VBAC???

I admit that long before we started ivf again I was already thinking about what should we do if I get pg again. I asked the OB about it at my 9 week postpartum visit as she was the one who delivered Nadia. She felt I could do a VBAC because most likely the next baby would not be in the same position Nadia was. In light of Nadia's bday coming up and my first OB appt being scheduled for next Wed, I've been thinking about it a lot lately. For those who might not have been following my blog a year ago, my water broke while I was sleeping in the early part of my 36th week of pregnancy. I was in labor for 19 hours (pushed for 4+ of those hours) before having an emergency c-section. Although the first 6 hours of labor weren't exactly "pleasant" they were very bearable (would have been even easier with an epidural, but they wouldn't give me one due to my platlet dysfunction). It wasn't until I hit 9cm dilated that it became a very unpleasant experience for me simply because when I would have a contraction it was extremely hard NOT to push. I was at 9cm for EIGHT hours. Part of that time they said I only had a "lip" or a "partial lip," but they still wouldn't let me push. That was the worst part of the 19 hour experience (as well as the few minutes when I wasn't allowed to push right before the c-section). Of course pushing for that many hours was extremely exhausting (and frustrating when they pushed her head back inside and said I had to have a c/s). If I had the choice of 19 hours of labor or a c/s, I would pick 19 hours of labor. I just don't want deja vu to occur and have 19 hours of labor plus a c/s again. The two worst parts of the c/s in my opinion were #1 the pain from the incision and #2 the ridiculous amount of swelling that I had in my legs and feet.

One possible advantage for a c/s is that I can have 2 extra weeks of paid leave, but looking at the calendar I doubt it would actually turn out that way because I think a scheduled c/s would take place prior to my EDD which would mean it would be before the semester began, and I think the 8th week would be spring break which I'd get off anyhow. I think if I gave birth the first week of the semester I'd still get those same 7 weeks off (6 plus spring break). I know Amie has done a VBAC. Anyone else have an opinion on whether to do a VBAC or a scheduled c/s? I might change my mind, but at the moment I am planning on returning to work part-time (teaching 2 night classes) after spring break (the 2nd half of the semester). I would get paid full-time for the first half of the semester as my childrearing leave for Nadia ends in December, and my parental leave for the jellybean won't start until my paid sick leave is over. I am happy that I will get 7 weeks of full-time paid leave this time (if I go full-term and don't have a c/s) considering I didn't get any paid leave with Nadia. Of course if this baby also decides to come early then my paid leave will be shortened. I really want to make it to at least 37 weeks this time as I want to avoid a NICU if at all possible. The hospital I have selected this time doesn't have one which is actually a plus in my mind. I know if this baby really needs the NICU he/she can easily be transported to the other hospital which is only 15-20 minutes away from the one I plan to give birth in this time around. The reason Nadia was put in the NICU was because they thought she might have an infection which two days later we found out she didn't have after all. I really don't think her time in the NICU was necessary or helpful for her, and it was extremely stressful for me. Of course that's water under the bridge, but I'm just hoping to avoid NICU this time around.

The group I am seeing this time has 6 OB/GYN's and 4 midwives. My first appt is with one of the midwives. Last time the only time I saw a midwife was when I had my stitches taken out a week after delivery. I've heard good things about seeing midwives though so hopefully this will be a good experience.