I am a mother of a 2 yr old who was born via csection. I am now pregnant with #2 and I have been told by my ob that they are banning vbacs and so she no longer does them. Because of this I am going to have to have another csection. Has anyone here ever had more than one, especially one after another? If so can you please give me any advice and info you may have? Is it harder than the first? More painful? Harder or easier to recover? TIA!!!

__________________

I guess the question is, why are they banning vbacs? I thought all ob/gyn's were all for them - I know mine was. Do you have a regular bikini line cut from the first? If you didnt have any significant problems, why couldnt you do a vbac if you want one?

I had c-sections with both my pregnancies. And honestly, the 2nd was a piece of cake. With the first i had HELLP Syndrome which prolonged my recovery so that was tiring and more painful than it should have been. But the 2nd - I was up and out of the recovery bed within an hour, never took anything but motrin once I got home and that wasnt for very long either.

If you have your heart set on a vbac, you may want to see another ob/gyn for a 2nd opinion.

I agree, if you have your heart set on a VBAC, see another OB/GYN. I just had my 2nd c-section in April and I was given the choice of a c-section or a VBAC and I choose c-sec, but a week before my doctor said if I wanted to change my mind I could, but I didn't.
I also thought the 2nd one was sooooo much easier, but maybe it was because I knew what to expect.

I had both my boys c-section. The only problem I had w/ the second was that they had to remove quite a bit of scar tissue from the first one.

__________________
The mighty oak started out as a nut that held its ground.

I'm not trying to make this all about me, I'm just sharing a bit so you know where I'm comming from on this and why I've come to this OPINION that pertains to only me.

I had complications my first delivery that ended up in an emergency c-section, which thankfully it is a bikini cut. 5 yrs. ago when I gave birth three yrs after my first my ob was open to me trying a v-bac (vaginal birth after cesarian) I ended up choosing a c-section for several reasons and never regrett it for a minute. It was a breeze and my recovery time was awesome. I felt great and wasn't worn down at all like the laboring THEN emergency c-sec. In my case when the ob checked me the afternoon before my scheduled delivery he said he was really really glad that I choose to have a c-sec. again because I again wasn't dialating and there was NO way this baby was going through my birth canal. So personally I don't regrett having a c-section and found it easier than the first and much less stressful and recovered awesome. BF was a breeze as well the second time. All the medications etc. interfered the first time around. Basically the second time around was picture perfect as far as c-sections go.

The very same hospital where I gave birth the second time is now not allowing v-bac's for liability reasons. Not in all cases if you've had a c-section do you need a second one. I just happened to be one that would have to have all of our children that way. It should be evaluated on a case by case basis. The decision is personal. You have to weigh your options. Just for ME personally, I had such a bad dr. experience the first time I would have had a c-sec. the second time without considering v-bac if it had already been banned just because I trust my ob completely and for me with a bad experience behind me that was really really important. I learned the hard way how "stuck' you are when your in labor with a bad dr. making bad decisions that end up in emergency situations to trust a good dr. advice. That's JMO. I hope whatever you decide you are at peace with. That is what matters. Seek the opinion of other ob's or call around to other medical facilities and check with them on their policy. Then get a list of ob's that are affiliated with that hopsital and pay them a visit if they allow v-bacs.if this is the direction you would like to go. Another option would be a birthing center. They might or might now have a policy or waver you would need to sign. They are usually located in very close proximity to a major hospital for any situations that might arise. So it's sort of like giving birth at home with the comfort that you are in many times right across the street to the hospital! That would be nice

Good luck with your decision and I hope that I've helped in some small way!

My sister is prego with her 3rd she had #1&2 c-section they were 26 months apart. Vbacs were not options for her nor did she want to try since she had really bad complcations with #1..... I know that no matter what direction your scar is on the out side vbacs depend on how your uterus was cut. Due to your uterus can rip open durining vagianl delivery. My sister OBGYN told her she would want my sister to have more than 3 c-sections But it depends on diffrent things. Her case is her uterus lining is thinning. I am sure more doctors are not doing vbacs just to aviod unwanted complications. Also a lot want to plan things better than to have your try and end in a section.

I am also with perfect4ofus I had a section after 2 1/2 hours of pushing, forcepts..... and being induced. I am going to sign up for the c-section next time due to I just don't want the pain from pushing for 2 hours and also the section stuff to deal with also. I am by far not a whimp but I want to enjoy it next time around I was so outta it when I had my section I lost a whole day and then some. HTH

__________________

I also had an emergency c-section after my DD was born 3yrs ago. I delivered DD vaginally and had to deliver the placenta by c-section b/c it had rooted into my uterus (come to find out I have a thin uterus). And I wasn't out of the woods yet that first night b/c my MD thought he would be called back in the middle of the night to perform a hysterectomy on me b/c I was bleeding quite a bit and my blood pressure was extremely low.

Now with baby #2 on the way, I had been debating on whether to have a c-section or VBAC. Well, my OB made it clear I was having a c-section, b/c they do not want me going into labor since they are concerned about my uterus rupturing if I start having contractions. At first I was disappointed, but a big part of me is relieved. I really do not want to have a repeat performance of the last time. Everyone I have talked to that has had c-sections have said, the 2nd time was easier.

I would find a new doctor. here are some great vbac sites.

http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org

http://www.ican-online.org

http://vbac.com

__________________
Mommy to Jade (5/01), Brynn (2/03), Kylee (12/06) , Big sister to Ryan (4/99)

http://hechtrov.blogspot.com/

Definately find a new doctor!!!! I had my heart set on a natural childbirth with my first and he was breech so I had to have a c-section. He is now 3. When I was preganant again. I researched everything I could get my hands on about VBAC's. Then I discussed it with my doctor,(of course they prefer c-section because it can be scheduled, it also is more money in the pockets of the Dr's.) But they let me know what I had already found out that the rupture risk is only like 2-5% but they want you to come into the hospital as soon as you begin labor, and because my first csection was because of breech that it would be fine to try. But it was up to me. I had her completely drug free VBAC. I was so pleased. She is 8 months now. If it's what you want you find a doctor or a midwife that is on your side. Good Luck!!

__________________
"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

I had an emergency c-section with #1 after 2 hours of pushing. She could not get through the birth canal and my mil (retired nurse) finally spoke up and asked if they couldn't try the vacumn, After that (with my epidural worn off OUCH), the epidural meds were back in effect and I had the c-section. The hospital for #2 did not allow Vbac, so I really didn't have a choice, unless I wanted to drive further in labor (good thing I didn't, I was 6cm after a 5min drive!). I figured if #1 wouldn't fit, then how was #2 (who was bigger)? It was a good thing I had a repeat c-section because they said my uterus was thin when they went in again.

JMO, but there is no injustice or shame in having a c-section, first or otherwise. Dr's have to consider many things when they make these descioins and reccomendations. I truly beleive that the majority of Dr's are thinking about their patients when they make the decision. It is a shame that Dr's & hospitals have to consider liabilty when making a medical descion!

On to if it was more difficult, mine was a harder recovery, but I think that it was due to a different treatment in a less progressive hospital with #2 than #1. With #2, they didn't give me pain meds through an epidural, only morphine via IV, YUCK. They didn't get me up to walk; I don't think they really cared. I swear if you get up and walk ASAP that recovery is much better.

Good luck in your descion and with the baby!!! Remember, you know your body better than anyone else.