VBAC Question
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=24405
Printed Date: 25 November 2024 at 2:39am
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Topic: VBAC Question
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Subject: VBAC Question
Date Posted: 09 February 2009 at 1:20pm
I know there are a few threads about these but wanted to do my own
Have just seen my MW, and she gave me a form about VBAC's(she is required to), now, I am seeing the specalist at 30 weeks to discuss my options but after reading this form it makes me really want to try and deliver naturally, I cant see any definate reason why I couldnt.. My reasons for the C Section were Failour to Progress, I got to 9.5cm after 45ish hours and with the help of an epidural. Leading up to the birth Caden was in the perfect postion he was head well down and things looked great, Then he went overdue, 11 days overdue when I went into labour and nearly 14 days overdue by the time he was actually born, and I have a feeling he was posterior as my back hurt like a b*tch during contractions! They think he had his chin off his chest and he has a big head so I think this was the reason he couldnt come down, he got stuck! I dont think it was anything to do with me.... So I see no reason why I cant try naturally, apart from the fact that I got pregnant with this baby when Caden was 5 1/2 months old! So by the time Im due it will have been 14 months since the C Section. In my little pamphlet(sp?) it says that uterine rupture is like one in 370-800 risk, so thats bugger all! And if Ive healed well then I could be fine to try for a VBAC?? I just really dont want to have to have another C Section, it was hard enough recovering with one newborn let alone a toddler and newborn, plus I had problems with my bowels afterwards and that was awful, i would rather have some stictes and a sore vjj than major abdo surgery! 
VBAC ladies, Does it sound like I would be ok to try, would you try?? of course I will take the advice of the specalist and make an informed choice but I just wanted to hear some feedback and maybe if anyone knows of someone who has had a succsesful VBAC not long after a C Section(like got pregnant when their baby was the same age as caden was etc) Thanks! and sorry for the novel! This is just so important to me, Im starting to worry bit! ------------- |
Replies:
Posted By: Leahsmummy
Date Posted: 09 February 2009 at 1:34pm
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Hi Sheza, wen i was talking to my mw after i had dd i ask how long i had to wait to get preggie again and she said she had just done a vbac on a lady who got preggie after 4 months of having her c section she said they just keep a close eye on you.
So not actually having been through it I now it can be done. Good luck and i hope you get ur VBAC -------------   
Angel Baby Dec 09, We will love you forever. |
Posted By: ShellandBella
Date Posted: 09 February 2009 at 1:37pm
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I would go for it. I have to say, I was still in 2 minds about having another c/s, but the decision got made for me as I went into premature labour and it was decided if I could birth naturally, it would be better for bubs. Benji was in exactly the same position as Bella was (posterior, head flexed) but I think it was because he was smaller and that I had gone into labour spontaneously (I was 12 days over and induced with Bella) that made the VBAC work (my MW later told me, had he been bigger she thought I would have been having another c/s) And it wasn't totally natural - he had to be yanked out by the forceps, but the recovery has been much better. I don't know how I would have got on with a toddler and a newborn PLUS having had major surgery.
I guess that doesn't help, but what I'm trying to say is every labour is different so you don't know what will happen. Just prepare yourself for every eventuality and then you won't get disappointed either way... ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 09 February 2009 at 1:42pm
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I started trying to get pg 6 months after having Spencer and the doc said VBAC would be fine. I've ended up with a 19 month gap and had a successful VBAC. I saw obs at 35 weeks and they didn't say anything about an increased risk cos of having them close together.
I'm not sure how it will work in you area and also cos of the circumstances of your first c/s but I think had I have wanted a repeat c/s I would have had to push for it as they were very keen for me to try for a vaginal delivery. They will talk to you about tons of stuff at the appointment and some of it is scary, like what can happen if you do have a rupture etc. But mostly having a vaginal is still safer than a c/s overall. Also they won't let you labour as long and they will be quicker to give synoticin (sp?) etc when you try a VBAC so if you do end up having a c/s it won't be after a 45 hour labour. Good luck, it can be done  ------------- 
 
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Posted By: LeahandJoel
Date Posted: 09 February 2009 at 1:43pm
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My gap between pg's was bigger but like you I was a failure to proceed and also baby in distress. I was just monitored a lot during the labour and it came down to forceps or another cs (baby was going into distress, nothing wrong with me) so I chose forceps. While not the "ideal" birth was still a vbac and I was glad that I didn't have to have another cs. I saw the specialist at 34 weeks and was told there was such a minimal risk of anything happening to me, (Ihad already deciced this is what I wanted anyway) that I still would have gone this way. Personally, I would be going for it, every birth and labour is different, at least you know you have given it evry chance and you would be gutted if you decided now to have a cs and be told later that you could have had a vbac. Good luck and I hope you get the birth you want. -------------  
 
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 09 February 2009 at 1:52pm
Thanks Girls, I feel more inspired now Im not sure if we are having anymore kids after this one so I would really love to try for a VBAC so Ive done once each way!
