2nd c-section or VBAC?

DreaMaria

I'm 10 weeks pregnant with my second child and very unsure if I want to try a VBAC or go with another c-section. I am a nurse, so I understand the risks involved with both. I'm just not sure which way to go for recovery purposes and taking care of a 20 month old.

With my daughter I was dead set on vaginal delivery, so dead set I was induced 3 times over a week due to high blood pressure. During the 3rd failed induction, once I got to 3 cm I asked for an epidural. We had the chairman of anesthesia put it in for me...and it DIDN'T work. They kept trying to reposition and add more meds to it but it still didn't work. Then my blood pressure dropped to an alarming 63/32 and my daughters' heart rate started dropping, so we went in for an emergency c-section. We all ended up doing great, thankfully! Post delivery, I developed a small wound infection and was in terrible pain for about a month. Additionally, I was exhausted from the week (basically) of labor and I gained 10 lbs while in the hospital from all of the IV fluid they gave me.

So, my first delivery experience was awful and I just want this next one to be smooth. I really want to avoid going through the same problems again. What is your experience with VBAC or multiple c-sections, and how was it to care for a little one while recovering?

TIA

mommyo3soon2b4

I have had 3 c-sections all with quick and easy recoveries. my kiddos we 28 & 31 months apart, and very much mamas babies. I wasnt able to pick them up right away, but they were able to climb on my lap for snuggles. I got up within an hour to hour n a half after delivery, and forced myself to walk...which I think greatly helped. We are all different, but I think if I was given the choice, which im not(cant deliver naturally) I would still choose a csection. Good luck:)

magcaw

I was induced with my first and my labor stalled (either from induction or the size of my baby, I don't know). After 20 hrs the doc suggested a c-sec, and I was lucky enough that the whole thing went smoothly. My recovery was actually great, I was out helping my sister plan her wedding the day after I came home from the hospital. With my second I chose to schedule a c-sec because I was terrified i'd try to push and not succeed and end up recovering from an attempted vaginal delivery and a c-section. Recovery was the same for me (we were out and about immediately), but the experience was anti-climactic and a bit disappointing, in retrospect. I felt like I didn't do anything, like I totally missed out on something important. This time I really wanted to try vbac but my doc said they don't allow patients with more than one c-sec under their belts to attempt it. I'm very disappointed, but I don't want to change doctors. If you think you'd like to try vbac at any point, this may be your only opportunity. But without the infection, your recovery from a c-section shouldn't be difficult, and there's no change in scarring or anything after the first time. Good luck!

magcaw

***my kids were 27 months apart (this baby will be 33 months youunger than my last) and though I couldn't pick my 2 year old up right away I didn't have any problems chasing after him or anything. Except when he decided to run away from me while we were out, that was a bit challenging (but not because of the c-section, just because my son was a pain in the butt).

kalasthename

i had a c-section with my first and the recovery was horrible for me...i think i tried to do too much too fast but i was in terrible pain for 2 weeks...i'm trying for a vbac this time around but if i have to have a c-section i will be fine with it...i have my mother here to help now so i dont overdo myself

DreaMaria

Thank you for your input ladies! magcaw, you definitely gave me something to consider as I do remember telling that way even with everything I went through! I really appreciate all of your responses!

DreaMaria

*feeling, not telling

Color_pink0923

I'm scared I might have to have one bcuz my hips are narrow

luvn_my_babies

@Soon2BMomOf2under2 i also had a emergency c-section with my 1st and am going to be having my second little one 18 months from the birth of my 1st and im going to try for the vbac and the doctors are willing to try and im very thankful because mine also go infected and it was awful. Im also a nurse to how ironic hehe..but i feel like i know my body and we know what signs to look for if something is about to go wrong. Good luck in deciding though!