Need Advice for Some Pregnancy, Delivery and Newborn Care

My first was emergency c-section so my second had to be for various reasons. It was nice to have it scheduled and know the due date and be more prepared. However, the recover time is so painful. If not for that it would have been better.

Vbac - been there, done that, have the t-shirt. If you can do it then try it. You can't beat the recovery. Soooo much better.

My only suggestion is be careful. It could be actually worse to try a vbac and be thrown into an emergency c-section which is very traumatic, and fast! I had a scheduled c-section with my first and he was breech, so i have my choice, but normally like the ladies say there is a reason normally. So you could go into labor for 24 hrs like my friend did and end up in a c-section anyway! Scheduling is nice and calm, and i held my boy the minute they stitched me up, recovered in a few days, sore for maybe 2 weeks at the most. Scheduled c-sections they have more time, arn't rushed and can do things properly, to help with recovery time.

Hi I had my first child with an emergency C section as well. I unfortunately did not have the choice of another C section or VBAC. I was informed I was to have the VBAC. Well my experience was very painful. The labor/delivery and the episotomy was just as discomforting as the C section. My recovery was much easier with the C section and I already knew what to expect. I am sure you will hear many opinions, this is just one, take this as you wish... :) I was also in labor for 36 hrs and my doctor had to use the vacuum to help my child out, it almost ended in another C section!

Hi CS!!!I just want to say first off that i have succesfully vbacced 4 times.My first born was an emergency c-section also and i was sure i would just have a scheduled c section with any more kids i had.But i realized as the time got closer that every mom has the right to try and give birth and not have to have a csection.I know you may be nervous but think of it as each birth is sooooo different.i'm not sure what the medical reasons were for you emergency c-section but for me it was simply because i had been in labor for 2 days and the dr thought the baby would never come out.Now years later i realize that the first time your body gives birth even though your body is equipped to do it the first time usually takes longer and you need to just relkax the best you can.Anyways i say go for the vbac.i can answer more questions in depth ifyou would like.

I also used cloth diapers and yes they do save money!!!i set a up a pail in the bathroom that i would throw mine in.When they were poopy i would just dunk them in the toilet i didnt find the process any messier then dealing with a toddler.
Good luck with whatever you decide

In my oppinion Cloth diapers can be more of a hassel-I used them for 10 months with my second and tried to use them with my third and the baby cried each time she peed a little bit-I was changing her every 10-20 min, no kidding ~ I was going crazy. Anyway a good site, the site I ordered all my stuff from was www.babycottonbottoms.com Dani is the owner and is super nice and helpfull. As for your other questions I just don't have any personal experience/knowledge in those areas, sorry.
If your interested in trying cloth diapers contact me and I'll sell you the remaining NB size diapers that I have, if you're interested. (I'm selling them for 2/3 price of what I paid, so it's a cheap way to 'try' cloth diapering)

I am due this week with #2 and hoping to have a VBAC myself. I had a scheduled (2 day notice) section with #1 due to elevated blood pressure on my part. I can tell you that I had a great experience with a c/s because I knew it was going to happen - I called the hospital with all my info and made sure they knew I wanted to breastfeed, no pacifier, etc. It also gave our long distance family notice to travel if they wanted to come. Because it was scheduled, I was awake the whole time and my husband was there too. However, I don't believe in unnecessary surgery which is why I hope to have a vaginal birth this time. If I can't then I can't - and I know what a c/s is like. Your medical provider should be the one to decide with you unless you don't really like him/her... then I recommend the ICAN website (intl cesaerean awareness network) and the book VBAC After Cesaerean. The book was really helpful for me. It helped me with a lot of info and wasn't anti- c/s - just really informative.

I am planning to cloth diaper this baby and I have already stockpiled quite a bit. I have bought 90% of my cloth diapers used and spent about $250 so far. This includes about 20 newborn size, 15 small, 10 medium, and 10 large in several different styles and types. I plan to wash every 2 days so in my opinion it is already going to be much cheaper than disposables. As far as messy goes, I am not doing the dunk in the toilet method - I am planning to use rice paper liners when the baby starts solids and the poop is more consistent than newborn poop. Newborn breastfed poop doesn't gross me out and I figure it will just wash out with the diapers itself - which I am washing separate from clothes. Lots of great online resources for cloth diapers - email me privately if you want more info.

