Terrified of C-section

My first was an emergency c-section, the second was planned, they were like 2 completely diiferent experiences. Although my doctor did give me the choice of a VBAC, I choose to schedule.

I think you should definitely find a new doctor. Pregnancy and childbirth are such wonderful yet private and sensitive issues that you should be dealing with a doctor that you feel absolutely comfortable with. My sister in law had an emergency c section with her first son and proceeded to schedule the next two children for c-sections also and never once considered a VBAC...That is her choice. I think drs. seem to be leaning more towards that these days and that is sad. My best friend had a VBAC but that was 8 years ago and a lot of things have changed since then. But she was determined to experience a vaginal childbirth. I just think you should find a new dr. first and let them know everything you are feeling and what you would like to do. But don't be disappointed if you can't. There may of been too much trauma from the first birth to have a safe VBAC. I can't imagine that a second c-section could be as complicated as the first. Just remember..c section or VBAC..it is the end result..that beautiful, healthy baby that matters. Best of Luck and keep us posted..Be strong.

I had a repeat c-section and everything went pretty smoothly. I'm a type 1 diabetic - the first c-section was after 14 hours and only dialating to 4cm and the baby's heart rate started dropping. it wasn't considered an emergency because they caught the drop in heart rate right away. everything went pretty smoothly with that one and I was out walking the baby at two weeks. with the second one, it was really nice to have the date planned and just soooo much more relaxed. of course, with it being planned, the doctor prepared us by explaining everything he was going to do and the epidural was calmly done and there was just nothing to it. my incision did come back open and my husband had to help me pack my wound for a few weeks - but that was due to not healing right and although it was a bit painful when i zipped back open when they took the staples out, it happened at the hospital, i had to stay for two more days, but the baby was there with me and other than that unpleasantness, I'd take that over risking anything going wrong during labor and delivery with the baby. You'll be fine! Congrats and you'll forget about any unpleasantness soon after the baby is born! I'm just hoping you're not using your first doctor!!! :)

D.-

I am so incredibly sorry about your delivery experience. You only have a couple of chances to do this, if you are lucky, and having a bad experience really does scar you. And yours sounds just awful.

First, deep breath. Second, I would highly encourage you to "build" a support system for yourself. You have had such a traumatic experience that you need all the help you can get to feel good about this baby and this pregnancy. You still have time to enjoy it. Please try to find some peace- either through your church group, mom's groups, friends, family and/or the third recommendation that I have for you. And that is to get yourself a new Doctor. If this is the same doctor that you had before, you need a new one and ASAP. Having a Doctor that you are comfortable with can make all the difference in the world. I highly recommend my Doctor. Dr. Stephen Binette. He is a wonderful person inside and out and has a way of making you feel 100% at ease and allows you to play a part in your own delivery. So, if it's possible, he will help you try things like a VBAC. He has offices in Elk Grove, Bloomingdale, Naperville and I think Arlington Heights. His Bloomingdale office number is: ###-###-####.

Please know that these recommendations come from having two pregnancies that were very difficult and difficult situations once my children were born. I don't know what I would have done without the comfort/ support of my friends and having a Doctor I trust. Who, by the way, was only my Doctor for my second child. The Doctor for my first child could rot in you know where. I too wanted to switch when I was pregnant at 32 weeks but felt it was too late to do so. I still kick myself for not. This Doctor that I have referred you to, Dr. Binette, made me feel so comfortable that I let him operate on me (for something else) six weeks after meeting him.

Hang in there. C-sections are wonderful especially since the "window" is already there. I can't tell you how quickly I recovered the second time around. All they have to do is open the "zipper" and get your baby out. No pushing necessary. :)

All my best.
N.

With my second child they told me that my child was breech and that I would probably need a c-section. My doctor said there was a process they could try later in the pregnancy called an internal cephalic version. It is a process where they manually turn the baby by manipulating the baby from outside. Sounds creepy I know, but the doctor said there was a very very low rate of hurting the baby and the baby is monitored the entire time to make sure the cord does not get in the way. Mine was a success and they were actually able to turn the baby and I had a normal vaginal delivery.

