https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 20:28:06 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section/page/2#post-2814761 Fri, 06 Apr 2018 10:31:41 +0000 Sams Mom 2814761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: at his checkup yesterday the med student following his ped asked if this was his 3 year check :grin: His Dr was like no, but he's been consistently big from the start :) The worst part is when people give me judgey looks because he "should be better behaved" I just loudly say something like are you excited about your 2nd birthday baby?... that usually shuts them down :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section/page/2#post-2814759 Fri, 06 Apr 2018 10:28:37 +0000 bhbee 2814759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: yep he is still a giant on height. I never had any gd indicators and most of the weight i gained was swelling so I think he was just meant to be big! Someone asked me if he was going to kinder in the fall ... nope he turned 3 a couple months ago :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section/page/2#post-2814754 Fri, 06 Apr 2018 10:13:32 +0000 Boogs 2814754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: Naturally and early both times! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section/page/2#post-2814750 Fri, 06 Apr 2018 10:01:32 +0000 Sams Mom 2814750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamatimes3: holy crap on a cracker! that is one big baby! for as tall as I am, and as hippy as I am, I guess I have a narrow pelvis ? Were all your babies born at similar gestational ages?</p> <p>@bhbee: that's a big baby! has your baby stayed consistently at the top of the chart? my son turned 2 yesterday (and had his check up) and is still maxing his growth charts out!</p> <p>@Boogs: Did you induce or go into labor naturally?</p> <p>@Mrs. Champagne: My c-section was so easy that's why I'm ok with another if I have to. My ton was transverse up until 2 weeks before the c-section, then switched to head down, and then turned breech the day before my c-section so who knows what kind of havoc he could have wreaked during a vaginal birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section/page/2#post-2814707 Fri, 06 Apr 2018 08:15:53 +0000 Mamatimes3 2814707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 1st was large (almost 11 pounds) and I had a csection. My next two were also c sections and came earlier than due date because of low fluid levels. For me I was fine with that because I knew what to expect. And also wanted to say that baby sizes can be so different! My middle was just over 7 pounds and my youngest was 5 1/2 pounds compared to their huge brother. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section/page/2#post-2814672 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 23:08:13 +0000 bhbee 2814672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: i haven’t had a c section so can’t speak to that but I had a 9lb 13oz 23” baby vaginally - bodies do amazing things! If you decide Vbac is what you want go for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section/page/2#post-2814665 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 21:50:52 +0000 Boogs 2814665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My second baby was bigger, but has a successful vbac and was so thankful to do so! My recovery was so much better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section/page/2#post-2814644 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 19:12:35 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2814644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a terrible vag birth, lovely scheduled c section, and I'm pregnant again and going for the scheduled c section. I'd hate to labour and end up with a c section anyway. Scheduled ones are pretty handy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814622 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 16:06:05 +0000 Sams Mom 2814622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pollywog: My son was like 99.9%, I can't imagine pushing anything even close to that size out unmedicated; you're a champ! There are a lot of things that I'm unsure of, but I'm 99.5% sure that if I go VBAC I will have an epidural. I do metabolize meds quicker than usual (we found out when I was able to help transfer myself from the OR bed to the recovery room bed), so that might make it exciting.</p> <p>@ocean81: That's the main thing I'm concerned about! My son is very much so a mama's boy and wants me to carry him around... and he's huge! We just left his 2 year check up, and he is 37" tall and weighs 33 lbs and he's only getting bigger. Thankfully our babysitter comes to the house and I will probably have her come after my husband goes back to work to help with Sam or the baby. </p> <p>@Mrs. Goose: Yea I passed the sugar challenge, but it was in the upper percentages of normal... but I passed and that was all that mattered so I didn't have to go back for the 3 hour. Like I said above, that's one thing that concerns me is not being able to pack around my toddler when he wants it. I am so glad that I have such a good relationship with my OB and he's willing to do whatever I want as long as it's not a danger to me or the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814618 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 15:55:20 +0000 misolee 2814618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just chiming in here bc I just had my second vbac.</p> <p>My first was 8lbs9oz and induced at 41 weeks. She got stuck, was sunny side up, and after 24 hours of induction, they just reasoned that I would be too tired to push so told me to do a csection and I agreed. (I also didn't know better). My recovery was actually not that bad.</p> <p>I switched doctor groups in between my first and second.