I too am facing swollen hands and feet. My midwife and obgyn actually said that walking can HELP as just elevating them doesn't kick your circulation back up. So I try to walk for 30-60 minutes a day with my own 4 year old around our block, to get the mail, etc. and then when I come back, I make sure to rest really well. Also, avoid salt. I also take a tub bath every evening for relaxation and swelling issues.

Sorry to be so long! Hope you get some good ideas!

I had a scheduled C-Section with my second, as my first ended up coming by C-Section after 1.5 hours of pushing (lucky me!). Actually, it was REALLY nice to be able to have childcare for my older child arranged, go to the hospital, lay down and have the baby taken out. It took so much of the guesswork out of the whole thing. On the other hand, the hospital stay and recovery is a bit longer, but I was glad I did it that way. I don't think there is a wrong choice here. You just need to do what you feel is best for you and your family.

As far as the swelling goes, I had it SO bad with my first it was unbelievable. My feet felt like water ballons about to pop, and my ankles had rolls on them. I seriously felt like I didn't fit in my skin. Nothing I did helped it, and when I talked to my doctor after getting pregnant with number 2, he said there really isn't anything you can do. But a friend of mine told me that parsley tea is a great natural diuretic. She said that you pretty much boil parsley for about 5 minutes or so, and then drink the water. I haven't tried it, but she swears by it. I guess it's worth a try. I know how uncomfortable you must be! But take heart. Only one month left. Good luck to you and congratulations on the little one on the way!

Another double thumbs up for the cloth diapers. We used the Kushies brand all in one, 5 layers of cotton, extra doublers, and a water proof outside with velcro fasteners. Be very careful what you decide to soak your diapers in as if it's not rinsed out well can give a rash. We put tee tree oil into the water in a 5 gallon bucket. It's a natural antibacterial. One thing I wish we had was the dish sprayer that ties into the water line of your toilet! Makes rinsing the diapers a much easier thing to do. When we had a load to do, we'd spin then rinse them in the washer, then put on a hot wash. Also when out and about for the day we'd used 7th generation disposables, plant fiber instead of chemical absorbant.

Another great thing would be to put a few months of diaper service on your baby shower wish list. Then you can try the cloth style before you invest in a cloth set of your own. Next Generation on Oracle by Tucson Mall does a service in town.

Good birthing :)

Hi, I too had a emerg cs w/my 1st and experienced severe swelling. as for the scheduled cs i was really pleased w/my experience. For one I had a 2 yr at home whom i could schedule someone to stay w/her and I wasn't stressing the last month about going into labor. I also felt more comfortable that i was already in the operating room if there were complications.

For the swelling i swam. not only does it eleviate pressure but it's great excercise & relaxing. My ob told me being fully submerged (neck down) is what helps, just soaking the feet does nothing.

Oh, and after my 1st cs i swelled up like a balloon but the 2nd time they put compression wraps on my legs and stomach and i experienced no swelling so you may want to request this from your Dr.

Yes a sc is major surgery but, this is a very personal decision and no one should make you feel pressured - you do what is best for your peace of mind. Best wishes.

Have you heard of g-diapers? They are flushable and biodegradable and less messy than regular cloth. They are very earth-friendly and I think comparably priced to cloth. I think the website is gdiapers.com, and some whole foods stores carry them.

I've had 2 c-sections (both required because they were breech) and would never recommend anyone to have a C over natural birth. the recovery is just too hard, although the second wasn't quite as bad. But ultimately its your body and you need to do what's best for you! Good luck and congrats!

Hi--okay, I feel very passionately about natural birth. I am a childbirth educator, mom, and long-winded lady!

I am a mom of three, and have had two VBAC experiences. My first was a C-section. It was very hard since I was so set on natural birth. I always felt cheated, like I could have done more, or done it differently. I was alone for 45 minutes waiting to meet my baby while I should have been holding him in my arms, bonding with him, nursing him. I am so glad science is here for emergencies, but most of the time, birth is not an emergency.

When we found out I was pregnant with our second, I was determined to do it my way. We had such a hard time finding a doc that agreed, and still, every appointment, she would say things like, "Don't you just want to schedule a C-section? It would be so much easier." I stuck to my guns, feeling very protective of my right to birth the way I wanted to.