Of course, you need a doctor who will respond in a timely manner and in a compassionate way to your concerns, but also I might add that cognitive therapy, hypnotherapy and/or bodywork(such as Jin Shin Do acupressure) that works with emotions may be helpful to deal with the fear and hurt from that traumatic experince-it sounds liek you have PTSD from that C-section --so ask if they therpaist has experience with post traumatic stress disorder.

I too had a horrible emergency c-section this past June. It was awful. I labored for 12 hours and then we kept losing the baby's heart rate so they insisted on a c-section which I agreed to because I wanted what was best for my baby and he was in a dire situation with losing his heart rate more then once. When I got in the OR and they gave me more of the epidural or whatever it was to do the c-section I passed out so they basically cut me open horizontilly from belly button to pelvic bone. Not that nice little bikini line cut. Recovery was very difficult. I was told that if I had another baby I would have to have a c-section because it was a horizontal cut and a vaginal delivery would put me at risk of rupturing my uterus which would apparently be very very bad. I don't know that I'm having any more kids but if I do I will go with the c-section because I don't want to risk it. You definitely need to have an open honest discuss with your practitioner. If you can not discuss this with him/her then you need to find someone you can discuss it with. You need him/her to make you fully aware of the risks of both a repeat c-section and a VBAC and if you can even attempt a VBAC. As the other poster stated, what you and I experienced is not common and if you do have a c-section it will not be under an emergency situation. It will be scheduled and will undoubtedly go so much smoother for you. I wish you luck and I hope you can resolve this quickly and get a plan in place for yourself so you can really start enjoying this pregnancy and miracle you are about to recieve via c-section or VBAC!

Hi D.. I would definitely tell your dr. about your fears. That was definitely not a normal situation. I had c-sections with both of my children and I didn't even want to try the vaginal way. With this being a planned c-section, it shouldn't be like an emergency situation. Good luck and let us know how things are going.

Thanks,

S.

Hi D. - my name is A. - I am expecting with my 3rd child and will also have a scheduled C-section. My first was an emergency c-section - I was in labor for over 48 hours and I was exhausted and very traumatized - slept for literally 12 hours after Olivia was born - my second was a planned c-section, which was so much easier - I went in at 7:30 Amelia was born at 8:30 - I stayed awake all day was not traumatized at all it was so much easier in every aspect just knowing.
Now - I did have anesthesia so it was not painful.
Will they use anesthesia this time? Hopefully they will and if they do it will be so much easier.

Hi D.,
I am assuming your Dr won't do a VBAC because of health concerns? I wasn't allowed to because they considered my pregnancies too close together (11 months apart)

I too had a very traumatic first c/s, I too had an infection THREE times until they had to open an incision to drain it and my hubby had to treat it twice daily, talk about pain.

However, my second one was so smooth, I felt more confident in what I was going into, I didn't labor for 14 hours.... It was much much better.

I do agree with what the other person said, ultimately trying a VBAC is up to you, you Dr can refuse to do it. I would tell the Dr you have made the decision to try VBAC, always remember that if it's a true health risk, you could end up in another emergency c/s.

My daughter was turned sideway and was too big, they had warned me that I had a small pelvic bone and a baby above 6 to 7 lbs may not fit. She was almost 9lb.
My little boy was a little over 7lbs and they said was ready, he could have potential been pushed but the risk to my uterus was too great and scary to me.

Hope I helped some...

It sounds as if you are very uncomfortable with your dr. If I were you I would try to find another dr. you are more comfortable with.

As for the c-section... I am going on my third (in 36 more days). The first was an emergency, but I was given an epidural and didn't feel anything, so I can't imagine the pain you went through the first time. I also didn't have any complications... was up and moving around fine. My first two were only 12 months apart, so for safety reasons we went with a repeat c-section instead of a VBAC. I found it comforting knowing when the baby would be born and being able to plan where my son would be ahead of time instead of possibly having to wake my son in the middle of the night to bring him somewhere. We actually dropped our son off at my parents the night before, and had a nice evening out- just the two of us- to relax before the baby was born.

