VBAC Stories (good or bad)
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Support
Forum Name: C-Section Support
Forum Description: Had a caesarian section? Planning an elective caesar? Or a VBAC? Or want to know about recovering from a c-section? Talk to other mums who have had c-section deliveries here.
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17440
Printed Date: 25 November 2024 at 2:51am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: VBAC Stories (good or bad)
Posted By: cuppatea
Subject: VBAC Stories (good or bad)
Date Posted: 21 May 2008 at 3:09pm
|
I am hoping to have a natural birth this time but am also aware that a repeat c/s may occur depending on the circumstances.
Anyway would like to hear all VBAC stories, good or bad, successful or non successful. Also were any of you able to birth at a birthing clinic/home rather than going to the hospital? ------------- 
 
|
Replies:
Posted By: toniellis
Date Posted: 21 May 2008 at 3:44pm
|
My first attempt at a VBAC= not successful. I blame that on having to go to hospital & being put on a time limit though. I was told I had to go to hopital & I had to have constant monitoring and all sorts of things.
Due any day now for a VBA2Cs which I am planning to do at home! I've had to find a supportive midwife to do this as it's not the done thing apparently... But I am hoping it will go much better this time around since I am doing things MY way rather than being dictated to by a doctor/OB...  ------------- Mum to Alex (11), Blaire (10) & Erika (8) and Damien (6) Successful HWB VBA2Cs! Soon to be surrogate |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 21 May 2008 at 6:19pm
|
I haven't but busymum does have a good story for you. I can say thou is when you do see the OB at 28 odd weeks, let them know that you really want a VBAC and hopefully they will be able to help you. If that OB doesn't want to help ask to see another one. Why did you have a section with Spencer?? ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 21 May 2008 at 8:57pm
|
Kels has had 2 VBACs too.
I was support person at a particularly horrific one but I won't share the details coz the whole thing was an exercise in incompetence on the part of the obstetric team looking after her and it should neve have been allowed to happen. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
|
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 21 May 2008 at 10:00pm
|
Hahaha Emma, I read that story when it happened so too late not to share. I'm sure I will hear a million bad stories but that's all good, if you know the worse that can happen then it allows you to be pleasantly surprised when it doesn't happen to you.
Becks the only reason for the c/s with Spencer was because he was a silly boy and tried to come out butt first. -------------
|
Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 21 May 2008 at 10:02pm
|
My ceasar was my last child so can't let you know but if you get a VB like my second - you'd love it - I know weird saying that but although it hurt for around 20 minutes that was it 9more uncomfortable before then) ------------- Ann 
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 21 May 2008 at 10:14pm
|
my attempt at a VBAC was unsuccessful.....due to posterior, head flexed bub who just didn't want to come out either way! failed forceps and vonteuse, then they had trouble getting her out the sunroof too! she's still as stubborn to this day! 
i'm gradually getting over how it all went, but i think the thing that most upsets me is i didn't feel i had long enough to try to push her out. i was also finding everything easy too...contractions were uncomfortable but bearable and pushing was fine.....so feel abit ripped off at an 'easy labour' but not going the distance and having what could've been an easy delivery too 
you just don't know how these things are going to turn out until the time comes ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 21 May 2008 at 10:18pm
|
i birthed at the hospital, but that was what i wanted too. i stayed at home til i was 5cm dilated then went into the hospital so bubs could be monitored. i started pushing 1.5hrs after that ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com">
http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: Glow
Date Posted: 22 May 2008 at 7:51am
|
Unsucessful here. Went overdue again & was pushed straight into theater. WE had decided on an eviction date second time (so an elective) as my first was an overdue, induced, long labour with a mal-pres & mal propotioned large baby & NO way was i doing that again. Turns out the second was mal presented & mal proportioned as well. ------------- Mummy of Two Boys B: 2004 K: 2007 |
Posted By: Katte
Date Posted: 22 May 2008 at 10:32am
|
I am intending on a VBAC as my caesar was due to a placental tear and not anything structural/positioning. Would totally love not to have a second caesar but if neceassary then that's what has got to happen I guess! ------------- 
|
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 22 May 2008 at 11:37am
|
Hey Marisa I have a book here called silent knife, its all about csect prevention and vbac. You are welcome to borrow it
|
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 22 May 2008 at 11:42am
|
That would be great, I will remind you to bring it at the next meet up -------------
|
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 22 May 2008 at 5:54pm
|
Yep I have a non-gloom story for you! But you'll have to wait until tonight hehe
btw technically I (and Kels) had c/s, VBAC, then VB - not called VBAC cause not immediately after c/s. ------------- |
Posted By: Two Blondinis
Date Posted: 22 May 2008 at 8:20pm
|
I would be interested to read the good and bad stories too. When it comes to #2 (when and if) I think I'd like to give a VBAC a go but am staying very open minded, a bit like last time really.
