Will I be forced to have a VBAC in public hospital?

**Angiebear74** · 02-07-2009 14:38

I gave birth to my beautiful DD in March this year - the light of my life

. She was 2 weeks overdue so I was induced (strike 1!) which I utterly dreaded (and for good reason too!). It took 4 days of poking and prodding to start the labour, but when it did boy.... did it get started! I went into labour at 5am and by 6am I was having 4 & 8 min long contractions - my uterus was hyperstimulated and I felt like I was going to die. After 18 hours the doctors advised DD was stuck in the wrong position and couldn't turn so I had to have a caesarean section. I didn't find the recovery too bad at all and was up and about the next morning.
My question is this; can I opt for an elective c-section through the public system for subsequent deliveries? Whilst I love my DD more than life itself, the whole induction experience has filled me with total fear and I'd sooner not have more kids than go through that again. My DH and I are talking about having another baby and I'm having nightmares and can't sleep just thinking about the labour. I can't believe how much it has effected me.
Is there anyone out there who had a similar experience and has had another bub?

**studentmum** · 02-07-2009 15:04

Hi there,

I am very very sorry that you had to go through such a traumatising experience.

Please don't give up on birth, you have every right to fear induction and such horrible intervention as 4 days of poking and prodding but there is no reason for your next labour to start in the same way.

Are you sure your DD was overdue, was she big? Was your placenta failing? Is there a chance she was just not ready to come out yet and the dates were wrong or you are perhaps a long gestater?

Many women have differing experiences with each labour. (I know a lady who has had all four of her births in 5 years start with induction) I think you should definitely talk to a professional about your feelings and fears before you get pregnant again, perhaps try starting with your local child health nurse???

Experiencing a labour as your body can do it would be a very different experience to your induced labour. If you make your decisions based on fear you may regret them later.

But to answer your question, yes, you probably could find an obstetrician who would perform elective cs, especially as your first has been one. Please think it over first though.

Sarah

**Josh** · 06-07-2009 16:45

I know how you feel, I have had a few of those traumatic births, I am not sure what the public system will do with your next pregnancy, I had 2 vbac's after my first caesar in a public hospital, but now I have had 2 caesars my next bub will be a caesar in late september, I couldn't go through another natural birth especially as I am getting bigger and my c/scar is starting to ache. Good luck and let us know what happens.

**Hooves** · 06-07-2009 18:14

The choice to have a caesar or a vbac is yours.

Your doctor or ob, ( depending on where you are) should discuss this with you, and make a decision that you are happy with.

I would go the elective caesar if that is what you want. Many doctors and hospitals will just book you in for a caesar unless you really want to try for a vbac.

Surprisingly though, women do have a choice about how they give birth. Well according to my doctor any way, although I didn't learn this until I went through 3 vbs. The first one was traumatic for me, and caused my to have a few issues with the next two.

SO by the 4th time, I was scared whitless and out of shear terror, I just asked, what are my rights, and can they force me to have a vb?

To which I was told, you have the right to choose, and no, they can not force you to have a vb.

**Angiebear74** · 07-07-2009 09:57

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I have an appointment with my doctor and will discuss this issue with her and also see if she knows of someone I can talk to regarding my fears. I agree that I shouldn't fall pregnant again until I have sorted this out in my own head and allowed myself some healing time. At 35 the clock is ticking though. While I'm writing this my DD is on her playmat having the time of her life - its times like these I know the pain is most definitely worth it.........

**JackzMumma** · 07-07-2009 19:02

The second I was preggas with DS2 I was offered a planned Caesar, and I went public

. I went VBAC. There are some women on here that prefer Caesars from giving birth naturally

. I prefer neither!!

It doesn't matter what you choose as long as you aren't forced into anything. Make the choice that's best for you. I understand the fear, I have it for both ways of giving birth.

**interplanetjanet** · 09-07-2009 09:55

My question is this; can I opt for an elective c-section through the public system for subsequent deliveries? Whilst I love my DD more than life itself, the whole induction experience has filled me with total fear and I'd sooner not have more kids than go through that again.

There shouldn't be any reason why you couldn't ask for a cesarean given that you've had one before, but there's no need to worry about going through a traumatic induction again anyway. They will not induce you for a VBAC. If you don't go into labor on your own and go overdue, they will do a cesarean.

**Josh** · 10-07-2009 11:49

Originally Posted by interplanetjanet

There shouldn't be any reason why you couldn't ask for a cesarean given that you've had one before, but there's no need to worry about going through a traumatic induction again anyway. They will not induce you for a VBAC. If you don't go into labor on your own and go overdue, they will do a cesarean.

Not sure about this I was induced for my second vbac, because I wasn;t dilating fast enough, and I was already in established labour on arrival at hospital, maybe each hospital has it's own policy on this, worth a check.

**Oya** · 10-07-2009 11:55

What about just avoiding induction, they can't make you be induced... That was where things went wrong...

**Josh** · 10-07-2009 22:16

Originally Posted by Oya

What about just avoiding induction, they can't make you be induced... That was where things went wrong...

Oya, when you have a c/s then attempt a vbac you cant stay in labour for too long because of the risk of rupture, so they try to hurry the labour along to be as quick as possible for the safety of both mum and bub, it surely helped mine along my son was born only 30 minutes later.