questions with vbac

Hi,

I had an emergency c section in Jan this year. Very sad b/c I wanted a natural birth with no medication. I read up on it all hypno birthing, hypnosis,lamaze and prepared for the whole nine months. I went in to labour and went 26 hrs with no pain relief then was given an epi b/c i had not dilated from 5cm in 12 hrs. Then a few hrs later with no progress doctor said an c section was needed.

This is my question and it may seem strange after above post, can i have an epidural whilst attempting a vbac? The labour was a bad experince for me, probably b/c of the way it ended. But the pain was terrible, baby moving into transverse and then headbutting my cervix causing it to swell and not open. I truly believe if i attempt a vbac with no pain relief and feel the terrible contractions again my body/mind will react badly.

Now i have done a truckload of reading on vbacs and know all about mindframes, support, doulas and the like. But i know myself, i want a vbac but only if i can have an epidural. Does anyone know if this is possible? I really want a natural birth (sounds funny wen asking for an epi, but this is a lot more natural then being cut open!)

Thanks

You can have an epidural if you want. Have a read of the article on the main site about epidurals. It seems that the more intervention you have during the birthing process, the less natural your birth becomes.

I believe that the epidural I had in my labour the first time was part of the reason I wound up with a c/s. My labour stopped as well but the epidural was horrendous for me...

Yep, I did!!! I had actually planned a homebirth and we transferred because of a long labour, 32 hours, and my dd was posterior until I started pushing. I had an epi after 22 hours, and then synto in the drip when I got to 8cms because of an anterior lip.
Did you have the drip???
Quite often an epi will slow down your progress anyway. So maybe that was why you didn't dilate any further.
Though I am glad I had the epi with my dd, I would still attempt a natural homebirth next time because I am aware of the risks of intervention. And all births and labours are different and you may find your next one a breeze. So it is worth maybe just seeing how you go, and knowing that it is an option should you need it?

I had an epi with my VBAC as well and it made it the best, most relaxing birth I had! DH and I both fell asleep during it and when she told me to push I pushed a little bit and out she popped! I am glad I did it and for ME the best option. Not always for everyone though and I think the worst thing is you don't know that till afterwards.

Goodluck :)

Thanks for the replies,

I did not have the drip, i was 5 cm when i came to the hospital and 5cms 14 hrs later! I feel better knowing that the epi is an option, i may not ask for it as soon as i arrive at hospital now!! But wait and see, i think just knowing it is available to me makes me more at ease.

I am not even pregnant yet, planning to wait until my 7 month old daughter is about 14 months. Cant wait though i loved being pregnant and love being a mum, just didn't love the labour!!

So Glad you asked the questions poppysmum!!!! Even though you are not preg yet!! Cause I am hoping for the exact same thing!!! :D
Jacob was emergancy C section.... I wouldnt move past 8 cm for about 4 hours.... and he was posterior... Anyways!! I was very much hoping to pull of a natural birth this time but wanted to keep my epi option open..... I will go as long as I can without it but if it looks like another long and grueling labour I will go for it I think.......

Thanks again!! you helped me heaps!
xoxo

There are risks involved with having an epi or hormone induciton during VBAC. The induction/augmentation does increase your risk, the epi can hide if something is wrong. You really need to talk to your own dr/midwife about it. The local hospital here won't give either of the above to VBAC women. Also, statistically, the more intervention you have, the greater risk of another c-section...just to let you know. Every birth is differant and your next one might be far easier. See how you go. :-)