Please tell me about your VBAC experiences positive and negative :)

I had a pretty horrid labour that ended in an emergency C-Section.

The surgeon has told me that he wouldn't support a vaginal birth as my babies are likely to get larger than DS (he was 10.5lb and posterior) and he would suggest a CSEC at 37weeks.

I have had several midwives and a doctor tell me that there is no reason why I couldn't VBAC if I want to ....but I am really scared.

I don't want to have another C-Section but I don't want another labour experience like before either.

I sort of need to get my head around all the pros and cons before I can think about TTC #2 so if you would like to share your experiences I would really appreciate it

TIA :)

I have no idea how the Dr could say you can't have a vaginal birth next time when you're not even pregnant yet. After I had my c/s I asked and the Ob said that there was no reason I couldn't try for a VBAC next time.
I am scared too so thanks for starting this thread, it will be interesting.

I'd like to subscribe, I'd love to read this too.

A dr (who didn't do the c/s BTW) came in the next morning and said I'd have to have a c/s again. No reason, he just said it, then walked out. Nice. But obviously goes to show some drs don't even think past "once c/s - always c/s". Which isn't necessarily true :hug:

well my mum had 2 c/s when she was preg with me the doctor told her she was 2 young and the baby wasnt going to fit for her to have a VB so not knowing any better off she went at 37 weeks for a c/s then with my sister she wanted to have a vbac and 2 weeks before she was due she went into labour and the doctor stopped it no idea why but that just happened and then they found out my mum had a double cervix and uterus so they went and gave her another c/s this was 18 years ago so obviously a lot has changed but she still found a doc willing to let her try for a vbac after that she had 2 :angel: babies and after that she couldnt have any more

I had a wonderful VBAC... but I did a LOT of work to get it. I found an Ob who was well known for supporting VBAC's. I did calmbirthing. I had a doula. And I excepted the fact that I may very well have a birth the same as the last and that was OK! That is something you MUST accept IMO in order to go into birth without baggage. My reasons for doing it were, I wanted to give it a go. I wanted my child to pick the day in which they were born. I wanted to birth for as long as I could, even if it ended in a c/s. BUT I trusted in my body, I made sure I did all the things to prevent posterior positioning (ie. sitting forward on a chair, never laying backwards, stay active etc). But most of all I made peace with myself. I never worried when birth was imminent. I made sure I didn't stress over dates or braxton hicks. When it happened it happened, and I wasn't going to think about a time frame. I read affirmations and I practiced my breathing. I was ready when he came and I wasn't over it, nor was I stressing. I was just ready - for a c/s or a vag birth. To me my vbac was half about the vaginal birth and half about the empowerment that I needed if I did have to go through with another c/s. And by having my c/s plan and having a loving, supportive and beautiful environment to birth along with the support of my ob and my doula and my family (I had MIL, DD, doula and DH in the room up until I felt that that I needed 100% focus). It was beautiful, and birth can be no matter how your baby is born into this world. That is what empowered me. Had I had a c/s towards the end I have no doubt in my mind I would have felt just as empowered as I do now because I was in control of what I wanted and how I was supported. The first time I had no support and no understanding of my body or what birth really was.

Does that make any sense?

Ok - for a start your babies won't necessarily get bigger. My SIL has had 3 babies - the first being 11lb and they have gotten progressively smaller, the second was 9lb10 and the third just 9lb. So pfft to that theory.

I had an emergency c/s with DD1 for foetal distress and my second pregnancy was going to be a VBAC. I went into labour naturally and progressed very quickly. Much quicker than DD1 but I ended up with another emergency c/s as my uterus was rupturing.

However - would I change anything? No, I wouldn't and I would do the same again. I made sure I had a supportive and caring OB, a doula that I trusted and a plan to follow if anything went pear-shaped. But my DD2 arrived on the day she chose, she is happy and healthy and I have no regrets.

Hi!
I had a VBA2C in March this year! It was an amazing experience but I was sooooooo scared at what I was embarking on when I was pregnant and preparing for my vbac :)
I have my story on a wonderful website called "birthrites-healing after a caeserian" I posted my story when I was pregnant (as part of the healing process from my first two c-sections) then had it updated after I had my VBAC. Here is a like to the site Birthrites - Healing After Caesarean
U will find my story (along with many other insperational stories) in the 'stories/thoughts' section my story it right at the bottom and titled: My Story - updated May 2009 with VBAC baby #3

I have read most of the stories there and they are all different but amazing all the same :) U will also find lots of useful info on c-sections and VBAC and all the choices u have. Because even though some Drs like to think they make the decisions for their patients its US that have the power to make any decisision about our body and our baby.

