Once a section always a section?

[Peachy]

Folks say not always but I have yet to meet anyone that had a section in their first pregnancy that did not go on to have another in the 2nd. I am wondering what will happen to me. Had a section with 1st at 36 weeks due to pre-eclampsia and G diabetes. I am now old!!! (37) but have none of these complications although I do suffer from essential hypertension and have been on blood pressure medication from 8 weeks gestation to keep my bp down - will I be offered a normal delivery in the uk? Or will I be fobbed off with the ruptured scar excuse and because I am a geriatric multigravida?? Perhaps we can take bets?

 

[mary70]

there is lots of women on here that have had vbac hun so it is possible

 

[lisa&alex]

the chances of having a rupture is something like 5% and the chances of rupture on a normal vaginal birth with no previous c setion is like 2 % so its only a very very very slight chance..argue ur case and say i want a vaginal birth i know the risks, if they still insist on a c section then write to the head of midwifery at the hospital saying you are very disapointed in the level of support you are recieving and thought it was the key idea to support a woman in whatever decisions she has chosen and you still insist on a vaginal birth.. im sure it will help.. i have been given advise on writting a letter as i was a home birth (not had a c section though) as some midwifery departments fob u off saying we are to short staffed.. and if u write a letter they say no we will support your home birth etc.. good luck, and remember its your body you dont have to do anything you dont want to.. the cnances your scar will rupture are very ver yvery slim, ask on mums section im sure there will be a few on there who can advise you. xxx

 

[mrs_tommo22]

Google, the chances on having a VBAC are very good, but its different for different circumstances and the woman giving birth

 

[Peachy]

Oh thanks thats a good idea about writing a letter - hadn't thought of that.

 

[Natural mamma]

you will probably be fobbed off i'm afraid and they also say you can only have 3 children if you have had a section...very sad but true...this is what makes me so angry when woman opt for an epidural as they are 50% more likely going to end up having a section...a very uneducated decision in my opinion based on fear...enuff ranting...but in your case it was a life saver...maybe because so much time has elapsed you may get away with it

good luck hun

 

[Jamie]

the chances of your scar rupturing during labour is less of a risk than the actual surgery involved with a section. I'm the same as you and had a section with my first due to pre-eclampsia, it was an emergency section and a very very horrible experience & recovery. This time round I'm seeing a consultant, and she says if I get to 36wks and my blood pressure hasn't gone up then she is happy for me to give birth 'normally', providing I go into labour by myself. (they don't induce people with a section scar because of the risks of rupture & infection apparently)
don't let them fob you off, if there's nothing medically wrong then you have a right to try a vbac.

I found this when I was looking at chances of a vbac a few months ago....The National Childbirth Trust can put you in touch with specialist VBAC supporters. Call the NCT enquiry line on 0870 444 8707 and ask for the contacts for VBAC and Caesarean Support.

hope this helps

 

[*saulino*]

Hi

Ide say because of your reasons for one you have an excellent chance of a VBAC. I didnt because baby was big and pelvic small.
But in most casesits considered very safe
Katrina

 

[Sabrina]

Folks say not always but I have yet to meet anyone that had a section in their first pregnancy that did not go on to have another in the 2nd. I am wondering what will happen to me. Had a section with 1st at 36 weeks due to pre-eclampsia and G diabetes. I am now old!!! (37) but have none of these complications although I do suffer from essential hypertension and have been on blood pressure medication from 8 weeks gestation to keep my bp down - will I be offered a normal delivery in the uk? Or will I be fobbed off with the ruptured scar excuse and because I am a geriatric multigravida?? Perhaps we can take bets?

I might be able to let you know in a few weeks! I had the same as you i.e. CS due to pre-eclampsia with first child. I am also termed "multigravida" due to my age (I'm 42).

For this second pregnancy I've had Consultant led care and have seen my Consultant 4 times so far with GP care in between (as my local MW is always unavailable). *Touch wood* this time around no sign of the pre-eclampsia and the Consultant is optimistic we can go for a vaginal birth.

He told me only on Friday that I will be allowed to be in proper labour for about 5-6 hours before they review the situation. This is called a "Trial of Scar" apparently. If I am slow to dilate after 6 hours they will make a decision whether to a) start me on a drip to speed things up or b) proceed with a CS.

