TOLAC

[bertine]

So, with Henrietta I ended up with a c-section. I had a lot of things that lead to that, being induced at 39 weeks, having too much fluid, having sub-optimal pelvis shape, getting an epidural*, etc.

While the doctor was stitching me up, I asked her about my chances of having a VBAC. She said that I could try but she didn't think it would work. There is a calculator that is used that gives me a 46% chance of success, which, is mostly due to my age. The doctors at the Mayo seem supportive of me me trying a trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC). They will recalculate my chances when I go into labor, which will depend on how dilated I am and how fast I am dilating but I am not really worried about that. For me, that was the easy part. I had an arrest of descent, which means I was fully dilated but she got stuck on the way out.

I am starting to get a little worried about the risks to the baby. I know that the chances of something terrible happening is very low, and there is just as many chances for other things to happen with a c-section. However, with a c-section most of the risk is on me, not the baby. Also, with a c-section, I would get an additional two weeks of pay, which seems silly to even think about.

I am not sure why I am so dead set to try a TOLAC. I sort of feel like Henrietta's pregnancy was so medical that I didn't get a chance to see how my body would go into labor naturally and I would like to know that. Then again, I realize that this is only one or two days out of my life, and it really doesn't matter in the long run. I just don't know. I am sure I'll do it, I don't usually change plans once I decide on something but I am still not fully sure what is making me want this so badly.


*Honestly, I don't think it was the epidural. I was still able to move and get into a ton of positions, so, I don't feel like that cause the issues.

Comments

[newlifeinstpaul.livejournal.com]

Good luck! The one in the icon was VBAC.
Tho she wound up being a bit of a kook.
But perhaps she woulda been that way regardless!

[bertine.livejournal.com]

I'll add that to my list of cons of VBAC.

I am hoping it works, though part of me just wants to schedule it and be done with it.

[eyelid.livejournal.com]

Dying is very unlikely! Injury to the baby is very unlikely! They monitor these things.

There's no reason you can't try VBAC if you want to. Go for it. If things don't work, you just do a c-section, nbd.

[bertine.livejournal.com]

That is how I felt until this week. I think it is just hormones and nerves for the end of pregnancy.

I told the OB this week that I am opposed to a c-section, just I want to try labor to see how it goes without being induced. I just need to remember that.