I went into labor, got in touch with my warrior-mama side, and birthed my baby naturally and safely at the hospital after a long labor. I felt like I was flying for six weeks afterwards. The pictures of me minutes after the birth show a proud, thrilled, powerful me that I am so incredibly glad I got to know. It was the moment of my life.

My second VBAC was at home, using hypnosis (which is so underrated!), and even better. It was short and lovely. It was hard, painful, amazing, incredible...a rite of passage I wouldn't trade for anything. What an amazing way to become a mother!

In birth, we get in touch with our primal, powerful selves. It is an amazing process. It is an incredibly important process. There are complex hormonal changes that happen naturally in birth that secure bonding with the baby, that cause natural endorphin highs that help with mood and energy level and recovery, milk boosters, love hormones...it's an incredible experience, and one that is perfectly designed to bring a baby into the world. You can skip it...science has created a fairly safe alternative, although the risks are greater. But you'd be robbing yourself of one of the most empowering and amazing experiences a woman can have. I loved it. I loved finding the strength to do it. Honestly, I'm not afraid of much anymore. I have seen my strength. We women are powerful and amazing.

Most things that are worth having are worth working for, and come at a price. If babies were just passed out on street corners, we would value their arrival less. I think it's part of nature's design that it's not easy. It's becoming someone else. It's becoming a mother, and starting that process by seeing your strength and amazing power, by trusting in your body, by delivering a baby with all the feeling and blood and sweat and love you have...that's a pretty good design. I say give in to the process, embrace it. Natural birth is good for you and your baby. It's much safer. It's so much easier to recover and be there for your baby and your toddler, too. The baby arrives alert and unencumbered by anything unnatural, ready to bond and nurse. It's nature's perfect design.

Your children are so lucky to have a mom who is willing to question and explore. Best of luck to you, and whatever you decide, I hope you have a perfect, beautiful birth.

Hi C,

I was asking my Naturopath about the swelling and he said it could be a couple things.
One is that the need for protein is not being met which is compromising the adrenal glands.. resulting in swelling.

When we are pregnant, he said the need for protein increases by 50% to feed our growing little person inside. He suggested smaller meals, eating more frequently, increasing protein as opposed to carbs.

Another suggestion he said might be an electrolyte imbalance. He said that this imbalance can occur if we have increased our carb consumption during pregnancy.

Something that I have been taking for actually 3 years now and has helped with my electrolyte balance, as well as supplying all the vitamins and minerals that I need, is an All-in-One liquid supplement called Vibe.

Vibe was formulated by an MD and uses a new technology that delivers the nutrition to the cellular level in minutes.

And I feel the difference just that fast! It has really helped with my energy levels!

You can't buy Vibe in a store. It is only sold through independent distributors. www.vibeforme.com/smartidea

My naturopath will also do a free phone consultation. Let me know if this interests you and I can hook you up with him. He is really amazing!!!

good luck with everything!!
D.
###-###-####

well Most of my friends have had to go through emergency c-sections and when they went to deliver there second child they again had to do an emergency. I know the ones that chose to go in and have a scheduled one recovered quicker and they were better off most of the time there is a reason why you had to have a c-section and it mostlikely will happen again i am not trying to scare you but it is usually better to schedule and do it then to tear and tirer your body to turn around and have one anyways. I wish you the best

Go with your gut on the VBAC choice and don't listen to anyone else's opinion. Only you know your body well enough. The risk is so low anyway.
I bought the BumGenius 3.0 diapers but have yet to use them with my 3 month old- been too busy. Can't help you there!
I had my husband rub my calves every night and kept them elevated a lot. This last month is kind of hard to keep your limbs not swollen in general isn't it. I only have one kid... not really looking forward to being pregnant with #2 and chasing #1 around myself!

Good luck! I wish you a beautiful and safe delivery.

I am a Nurse in the OB department in Flagstaff. Our Hospital has banned VBAC's because during Labor your uterus could split open and then your baby is floating inside your body cavitity. not only is that bad but that means an emergency C-Section, whether you have pain meds or not, VBAC's are very risky and from everything I have read could be life threatening to both you and your baby. If I was in your shoes I would schedule a Section, not the funnest and not the most painless but your options are limited. Hope this helps in your decision making.

Hi C.S.

