Questions for VBAC ladies
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=19612
Printed Date: 22 November 2024 at 5:45am
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Topic: Questions for VBAC ladies
Posted By: Two Blondinis
Subject: Questions for VBAC ladies
Date Posted: 29 July 2008 at 8:54pm
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The more I read about VBACs the more questions I have (most of which are sitting on a notepad at work! grr!) so these are the ones I remember in no particular order I'm afraid.
1. When do you go to hospital? This time my MW said that once I couldn't talk through the contractions I should go in (got to 9.5cms in 6 hours at home) or should you go in earlier? 2. Are you continuously monitored? I can't remember the correct name, but the strap they put around your belly to keep an eye on baby's heart rate and the contractions. 3. Are you allowed to move around and try different birthing positions or do you have to stay on the bed on your back? 4. Are you allowed a water birth? I know you can do what you want at home, but I definitely want to birth at the hospital 5. Do you have to have the IV line put in as a precautionary measure? 6. Did you get your scar checked after the birth? What is involved with this? 7. What did you do different that you think helped you have a successful VBAC? 8. Can you go to Birthcare after a VBAC? 9. Are you able to have a smaller dose of an epidural or is it all or nothing? When I had this done last time (before the decision was made to have the C/S) I couldn't feel any of the contractions at all and have read that you still need to feel something to help you know your progress and to know when to push. 10. Did anyone use the pink kit as VBAC prep? That's all I can think of at the moment, so p'd off at myself for leaving all of my good questions at work  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
 
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Replies:
Posted By: Kels
Date Posted: 29 July 2008 at 10:09pm
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1. When do you go to hospital? This time my MW said that once I couldn't talk through the contractions I should go in (got to 9.5cms in 6 hours at home) or should you go in earlier? MW said when I was 5mins apart to head to the hosp. Silly me left it till 2mins apart and I nearly had her on Petone warf ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Busy mum to Miss 15yrs, Miss 10yrs and Master 4yrs |
Posted By: 2bmumof3
Date Posted: 30 July 2008 at 7:47am
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1. When do you go to hospital? This time my MW said that once I couldn't talk through the contractions I should go in (got to 9.5cms in 6 hours at home) or should you go in earlier?
You can get very different opinions on any of these matters. OB told me as soon as I had any sign of labour may be coming be that a show, contraction waters breaking etc. However I said to my MW that's not going to happen and I went in when I was 7cm (the longer you can stay out the better IMO) 2. Are you continuously monitored? I can't remember the correct name, but the strap they put around your belly to keep an eye on baby's heart rate and the contractions. Recommended continuous monitoring by OB and MW once in hospital. I had it taken off to jump under shower though. (It sucks) 3. Are you allowed to move around and try different birthing positions or do you have to stay on the bed on your back? My first attempt I was left bedridden whereas 2nd time round my MW was alot more accomidating and encouraged me to get up and move and followed me round as best she could with monitor trailing. 4. Are you allowed a water birth? I know you can do what you want at home, but I definitely want to birth at the hospital I wasn't allowed a water birth as monitor wasn't water proof (not that I got that far) and due to the OB saying I had to be omnitored all the time my MW wasn't allowed to override that (we did fudge a few things though) 5. Do you have to have the IV line put in as a precautionary measure? Remembering that you can say no to anything.....but yes they do prefer it and yes I did allow it. It wasn't hooked up to anything though. 6. Did you get your scar checked after the birth? What is involved with this? Ended in another c-section 7. What did you do different that you think helped you have a successful VBAC? From my failure (I did give it a good shot) but I'd recommened having a really really encouraging and good support person. I wish I'd taken in my SIL as well as DH as DH was pretty hopeless 8. Can you go to Birthcare after a VBAC? 9. Are you able to have a smaller dose of an epidural or is it all or nothing? When I had this done last time (before the decision was made to have the C/S) I couldn't feel any of the contractions at all and have read that you still need to feel something to help you know your progress and to know when to push. Recommend not having epi as it will mask problems i.e scar rupture. I felt a sharp pain whilst having contractions (other than the norm) which happened to be where my scar was weaking in that area. 10. Did anyone use the pink kit as VBAC prep? Yip I took a look at this and found it quite encouraging. The best thing for me was I have a friend whos done the antenatel course training and lent me her study book. IT explained really well how the body works and why it does what it does and was just so inspiring. That's all I can think of at the moment, so p'd off at myself for leaving all of my good questions at work ------------- Sara Corban (22/11/04) Connor (18/04/06) Chelsea (21/05/08) 
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Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 30 July 2008 at 8:58am
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1. When do you go to hospital?
