Thoughts needed....

I am currently pregnant with baby #2 and now facing the decision of VBAC or c-section.

With my DD I was in labour for 23hrs when the decision was made for a c-section due to foetal distress. My contractions were extremely painful and very close together for a few hours and I had only dilated 4cm. It had actually taken 8hrs for me to dilate from 2cm to 4cm.
I didn't even have time to try and get ready for the next contraction as the pain was so extreme. It felt like I had a tonne weight sitting on my hips.

I am very worried about having to experience the same thing to end up with another c-section. Has anyone else experienced this?

I have been researching as much as I can and will talk to the nurse at the antental clinic once booked in.
Any thoughts are much appreciated.

Your labour sounds much like mine except for the fact mine was over 3 days and it kept stalling until I had my induction :wall: Do you know if bub was in a posterior position? That would explain the painful contrations, Noah was posterior and it makes for a very painful and slow labour. I now know there are exercises you can do toat the start of labour help bub into a more favourable position if it is posterior.

I have decided to try for my VBAC because the idea of major abdominal surgery scares me more than the pain of labour and the fact the recovery period is much faster with a natural birth. Having a VBAC is also safer but when you are scared sometimes it doesn't matter if it is safer or not, fear is a really powerful thing.

Kelly posted a link to a great YouTube video full of affirmations for pregnancy and birth that helps remove the self doubt if you are interested in watching it. I found it has made me more confident in my choice and I watch it periodically to remind myself that my VBAC can be done, here is the link. YouTube - Mind Movie Birth Visualisation

Have a read in the VBAC thread as well to get some stories of experiences from others. Best of luck making a decision! I have a heap of VBAC links bookmarked if you are interested in going that route just PM me and I can send them your way.

Appariently everything was looking great in terms of bubs position! Also I do not know if it makes a difference but my water broke prior to the contractions starting. That was how I know labour was starting. The contractions begun about 1hr or so after that happened.

I will go and have a look at the other boards, thanks!

My waters broke first too, the thought never occurred to me that could contribute to the pain but that makes sence. They just told me he was posterior. Hope it doesn't mean my waters are likely to break first again. Oh well, no pain no gain :lol:

Hi there, were you induced with syntocinon at all? As this can make your contractions much more intense, closer together and attribute to foetal distress.

I will be going for a VBAC next time round also. Mind you, I have not experienced labour. DD was an elective CS becasue of pre-eclampsia.

As LittleMissSunshine said you'll find heaps of info on this site.

Best of luck with your decision.
x

I wasn't induced at all, I also tried to hold off on taking and drugs as long as I could. I didn't ask for gas until the contractions were really strong.

I was reading something about foetal distress and the possible causes of it and this one thing was mentioned where during the contractions the muscles tighten up that much that it can prolong dilation, also causing extreme pain. I couldn't find anymore information on the causes of it or whether it can happen with following pregnancies. It did sound very familliar though.

Hmm, yes it certainly sounds like you had a tough time you poor sweet.
Definately talk to the midwife at your antenatal clinic and she my be able to shed some light onto why you had such a hard time.

One thing to keep in mind is they say that no two labours are the same.
My mothers 2 labours were polar opposites. With me she said her contractions were like period pain and afterwards she didn't know what the fuss was about and said she'd rather have a baby than go to the dentist. With her second she said she as in extreme pain and trying to climb the walls.
There is a really great thread on here started by Bluedaisy (a midwife) about why we feel pain in labour. here'tis https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...f-methods.html

Alternatively if you do decide on another CS. It should be a much more pleasant experience this time. YOu won't be exhaused from Labour and as it would be planned you could ask for things such as skin-to-skin in theatre and in recovery etc etc.

Hi newmuma,

my story sounds much the same as yours. I was in labour for 22hrs with my first only to get to 8cm and finding out he was prosterior and had the choice of staying in labour or going for a c/s. Iwas so worn out and moody and tired and crying and everything all at once so went for the c/s...didnt really want it but took it i just wanted him out,id had enough.
I didnt particuly want another c/s with my 2nd but i was also scared to try for a vbac i didnt know what to do so i never made a decision i thought i will let my body make the decision for me. I went 6 days overdue and finally went into labour. The midwives and doctors told me they would only let me go for a certain amout of time in labour and that it all should happen much quicker as i had already experienced labour and it should be much easier and all that jazz...only to find that she was also prosterior. I only got to 4cm 2nd time around and my labour kept coming and going and they wanted to send me home...so in the end i again opted for another c/s. And this time i was much happier and knew what was happening and wasnt scared.
My hubby and i will be trying for a 3rd child soon and i have already made my decision they i will go for an elective c/s as it is whats best for me.
So all in all i would suggest trying for a vbac and your body will tell you if its right for you. If you go into labour and find you've had enough you tell them you want a c/s dont let them tell you what to do. Everything will be fine.