Going in for a VBAC!!!! Advice needed asap!

I am 38 weeks and counting! I could be going in anyday now! I don't have a doula, or even a private OB but I have all the faith and hope in the world! And an amazing partner who will be by my side untill it's all over. I need advice on anything that should be in my birth plan and how I go about doing it! My main aim is to have a natural vaginal birth- drug and intervention FREE! I'm not sure how much time they give to labour or what they would use to induce if needed, but hopefully I can get there on my own.
If anyone has any tips as to what helped you, or anything you wished you could have done/ or wished you didn't do??? Best pain relief if needed? I don't want to have anything that takes away my head focus or may make me dizzy or sick! And I've heard epidurals can hide ruptures?
Long story short, Basically I just need stories of successful VBACs and what made them so successful? Please help!
And thank-you for any comments in advance :)

Having a supportive partner who understands what you want is the biggest thing as they can go into bat for you while you concentrate on labouring.

I used the gas, it was either that or no vbac for me as I have a bad reaction to pethidine and my ob is reluctant to do epidurals because you can push at the wrong time increasing the risk of ruptures.

my vbac with dd2 and natural birth (not technically a vbac) of Ds were very fast. I was pushing without realising with dd2 as I hadn't through it before. Dd2 was little at 2.75kg but ds was 4.4kg so don't let them say that size is an issue. Try and stay home as long as you feel comfortable, that way there is less chance of intervention. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions and try and build up a rapport with the midwives.


Good luck, I hope you get your vbac, being positive and prepared helps.

How long you have to labour / go into labour will depend on your doctor. I was 'allowed' to go to 42 weeks, I went into labour naturally at 41+3.
Induction can be done by AROM or balloon catheter if your hospital does that. Synto drips & prostaglandin gels are generally not used for induction as they can increase the risk of rupture.
Length of labour - once you get into active labour they will likely want to see some regular progression. Tell them that babies come in thier own time :lol: I was dilated to 9cm for 5 hours and contractions 5minutes apart right up until she was born.
One of the best things you can do is stay upright & mobile. What you might find is that some caregivers want to monitor you continuously throughout your labour. Try & negotiate some intermittent monitoring, but if you do end up strapped to a monitor you can still stay upright using a fitball, or be on all fours on the bed etc. And I got my VBAC flat on my back, strapped to machines the entire time, lol (for reasons unrelated) so it can be done that way too if need be.
As for pain relief - epidurals generally are not recommended as they can mask the pain of rupture. You might find pain relief through breathing, or movement, or heat packs etc, or gas is ok & pethidine too.
Ditto what blackrose said about size, my VBAC baby was my biggest.

Remember that the 'risks' of VABC are very low, comparable to a first time mother who is being induced.
Stay positive, trust your body.
good luck :hug:

Thank you both for the advice and support! So very much appreciated! My husband and I are writing up a birth plan today and a list of questions to ask at my next (and last appointment with the ob! I do plan on letting them know that I still want to be able to hop in the shower or go for a walk around, rather than lay on my back the WHOLE time but I'm aware that I will have to be monitored regularly- hopefully the system and I can meet half way! I am also praying that induction won't be an issue for my and that bub decides to show up real soon! And I will be asking for all the time I need with the labour unless of course there were to be 'real' danger.
Thanks again. I need all the advice I can get! :)

I didn't have a doula either, just DH. I did have a private ob but he was only there briefly.

I think that the main thing is to be flexible. Things you thought would be really important before may not matter to you at all once you are in labour. For example, I didn't want constant monitoring as I wanted to be moving around, but I found that all I wanted to do was lie on my back. I tried to sleep/ kind of meditate through early contractions which I found more helpful and less painful than being upright. Each to their own I guess.

I would definitely say stay home as long as you can. There are no interventions at home so you just find a way to cope. And be confident in yourself. Treat it as any first labour... you are having a baby so focus on that and not the scar on your uterus!

The monitoring is a pain, so def ask to have breaks so you can shower, walk or be on a fit ball it makes it much more comfortable.