Anyone had a planned c-section rather than VBAC with Crohn's or bowel resection?

rosielx

My consultant has put down that I'm ok to try a VBAC with a 60% chance of sucsess. I'm allowed to go overdue and be induced... (:eek:). This is an unplanned pregnancy as I was told I was infertile

Previous pregnancy - right hemi-colonectomy (half of large bowel removed), appendectomy and an absess, induced prem delivery at 34 weeks failed and led to emergency c-section. Followed by severe PND, anxiety and bonding issue. Crohn's disease which is inactive.

Apparently it's not safe for me to have a c-section as I may end up with bowel damage or a colostomy. The surgeon would not give me any figures on it. Just added that I would need a senior surgeon if c section.

My question is if I have a 40% chance of needing an emergency c-section (which is apparently dangerous) isn't it just safer to have an elective one whan all of the people/facilities are available?:eek: I supposed I also have a fear of labour after my daughter nearly died after the failed induction on the last attempt.

tiamai_d

I can't help with the bowel damage issues (but is this not a risk with any c section anyway?) but I had an em c section with DS2 and this time decided on an elective c section (my consultant was far happier for me to have a c section than to attempt an induction, I had several complications so baby was to come out early either way).

The elective c section was so much better than I had thought it would be. It all went well, was very relaxed and I was back to my old self (wearing pre pregnancy jeans and driving) in 2 weeks! I really could not beleive how quickly I recovered from the elective especially as after the emergency I was still in pain 6 weeks later and it was 2 years before I recovered fully. Amber still ended up in special care (which we knew she would anyway) and I will say the first week in hospital and having to walk the huge walk up and down to SC was very hard work, but I managed it and wasn't in that much pain so long as I didn't miss my pain medication.

Bonding wise, I had PTSD after DS2 from what happened, this time my baby came out, cried and I got to look at her almost straight away (DH was holding her). I held her about an hour or so later in recovery. She was born at 9.46am and I was out of bed having a shower at 11pm that night, breast fed well and actually felt that huge rush of love for her which I didn't for DS2.

Something to speak to your consultant about, and do ask for a second opinion from another consultant. Best of luck with it all!

clairec79

Just because you CAN have a VBAC doesn't mean that you have to have one, if you'd rather go for an elective section then ask

I wouldn't be induced with a scarred uterus though

pinkpig08

I too have Crohn's and have had 2 vaginal births, but it was put on my notes that if I needed a c section it would need to be a senior surgeon. I have had 2 resections but I was told that the risk wasn't very high - maye it's because you've had a previous section?

Agutka

A Vbac sounds like a lovely idea doesn't it? Have a go at the normal birth, when the baby just pops out, because you've nearly done it before... In practice though I suspect it doesn't work if you're a complications kind of person. There's so much that can go wrong, don't even get me started on induction, leading to a c section. In which case yes, it would be 100 times better for you to have an elective, where everyone is ready.
That's what I'm leaning towards. Though I was promised I'd not be induced again, and a vbac is an option if I were to go into labour naturally before my set elective date. But that's all in the far distant future and I won't even see a consultant until december.
I'm sorry I don't know about Crohn's disease.
Ooh, there you go. Opt for the elective and if you happen to go into labour then good luck, but you avoid the whole induction malarkey.

And thanks for reminding me. I forgot all I was told before I signed the papers for the go ahead. It's far less scary of you don't research it in advance :rolleyes:

rosielx

Still no idea what to do but thinking elective may be the way to go. It's interesting to see that they put senior surgeon on the crohn's post so maybe this is usual. I feel like the hospital is using scare tactics about the bag side. Bump due 26.04.10 so very close to above. See consultant at 20 weeks and again at 28 and 34.....

Gingham_Ribbon

It is dangerous to induce labour if you've had a previous section. Please speak to AIMS.

rosielx

What do AIMS do?

Gingham_Ribbon

Here's more information on them. As well as pushing for change in maternity services, they provide support and help to women who have concerns about their births.

They're very experienced midwives who know the system and how to get what you need from it.

Pipling

I had my DD by emergency c-section after a 2 day labour following induction. DD was stuck and when they realised this, it was all hands to the pump as it were, and they got her out. I suffered severe PND and did not bond with my baby until she was nearly 7 months old. When I fell pregnant again, my consultant told me that I could try for a VBAC but because of the damage done in getting DD out, it might not be a wise move and eventually they suggested an elective c-section which I took. When DS was born, it was a total different experience. The proceedure was not straight forward at all as they found a lot of problems once they opened me up and the whole thing took 2 hours BUT he was absolutely fine and most importantly for me, they moved heaven and earth so that I could hold him almost straight away. For me, this made such a difference and I bonded with him much better. I still got PND, but on a much lower scale.

Operation wise, my elective c-section was very laid back although complicated and took a long time because I had multiple adhesions and a lot of tissue damage from having DD. I had a senior surgeon (my luck rather than planned!) and she was brilliant. From what you've said, i'd talk to the consultant and your midwife and explain your fears. Explain about what happened with bonding and how you suffered PND and say why you're concerned that it could all happen again. Yes, c-sections are major surgery and risk comes with that, but a ruptured c-section scar is also complicated.

Good luck to you.

rachel6188

It doesnt sound like a easy decision but do what your comfortable with. iv got severe pain from nerve damage from scarred tissue from major bowel and abdomen surgery so im not sure how im going to give birth. (if i get pregnant).
I hope your consultant can advise you and something iv learnt if your not happy with a opinion request a second.
Take care hun
xx