</p> <p>With my second, I was contemplating a repeat csec but Lo2 came fast and furious at 37 weeks in less that 3 hours. No time for epidural or even any medication. He was 7lbs3 oz. Recovery felt actually worse that my csec.</p> <p>With my 3rd, we were prepared to go into labor early like my second. But nope...she went as late as my oldest. My OB's policy is that they can't induce any one with a previous csection but bc I had a previous VBAC and I was already 4.5cm dilated, they agreed to use low dosage of pitocin to induce. I actually got to 10cm pretty fast, but LO3 was still pretty high and sunny side up. They tried to turn her but it didn't work. My OB was very pro VBAC and they decided to try forceps to help and I was able to push her out. She was huge at 9lbs 3 oz. </p> <p>This recovery has been the most painful. I also had a 3rd degree tear but love that I didn't have to have surgery again.</p> <p>If you are serious about VBAC, find doctors and midwives who will support your decision and help you with your goal. My 3rd was the exact same case as my first but one ended up in csec and the other was VBAC even though it could have easily turned into surgery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814602 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 14:27:21 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2814602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: I had a vbac and I really wanted one after an unplanned c-section. I was two weeks overdue and was induced and got to the pushing stage for a few hours, but baby was too high up and got jammed in my pelvis. After 2.5 hours of pushing we did a c-section. My first was 9.15. I didn’t have gd with either pregnancy, but my midwife seemed to think I was likely to have it with my second pregnancy and was surprised I didn’t based on my babies’ weights. </p> <p>With my second I went into labour at 39+5 when my water broke and Baby was 8.12. Head size was very similar, baby 1 had a 36 cm head circumference and #2 was 35.5. I think my only saving graces this time was spontaneous labour so my body and the baby were ready. </p> <p>I was very stressed throughout my pregnancy wondering if I would go into labour and what the outcome would be. I was reading about vbacs and on forums all the time. I would always want to try for a vbac though personally. It made a huge difference to be able to actually be able to pick up my toddler and the baby in the car seat and stuff. I also got an infection in my incision post-op last time and it cleared quickly with antibiotics, but was another annoying thing. My csection itself was very easy and straightforward once they unstuck the baby, but I just didn’t want surgery again if I didn’t actually have to have it.</p> <p>ETA: the ob who did my surgery saw me at my 6 week check up and said it was likely I’d have another big baby and would probably need a csection and was generally very negative. The ob I consulted with at 34 weeks pregnant with my second was extremely positive about vbac attempt and success and even said they could induce with breaking water and a foley bulb if necessary and low pitocin. They worked at the same hospital. I later found out (while in labour) that they actually wouldn’t have let me have pitocin so it was totally dependent on the ob working which is very frustrating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814599 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 14:15:59 +0000 ocean81 2814599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter was breech so I had a scheduled csection. For my son, I drove myself CRAZY deciding what to do. In the end I decided to try for a vbac if I went into labor naturally, but if not, I had an a csection scheduled for 40 weeks. I never went into labor so I had an RCS. Recovery was “easy” and I wouldn’t have changed a thing as it brought me my healthy son. Only tough thing was not being able to lift my 2 year old for a few weeks after the RCS. Daughter was 7lb 10oz and son was 9lbs 9oz. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814594 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 14:06:18 +0000 Pollywog 2814594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: I had a vaginal birth of an 8lb baby with a head in the 90th percentile and his hand over his face (so equivalent of the biggest possible head). Honestly, it was fine. Your body can do this. I tore due to some labor complications, but the best advice I got for birthing a big headed baby was to go unmediated. My L&amp;D nurse told me that if I had an epidural I wouldn't have felt the pain and I would have likely had a 3rd degree tear. Instead my perineum was fine and I just had a minor cervical tear and a cosmetic labial tear. Had the baby not gone into duress and had my OB not put me on the clock to get him out, I would have likely not torn at all. </p> <p>I recommend trying a VBAC. If it doesn't work out, at least you tried. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814585 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 13:38:24 +0000 LBee 2814585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: Also most induction methods are contraindicated for VBACs - they really want you to go into labor on your own prior to 40 weeks. Knowing that I had a hard stop in my mind, it was really easy to say that my body would ultimately tell me whether I was having a RCS or a VBAC.</p> <p>I used this calculator a lot when I was considering my VBAC:<br /> <a href="https://mfmunetwork.bsc.gwu.edu/PublicBSC/MFMU/VGBirthCalc/vagbirth.html" rel="nofollow">https://mfmunetwork.bsc.gwu.edu/PublicBSC/MFMU/VGBirthCalc/vagbirth.