Goodluck with your journey :)
If u have any other questions or comments about my experience feel free to PM me or ask here :D
Jules

I'm also wanting to keep a close eye on this thread, thanks for starting it LaDeeDa. My DS was posterior and had entered the pelvis at an impossible angle. I'd had to be induced because my waters had broken 4 days earlier, but prior to the induction he hadn't engaged at all, so I'm not sure that he was ever going to make his own way out.

I too would like my next child to be able to choose their own birthday, but after the hideous labour I endured before my emergency CS I'm not so sure that I'm up for a vbac. Luckily my OB is supportive of it if that is what I want when the time comes. Anyway TIA to those who share their experiences.

Just subscribing too, thanks for starting the thread LaDeeDa.

My DS was born via c/s - after going into labour spontaneously and progressing well at home, upon arrival at hospital fully dilated we realised he was breech at the eleventh hour. A big shock after a dream pregnancy and great expectations for a beautiful natural birth.

I'm trying to come to terms with whether I could attempt a VBAC for future pregnancies.

Thanks to those posting their stories....

The thing to remember and to research is this... Just because your first birth was hideous doesn't mean that your next has to be even if it ends in a c/s... I was talking and laughing after contractions and even though at times I acted like a 2 y.o. I still loved it!

I' like to subcribe to this thread too, am keen to go for VBAC later on down the track and need all the encouragement I can get from all BBs wonderful experiences! :)

I had my VBAC last month. I had had 2 prev VBs & then an emergency CS.
I have to say good on you to all of you who decide to VBAC, I was a bit nervous and I had the benefit of those 2 prev VBs! maybe I'm just a big chicken :lol:

My GP gave me the 'you'll probably need another CS' but I paid no attention to him (he even suggested CS when I was overdue as it would be 'easier' :rolleyes: )

I did most of my research online & borrowed frm the library. For me it was about knowing everything so I could make informed choices all along the way, even if we did end up with another CS.I also wanted to read as many success stories as I could (will have to do mine soon :think:)

As for size of baby, my VBAC baby was 10lb8, or 4770g. I'm really glad I didn't know that beforehand! Previous bubs were 8lb10, 9lb13 & 8lb12 - in that order - so not necessarily progressively bigger.
I did suffer a second degree tear (which I never had before) - but I found the recovery so much quicker than a CS.

AND each of my labours was totally different whether VB or CS or VBAC. So to those of you who suffered with your labours before having a CS - there is a strong chance next time would be different.

I guess the first thing I would do if I were you is find a doctor who would support either choice - that way you can have the benefit of informed medical opinion to help you make your choice, but still be free to make the choice that's right for you iykwim.
I would have done hypnobirthing /calmbirthing too, had my situation allowed it. I think it's a great idea.

Good luck to you all :D

I had the most amazing, empowering and healing VBAC in Feb this year!!!

My twins had to be born 10 weeks early and hence i had to have a c/s. When I got pg with boof, i was determined that i wanted a VBAC . The first question i asked my OB was if he would support me in my decision- he did. He did put conditions on my VBAC, but these were reasonable- head down, spontaneous labour etc.
I also asked my friend who was a student midwife and qual doula to support me. The main thing that i did was research and lots of reading on this forum!!! I knew the things to avoid that may lead me down an intervention path and hence when they were thrusted upon me- i rejected them as i knew they were unncessary- for instance the hossy wanted to break my waters and put a scalp electrode on me as soon as i got there and i said no! They were also throwing pain relief at me- yet i didnt feel that i wanted nor needed it!

