VBAC And Child Spacing

I had my first baby via caesarean section 11 years ago; then my next 3 were all vaginal births. My second baby came only 16 months after my c-section. All went great! If you can do a v-bac, I would highly recommend it--the recovery afterwards is much easier. Good luck to you! K.

My first was a C-section due to him being breech (went into labor but went straight to the OR). I got pregnant again when he was about 9 months and had my daughter through VBAC when he was 17 months old. It was a successful (although painful) VBAC, though they did have to use the vacuum. I just had my 3rd (2nd VBAC) almost 4 years after the first VBAC. Both times I did not have any complications due to the previous c-section.
I think what really helped was that I have a great OB/GYN who was all for me getting a VBAC and happened to be on call when I did have my first VBAC.

I had a C-section with my first after 27 hours of labor and pushing for 3 and 1/2 hours. I was able to go VBAC with my next two and they were great but I would recommend and epideral. I did not get one and had back labor. But no complications and now I have 3 beautiful boys. My boys are 26 and 22 months apart. It is just right.

Dear R.,
I applaud you for wanting a VBAC this time and I would seek out a doctor that would honor your requests. Always remember.....this is your birth. I don't think they can make you do a C-section if you really don't want it. Interview OB's and find one that will work with you.
I am pregnant with my third child, due in October, and I had two previous C-sections. I am a very high risk pregnancy due to a placental abruption with my first and I have a blood condition that makes me prone to clots in pregnancy. I am going to try for a VBAC on this one, even though 90% of the perinatologists frown on it. Basically, I am going to go into labor, get in to the hospital and if all is going well, we are going to go for it.
My children are spaced 2 years and 8 months apart and I really like having that time in between.
Good luck,
T.

HI R.! I think my doctor told me that you should have your kids at least 18 months apart. We had a little "whoops" situation and were pregnant when my oldest was only 6 months old. Unfortunately, I had to have a c-section with her after she did not tolerate labor. Fortunately I have the best doctor ever (for me) who was not scared to try VBAC. Of course, as you have read, there are things that might preclude you from trying this so you really do need to speak with your MD. The second was a successful VBAC and I cannot tell you how many nurses told me that I was lucky I had the doctor that I did because other MD's and Midwives would not have even considered it simply due to how close they were together. For me, the choice between a c-section and a repeat VBAC is clear...it was a much better and less painful experience going VBAC. I felt so much more connected to every part of the experience. I also had to consider the fact that I had a 14 month old at home who still needed to be picked up and there was no way I could have done that with a c-section. As you have heard...you are supposed to go into labor naturally...I did not with either of mine. There are certain types of medications that are okay to use to get labor going for a VBAC and certain ones that are not. AGain, that would be a good topic to discuss with your MD. I have a few friends who had multiple c-sections and say that is the way to go. For me, my vision was as natural as a birth as possible (uhm...with pain meds of course!!!) and it was a better experience. I will say that you do want your child to have a good sleep pattern before having a new arrival. I remember when my daughter was four months I looked at my husband and said, "I could have six more!" Now...I definitely know there are limits to what I can do in regards to sleep deprivation. My first was super easy and slept 6 horus right off the bat...the second one isn't a sleeper at all. So you might want to consider that into the equation too! I hope there was something in my blabbering that helped you here!

I have had 3 cesareans & I was willing to try vbac with the 2nd but it did not turn out that way. I just never went into labor. My 1st 2 kids are only 17 months away & I would suggest waiting at least a year. I was extremely tired due to the stress on my body & taking care of a little baby. The Dr. told me to wait at least a year before getting pregnant again. Enjoy your little baby while he is still little! Take care.

I was told by my OB-GYN to wait at least 12 months to allow my uterus to fully heal before getting pregnant again. I got pregant with #2 when #1 was 16 months old and went full speed ahead toward the VBAC I wanted (class, books, research etc). In the end, I suffered complications at 35 weeks and was admitted that night for another c-section delivery. I didn't get the delivery I hoped and planned for, but we got the baby we had planned for. I guess my point is plan well and prepare for anything.

I had a c-section with #1 and am choosing a c-section again with #2. I think it's alot safer and easier. I recovered FAST with my first c-section was out bomping around a few days after.

My clinic won't do VBACs anymore... I know some places are but mine would not.

I would recommend discussing this with your doctor. The success rate of VBAC depends on what happened during your first delivery that resulted in a C section. Based on my first C section delivery, VBAC was not even an option my doctor gave. When we found out we were pregnant, he asked when we wanted to deliver and we scheduled.

Getting opinions on this board is great but when it comes to your health and well being of you and a new baby, please consult your doctor.

This really depends on why you had to have a c-section. I know that when I had my c-section my doctor suggested that I give my body a good year to recover before getting pregnant again. I do recommend you give your body more time to heal.

We had trouble concieving to get pregnant again and so my next baby wasn't born for 4 1/2 years. I did have a successful VBAC.

Hi!
I got pregnant with #2 when my son was 12 months old. I opted for a scheduled c-section for #2 since #1 was an emergency c-section, but my daughter had other plans :) She came really fast and I ended up doing a VBAC. Although the situation was scary and not at all what I had planned, the VBAC was great! I was lucky and had no complications. And the recovery was great too - it was SO fast compared to the first one! Good luck!

