VBAC. Has anyone out there actually experienced a uterine rupture??? What happened?

[samaraxx]

For a urerine rupture during VBAC, I know the chances aren't very high and that it doesn't happen all that often. And when it does happen I'm aware that most are symptomatic and don't require surgery. So does anyone have a story to share of experiencing a uterine rupture during a VBAC or attemping a VBAC? And if so, what happened next?? Would love to hear!

[Nai]

I did - my birth story is here https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ong-91589.html

Have to go to work but will be back later to chat if you have any questions. My OB would have supported a 3rd bub if I was keen but would have had a c/s at 37w if I did.

[samaraxx]

Thank you so much for sharing the link of your birth story! It was so touching to read, and a little scary for me. I am so hopeful that everything runs smoothly for me to have a VBAC but you just made me realise more than anything that as long as we are both together, safe and healthy, that's absolutely all that really matters in the end. I hope my instincts serve me as well as yours did.

I have a question if you are able to answer it, as to the rupture did you feel your uterus break or get the senstation of it rupturing or was it hard to tell with the contractions and labour pains? I'm just worried that I could confuse the two as I have never laboured before, my c/s was a booked one due to breech. I also suffer from bad pelvic instability so I'm worried that the burning pain in my pelvis/pubic bone could be confused with a rupture pain also.
I guess I just need to stay positive and have faith and trust my body.

Thanks once again for your story. Amazing!

[~Kim~]

Hey Sarah, my littlest is a week younger than Nais DD, and I didn't have a rupture but I had a dehiscence (complete) of the uterine wall.
There was a hole in my uterus big enough for DS' head but luckily his sac kept him in. My uterus ruptured around 24 weeks they think when I had a bleed. The dehiscence was very scarred over like it had been there a long time.
When i researched it, this is what appears more common, though because there are few studies on it, it seems to get lumped in with the rupture statistics. They think that many VBAC women have them and continue to labour without issues.
i'm on the PC atm but I will PM you a link to a couple of great resources I found when i was researching it.

[samaraxx]

Thank you Kim I would love to see the resources! So did you have an emergency c/s? and what was the recovery period like? I've asked for all success stories previously and realised today that I hadn't asked about any rupture stories. It's a little scary for me to think about so close to my due date but I just want to be aware and know what signs and pains to pick. Did you feel it when the rupture happened? or were you unaware of it happening?

[Nai]

Ok a little more detail - some of the key indicators for mine were that there was meconium in my waters when they broke (J was never distressed though); the fresh blood that I was passing; the pain that didn't go away across the front of the uterus and the feeling of wanting to push the baby out of the front of my uterus.

I had laboured with DD1 so I was aware that what I was feeling was wrong but even if I hadn't I think I still would have realised. It was like a second pain that underlay the contractions - the contractions peak and trough so there is some respite in between, whereas the secondary pain seemed to be constant and I never had relief from it. I knew the pain was different so I verbalised it to my carers and combined with the other indicator they knew it was most likely a rupture.

When I was cut open my OB said she could see DD2's hair through the wall as it was so thin and when she toughed the scar on my uterus, it burst open without a scalpel which caused a lot of mess to be exploded out all over my OB and the floor But it also meant we had caught it in time and that we probably had 5 minutes up our sleeves so we were very lucky.

[samaraxx]

Wow that's so scary!! You and your daughter are both so lucky. I would be absolutely horrified! But thank you so much for the tips! I am having another ultrasound on Monday and they are going to check my scar while I'm there (not sure how realiable the scans are on the scar or not) But it's been almost 2 years and I am quite young so I'm hoping it will be fine... I'm sure I will be very aware of the risk though. Thanks.

And curious, did the nurses get you up and walking after 24 hours like they do with a normal c/s or were you unable to walk for a longer period? And how long did it take before you were fully recovered?? Sorry so many questions!

[Nai]

I had a much easier recovery second time around believe it or not! I had DD2 at 3.30pm and was up at 9am the next day having a shower and washing my hair. The first day home I walked probably 2km round trip as I had to take DD1 to ballet - DD2 was 6 days old. It was slow going but I did it. I was back at the gym when DD2 was 8 weeks old, right after the check with the ok from the OB.

[samaraxx]

Oh that's great to know! I had a terrible recovery first time around, but I have heard that the second is much easier! Sounds like you had a better recovery after a rupture then I did for my first scedueled c/s which is why I'm terrified of another one so this is something positive to think about Thanks for all the info.

[javic]

Hi Nai,

I am also planning VBAC and read your birth story. It must have been so scary, just thank god you were both perfectly ok.

I also read there that you had read Nikki's rupture story and that is what gave you an idea of the signs. I was looking for her story but could not find it. Do you know where I could find it.

Huge VBAC success wishes to everyone else trying. I'm 40 weeks now and am hoping this bub will decide to come out in the next two weeks or my Dr will be getting out his carving knife!