don't understand VBAC

[Ben's Mommy]

I guess I just need some advice. I'm 21 wks pg and planning on having my 1st VBAC. The thing is, several of my friends within this past year have had c-sec's also and just don't "get" why someone would want a VBAC. Now, I know why I want one and no one is trying to sway me to do a rep c-sec. But I'm terrible at explaining this to other people. So, can anyone help me explain this to pro c-sec mamas? Both of my gf's will have rep c-sec's for future babies and that is their choice, but I'd just like to explain (if it comes up again) why I believe VBAC is so important to me.

So, basically I'm bad with words and need help!

[littleteapot]

I simply say that excepting some rare circumstances, a VBAC is much safer than an elective repeat c-section and research backs that up. Major surgery is risky to baby and risky to mom. Trials of labour, at minimal, should be done!

[InstinctiveMama]

I remind people that even though c-sections are way too routine in this country, they are still MAJOR surgery. The recovery can be horrendous and often lasts weeks longer than vaginal birth. My birth (and healthcare) philosophy is "medical intervention when needed". In my opinion birth is a natural not medical process therefore I will not choose what interventions are necessary until they are medically necessary. C-section is the most interventive thing I can think of!

And I WILL be a vbac mama in several weeks!

[crunchykd]

I think it is hard to convince anyone that has made up their mind. I had a VBAC and it was a "walk in the park" compared to my c/s.

I had an OB who was very supportive and she said that a VBAC is riskier to the baby but a c-section is riskier to the mother. Having a child at home, I'll take the risk to my baby over myself. But that's just one of many, many reasons why I'm choosing another VBAC.

[turtlewomyn]

Just tell them that a VBAC is safer, according to the research and you would like a easier recovery time.

[logan&jordansmommy]

My main reasons is because I don't think you need to or should go through major surgery to have a baby. There are risks to surgery. But also, I want to have a baby the way I was made to have a baby (if possible of course).

[MommytoTwo]

I just said that my c-sec was traumatic and I wouldl ike to avoid it again.

In my circle there arent many open minds so I dont really bother trying to share a whole lot of facts.

[Storm Bride]

hmmm...I replied to this earlier, but I think my net connection punked out. One thing that I mentioned is that people overlook the fact that one "easy" (comparatively) section doesn't mean the next one will be. My third unwanted section resulted in nerve damage, causing me to still be unable to feel my bladder at 15 months pp. Some people may have found their sections "easy", but that doesn't mean a repeat will be. (My first two weren't easy or wanted - but I did recover completely from both of them.)

[RiverSky]

Having the vaginal birth experience is actually healthier for children...the pressure through the birth canal is good for the structure of their head.

My 5 year old daughter is going to probably need expensive appliances (sort of like braces) in her mouth due to the fact that she was born via c-section. Allegedly, it's common for children born via c-section to have issues with their teeth aligning. Her chiropractor has been working on her with cranial sacral therapy and by working on the roof of her mouth, hoping that she might be able to avoid having the appliances.

Everyone I've spoken to who had a VBAC was amazed at how quickly they recovered after birth, that they were in no pain at all, compared to weeks of pain. Also, since during VBAC, there is TONS of painkiller in the mother (and baby), the baby is not as alert after birth.

Babies sometimes have problems breathing after c-sections, due to not having the proper pressure during birth.

HTH

[oregonbound]

My daughter was 2 1/2 and very cuddly, and I couldn't imagine not being able to hold her and cuddle with her for 2 weeks after a repeat c-section. My VBAC recovery was so easy, except for a sore bottom I had no problem getting around a couple days later, we even went out to the mall that weekend. After my c-section, I nearly passed out on my first trip to the bathroom, and I couldn't even walk around the block a couple of weeks later without being sore after. Also, after the c-section, they had to take my baby to the nursery for 3 hours of "observation," whereas my son who was born vaginally never left my room the whole time except for the PKU and hearing test. And the VBAC was a much better experience -- I really felt like I "birthed" him, with the c-section it was more like I had an operation and came home with the baby. Anyhow, those are my reasons for preferring the VBAC.