An yeah, just the awful recovery of a c section makes me cringe! ------------- |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 09 February 2009 at 2:57pm
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Sheza .. unless the specialist that I see at 30 something weeks says I can't VBAC (and my midwife said that would be rare), Im going to give it a go.
I mean .. they monitor you sooo closely that it won't be anything like our last deliveries
I say go for it .. if worse comes to worse you will have another c-section, but it will just be done way quicker so it will be easier for you to recover. ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: LeahandJoel
Date Posted: 09 February 2009 at 2:59pm
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It was certainly easier recovering from my VBAC than my CS i have to say. Still had stitches but was home in under 24 hours of having Joel and it was a lot easier dealing with a toddler as well. One of the main things is to be certain of what you want and how far are you willing to push for that. Right from getting pg again I wanted a vbac and got a new MW who supported that (the old one told me hrs after Leah was born that any other babies would be delivered CS), she made sure the OB knew what I wanted and that a CS was absolute last resort. Even if you end up with a cs, at least you tried. I didn't not want to try IYKWIM. -------------
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 09 February 2009 at 5:06pm
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Thanks Julia So there isnt much difference between the age gaps of our kids really is there?? How old was issy when you got pregnant?(I could work it out myself but too lazy hehehe)
LeahandJoel, my MW will support me whichever way I decide to go she is the same MW I ahd for Caden. She wont deliver this baby if I have a VBAC cos she doesnt deliver at middlemore but I will double check that with her....
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 09 February 2009 at 5:44pm
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Sheena .. I actually have no idea how old Issy was lol .. umm
Well she will be 1.5 years old when Elias arrives so she was 9 months? .. (dont quote me though lol) ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 09 February 2009 at 8:30pm
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It certainly sounds worth trying. They will also leave you alone a bit more with a VBAC (in terms of induction etc - because of the higher risks) so you can be a bit more relaxed about it too. I'm not sure about the close age gap but my gap was 17mos so not too different. Like you, the reason for my c/s was one-off and nothing to do with me IYGWIM.
I found the OB very good with answering questions, so jot down ones like the close age gap in preparation for your apmt. But otherwise you sound good to go! Oh, and the recovery was heaps, heaps easier with my VBAC and that was even with an episiotomy. -------------  |
Posted By: toniellis
Date Posted: 09 February 2009 at 11:41pm
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A VBAC can be a totally awesome experience! I think for my VBA2Cs the MOST important thing was remembering what DIDN'T work out in my previous labours.
