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I'm always wondering if I can try again, but the problem is getting past my brain (LOL). How did you get past the thoughts that body failed you twice in the past, even if it may not have been the case. How did you learn to trust your body enough to try?
:bump:
Anyone?
Sorry Sarah, my Dr's wouldnt let me try VBAC2 especially since I was already under high risk pgcy. They wouldnt even let me go into labour they kept telling me it was too dangerous for me. SO I had to have my little V by C/S again. She was the only one that I didnt get to experience labour pains, actually felt abit cheated, but the most important thing was that I had my V safe and sound in my arms. For me as well my labours were always long and they just seemed to get worse after each baby, so in a way I was also glad that they didnt let me try IYKWIM, I had come that far that I didnt want to risk her life, I would never have forgiven myself if I did and something happened. As it turns out, the Surgeon had leaned over the curtain to me to say how difficult it was to stitch me back up as they couldnt stop some bleeding as there was too much scarring. He had to put a leak bag to help with the bleeding and took it out around 3-4days later. He also advised that I not have anymore children. :cry:
Sorry if it wasnt what you wanted to hear hunni. :hug:
Sarah - unlike you, I don't have any reason not to believe my body can do it, because I never went into labour in the first place. So my head space is getting into the vibe to actually get into bloody labour!
Maybe it would help if you looked at it like your other bubs were destined to be born via c-section - whereas your third might be destined to be born by VB.
You never know what the future holds - and the way that our children wish to be born.
Good luck babe.
I am going for vb after 2 CS and while of course I have encountered massive opposition from the obs when it comes down to it, I don't see them as letting me try, I see it as me trying and not letting them cut me open unnecessarily. I have a lovely midwife in caseload, and trust her, so if she tells me to call it in and go for a CS I will, in some cases there are underlying complications and the advice against it is sound, just none of it applies to me! So, what will be will be, each pregnancy and labour deserves to be treated on its own merits, wish me luck, and i wish you luck whichever way you go!!
Kate
Sarah, I can't really help as I only had one c/s before VBAC but it's a mental battle at any time really. Did you do a hypnobirthing course before?? If not, I highly recommend that as it deals with fears and how to help you release those fears to free your mind to focus on the birthing of bub. I found it invaluable and just did a refresher last week. I still had to then deal with mental issues of was it a fluke etc.
Ask any questions if I can help I will... pm me if you do ask cos I forget where I post sometimes...lol.
BTW... I ADORE your ticker pic!
I have been thinking about this ever since my second emergency cs almost a year ago. At first I thought I would just book a cs next time but the closer I get to TTC (in about two months) the more my mind in made up that I will try a vba2c. I have always wanted a very natural birth with no intervention what so ever but both of my births I have had an epidural and I feel that maybe with the right support I next time I may be strong enough to bypass the epi. I went private with the same ob both times but next time I plan on going to King Edward, a public hospital and I am going to hire a doula and maybe even an independant midwife and try hypnobirthing. In other words I am going to do everything different. I believe I can do it and I will give it a good try. I know you wanted to hear from people who have already had a vba2c but thought I would add my bit anyway.
Hi!
You CAN have a VBA2C! I had one less than 50hrs ago! Yep thats right two days a go! I'd encourge you to read lots of birth stories. Read lots of research and know the statistics. Know how rare it is for uterine rupture compared to other risks. ANd most of all surround yourself by people who believe in you and your body. There was times when I was in labor (and pushing) that I was doubting myself! Its not uncommon to doubt yourself you just need the info in your head so you can remind yourself that you can. It is also completly normal to sway from feeling like you can to doubting yourself.I hired a private midwife and she was amazing! Just knowing that she was there and had complete faith in me and my body and wasn't going to over react to anything.... It was such a comfort and I believe it was her my awesome OB and hubby that got me thru. You can do it. If you have any questions or I havn't made sence just ask as I am still quite emotional about the whole wonderful experience.
