[DK615617]

I have a question, (I am not pg again yet but thinking ahead)
I had a c-section with Tiffany after 16 hours of labor cuz her head was turned to the side. I can't decide with the next baby if I should opt for the c-section or go vbac. (And that is if my doctor will let me choose)
I read that sometimes it takes longer to bond with a c-section baby. Why is that?? Is that always the case? What other benefits would the baby get by me doing vbac instead of the section.
I was lucky with my c-section. I healled really well, really quickly. I had no pain after the 3 days in the hospital. (tender to touch of course) I did have pretty bad depression afterwards, but I think it was hormonal, not dissapointment from having to have a c-section. I was prepared that it may happen.
I really am on the fence as to what I should do and I am hoping that any of you who have done it could give me your opinions. Thank you.

[ProudMommy77]

I've never heard about the not bonding with a c-section baby. I had a c-section for my first DD (failure to progress), and chose a c-section for my second DD. I bonded with both of them immediately. In fact, DD #2 wouldn't sleep unless she was lying against my heart for the first month of her life!

I chose a c-section for my second DD because I was told by my OB that I would like not progress again. I did not want to be exhausted for the birth of my child for the second time (all I remember from Heike's birth was telling myself not to fall asleep because I was so tired from the labour). Also, I knew what I was in for and I knew the healing would be faster (no labour to tire you out), which it was! I was walking around after about 12 hours, and I was able to get up our stairs without holding on to both sides (unlike the first time).

Hope that helps.

[pattiewrites]

Whenever possible, vaginal birth is the better option for both mother and baby. Here are some blogs I wrote on the topic:

http://pregnancy.families.com/blog/a...idate-for-vbac

http://pregnancy.families.com/blog/p...-vbac-delivery

http://pregnancy.families.com/blog/w...-vbac-delivery

http://pregnancy.families.com/blog/c...vider-for-vbac

Hope this helps!

[pattiewrites]

Also, you need to understand that when you choose to have repeated c sections, you are limiting the number of babies you can have. You may be told after 3 that you can't have any more children due to a very thin uterine wall. This actually happened to family members of ours and they were devastated. No one had ever bothered to tell her when she was scheduling that second c section. I guess most doctors figure that since the "typical" family is smaller these days that information isn't important. For some couples, it is very important.

I've had 3 vaginal births and 1 c section. From my experience, I'd never have another c section. The recovery from the c section was much worse!

[Rissa812]

I am having my third c-section in September. I wish it could be a vbac, but my doctor wont agree since this will be my third in two years. I haven't given my body enough time to heal. Vbac from what I read is usually the best decision.
Other women have told me their doctor's have told them 3 is the limit, but if a woman in that case happens to become pregnant again, the baby has to come out eventually.
I took me a while to recover from my second c-section. With my first I was walking later that day. With my second, three days later while in excruciating pain. I felt like my insides were tearing everytime I moved.
I bonded right away with DS#1. DS#2 took a few hours due to the meds I was on. They let me hold him in OR, but I was too dizzy from blood pressure going up and down.
Good luck in your decision. I also heard that midwives are better if you decide vbac, but it depends on your history.

[Tracey with 6]

Unless there is a reason that your next child will have their head around thatw ay again I'd go natural, sooo much easier .

[twinzplus3]

If you can try for a VBAC do it! There is no way that a c-section is EVER better than a vaginal birth UNLESS it is medically indicated. A c/s is major surgery. You never 'heal faster', 'do better', or make a 'quicker recovery' than you would with a vaginal delivery. The recovery time from vaginal vs c/s is definitely shorter, but on top of that it really depends on each person's body. . .and the circumstances of the birth. And of course there are no guarantees.

As far as the bonding thing goes. . .studies deifnitely suggest that bonding with a baby after vaginal delivery is easier and 'better' (for lack of a better word). But I think that some of that has to do with the way the surgery is handled and what happens. But in a vaginal delivery, (in theory), the baby comes out, gets cleaned (or not) and goes right to mom. Many hospitals are doing the 'one hour' bonding thing where they don't remove the baby for a full hour. . .and that's simply not possible with a c/s. You also can't bf right away after a c/s (or at least I couldn't), the baby can't do the breast crawl, etc. Also, the use of drugs depreciates the bonding. . .but obviously you can't go drug free with a c/s.

But with that said, here's my take. Bonding is not a one time event. It's a process. As someone who has delivered babies both vaginally and via c/s. . .I can say there was definitely a difference at birth. . .but now almost 3 years down the road it's a wash. This is not one of the reasons I would be swayed toward doing one thing or the other because I think it is just that minute in the grand scheme of things. Mommy's health however, is what would make the decision for me. HTH

[VinniesMommy]

This is my 3rd c-section. Now don't get me wrong, I loved having them, they were quick and easy, but if I had to go back, I would have opted for a VBAC with #2. My 2 were super close together, and I needed a c-section with the first, so I figured a c-section with 2 would be best. Now, for my 3rd, I HAVE to have a c-section. It kind of made me sad that I will never experience a vaginal birth. Once you have c-section 2, it's harder to get a doctor willing to do a VBAC. HTH

[LovingJesusinAZ]

I've only had a vaginal birth, however, if I'd had to have a c/s with I would do a VBAC with #2. If my Dr. wouldn't do a VBAC (many are refusing these days because their malpractice insurance won't allow them to) I would find a new Dr.

My sister had to have a c/s with her DS (3+ hrs of pushing with no progress--he was "sunny side up") and she has since moved. One of her questions for a new OB is whether or not they will allow her to do a VBAC. She will only go to a Dr. who leaves the option on the table.

[jkl123]

I had to have a c-section with my two, and now have to have a c-section with this one as well. My DR told me last time that if I chose a c-section with #2, I'd have to do it again that way if I got pregnant with another. Because of health issues, I opted for a c-section with #2. After the surgery, the DR said it was a good thing I did... the DR who performed c-section #1 did a botched job fixing me up, and my uterine wall is very thin. If I had gone into labor at all, the pressure may have caused it to burst and I could die. I have to be very careful this time NOT to go into labor - I have to go to the closest ER if I think I'm starting labor at all.
As for bonding, I agree it's a process. I nursed both of my boys soon after, and that helped.