QuestionI am 8 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child. I am 5 feet 7 inches and weigh 285 pounds. I was 300 pounds when I got pregnant with my first child. I ended up having an emergency c/section due to toxemia (my liver and kidneys were shutting down) the baby was born full term.
As I now face whether or not to have try vbac or have another c/section I have several questions. I have done much research and do understand the difference between the two and the risks involved.
1. When weighing vbac vs. c/section, is my weight a factor? Could my weight cause one or the other to be more difficult?
2. If I had another c/section, I know I could then never try vbac. If we had a 3rd child born c/section, would I be at a higher risk than a 1st time c/section or the same risks?
I have 2 friends that are nurses in delivery and have heard their stories of uterine rupture with vbac. I know it's rare - but I'm so afraid of that happening to me. But, I felt that the c/section was difficult to recover from - mainly because of my weight and I'm not looking forward to going through that again.
Please share your thoughts with me. THANKS
AnswerHello Karen. Before I would consider you fully informed about the issue of future sections and VBACs, I would have to know that you have read these two books- Open Season and The Silent Knife both by Nancy Wainer Cohen. Nancy is THE expert on sections and she coined the term VBAC. She has a great website in her name- go there and order the books FAST. If by some chance you live in the Boston area, you could even consult her personally. Now, your wt. If you like, I can outline a food plan for you that would not only grow you a fine healthy baby, but would trim you DOWN instead of UP during this pregnancy. You would have to be willing to follow it exactly though. Your chances of a great vaginal birth experience are MUCH greater if your wt. is under control. Get back to me with your answer and I will try to help- all the best- Cheri.