If you are cared for properly during and after the c-section you wouldn't have had as many complications. I understand you would prefer a VBAC, but I think you should also become comfortable with the idea of a c-section and a provider you are comfortable letting do the c-section just in case you try the VBAC and need the c-section anyway. If you go in with this terror of a c-section and end up needing one, your terror could make things more complicated.

Firs thing, it is not up to your doctor if you have a c-section, it is up to YOU. YOU are the decision maker. You should carefully consider the doctor's reasons for suggesting a section, but it is absolutely inappropriate for your doctor to TELL you anything.

If you want the VBAC, look into the VBAC. I would call some other providers, find one who is willing to discuss the risks and benefits with you. It is an individual decision that you must make, but with all of the information. If it were me I would find a new provider who respected me and discussed things with me, rather than treating me like a child and "telling" me what I would be doing.

There is a group called ICAN- the International Cesarean Awareness Network who provide support and resources for people who have had c-sections. Here is their address http://ican-online.net/ You can find a local chapter where you can meet people and/or get recommendations for a doctor who will support you.

Lastly, I hope you are able to work through your fears. It was a one in a million chance that you had a true emergency cesarean and felt the pain of it. I think if you are able to find the right provider this birth will be very healing for you whether you choose a VBAC or choose a repeat section. Best wishes:)

I hated my first c-section too and was loving the idea of a normal delivery for my 2nd child. I pushed for 2 hours after being induced @6am and here it was 11p.m I had to get ready for another c-section. I didn't want it so of course i was crying and saying god who knows what but it went smooth as a possible. The recovery was wonders,I had my 2nd @12.08am and by 8am I was up and walking which i was so shocked since my last one I didn't even get out of bed until the 3 day after it. I had to have help for 3 weeks after my first c-section and this one I took it like a champ. I hope the same for you but I also had a different dr. this time around no call. I wish you the best of luck, i hope my story helped ease yr pain.

Hi,
I am sorry that your first experience was so terrible with a c-section. I myself am in my third trimester with my second child. I am looking forward to having a scheduled c-section this time. I had an emergency c-section last time after I had pushed for 3 hours and 20 min of forecepts. I really feel like that was very tramatic and stressful for both the baby and me plus I basically had to recover from both the pushing and from the c-section. You really need to talk all your options over with your doctor so that you know the what your risk, if you do have a VDAC, of having another emergency c-section is.
Good luck
JT

I have to agree with many of your other responses... the first thing I would do is talk to your doctor about a vbac, and if she says "NO" look for another doctor who will do it. Unless your uterine incision is vertical, there should really be no reason to force another c-section. (There are people out there who would even say "just show up in labor" - but depending on the previous surgery that can be dangerous.)

With that said, I understand your fears. I had an emergency c-section with my 4th child. It was not as bad an experience as yours, but it was still not something I ever wanted to do again. When I got pregnant the next time, we planned a VBAC. My doctor was wonderfully supportive - my son, however, had other plans - so in we went for a second emergency section... He was turned sideways and had the cord around his neck 3 times, so the doctor made a vertical cut in order to get him out safely. Sadly, the crossing uterine incisions guaranteed any further babies would be by c-section.

I will say that my planned c-section went SO MUCH BETTER than either of my emergency ones. I was a part of the decision making processes - from when the baby's birthday would be to any music playing in the OR during his birth. And because I did not labor at all this time my body was not worn down and my recovery was faster/easier than either of the previous surgeries before. I was able to rest comfortably at home until a couple of hours before surgery and have everything else taken care of ahead of time.

Would I have another c-section if it wasn't for the crossing incisions - HECK NO. Would I ever recommend a scheduled c-section to a person for whom a VBAC is a valid medical option - NO WAY. But if you have no other options, talk to your doctor about having things your way. Make sure she is aware of ALL of the complications you had last time, as well as anything you would like to have done differently. Be an active part in your medical care.

