[Bassgirl]

A hospital VBAC is unlikely for me for various reasons - I posted about that earlier. I am likely to have a midwife and doula who will do a HBAC and I am supposed to be a good candidate. My c-section was for failure to progress due to malpositioning.

Here is my dilemma: I am about 5 minutes from the hospital. I feel like I want the VBAC for me and that it's selfish - that my daughter would be fine with a surgical birth. But there are risks to that too, I know.

I would be grateful to know more about advantages of VBAC to the baby.

 

[lisa_nc]

I would start here: http://www.childbirthconnection.org/...e.asp?ck=10210 and also post on ICAN.

I VBAC'd twins a year ago after a cesarean for breech presentation. I spent hours and hours pouring through studies. The bottom line is that there is a *very* small risk of uterine rupture and a *much* larger risk of damage to you and your baby from repeat cesarean. It's not selfish to want what's best for BOTH of you.

 

[mamatolevi]

check in with ICAN. you'll find the studies and all kinds of information as to the benefits of labor to both you and your baby as well as support for your HBAC.

ican-online.org

 

[murphysaangel]

If you are asking about the difference between VBAC in hospital and a HBAC, I can tell you that I only decided to VBAC in a hospital because I'm not really close to a (decent) hospital. I transferred from my home birth with DS to have a section almost an hour away and it was awful. With the risks associated with a VBAC, however minimal, I felt closer being in a hospital. If I were 5 minutes from a hospital like you are, I would totally HBAC. In an instant. As it is I feel like my chances are minimized greatly just being IN a hospital, and the one I'm choosing to VBAC at is one of the best and very hands-off.

If you are concerned with the risks of VBAC'ing vs. repeat cesarean, regardless of the setting, I'd really look hard at what you want to do. It's a question only you can answer. That childbirth connections website is great. You should also see The Business of Being Born. For me, that made it clear that I really, really want to experience a vaginal birth, and everything I missed out on with my first.

Good luck!

 

[19spitfire]

Research this and you will find many detriments to the baby when a csection is the way of birth. The ones that come to mind right now are: the baby doesn't stay as long as it should in the womb so there's no guarantee the baby has done what it needs to in the womb, breathing difficulties (for the baby) after birth are much more common with csections, there are more interventions needed after birth for the baby, and increased risk of asthma for the baby. Go to the ICAN website. I know there are so many reasons not to have a csection if you don't HAVE to. I know I only know those that have affected my life. Please do some real research and find out.
PS. I had a wonderful HBAC in July of 2008