VBA4C...too risky under these circumstances?

[Lisa1970]

First let me say, I have already vbac'ed before. I know it is generally safer than csects. With my last birth, I had planned a vbac. I allowed myself to be bullied in to a csect again. I was so stupid! Then I almost died from the csect. It was awful. The baby is 16 months old and I am still in pain. My body is obviously permanently damaged. My back has incredible pain and my mobility has been limited. I can walk and all, but my back just hurts so much that I cannot bend down and pick things up or get up quickly or sit too long.

So, I do not want to have another csect again. It was awful. It was a nightmare. I still sometimes have anxiety and panic over how the csect went. But my big worry is that since the csect went so poorly, maybe my incision is bad or something. I am worried. I do not want to ever have another csect or go through what I went through again. 

Should I be worried about the integrity of my uterus after that doctor chopped me up? Thanks in advance for your help.

[jenniro]

I am so sorry that you went through that.  I was bullied into a CBAC myself, and it sucks!   Do you have access to a different doctor?  I would definately want to get checked out.  Your uterus is probably fine, but you might have something else going on,  maybe an infection.  Maybe see a chiropractor first.  They tend be less expensive and also tend to have success treating back pain if it is bone and muscle related. 

I just read something that said c-sections needed to be classified as major abdominal surgery because of all the risks associated with it, and I thought, "No shit, sherlock."  Women who have been subjected to them could have told you that :)

[DMG8]

Not knowing exactly how he cut you or how it is today it would be hard to say if your uterus will hold up.  In my mind a VBAC is worth the shot but not knowing specifics it would be hard to call in your case.  

On the other hand, my sister had a horrible first c-section and spent the next few years in pain.  She tried for a VBAC with her 2nd baby but ended up with another c-section.  Thankfully the second c-section was done by a different doctor and he did a fantastic job - she had zero complications afterward and he fixed the horrible scarring she had from her first.  She has been practically pain free since her 2nd c-section.  So maybe a new doctor could fix some of the damage done by your first?  Just something to think about and discuss with your doctor.  

Good luck! 

[neveraim]

The pain you are having could be several different things.  I would suspect you have some severe adhesions and you need to speak to someone who specializes in this sort of thing.  I don't know where you are located but it might help to contact http://www.physicaltherapy-northtexas.com/pt_for_women  She specialize in this sort of thing.

It certainly couldn't hurt to see a chiropractor who specializes in pregnant and postpartum women.  You should be able to find someone here..  www.icpa4kids.com

You cold be having residual pain from the spinal anesthesia as well.

I'm sorry you are in pain.

To answer your question, since you have VBACed before, you are probably still a good candidate.  I don't know your exact sitation but number of previous c/sections should not be the only indicator when trying to decide if you should or should not VBAC.  There is also women who have had VBACs despite having special scars...classical incisions, j incisions, inverted T, and T incisions, etc. so that also doesn't eliminate your chances of having a VBAC.  You can ask for your medical records and see what your medical history includes...your new doctor or midwife will do that anyway if you are pregnant again.

I'm putting together a blog for women having VBAMC...I'm still working on it.. feel free to check it out, should give you comfort to know that other women have BTDT.  www.victorybirth.blogspot.com You can also read my VBA3C birth story here www.cherryblossomdoula.blogspot.com

I hope you feel better soon.