C section or Vbac

Hello all,
I am very stressed at the moment and are presured to make a choise.

I had a very stressful labour last pregnancy which ended in 28 hours with a emergency c section. My baby was 9.5 pound and was laying posterior and never turned. The midwive I had was quite old and had experance, but ignored me every time drugs where mentioned. Its like I wasnt even there. The ob turned up and left and said that the baby should be born 4-5 hours time at 11 pm- midnight.

Time ticked on and I reached 9cm and she kept telling me to wait a bit longer. I
had been In labour at that time for 23 hours with only gas and still kept walking out when I was asking for an eppidrual. Then finally she said to me it was too late to have an eppidrual now. I was a mess, I was screaming out "Can someone kill me I cant handle this anymore" I had lost trust in the midwive and it was 3:30 am and still no OB. Finally she rang the ob and he came in angry, wondering why he wasnt called, and why I was pushing at 9 cm. The baby didnt make it out, so the birth end up with the c section as mentioned above.

I have a midwive I trust in this pregnancy because the hospital has a new program which allows me to keep the same widwive all the way through the pregnancy. (I know I wont be ignored this time.) Only worry I have is that I am bigger this pregnancy and look like Im due to give birth now at 35 weeks.

Going through another pregnancy with a bigger baby, and being posterior am I out of my mind?I feel the weight and size of this baby is going to be massive since my last was long and heavy? (I think we are talking of a 10.5 pounder here.)


What do you guys think?

Has anyone had a vbac with a 10 pounder or bigger?

I know someone who had a VBAC with a baby over 9lb if that helps you at all. Firstly, posterior labours are renouned for being long and difficult and under the circumstances I think you did the best you could with the support you had. Were you overdue last time too? Posterior babies can be a little bit later than babies in the best position for birth, as they just can't get their head down into the pelvis properly to start the labour off. I personally know how hard they are as my last two births were both posterior ones - and they were both big babies too.

At the end of the day the size of the baby isn't the be-all-and-end-all - you need to trust that your body knows what to do. I think you should grab yourself a copy of The Pink Kit (available in the BellyBelly Online Shop) - it will teach you how you get to know your body and help you prepare for the birth. It's also possible that he wont be bigger than his sister just by the size of your belly - often with a subsequent pg you are a bit bigger anyway or you could just have more fluid in there - after all it is really hot and you may be feeling the effects of that.

I think a big difference to your birth this time is that you have a midwife that you trust. Also have you thought about getting a Doula? I really think it would be a good idea to look into getting one as they can be just what you need to help you get over the 'finish line', quietly reassuring you that you CAN do it. If you haven't heard of them before, they really are amazing at what they can do to help birthing woman. There is an article on the main BellyBelly site that explains what a Doula is and why it is worth getting one.

Good luck, I am sure you will be great this time.

Thanks for the reply Sherie.

My OB said that babies dont usually turn till you have good contractions to turn it during labour. He also said spinning babies is a waist of time.

I had an ultrasound at 27 weeks and the baby measured 2 weeks bigger, where the first one measured 1 week bigger.

I hope he will be born the same size but I doubt it.

Eeeks spinning babies is a waste of time?! I don't think so. Thats so sad :(

I really wouldn't worry about size, it has no bearing on the birth if your labour is effective. My first birth resulted in an emerg c/s after 27 hours of labour but I look back and the labour was ineffective and I didn't know how to make it effective. With my second I had a doula and had done calmbirthing, as well as implementing an active birth it was a beautiful experience that resulted in me birthing my 9lb11oz baby boy with no drugs and not even a tear. He was 10oz more than my daughter (first birth) yet I birthed him with ease. Educate yourself regardless of what your Ob has said as I really do think that is the most empowering way to help you have the birth you want.

You can do it :) Don't let one person's negativity drag you down ;)

Pffft to your OB! A lot of women have success with the techniques on the spinning babies website - my Dr said it was a good idea to try them when my bubs was still posterior as anything was worth a try. Some babies do turn during labour and some don't (mine didn't).