i went when i was 5cms dilated and contractions were about 5mins apart lasting 30secs.....you'll be asked to go in a little earlier than last time so they can monitor you 2. Are you continuously monitored? i was and it wasn't so bad...but then i hadn't laboured before so had nothing to compare it to 3. Are you allowed to move around and try different birthing positions or do you have to stay on the bed on your back? i spent most of the time leaning over the side of the bed while standing and crouched down while pushing....then that wasn't working so i jumped on the bed to push, which i actually found alot easier 4. Are you allowed a water birth? it was in my plan to have a water birth, but couldn't do that unfortunately 5. Do you have to have the IV line put in as a precautionary measure? yes....but if you kicked up a stink enough, you may get away with it 6. Did you get your scar checked after the birth? What is involved with this? yes but i didn't get my VBAC 7. What did you do different that you think helped you have a successful VBAC? not really relevant to me, but i think if i had done some more research into VBAC i might've had a different outcome ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: LeahandJoel
Date Posted: 30 July 2008 at 12:35pm
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1. When do you go to hospital? This time my MW said that once I couldn't talk through the contractions I should go in (got to 9.5cms in 6 hours at home) or should you go in earlier? MW has said at 5 min contractions and OB has said from the onset of labour, so will see whats happenning at the time but will more than likely go with the MW, shes the one I know and trust! -------------  
 
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 30 July 2008 at 8:51pm
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1. When do you go to hospital? This time my MW said that once I couldn't talk through the contractions I should go in (got to 9.5cms in 6 hours at home) or should you go in earlier?
My mw asked for regular monitoring so I got in touch with her as soon as I had deep breathing contractions. Turns out that was too early but that's okay, she put me on the CTG for 1/2 hour and sent me back home - a couple of times (I was nervous!) 
2. Are you continuously monitored? I can't remember the correct name, but the strap they put around your belly to keep an eye on baby's heart rate and the contractions. Yea the CTG, no I wasn't constantly monitored with that until I got an epidural, it's usual procedure after an epidural to have CTG constantly. 3. Are you allowed to move around and try different birthing positions or do you have to stay on the bed on your back? Yep I could move around but for the CTG I had to be on my back. It's worth asking about this because for my subsequent baby, I was able to have the CTG around me while I stood and leaned against the bed. So that might be an option for VBAC also. 4. Are you allowed a water birth? I know you can do what you want at home, but I definitely want to birth at the hospital No I don't think I was, but I didn't want one anyway because I didn't find the water relaxing when I tried it for #1 (before the c/s). 5. Do you have to have the IV line put in as a precautionary measure? Yes I did but they taped it all over and it wasn't a problem then. 6. Did you get your scar checked after the birth? What is involved with this? My c/s scar after the VBAC birth? Not really, they might have looked at it but I don't remember. 7. What did you do different that you think helped you have a successful VBAC? I wouldn't have had the epidural. It's great for c/s when you don't have to do anything, but for my VBAC it meant I didn't feel pushing sensation and found the birth rather difficult. Definitely have some pain relief though!!! 
8. Can you go to Birthcare after a VBAC? Don't know. 9. Are you able to have a smaller dose of an epidural or is it all or nothing? When I had this done last time (before the decision was made to have the C/S) I couldn't feel any of the contractions at all and have read that you still need to feel something to help you know your progress and to know when to push. They like to time it right so that it wears off somewhat before pushing. In my case, my second stage was too quick and it didn't wear off in time. I used the CTG machine to see when to push. You can have a smaller dose of it, you just have one ingredient and it's fentynal. It's relatively new (or was when I had Kryssi in Jan 07) but I thought it was great. You can have gas as well - until pushing stage (I thought mw was kidding me when I got to pushing and she told me to put the gas away!!!!) 10. Did anyone use the pink kit as VBAC prep? Nah, looked into it but it sounded kinda silly to me. -------------  |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 30 July 2008 at 9:55pm
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In christchurch they transfer you to one of the birth clinics within 24 hours of having a c/s so I see no reason why you couldn't transfer after a VBAC.
I will ask about the water birth at my next midwife appointment as I am quite keen on that idea. I asked if I could birth at the birthing clinic instead of the hospital and got a big fat no  Apparently all the stuff that happened with Spencer means i'm higher risk will probably mean I can't be in the water either but doesn't hurt to ask.
I hated that fricken CTG machine, it was bad enough being hooked up to it twice a day for monitoring without contractions but the times I was having contractions and wearing it was absolute agony being stuck on my back. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: toniellis
Date Posted: 01 August 2008 at 3:05am
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1. When do you go to hospital? This time my MW said that once I couldn't talk through the contractions I should go in (got to 9.5cms in 6 hours at home) or should you go in earlier? Depends on your midwife/OB as to what they prefer, I was told to come in straight away with my first attempt (which failed) & second attempt my Ob told me to stay at home until I was in established labour (which I ignored coz I didn't go to hospital at all)
2. Are you continuously monitored? I can't remember the correct name, but the strap they put around your belly to keep an eye on baby's heart rate and the contractions. For my failed attempt in hospital YES I was constantly monitored, for my successful attempt NO, my midwife just zoomed in every so often with her digital doppler thing & I hardly even noticed her 3. Are you allowed to move around and try different birthing positions or do you have to stay on the bed on your back? I wasn't allowed to move around for my unsuccessful attempt because I had to stay on the bed for monitoring
4. Are you allowed a water birth? I know you can do what you want at home, but I definitely want to birth at the hospital Sadly not usually, I did but I was at home 5. Do you have to have the IV line put in as a precautionary measure? You don't HAVE to, but they do strongly advise it 6. Did you get your scar checked after the birth? What is involved with this? No, not unless you ask for it & I would highly suggest you don't! It involves putting a hand inside you & exploring the inside of the uterus manually! 