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814584 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 13:35:51 +0000 Sams Mom 2814584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: Very valid point, I hadn't read much on VBAC yet and didn't realize success decreases after 40 weeks gestation. That's a good mentality though, if I go into labor before my set c-section then so be it, that's how it will happen. If not, I'll go in at 4 AM, get wheeled back to OR and have another baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814583 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 13:32:27 +0000 Autumnmama79 2814583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: I planned for a VBAC but in the end baby was delivered via RCS at 40+3 due to low amniotic fluid levels.</p> <p>I'll just say I did not feel sad or disappointed about the delivery like I did with my first. I'd grown as a mum and a woman and finally understood that it TRULY didn't matter how baby got there - baby was such a gift and I was incredibly thankful that he arrived healthy and happy. :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814578 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 13:15:11 +0000 Sams Mom 2814578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: That's so true! All I want is a healthy baby out of this, however baby makes an appearance doesn't matter so much. I just feel like I should try if I can, but my c-section provided me a lot of relief after having to sit through an ultrasound every week to see if my baby passed the test and got to stay in for another week. 9 weeks of that stress, and then getting to just set a c-section date and not because he failed his test and might die and being rushed into an emergency C saved my sanity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814576 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 13:14:55 +0000 LBee 2814576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: I think you need to remember the qualifying part of your statement: "if the opportunity presents it." That was my mentale. I said that if I went into labor or was 3cms+ prior to 40 weeks, I'd do a VBAC. If I wasn't, I was going to happily get a c-section. Having not gone through labor is both a good and a bad thing in terms of a VBAC - the good: you haven't had a failed labor that caused the c-section, the bad: you are similar to a first-time mom from the perspective of going into labor and thus need to be prepared to potentially go overdue / how your doctor will handle it (ACOG advises that VBAC success is reduced when going over 40 weeks). </p> <p>Good luck either way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814571 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 13:08:47 +0000 JennyPenny 2814571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: I hear you - I was so disappointed when LO2 was breech and I put myself through a ton of pain and discomfort to flip him so I could have a vaginal birth. I felt so defeated when none of it worked. Then when I really started talking and listening to people who had C-section experience it took away so much of my fear and the negative associations I had with it. My C-section experience was really very great. It feels a lot like breastfeeding to me. Sure breastfeeding has some health benefits, just like a vaginal birth typically has fewer complications - but it doesn't mean you're a failure if it doesn't work out, or if you don't try as hard as someone else. We've created such a stigma around formula and C-sections that people will put a lot of unnecessary stress on themselves to avoid them :-/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814561 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 12:47:30 +0000 Sams Mom 2814561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: Honestly, it makes me feel like I am failing if I don't try if the opportunity is presented. This whole TTC for a year and going on clomid has made me crazy after our son was a surprise baby. bleh </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814557 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 12:19:58 +0000 JennyPenny 2814557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: From what you're saying it sounds like you've already got your answer - that you hope to be able to have a VBAC. I hope it works out for you :) :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814554 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 12:14:50 +0000 Sams Mom 2814554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: At my hospital, they keep the baby in the OR with you while you're getting closed up. My husband was with me and was able to see and hold the baby as soon as they cut the cord. I didn't get skin to skin immediately, but I had it before we left the OR for Recovery. I honestly had a great experience, but I still wonder if I missed something. I'm not concerned about an RCS, I'm totally fine with it.</p> <p> I know I couldn't have had my son naturally, but think maybe it will work the second time. Its more of a will I regret that I never experienced a vaginal birth. Yes, it doesn't matter if my babies are healthy on how they got here... It's just a nagging concern. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814553 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 12:14:15 +0000 Mrsbells 2814553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: i have now had 2 c-sections and will have a third and final csection this Fall. There are risks of both a vbac and a repeat csection but each person's uniques medical history plays a role too. For me I decided to go with the repeat since laboring the 1st time didn't play out well for me </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814551 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 12:13:29 +0000 justjules 2814551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first was on the larger side- 8.2 with a 99% sized head. He was sunny side up and got stuck, his heart rate dropped suddenly, cue c section. </p> <p>I had a horrible horrible recovery (got the worst of both worlds- a very long hard labor and then a c section on top of that). </p> <p>I was determined to have a VBAC for my second. The following were factors I considered: </p> <p>1.) recovery. I couldn’t walk for a while, and bending, sitting, etc all came with extreme pain after my c section. I didn’t want to go through that again<br /> 2.) kinda related but, my two babies are 18mo apart so when #2 was born I needed to be able to lift him into his crib, car seat etc. after a c section you can’t lift heavy items for a while. I don’t have family near by so I really needed to be able to carry my first.