son got laying sideways because my pelvis was deep, whatever that means, so the doctor said I can do a VBAC but it's possible my kid could get stuck sideways again. DH wants me to just roll with an RCS because our failed induction to emergency C-section took like 40 hours and then I was a wreck because I hadn't gotten sleep.

Following! I had to be induced due to pre-e and my body didn't respond to induction. After 36 hours, we ended up with a c-section. I had a super easy recovery! Felt amazing and had almost no pain! But my OB is a big proponent of VBACs so I know I'll be having this same discussion for future pregnancies.

I had an unplanned c-section with my first. I was in labor for 40 hours and was fully dilated but wasn't progressing. The doctor said it was because my son was posterior and a big boy (8 pounds 15 ounces). The doctor tried to turn him (literally stuck his hand up there) but wasn't successful. Every pregnancy is different, and I was told I'm a good candidate for VBAC this time around. I'm going to try for a VBAC, because I really want to have a quick recovery if possible. I have a toddler to take care of as well as the new baby, so I don't want to be in pain and stuck in bed for days. With my c-section, recovery was miserable! I think it was probably related to having such a long labor and getting no time to rest, but a VBAC recovery would be the best option. I figured it's worth a shot.

I had an emergency c-section that wasn't really an emergency because my LO was breach and my water broke, but I didn't labor. I had a great recovery. I was a good candidate for a VBAC, and I decided to do it partly because my doctor recommended it and partly because we plan on having at least one more. I went overdue and had to do a strange manual induction because they can't use the usual drugs. It was very slow, so I was in the hospital for 3 days on the induction side. I had a successful VBAC after many many hours of labour, 3 hours of pushing, an episiotomy, a very painful tailbone injury, 3rd degree tearing and a vacuum assist. I had postpartum complications including a manual evacuation of a retained placenta (since they couldn't use pitocin as they would usually) and a subsequent infection. I was in the hospital for 7 days total, and the recovery was very painful and slow.

I still think on balance with the larger family size the safest option for subsequent pregnancies is a VBAC and I would make that choice again even given everything that happened. If I knew I was stopping at 2, I would have leaned a little more towards RCS.

With my first I had an emergency c section because he basically got stuck and failed the vacuum several times. My doctor thought I would be a good candidate for a vbac and I wanted to try that because we were thinking we wanted 3 kiddos. I was scared to try because another emergency c section is risky. I scheduled a repeat c section for a week after my due date so I could give myself a try for a vbac. I ended up going into labor a day after my due date. Really only had contractions for a few hours, my water broke and 20 minutes later the boy flew out! No time for an epidural or anything! Very happy with my vbac and that I gave it a try.

I have had three csections, they get easier every time.

I had an unplanned c section with my first after a long labor, a big baby who was posterior and didn't want to descend. My recovery was fairly easy though I still get some pain in my scar 3 years later.

I had a successful vbac with my son in March. I had felt like I had missed out on a "regular" birth the first time around so I had wanted to try to do it the 2nd time. I was 5 days overdue and had my water broken which started my contractions. They then started pitocin. About 12 hrs later (and an epidural) I started pushing. Pushed for 2 hours, had an episiotomy, and out came my son. He was 9 lbs, 11 oz. They were shocked at how big he was.

The recovery from the vbac was totally different. I had stitches and pain from the episiotomy which made sitting, walking long distances, and lifting painful for a couple weeks. And I still have pain with sex (though we haven't done it very much). In all I'm happy I had my vbac but I'm worried that sex may never be the same again.

@BeachMama: my response is identical to what you wrote (sans the sex since I'm only 3 weeks pp).

I'm 1000% pro vbac... such an awesome experience! But the recovery sucked (33 stitches and seriously sore lady bits).

I had a C/S with my first because he was breech. It was planned at 39+2. I really wanted a VBAC with my second but had a repeat C/S scheduled for 40 weeks because of the limitations of an induction with VBAC. In retrospect I sort of wish I had waited another week but one of the reasons I scheduled RCS right at 40 weeks is that the success rate of VBAC drops after you hit 40 weeks. So now I'm expecting #3 and had hoped to wait till 41 weeks to schedule a RCS, and try for a VBAC again. But this baby is measuring 2 full weeks ahead and it doesn't surprise me because my first two babies were on the large side. This puts her at increased risk for shoulder dystocia (among other complications) and even though I want to avoid a third abdominal surgery in 4 years, I'm going to have a RCS because I think it is safest for the baby.

The recovery from the first was a breeze, recovery was more difficult with the second because I got a wound infection and also had a very large (36 lb) 22 month old at home.

I agree with @Arden that one thing to strongly consider is whether you want more kids, 3+ C sections carry more risk and if you have a history of a successful vaginal delivery (if you VBAC this time), your chances of delivering vaginally are better in the future. I think recovery from vag delivery is generally (not always) better the second and later times - so your first VBAC recovery might be rough as @Beachmama describes.

@MamaBehr: There are lots of risks to having this many surgeries and I'm surprised that none of your OBs have mentioned it but I'm glad they aren't worried! I am still open to having a fourth but not looking forward to 4 CS. Looking forward to hearing about your recoveries - friends who have had 3 have told me their recovery got easier every time. That hasn't been my experience yet.

