VBAC experiences please....

I had an emergency c section in aug 2007 with DS due to failure to progress & fetal distress. I am attempting Vbac this time around. I'll let you know in 2 or 3 weeks how it goes

I had a vbac 15 months ago after having a c/s for a breach baby nearly 3 years ago. I was monitor when I first got to the hospital for about 40mins, would have only been 20 but I was dehydrated which was making his heart race so had to wait for that to stop. Then I was allowed to do whatever, walked around, went in the shower and so forth. I wasn't monitored again until I had an epi which was 4 hours after I arrived at hospital and 9 hours after my labour had started.
The delivery ended up being a vontouse one, but they let me push for just over 2 hours before doing that and the main reason for doing it was that he was in an awkward position that was causing unbearable pain between contractions so not to do with previous c/s.
My labour was 14 hours all up.

I had a failed VBAC four months ago.   My first was an elective section for breech presentation so my midwife and I thought that a normal delivery would be totally achievable.   I was constantly monitored, which meant I couldn't get comfortable at all and I had my backup midwife who was a pain in the ass.   She wasn't supportive, helpful or understanding at all and didn't listen to a thing I said.   I am not sure whether it would have been a different outcome had my original midwife been there, but it could have been. I don't think I needed to be monitored for so long, as he was completely fine throughout my labour, so getting into a different position and feeling more comfortable could have really helped me. I remember kneeling on the hospital floor and just grinding my knees into the cold, hard floor and actually getting some relief from the pain.   I was badgered and badgered to get up because I might be hurting my knees.   Like I cared about my knees at that point.   Anyway, I have been told that I cannot labour again because of failure to progress past 6CM, but I don't believe that.   I totally agree with toniellis, you shouldn't have to do anything you don't feel comfortable with, it's your body, your baby and your decision!

I had an emerg-c/section with #3 and then had a vbac with #4. I was monitored the whole time, firstly with the one that goes over your belly and then they eventually put one of those fetal scalp things on babys head, which didnt hurt just felt uncomfortable. The only time they "unhooked" me from it was when i needed to go to the toilet.

I could move around the bed a little bit, i sat on a chair beside the bed and then eventually kneeled at the head of the hospital bed (the bedhead was put up) and i gave birth this way, took rnd 10mins to push him out and he was 8p 7oz and i did it drugfree, total labour from when they put the fetal monitor on at 9am to 12.50noon when he was born, so nearly 4 hrs. Before they put it on, my contractions were really irregular and not that painful

Anyway, good luck, hope it goes well


                 

JoJames wrote: I had a Successful VBAC 4 weeks ago and it was fantastic!!! I was monitored the whole time with the belly thing then the fetal scalp, but that was due to baby distress and lack of movement rather than anything else. My MW fully supported me in having as minimal monitoring as possible, baby just wasn't playing the game. I was allowed to get off the bed and move around a bit which was good, and I was also allwed to hang over the back of the bed. But we had a really good birth, no pain relief, with an episiotomy, 2 hours of active labour, 45mins of it pushing, and I was elated afterwards. ( if baby hadn't ended up in NICU would have been really great, but oh well) I think its standard practice to monitor for the first 30 mins or so, but if the baby is fine, then they should be fine with intermittent monitoring, just be clear with your MW that's what you would like. GL

Good to hear a story of a successful VBAC! Hopefully I will be posting another in a week or two (fingers crossed)

I think she meant 'another' as in theres a few in this thread.

If I go early - and I have a feeling that I might - i'll be going for this as well. Not if i have to be monitored all the time tho.. I had that for 18 hours last time and wasnt allowed to get up and move around. cbf if its going to be the same this time!

Odettenz wrote: jaylea4 wrote: Odettenz wrote: JoJames wrote: I had a Successful VBAC 4 weeks ago and it was fantastic!!! I was monitored the whole time with the belly thing then the fetal scalp, but that was due to baby distress and lack of movement rather than anything else. My MW fully supported me in having as minimal monitoring as possible, baby just wasn't playing the game. I was allowed to get off the bed and move around a bit which was good, and I was also allwed to hang over the back of the bed. But we had a really good birth, no pain relief, with an episiotomy, 2 hours of active labour, 45mins of it pushing, and I was elated afterwards. ( if baby hadn't ended up in NICU would have been really great, but oh well) I think its standard practice to monitor for the first 30 mins or so, but if the baby is fine, then they should be fine with intermittent monitoring, just be clear with your MW that's what you would like. GL Good to hear a story of a successful VBAC! Hopefully I will be posting another in a week or two (fingers crossed) AND MINE WASNT?! Huh? Of course yours was! I just didn't know how to quote two people in my reply! And yes, Missangel is right-I just meant it's comforting going into my own attempt at VBAC to hear other people (you included) who actually managed to get their VBAC. I didn't mean to offend anyone....In fact I'm not sure why my post did offend you. Anyway, if it did that really wasn't my intention. You did very well!

hahaha

Congratulations!! Im so happy everything went well for you:)

Edited by Laurz_20

Hi there, Im heading for a VBAC, am 36 weeks pregnant now with #2 , #1 was born dec 08 via emerg c section due to obstruction after 36 hours of natural labour got to 8cm then went backwards to 5cm so off to hospital,  then 13 hours of syntocin and only got to 8cm again before the docs made the call. This time i really really want a natural birth and have a great story like odettenz!! Had appt with doc at CHCH womens hosp on monday and they said because i got to 8cm last time i only have a 40-50% chance of birthing vaginally.  Anyone else been told this? I was so positive until being told this! I thought it was GOOD i got to 8cm on my own, but according to her not? .. im only 150cm tall and that seems to scare obstetricians, esp with last bub being 8.8lb...  Any other similar stories ??  

I only got to 5cm then my cervix started to swell and I went backwards.... Ive obvioulsy not had my OB appt yet but my mw doesnt seem to think this will lower my chances, however, I was induced at 38 weeks for what I was told was PE (though as it turns out it wasnt that at all so the OB meeting should be interesting!).