My C/s was because Caitlin was posterior, semi flexed, cord was around her neck twice and had a true not in it so she couldn't have come down any further than she had. I was 9.5cm dialted with a very swollen cervical lip that would not retract over her head even for the vontuese  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
 
|
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 22 May 2008 at 9:52pm
|
Okay here's my story
I went into labour with Hannah naturally but when my waters broke (by itself) I must have had a contraction at the same time that made the placenta tear away from wall. As a result I started haemorraging (lost about 800ml or thereabouts), Hannah started showing signs of foetal distress (ie heart rate well below 100). So I had to have an emergency c/s to get her out and keep us both alive. With Briona I decided that I wanted to try for VBAC. I had heard that if I didn't VBAC her, I'd never get another chance. I just didn't feel ready to decide that all my births would be c/s from that point, especially because we had a big number in mind. At about 28 weeks I was referred to an OB (standard procedure for any birth after c/s) to talk through all the statistics and options. In summary, there are risks to trying VBAC (scar tearing etc) but an OB generally prefers a VBAC over a 2nd c/s, depending on the reason for the first c/s. In my case a VBAC was very favourable. The other thing that a c/s history does is ensure you will not have to worry too much about any form of induction for all subsequent births, not just the VBAC. You'll get all those statistics from the OB too. At about 32 weeks I started freaking out, saying I wasn't ready to have baby #2 etc, totally upset about the whole thing. VB was ok (but still scary as I hadn't progressed far with Hannah) and c/s was ok, but an emergency c/s was totally terrifying for me. I just wanted to be prepared. Anyway, I got to know someone who had had a VBAC before and I found talking with her quite reassuring. At 38 weeks I was finally ready. I went into labour naturally with Briona at 40 weeks. However, Briona was posterior so the contractions were sporadic and did not establish for more than 30 hours. I was monitored a lot on the CTG and particularly her heart rate, but that wasn't so bad because I was only tied to the machine for up to 30mins at a time. I was given artificial rupture of waters which worked amazingly. I had an epidural (because it was soooo good for the c/s!) and needed an episiotomy. She was born about 3 hours after the ARM. This meant that the epidural was still quite strong (had been in two hours before birth) and I had no pushing sensation whatsoever. I actually don't recommend it. It's good for c/s when you don't have to feel/do anything, but it's more in the way than anything with a VB. Also, you need constant CTG monitoring from epidural onwards. I've never wanted a home birth, but I wouldn't have been allowed one for #2. I would be allowed one next time (and probably with #3) if I wanted. Speaking of cords, I seem to make long ones: Hannah had hers once around her neck; Briona twice; Kryssi three times but all loosely.
Kryssi was a VB and I needed ARM again but that was likely because with the cord around so many time she likely couldn't get her head to pop the waters herself (same with Briona). ------------- |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 22 May 2008 at 9:52pm
|
Oh sry, I don't seem to do short stories Ask away if I missed anything though! ------------- |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 25 May 2008 at 3:57pm
|
Thanks Teresa -------------
|
Posted By: 2bmumof3
Date Posted: 27 May 2008 at 9:11am
|
I have 2 failed VBAC attempts. My first child was elective c-section due to being breech. The 2nd I tried labouring but I had a terrible midwife who I really feel didn't give me a good shot. She went to wellington whilst I was in labour leaving me to go into hospital and get started (I was induced due to waters breaking and no contractions starting) then she came along later. I didn't have enough knowledge about the labouring body so lay down the whole time (partially due to being hooked up to monitors and drips) whereas I should have been encouraged to get up and let gravity help things along. She also told me I was fighting the contractions, and rather than helping/teaching me to deal with them properly she simply told me that I need to have pethedine to relax me (I was anti drugs) which I accepted as I wasn't ready to give up on my VBAC goal. After about 6 hours on the drip I was 5cms and they called it there (got too close to knock off for them). It was called too early, after 5cms things progress quicker normally as well as it takes a bit longer for the body to get going sometimes with the drip as it's artificial. I felt really ripped off after this and quite bitter. Just a few days ago I got a 2nd attempt. I had a great mw, I stayed at home and upright as long as I could (which was for about 24 hours, but the contractions weren't settling ranging from 8-12mins) I was 7cms when we went to hospital. I had found it all quite bearable, but I started to get an extra pain when the contractions came, it was quite sharp but went when the contractions went (hence why we went to hospital). At hospital I was hooked up to monitors and still stayed upright, was getting quite tired but still ok. After a couple of hours there was no more progress so it was decided that we would break my waters which set me back to 4cms, that was soo disheartening. I jumped in the shower which helped with the pain as the contractions were now 3-6 mins apart and quite painful. There had been meconiumn in the waters but monitor showed no sign of distress. Another couple of hours later and still at 4cms we gave up, I'd got too tired and disheartened and wasn't coping so well with the contractions. As well as lack of progress means a higher chance or scar rupturing. An hour and a half later we had our baby girl, I was soo relieved it was all over and felt really grateful to my mw for her support throughout my VBA2C attempt. Now nearly a week later I'm really struggling with the dissapointment I feel with myself. I keep questioning what I could have done differently, if I'd just pulled myeself together for a little bit longer would of it happened? I feel inadequate and like I"ve let alot of people who supported me down.
