I am expecting my 3rd child any day now (due June 10th). With first I had an emergency section post 2 days of labor and 3 hours of pushing (baby began to go into distress). Second son, labor came on spontaneaously at 38 weeks and had a VBAC. Plan is for another VBAC for this one, however, due to advanced age and gestional diabetes, docs don't want me to go past 40 weeks. I am scheduled for an induction should labor not come on before due date. I had a growth scan yesterday and baby is about the same size as my first (which was a section). I also realize some docs are against inductions with VBAC and there is a high chance it will not work anyway. Knowing the baby is on the larger size I am leaning towards changing my plan and requesting a scheduled section. I was wiped out after my first boy (didn't sleep after 2 days of labor pains, pushing/active labor, and then a surgery) and want to avoid that again. Plus with the bigger size (8# 6 oz as per US yesterday) I am afraid that I will tear even more than last time and maybe the baby will have a hard time transending and develop shoulder issues, etc. Any advice from Moms who may may have been in this position? It is tough when the docs are leaving the decision up to me. Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing your birthing stories and for the advice. I spoke at length with the MD who I have the induction scheduled with on my due date. We decided to change it into a scheduled C-section for that day. If I go into labor before hand, they will see how dilated I am and I can decide from there. Otherwise, on the day of the planned section she will check me if I more dilated she will let me decide that morning if I want a trial of labor by simply breaking my water or proceeding with the section. I will let everyone know the outcome!!
Sounds to me like with all the issues you're having, that a planned C-section would be easier on you.
I've had 2 successful VBAC's after an emergency C-section, with the first baby. I was 39 and 41+ years old at the time. And my 2nd VBAC was induced with stripping the membranes, just one day early before the 40 week due date. All went smoothly. I have not heard of successive VBAC's not going smoothly like you mention above. Your uterus is clearly healed from the first C-Section and strong enough to carry 2 babies full term. Had there been any concerns you would have known by now.
However, I did not have gestational diabetes and they are 100% right, that you can't go over your due date. There are too many complications for you and baby.
Personally, I would schedule an induction before your 40th week. You'll be in the hospital if anything should go awry and a C-section can be performed emergently if necessary. All the right support staff and medical rooms are right there. You'll be in good hands.
I also believe that your body is primed and has enough body memory to successfully give birth naturally. You do seem very worried though about many issues that are out of your control. If you feel that scheduling a C-section rather than going into labor naturally, will ease your worries and emotions, than perhaps that is the best route. I would imagine your entire family would rather you go to the hospital calm and relaxed knowing what to expect, rather than uptight and stressed out in labor suspecting the worst.
I found this to be an impossible decision when I was deciding how to deliver my second after an emergency C with my first. I had a very close family friend who is an OBGYN and I called him to help me decide. He told me his patients with scheduled C-sections were very happy.
Still, I just felt like a failure having not vaginally delivered. ( I know that sounds silly to some and I no longer harbor those disappointments, but they were a real part of my decision making process at the time). The thought of laboring and still getting the C-section was what I really did not want to happen (and of course uterine rupture). But the problem is, no one has a crystal ball. I made a deal with God. I'd schedule the c-setion, but if I went into early labor, I'd go VBAC. Well, there was no early labor. During the c-section it was discover that baby had the cord around the neck twice. The Dr.s made if very clear I would have never ever vaginally delivered that baby in the hospital. In hind sight, the scheduled C was the right choice for me. Besides, I already have a scared tummy, why screw up a perfectly good vagina?
There is no comparison between the scheduled C and the emergency C (especially if labor caused you to lose a night of sleep and if you pushed) in terms of being wiped out afterwards. Scheduled C is way easier.
My first was an emergency c-section, and my second was breech, so he was a scheduled c-section. I gotta tell you, that scheduled c-section was pretty nice! We had grandparents to watch our older son, and our family knew what time they could arrive. I was so much more relaxed and able to nurse him right away. It was definitely less stressful that the first one.
I'm a pretty big wuss when it comes to pain, so I was always ok with having a c-section. Having it scheduled gave me a chance to relax knowing when he would be born and having a really good idea of what the first few days would be like.
It sounds like you've probably already made your decision. I just want to share my experience and tell you that I think a scheduled c-section is the way to go.
With my first, I got induced. I started having contractions around 7 p.m. and didn't progress enough to push until 5 p.m. the next day. Like you, I pushed for three hours and the baby was still way up there, so I had a c-section at 9:45 p.m. I was EXHAUSTED. I couldn't even come out of recovery to hold my baby for over five hours and the recovery was really, really hard.
With my second, I had a scheduled c-section. I wasn't a great candidate for a VBAC and really didn't want to go through labor and then ended up with a c-section anyway. Having a scheduled c-section was SO easy and my recovery was SOOOO much easier than it was the first time around. I held my baby right after the surgery was over and even for a couple seconds right after she was born. I was able to move around faster, eat sooner, and just feel like myself again so much sooner.
I was really glad I opted for the scheduled c-section and didn't try for a VBAC (which I wasn't a good candidate for anyway). The recovery was much better than labor + pushing + surgery.
My second was an emergency C-section, his heart rate wasn't tolerating the meds and the cord dropped under his head, so it was a bonafide emergency to save him. I had my next baby 23 months later and opted for a scheduled C-section. It was planned 6 weeks or more out though, so I'm not sure how it would work with scheduling it so close, but you could try!
Really, go with your gut though. How do you feel about it? How confident is your doctor that things will work out?
I would lean towards a C-Section too. I know that isn't a popular opinion these days, but you have medical reasons in which to do so, in addition to practical reasons.
I decided to have a second C-section after my first had to be as well. You are right that inductions can be tricky but can still work. I was happy I did it. It gave me time to plan, find a babysitter, etc.
I think either decision will be the right one, honestly, but it sounds like maybe?? you are leaning towards a c-section but don't want to feel guilty or sound "selfish". Don't feel that way. Do what's best for you and your family. And congratulations! :)
My situation was a little different - only 2 kids - but my 1st labor and delivery was very similar to your first - a long long labor, 4 hours of pushing, followed by an emergency C-section. When baby was finally born by emergency section, I literally just passed out from exhaustion - didn't hold him or nurse him until about 4 hours later, and recovery was hard because I was so exhausted and sore from labor and pushing. There was no WAY I was risking that again. With #2, the doctors offered VBAC, and I chose a scheduled c-section. It was a good experience for me and the baby - I held him right away, nursed him, and recovered from the surgery so much faster than I had the first time, because I didn't have all the trauma of labor before the surgery. I have NO regrets.
Wishing you a Kate Middleton style birth - natural and quick and easy with healthy baby and mama at the other side.
VBAC is easier on the body in my opinion - did both but the gestational diabetes is a contra-indicator for VBAC usually. Good luck!
I was going to try for a VBAC with my second, even though I was 43 yo. However, my second was late, so it was a no-go. I had a second c-section scheduled for a week after my due date. It was lucky we went this route. It turns out my second had a huuuge head, and the scar tissue from the previous c-section was really thin. Not a good combo.
Inductions with VBACs are super dangerous. I can't imagine a doctor would agree to that.
If the baby comes early or on time, on its own, it seems reasonable to try for a VBAC, if your doctor agrees. I would still schedule a c-section the week following the due date, just in case.