I was told that i was having a big baby and this could pose a problem- but hey my body knew what to do and at 37+5 i went into spontaneous labour! a full encounter of what happened can be found here http://forums.bellybelly.com.au/foru...tory-long.html

Not at any time did i dobut that i couldnt do it- i knew what i wanted to happened and made sure that it did
i can honestly say i was never in pain- i was too excited what was happening and i was living of the adrelin that i was having my VBAC!!! Afterwards i could sleep for days as i was still so happy and proud that i had done it. I still get a smile now when i think about it!
I highly think that if you have a chance to go for a VBAC- to give it a go!! Even if it ends in a c/sec, you at least know that you have given it a go! I feel that i have healed so much due to my twins birth, by having my VBAC!
I hope the same success for all of you as well

As you know i've had two vbs so i can't comment on the vbac thing, but just couldn't read this thread without adding my 2cents worth on the size thing. you've seen both my boys- ds1 was born 10lbs3oz and i was completely freaking out when i was pg with ds2 over how huge he was going to be...then he popped out at 8bs3oz without even a graze!
so please don't believe the thing about them getting progressively bigger. it did my head in, i even started threads on here about it when i was pg, and in the end it all turned out fine.

Thankyou so much everyone for posting....I am really enjoying reading all your expereinces and thoughts :)

My first son was born via emergency c/s due to preeclampsia. I was induced at 38 weeks and labour was progressing well, but my signs were getting rapidly worse so after getting to 4 cm I was rushed off to theatre. I was disappointed, but didn't blame anyone. I felt that we made the best decision given the circumstances.

I had the same ob for my vbac. He had told me after my c/s that I could vbac if I didn't get PE next time, and he never tried to talk me out of it. He said he wasn't there to convince me how to have my baby, just to make sure bubs and I were both ok. I read about all the benefits and risks and was scared at times, but as DS2's due date got closer I found I just got more excited about birthing my baby myself. Once I was in labour I really wasn't thinking about ruptures or possible c/s... I was just there to birth my baby.
My labour progressed quite quickly. I was in active labour for only 4 1/2 hours. I had a 2nd degree tear and it took quite some time to stitch up. I hardly noticed though. I was on such a high! I was holding my slimy little boy who I had just pushed out. It was completely satisfying in a way that my c/s wasn't. I was in control of the whole process, not just an observer. The baby on my chest, my DH by my side, the hormones, the dark room, feeling in my legs, I was just soooo happy and content!
The recovery was also much easier. I will have a vb again next time for sure.

You definitely need to understand and accept what happened to you last time though. I think that being in a good place emotionally is incredibly important if you want to vbac. You have to have faith in your body. This time round doesn't have to be the same as last time, even if it does end in another c/s, as long as you are prepared emotionally.

Hi, I have 1 Vb and then 3 c-sections..Each time I have tried for a VBAC, so for each pregnancy I have laboured and even though they ended up in CS it was much more rewarding for me and stress free than booking in for a CS. With my last bubs my doc was worried and i was sent for scans to look at my scar, I also agreed to not make any silly decisions and was'nt allowed strong pain relief cause you need to be able to feel if something is going wrong, so in the end I agreed that if my labour did'nt progress well or extended out past 8 hours, any fetal distress we would'nt muck around and baby would be delivered by CS which is what happended, I just did'nt progress, my family including me!!! have a history of longish labours and in the end I was scared for my babies safety and did'nt trust my body, which probablly did'nt help.
So you need faith that you can do it, the more support people the merrier (especially supportive ones!!!:lol:), maybe a doula, some hypnotherapy or calm birth classes and don't let docs scare you into a CS, have a back up plan if you do end up with a CS they can still be rewarding, I aked that I get to hold my baby staright away and that bubs and DH got to stay while I was stitched up, I feed in recovery and DH filmed the birth, except he forgot to push record:pray: A whole nother story lucky he survived that one!!!!

Oh you can get an epi where you still have feeling in your legs these days, can't really get up and walk, but you will be able to push to a sit with your legs and at least move them, ask about it, cause you might just get a regular old numb everything one..

Don't let them tell you its not possible! I had an emergency c-sect due to DD1 being breech and my waters breaking at 34 weeks.

I had a successful VBAC with a few hicups along the way. I had a scan of my pelvis after DD was born and my pelvis is on the small side but we thought I should be able to attempt a natural birth.

During my pregnancy I injured my back and was wondering how I would go with the VBAC but with treatment from a physio who specialises in pregnancy I was able to get moving again.