It has only been a week so I've still got hormones all over the place which probably isn't helping but at the moment I almost wish I didn't even try as then I wouldn't feel like a failure. Hate to sound so negative, you're probably better talking to toniellis who just a had a wonderful home waterbirth VBA2C and is soo deservingly proud of herself. BTW: When they did the c-section they found that there was a point on my scar that was particuarly thinner than the rest, this did happen to be where I felt that extra sharp pain during contractions, we'll never know if a rupture was imminent but I'm glad I didn't find out that it was. ------------- Sara Corban (22/11/04) Connor (18/04/06) Chelsea (21/05/08) 
|
Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 27 May 2008 at 1:12pm
 Sara - that must have be very disappointing for you.
Definitely better not to find out if you were going to rupture - sounds like you made a wise decision although obviously a hard one. Your baby is beautiful - Looks like you did the most important thing well
-------------  
 
|
Posted By: Freesia
Date Posted: 27 May 2008 at 2:00pm
Ditto! I know how disappointed I was after 1 c-sect, 3 must be really tough. You sound like you gave it your best shot so try and keep that in mind. I think it's natural to think of all the 'what ifs' and could it have gone any differently? Chelsea is absolutely beautiful, you should be really proud of yourself. -------------  
|
Bobbie wrote:Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 27 May 2008 at 8:03pm
awww hun! i know how you feel as you've exactly described me! i still to this day feel very disappointed in how charli was born and i will never get the chance of a VBAC again which upsets me even more. it does get better as time goes on though, but the hurt and feeling of failure will always be there. chelsea is beautiful and healthy and you are in one piece, that's all that counts at the end of the day ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com">
http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 27 May 2008 at 8:22pm
|
Thanks for sharing your story and to me it doesn't sound like you let anyone down. You and Chelsea are both healthy and that is the most important outcome in any birth. -------------
|
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 27 May 2008 at 9:34pm
| Cuppatea - a lady in my AN class had a VBAC, she said she had trouble finding a m/w but then found one that was really supportive, she wasn't allowed to be induced so went 14 days over but managed the VBAC and said it was a lovely experience. No complications, all went well. She was monitored throughout just to make sure etc but she said it was a really good experience trying to do it naturally. |
Posted By: 2bmumof3
Date Posted: 28 May 2008 at 3:25pm
|
Jack & charli, it was more like a really sharp pain that stood out over the rest during contractions. I just keep telling myself that the most important thing is that me and bubs are healthy...still sucks though.
Good luck with whatever you decide cuppatea ------------- Sara Corban (22/11/04) Connor (18/04/06) Chelsea (21/05/08)
|
Posted By: toniellis
Date Posted: 28 May 2008 at 8:19pm
|
Aw Sara, don't feel sad! You made the attempt & that is something to be proud of!
I'm so glad I managed my vba2cs but it all happened so fast there wasn't really any choice about doing it LOL ------------- Mum to Alex (11), Blaire (10) & Erika (8) and Damien (6) Successful HWB VBA2Cs! Soon to be surrogate |
Posted By: 2bmumof3
Date Posted: 17 June 2008 at 1:42pm
|
Right, now that it's been a couple of weeks, hormones have calmed a bit and I feel a bit guilty about me downer of an entry in here. I'm glad to have fought for my right to VBAC, thankful for all the support I had from soo many different people and sources, and most of all glad to have tried a VBA2C. I would have always wondered otherwise. There isn't enough readily available info regarding VBAC's and there is also no NZ standard of practice for this. In my fight against Masterton Hospital for teh right to VBA2C I researched alot, put toghther a letter with the most relevant facts from the most reliable source I could find. My midwife went through it and I sent it to the local obstetrician.
