Alrighty, when Patrick was born he was breech and I had no choice but to have a c-section. This time its my choice (unless she decides to be breech also). Also when I had Patrick I was unable to have a spinal block because the anesthesiologist couldnt get the tube in between my vertebrae because they are too close together but believe me he tried. He then decided to give me an epidural which didnt work. They told me I would start to feel numb but it never happened so instead they just put me under for the procedure. I did end up with 13 needle pricks in my back (I told you he tried). I am wanting to get opinions on whether or not I should do V-bac or a c-section again. Here are my reasons for both:
Pros V-bac - I would probably enjoy the healing more quickly afterwards and being able to do more after right after having the baby
-I would like to not stay in the hospital for 2 nights which you have to do when you have a c-section because I feel bad having my mom watch Patrick for two nights
-I would like to actually experience child birth and be there when the baby is first born which I cant do if Im asleep on the operating table
Cons V-bac - Im not sure I could actually handle the pain of the contractions. I have never felt them before since he was born a week early. So if I wanted an epidural or spinal block, I couldnt get one because as we know from last time, they dont work for me. ( I know you moms who did it without pain killers are laughing right now)
-I hate waiting, with the c-section I can schedule the exact date and every one knows when the baby will be here and can schedule their travel plans accordingly.
-There is a small chance that my incision could open back up again during the labor due to pressure of the baby and my labor would be considered high risk and watched very close.
-30% of women who have v-bacs do not deliver successfully and require a c-section
Pros c-section - I have already done it and know what to expect and could possibly make things easier this time by what I learned last time
-I healed rather quickly last time, as soon as I got out of bed. By 3 days I was good and walking around fine.
-I already have the scar on my stomach, why risk getting an episiotomy and get another scar and stitches somewhere else when I already have a huge one someplace else.
-Being in the hospital the extra days would help me get more rest before I have to go home and learn how to take care of 2 children and I can get help from the nurses if I have questions or something unexpected comes up.
-I really do like knowing when the baby will come especially because I am scheduled for August 26 which gives our kids birthdays in two separate months and she would be born a week earlier than my due date which is 3 days before Patricks birthday. I would hate to have birthdays in the same week or on the same day!
Cons c-section - See V-bac pros, also I felt bad that Jesus had to sleep on that uncomfortable chair/bed for two nights.
I originally signed that I would do V-bac but changed my mind and signed up for cesarean. Jesus wants me to have a cesarean and my sister says its a good idea. She just graduated from microbiology and knows a lot about health stuff. I have been torn lately because I want to make it easy on everyone and myself and I dont really know both ways to have a baby. Please help me and thank you for reading my rambling.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Ok I need advice...
by Mrs. Schmalison at 12:50 PM
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so here's my input on this: contractions hurt so bad for me that I was BEGGING for my epidural before I was even a 3. I got it when I was dialated to a 4. i'm not saying that you're weak or anything, but if you can't have an epidural, you might want to just consider doing your c-section. unless you are determined to have a natural vaginal child birth experience, which I hear is HARD!!! anyway, I think you'll make the right choice. Good luck!
Here is my advice:
The experience of your child being born is the most amazing there is. You really want that experience!!
Yes, it hurts, but there are other drugs they can give you to get you through, if you needed them. You just might be surprised what you can endure in that situation. Knowing every contraction is one more closer to your baby girl.
I say try the v-bac. You're probably never going to have the opportunity to try it again. If your thinking a C-Sec. because you're scared.....you can do it! Its been done so many times before....no worries!! :)
I was fortunate to have 2 very easy painless vaginal deliveries that I don't know if you want my advice. It seems to me like you have a hard decision to make. What I do know is that women have been giving birth without drugs for many many many years, so I think it can be done this time. I, on the other hand, was able to have the epidural and it worked for me (yee-haw!) and I probably wouldn't do it any other way. I did have an episiotomy (sp?) the first time and tore a little the 2nd, and both times it healed fine. If I were in your shoes, I would be most concerned about tearing on your first incision, but it has been a couple years, so you may be fine. In other words, I'd go for the V-bac (unless, of course, she's breech).