Good Luck.

M. J
mom to 8 great kids - ages 16 to 1

Hi,
I too had a C-section with my son 4 years ago and my incision was infected right from the hospital and I had to have a second surgery 6 months later to correct it. I wasn't compeletly healed until 7 months after having my baby. I was in so much pain that whole time and I feel like I missed out on my baby and his first months. My suggetion to you is to find a new doctor!!! I did and I love my new practice and my husband and I are trying for our second. I don't know where you live, but my doctors are great. They know about my first and what I went through and they are just awesome! They are out of Lake Forest hospital. Good luck and SWITCH YOUR DOCTOR!!!

Please please look for another healthcare provider who will support your choice to VBAC! There are TONS in the city who deliver at UIC, Prentice, West Suburban in Oak Park, and in many suburbs.

There is NO reason you can't have a vaginal delivery with this baby - in fact, it is much safer for you (the mom) and equally safe for your baby. The only reason doctors don't want to do VBACs is because of malpractice liability (they're less likely to get sued for scheduling a c-section). Don't let him bully you here - just get a new doc or consider a midwife.

Contact the Chicago ICAN group (you can find them at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ICANofChicago/)
Someone there can definitely help you find a new provider. It's not worth arguing with your current doctor about this - you just need to switch. I looked very hard for a provider for my upcoming VBAC and am happy to share with you my list if you email me.

Good luck! YOU CAN DO IT! There are also tons of great resources on the www about VBACs. Again, let me kow if you want some book titles etc.

I'm so sorry your first delivery went so poorly. That's really sad. You need to find yourself a new doctor ASAP. Yours sucks. He or she can't tell you that you have to have a c-section. It's unethical and just plain untrue. Do your research on VBAC's. Find yourself a new doctor or consider a midwife. They are more likely to support it and work with you. Nobody can force you to have surgery against your will. Your husband probably feels a c-section is best because your doctor said so, not because he is well-informed. Your risk is always greater with a c-section than a vaginal delivery. I think if they were really close together it's a different story but being 3 years apart changes things. My midwives are West Suburban Midwives at ###-###-#### in Oak Park. If you live in the city, I've heard that a practice out of UIC has a great VBAC success rate. I don't know if they are OB's or midwives. Be strong and stand your ground, you deserve the pregnancy and delivery that you want. Find a new health care provider asap!!!!

I've given birth to four babies. My last two were c-section and four years apart. My dr. said there was no reason I couldn't have a v-bac. You can and probably should get a second opinion.

Vbac is an option. Also think about this too though; the last was an emergency c section. The next one will not be. It will be scheduled and the pain meds will be given at the proper time. I had an emergency c section too and the meds didn't take and all the other stuff you mentioned so I have been there, done that. The second one I had a spinal and that basically took out all the pain for a longer amount of time for me. It is up to you.

You had no anestheia? How could they do that? I am so sorry. I am sure you are scared. I wish you could have a vbac too. If your dr is not up for that, you might want to check into other options for a dr that will let you have one. I have attended 3 of them, and they all turned out great and were all great experiences.

S. Bailey CLD
aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com

D., may I ask why you are still with the same doctor? I had an emergency c-section. I was bummed, but life went on. The result was a beautiful healthy child. That's the goal of delivery, isn't it?

Why "must" you have another c-section-- is there a medical reason for it?

Sending a note to your doctor is just immature. You need to either tell her these are not your wishes, or end your patient/doctor relationship now. How far along are you? I'd find a new doctor personally.

As for anesthesia, c-sections aren't done with them. Patients are numbed from waist down. I found my c-section very unsettling, but not painful. I was happy to be awake so that I could meet my beautiful baby right away.

You definitely need to change doctors. My sister had an emergency c-section and they gave her anesthesia. I don't think your doctor is acting in your best interest, it is no wonder that you are stressed out and scared. Also, there is really no reason why you can't try to deliver naturally unless the baby is breech. Please consider changing doctors! This should be a wonderful time for you!