What are my chances of VBAC after one Caeser? Advice and stories PLEASE..!

[MummaK]

Hi all..im currently 27 weeks pregnant with my second child with whom i feel very strongly about delivering vaginally!
My first child born Dec 07 was born via c-section due to the fact he was stuck behind my pelvis...I didn't go into labour on my own with him my waters were broken after a strip and strecth caused a bloody show which turned out to have traces of amniotic fluid at 40 weeks 4 days...I had gas and an epidural (which I hated because I couldn't feel a thing..no pressure..nothing) and I dialated on my own very well..at 10cms they let me push for nearly 2 hours and still nothing (keep in mind..I didn't know when I was contracting thanx to the the epidural and no one was telling me when to so I just pushed when I felt like it basically) that's when it was decided to take me to theatre for a caeser..no questions asked basically!

This time I want to be able to do it on my own! I feel there wasn't enough done to help me deliver my first child vaginally and I really want to at least give it ago..so here I am asking for advice and and successfull stories that anyone would like to share with me..I am willing to do anything I possibly have to in order to have a successful VBAC this time round..as I have always belived that's why our bodies were made the way they are to be able to deliver a baby naturally! And if anyone wants to ask me any questions on anything please feel free to ask as I know I might have left some info out. Also if anyone knows of and independant Midwife or Doula in the Mackay area please also let me know and I have heard this can also help!

Thanx everyone I look forward to hearing from someone soon!

[Arimeh]

Hi

There are heaps of birth stories on the site for VBAC's - most have it in the title that they are a VBAC story - so you can start there if you want? Heaps of people on BB have gone on to have a successful VBAC.

The main thing I have found is your support. If you have the right support, you can achieve anything. And read, read, read! I read a LOT of books preparing for my VBA2C, compared to my attempted VBAC. Knowledge is power!!

Definitely go for a doula too, I dont' know any in that area, but I'm sure if you post in the doula section here in BB, someone will be able to help you.

All the best on your VBAC journey!

[artipro]

Hi
I had a c section 5 years ago with my first child at 36 weeks breech, when pregnant with number two i was adamant that i was going for a vbac. well 11 days ago i got my wish and it was the most amazing experience of my life. Yes it hurt but epidurals rock, I tore got 5 stitches, would i do it again..most definately!!!! This time my waters went at 36 weeks and i was induced as they were worried about infection, i was very closely monitored because of the high risk factor, was not allowed to eat......after a 2hr 55 mins labout our son was born. I am, quite proud of myself !!!!!

My advice is go into it open minded, baby has to come out either way but do all yu can for a vbac it may happen it may not but at least you are trying for the most natural thing ever!!

good luck!
xxxx

[Arimeh]

Wow artipro - which hospital were you in? Most hospitals refuse to induce on the basis that its far too risky with the chances of rupture being elevated when induced - plus having an epidural? That's usually a no-no as well because you can't feel if you are rupturing. My midwife told me that they should never use an epidural for VBAC's because thats the best way of judging if anything is going wrong, our sign of pain is our first trigger.

Congrats on getting your VBAC though, it is an amazing feeling.

[~*Kat*~]

Wow that great artipro I am hoping like anything for a VBAC too I had c-sec with DD 5 years ago due to pre-eclampsia but blood pressure is doing well with this preg and I really want to have this bub vaginally
I do know they dont like to induce though here in melb but if I kick up enough stink I guess they might co-operate lol

[Arimeh]

I do know they dont like to induce though here in melb but if I kick up enough stink I guess they might co-operate lol

I personally agree with them not wanting to induce you - why would you want a greater risk of rupture? Even first time mothers getting induced have the same percentage risk of rupture as mothers going for their VBAC. I'm actually really surprised that hospitals out there DO induce given the risk. Its just astounding to me.

[black_rose]

I had the choice of either trying for a vbac or having a c sect, I was in pre term labour at 35 weeks, if I chose I could had dd straight away with a c sect or hold off until 38 weeks with medication and try a vbac, my ob and the hospital would not induce as the risk of a rupture was too great. I ended up having dd at 37 weeks when the medication stopped working by vbac, but I was prepped for a c sect jic as they were reluctant to give me an epidural as it could also mean I would push at the wrong time also increasing the risk of a rupture.

[Nai]

From personal experience I would definitely not have an epidural when attempting a VBAC. I was unfortunate enough to have my uterus rupture during a VBAC and the only reason my DD2 arrived safely is that I could feel it happening. I told the OB exactly what I was feeling and she prepared me for a c/s and DD2 was out 25 mins later. If I had an epi I would not have been able to feel what was going wrong. Also I would avoid an induction for that same reason - you don't want anything that would potentially increase the risk of rupture.

Having said that, I would always go for the VBAC over the repeat c/s but do your research and be prepared.