Jules
Sarah,
I remember reading somewhere in Silent Knife about how sometimes women need to have a couple of goes at VBAC... can't remember the exact words.... I am happy to lend you my copy (as long as an upcoming client desn't want it)
julie_ann_jules - Could i ask where you birthed your baby? I am looking at having a VBAC when my sticky baby is concieved and I am in your area. It seems you got alot of support. I birthed my DD at Monash, my Ob was really supportive with me going for a VBAC with #2 but I am undecided as to where I plan to birth my next baby.
(Sorry Sarah - didn't mean to take over your thread :D)
Read it before Juliette Tan ;) Thanks for the offer though.
Hi Daintreedream (sorry I can't work out how to PM)
I had bubs at Warragul hospital. It sounds like a long trip but its only 40min (monash can take that in traffic) they have one of the best VBAC rates. The OB I had (is awesome and bulkbills health care card holders and has good fees anyway) has AWESOME VBAC rates. His current is about 3/4 women have a VBAC. i had a VBA2C and I had complications - Gestational Diabetes and no fetal movments which led to me being induced at 38weeks. My ob induced me with a baloon cathedar (something I'd never heard of) they put the chathedar into your cervix. Basically the pressure from the catheder trick your body into thinking its the babys head and you naturally produce your own prostiglandins. This softens and begins to dialate your cervix. Apparently most women have it put in at night and will be 3cm dialated in the morning (enough to rupture membranes) Anyway. I also had a private Midwife (who does homebirths and she will do VBAC homebirths) I wasn't comfortable with a homebirth though. I still believe I would ahve had a VBAC without having her there BUT I had LOTS of emational baggage from my past two c-sections that she helped me work thru. Warragul also have the KYM (know your midwife) program. You meet 4 midwifes thru your pregnancy and they are on call so one of them will be the one to deliver your baby. They also have lots of experience in VBAC and have excellent info. They sat with me and talked thru my fears and past medical history (from the births) etc etc.
Good luck with your VBAC :O)
Though you may have Sarah :)
Thought about homebirth? How far are you from your hossy?
I had one emergency c-section on elective and then my VBA2C. I didn't have any issues with thinking I could not do it though.
My labour was great. I'm doing it all again in August....
Sorry this is a bit short I'm dealing with a bit of gender disapointment (boy #4) so I am not myself at the moment. I'll be back in my usual head space in a few days and will come back and post more then
Nup, it's just not for me Tan. Not sure about hospital yet, no idea which one I'll go to other than not the one I was at for the last two births ;) The before care was fine, but afterwards sucked.:
Hey Sarah, I think your brain might not be as difficult to overcome as you think.
You mentioned your dream in which you saw yourself birth a baby girl - your brain got that far, maybe its a beginning of a process that WILL see you achieve VBAC2?
Wonder if it will be another little girl?
And the mystery BB girl, may actually be BB in its entirety - because you know we will all be there with you (in spirit luckily!).
OOoohhhh I love that Lulu... love it.....
Sarah - you know I'll be holding your hand if you need to all through your next one - just like I'm expecting your hand to be there for me when I need a boost.
*mwah*
Hi Sarah,
I am going to attempt a VBA2C at the end of may:pray:. I was told during my first ante-natal visit (Gold Coast hospital) that I absolutely would not be able to VBA2C but after much research and argueing managed to be allowed to try.:dance::clap::dance:
I am scared stupid that my body will fail me but have looked into ways of helping my body go into labour more naturally and am looking at calmbirthing as an option.
I have seen dozens of stories in my research about successful VBAC's and have total faith that you can have one too.
I don't know how to IM or even to retrieve any message I might have got but if you want to share any info email me on : jdljpotter@iinet.net.au
Have faith in yourself, you are not alone :grouphug:
I'm going to try for VBAC2 at the end of May too. My hospital has referred me to another hospital (Mater) and I am awaiting their response. If the hospital does not take me, I will opt for a homebirth.
