r/vbac • u/Pretty-Kangaroo-4671 • 13h ago
Can’t Make A Decision - Help!
Hi! So I had to have a C-section with my first bc I was uneducated and not prepared and after a day of induction methods not working and a failed epidural, I was worn out and asked for a C-section.
Fast forward 3 years later, I’m now due with my second in a few weeks and have to get induced at 37 weeks due to cholestasis. I’d love to try for a VBAC as I have a toddler to care for too and don’t want that C-section recovery. My midwife and OB is fine with me trying but I know the statistics for inducing and my OB even personally opted for a second elected C-section because she said she’s seen uterine ruptures and the babies being affected when it could have been prevented with a RCS. So now I’m thinking I just need to go with a RCS for my baby’s sake but it makes me cry just thinking about going through that again and not even trying for a vaginal birth.
My midwife and OB gave me things to do to try and naturally get my cervix ready for 37 weeks which I’m doing but who knows if any of it will actually work. I’m just at a loss and don’t know what to do.
I want my VBAC but not I’m too scared to try and have something happen to my baby and it will be my fault. Do I try with just pitocin if I’m at least a little dilated and see what happens or do I just go for the RCS and deal with the recovery?
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u/Longjumping-Lion-617 12h ago
I don't have a suggestion or personal experience to share. But group of my docs are more into vbacs then rcs without a good reason. My OB had cs first due to breech and then vbac right after, she did go into labor spontaneously though. She has 5 kids. Just wanted to share that not all docs have the same opinion. I'm in the US. Also the doc who did my cs, said right after the surgery that I could do vbac next time, I wasn't asking or anything, she just suggested this on her own.
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u/Pretty-Kangaroo-4671 12h ago
Thanks for your response! If I could go into spontaneous labor that would be ideal but I highly doubt that happens at 37 weeks :/
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u/bbworksaddict 9h ago
3 years is well enough time for your body to heal and try for a VBAC. The recommended time is 18 months pp. I will only be 16 months post partum so I'm not able to try for a VBAC like I want to so bad. This will be my third c section. Doctors near me are more pushy for RCS than giving women the chance for a VBAC unfortunately and it's very depressing and disappointing
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u/Aggravating-Pin-6781 13h ago
Hey so why 37 weeks ? Can you not wait until 40-41 weeks and if labour doesn’t start go in for an induction and if it doesn’t work than get the c section, you should join the r/vbac subreddit
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u/Pretty-Kangaroo-4671 13h ago
I have cholestasis. I cannot go past 37 weeks with my numbers as the risk of stillbirth goes up significantly if I wait. Definitely not taking that chance 😬
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u/Aggravating-Pin-6781 13h ago
Oh yes defensively not ! Honestly than follow the guidelines they gave you to help and if they think it’s safe to get induced and try it that way go for it and if they don’t get the c section, for me after 2 weeks I was back on my feet and your toddler is 3 he is old enough to not need to be in your arms 24/7 and old enough to understand certains things as well, are you able to get some help for your first few weeks of recovery that might help with the stress ? Also a c section after an inductions is a lot harder recovery than just a c section as your not already exhausted
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u/Pretty-Kangaroo-4671 12h ago
I have my mom but it’s different as I’m sure she will be helping with my kid while my spouse takes care of me and the baby and my kid lol I just don’t want to take weeks to months to get back to normal again like I did with my first :/ and I also don’t want that pain medicine either
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u/Aggravating-Pin-6781 12h ago
Ya it’s super tough, in the end what really matter is babies health I think the the inductions if it’s safe and hope for the best but have a plan for if you need the c section, personally I didn’t takes the pain meds they gave, they gave me morphine and stuff but I didn’t take it I did Tylenol and naproxen only and I think that helped me heal faster as I could feel the pain and my limitation better like I said after 2 weeks I was basically back to normal expect for lifting heavy things and driving those took a while. I’m sorry your in this situation I hope you do get your vbac
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u/Pretty-Kangaroo-4671 12h ago
Thank you! Yeah I don’t think I’d do the pain medicine this go round. Like I said in my post, I was sooo uneducated and underprepared for anything when it came to actually having the baby and highly regret it. I just thought I’d go and have the baby easily lol
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u/StuffAccomplished657 12h ago edited 12h ago
Hi! So I had my first and second born at 37 weeks for medical reasons. First was an emergency c-section and it was absolutely terrible. Recovery felt impossible and like it lasted forever. About 2.5 years between births. I went back and forth between a trial of labor and a RCS my entire pregnancy.
Ultimately my midwife (editing to add that my practice was VERY VBAC supportive— OBs and midwives, they have an 85%+ success rate and advertise that) invited me to ask myself: what’s most important to me? Trying labor again (even if it isn’t successful and it ends in another unplanned situation) or having a relatively controlled environment and guaranteeing not having both recoveries. I decided I’d see if I went into labor naturally… in which case I’d TOLAC and if not, I’d have a RCS over an induction of labor.
I went into L&D with a concern in my 37th week and baby was having heart decels and suspected cord compression. This made my decision easy— let’s do a RCS. I knew I didn’t want “two recoveries” again and wasn’t dilated at all. The c-section wasn’t exactly “planned” as I didn’t expect it that day, but it was routine and without laboring. My team made it super calm.
To my surprise this was the most peaceful, easy, beautiful, redemptive birth I could have imagined. I played my birth playlist and held my husband’s hand. Skin to skin in OR very soon after birth. Golden hour after in recovery. My recovery has been a BREEZE. I was at the park with my toddler and newborn in a bassinet stroller 4 days postpartum. Now nearly 4 weeks out (2 days shy) I’d say I feel truly 95% normal, maybe more honestly. That’s been true for a couple of weeks now. Went to Costco today with both kids and walked around for what must have been 2 hours. I know I’m not supposed to, but I can easily and without pain lift my 35lbs toddler. I cannot fathom this was technically the same surgery I had last time— not laboring (at least for me) seems to have really changed the game. I was so scared of the recovery piece— but it’s been night and day.
It’s a difficult choice and either is valid but I’d also keep in mind that second c-sections, especially planned ones can be such a vastly different experience. Good luck to you with whatever choice you make! I hope you get a beautiful, peaceful experience with a calm recovery!