The next issue was a biggie I was diagnosed with gestational diabeties at about 32 weeks and was put on insulin. My ob thought we might have to have another c-section instead as he didn't want me to past 38 weeks. I ended up reacting to the insulin (pretty rare apparently) my diabeties educator wanted to put me on an insulin that wasn't tested on preg women but my GP convinced my ob to let me come off the insulin and try to manage it by diet which worked.

At this stage I was 34 weeks so my ob was going to monitor me closely to see how big bubs was getting as he was still reluctant to let me go past 38 weeks but we couldn't induce me. We needn't have worried was I went into labour at 35+1. We stopped the labour for two weeks with medication and monitoring three times a week but at 37+1 my contractions progressed and I took myself back to the hospital.

Like brmee it was over pretty fast, my waters were broken at 10.30 pm and DD2 was born 40 minutes later after the midwife told me to be in for a long night. She was walking out of the room to get the paperwork ready for an epidural in case I needed it when she realised I was pushing. I ended up with a nasty tear too.

My ob was very supportive, he was only putting the health of me and my baby first. He would have given me a c-sect at 35+1 if I had wanted too but he let me progress.

Next time I will listen to my body and make sure the midwives do an internals as soon as I start the strong contractions as I was dialated so quickly but they didn't check as they thought it would take a while being my first labour. My ob was coming back to check me at 5am but he got home and was called straight back.

My suggestion is to find another ob who is supportive of VBAC and not talking about csections already when you are not even pregnant.

Here is Nate's full entry into the world.
Like most of the others, I researched and did my homework. A doula out here just wasn't available neither was a private midwife.
When other health problems meant they gave me a date for a ceasar, I was sad, but accepting. I was more than excited when my waters broke on their own - at least he picked his own birthdate. I was desperatley unhappy when my body did nothing. In hindissght it saved Nate. When I knew I had to have another ceasar I made a choice that I was going to be happy with that. I was not going to greive for myself as it wasn't about me. It was about my baby. It was his birthday and I was damn sure not going to be sad on that day.
So I had a failed vbac, but a good experience - by choice.
If you read my story you will see that there are no more bubs for us - but that would have been the same vbac attempt or not.

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Just subscribing too, thanks for starting the thread LaDeeDa.

My DS was born via c/s - after going into labour spontaneously and progressing well at home, upon arrival at hospital fully dilated we realised he was breech at the eleventh hour. A big shock after a dream pregnancy and great expectations for a beautiful natural birth.

I'm trying to come to terms with whether I could attempt a VBAC for future pregnancies.

Thanks to those posting their stories....

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I too had an emergency c/s in June this year like lollybaby, I arrived at the birth centre, 9cm when it was found out my little girl was footling breech.

I'm scared about a VBAC and also looking to read up on other peoples experiences

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I too had an emergency c/s in June this year like lollybaby, I arrived at the birth centre, 9cm when it was found out my little girl was footling breech.

I'm scared about a VBAC and also looking to read up on other peoples experiences

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Hi kirky2 :hug: plenty of support here!
I think if your CS was due to breech bub your VBAC chances are pretty good ;)

thanks Jasp,

I've also got a 2.5year old girl who was a VB, she was 4.1kg. I read somewhere that my chances are good because I've already had a VB before my c/s. I'm hoping that's the case.

kirky2, you are in a great position for a vbac! Having had a vb before, and the fact that your c/s was for a breech birth make you highly likely to be successful in any vbac attempt.
You should check out the vbac/ebac discussion thread if you haven't already to find other members aiming for vbacs.

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kirky2, you are in a great position for a vbac! Having had a vb before, and the fact that your c/s was for a breech birth make you highly likely to be successful in any vbac attempt.
You should check out the vbac/ebac discussion thread if you haven't already to find other members aiming for vbacs.

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:yeahthat: Yep, plus the fact that your VB was a big baby.
I know in my case they were expecting a big baby for my VBAC & were reasssured by the fact that I had birthed a 4.4kg baby vaginally. (my VBAC bub ended up being 4.7 :lol:)

I had a CS first cause I was in prem labour with twins at 28 weeks, so there was no question of a natural birth. With my second I really wanted a VBAC, but although I had my mum and husband who were very good, they didn't tell me to stand more, walk around and mostly tell the midwife to **** off that I AM getting in the shower and no I DON"T have to have continuous monitoring. So after 26 hours after my water broke I stalled at 9cm (even with the help of syntocin) and ended in a CS. If I was more active and NOT ON MY BACK for so many hours I am very confindent I would have had a successful VBAC. So next preg I know I will.

