In need of support for potential VBAC

[Elenaster]

L&D Nurses - I will be giving birth to my second child in mid-September and I'm trying to gather as much information as possible about VBACs. I do have a very reputable and supportive OB, who is in favor of me having a trial of labor if everything looks favorable at the time of delivery, but I would also like some feedback from experienced L&D nurses.

My previous section was for FTP, maternal hypotension and fever. After an uneventful and very healthy pregnancy, I labored for nearly 22 hours and became stuck at 8cm. My c-section was a nightmare for me, for several reasons including an extremely insensitive on-call doc and a terribly tired and overworked anesthesiologist. Fortunately, my 8lb, 12oz. baby boy was born perfectly healthy and beautiful, and for this I'm eternally grateful. However, I would like to have a better overall birth experience this time around, even if it means a repeat c-section.

What are your thoughts on issues such as induction and uterine rupture? Do you think I would be better off without an epidural? Or would that increase the chances of receiving general anesthesia if something were to go wrong?

I've already done a fair amount of research and already have read many of the arguments from those both for and against VBAC. I'm really just looking for your subjective opinions and experiences as nurses because I trust your judgement and think that you all can give me perspective that I'm not going to get from books or articles. Thanks in advance!

[BabyRN2Be]

There was an article in some magazine that was entitled

"Too Posh to Push" that discussed this phenomenon.

Yes! I also read this but can't remember for the life of me where I read it. I don't know if it was a baby magazine in my OB/GYN's office or not.

Here's the online version of it, but I could have sworn that I saw it in print media. If anyone is interested in it, here ya go. :)

http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/stories/1683.asp

[BBnurse34]

My first child wasa delivered my emergency C section secondary to abruption. My second child was delivered C section due to placenta previa. My third child was delivered VBAC with Pit and an epidural. It was the greatest experience of my life. I had felt like I had missed out on the other two. Even with a fourth degree laceration, the recovery was a piece of cake compared to the sections.

I did have internal monitoring and a surgical suite was ready just in case. I have never regretted my decision to VBAC.

[Energizer Bunny]

I just read an article in Parenting yesterday while at the dr. office about the rising rate of elective c-sections. Frankly, it made me sick that these women would choose to be cut open rather than endure some pain for no real good reason.

[fergus51]

The really wierd thing is that those women think c-sections will be less painful. In the short term, sure. But, just look in the hallways at any pp ward and you'll be able to tell the difference between the c-section moms and the vag deliveries. WAY worse recovery for the c-section moms in general.

[mother/babyRN, RN]

I have to tell you that of the two, my easiest recovery and much less painful, were the three csections I had...Course, it was much easier to hurt in the incisional area than the epis....Just my experience. I had a 24 hour long "natural" lady partsl delivery on pit with no epidural over an epis so that probably colors my experience. Only actually made it to one of my scheduled csections and even in the days before dura morph, I would take a scheduled csection over a long labor with an epis ANY time had I the choice....But, I don't broadcast that to my patients so worry not...Recovery time was just as good for me either way, and I was back to work less than 8 weeks after my last section...

[mitchsmom]

generally a lady partsl delivery is a much easier recovery than c/s, I can't believe all the stuff about elective c/s. There are alot of articles out about it lately. I just don't think most of the people are making truly informed decisions... most of the docs in our town would not argue w/ a pt. wanting a c/s...they are going to take a scheduled delivery every chance they get. I have even been told that one routinely schedules every pt. at 38 wks! :stone I am truly not a nature freak but sometimes I am a little dismayed by just how far we've gotten from the natural way of things (all around, not just talking birth here). I would be curious to know of long-term outcomes for those Brazilian moms. I think it will all come full circle again. At least we can say the routine is much better than those twilight sleep forceps deliveries many of our moms had!! Hopefully we'll continue to make progress for better outcomes for moms and babies :) To the OP, best wishes whatever you decide is best!

[CHATSDALE]

lady partsl Birth Can Result In Damage To Plumbing And To Muscle Of lady partsl Wall But With The Number Of Couples Electing To Limit Size Of Family This Will Not Be As Much A Problem As Previous Generations...