You can do it!! :clap:
Hi Sarah, better late than never. I attempted a VB after 2 c-sections in Sptember last year. I ended up having another c-section!!!I thought I was pretty well prepared and in a good headspace, but when it actually came to the time and things started to not go to plan, I got really scared and begged for the c-section. If I could do it differently I would hire a doula, perhaps hypnobirthing classes, calmbirth. It is hard though, the docs are obligated to give you all the info they have and those thoughts are very hard to keep at bay when you are in labour, epecially if it is a bit prolonged...I had decided I would'nt take any unnessecary risks, eg: had to happen in and 8 hour timeframe or thereabouts, had to progress well, being in a smaller hospital were threater had to be set up it was suggested I did'nt go late into the night, because they would be more reluctant to bring staff in. I would choose the biggest hospital available to you, if something starts to go wrong they have more experience in picking up on it, threater will be available..and they will have done more VB after c-sections. I am proud that I tried again, it was good for me emotionally to labour again, I would have felt really robbed if I did'nt. I am eternally grateful that nothing went wrong, I feel happy that Poppy came when she was ready and we have a fantastic bond even though it did'nt turn out excatlly as I had hoped. Oh I did have a c-section birth plan which they put into place and we did have a video camera as well (although in all the excitment etc) DH thought he was recording only to find out a few days later he had'nt:doh: So I would recommended that you go that way JIC and regardless of the outcome you have a good experience.
Good luck, definately go with a doula...private midwife.:D
hello all, i am 35 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child, and have had my first 2 to c-sections. First one was "emergency" c=section 2006, and second one was an elect c-section 2007. I am also trying for a vba2c for mid june, and just wanting some advice as to what i need to do to be more prepared for this experience. I have just had some meetings with Drs at my hospital (logan) who strongly disagree with my decision. So far i have not been told to go to another hospital. I have been advised tho that I will not find a hospital that will support my decision as I am classed as a high risk patient, gestational diabetes, and also a very thin uterus scar/lining. After doing some research and reading other ppl's experiences, I feel confident enough to go ahead with this decision. Obviously if things go wrong, i will opt for an emergency c-section, pray it never gets to that. Your advice and thoughts are most welcome, and although im positive about this choice, i am nervous about the actual pain! Drs have told me that although they are against my decision, they do not want me to labour at home. They would still like for me to go into the hospital to monitor babys heartbeat etc. Without my permission/signature, they cannot operate. Well thats my story so far please feel free to give me any thoughts you have, or advice. also after contacts of a midwife who supports vbacs in the logan area (qld). wow didnt realise i would leave a novel? hehe. looking forward to your responses!!! not long to go now!
Iva_bree; I faced the same problems at the Logan hospital as you (even though I have had one safe vbac already). The midwife at woodridge advised me to write to the Professor of the hospital and state my case. I wrote a 3 page letter. They still said no, and the reason was a lack of specialists/experience in this hospital. I was referred to the Mater hospital, and saw the head dr there. Even though the numbers were full, I was classified as a special case, and they let me in. But I'm not sure how you would go having diabetes and the thin uterine scar. (by the way, HOW do they know your scar is thin? Have they ultrasounded it?). The scar on the skin (outside) is no indication of your uterine scar.
If it is really your desire to have a vbac, they you are right, they can't FORCE you to have a caesarean unless you sign consent. But they may try to bully you into it. If you can't get into the Mater hospital, I would be opting for a home birth. Midwives are very supportive of vbac. (I'm sorry I don't have any contact details, but I am sure some ladies on here could help!).
If you have confidence in your body, and you feel in your gut, this is the right thing for you, then I say GO FOR IT! Fight for your vbac. Because it is YOUR body.
I'm not in your shoes Sarah but am a bit nervous about a potential second labour (we're TTCing) for different reasons.
For me I find it's difficult to trust in MY body (especially as it wasn't so crash hot at labouring last time) so what I might do is really start focusing on the baby instead. I may even find out the gender beforehand, name the baby and invent a personality for them that is very strong and determined and will birth him/herself - just so I have less focus on MY body. I'm not sure I can ever get to a stage where I'm fully confident in my body but reckon I could more easily become more confident in my baby.
A bit out there I know but hey, may work for me.
Sarah,
Theres not much more i can say that these other incredible girls on here havent already said but here goes.
I too am attempting a vba2c in August. Rephrase sorry. I will be having a HBA2C in August.
I have come an incredibly long way and learnt soooooooo much since my second antenatal appointment where I was told the hospital would not do a VBA2C!!
