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thread: VBAC, Overdue and accupunture

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    12

    VBAC, Overdue and accupunture

    Hi,

    I am all set for a VBAC, baby in good position. I am 40 weeks and 1 day. Have had internal examinations the last 3 weeks and not dialating as yet - my Ob was hoping I would so he could perform a membrane sweep. He has given me 10 days over then will have to decide to either go a maximum of 14 days over or another c-section. What to do?????? Have tried long walks, curry, rasberry leaf tea and am willing to attempt anyting anyone suggests that may help my labour come on. Do not want to get to the end and have to have a C-section just because I didn't go into spontaneous labour.

    Any suggestions and advice would be muchly appreciated. Plus has anyone ever tried accupunture as a natural thing to induce labour for VBAC????

    Cheers

  2. #2
    ♥ BellyBelly's Creator ♥
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    Feb 2003
    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Australia
    8,982

    Definitely acupuncture and evening primrose oil internally... check out the article on the main site for natural induction methods.
    Kelly xx

    Creator of BellyBelly.com.au, doula, writer and mother of three amazing children
    Author of Want To Be A Doula? Everything You Need To Know
    In 2015 I went Around The World + Kids!
    Forever grateful to my incredible Mod Team

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    Brisbane
    1,070

    I would definitely recommend acupuncture. I started at 37 weeks as I had been told that it could tone my uterus and make my contractions more effective. I figured I would try it having been given a time frame for my vbac.
    Just before 40 weeks we started induction acupuncture and I swear it did something straight away. I didn't go into labour straight away but I got crampy and had some contractions and bub moved down into my pelvis that evening, he had been floating before that. I only had 2 induction sessions before I had my baby. I had a session late Tuesday afternoon and went into labour at midnight Wednesday.
    I tried all those other things you mentioned too and none had such an obvious effect as the acupuncture. It is worth a try. Oh and relax... I know it is easier to say than do when not going into labour spontaneously means another c/s, but I really think that it helps if you stop worrying about when it will happen.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    3,205

    I second the relaxing and trying not to worry. I went 4 days over with my first VBAC but 3 days early with my second. Once my EDD past with Oskar I kinda went oh well I guess it's not happening today so I wasn't sitting around "hoping" each day if that makes sense. I actually didn't get around to doing anything like EPO etc. I did do hypnobirthing which teached deep relaxation so I seriously think that helped. I hope to see a BA from you soon saying you got your VBAC!!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    12

    Thank-you all for your info. Will definetly try accupunture asap. Will try to relax and roll with it a bit more too!

    Cheers

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Nov 2005
    by the lake .....
    1,047

    Apparently there is a good acupuncturist in Sunnybank - will see if I can get details and txt to you

    xxx

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    BrisVegas
    27

    I had accupuncture treatments too (Double Happiness, Yandina with Emma) which were excellent. I think part of the stress I was feeling was the pressure of the 'time limit'. Em's treatment was a big help; the other trick was letting go of 'the plan' and allowing labour to happen. Don't know if this makes sense ... I think my anxiety about being 'over term' was getting in the way of my bodys ability to labour. ???

    The accupuncture is lovely relaxation and helps you get in touch with bub and self.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    12

    Thank-you all. I am now 1 week overdue. Have had 4 sessions of accupunture. After 2nd session I had a few hours of contractions, after 3rd I had a show and 3hrs of strong contractions, 10 mins appart, about 1 min long, just about to phone hospital and they stopped!!!!! So 4th session today and hoping for more movement.....

    A little anxious about tomorrow (trying not to be) Have an appointment with OB and he has said previously that if no movement then may have to have a C on Thurs.

    How far would you go over? I know the success rate of VBAC drops the later you go.

    Any suggestions or words of wisdom would be appreciated.

    Cheers
    KTB

  9. #9
    ♥ BellyBelly's Creator ♥
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    Feb 2003
    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Australia
    8,982

    Acu is great, isn't it

    My suggestions are you have clearly made some progress, its not like nothing is happening, so you are well within your rights to say NO to an induction and that you want more time, unless he can provide proof that your baby is stressed right now.
    Kelly xx

    Creator of BellyBelly.com.au, doula, writer and mother of three amazing children
    Author of Want To Be A Doula? Everything You Need To Know
    In 2015 I went Around The World + Kids!
    Forever grateful to my incredible Mod Team

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    Brisbane
    1,070

    A lower chance of success if you are 'overdue' must be something I missed in all my research. My ob was happy for me to go to 42 weeks before deciding on any other course of action, there is no reason you should not be given at least another week.

    It sounds like it is going to happen soon anyway. Fingers crossed that your session this afternoon gets it going.

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    3,205

    I agree with Kelly, you've had progress which is fabulous!! You're on your way for sure, I lost my plug exactly two weeks before I had Elijah. With Oskar I didn't lose it before at all. Stick to your guns, you know your body and how you feel.

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    BrisVegas
    27

    fantastic progress! Is there someone you can take with you to the OB appt, who will be quietly supportive while you decline the C-section? I took my mum for moral support (and my husband on the next appt), so that I felt a bit stronger while declining the induction and insisting on giving bub more time.

    The other thing I found helped, was to know what was involved in the procedures he was suggesting, ask plenty of questions and also to bring up counter points (politely). Mum said that she felt OB was listening to me and became less insistent when he realised I had done my research and was taking responsibility for my decisions.

    Our son was born naturally, no drugs on exactly the day he was meant to be born (42 weeks plus).

    good luck - go you.!

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    BrisVegas
    27

    My final tip is to stay at home while birthing your baby as long as possible. The clock truly does start ticking once you walk in the door - even at the most baby friendly hospitals.

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    10

    Hello

    Hello there, I have become the biggest fan of accupuncture. I was the biggest sceptic and early on in my pregnancy suffered extreme anxiety due to grief and treid everything and last resort being accupuncture. 2 months into the treatment and have not felt any anxiety and felt fantastic. I used accupuncture to induce me at 40 weeks and had 3 days of contractions(mainly during the night) and during the day they would stop.Little did I know that I was 4cm dilated when the contractions becameregular. I was also a VBAC and my son was born in 10 mins of active labour. Good luck and stay in tune with your body.

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Nov 2005
    by the lake .....
    1,047

    KTB had her baby girl yesterday afternoon!

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    12

    Hi everyone,

    I am so please to let you all know that I had my baby girl, Lily Rose on Thursday 28th may at 4:15am. VBAC was a success!!!!!! Had to have a little help from a vaccum in the end. Lily was 9lb 5.

    I would like to thank-you all for your suggestions and encouragement, I was so confused in the end. The advice to stay home as long as possible was excellent - I was 5-6cm dialated when we arrived at Hospital Wed night.

    The accupunture was amazing and can thoroughly recommend the ladies at Alba therapies Carina to others. Everythime I had it - I got a step closer.

    Home now and settling into life with 2 children.

    Thanks again to all!

  17. #17
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    12

    oozed mr

    oops....meant to say...Contractions started as soon as I left the OB office. He was able to do a membrane sweep and we never had to discuss the C-section. Worried for nothing!

  18. #18
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    Brisbane
    1,070

    Congratulation Ktb! I am so pleased that it all worked out for you.

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