VBAC and VBAC after multiple c-section helpful pointers

Just wondering if anyone has any helpful pointers or tips that they can share in regards to helping someone achieve a VBAC or a VBAC after multiple c-sec from personal experience.
the things I am thinking about is do you think that it's best to:

go private or public?
have own OB, IM or Doula?
How long should you wait until you concieve your next child to help favour a vbac? do you think it really matters if you have a 12mth or 2 year age gap?
do you think yoga, pilates or any other prenatal excerise classes could help better position bub or make you more flexible in the pelvic region toaccomodate bub during birthing?
do you suggest buying/ borrowing any reading material which may have helped you?
how did you see it through in that how did you keep yourself focused and keep yourself on track for the vbac instead of getting scared and opting for a c-sec (if not under an emerg situation that is)
is there any scans or other tests out there that can indeed show a woman that they are too narrow to birth naturally?

I hope that there are some lovely ladies on this forum who can help answer these questions so other fellow BB members who are thinking of doing a vbac, vba2c, vba3c etc. can have some things to take on board whent hey do decide to try and conceive next time around and how they would like to birth.

Hi and welcome to BB!! :) I am happy to share my experiences and opinions :)

Do you think its best to go private or public?
I think the question is which avenue is more supportive, not necessarily about private or public. My private hospital on the sunshine coast was wayyy more supportive of VBACS than the public hospital down here in Launceston.

Have own OB, IM or Doula?
I think a doula is always good, and one that is experienced particularly with VBAC. An IM is good too though if you are having issues with the hospital not being supportive. OB's are good if they are supportive OB's ;)

How long should you wait until you concieve your next child to help favour a vbac? do you think it really matters if you have a 12mth or 2 year age gap?
My OB told me that the scar heals as much as it can within the first 3 months. Most OB's favour an 18 month age gap. I had just under 16 months between mine.

do you think yoga, pilates or any other prenatal excerise classes could help better position bub or make you more flexible in the pelvic region toaccomodate bub during birthing?
I think anything to help you get comfortable with the idea of birthing is a good idea. I did yoga when pregnant with DD1, but unfortunately she was another c-section bub so it didn't really matter. I'm pretty flexible in the pelvic region anyway because I get SPD, which loosens the ligaments down there.

do you suggest buying/ borrowing any reading material which may have helped you?
Yes yes and YES!!! Anything by Ina May is awesome, Childbirth without Fear is a great one, a new active birth, birth skills, silent knife and the thinking woman's guide to a better birth are all ones that I have read. I still have a few others up my sleeve to read before the birth of this baby too.

how did you see it through in that how did you keep yourself focused and keep yourself on track for the vbac instead of getting scared and opting for a c-sec (if not under an emerg situation that is)
After my failed VBAC with DD1 that absolutely devastated me, I kept telling myself that whatever will be will be. I can't control the outcome no matter how much I want to, and babies have their own ideas on how they are supposed to be brought into the world. I think being more relaxed during my 3rd pregnancy and allowing myself no other option but to have a VBA2C is what made it happen. I didn't have the back up plan to fall back on if I wanted to.

is there any scans or other tests out there that can indeed show a woman that they are too narrow to birth naturally?
You can get a pelvimetry (sp?) scan done, which I did before falling pregnant with DD1 because I was worried about it. However, they are terribly inaccurate because they are taken whilst you are on your back, when your pelvic outlet is at its smallest. If it was taken when you were squatting however, it might be more accurate (although I would imagine very hard to do that from that angle!) Plus, if its done when you're not pregnant, you don't have the pregnancy hormones loosening everything up for you :) Its very rare to have that condition where your body is too small for the baby it makes.

Hope that helps!

thanks for your fantastic reply Arimeh's Eden!
This is the sort of info I am after especially when it comes from someone who has expierienced it first hand and can ofer some helpful tips.
you have got your hands full with 3 kids 3 and under and one on the way! :clap:
I have a 22mth old and a 6mth old and I find it pretty hectic but I think I would like a 2 year gap next time around... not really sure if it would differ from 17mth but eh anyways!

:) If you have any other questions I'm happy to help if I can! I've read a LOT of books on the subject ;)

And yup hands full, my boy is about to turn 4, so its not as bad as it looks though.. LOL

I think i like when they get older I really enjoy seeing my little man who is nearly 2 wander about and become a real mini person! bubba boy on the other hand he is just a handful!
I'm actually an x-tassie chick myself I used to live in Launnie but now I live in Melb so i'll take on board the info about the kinda non supportive hospital (would that be LGH?)
I did order a book online called Vaginal Birth After Caesarean - THe VBAC Handbook by Helen Churchill and I found it to be a really good read such a shame it isn't an australian book but still it had the info you need.