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Hi all,
I just wanted to know when to start preparing for a VBAC? We are planning TTC at the end of the year and I want to be as prepared as I can be.
What did you do to prepare?
What books did you read?
Is there anything that you would have done differently to help prepare yourself?
Any info would be great!
It is never too early to start preparing for a VBAC I would think.
Books I have read and liked...
Silent Knife
The VBAC Companion
New Active Birth
The Pink Kit book and DVD
There is a wealth of info on the web, I googled a lot, mostly terms like VBAC, natural birth, active birth, birthing positions, hypnobirthing (I ended up downloading A Labour of Love Hypnotherepy for Birth CD from iTunes) I googled a bit about home birth and free birth, not that they are my options but I thought I might get some more tips on making my birth experience more comfortable and as natural as possible.
I have probably been a bit obsessive in my research but it is kind of my therapy and a way of gaining control after my 'emergency' c/s with Noah. I have 2 books of printed out pages, one for me, and one for my support people with birth affirmations, birth positions, natural pain relief tips, a birth guide I suppose, just in case I forget or my support people need another plan of attack because something isn't working.
I am hoping to find out if any of it works in the next week and then I can let you know. My midwife team at the hospital also has an 80% success rate with VBAC's, it might be worth looking into what your options are where you are located and look into hiring a doula.
Good luck on your TTC journey.
Hey hun, I know I didn't end up having a VBAC but I like to think I was pretty prepared! ;) Read read read, online and books. The best ones are Silent Knife (I have a copy for sale in classifieds) Thinking Womans Guide to a Better Birth and New Active Birth. There are some wonderful websites out there too, like ICAN and other places that have VBAC stories on them. Remember that a VBAC is pretty much the same as any other vaginal birth, the risks of rupture are pretty much the same as they are for induction (no they don't tell you that) and trust your body. If you can find a hospital or ob who is VBAC friendly that will make it SO much easier, and consider having a doula as well and they will reduce the likelihood of you need interventions such as an epidural which can lead to c/s. Ask questions too and I found BB on top of all that to be my best confidence booster and a wealth of information from people who had been there and done it. Good luck!!
ETA: :yeahthat: I think the obsession comes from wanting to know that you have done everything in your power to birth this baby naturally and if it doesn't happen then you can look back with no regrets if that makes sense! Also use alot of "what if's?" and try to think about what you will do. Something I didn't do was ask what if I got to 14 days and bub wasn't out.
Thanks ladies! I'll be out to get those books asap!
I think I'll write down my questions as they come to me as I know I had a lot of questions during my pregnancy but by the time I had an appointment with the MW I had forgotten it.
Thanks again, no doubt I'll have LOTS more questions!! :D
I thought I would update now that Xavier is here.
I can't say for sure what worked, maybe all of it did. The Labour of Love Hypnosis for birth CD was invaluble in early labour and the breathing exercise is what I used and it helped me stay centred for the most part. New Active Labour and The Pink Kit were fantastic for letting me know what positions would be most helpful although I found I was most comfortable on all fours until the pushing stage.
The Silent Knife and VBAC Companion helped me with my determination to follow through with my plan to have a VBAC as well as countless websites and VBAC stories.
It definitly doesn't hurt to research obsessivly ;)
I wound up with a 2nd degree tear and a few stitches (not sure I want to know how many :lol:) but the recovery is so much easier and much less painful than I had with the c/s. I left the hospital 4 hours after Xaviers birth, something I wasn't able to do with Noah.
Best of luck and ask away!
Congratulations!!! :dance: And thank-you for sharing with me! Amazing that you left the hospital so soon!
I'm sure I will have many questions for you!! hehe
Oh and I love the name Xavier! Gorgeous!!!
I've been planning for my VBAC since thinking about TTC#2. I have also read
- Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
- New Active Birth
- Silent Knife
- The Pink Kit
I also did a revision of my Hypnobirthing program with a hypnobirthing practitioner (also read Marie Mongan's Hypnobirthing). I used hypnobirthing with DD and got to 7cm dilated with no drugs before she went into foetal distress so it does work.
I researched VBAC friendly OBs and found one who is just fantastic and who also strongly supports me using a doula - so I also have a doula supporting me for the birth.