VBAC vs elective CS - were you as confused as I am?

[Heaven]

I had all the same thoughts Miss E!

I felt like having a VBAC was going to be so difficult and I had to do a lot to prepare and sometimes wondered whether it would be easier to just have a c/s. I was also scared I'd end up having a long labour and then a c/s anyway like last time which was awful.

In the end I thought about it like this- which would I regret more: going through a long labour and ending up with a c/s, or not trying for a VBAC at all and pretty much guaranteeing for myself I'd never have a vaginal birth. I decided that although it was tough the first time, if worst case scenario it happened the same, I could survive it. But I would really regret it if I never tried for a VBAC. So that made my mind up for me. And then I had to do a lot to prepare and try to overcome the fear of labour after last time!

I can tell you now I am SO glad I did try.

[Miss E]

I had to do a lot to prepare and try to overcome the fear of labour after last time!

Thanks for sharing your story Heaven. You are so right. But I think your point about your fear of labour is probably what makes approaching a VBAC so hard. First time round we're all frightened of the unknown, but it is purely the unknown, we've heard both good and bad stories but have no experience. With a VBAC you still have that fear of the unknown, but worse, you have experience which in my case isn't pleasant. What did you do to overcome your fear of labour?

MNB, you're so right, we have no idea how it will go. I can do all the reading I like about anterior lips, but it may not be an issue this time around

[Heaven]

I read lots!!

I loved 'Ina May's Guide to Childbirth'!!!! I decided to trust my body. I figured people have been doing this for thousands of years so there's no reason I can't too! I realised that last time wasn't because there was something wrong with me, it was because of the interference of the hospital. I decided this time no one was going to interfere with my labour!! I was going to let my body do it's thing!!

I read lots about VBAC (like 'Silent Knife') so that I was confident and not scared about a VBAC and I stayed home as long as I could. I also got into a midwifery program and got a good midwife. I wrote a birth plan saying that I would not be consenting to any of the usual VBAC procedures (i.e. constant monitoring, cannula, time limits, etc) and got an OB to sign it.

I also felt that last time I didn't deal with the pain very well and needed more ideas so I read Juju Sundin's 'Birth Skills' and it made me feel more in control and like I had options. So in control in fact that I never even got to using many of my ideas because I was doing fine with breathing and pacing and didn't feel I needed to!! The pain never got unbearable. With DD1 it was unbearable!! I thought it would be the same. Maybe it was, but I was more in control. There is no guarantee it will be the same as last time, you can have a labour that is less painful and that you actually enjoy!! I never thought I'd say that.

You can do it! Believe in yourself.

[Miss E]

Thanks hun... about to go book shopping!

[Heaven]

I got Silent knife from the book depository

[Arimeh]

I read all the same books as heaven, and Birthing from Within and Childbirth without fear were my favourites.

I was too scared of childbirth the first time round, hence my elective c-section - so I had a lot of fear based barriers to break down before labouring. I think fear of childbirth is totally normal but we need to embrace it, not run from it. Childbirth without Fear definitely helped me trigger some things and sort them out - I was still scared, but not scared enough to let it stop me like it did in my first pregnancy.