For me it was posterior position with big babies (both over 9lb with big heads) & long labours. With VBAC attempts they do not like to induce but they also don't like long labours either. The time starts ticking as soon as you get to hospital (if that is your birthplace of choice). Also they are very big on monitoring which can totally kill your back when labouring with a posterior baby as I found. Lying on a bed for 20 minutes while they took a trace horrid. For Erika (#3) I really worked on the positioning thing. While pregnant I used a pelvic rocker, I used moxa & also had a session of acupuncture with my midwife (which helped definitely). I also got the Pink Kit to learn more about positioning, which I think really helped with the birth. I also used a LOT of herbal & homeopathy remedies in hope of having a much shorter labour. When I actually started getting labour pains, I used what I learnt from the Pink Kit to help speed things along. Sat for 10-15 minutes on the toilet until I couldn't bear it anymore LOL. For #1 it was induction, epidural, failure to progress & fetal distresss. 31 hours of active labour. For #2 it was epidural & failure to progress after 9 hours in the hospital. For #3 (after all my efforts!) it was perfect birth. 4.5hours from first pain to baby pushed out. No tears or grazes & not a single drug or pain killer. If you really want this VBAC then look at what went wrong & use your midwife to plan a way to try avoid it eg long labour = go to hospital AFTER in established labour, posterior labour = ask for monitoring to be done in a way that means you can avoid lying on your back on a bed (they can do this its just inconvenient for them) & I must really stress this one: The right support system! For me that was my Mum. She was my rock during labour & I dunno what I would have done without her! Hubby proved in the last two labours that he was pretty near useless without someone to boss him around. He had always said he only wanted it to be me, him & the midwife but he could not do everything I needed for support. I ended up with my mum (support), my sister (to care for my two boys), my grandma (she just wanted to be there) two midwives (because it was a homebirth) and Hubby (chief in charge of setting up birthing pool & sitting by my head when our daughter was born)
Sorry about the huge novel (LOL) but I am really passionate about VBACs. Sometimes wish we were having another baby so I could experience that natural birth again. ------------- Mum to Alex (11), Blaire (10) & Erika (8) and Damien (6) Successful HWB VBA2Cs! Soon to be surrogate |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 10 February 2009 at 5:42pm
Oh but Toni, there's always a chance for you, isn't there?  ------------- |
Posted By: toniellis
Date Posted: 10 February 2009 at 8:21pm
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Hahaha well there is a chance until Hubby goes & gets that snip he keeps talking about LOL.
In saying that my dear AF still hasn't arrived, I feel weird & honestly wondering if early menopause is beckoning. ------------- Mum to Alex (11), Blaire (10) & Erika (8) and Damien (6) Successful HWB VBA2Cs! Soon to be surrogate |
Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 10 February 2009 at 11:03pm
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toni, i was just coming in to tell sheena to pm ya
i had a c/s with jack because he was breech and i was so determined to have a vbac the next time. i felt i hadn't truly experienced 'having a baby' (please no one take that the wrong way!) and felt cheated because i didn't even labour. labour with charli didn't go well and ended in emergency c/s after failed forceps and vonteuse......i was absolutely gutted! it still brings me to tears some days. i've missed my chance now as any surprise kids will have to be a c/s. so if you have the chance to try for vbac, definately go for it!! you are much better to try and not succeed, than to regret not trying at all and forever ask you self 'what if?' talk to toni, read up about vbacs, do your homework and find out all you can do to help your body......and stay true to yourself! ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 11:12am
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Thanks Toni! Hopefully I can have my VBAC this time, if Im allowed to, depends what the specialist says i guess.
Im sure Ill have more questions for you ------------- |
Posted By: toniellis
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 3:07pm
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No worries, always here to help ------------- Mum to Alex (11), Blaire (10) & Erika (8) and Damien (6) Successful HWB VBA2Cs! Soon to be surrogate |
Posted By: pomikiwi
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 8:32pm
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Sheza - your last birth sounds very similar to mine! I'm attempting a VBAC very soon :-)
Carys was 2 weeks overdue when I got induced, I got to fully dilated and pushed for ages (with epidural), she turned into posterior position and put her head up (deflexed). My obs that I saw at 30 weeks (with this pregnancy) was lovely and didnt see any reason why I couldn't try for a VBAC. With this baby I've had a 10 day discrepency in my period EDD and the scan date. I had a dating scan, then one at 12 weeks and then 20 weeks and they all put baby 10 days behind my LMP date, so the scan date is what we've gone for. My obs agreed with this and thinks that maybe DD wasn't really ready to come and thats why the induction didn't go very well and needed much more intervention. And another midwife told me on saturday that the amount you dilated during labour is a good indication of how succesful a VBAC will be, ie if I only dilated to 4cm then it's a 40% chance i'd be succesfull, 6cm is 60% and so on! SO you have a pretty good chance if thats the case, not sure how accurate that info is though. Just make sure you read up as much as you can about VBACs, knowledge is power thats what I say, lol! I don't want to be induced this time as it can inevatably (sp?) lead to more interventions such as epidural then a repeat c-section. My obs said they don't really like inducing previous sections as it can make contractions more intense therefore an increased risk of scar rupture. Good luck hun, i'm sure you will be great! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
DD-Carys Amelia 17.03.06 |
Posted By: pomikiwi
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 8:37pm
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Toni - great to read your experiences too, and yay for your VBA2C's. Makes me even more confident now, yay!