I used cloth diapers with both my children from the time they were born until they 3 years old and working on potty training. Cloth diapers are wonderful. I set up a dry diaper pail that I threw the diapers in when I changed the kids. I used one of those bags that you can use for storing wet things when camping to line the pail (I got mine at Target) so when laundry day came I'd just take the bag and diapers out of the pail and through it in the washer. Then it was two more loads of laundry a week one for the diapers and one for the covers. I used chinese pre-folds and covers, which I thought were really easy but there are other things on the market like all in ones that are the same as putting a disposable diaper on your child.

I found cloth diapers hugely economical I used the same three dozen diapers and covers with both kids. As for mess, we did use disposable diapers when we travelled, and I have to say the cloth diapers were no more messy than the disposables. I loved my cloth diapers and found I saved a lot of money with not much more work.

As for swollen hands and week......I had that problem when I was pregnant and my midwife told me to eat watermelon, and parsley as they are natural diuretics. Also try to keep your feet elevated.

Hope that helps

I can say that I considered cloth diapers...but we ended up moving around a lot, it was impractical. I did use natural infant hygiene (See Diaper Free website and the like for ideas)
so I was able to reduce the number of disposables I used. Not much poop in any diaper...as my daughter preferred to use the toilet. My daughter has just turned 2 now, and has not had an accident in a long time.

1) I had a scheduled c-section after an emergency one the first time. I was THRILLED with it. 5 years ago, after 30 some hours of labor, I was rushed to the OR and had such anxiety that the docs had to give me valium and I had to wait to breastfeed the baby. This time, I walked myself into the room, got a spinal, laughed and joked with the docs and residents, was calm and happy, and met my perfect son within minutes. (I also got a tubal for no extra charge on my insurance--a big plus.)
OH, and recovery, I had surgery Thurs at 1 pm, was out by Saturday. I was off pain meds a couple days later except for some Tylenol. (if you were ok the first time, that might be a clue.)
3) I had swollen feet and wrapped them in ace bandages, which at least eased the discomfort.

We used a diaper service with my daughter. There is a fantastic one in Tucson--Next Generation Diaper Service www.nextgenerationbaby.com. Just as easy as disposables and about the same cost (maybe even less--my daughter was potty trained before she was 2 largely because she could feel when she was wet). The website has lots of information about how the service works and the staff is extremely friendly and helpful!

I also had a lot of swelling during my last trimester. My doctor recommended keeping my feet up as much as possible and to get in the pool for 30 minutes every day. Seemed to help a little bit.

Good luck with your delivery! I had an emergency C-section too and always felt like I missed out on one of the great joys of womanhood.

Hello, I am cloth diapering my third child. They save about $2000 per child and I'm on my third, so that's quite a savings. And they are NOT that difficult. There is a resource center in town that has a class on cloth diapering options, as well as other classes and information on VBAC and other birthing options.
http://www.bodymindandspiritabq.com
Check out the calendar for the date of the next diapering options class.

I've not had a c section, but seems to me a VBAC is the way to go. Here's an article about the risks of elective c sections:
http://www.bodymindandspiritabq.com/articles-and-past-new...

ADDED LATER: Someone replied that using cloth diapers uses more water than disposables. This is a common misconception disproven by the 1991 Landbank Consultancy study, which found:
compared to cloth diapers, throwaway diapers use 20 times more raw materials, three times more energy, twice as much water, and generate 60 times more waste.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaper
Yes, we live in a desert and need to watch our water consumption. But overall, it takes twice as much water to create each and every disposable diaper that just ends up in a landfill. To say it's more environmentally friendly to not wash cloth diapers, but use disposables would mean we should extend that logic to ourselves, wash less and wear disposable clothing!

I use cloth diapers and I LOVE them!!! There is a bit of a learning curve, but once you get it down, it's great! www.thediaperpin.com has some great resources. Also, Stephanie lives in Phoenix and owns www.ababyconnection.com. She is always willing to help out new moms. I also belong to www.diapertraders.com and www.diaperswappers.com. I have bought many, many used diapers off there to save money.

I use pocket diapers that are one-size like bumgenius (http://www.bumgenius.com/) and happy heinys (http://www.happyheinys.com/). I also make my own diapers to save money. I belong to some yahoo groups where you get super cheap materials. You can also find free patterns online.

My son is temporarily back in disposables, and let me tell you, I hate them. I ate the chemicals and bleach touching his skin, the smell, the feel, and pretty much everything about them. Once you get used to cloth, you realize how awesome they really are!!