R.,

I had a cesarean when I had my first son because the cord was around his neck. My second son was VBAC two years later with no complications. I had him at Mercy Hospital on 72nd and Center streets. It was so much easier than a C-section and the recovery was so much faster.

M.

Hi R.,
I had a VBAC when my first was 16 months old. My first was born via c-section because she was breech and wouldn't turn. My second was an easy VBAC- and I highly recommend it. My kids are 16 months apart (I got pregnant when my first was eight months old). I didn't have any complications with the VBAC and I found the recovery to be a breeze. (Especially important with a toddler at home). I go to "Generations Womens Health"- they have a very impressive VBAC success rate. They are located in Shoreview. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks,
S.

My first child turned breech and never dropped and I had a c-section at 40w6d. I had an relatively easy c-section, but it was not a fun recovery. Fast forward 2 1/2 yrs and I had my second by natural vbac. It was the most wonderful thing to experience. You can't be induced because of the extra pressure on the uterus, so you have to go into labor naturally, which I never did with my first. I went into labor at 38w2d and he was born with no complications with the exception of a third degree tear, which was better that c-section.
Fast forward another 2 1/2 yrs and my third was born the same way at 36w6d. Again no complications, just an internal tear that was not painful. I felt so great after his delivery and was up an around within the hour of delivering him.
VBAC was the best choice for me and worked out great. Also, my husband and I want another 2 or 3 kids and there was no way I could have that many c-sections if I wasn't able to have that first vbac. I am very grateful for what I have been blessed with.
Only you can make this decision and don't let anyone decide for you. There is a great book called the VBAC Companion (I can't remember the author) to help with the decision. I hope everything goes well with you.

If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them for you.

S.

I've done alot of research on the VBAC after Cesarean process. What I've read is that after a c-section, people who choose to have a VBAC sometimes may experience complications during labor because of the scar tissues and previous damage on the uterus. The uterus is not as as strong so it doesn't handle the hard pushing or contractions due to the previous cuts. I've also read that once you have multiple c-sections, it becomes harder and harder to deliver each baby through c-section because of the constant build-up of scar tissue and damage to the uterus and doctors recommend only having 2-3 c-section deliveries. Scary either way. I had a c-section for #1 and am pregnant with #2, planning on a c-section again. I was told that some women don't qualify for VBAC if the baby doesn't drop down for a previous pregnancy...this was what my friend was told so she also had 2 c-sections. I was given the choice by my Dr. and my baby also didn't drop, so I don't know if there is a true benchmark on when you should/shouldn't do one. I've been told by friends who've done multiple c-sections that the recovery time is alot longer for the 2nd and 3rd baby's. Of which I'm not looking forward to.

My aunt had a VBAC 18 years ago and she said it was great with no complications.

I think it all comes to personal preference. I personally am choosing the c-section again because I have a high tolerance of pain so recovery wasn't bad for me at all. I know what to expect this time, and my family has a history of BIG baby's. (my 4yr old was just shy of 10 lbs) So, I'd rather take the stress and pain over putting my baby, so I will do it instead. C-sections are alot less stressful on the baby and they get a perfect head everytime...no cone. On the other hand, I will NEVER know what it's like to endure natural labor...so I will miss that part of being a woman and baring children. But, I won't have a potty problem...my bladder is good and I'll won't pee when I sneeze, caugh, laugh or jump...at least not until I'm old. :)

I think it's all personal preference.

A lot of places now won't do VBACs anymore for insurance and safety reasons. You may need to check with your doctor about their policies. When I had my C section done 2 1/2 years ago, they were assuring me I'd still be able to have a natural delivery the next time. Now all the hospitals in the area won't even do them. I am having a C-section for my second due in June.

I agree with some of the others, give your body some time to recover fully before considering another pg. My first born was a c-section (after more than 12 hours induced) and I had a horrible recovery. This is when I found out the hard way that I am allergic to all forms of codiene and to top it off, had a double breast infection, and had been given too much anesthesia during surgery. I was absolutely miserable and had a very hard time recovering.

Forward to 2 1/2 years later, I had a (new) wonderful doctor who was thrilled that I wanted to go VBAC. He was willing to deliver the baby a month early if he had to to help me accomplish this. My daughter was a week and a 1/2 early on her own. I was induced for 9 hours before she came into the world. (my water broke but she wasn't in the birth canal, so I had to stay in bed overnight and wasn't able to start contractions on my own as a result, so they induced me first thing in the morning [6 a.m.], she was born mid-afternoon [2:55 p.m.]). I was able to have her by VBAC and the difference for me was amazing! There was very little recovery time needed for me, I felt absolutely wonderful, a difference of night and day for me. :) I am thrilled that I was able to have a VBAC! The dr. was willing to work with me to accomplish this from the begining and it was a great experience all around.

Talk to your doctor and find out what he says would be best for you and find out if he is even willing to try a VBAC with you (some dr's won't) or if it is even a feasable idea for you to try. Good luck to ya hun! :)

My c-section was in June 2003 and my VBAC was in March 2006. I couldn't have wished for a better delivery and am so glad I went with the VBAC, even with a 3rd degree tear it was still better than the c-section.

Good luck!