Immediately I got online and started researching.
Read as many positive vbac birth stories as you can, go to seminars if possible, read books. Know the risks of VBA2C versus repeat C-Section. I think you will find in most cases a VBA2C is much safer.
Anyway, I am reading a book, hypnobirthing the mongan method. I start hypnobirthing classes next week, I am excercising regularly (aqua classes are fantastic), I am doing pregnancy yoga. I have also recently made the decision to hire an independant midwife and have a home water birth.
Originally there was no way I would have a home birth as I was too scared that something might happen (as you are, I am also classed as high risk, anyone who has had 2 c-sections will be) also there was the cost involved in having a homebirth. But after hearing many many positive stories, even though some still ended up in hospital, I decided that to have the birth I wanted is priceless.
You need to try and stay positive, although it is hard at times when the hospitals can be so negative, just do your homework and dont worry what they say (to an extent). Know your rights too. The hospital can not force you to do anything you dont want. Have good support from people who want the same as you.
Sorry I could go on forever but I will stop now. This is something I am incredibly passionate about. I try not to bore people too much but once I start its hard to stop.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me my email is megan.nigel@bigpond.com
I wish you all the best.
CathyS: thanks for replying so quickly, ive actually been reading on your journey too and am happy that you managed to get into the mater hospital. I actually tried getting in there, prior to deciding on vba2c, however due to numbers, they werent able to book me in. boohoo!! in regards to the uterus scar/lining, these are what the drs put in my last c-section notes, advising that it was very thin. After looking this up online, im not the only person who has been told this story, and the thing that gets me is that, arent uterus linings supposed to be thin at the end of pregnancy? and how can you compare the uterus lining from one woman to another who hasnt been cut open to compare it to? i dont know, but yeah just didnt sit right with me. have also seen research from drs in sydney who have noted that for a uterus to rupture, you would have to have over 300 c-sections??? hmmmm not that keen on having more than 2 thanks? lol!! but seriously i wouldve loved to go to the mater for my antenatal care and to have baby, but maybe i should try again?? do i have to write them a letter?? man talk about running out of time here? all i know is that i am confident in having this baby.... having gestational diabetes just means im at risk at having big babies, which is pretty normal considering my cultural background, so i know its very possible to have big babies naturally. at the same time, i do feel that this baby is not as big as my other 2. i was also told that logan hospital do not have enough ppl with vbac experience, that is why they do not support it. omg im 36weeks now. not that much time at all. uh oh getting nervous!! but please feel free to give advice, and i noticed on another thread you mentioned something bout drinking rosemary tea?? what does that do??
any other ladies please feel free to leave your thoughts/feedback/comments on your experiences with vbac/vba2c.
sorry if this didnt make any sense, i have so many things to think about and sort out!
I got stuck at 9cm and ended up with my second CS. :( How far between CS and VBAC is recommended? I REALLY want a VBAC next time and want to know how long to wait before TTC again to give me the best chance.
Hi Joey, congrats on the arrival of beautiful Lily.
To answer your question, well it varies. Some experts say 12-18 months between births, some say 9 months, and some say that your uterus is as healed as it's ever going to be by 3 months after a CS. Probably a good idea to call the hospital where you will be birthing your next baby and see what their practices are. Different hospitals have different rules.
Hey Joey :hug::
My OB is fine with there being about 15/16 months between my csection with Miss M and this new one coming. Come up the coast and have your next one :)
Unfortunately not correct. My SIL first was born via emergency c-section. They waited 3 years and were hoping for VBAC for the second. She was overdue and had been laboring on and off for week or two. At the hospital, had pains across her first scar and they had to do c-section, and found that her first scar was rupturing and had already split at couple levels.:
It's not common, but it can happen.
Iva_Bree: How did things go? Were you able to go naturally or did you have a c-section? I'm sorry I couldn't reply sooner. For some reason I didn't get notified of this thread until now. :( I had my baby girl 3 weeks ago by vba2c..and everything went well! :)
That is awesome to hear Cathy, glad it all went well. Have you written up a birth story? would love to hear it.:
Hopefully I will be posting my beautiful vba2c story in the next few weeks.