But anyway, is your OB supportive of you having a VBAC? I get the impression though if he makes comments like that about spinning babies that he would be happy for you to just book another c/s - a supportive OB would tell you to give it a try.

What type of birth do you really want though? You didn't say in your first post which one you preferred.

Check out the reading list in the VBAC forum - empower yourself with facts!!!

I think if you arm yourself with the best support and lots of knowledge you should have no worries with a VBAC.

Do you think yuo would like to try for a VBAC?

No, the OB which said spinning babies is a waist of time was the one who was pushing for a vbac birth. He said he would wait 2 hours into labour before making the choise if the baby will turn. But when is the 2 hours worked from????? I would hate for that to be fully dialated. It took me 24 hours to get that far last birth. I expect to have pain, but as said before pos' births are more painful and longer. I think I will give spinning babies a go no matter what he says. It cant hurt.

Your body will find a second labour easier than a first. Its been there before. First labours are often longer, more troublesome but it's important not to judge your second birth on your first. Second births are typically shorter and less stressful.

I'd strongly recommend checking out the Pink Kit but you would need to get it now and work on it straight away.

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/pregnancy/the-pink-kit

If you are talking which is safer, a VBAC definitely it. Complications (including mortality) are higher for mum and bub in a c/s. Your body is strong, willing and able - your scar is strong. I would really focus on action now, do all you can and remember - your baby may turn anterior at any time anyway. I'd be focusing on getting yourself educated and prepared with birth skills and knowledge on how to make this VBAC successful. Don't leave it in the hands of your carer to decide what will happen to you - make an informed decsion.

2hrs is a ridiculous time limit. Some posterior babies don't turn until near the pushing stage of labour or later - my 2nd posterior birth saw me pushing while the assisting nurse was pressing on the right side of my belly to encourage him to turn. You just can't put a time limit on it, particularly in a VBAC where you need to let your body do it's own thing in it's own time. Work with your body in positions favourable to gravity (upright, reclining forwards, even sitting on the loo/fitball) Laying on your back will hamper the progress you make as baby can't descend and turn properly.

I see you are in Victoria too - why dont you come to the Ricki Lake birth documentary screening?

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/movie

I just dont feel confident with the fact Im having a baby measuring 2 cm bigger than my last 9.5 pound baby. It was a long very painful labour due to the labour being posterior. It kills me to think I will have the same labour with no epidrual so I can feel a massive baby pass a scar and MAYBE come out. How emotional depressed will I be if I go through all that pain again and get another c section.

So far I have.:cry:

Another massive baby Around 10 pounds.

NO Epidrual

Posterior, more painful slower birth.

Chance of another C section.[

Does anyone know of any success stories with 10 pounder baby and had a simular labour like my first??? It would really help.

Is baby posterior ATM? If he is in a great position for birth, then there is no reason at all why it should be just as, if not more difficult than your first birth. And you also don't *know* his size - there is no guarantee that he will be that big, its just *possible* that he could be. It is common to measure ahead of dates for a lot of different reasons, so don't let the fear of a big baby hold you back. Even a small baby can be difficult to birth. I don't know of anyone who has birthed a 10lb baby via VBAC though. At the end of the day, you need to choose the best way for you to give birth, and if you have any fears at all you need to let go of them to have a great birth either way. Which ever one you choose will be right for you.

Sherie,
I will just ponder for the next 2 weeks till I see my OB again. I really thank you for replying.

Thanks again Karli

It sounds like you are a little scared? I can't blame you after your first experience!! Like Kelly said consequence labours can be completely different to first labours.

I know Niliac has had a VBAC and he was 9lb11oz... I am sure there are other ladies who have done the same. I know there are other ladies here who have birthed very big bubs with no trouble too. May be worth doing a search through the forums, I am sure they wouldn't mind you contacting them if you need more info.