Please message me or e-mail if you have questions! ____@____.com

Hello, I am sorry I can't help you with any of those questions, but if would like some precious photos of your baby, please give me a call. I love taking pictures of newborns. When they are 2-3 weeks old is the best time.
Good luck with your delivery.
K. Hendricks
K. Hendricks Photography
###-###-####
www.karahendricksphotography.com

I would totally recommend a VBAC. Each caesarean raises your risks for subsequent births. For example, your risk of having a stillborn baby rises astronomically after your second caesarean. Other serious complications, such as adhesions, uterine rupture, placenta previa, placenta acreta, etc., rise with each caesarean.

There is always the risk of uterine rupture, but it is EXTREMELY low, and most ruptures are non-life-threatening. The main cause of uterine rupture during VBAC is when non-natural uterine stimulants (cytotec, pitocin) are used to unnaturally augment labor. If you can avoid those, your chances are really good.

Have you considered taking a Bradley or other natural-childbirth class? They will give you the knowledge that you would need to go for a VBAC and not let hospitals give you scare tactics.

Speaking as a woman who has had a natural vaginal birth, I can also tell you that vaginal birth is an intensely empowering and fulfilling and ecstatic experience that I wouldn't give up for the world. It is your birthright as a woman, and it is SO worth trying for!

A doctor who encourages VBAC is Dr. Christine Brass-Jones:

http://trueharmonywellness.com/

Here's a great website about VBAC and C-sections:

http://www.ican-online.org/

Blessings!!! And good luck!!

Hi. I just had a VBAC on the first. I would HIGHLY reccommend having a vaginal delivery vs a C-section any day. Two days after having my son, I was at my friends birth party, and although I was sore, the recovery was so much better!!! Cesarian's are MAJOR abdominal surgery, and they come with all the risks of majoy surgery. When you look at the statistics, VBAC's are very safe. Less than one percent of women expierience complications, and if you avoid induction, epidurals and pitocin the risks are reduced further. www.ICAN.com and www.childbirthconnection.com are both great websiteds with some great information on the real risks and benifits of a VBAC vs a C-Section. Check them out, and if you want a VBAC, find a care provider that will support you fully. Good Luck. J.

Do whatever you think is best for you. I like some of the others had a scheduled C for my second child and it was a completely different experience than my emergency C. With my first C I had spinal headaches and a lot of pain. I had to have something rigged bedside to pull myself out of bed because I could barely get up on my own. With my second C, I had a much quicker recovery, which was awesome because I ended up by myself with a newborn and a 4 year old a day after being released from the hospital. (Long story...my husband and I were living in separate states at the time and he had to go back to work.)

I also had a lot of swelling with the second child. My doctor recommended tylenol and relaxing baths. Of course I was also supposed to be on bed rest, but he decided that me going to work and my son going to day care was probably less stressful than staying home.

Good luck with whatever YOU decide.

Hi,
I have not personally had a c-section but my sister in law had an emergency c-section with her first child and recently had a VBAC. She said that she was so glad she did it. Her healing time was nothing compared to what it took with her first child. She said she could not believe how much better she felt and how much sooner she was on her feet after the VBAC compared to the c-section.

I did get swollen feet really bad when I was pregnant with my daughter and then right after the delivery. In addition to elevating them and drinking plenty of water, my doctor said to stay away from foods with high sodium. That includes pizza, mexican food (from restaurants), chinese food, and limiting cheese in general. I know, what's left right?!? It seemed to help me a lot although I got sick of eating grilled chicken and vegi's all the time...

Hi C S,

My cousin had her first child via an emergency c-section after a nasty accident. She was going to go with VBAC second time around but her doctor chickened out. She did go VBAC with all 5 of the following deliveries. There are risks both ways, but it is always best if you can avoid surgery. Good luck and God bless.

D.

1st What do you want?? It is not up to anyone else. I had a c-section with my 1st and then had a planned with my 2nd. I chose to do it because I knew what to expect and because it was planned. I was able to make sure that my 1st was prepared and was cared for during that time. If it was not planned I could have been waking up my child and my grandparents (who watched my son) in the middle of the night. It's all up to YOU.

2nd I didn't use cloth because my mom told me she wished she never had to! She said it was a lot of work (time) to clean them. One of my friends used them and she said they are expensive. She also had to stop using them when her son started to walk because they were so bulky. He started to walk funny b/c he had to walk around his diaper.