I have an open mind about the delivery. So long as both the baby and I are well after that's all that matters.

I think it very likely this will be my last child so having another CS doesn't worry me. BUT I would like to have a vaginal birth as I know, from experience, the recovery after CS can take longer.

You will need to keep an open mind about delivery. Don't be forced into a CS if you don't feel comfortable but also, if you do have health concerns during the late pregnancy, it's worth being realistic about the prospects of a VBAC.

 

[Peachy]

God this is great thanks everyone - I have been sitting here wondering about so many things with nobody to talk to until I get to the UK so everything has been up in the air. It is good to know about all your experiences and opinions. I agree with you Sabrina, I have an open mind and the only reason I would prefer a vaginal birth is because of the recovery period from c-section. I had a horrible time last time and was only given paracetamol to get over the pain of this major abdominal surgery, then I got an infection in the wound and it had to be stitched up again. If there is a good medical reason I need it I won't be disappointed but as natural mama mentioned, I do think they do a lot of this fobbing off for their own convenience etc. When is your baby due Sabrina - do let me know what happens and the best of luck - 5 hours labour isn't long though is it especially when it is your 1st??? Mine is due 16th sept. Do they make us oldies go to term then? A friend of mine who had her last babe at age 39 was induced at 37 weeks because her consultant said she was too old to go beyond that - cheeky sod!

 

[Sabrina]

God this is great thanks everyone - I have been sitting here wondering about so many things with nobody to talk to until I get to the UK so everything has been up in the air. It is good to know about all your experiences and opinions. I agree with you Sabrina, I have an open mind and the only reason I would prefer a vaginal birth is because of the recovery period from c-section. I had a horrible time last time and was only given paracetamol to get over the pain of this major abdominal surgery, then I got an infection in the wound and it had to be stitched up again. If there is a good medical reason I need it I won't be disappointed but as natural mama mentioned, I do think they do a lot of this fobbing off for their own convenience etc. When is your baby due Sabrina - do let me know what happens and the best of luck - 5 hours labour isn't long though is it especially when it is your 1st??? Mine is due 16th sept. Do they make us oldies go to term then? A friend of mine who had her last babe at age 39 was induced at 37 weeks because her consultant said she was too old to go beyond that - cheeky sod!

Hi Peachy

I have found quite the opposite here with my hospital and consultant plus the midwives all encouraging me to go for a VBAC this time around. They are quite positive it CAN happen. I have not felt "fobbed off" at all.

My baby is due in just over 2 weeks (but could come anytime now as 37 weeks is considered "term" these days). I have had no discriminatory treatment on account of my age. Quite the opposite in fact. The NHS have been BRILLIANT with me and totally reassuring. Plus, I've felt so much healthier this pregnancy than the last time around (when, I hasten to add, I was only 25!!!).

The 5-6 hours labour the Consultant mentioned was what he said is "full" labour, not the early stages, and this commences when the mum to be is about 3cm dilated.

I agree this board is great for asking questions etc. I don't know what I'd have done without it througout this pregnancy.

 

[mrs_tommo22]

Thats why this place is always my first port of call if i have a problem or want a moan!

On that note though good luck ladies, I hope you get the vaginal birth you want, its pretty intense pushing a baby out and having them put on your stomach afterwards (i cheated and had him cleaned first ) but it was pretty amazing and OH was gobsmacked by it all in a good way.And a week and a half later i felt pretty normal again, despite getting a infection from epi sticthes

 

[Sabrina]

Thats why this place is always my first port of call if i have a problem or want a moan!

On that note though good luck ladies, I hope you get the vaginal birth you want, its pretty intense pushing a baby out and having them put on your stomach afterwards (i cheated and had him cleaned first ) but it was pretty amazing and OH was gobsmacked by it all in a good way.And a week and a half later i felt pretty normal again, despite getting a infection from epi sticthes

Thanks Mrs_Tommo that's good to hear. I was quite ill after my first CS and don't think I felt anywhere normal for at least 4-5 weeks. *Fingers Crossed* it'll go to plan with the VBAC this time.

 

[mrs_tommo22]

I hope you get the VBAC you want too sabrina, I wont bang on about it but it was anamazing feeling of chievment.