Oh Alison. It's so much harder when you have a choice, because let's face it neither one is "easier" than the other. Since you are asking for advice here's mine... I agree with Jocelyn. Try the V-bac. Well instead why don't you follow the NIKE commercials and "just do it." Use the time you have to mentally prepare and you'll be ready. Prepare for: 1) you will not have an epidural,2) that it will be hard and 3) that you can do anything you set your mind to.
Good luck with your decision, and remember regardless of what anyone says it it still yours to make.
Your situation is completely unique with the spinal/epidural difficulties so I can't say really. I had the 2nd c-section because I physically cannot push children out of my nether regions... (cervix is super narrow and won't ever completely dialate or efface...sp? on those). Anyway, it was not difficult at all. C-section recovery number 2 was just as quick and easy as number 1 with the excpetion of some weird spinal issues. I'd say the c-section as long as you're sure you wouldn't regret trying the vbac. But then again if you have to be put under for it... that wouldn't be fun.
I think you should try for a VBAC. It is an amazing experience, and to be honest, I didn't think contractions were that bad. I had a bad experience with my epidural too. It took 3 tries for it to finally work and then in wore off in one hour!! I really want to do it natural next time.
Hi!
I had a c-section with my first and it was awful. With the second, I did a VBAC, and you know what? It was easier than I thought it would be. Yes, it was painful (I didn't want an epidural), but it was hugely rewarding, plus the pain of recovery was minimal compared to the recovery from the c-section (I had an episiotomy and it wasn't too bad).
Another thing to consider is that the chance or rupture is really small (fewer than 3 in 1,000). There IS a chance of rupture during a repeat c-section, but no one really talks about that. Plus, depending on your scar tissue, your number of c-sections may be limited and consequently number of kids.
I say give the VBAC a shot. A c-section is always there as a back-up.
Kathryn
(I don't know you too well, I know!)
I know that mans opinion doesn't really count in this venue, but women have been having babies for 1000's of years. If you can do it naturally, I say go for it. There are lots of births that occur without any drugs at all. If you can do it do it. I agree with Nike-Stephanie “Just do it”. But that’s just one mans opinion.
I'm having the same dilemma...kind of! I can't decide if I want to do C-section or cha-chi! The thought of having a baby come out my cha-chi really freaks me out! But a part of me thinks I need to experience it...maybe I'm just freakin crazy! I don't know Alison, it's a tough call! I'd like to have c-section so that I will know for sure that my Dr will deliver my little peanut. And less bleeding. And less chance of bladder leakage when your older...I had that problem even before I was pregnant so no tellin what it will be like after!
Make sure you post what you decide to do!
Yeah .. I'm no help at all. But I sure love ya!
I am trying to picture Randy Clement sitting at his computer helping Alison decide which way to have her baby. He wins the prize for best (and only) man's advice!
And Alison - if I can have babies naturally anyone can! Especially you! Mom (and I'll tend Patrick for two nights either way)
I say...try the vbac, as there's nothing better than when Beckett came out and was put directly on my chest. It's an amazing experience! I was out of the hospital in less than 18 hours too.
Hi Alison! I'll give my experience but in the end it is completely up to you. It sounds like you're leaning toward the c-section already because of the whole fear of the unknown. Everybodies child birth experiences are different and so there is no way to predict what yours will be. Even child to child.
But anyways, My first was an emergency C-section. General anesthetic, knocked out, no time for an epidural. With my second I wanted to try for the VBAC but there was no gaurantee because of the health issues I have that caused the first emergency section. Even when I was at the hospital because the complications had begun again and we didn't want it to turn into the emergency situation I didn't know which way I would deliver. But I did it! I had a successfull VBAC and yes the contractions were painful, very painful, but being awake when Ezra came into the world was amazing!
Now that being said, a healthy baby is most important and had I needed the section I would have done it. And Jacob's birth is just as special to me as Ezra's. I just feel blessed for us all to be alive!
Call me if you have any questions!
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