3rd Have someone rub your hands and feet. It really does help the swelling go down and it feels good too!!

Good luck and congrats!!

I had a c-section both times, the medical reasons for the first still applied to the second, and the two experiences could not have been more different! At my first, I was nervous, and the anesthesiologist kept giving me different medication via IV, and it took me about 2 hours to recover, during which time I was shaking uncontrollably. By the time I had recovered sufficiently to hold and feed my baby, he was sleeping and not interested. I was really worried about the second one. The second anesthesiologist told me she wasn't going to give me anything but the numbing agent until after the baby was delivered, and then I could have whatever. I opted for nothing, which really was fine, I had a headache, but no nausea, and I was recovered and holding and feeding my baby within 15 minutes of being put in the recovery room.
So, if you decide to go that way, it could be better. My best friend has her babies at home with a doula, and she swears by it, so it really is just a personal decision. Whatever you decide, good luck and congratulations!
I would not suggest you cut out any fluids without your MD's knowledge and okay, it can lead to premature labor. Keep an eye on your blood pressure with the swelling though, it may be indicative of something else.
Cloth Diapers - FANTASTIC if you are prepared and know all the great products that are available, email me if you want and we can go over that in greated detail. There are hardly any work IF you are set up for them.
B. S

1st off I personally have not had a c-section however my sister-in-law has. Her first son was born in an emergency c-section. She had the option when it came time for her second son to be born she had VBAC and had no problems at all I agree with your husband and MIL you should avoid surgery if possible. 2nd I have used cloth diapers with a couple of my children they can be quite messy but at the same time they can be economical. You have to be willing to do loads of diapers all the time. If you think you can handle them give it a try. I used them for when we were at home and then used disposables while we were out that worked okay too. 3rd if you do get any good suggestions for swelling hands and feet let me know!!!! I have the same problem except my youngest is 7 and she is a very busy child as well as her other siblings.

Hi,
There are some people who can successfully do VBAC. If you have a doc willing for that, then go for it. You just have to be aware that you may end up with an emergency c-section anyway. My daughter and her friend both did VBAC with no problems.
I tried cloth diapers for a few days with my first and then said my time is worth something and went with Pampers. I didn't even bother with cloth with the other 3.
Some swelling is normal at this stage of pregnancy, especially here with the heat. As long as your blood pressure isn't too high, you'll be ok and it will go away after the baby is born.
I wish you well with all this. Being a mom is just the greatest!
Thanks,
E.

If you can go with a natural delivery, that would be my suggestion. I had one vaginal, and two c-sections, 2nd child was a emergency c-section. I did not have an option of a VBAC at our hosital for my 3rd.

My vagianl recovery time was so much faster, and easier. The immidiate pain was there with the vaginal, but was GONE as soon as he came out. With the other two the pain and complications lasted for weeks..... I agree with one of your postings its your choice. This is just my experiences. Good luck and congrats!!!

Hi CS -

If you hands and feet are swollen, don't drink more water - drink less. I know that goes against what most doctors tell you, however, if your kidneys are already having a problem filtering/eliminating all the fluid - why add more fluid to it. When my ankles were swelling terribly, a chinese medical practitioner told me to lower my fluid intake to about 48 oz a day - that's total fluid intake, including things like soup - for about a week. You will actually eliminate more fluids and see the swelling go away.

M.

cloth diapers - i didn't start with cloth until my baby was around 6 months old. i think that was good for us because it saved me time when i really needed it and when we started using them my daughter had moved on to solids and her bms would just 'plunk' in the toilet most of the time. then i didn't have to think about dealing with the soft mess in a cloth diaper. i love cloth diapers but there are good sides and bad for the environment. you will end up using much more water and, living in the desert as we do, that is worth considering. the good for me outnumbered the bad, less trash, less money spent and i found that my daughter learned about her body functions earlier because she could feel them which made potty training easier. i loved bumkins and rumpster all-in-one diapers when she was younger and after she was a walking pro i switched to the haute pocket diapers. ultimately, the shape and favourite activities of your little one will determine the best choice for you. many website offer sampler packs which i recommend. btw, we used disposables when we went out and for daycare. good luck!

