Vaginal Delivery May Be OK After C-Section

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In 1997, I was told that I was a candidate for VBAC after 2 C-Sections. I was in labor for 3 days, heavily monitored with the dr's stopping labor in the evening for rest. I wanted to have a vaginal delivery because of the experience and recovery time of C-Sections. At the end of the 3rd day, my water broke, I was so excited and active labor came soon after that. Within the hour, an agonizing pain ripped through me and everything went white. My uterus had ruptured, along with my bladder (due to the scar tissue from previous c-sections; Something that is NOT mentioned in the risk factors that most of us read for VBAC) For a short time, they lost both my daughter and myself, and had to ask my family who they wanted to save. Fortunately, we both survived, with a helicopter (to transfer) on standby for my daughter, "just in case". I woke up with a priest next to my bed and was not able to see my baby for 3 days. Prior to choosing to go VBAC, I was told that there was a .01% chance of a rupture. It doesn't matter how small the chances are..........the chances are there.
We were both in the hospital for 10 days, I went home with a catheter for over a month, and my daughter had to see the pediatrician weekly for a long time to make sure there were no ill effects from lack of oxygen. I was not able to breastfeed her because the trauma limited milk production. I had many issues for many years after the birth, and eventually wound up with a hysterectomy. The average 2 hour surgery turned into an 8 hour surgery. My bladder was ready to rupture on it's own, my uterus was against my spine and they were limited with what they had to "rebuild my bladder". My cervix is now one of my bladder walls because that is what they had to work with. This time I went home with two catheters, and still the possibility that they might have to remove my bladder permanently. I was out of work for nearly 6 months due to the lengthy recovery.
Today, my daughter is a healthy 13 year old with no ill effects for which I am completely thankful to the medical team for.
My family didn't understand how important it was for me to at least TRY for a vaginal birth after 2 c-sections, but if I had the choice to do it all over again, with maybe a little more knowledge about all of the risks (INCLUDING the scar tissue), I would have made the choice for the last C-Section.

Judi of NH 11:34AM August 17, 2011

I am pregnant with my second child at the moment and i had a c-section with my first child due to pre-clampsia... I on the other hand would not like to go through the recovery process of having another one with a 17 month old at home to chase after... I would love to experience a vaginal birth... I understand that if worst comes to worst then i have no choice but i don't want to have another one just because i had one the first time... My doctor stil hasn't brought the discussion up and i am now 36 weeks pregnant..

Brittney of FL 4:14PM December 08, 2010

I was one of the mothers in the 80's choosing a VBAC delivery. My Cesarean section delivery was done due to the single footling breech positioning of my son. I was 29 years old at the time and he was my first child. At 31, I gave birth to my second child, a daughter, vaginally. I had no complications at birth and have had none since. Both children are doing fine too.

Patricia of IL 4:27PM July 26, 2010

I'll weigh in as well. I loved my VBAC and felt all the After a c-section which caused an ileus in my intestines followed by an infected incision it was great to have another option than just to be cut again. It took six months for my incision to heal and my intestines have never been the same since. While c-sections can be a life saving procedure, they are also way too common and they are not as safe and easy as all that. I had my VBAC with midwives at age 34 and experienced none of the effects that the other VBAC mom mentions. I left the hospital in under 24 hours (as opposed to ten days w/my c-section) and was able to breastfeed and bond much easier with my VBAC child. I guess there are trade offs either way, but its nice to have a choice.

sam of NJ 12:28PM July 26, 2010

As a third-time mother & RN who did a VBAC at age 37 after two c-sections at ages 30 and 32, I would caution women & their MDs considering a VBAC to also take into consideration the potential pelvic floor damage a vaginal birth causes. Has this sequelae been studied for VBAC?? I suffer from cystocele, rectocele, prolapsed uterus & stress incontinence from the hard pushing I had to do in my VBAC. In my case the 1st 2 c-sections were done for good reason due to a narrow pelvis (hereditary) and I can attest the joy of a "real birth" in no way makes up for the suffering ever since, not to mention the changes in my vaginal wall leading to less satisfying sex for both my husband and me. Thus, from the standpoint of my pelvic floor & vaginal health and the standpoint of the possible neurological damage & lifelong costs for a baby from a poor outcome vaginal birth, count me now and forever as a fan of C-sections!!!

Jeanette 3:05PM July 22, 2010