[~*Kat*~]

I personally agree with them not wanting to induce you - why would you want a greater risk of rupture? Even first time mothers getting induced have the same percentage risk of rupture as mothers going for their VBAC. I'm actually really surprised that hospitals out there DO induce given the risk. Its just astounding to me.

I dont want a greater risk of rupture but I didn't even get to go into labour at all with my first so I really want to at least experience labour and contractions. I will always do what is best for my baby but I am hoping to have a vaginal birth this time and if that means trying to induce first then I will but if they deem it unsafe with being able to show me why its unsafe then I will co-operate. I have a past of being walked all over by medical staff of all descriptions and I am not going to have it anymore. I feel this time I really could do it

[~clover~]

got1want1more - If I was you, I'd personally be doing all I can to not be induced. Its not worth the risk. I have a friend who was allowed to go 2 weeks 2 days past her EDD with monitoring as she didn't want to be induced & I would feel safer doing that than allowing an induction.
If you were induced due to PE then I'm assuming you were induced before your EDD. If so, there's no reason you won't labour yourself this time. You can safely go up to 2 weeks past EDD which, if most women are allowed to go that far & not bullied into induction earlier, you'll find that the majority will actually go into labour themselves.

I haven't had a VBAC myself, or a c/s, but I've done alot of reading on it & the risks involved with an induction/epi.

[Arimeh]

Hey I totally understand, I didn't labour at all with my first two children, and only on my 3rd did I get to feel labour and contractions. I had a choice between inducing with my second child or having a c-section, but because my OB didn't think my baby would survive labour, we chose to have another c-section. Inductions are just so risky. I'd hate for anything to happen to your baby also

Please read up on all of your options (including induction methods, cos the balloon method is safe for VBAC's, the drip isn't) just so you can make an educated (and safe!) decision.

Is there any chance of going with an independent birth centre at all? I had 2 independent midwives looking after me for my 3rd.

ETA: and just to add to Clover - I went 12 days past my EDD with #3

[*suz1*]

Hi

There are heaps of birth stories on the site for VBAC's - most have it in the title that they are a VBAC story - so you can start there if you want? Heaps of people on BB have gone on to have a successful VBAC.

The main thing I have found is your support. If you have the right support, you can achieve anything. And read, read, read! I read a LOT of books preparing for my VBA2C, compared to my attempted VBAC. Knowledge is power!!

Definitely go for a doula too, I dont' know any in that area, but I'm sure if you post in the doula section here in BB, someone will be able to help you.

All the best on your VBAC journey!

Hi MummaK! Best of luck with your pregnancy and birth. I also had a successful VBAC last year and found the support of BB Members like Arimeh invaluable. As she said, start with the VBAC threads and VBAC birth stories on BB and go from there. Knowledge absolutely is power, read as many books on VBAC as you can and watch births on youtube. Read birth plans for VBACs, seriously consider writing one and giving your care provider a copy. Make sure your birth partner is on the same page as you are. Think about who you want as your care provider and where you want to have your baby. Will you feel safe there? I also found it really important to talk in the forums about my c-section and resolve all the feelings I had about it as well as any fears I had about a vaginal birth.

VBAC is your choice and you will see there are lots of different VBACs. There are also plenty of women who have attempted a VBAC resulting in a c-section, but still felt empowered and had a much better birth experience than their original c-section.

My story: My first bub was undiagnosed breech delivered by emergency c-section. My VBAC baby was delivered by birthing centre midwives in a regular hospital birthing suite, with intermittent wireless monitoring and no drugs. My DH caught our son and handed him to me. I got to BF straight away, had a natural 3rd stage and DH cut the cord. I went along with the hospital's policy (cannula inserted, no epidural, no induction, monitoring allowed, regular hospital birthing suite not birthing centre), but I would have increased my chances of success if I had a doula or an independant midwife, stayed at home longer and didn't allow electronic monitoring. In hindsight being electronically monitored slowed my labour and even stalled it, as did going in to hospital too early (I was worried because I was told 2nd babies arrive faster if you've laboured before).

Best of luck for your VBAC!

[MummaK]

Thanx Everyone so so much for your advice and stories..I really do appreciate it! I will be doing a lot more research into induction and epidural but they were two things I didn't want to have to have this time round! I will be letting u all know how I go! Thanx-a-bunch

[beckoes]

Congrats on your pregnancy, and welcome to BB.
Im sorry you had to go through all those interventions with your first birth, made me sad to read ''no questions asked basically''. Good on you for arming your self with all the knowledge you need for your second. I dont have any experiance with VBAC but i do know that im alot more informed now than i was with my first and that is going to give me the ability to have the birth i want...avoiding the epidural and presure of induction . I have read alot of positive VBAC stories, find an ob etc that supports your wishes, and belives in you, and belive in your self! A doula or IM can advocate for you and make sure that you are asked and informed next time. and of course, the lovely ladies here are an invaluable sorce of knowledge, experience and support! Big hugs to you.