[JJ'sMom]

Pretty Simple for me

If I have a repeat C-section, I cannot lift, or have my DS sit on me, for 6 weeks. That would really suck for all of us!!!

Plus all the other reasons mentioned.

Julia

[TanyaS]

Originally Posted by crunchykd

I had a VBAC and it was a "walk in the park" compared to my c/s.

:

Without question there is an unmistakeable difference in recovery. I have had a hospital VBAC where I walked out happily, of my own choosing, 12 hours later. I recently had an HBAC that was amazing.

You might be able to suggest to your friends that c/s is major abdominal surgery and you want to be able to care for your baby and your other child(ren) with ease after the birth. "with ease" That's funny to me because it's not "with ease" just after a VBAC, but I could never imagine caring for a 5 and 2 yo after a c/s. Seriously, maybe they'd understand the convenience factor of VBAC?

[Storm Bride]

Tanya has a good point. Trying to look after dd last summer was a nightmare. I had some help from my mom and dh took a few days to work from home, and I had ds1 (12 at the time) to help...and it was still brutal. I also had to keep fending her off when she tried to hug me - she's very exuberant - which just killed me emotionally.

[Ben's Mommy]

Thanks for all the great suggestions ladies. I thought that this topic would have come up last night when a few my friends got together. Fortunately it didn't. Now I'm armed with some quick responses when they ask why. It's weird though. They were both complaining about how painful the c-sec was and how it was worse pain than labor, but I can guarantee you that they both will schedule their rep c-sec when the time comes. Now apparently I have to fend off my aunts (both NICU nurses) who don't want me to try a vbac. Fortunately they don't live nearby and I can probably avoid that conversation for the next 20 wks. Garh. So frustrating.

[Mihelinka]

I had a c-section w/ dc#1, am in waiting any day now w/ VBAC for dc#2.
Main reasons to do vbac.
C-section is major abdominal surgery.
Sometimes the epidural used DOES NOT work and needs to be placed several times & it is possible for you to feel more than you should during surgery (speaking from personal experience here)
Being in a hospital for more than a few hours sucks. :


Good luck w/ your NICU aunts, I'm a bit stunned that they are anti vbac I must say.

[ollineeba]

I don't understand why anyone would want a c/s after experiencing it once : but to each his own.
My VBAC was so much easier than my c/s. A million times better, really.. and I know statistically it was safer. Better for mama and baby.

[Ben's Mommy]

Originally Posted by Mihelinka

Good luck w/ your NICU aunts, I'm a bit stunned that they are anti vbac I must say.

Well, my side of the family is known for big heads/foreheads and I'm petite, so of course I can't birth vaginally! Funny how my grandma had no problem pushing out 6 kids with the same type of heads and I'm pretty sure that g-ma was even more petite than me! :

[littleteapot]

Originally Posted by mama2babybeans

I don't understand why anyone would want a c/s after experiencing it once :

Amen!

[Earthylady]

My response is that God designed me to give birth through my vagina, not my belly.

Mandy

[oregonbound]

Originally Posted by Ben's Mommy

Now apparently I have to fend off my aunts (both NICU nurses) who don't want me to try a vbac. Fortunately they don't live nearby and I can probably avoid that conversation for the next 20 wks. Garh. So frustrating.

I had the same problem with my aunt who is an anesthesiologist. She never said anything to me, but she told my mom that I should have a repeat c-section and my mom of course told me. Then she told my husband too. My husband was smart enough to tell her that my doc "specialized" in VBACs or something and that finally got her off my back. HaHa! Anyway, I talked to my aunt and she said that she would never have a VBAC if she had a c-section (her only baby was born vaginally) but then she also said that she didn't understand the concerns about uterine rupture because she had never actually experienced one in her practice. Go figure!

Good luck!
Minta
mom to 2 and one on the way