Hi,
I had an emergency C-Section w/ my first, and scheduled a C-Section w/ my second because my Dr would not allow me to try a VBAC within less than 2 years of my first. That frustrated me to begin with, but I found a few positive aspects to a repeat C-Section. 1. I knew what to expect as far as the surgery and recovery. 2. I was not exhausted after being in labor for several hours and then having the C-Section, so I could enjoy my son in his first hours. 3. I had extra bonding time with only my son in the hospital due to the extended stay required by the C-Section. 4. I did some research and found that many women were able to have several C-Sections (up to six that I found) without complications. I was worried that I would be limited to 3 deliveries as a "friedn" tried to scare me into trying a VBAC at home due to the limited deliveries they thought a person could have by C-Section. 5. I was able to schedule care for my daughter while I was in the hospital.

I would definitely discuss your options with your Dr. They will know what your body is capable of handling (what caused the first emerg, your physical status after the first emerg., etc.); and if it is the same Dr who did your emergency, then they know what they did in the first C-Section and be able to know what to expect if another emergency is required if you choose a VBAC. Also discuss with them what your future plan is for more children, if any. That will help the Dr. be able to guide you in further pregancies, as well as be able to tell you what their estimate would be on how many more deliveries your body can handle if you do have another C-Section.

Overall...I enjoyed knowing/picking my baby's due date.

I can only go on my own experiences and I highly recommend scheduling the c-section. Although trying VBAC is honorable and courageous, not only myself, but every friend I have that has gone VBAC has ended up with the emergency c-section. It is of course ultimately between you and your doctor, I am of the "opinion" that why should you put your body through all the challenges and exhaustions of labor when you might ultimately end up with the c-section anyway. I will not tell you my personal story because it is far more severe than any, But a c-section is a very controlled environment and fairly easy to recover from especially if it is scheduled and you are well rested going into the proceedure. I would encourage you to highly consider that an entire hospital in Flagstaff has banned them. The hospital that I gave birth in saw a huge rise in VBAC complications in the 90's and have changed their policy's concerning them as well.

As far as the cloth diapers are concerned they are very economical, especially now. Not nearly as easy, but not a terrible nightmare either. What you do is keep a bucket of Oxi clean solution next to your toilet. Covered of course. Rinse diapers out in the toilet and then soak in oxi clean before putting into the washer. Wash on hot. There are wonderful plastic lined diaper pants that you can use instead of pins and also plastic pants with pins. You do have to be a little more on top of changing the diapers to avoid soak through but it is not so bad, especially if you need the economic benefit. I also found that the child who was in cloth diapers potty trained faster than the one in disposable.

i use cloth diapers - Bumgenius 3.0 one size diapers. They're great, i've never had a leak or blowout. http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=98&amp...

I bought them from Shannon at Wildflower Diapers in North Scottsdale. a set will cost ~300-400 dollars depending on how many you want which is definitely cheaper than using disposables until potty training. i don't think they are terribly messy, we use them at daycare. i do laundry every other day with my 19 diapers and line dry them to save energy from drying.

I had an emergency c-section with my first and opted to have the second by scheduled c-section. Recovery from a planned c-section is easier than from a c- following labor.

I have friends who tried for VBACs, had successful ones and were very happy, and other friends who tried for VBACS but ended up having to have a second emergency c- after protracted labor. It can go either way; you just never know.

I had my third by planned c- as well, and am expecting my fourth in July, and naturally at this point she'll also be a scheduled c-section.

CS, I just had a VBAC 4 weeks ago, and the experience was wonderful. The recovery was also so much easier, which I was thankful for for many reasons, but mainly because I have a toddler to chase after. I would highly encourage you to pursue this, as long as it is with a provider who is very supportive of the idea and will take all steps to make it all the more likely that you can deliver that way. I would also suggest hiring a doula. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions. G.

I LOVE cloth diapers!!! They are so easy and very cost effective. We use the all-in-one variety and just throw them in the wash every night. We have an HE washing machine, which helps, as it has a "sanitary" cycle and prewash setting. So we dont do anything with them other than throw them in. It eliminates the waste of paper diapers and the cost is so much less. I suggest looking on ebay. Many stay at home moms make all in one diapers. I found them for about $7 a diaper, which is a HUGE savings on the $15-20 per diaper in stores. I think we spent about $250 for the supply of diapers that will last us through about 10 months. Can beat that. No, they wont smell anymore than a paper diaper. You are washing them often so it really isnt an issue. Messy?? you just fold them up and then put them in washing machine. So no. they are not any more messy than paper.

