In the beginning of this pregnancy, I went back and forth on whether or not I should try a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) or just schedule a c-section. At first I was all for VBAC. We've discussed having a total of 3-5 kids, taking it one at a time and seeing how we feel after each addition. Since we're not sure how many kids we'll have, I was worried that having too many c-sections would limit that number. I've heard many doctors only recommend 3 c-sections, but my sister just had her 4th and she said recovery was easiest this last time! So, who knows.
Matt was very opposed to trying a VBAC. He was worried I'd have the same problems I had with Dean. If my original c-section had been the result of a cord wrapped incorrectly, the baby being breech, the baby having a BM before delivery, etc. I would have tried VBAC. But I was just plain too small for him to fit through. Since I haven't gotten any larger, and this baby probably won't be any smaller than Dean (he was only 8 lbs. 6 oz.), it's highly likely that this one will get stuck as well.
So, in the end, we decided to eliminate the 18 hours of labor and the emergency part of the c-section and just schedule one instead.
While this option is nice because 1. I will get to deliver a little early and 2. We can plan a little better as to when we need help, this is not without it's drawbacks. Matt's done a lot of internet searching as to the problems that can arise with scheduled c-sections. Apparently the chance for respitory and other problems is higher for babies born before 39 weeks. My doctor won't deliver any more than 1 week from the due date (so 39 weeks), so this shouldn't be that big of a deal. But it still scares Matt, and if anything happens to go wrong health wise, I know he'll always blame it on the c-section being too early...
Yesterday when I told him his concerns just made me want to try a VBAC, he said that scares him even more than scheduling a week early. So on the books we go; the scheduling nurse called me today and set it up.
If all goes according to plan (and who knows, I could always go into labor before this. People tell me all the time that "it must be any day now, right? You look like you're gonna pop!"), I'll be having this baby on Monday July 27, 2009 at 7:30 am. That is exactly 1 week before my due date of August 3rd. Monday is the day she normally does surgery, and I want to be sure that she is the one doing it. She did such a fabulous job the first time around (even after a full day of delivering babies and going home only to be called back in under emergency cicumstances), I don't want to risk someone else botching this one up.
I have to check into the hospital at 5:30 AM, so we'll probably have someone come and hang out here until Dean wakes up and take care of him until Matt gets home from the hospital a couple hours later. Today I asked a former piano student of mine (oldest of 5 kids and I trust her and her family completely!) if she could, and while she didn't have her schedule with her (we were at the store when I saw her), she thought she'd be able to do it.
It's kind of weird to have such a detailed plan involving a birth.
9 comments:
I'm excited for you. It would be nice to have an actual finish line. I think definitely knowing what you know now about your size and babies' heads that you're making a good choice. Maybe I'll be 2 days late (like Addie was) and we'll have our babies on the same day. (I'm really hoping not though.)
Yep. Been there, done that.
I actually had a great experience with my scheduled, planned birth the second time around. It's a little different, but still a special birth, and it all works out. Incidentally, my mom had a total of six c-sections, and did well with all of them. She (and I) share your small pelvis-big baby problem, and the section is just the way to go. The only part that bugs me a little was that my daughter was nearly 1.5 lbs smaller than my son. If she had been first...maybe. Oh, well. One thing both of my docs have told me was to ask the advice of the delivering doc each time about the advisibility of having another baby. The old rule of three is an outdated rule. It all depends on your body and how you heal. Good luck!
I am also debating on whether to I want to VBAC with my next kid.I didn't particularly like how long it took me to heal after my c-section. I wouldn't worry about the baby being 1 week early. I had my first at 37, and second at 38, being induced both times. My third came himself at 39 weeks. None of them had any respiratory or health issues. The baby will be just fine. I am so excited for you. Good luck
Amy Jane is right, that is a WAY outdated rule!!!! My dr. just gave a woman her 7th C section and told her that was enough for her...another woman I know had 9....9!!!!!!!! crazy? it all depends on you.
Celia--you probably know Ali just had her third c-section, first planned. Everything went well.
I had a c-section with my first, a horrendously long VBAC with my second (33 hours and vacuum extractor--but the recovery was night and day different--so much easier!). McQueen was a VBAC at almost 10 lbs. He was hard, had to use salad tongs, but he literally spreak my hips. My babe, however, made me realize the reason women have babies. Induced a week early, she literally slid out in 5 hours tops. Hardly even a push!
I guess I share this so you know (but I am sure you already to) that VBAC's are possible and I the risks aren't really any worse than the risk of major surgery, as long as you have a competent doc on hand. I'd definitely take a schedued c-section over hours of labor and then the surgery delivery.
spread my hips, not spreak my hips! Ha!
Good to know it's an outdated rule...
I actually did pretty well recovering. I'm sure it was harder than vaginal recovery, but I didn't have the problems my sister had with her first.
If I could have been induced a week early on a VBAC I would have considered it more. My doc. won't do induction for VBACs. You have to go into labor on your own...and who knows how that would go.
Mine was the same about "go into labor on your own," but I had pitocin with #2 and #3 (after some official contractions and not much progress) and then my last doc just up and induced me a week early. It supposedly puts more pressure on the uterine scar, but what's the diff between starting on your own and starting, then upping with pitocin?
I am happy for you that you have a scheduled date and can just go in and have it done, no labor, and hopefully and easier recovery. Can't wait too see the new babe!
(Oh, and should I mention that I am glad it's you and not me? Probably not...hahaha! :) )
Just don't let them give you dermamorph in your iv. ask them your options for pain.
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