Make sure you keep us updated on your progress we would love to help you through this :hugs:

Tanya

Do you want an elective c-section or are you willing to take responsibility for your own birth and choices, even if that means doing your own research and not being a passive patient?

Hi,

I had a vbac Feb 2006 with my 3rd son - 9 pound 12 ounces (4.54kg). My GP tried to scare me out of it. The Register at the hospital was a big AHole and tried to intimidate and bully me into a CS at 40 week appointment.

I then made the choice to stay home till the very last second with my Doula to prevent any medical intervention. My labour and (almost ) birth was great in my home environment - decided to go to hospital a bit late - he was almost born in the car and the hospital staff dragged me from the car and shoved me on a trolley all watching as my baby was sitting on my perenium (very embarrassing)

I am still happy that I did not give the hospital an opportunity to control my pregnancy or birth in every aspect, I felt I took the power back for this birth (as a capable birthing woman should) and I made my own decisions. I believe in VBAC 100%.

Although I was frightened and it was hard for me to block out all the negativity re. VBAC I read a lot of good books and watched a heap of birthing videos "Silent Knife" (sadly after 2 babies I still needed the confidence to know that I could birth my baby naturally) was a very informative book on VBAC.

Doctors generally don't recommend VBAC and will often discourage it. I think this is horrible. Your chances of uterine rupture are so slim. In a lot of cases uterine rupture is actually caused by medical intervention i.e. induction.

Also Don't Listen to the birthing horror stories doctors tell you re. their trips to 3rd world countries or their 1 experience in medical school.

I am having my 4th son in 3 weeks and I am still considered a VBAC at the hospital. I am aiming for a unassisted freebirth this time.

Just remember that natural birth is so much safer than CS, I had a minor internal bleed with my CS and an infection at the wound site. And then suffered the psyc difficulties and healing after the CS.

I am not concerned about my babies being big at birth - I know that my pelvis is designed for birth.

HI there,

My very first client had a very similar story to you with her first labour, posterior, large baby, long labour resulting in C/S.

For the second, she chose a great caregiver, hired a doula ( even though I was a student at the time) and went on to birth a 10lb baby.

He was actually posterior as well, and she had ventouse delivery, but did it all with just gas. She was amazing and admitted that she totally exceeded her own expectations.

Goodluck with your birth.

Hi :)

I was just wondering how everything was going?

Thanks for you replys girls.

I just was my midwive yesterday and measured me to be 40 weeks. I wondered why the OB did a measurment but didnt write it down on my share card last week.

The OB also put my dates back by 3 days coz he expected my cycle to be a 28 day cycle, but it actually a 25 day cycle.

So in a nut shell Im 35.5 weeks pregnant with a baby measuring 40 weeks. My first baby measured at the sametime 1 week bigger and turned out to be 9.5 pounds.

All I can say is that I will have to have a bloody good pelvis and skin like gumby to get through any delivery.lol.

I had not one problem with my c section, and others have had heeps of pain. Mentally If I end up back going through the same situation with a bigger baby with no drugs I might just loose it and go further into drepression if it ends in another c section. Sure its worth being natural, but is it worth screwing up my family with the depression if it all goes pear shaped. In my last labour it was the c section which was the only thing that didnt go wrong, so thats all I really have trust in at the moment. I still have time to make a choise, but fear is always a issue with natural. Expecally when I had to become suasidal before I got any drugs and my Ob called, 24 hours into the labour. So going through labor is not making me feel like I am in control at all.

Physical health is important, but mental health is also just as important.

Sorry if I offend anyone, but that's my opinion.

that's so true. If you think that this is the best way to go, then it's right for you, and you haven't offended anyone - it is so important that you are confortable with things as they are. Do you have a date booked yet?

Thanks Sherie,

Its booked for the 8th Feb and I still have 3 weeks to go. Even though I measure 40 weeks I am still being careful by waiting till 39 weeks so his lungs are fully devloped. Size doesnt mean his organs are fully 100% yet.

Lets hope I can do something natural this time by breast feading ok.