elective vs VBAC

Im going for an elective after an emergency c section. My son will be 19 months old. They have said for me to do a birth plan for c section and what will happen if I go into spontaneous labour as well just in case that happens before c section date xxx

@Kate are you worried about the recovery with a 19 month old? that’s the biggest thing that’s worrying me x

My husband will be off for 4 weeks with us so hoping that helps. With my first we both were very poorly after his birth and even with that my recovery was okay! Hoping I’ll be on my feet after around 2 weeks properly! Currently my placenta is too low for natural birth so I’m preparing for a c section without much choice to be honest! X

@Kate ohhh i see, yeah i won’t be getting much help so it seems like vbac is the more reasonable option but its just the not knowing whereas with the c section i know what to expect!! x

Do try to think about all of the outcomes, yes VBAC does sound like the easiest option for healing but you still have the chance to have fourth degree tears, haemorrhage etc. I would maybe make plans for both options and weigh it up based on your pregnancy. If you’re not far along you could always see how you are until so many weeks before you’re due x

That’s my thoughts too- it’s such a big decision but thankfully time is on your side as still a good few weeks. Even if you go into natural Labour you can still ask for a section (I didn’t know this until recently!) x

I had a VBAC and it was amazing, had a very simple labour and gave birth 45 minutes after arriving at the hospital and went home that evening. It was so much easier considering I had a 15 month old at home. I had the same conundrum though, it’s really hard, I was lucky to have the best outcome but there’s no knowing what will happen for sure. If you do go for VBAC I’d say get as educated as possible on policy around it and all your options so that you’re confident and can advocate for yourself