I wish you all the best. Please get a doula who will remind you of all the things that you know (being upright, etc) but seem to forget when you are in labour and someone that will argue with the midwife so you don't feel like ... they have to look after me, I don't want to argue with them. Please make sure that she knows how much you want a VBAC so if you weaken, she convinces you to keep going if that's what you'll want, etc, etc so you won't have any regrets afterwards.

Take care.

This is one of the best, funniest, yet wisest VBAC birth stories I've read yet:

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My Big Ugly VBAC. It wasn't pretty. But it was mine.

"You don't understand, I really can't do this" I whined. "Doesn't he GET IT" I scream in my head "I SUCK AT THIS!". I am caught. The contractions continue to be unbearable and I am fighting them and angry and this is definitely not helping.... I hang off of Brett. My tears are falling on his teeshirt, I grip him, hold him as if his body alone can keep me aloft on the terrible waves. I love him so much. I am so mad at him.... And Meg says "let's do this for one more hour and then we can check again and see". I snarl "HALF AN HOUR! I can't do this for an hour" and I find myself walking back towards my back yard, ending up at the steps to my deck. Pause for hellish contraction.... I stalk to the futon and order Meg to check me. "NOW". Snarling again. I don't care that I'm being rude. Just check me and tell me that nothing has changed so I can screw everything and go to the hospital and start my horrible nightmare that I knew all along was inevitable... I absolutely did not believe I was going to be able to push the baby out. I would push during a contraction (without an urge) and then in between contractions I would float away into my fantasy of how I was going to end up in a hospital room flat on my back with someone using forceps or vacuum on me. I was imagining what position I would be in in the car while I transported. Probably hanging off of the front seat, facing backwards, kneeling on a towel. Yes, that's it. And I would have horrible tearing but it would all be worth it because at least the baby would have come out of my vagina. Yes, that's the thought process of me during pushing. What a birthing goddess I was, eh? I was lost in my self-centered world of pain and agony and despair and self-doubt... I'm still caught in the disbelief world... I still am thinking that something is going to happen that will necessitate transfer to the hospital. Time passes. Push. Rest. Fear. Rest.

And then, I can't quite put my finger on it, but something changed. A realization came upon me. And it went something like this.

No one else can push this baby out for you.

I didn't like hearing that. Even if it was only the Voice In My Head saying it.

No one else can push this baby out for you. You have to do it. The only way out is through. You have do it. I have to do it. Me. No one else can do it. It has to be me.

WAAAAIL!!!! *WHY* can't someone else do it for me? PLEASE! That would be sooo nice, can't someone else, why not Brett, he can do it.... not me, I don't want to.

No one else.

No one.

And then I started to really push. Up until then it was mostly fake, "I guess I'll push but I don't really buy into this whole 'baby is coming out' myth that y'all are believing" pushing. It was the pushing of someone who didn't believe it would happen.

I still didn't believe it. But I knew it had to be me. So I pushed. I pushed through that pain. I now understand exactly what that phrase means. I want to go back and read through all those birth stories I read when I was pregnant the first time and jump up and down and point and say YES, YES I know what that MEANS now, I really KNOW! I know what it means to push through the pain of a contraction. I did it. No one else but me.

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Huge hugs, courage, strength and wisdom to all you awesome women preparing for VBACs.

What does VBAC stand for again? Very Beautiful and Courageous.

What a great story. Im hoping to have a VBAC and have started my research and its so fabulous to know that so many of you have done it and done it so well. I went into spontaneous labour with DD on a thursday, but she wasnt born til the saturday via emergency c/s. It was all about her positioning, posterior with her head tilted back which made her stuck in the end. But I feel alot wiser now, and like someone said, even if I end up with another c/s so be it, but I still want to have labour, i want my baby to tell me when its ready to come out and I want to feel the contractions.

My ob is supportive, and has laid down the law in so far as she is happy for me to VBAC subject to a few conditions one of them including no epidural! I can do this, and if this baby wants to come out through the birth canal Im going to do my best to make it happen.

Lets keep each other going ladies,
Lisa