Prepared for VBAC and accepting C/S???

[HollyC]

I mentioned something about this in another thread, but I didn't want to hijack the thread.

So I'm a bit worried about how I can prepare for a VBAC and still be ok if I end up with a c/s. It feels like the more I prepare for a vbac the more disappointed I will be if I don't get one.

I know that a c/s is a definite possibility and I understand the reasons for that. The two main ones will be if this bub is in a difficult position or if I don't go into labour. I will be induced by arom if my cervix allows. But if not, my doctor recommends we go straight to c/s.

I think I would feel even worse if I didn't have any labour. I think I could cope if labour didn't go well and I ended up with another emergency c/s, but I really don't like the thought of just going straight to a c/s.

The things I plan to do to prepare for a vbac are more yoga, walking, raspberry leaf tablets, sex, aromotherapy and reading. Now none of these things will do me any harm and most will be beneficial, regardless of how this bub is born. The problem is more in my head. How can I do these things while balancing my expectations?

Anyone had similar issues? How did you cope? Any advice?

[Arimeh]

Hey holly - I replied in the other thread, so I don't know if you want to hear from me again?

I did everything to prepare myself for a VBAC this time round, but it was more like I was preparing for a VBAC just in case I didn't get a c-section - not the other way round ya know?

So I accepted it might very well end in a c-section, nothing i could do to control it, but I still read my birth books, inserted my EPO, took my homeopathic stuff, did my "shaking my booty" just IN CASE I went into labour

And whaddya know - I went into labour

[HollyC]

Lovely to hear from you again!

I guess that is a good way to think about it. Expect the worst, but prepare for the best.

[Arimeh]

Expect the worst, but prepare for the best.

Spot on love. Mind you - I only did that BECAUSE I was so devastated by not getting my VBAC the first time round, and I just couldn't put myself through that again. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

[Laranna]

With DS, I knew I was going to have a c/s because of placenta praevia but I still carried on as if I was going to go into labour. My biggest issue with the c/s was fearing that he wasn't ready to be born so I really wanted to go into labour first. I still did the antenatal physio classes and took RLT. I went into labour with SROM at 36+6 so my elective c/s became an "emergency" c/s. I had most of my pregnancy to get used to the idea so I think that helped as well.

With DD, I did get my VBAC, but I prepared myself much the same as Arimeh. I did all the usual stuff physio, perineum massage, Epi-No, RLT, EPO, etc for a vaginal birth, but I prepared myself for a just in case by thinking about what I'd want in the c/s and had this clearly specified in my birth plan. Discussed it with my Ob once or twice and left it at that then focussed on everything I could do to achieve a VBAC.