Question About Prior C-section and Future (Possible) Pregnancy

I had two C-sections, the first was emergency and the second was planned. The planned was much nicer and smoother all around, as was the recovery.

I was also not sick in the least with my first C-section, but my second one I was sick the whole time, like you described. So you may not have the issues again since I only had them once - only I was sick the second time and not the first.

I agree with you- a healthy baby is the most important thing and I would go the C-section route personally.

Why risk it? A healthy baby is all that matters. Seriously. How would you feel if your baby got stuck, was deprived of oxygen and suffered life long consequences just so you could experience a vaginal birth.

I admit I had 3 vaginal births but I am also the mother of a child that died (17 days old). A healthy baby is really all that matters.

I always think it's a good idea to get a second opinion. You can ask your OB for a referral, or ask your primary care physician for one if you aren't comfortable asking the OB directly. You might consider talking to a high risk pregnancy specialist. Your pregnancy isn't high risk per se, but the delivery might be. So it always pays to talk to someone who does these types of deliveries all the time.

I do think it helps to consider the goal of a pregnancy to be a healthy baby rather than only the method of achieving it. A lot of times we have ideas about what's "right" - vaginal birth vs. C-section, "natural" conception vs. in vitro, breast feeding vs. formula, etc. - but the truth is, there are so many options available to us and we each have to decide, with our doctors, what's best.

ETA: Reading your SWH with the info on how ill you became from the anesthesia, I see why you have added reason to dread the c-section. I understand better why you said "doomed" to go through it. I do think you have to have a serious conversation in advance with the head anesthesiologist to discuss an alternative medication. There are other choices of medication as well as the amounts administered on what schedule - so get that all written into your medical record ahead of time. No matter what happens, no matter which anesthesiologist is on duty, no matter whether it's a planned or an emergency, you may be able to avoid that horrible experience.

From reading your history, I wouldn't say you are a strong candidate for a VBAC. Your need for a c-section wasn't based on anything specific to the pregnancy (a breech baby, a drop in heart rate, etc) but rather primarily on your body structure and family history (baby's head size being the exception). You could certainly seek out a VBAC-friendly doctor, but it doesn't sound likely that you would be successful.

Honestly though, don't think of it as being "doomed." You're still going to get another baby, even if you don't deliver traditionally. It's so much better to have a planned c-section than to try labor and end up with an emergency c. The recovery is so much harder that way.

My first pregnancy ended up in an emergency c, following an induction, nearly 24 hours of active labor (which started 12 hours after the beginning of the induction process) and three hours of pushing. It was miserable. The recovery was horrible. I didn't get to hold my son for five hours because I was such a mess - exhausted, drugged, etc. On the flip side, my second baby was born via scheduled c section and the recovery (and the whole experience) was a breeze in comparison.

I don't think that you have to assume anything. Ask these questions of your doctor and then get a second opinion and ask them of another doctor.

And as long as you are asking questions, ask yourself why you feel "doomed" when you think about another C-section. If the reasons that you needed a C-section with your first baby really are physiological then it probably makes sense to address your attitudes and beliefs about giving birth as those are things you have control over and could change.

I had a VBAC and it was wonderful. But, my first child was natural (2nd was C-section, 3rd was VBAC). I know a lot of doctors are more comfortable with a VBAC, if you've had a natural birth at some point.

I don't see any reason why you couldn't have a successful VBAC. You are not doomed to a C-section at this point. Contact your local ICAN chapter: http://www.ican-online.org/united-states-chapters/#id and find some VBAC friendly doctors and midwives.

FACTS:
OBs are trained to be surgeons. They are not as comfortable with natural birth.

A tilted uterus is no reason for a C-section. In fact, usually a tilted uterus resolves with a pregnancy. Unless your OB did a terrible job in your C-section, it is not tilted anymore!

When your mother had her first C-section, it was likely a vertical cut and not a bikini cut as usually used today. Keep in mind that your incision that matters is the interior one that you can't see...not the scar that you can. In those days, it was considered safer to have multiple C-sections. We know better todays that it is not safer for most women.

When you really learn about birth, you will learn that the size of your pelvis does not matter. What will matter is that you go into labor on your own. Please take a good birthing course, like hypnobirthing or Bradley - not a hospital course that teaches you to shut up and take your epidural and wear the monitor like a good little patient.

The measurements are completely inaccurate when you get to be 35+ weeks. The science is there to prove it but doctors like to use their machines so they do - then they scare you with bad information!

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions. I was suckered into a C-section with my first - Doctor insisted big baby and overdue. I am certain he was NOT overdue and he was not 10 lbs only 5lbs 8 oz. My second baby chose his own birthday and was 8 lbs 8 oz.

Cheers,
C.

Either you have a small pelvis or you don't.
If your pelvis isn't the right shape, then c-sections is what you will need for every pregnancy.
If you can't face another c-section your choices are to be happy with a single child and not have any more or have more children via a surrogate.

I agree with momoftwo... a scheduled c-section would be better than an emergency AFTER having labored for several hours ... she is right, the recovery after that is exhausting... I too have been there after 22 hours of labor and then finally, a c-section because my son's arm was kinda wedged in at an ankle that made it difficult for him to spiral down as it were.. However, I definitely believe in third and 4th opinions, there are many out there who believe that a vbac can be done and in many cases should be.. to help you feel better about your choice, why not talk to some other obgyns and get their opinion, maybe even talk to "alternative type docs/nurses/midwives who have had extension experience with this..
whatever happens, good luck to you !!