7. What did you do different that you think helped you have a successful VBAC? For me it was my collection of herbal & homeopathy stuff (I used 5W, raspberry leaf tablets, EPO & Pre-Birth spray), my hypnobirthing book, my pink kit & the RIGHT support... which happened to be my mum as Hubby isn't good at that kind of stuff. 8. Can you go to Birthcare after a VBAC? Yes, if you manage the VBAC then you can most definitely transfer 9. Are you able to have a smaller dose of an epidural or is it all or nothing? When I had this done last time (before the decision was made to have the C/S) I couldn't feel any of the contractions at all and have read that you still need to feel something to help you know your progress and to know when to push. I dunno about that one 10. Did anyone use the pink kit as VBAC prep? Yip, it had it's uses although my labour was over so quick I cant remember if it actually helped or not LOL ------------- Mum to Alex (11), Blaire (10) & Erika (8) and Damien (6) Successful HWB VBA2Cs! Soon to be surrogate |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 22 August 2008 at 11:15am
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I asked my midwife about water birth and was told no. For two reasons firstly she doesn't actually do water births and secondly it can make it hard for the docs to tell if anything is going wrong with regards to scar rupturing etc. She did however say that I can labour in the water, its just can't push in there. So i'm quite happy with that, she said it would be necessary for me to be getting out for monitoring and that the doc would probably get the hump about it but that will be there tough luck. I told her I don't want to be stuck on the bed for the whole labour and she said she will be doing her best to make sure that doesn't happen.
Obviously all assuming there are no complications that require constant monitoring etc. -------------
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Posted By: Neeks
Date Posted: 22 August 2008 at 12:53pm
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1. When do you go to hospital? When the contractions are 5 minutes apart and lasting a minute or more at a time
2. Are you continuously monitored? I was monitored for about 1/2 an hour once I actually I arrived at the hospital and then they checked me every few hours after that 3. Are you allowed to move around and try different birthing positions or do you have to stay on the bed on your back? Yes you're allowed to move around as much as you like unless you've had an epidural which makes it impossible to move anyways 4. Are you allowed a water birth? Yes, as long as that is on your birthing plan so they can get you into a room with a pool as you requested 5. Do you have to have the IV line put in as a precautionary measure? I did because my waters had broken 12 hours before I went into hospital and I needed to get started on antibiotics to prevent infections 6. Did you get your scar checked after the birth? What is involved with this? Not sure 7. What did you do different that you think helped you have a successful VBAC? Haven't had a VBAC, but I did everything that was involved with one and ended up having an Emergency Caesar 8. Can you go to Birthcare after a VBAC? Yes, as long as everything during your labour and birth is straight forward 9. Are you able to have a smaller dose of an epidural or is it all or nothing? It's all or nothing as far as I know.. could be wrong though! I know when you have a Caesar you end up having twice the dose (Spinal Block) in prep for surgery 10. Did anyone use the pink kit as VBAC prep? What's this?? -------------  
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Posted By: Roksana
Date Posted: 22 August 2008 at 1:09pm
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My contractions with DD were a Min apart and I though WOW she must be ready to come out....and yet I didnt actually Dialate (sp??) to 3cm....I am worried I am not going to recognise when to go to Hospital....also my show didnt come out and my water didnt break till much later in to the labour...again I am worried I am not going to know the right time to go to hospital....... ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Two Blondinis
Date Posted: 22 August 2008 at 3:06pm
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Thanks for the update on the water birth. I guess labouring in the water and out for the pushing is a good compromise. Shame your MW doesn't do them tho (is there that much difference?!?!? I know you're not supposed to touch baby until it is fully birthed but surely that's the only real difference?!?!) ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 22 August 2008 at 7:52pm
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I have no idea, she just said she didn't do them, perhaps she doesn't like them or maybe they need extra qualifications or something. I didn't think to ask why while I was there. Seems like even if she did I still wouldn't be allowed anyway but I am happy with being able to labour in the water, I wasn't 100% sure about pushing in there anyway so it just means the decision has been made for me. One less thing for me to be indecisive about -------------
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Posted By: toniellis
Date Posted: 23 August 2008 at 9:13pm
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Some midwives just don't do them... My Aunty is a midwife & she won't do homebirths... Why? Because she doesn't have the confidence in herself to be able to be cool, calm & collected if something does go wrong. It could be the same for your midwife Cuppatea.
Two Blondinis... I dunno where you heard about not touching Bubs until fully birthed? I had my hand down there most of teh 18 minutes I was pushing LOL! My midwife said it is the contact with air that makes Bubs start breathing independantly  ------------- Mum to Alex (11), Blaire (10) & Erika (8) and Damien (6) Successful HWB VBA2Cs! Soon to be surrogate |