<br /> 3.) size of family. Each c section carries more and more risk. We are still open to having a larger family (4) and having 4 c sections is very very risky. </p> <p>#2 came two weeks early, was much smaller, and even though I have another long labor (30 hours), I had a VBAC. My recovery was SO much better compared to my first, even with a deep 2nd (borderline 3rd) degree tear. I am so glad I went for it. </p> <p>This is just my experience. I am very pro VBAC but every experience is so different. Ultimately don’t let peer pressure (or doctor pressure. In Houston doctors pressure you into c sections) be your deciding factor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814547 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 12:10:41 +0000 JennyPenny 2814547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an uncomplicated vaginal birth with LO1 and a scheduled C-section with LO2 because he was breech. I think I'll try for a VBAC with a future pregnancy even though I think the C-section and recover from it were way easier than after a vaginal birth. Plus the scheduling was so convenient. I just don't like the moments I missed right after the birth where LO was taken away into another room, and then had to be placed on me for skin-to-skin rather than me getting to hold him. Maybe your hospital does things differently, but if those two things were changed for me I'd 100% do a RCS. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814536 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:44:40 +0000 Sams Mom 2814536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PixieStix: I'm all for a VBAC if it's going to work, I have a great relationship with my OB, and I know he will work with me to do whatever I choose. But the nagging thoughts that my baby will be even bigger and could get stuck (even though my first was too big to even get stuck in my pelvis) stresses me some. I just its a clear cut decision when the time comes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814532 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:36:08 +0000 Sams Mom 2814532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsMom: Waiting to find out the gender is very exciting! We did that with our first, which was hard to do since I had 12 ultrasounds throughout my pregnancy. (I did think I saw a penis at the 37 week one but was still confident I was having a girl) :silly: I highly recommend it!</p> <p>That's my concern, I finally got over feeling like I had to justify my c section to everyone, but still feel like I missed something maybe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814531 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:33:01 +0000 MrsMom 2814531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: I had a c section with my first and can totally relate to your feeling like maybe you missed something with labor. I had my son at 37 weeks because a previous surgery ruptured my uterus and was at risk for another rupture if i went into labor. I always and still do feel like i missed the "wow" moment. But I've tossed around the idea of maybe not finding out the gender of our next so that maybe it will give me a "wow" moment LOL. It's all in my head i know and in no way insinuating that it wasn't still a magical experience.</p> <p>Sorry I can't give much help on the Vbac Vs Rcs because I have to have Rcs no matter what. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814529 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:31:37 +0000 Sams Mom 2814529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: I was totally planning on asking my Dr when the time came if I could take Colace as a preemptive strike before the surgery if I go that route, good to know it helped! Yea, he's named after my grandpa :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-or-rcs-after-scheduled-c-section#post-2814528 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:30:52 +0000 PixieStix 2814528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: I had a normal first pregnancy until the end. At 10 days past due date, I had high blood pressure. Went to the hospital, pitocin, Stadol, etc. The works. Baby flipped and was born via csection and it was pretty traumatic for me at the time.</p> <p>For baby #2 I was determined to do everything the opposite for my little girl. I sought the care of midwives and labored all day and night at home and had my baby 100% natural (no epidural) within 2 hours, so I am super pro VBAC! Of course, a good practice and support is extremely helpful in this. My midwives talked over all the pros and cons, and what ifs, and basically the chance of uterine rupture was so low, I wasn't too concerned. If it did happen, they said I was at a great hospital and they would be able to take care of me. IMO, it was easier to go for a VBAC than to elect myself in to a csection where things can go awry, like blood loss and the like. I am so glad I did the VBAC even though it was scary.</p> <p>But whatever you decide, just make sure you have the right care takers for you so you can make the best decision. :)</p> <p>Also, baby #2 was bigger! She weighed in at 7 lbs. 15 oz. </p>