My advice on swelling: what are you soaking in? Add salt to the water, it will draw out fluid. Diuretic foods include celery, dandelion greens and green grapes. All of that, along with avoidance of salt intake, caffeine and drnking tons of water helped me with swelling.
Hope this helps

About me: I am a naturopathic medical student with a 5 week old son. :)

I had my worst experience at Dr. Christine Brass-Jones' office. I always had to wait at least 30 minutes for every appointment. Her office staff is not friendly and extremely unprofessional. They didn't bill my insurance ontime so I had to pay for my annual exam out of pocket. I could go on and on. I went there for 2 years and I will never set foot in that office again!

I was an emergency C-section for my mom, and she went VBAC on the other three children after me and was really glad she did. She said recovery was a lot better for VBAC delivery than c-section. But everyone is different.

I am a Mom to one little boy who is four months old

I remember using cloth diapers when my sister was a baby; we are 11 years apart. They are very messy and you have to use ALOT of water to wash them all the time. Keep your feet up, melon has properties that help reduce swelling, don't eat lots of salt. Good luck!

I opted for a c-section with my second, after my first was delivered by emergency c-section. I opted for this mainly because my children were so close in age and I feared that since I had just had a c-section 18 months before it was safer to go this route. It was also easier to arrange for childcare for my son. My recovery was shorter and I was up and out on the town within a week and a half and we even went on a week long vacation when my daughter was four weeks old. So recovery time was much easier.

We are not done having children and I am still pondering a VBAC with our third. By the time we have another one there will be at least four years between the younger two. I say, if you are confident in this decision and it is not based on what others feel you should do, then go for it! Have a VBAC:)

My only suggestion for swollen feet is to put them up as much as you can. I had this problem and reducing my sodium intake and increasing my water intake also helped. I developed carpal tunnel in my hands because of it and it went away the instant I had my daughter.

I had to use cloth diaper with my second she had issues with sposies. So I switched both of them over. Diarea can be a bit difficult because you end up washing more. Also my hubbie wasnt a big fan of the cloth diapers, so he would change them bag them and leave them for me. I have a bunch of large cloth diapers I am selling Swaddlebees and Fuzzy Bunz. both of mine are now potty trained.

If you are intrested or have more questions email me at ____@____.com

I am a SAHM of 2. Boy is 4yrs, Girl is 2 1/2yrs. Married for 6yrs.

lot of work those cloth diapers but i used them with both my boys and it was woth it . lot of soaking and then washing at least twice . baby detergent and biz are good. keep your feet elevated with two pillows that should help the sweeling hope this helps .Well good luck and congraltions ! L. a mommy of 2 boys and a teeager .. lol

Hi CS,
I had an emergency c-section with my first, and really,really wanted a VBAC with the second.

I talked to my MD about it almost every month.

Because of the circumstances surrounding my first c-section, my MD had me have another ultrasound at 38 weeks (if you want specifics, you can pm me), and I made the decision for a voluntary c-section.

In the end, the second c-section was not nearly as bad as the first, I had less pain and stress, I think because I knew what to expect.

I guess what I'm trying to say is: don't let other people pressure you. Make decision one-on-one with your MD or Midwife, because your circumstances will be different from everyone else's.

Congrats and *good luck!*
T

I highly recommend having a VBAC. I just had one myself a few months ago and it was the single most empowering moment of my life. I also had an unplanned c-section with my first, and I never felt good about the process - like somehow my body had failed me. However, with the help of an awesome doctor (Dr. Brass-Jones, who someone else mentioned) and an even better doula (Jessica Wild), I overcame all of that and had a successful vaginal birth. The second my daughter was born, any negative feelings I had about my first birth experience were totally erased and I am now at peace with how things happened.

I know you didn't ask, but I would HIGHLY recommend having a doula. I mentioned Jessica Wild (http://www.jessicawild.com/angel/). She and Dr. Brass are friends. In fact, Dr. Brass used Jessica as her doula and Jessica had her VBAC with Dr. Brass. So if having a VBAC is at all possible, it will happen with these women.

With regards to the swelling, eat lots protein and salt foods to taste. I ate 100g+ of protein every day and had no swelling.