I really want to try for a VBAC! Can anyone tell me their VBAC success/failure story?

[samaraxx]

I am 22 weeks into my pregnancy, and I have had one previous c-section 18 months ago- Due to my baby being breech. I had an elective c-section so there was no labour or anything... I had an epidural/spinal and stayed awake for the experience- which was quite over-welming for me! I was left pretty traumatised and felt robbed of the natural bond between mother and baby in the first 24hrs. Now that I am pregnant again it's all coming back to me! I really want to try for a natural birth. I can't IMAGINE going through a caesarean again, and I think a VBAC will also help me let go of my last childbirth experience. Please let me know of any VBAC experiences that any of you have had!! And if it was successful of if you ended up having another c-section..??

Thanks

[Deedles]

Hi Samaraxx, I had an emergency C section for DS1 after a 22 hour labour. His head was not in the right position so even at 9cm dilated he wasn't coming. I was very sad that I couldn't get to birth him naturally after such a long labour and I did feel a bit overwhelmed and found the bonding a bit difficult as I couldn't even hold him for hours as I had no feeling in my arms.

With my DS2 I went into labour and he was born 6 hours later, a drug free labour and put straight onto my chest. No complications at all and it felt just amazing! The most amazing thing I have ever done in my life. I would recommend giving a VBAC a go and put faith into your body.
In the end though, a happy healthy baby is the most important thing!

[samaraxx]

Hi Deedles, thanks for writing back
It's so good to hear a successful story of a VBAC because it helps build up the confidence to at least try. I think alot of women don't even really see it as an option because most doctors just push toward an elective c-section, which I think is really quite ridiculous! I am really hoping my labour will be fairly easy and that I can do it successfully too! For my local hospital- Grafton NSW, the success rate is 10% whereas Coffs Base Hospital has a success rate of 20% so I'm considering the hour travel.

[krisp]

I had a VBAC 19 months after DS was born. He was an emergency CS under GA after about 18 hours of labour.

My VBAC was with a different OB in a different hospital (we moved interstate). My OB was supportive right from the first visit that I wanted a VBAC.

My labour started spontaneously at around 3am at 41 weeks and ramped up really fast. I had read every active birthing book and article ever written so stayed upright, rocked through the pain, used the shower and ended up going to hospital at 6am. By 10am I was fully dilated (woo hoo didn't get that far with DS). My water broke spontaneously as well (didn;t get that with DS either) and to my distress is was again very thick and meconium stained. My OB was concerned and she said continuous monitoring was necessary. by 11.30 after pushing for an hour and a half with no progress my DD was suffering, I was suffering and my Dr said it was time to call it. She told me at that stage my only safe options were a forceps delivery or a repeat CS. I so desperately wanted to see my baby arrive so I opted for an epidural and a forceps delivery.

My baby girl was born at 12midday and I got to hold her and BF her immediately. It was the most imazing experience. Not what I planned but truely magical...

My OB was fantastic and stayed with me the entire time - from about 7am when she arrived at the hospital to midday when my DD was born. She did not leave me at all - benefit of having an OB who only worked part time and only took on 10 births a month.

A VBAC can be done. Believe in yourself and get the support of a good OB or middwife team who are also behind your decision. Trust your body and embrace the unknown. It's soooo worth it....

[HeathiePie]

I had an emergency c-section with my DS and remember asking even as I was being sewn up after if I'd be able to give birth naturally next time. I'll love my ob forever for saying that there was no reason I couldn't. It's so nice to read about other peoples positive experiences throughout all the VBAC forums and questions that I should be asking for next time - things I wouldn't think of. I'm going to participate in a calmbirth class before bubs in born so that I feel as though I'm more prepared for the experience.

[Laranna]

I had a VBAC with DD - birth story link is in my signature Age gap is 19 months and 3 weeks, had a 5 hour labour, no drugs (well maybe a little gas), very empowering!

Good luck, you can do it. Read lots of birth stories and check out the VBAC general chatter threads.

[Arimeh]

I had an elective c-section with DS in January 2007, then 19 months later, a repeat c-section at 42 weeks with DD1 (never went into labour although I was hoping for a VBAC) because the placenta and cord weren't functioning properly and she had to be taken out straight away - but I had a VBA2C in November 2009 - just shy of 16 months from my last c-section.

I had never laboured before that either, had first contraction at 5am, active labour from about 1pm (ish) and she was born at 6.15pm - natural birth (I went to an independent birth centre).

ETA: Here's Eden's birth story https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...er-2009-a.html

[jackrose]

I had a successful VBAC this year, and your experience

I ... felt robbed of the natural bond between mother and baby in the first 24hrs.

Sums up my motivation perfectly.

I chose to have a homebirth as I really didn't trust going into a hospital again. My experience this time around was textbook. I just posted my birth story here.

I hope it helps, reading other peoples stories really helped me.

[Maggot]

Samaraxx, I had a successful VBAC. Just found this thread, so hope you're still around and planning for one

I felt exactly the same after my emergency c/s under GA (placental abruption at 35w3d). I was quite distraught over the whole thing, and with problems breastfeeding afterwards, I became quite depressed (all goo now though).