So if anyone ever wants any of this info please don't hesitate in asking for it, I can e-mail it through no worries. ------------- Sara Corban (22/11/04) Connor (18/04/06) Chelsea (21/05/08)
|
Posted By: Two Blondinis
Date Posted: 27 July 2008 at 9:02pm
|
I've just started to do a bit of VBAC research to keep my options open. I'm still not 100% sure what I want to do next time so am reading up before the preggy hormones kick in LOL
I'm reading "Silent Knife" at the moment and feel very lucky that I had a fairly good experience after my C-Section, not like many of the women in the book, very sad 
Sara - I would love to see that letter. I'll pm you my email addy ------------- http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: LeahandJoel
Date Posted: 22 August 2008 at 10:43am
|
Hi all, Well I got my VBAC My waters broke at 1am and I rang my MW at 1.40am just to let her know. She rang me back and said she wanted me up at the hospital for monitoring by 3am, (had an overnight stay due to high BP, pain along CS scar and early contractions the week before). By 5am I was 5cm dialated and by 8am fully dialated and fully effaced. Only problem was no baby, he was sitting too high, so had to sit in an awkward postion for an hr to see if he would start to come down - which he didn't! The Ob came into it then and started to get me to push to see if he would come down........1.5hrs of pushing later there was only the smallest bit of his head showing when I pushed. Had an epidural which for a while only one side had no feeling so was still feeling every contraction till that got sorted. His heart rate was starting to get a bit slow so my choice was a forceps delivery or a CS. (was told it would be another couple of hrs of pushing if he lasted that long) Joel was born at 11.04am, weighing 7lbs 8 oz and 54cm long (10 days early) Came home the next day, hes feeding great, pretty settled and happy. Am very pleased that my MW was supportive and I was able to have this sort of birth, (despite the stitches!) and I feel so much more in control of everything compared to last time. -------------  
 
|
, it ended up being a forceps delivery but it still counts!!Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 22 August 2008 at 11:04am
|
Congrats Lisa -------------
|
Posted By: 2bmumof3
Date Posted: 22 August 2008 at 3:35pm
|
Awesome LiasD, congrats on your successful birth ------------- Sara Corban (22/11/04) Connor (18/04/06) Chelsea (21/05/08)
|
Posted By: MalibuBarbie
Date Posted: 01 September 2008 at 9:48am
|
Hi all. I have had two caesareans. The first birth experience I had was an extremely traumatic one and the second was a failed vbac attempt. I went a week and a half over due with number 2 and I had had contractions on and off for about five days prior to actually going into labour. By the time I went into labour I was absolutely exhausted from a lack of sleep due to the on and off contractions. Not a good start. As I had been having contractions on and off for a long time and because of my previous caesarean my mw wanted me at the hosp early on so off I went after about 8 hours of being in early labour. I was roughly about 5cm dilated when I got to the hospital. Things then slowed right down due to my son being in a posterior position with his head deflexed and to the side. He was sort of presenting with his brow. Not good. My midwife did AROM but as I had gone overdue my waters had dried up. This made the contractions much stronger though and I found the pain almost unbearable. Due to tiredmess I feel lol. I think If I hadn't been so tired I would have coped with the pain etc a lot better. My mw suggested epidural as things were not looking good. I had the epidural and I mananged to get to 7cm and then struck trouble. My cervix became very swollen on one side and the chance of having my son naturally was impossible. He had not engaged at all before labour and was still sitting very high and due to my swollen cervix I was told that my option was a repeat cs. I was absolutely terrified but I went through with the cs and out came my healthy baby boy! I really struggle with the fact that I cannot have children naturally as I always have wanted about 7 children and cannot stand being stuck in hospital etc etc and the long recovery period after a cs. Plus I hate surgery. I feel so inadequate that I cannot give birth naturally. I also feel like a failure to some degree. This has affected most aspects of my everyday life. I know I should get over it but my feelings have takes n such a hold over me. For those of you ladies out there who did dot get the birth experience that they wanted and have ill feelings about their experience/ experiences deal with them straight away before you end up like me. I know things could have been a lot worse and I know I should be greatful for my healthy boys etc but having a natural birth has taken top priority which I know is so wrong. I have let my feelings get the better of me and I don't know how to feel any different. So please deal with your feelings before they get the better of you and good luck to you all for future births! |
Posted By: MalibuBarbie
Date Posted: 01 September 2008 at 4:24pm
| Good luck cuppatea! |