ETA - I've asked to be monitored with the doppler rather than the monitor as much as possible, so I can move around and keep active, and i'm able to use the spa pool/showers to labour in. My MW seems very 'pro' active labour which is great! Just hope I can have this baby before she goes on leave a week on fri  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
DD-Carys Amelia 17.03.06 |
Posted By: toniellis
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 10:00pm
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Hi Pomikiwi!
Thats great you can use the doppler for monitoring, that what my midwife used for me with my VBA2Cs & it was a lot better! ------------- Mum to Alex (11), Blaire (10) & Erika (8) and Damien (6) Successful HWB VBA2Cs! Soon to be surrogate |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 19 February 2009 at 1:30pm
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Hey pomkiwi,
Goodluck with your VBAC! I have read that induction is avoided due to the strong contractons, I just hope this baby comes round its due date and not 13 days late like Caden. I got to 9.5cm after 46ish hours  But, I think Caden was deflexed aswell as he was born with a huge dent on his forehead and there was a lip of cervix in the way and it wouldnt budge and I think that his ehad caused that.
I really hope the ob says that Im ok to try for a VBAC, but I dont like the idea of doing it without the epi lol, I laboured with caden for 90% of the time on just gas, but still lol..... Ive staretd to having mini panic attacks about the birth, i couldnt get to sleep last night from fear of birth *sigh*. I just CANT see it going in a good way, so i need to get my head around and over that thought! So hard! ------------- |
Posted By: LeahandJoel
Date Posted: 19 February 2009 at 2:33pm
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With Leah I only got to 3cm after contractions every 2 mins for 8hrs, with Joel I was fully dialated in 6-7 hrs so everytime is different. I had an epi with both, with Joel I had to be aggresively monitored due to being hospitalised 10 days earlier with complications (they wanted to cs me then) so I wasn't allowed to move around and I wasn't allowed to go in the pool. If there had been no earlier complications then it would have been different again. -------------
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Posted By: emachan
Date Posted: 03 March 2009 at 3:28pm
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Great thread Sheza - I'm glad a lot of my questions have been answered, because I really want to try for a VBAC now, but am a bit worried with the risks of rupture etc (there will be 13 months gap between bubs!)
I haven't seen my m/w yet, but I think she'll support me whatever situation I choose. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  DD#1 Sept 08 DD#2 Oct 09 |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 03 March 2009 at 7:48pm
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Wow, you're quick emachan - I thought you only just had Lily! ------------- |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 11:01am
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Yeah my fear is ruspsure aswell, but there will be 14 months between my two and I healed well, so hopefully, I can try VBAC. Reallly dont want another ceaser. ------------- |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 12:59pm
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I asked my OB about this yesterday and she said absolutely no problem trying a VBAC if I fell pregnant early...not that I want that to happen
Mine sounded similar too. Both my babies turned posterior at the last minute. James was just bigger. My OB thinks it could be due to the shape of my pelvis that makes them go posterior and my MW thought the same thing. Apparently there is a twist in your uterus that can cause them to swing round the wrong way. I personally think its because they were male!
I definately want to try a VBAC next time. I learnt so much from this labour (which was much better than the first) so I think I can do things better next time. |
Posted By: Two Blondinis
Date Posted: 08 March 2009 at 9:48pm
Sheeza - Not sure how you feel about hypnotherapy, but I also had a long nasty labour, got to 9.5cms and like Caden, Caitlin got stuck! I was terrifed of going through that again, but I really wanted to have another baby. So I went to see a a therapist who also does hypnobirthing and she really helped me view my last birthing experience in a whole new light! I can now remember the good things, like the first time I saw her, heard her first cry etc where before my mind had locked out so much 
She also talked me through my fears of having a repeat experience and I feel that has helped give me some peace of mind. I'm also going to try to use hypnobirthing this time around, anything to help right! I would also suggest that you stay clear of any negative birth discussions, as you will just put more bad thoughts in your mind and will make you panic more. I've done heaps of research into VBACs, mostly thanks to the other Toni and highly recommend a book called The Silent Knife and also a website http://www.ican-online.org/ it's USA based but has lots of statistics and really good info
WOW! Massive novel! But I'm also passionate about not having another c-section. I just can't see how I would cope with a toddler, a newborn AND major surgery!
Good luck
Edited to correct preggy brain typing ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
 
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Sheza wrote: