I don't know if I made a mistake scheduling a C section or not. I was just doing some research (I know bad very bad) about how many repeat C's you can have and everyone was talking about after 2 they had such bad issues with all the scare tissue and had to have hysterectomies and they wouldn't recommend having more then 2 ect, ect. Although dh and I were not sure if we were going to have more, we were not ready to call it quits just yet...but I don't want to have increased complications because of scare tissue. I am SO confused on what to do. I have my next apt with my OB this Friday to finish the C section plans, everyone/thing is in go mode for the 8th...and now I am second guessing my decision. When I go in for my C I will be 39 1/2 weeks preggo. I am still not really having ANY BH, my cervix is still closed however it is softer then before, but this baby hasn't descended at all and is still VERY high in my ribs. I had been told with my 1st C that my pelvis is small (which this OB agrees with) and that I wouldn't be able to give birth naturally because of that. All of which this pregnancy is also pointing to. I have been praying to God that if I could give birth naturally he would allow me to before the 8th. I trust God for that. But do you think I am being unfair to myself by delivering at 39 1/2 weeks instead of 41? I have been put on Blood pressure meds to keep my blood pressure under control because I was having some pregnancy hypertension, and I can feel that with each passing day/week my body is having a harder and harder time with this pregnancy. Not for comfort things, but because my body just has a hard time being pregnant since I am so short. I don't know what I should do. DH and I are in agreement on the C and the timing of it, I am just having a hard time relaxing into the thought of surgery and all the complications that can occur. any thoughts would be appreciated, just remember that I am already freaked out and such.

Breathe.......breathe......

Ok, here are my two cents....maybe I am throwing in four, but anyways..............
Maybe there is a reason you are unsettled with the scheduled section.
I work L and D....I'm just the secretary, but I see SO much that goes on. There really are way to many sections performed in my opionion for dumb reasons. There is a time and place for them...and if your pelvis is actually too small, that may be the time. I do believe that the Lord made our bodies to have these babies and that we rarely have too big of babies.
Now with that said....you could have a small pevlis, or a funny shaped one, it happens, but if I were in your shoes (ones that I have not been in) I would not opt for a section so quickly. Pregnancy is not 40 weeks. It is different for everyone, but I rarely see women go into spontaneous labor that early. If I had to take your place, I would push the section back a week or so. Even if your pelvis is too small, that labor is good for your baby and her lungs.
Now, I know looking at labor with the possiblity of a section anyways seems like a huge bummer, and why not just have the section and save you the trouble, but its possible that you could go into labor and have that baby vaginally. Personally, I would try.
Yes, there are increased risks with each csection, and they do happen, but there are women who have 3 or 4 sections and do just fine. There are risks to everything in life.
I think you have to decide what your motivations are for scheduling the csection, and your true desires for this birth. If you really honestly don't care how this baby comes out, and that would be ok if it's honest, then have the csection. If you truly want to have a vag delivery......postpone it and wait for your body to do it naturally. I'm sure you have done this, but research positions that open your body up for labor and delivery, research exercises that you can do to bring your baby down.
The Lord knows how this baby is gonna come out....cry out to Him and ask for peace in the wisest decision and be confident that He will bless you that grace. He loves us and wants us to rest in Him and His perfect will!!

I will pray for you dear sister, and remember that whatever choice you make, we will all love you and support you the best we can!!

Blessings,
Amber

No freaking out allowed, sweetheart. [hug] You and hubby already had peace about your decision. Go with the peace the Lord has given you and don't give way to fear. Fear is not of the Lord. [heart]

Most people with multiple C's don't have these problems. I've had four, and each one was easier than the last. On the other hand, I have a friend who just last month had her first home birth with a doula, and the baby died in the birth canal because the umbilical cord was too short. Birthing comes with risks, but by far and large, almost all at home, in the hospital, natural, C births, etc, have happy and healthy endings. You should go into this blessed event with peace and belief that all will be well. Hold your peace now, go forward with your original choice made in sound mind ( :-P ), and allow HIM to change your mind or circumstances if it's His will. You can trust Him to lead you, but it won't be in fear. Keep on walkin', girlfriend, and don't let the enemy rob you of your joyful birthing experience, regardless of how this baby comes into the world. [lovesmile]

Love you, hon. [heartbeat]

Joy [welcomewave]

I have never had a C-section myself, but I have been told by a couple of women who have had them that the 2nd is more difficult than the first not because of complications, but because you have too much time to think about it before it happens - usually a first c-section is more last minute and second c-sections are scheduled in advance, so you have a lot more time to overthink it and make yourself really nervous.
It is surgery, so it is natural to worry. I would just pray about it alot, both with dh and alone, that God give you peace about it and/or just make clear to you why you are having these feelings and what He wants you to do - go ahead with it or wait. Ask God to bring your baby into the world according to his will and to remove your anxiety so you can just lean on him and that you and your doctor deliver the baby together safely whatever way the Lord sees fit. [hug]

I am praying for you hon!! I pray that God protects you and your baby no matter what you decide.
I have had 3 c-sections, #4 is scheduled for July 15. I have never been told any of those complications and haven't experienced any of them either. Each person is different. I agree that the 2nd is harder because you have time to think about it! With my first C it was an emercency c-section, so I had like an hour to prepare myself. The second one I got much more nervous with. That is just my experience though :) I just pray that God gives your peace no matter what your decision and that you get to meet your sweet baby soon!!

Prayers God gives you some peace. [praying]

Everyone else has given you such wonderful advice... i just wanted to offer comfort~ i'm praying for you~~~

Personally...I believe "freaking out" is a God-given necessity right before ANY type of birth, no matter how many times you've done it! It means you still have sanity! Heehee!
I have not dealt personally with C-sections but have two friends who have....and both plan on more kids....Di had 6 kids so far (the last 4 C's) and M had 3 (all C's)...and they haven't had any problems thus far....
Hugs!

Good morning sister.

I agree with buttercup... so I won't repeat everything she said. Going into labour is good for you and for baby even if you end up deciding to do another surgery. The "problem" with that is it is unpredictable and can't be scheduled.
When mom and baby are healthy- and mom remains mobile and upright during labour the pelvis will enlarge to the size it needs to be. Squatting will enlarge the pelvic outlet up to 30% more than lying on the bed.
It is your body, your baby and your birth- you do what the Lord gives you peace for. You do not need to show up for your surgery if you are not at peace about it. Nobody will come and haul you in.

Doctors (OB especially) are infamous for not sharing all the risks (for baby nor mom) associated with surgical birth. Their specialty and skills are in surgery and problematic pg/birth. It is your responsibility to educate yourself and ask questions. If you are not satisfied with the answers - think carefully about what you would like to do. Just because doc didn't tell you anythign doesn't mean it's the safest option.

www.ican-online.org is a fab resource for current evidence based research.

PS: Many surgeries are described as emergency but aren't. If there is an hour to think about it then it's not emergent. Emergency is when people are running and things happen without "time to discuss". Many woemn are told their surgeries are emergency but when they read their files the surgery is listed as elective.

Praying that you find peace with your decisions.

Chiming in to back Amber here. Push that c-section date back, take a deep breath (or several ;) ) and stay in prayer. I agree that pg is not 40wk, no need to schedule before then as long as everything else is ok.

And, again, just ditto all amber said....'cept i'm not in l & d teehee

It's so hard isn't it?
As mother's we want to do what is best for our babies and of course for our own health.
I have no advice other than, Look to God for the right answer. pray about it. Maybe push the c/s a week ahead to give yourself more time to fervently seek God's will.

(Philippians 4:6-7 KJV)
(6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

If it was me personally, I would push the c-section back to atleast 41wks pregnant but that's just how *I* feel about birth and c-sections. I think research is a good thing as OBs don't tell you the risks of repeat c-sections. They like to drone on about the risks of VBAC's, which they grossly exaggerate but they don't often tell you the risks associated with repeat c/s. Again if it were *me* (which I understand it's not), I would be trying to avoid the c-section like the plague. I agree with Amber, Tara, and Danou here, but like with everything seek God some more on it. Oh and just because your cervix isn't doing much at this moment doesn't mean it can't change in the blink of an eye. A womans cervix is an amazing thing, one minute it can be showing no signs of impending labor and the next minute it's dilated to like 3cm. Praying for you!