@aprild:It's hard to say which recovery was harder. My c-section recovery was pretty easy. Initially after my vbac I told my MIL that the vbac was harder and more painful. But in the long run I think it was better. I'm really happy I was able to lift my daughter and play with her. I think she would've held it against the baby if I couldn't have done that. My only concern now is the pain during sex. We've only DTD once and while it wasn't as bad as I feared, it did hurt. I really hope it gets better with time!

I had an unplanned c-section with my first after a failed induction. Extra fluid was showing up on the ultrasound so my doctor was concerned and wanted me to be induced. However, I could never dilate at all even though I was having contractions. After a day and a half of trying, he did the c-section.

My doctor told me failure to dilate is something that tends to re-occur and recommended I do a repeat c-section. My recovery was a lot better and I was more prepared for it. I was out of bed just 12 hours after surgery.

@Rockies11: That is totally different than my real life experience! I wonder if it's just their comfort level? I go to a practice affiliated with a very reputable womans hospital - they are ranked #17 in terms of number of births in the U.S. Just in my experience, I've heard more about how risky it is on hellobee than real life. I'm not saying surgery isn't risky, but my doctors don't seem as concerned.

So essentially -
2nd c-section vs VBAC: similar risk for baby either way, slightly higher risk for mother with a c-section.

But third or fourth c-section? WAY higher risk to mom, and much higher risk of preterm labor.

I had a planned c-section for my first due to breech, it was a great experience with a very easy recover. With my second I was soooo worried about the recovery being more difficult and having a 17 month old running around. I was a good candidate for a VBAC, but regardless I had to schedule a RCS just in case. But I could choose to do it as far out as 10 days past my due date, or as early as 39 weeks. I decided to split the difference and chose to schedule the RCS for 40+3. I felt like that was a good amount of time to give baby to come on her own, and like others (and my doctor) said, the further overdue you are, the less likely you will have a successful VBAC.

I did end up with the RCS, and the recovery was just as easy the second time. I tried my best to take it easy and not lift my 17 month old (although she was little--only 22lbs--and my doctor said it wouldn't be that big of a deal) in the first two weeks. But by week three I was carrying both girls at the same time and it was not an issue.

@brady80: good luck in whatever you decide! I stressed over the decision for most of my pregnancy. And honestly, I don't know that there is a correct decision, especially since you will never know what would happen if you had made the opposite decision. My RCS was easy and great...but could the VBAC have been better? We will never know! Trust your gut and your doctor/midwife and I am sure it will be all good.

I had a RCS for LO 2 and will have another for LO 3. A Vbac isn't an option for me this time since I have a complete previa.

My recovery from my second CS was very smooth.

I've seen 4 diff OBs during this pregancy and 3 of them think that this LO should be my last. My OB thinks a 4th LO should be ok but he will give me his final opinion after checking out my scar tissue during surgery.

My mom had an emergency c-section with me after 16 hours of labor, and then decided on a scheduled c-section with my little brother. She had a fairly breezy recovery with me, but a more difficult recovery with my brother. She's always attributed it that she was actually in labor with me, and her body was "ready" to have the baby out. With my brother, she went into the hospital feeling great and left feeling sick/weak - I think it was a blow to her mentally. I'm sure that she was older and also had to deal with me also contributed.

I've heard lots of good stories about both VBACs and scheduled c-sections - I don't think you can make a "wrong" choice.

@Mamasig: @MamaBehr: I don't think anyone is attacking or saying you've made the wrong choice! We are all here making informed choices I think this thread is intended as informative for anyone deciding about RCS vs VBAC - and family size is an important factor in the decision. There are a myriad of opinions among not just patients, as we see here, but among medical providers. Not every physician has the same opinion or practice style, and there are always institutional limitations to consider (ie some hospitals don't even allow VBAC). Obviously there are lots of things to consider! You ladies, like everyone here, have made awesome choices for yourself and your babies! Thanks for sharing your stories!

I had an unplanned C-section after a failed induction with my first. (maternal fever and DS's heart rate was wonky) He ended up being 9lbs 2oz and I had GD. Was in labor for over 24 hours before OB called for c-section, didn't get to push, dilated to an 8. I found recovery to be rough.

I had planned on a VBAC with my second and after going into labor on my own at 37 weeks, I got my VBAC. Only pushed a few times and didn't tear (my new OB is kick ass) even with an 8lb 4oz baby. I also had a foley bulb inserted and had pitocin to help me progress, my body takes forever to fully dilate. Was in "labor" for 70+ hours-contractions started at work on Thursday, had baby Sunday morning. Recovery was a breeze, up walking within an hour and was able to hold my toddler (who was 20 months) without any issues.

I will no doubt go for a VBAC next time but I also know everyone's body/experience is completely different.

I had an emergency c-section with my first after 57 hours and only dilating to 4/5 cm. She was over ten pounds and sunny side up.
I was not a great candidate for a VBAC but wanted to try if I could. At full term I hadn't made any progress and didn't want to risk a post dates VBAC with a history of LGA babies.

I'm now in unexpectedly pregnant with our third and will be doing another section. My doc is fine with me carrying this one but VBAC is off the table (we conceived at four months pp).

Successful VBAC here! Best pro ever is being so much more alert for the birh and recovery part. I remember everything about the birth of my second LO while birth of my first is a little hazy.