In the coming months Matt and I will finally be able to see our precious new baby. We can't wait to have a new child, even though it will be tough. But in light of this excitement, we have a decision to make. We have to decide if I will have another c-section or try to deliver this baby vaginally. My doctor has surprisingly left it up to us to decide what to do. She has recommended we do the c-section but we do still have the other option.
When I was pregnant with Levi everything was normal and pretty much perfect! I could not have asked for an easier pregnancy. The problems began once I went into labor with Levi. Levi was not in any hurry to really come out of me. He was born on his predicted due date when I finally went into labor. But we did have an induction scheduled for the very next day since we thought he wasn't going anywhere.
When I arrived at the hospital I was dilated at a 5. That is pretty much where I stayed. Things all happened so fast and I was very scared. Especially since this was my first and I had no idea what to expect. Levi was not really centered in the birth canal. You could feel his head over to my left side. I was given pitocin to speed things along and every time I would contract Levi's heart rate would drop. When the doctor broke my water, meconium, (Levi's poo) came out. All of this together did not leave us with much option but to have a c-section. As expected, when the doctor pulled Levi out the cord was wrapped around his neck. It was a good thing that I did not try to push him out since this could have caused damage.
My doctor gave us a statistic about if I deliver vaginally what the chances are of my uterus rupturing or running into other problems. I know doctors always want to be safe and I would never do anything to harm myself or our baby. But at the same time, I feel like I was jipped with Levi's birth. Giving birth is not glorious or fun by any means but I guess I had pictured it to go one way and it didn't. For me the recovery from my c-section was very difficult. I swore that I would never go through that again. I just don't know what the right thing to do is.
I seek out the advice of those who have experienced this situation. How did you decide what to do? Thank you for your input.
5 comments:
I can't help you, honey. Em was a vag. birth, but let me tell you that you didn't get jipped. Childbirth just pretty much sucks anyway you do it, I'm sure. One of my good friends had a C-section the first time and is going to do it the second time (she's about a month behind you), despite the recovery time.
I guess the best advice I could give you is to pray about it together. You'll figure out what's best for you that way. Just don't be down on yourself for not doing it all the "natural" way.
Either way you choose, you know we'll all support you and love you! :)
Hi Melissa,
I have not had a C-section, but since I've been a CRNA and working a lot in L&D I have seen women go through this dilemma and I want to reassure you that whatever you decide will be fine. If you want to try a VBAC (v-back, vaginal birth after cesarean), they will watch you a little closer in the L&D. With any sign of problem or uterine rupture, you will go for C-section. They will not put you or your baby in danger. Your doctor is leaving the decision up to you because you are one of the few that can try vag delivery following C/S. Levi was delivered by C/S because he was positioned poorly, not because he was breech or couldn't pass through the birth canal if he lined up correctly. After a second C/S they probably won't allow you to attempt birth vaginally. With each C/S, there is more scar tissue on the uterus and scar tissue is not as strong or productive as uterine muscle; you increase your chance of uterine rupture or malpositioned placentas. So as you can see, there are risks and benefits either way you choose, but this will probably be your last chance for a try at vaginal birth.
I agree with your friend Megan, pray about it with Matt. You will know what to do. :o)
Sounds like you are all healthy and happy! Love to all,
Becky Van Leeuwen
Melissa,
Coming from someone who has now had 5 c-sections, I can tell you they do get easier each time. My recovery was a lot quicker with each consecutive child. Uterine rupture is a scary thing, however, it is very rare. I would not be too worried about rupturing if you decide to do a VBAC. Definitely pray about it, and you'll be fine. Just FYI: I think c-sections are always a little bit harder after laboring all day, that's why I never did try a VBAC my 2nd time around. I definitely do sympathize with the feeling of "getting jipped" though.... Good luck! Call me if you want to chat about it.
Elicia
I totally understand feeling like you got jipped. I will probably always wish that I cuold have my children naturally. But in the end I am thankful for the dr's who can perform the c-section and my children are still mine. My second c-section was SO MUCH EASIER to recover from than my first. I think that's pretty typical.
I have also had c-sections & with the second one I was scared to death of going through what i did with first. The whole delivery & recovery was a nightmare. After a lot of discussion & pray with my husband, we decided to go ahead & do a c-section again, in case for some reason, the delivery ended up in a c-section again. Luckily, we made the right choice for us, because my second would've resulted in another c-section because his little arm was up over his head. Anyway, because I had the surgery without having labored before, the recovery was so much easier. good luck! and just use lots of prayer!
p.s. i'm the girl from 1st ward that crashes some of your girls night out's! :)
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