I have to have another c-section. I'm disappointed too, I thought there was a chance that I could deliver naturally, but it seems not.
The OB told me that with a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarian), studies done in the last 18 months have shown that the risk of Uterine Rupture (v bad) is not 1 in 1000 as they'd previously thought, but 1 in 200. In otherwise, significantly higher. And induction is a complete no-no, the risk is just too big for me. Also because they have to schedule the birth early, taking me off the Heparin and not for too long, it's a no-no. So I will be scheduled for a c-section at 38 weeks. Bum.
She also told me that they have started to have you up and out of bed within 8 hours of delivery (as opposed to nearly 24 when I had Dylan), and home within 3 days (as opposed to 5). This increases the recovery rate and reduces risk of clotting.
Posted by katie at February 5, 2004 01:25 PMI dont know what your medical history is, or who your midwives are, but for sure, just because you have had a c-section doesnt mean that you cannot give birth vaginally. Many, many children are born perfectly normally from mothers that have had a previous c-section, my wife included.
Im not sure what sort of birth you are planning, but I am sure that you would find a chat with Caroline Flint to be very interesting, and even useful, if not for this birth, but perhaps for your next.
is the URL of The Birthcentre midwifery service. Read it, and then get the advice of a real midwife. Having a natural birth completes your pregnancy both emotionally and physically, at least, thats what my wife says!
Posted by: Alex at February 5, 2004 02:50 PMHi - thanks for the comment. Unfortunately it's because of my medical history that I have to have a repeat c-section. I have a blood clotting disorder which means I'll be on anticoagulant shots daily as of next week until after the baby is born. They have to stop me taking them for 24 hours or so to have the baby, they have to get the baby out early because they cannot risk me going into spontaneous labour while anti-coagulated, and they're not willing to induce after a previous c-section because they said new research shows that the chance of rupture in that instance is very high indeed - 1 in 200 not 1 in 1000 as previously thought.
Posted by: katie at February 5, 2004 02:54 PMSorry to hear about that. It's unpleasant news for you since you were hoping it wouldn't turn out that way, but it's not entirely a surprise - you knew that was a possibility.
But the bright side is that your high-risk pregnancy team is doing everything they can to make sure there's a healthy baby and a healthy mum. Which is the only thing that's important, of course.
Posted by: Steve at February 6, 2004 12:22 PM