Oh aye, I also wanted to say that I had a friend who was told she had a small pelvis and probably would have problems giving birth naturally, but she did give birth naturally and had no problems whatsoever. I think they label woman far too much when the percentage of having a small pelvis is slim. You might have a small pelvis, but how on earth do the docs know that for sure if they haven't taken an x-ray of your pelvis.:???:

I'm not trying to talk you out of having a c-section, I don't want you to feel like I am. I'm just trying to give you information from the other side so that you can make an informed decision on how you want to birth and not just believe everything the docs tell you. Anyway lots of hugs from me, and prayers too!

(((HUGS))) Becky. You have been given great advice from the other ladies. Here's just my personal thoughts on things, waiting isn't going to hurt anything. (Provided that there are no evidences of impending harm to you or baby of course) Pregnancy is 37-42 weeks long. Problems with the baby don't magically increase, even after the 41 week mark.

My older daughter was born at 41w5d. Absolutely no problems with her related to being over 41 weeks.

The other thought that I had was that things may be very different for you if you go into labor naturally. Being that your situation with Josh was an emergency induction several weeks early (if I recall correctly) your body wasn't ready to have him then. Being in a situation where your body decided to labor on its own could be a totally different story.

And babies that are born after labor, even if the end result is a C-section tend to have less breathing problems. Labor is good for babies!

Sending you prayers and hugs to discern God's will for you and looking forward to seeing pictures of Sarah!

[heart] [praying]

Praying for peace for you and the decision you and dh have made!

thanks ladies for all the comments. Last night God gave me peace about everything and I have virtually no anxiety about this birth. I talked with my MIL who was the 1st woman in our county to ever have a VBAC in a hospital with her 2nd and 3rd child. She counseled many women about the choice of VBAC after her experience. She helped talk with me about my fears both ways and made me much calmer about either way. Today I talked with a L&D nurse who is very "earthy, home birth/natural birth" ect. and who teaches all the classes at the birth center I am going to. She told me that my OB has the reputation to do whatever the mom wants including a VBAC and would never try to talk me into one way or the other (which he never has) She also said that the baby should have dropped at least a little by now, which she could even tell has not happened. This is what causes all of us to feel my pelvis is too small because if anything she is getting higher in my ribs then lower. My OB is going on vacation right around my due date, which leaves only one other OB who will deliver vbac/c-sections. I have never personally met him, but I know from what I have heard of him and from the L&D nurse he is much more conservative and doesn't like VBACS even though he has done them. Because of my OB's vacation timing is why I opted for 39 1/2 weeks (before his vacation) instead of 41 weeks (after his vacation) maybe my decision on that is a little selfish but I feel it is better and am more comfortable with it.

Ultimately my peace I know has came from God. I was too worried and stressed out for it not to have been. God asked me to trust him with this time of waiting. I have asked Him to let me have a VBAC if it is His will before the 8th and I believe that if it is Gods will that He is more than capable to make that happen. I trust God with my body and If it is his will for complications from multiple births, then that is a gift I will give to my children and will endure it with God's joy. I am letting God decide this for me, and I have surrendered all the circumstances to Him. He is a God of miracles and I believe Him for that. Thanks ladies for all of your advise and wisdom, prayers and verses. Esther I think your verse Philippians 4:6-7 is what helped me be able to listen to God more clearly so thank you for reminding me of that.

I'm so glad God has brought you peace, Gal!!! Hallelujah!! I sure will keep thinking/praying for you! :) Big hugs~

I'm so happy that you've found peace about this and will be praying for you. I had 3 c-secs and 1 regular delivery and found that each birth and recovery experience varied. I did have trouble with scar tissue after c-secs 2 and 3, but that doesn' t mean that you will. I know some ladies who didn't have issues. Also, some docs are willing to spend the time after subsequent sections cutting back any scar tissue they do notice. You could mention that to your doc if you do end up needing to have surgery.

Blessings,

I am happy that you have found peace. Stay strong in Him. Pretty soon we will be seeing that pretty little girl of yours one way or another and His hand will be there in all of it.

So glad you have peace with your decision.