When I first booked into the hospital they said I had a good chance of having a VBAC, so I was really happy about it. Though, saying that, they did scare me with the way they went on about it, and if I had known my body better I wouldn't have gone in so early (they said to come in as soon as you start labour for monitoring!). Went in, and it was just pre-labour, though I didn't know, because I'd never been in labour before, so! After hours of walking the halls trying to get things moving quicker, they finally told me to have a sleep and go home - thanks a lot!

The next afternoon I started having "proper" contractions at about 3pm, waited until I was just about not coping, then my waters broke at 6:30pm. Once I got to the hospital at 7pm, it was only 1.5 hours til DS was born. I asked for drugs just as I was crowning! So another drug free birth here (never thought I'd be able to do it). I had DS put into my (bare) chest straight away, and it's all that I thought it'd be. After feeling that I'd "missed out" with DD, it was an amazing experience.

I really hope you get your VBAC, hope you've found some good and supportive careproviders. But, as Deedles said, the most important thing is a happy healthy baby

[samaraxx]

Thank-you for sharing your stories everyone! It has made me feel so much better about the whole situation! Unforunately for me my baby is lying in a breech position (once again ) And having i slight bicornunate uterus "heart-shaped'" it does mean that I have more chance of my baby staying in breech... I'm 32 weeks now so it has a couple more weeks to turn, and I am very hopeful!
Still you guys helped with the fear alot so thank-you, and I have come to terms with the fact that I might have to have a ceasar again but at least it won't be because I was too scared to try or because they didn't believe I could do it!

[Arimeh]

Samara - DD2 was breech until 36 weeks, so you definitely have time for bubs to turn. Have you checked out the spinning babies website? Good tips on there for moving bubs into a good position. I crawled around a lot and also did half handstands in the shower at night.

[javic]

hey sam,
i am due in a bit less than 3 weeks and planning a VBAC. the think my baby is a bit small though, so my plans to birth in a birth centre are looking a bit wobbly. But i know a couple of mums who just got their VBACs - so happy for them. I'll let you know how i go too, and let us know how you get on. Is bubs still breech? Good luck!!!

[Mads]

Hi there, just wanted to share, that I too got my VBAC, on 31st October. I mentally prepared myself for either a VBAC or repeat caesar, cause I didnt want that bitter disappointment and depression that I felt after my caesar. I just wanted to be prepared, not necessarily have a completely natural birth. I trusted my ob who was fantastic, and got an amazing midwife.

I was breech up till 34 or was it later- Its a blur! weeks, so had decided that the caesar was all go....then found out my boy had turned. My waters broke and I went into spontaneous labour, I did have an epidural and my baby was born after a 12 hour labour.

I felt- still feel, amazing, knowing that I did it, managed to birth my boy. I am sore and tired, but can get out of chairs and drive and pick up my daughter, I felt so much less exhausted and great from refusing pethidine and even refused the vacuum at the end.

But, if you need to have your caesar, don't be afraid, I bonded just as well with my DD as I have with my DS, my breast feeding has been similar (except my milk came in sooner this time), and you can delight that you are healthy and happy and your beautiful newborn has entered the world safely.
Good luck!

[loulabelle]

I haven't a a cs myself but have attended vbac attempts as a doula.
In my experience I would suggest debriefing the trauma of your first birth, it's so important to heal from those traumatic memories. Really look into care providers, ask around or on bellybelly for vbac friendly obs( if private) and read as much as you can. Oh and hire a doula .

Goodluck Hun, wishing you the best pregnancy and birth. Xxx

[samaraxx]

Hi everyone, and thankyou for the support comments!

Wow I almost forgot about this thread, so happy that I just found it!

Good News!- As I attended an appiontment with the specialist at maternity ward about 3 weeks ago, I was prepared for the fact that they would most likely sceduele a date for a c/s as an ultrasound the week before confirmed my baby to still be breech. To my surprise my baby had turned, all odds against it (with my bicorn uterus and all). I am now 38 weeks and the baby's head is nicely engaged in my pelvis!! I have been having braxton hicks for the last 5 weeks and starting to get bad cramp like pains in my lower ab and back, so baby should be arriving anyday now I am so pleased with the outcome so far and I have both fingers and toes crossed for a VBAC!

Javic- I would love LOVE to hear how your birth goes so make sure you let me know!

Mads- That is absolutely wonderful news!! Thank you for the positive vibes!

Loulabelle- I was thinking about hiring a doula earlier on in the pregnancy but the doctors (and I) were pretty certain that the baby would remain breech. And unfortunately I don't have private health cover but the ob I met at maternity ward seems very delighted to help me birth naturally, and both of the obs at our local hospital are all for natural, so I'm feeling pretty confident! I have a wonderful and supportive midwife, hopefully she can be there on the big day! But no matter what I will have my loving partner and all he hope and faith in the world!

Thank you so much to everyone for wishing me luck! I will let you all know how it goes!

[Deedles]

Thats great news honey!!! I hope you have bub in your arms very soon and lots of VBAC vibes your way.
Good luck and cannot wait to read you BA!!!

[loulabelle]

Wonderful news!! I am very happy for you. So glad you have a supportive team around you. Look forward to hearing about the birth. Goodluck. X

[Mads]

Great news, and best of luck and hoping everything continues to go right. xx