V-bac Using Hypnobirthing

Hi J.,

This is only second-hand, but I have heard great things about hypno-birthing. A friend of a friend said it worked very well for pain management for her. My midwife at OHSU had attended a few of them and said they were great. I myself used the Birthing from Within method 8 weeks ago with the birth of my second child, only because I had used the same method with my first birth and was too busy/lazy to take new classes. I have a friend delivering this month planning to use this technique, but unfortunately I don't have the info for you yet. Good luck to you!

M.

I used a combo hypnobirthing/Bradley with a doula (birthcoach)
that my OB was comfortable with and really found it helpful. I was able to relax and work through the labor more easily. Mine wasn't a v-bac, but my doula had worked successfully with others in that situation.
Good luck!

I will be trying for a VBAC in November at OHSU, if you do some research,you will find the statistics in favor of VBAC in terms of safety for mom & baby. You are lucky to have a supportive doctor. A.

HI J. -

I used Hypnobirthing with the labor and delivery of my daughter. I have never had a c-section and cannot help you there but can tell you about my experience with Hypnobirthing. The class and information is fabulous. It gets you in the right state of mind to meditate and focus on a peaceful easy birth. As for using Hypnosis and Hypnobirthing during my actual labor to ease the pain, well it didn't really work for me. I did manage to have an unmedicated birth, but there was definitely alot of pain and screaming. I think what hypnobirthing did was give me focus, energy, and way to progress through the pain and keep going. I know others in our class weren't necessarily taking the class for an unmedicated birth but to find ways to ease the anxiety and stress associated with labor and delivery. I'd recommend it anyone, but they will have to be open to hypnosis and meditation for it to really work for you.

I am pregnant in the 1st trimester with our second child. I haven't decided if I'm going to try and give Hypnobirthing another chance. I'm also interested in reading up or taking a class on the Bradley Method.

Good Luck!

HI J.,
I too had a c-section with my first birth. It was the exact opposite of everything I wanted. I am hoping, when pregnant again, to deliver via VBAC. I looked into hypno birthing as well as hiring a doula. I chose to hire a doula and it was such a wonderful and empowering experience, despite the c-section. My doula is interested in attending and helping my VBAC with future births. She was so wonderful! I'd be more than happy to share my experience with you can share her name! I wish you all the strength in the world devivering via VBAC!
K.

I don't know anything about hypnobirthing, but I attempted a v-bac with my second son. I would say to remember the most important part about birth is a healthy mom and a healthy baby and then go with what you feel comfortable with. I did a lot of reading/research about women's experiences of v-bac's when I was considering a v-bac with my second son and there is a lot of information on the internet that is very bias and (in my opinion) not a safe or helpful way to judge other people's birth options by. Does that make sense? In my opinion I would say if you feel like you can safely attempt a v-bac without any undue risk to you and your baby and if that is what you feel good about you should try it. If not, maybe you should rethink it. It sounds like you are not so caught up in the "birth experience" to want to put anyone at risk, so find a caregiver you trust, get all the (factual) information you can and then follow your gut/heart and decide what is best for you and your family. I was disappointed in not being able to vaginally deliver any of my babies (I've had 3 via section: one emergency, one a failed v-bac, and one scheduled); however I felt like I did all I could to get the birth experience I wanted and all my babies were born healthy, so I was happy. No regrets. Good luck.

Hi J., I know that you already posted a "so what happened" but I still wanted to take the opportunity to comment on your question.

First, let me start by saying that I heard birthing options in Canada were bad, but I had no idea they were so extreme. I do not envy you and the decision that you are faced with.

I have to have C-sections, by babies are just too big to have vaginally. I was worried when I was preparing to have my 2nd child that I wouldn't be able to care for my young son. However, my mother-in-law came and stayed with us and it really helps having someone to help you. The benefit of having a c-section the 2nd time around is that it was planned. We knew when we were going to the hospital, so my MIL could be at the house and so my husband could let his work know. This avoided our son waking up in a strange place or waking up to someone other than mom & dad and us having just disappeared without saying "good-bye". Our son is very sensitive to those things, so even though he cried as we drove away, it only lasted a couple minutes, then my MIL turned on a movie for him and he was fine. :)

If you have a c-section would they give you a spinal to numb you from the rib cage down? I would say if you have the option of choosing a birthing method that gets you the most attention possible, then that is what I would do, just to avoid the situation of needing someone and they not being there.

Good Luck with you very difficult decision. My thoughts are with you!

M.

I didn't do hypnobirthing but my daughter was born in April by VBAC and it was a wonderful experience. First off, you are fortunate that your doc is even encouraging you to make the choice. Many docs are very anti VBAC. My doc was supportive but no one else in his practice was so had I went into labor when he was not on call, his partners were only willing to deliver via c-section. So we decided to induce and I was induced with pitocin and had my water broken right away. It's pretty brutal so a drug free birth was not going to happen for me and my daughter was delivered 13 hours later and it was the most amazing experience of my life. Having her placed on me and not being whisked off to recovery after her birth (as I was with my son) was such a blessing and you appreciate so much the simple things..........like getting up an hour after her birth to go to the bathroom and take a shower! I did listen to the EarthMamaAngelBaby VBAC cd in the weeks before her birth and felt it beneficial to me. Good luck!

Hi J.,
I have never done hypno but i had all three of my children naturally and no meds... cus i believe the more natural the better for me and the baby.. I was supposed not even be able to have children naturally cus when i was thirteen i was hit by a car and my pelvic was shattered so my pelvic doesn't really move... like at all.. I recommend doing bradley classes, they inform you on soo much and help you train to relax and be totally prepared for birth... here is their website i hope this info helps you... www.bradleybirth.com it was the best money i ever spent to get prepared for my kids... best of luck

Hi J.,
I just had a successful VBAC in July using the Bradley Birth Method - http://www.bradleybirth.com/ My baby was posterior, so it took a little longer to push her out. If I would have had a Doctor, chances are I would have had a repeat C-section. I also had a very supportive birth team that included my husband, a doula and my midwife. I didn't use hypnobirthing, but hopefully my success story will be helpful. My advice to you:

1. Educate yourself. Do the research and don't take what the doctor says as the only answer. See if you can find an ICAN (International Caesarean Awareness Network) support group. This is where I found out about the midwife I chose. Read books about VBAC's! I read Natural Childbirth After Casearean by Karis Crawford and Johanne Walters.
2. Be a consumer of your healthcare. You don't have to have the same doctor deliver your second baby. Find a doctor or midwife who is supportive of your VBAC decision and not one that will question your choice throughout your pregnancy.
3. Get a doula. I credit mine with being a major part of my successful delivery. It took the pressure off my husband, who could then just be there to hold my hand. It is worth every penny!
4. Understand that a natural birth will hurt.......that is why it is called labor. With that in mind, birth is a natural process and if you believe in it, everything will be fine. Trust your body to do it's job. Afterall, modern medicine is very recent and people have been giving birth for a LONG time!
I hope this inspires you to take charge of your birth and make informed decisions.
S.

Hi, J.! I used hypnobirthing when I gave birth to my second child. (I used Bradley for the first.) It worked WONDERFULLY for me. I had both a close friend and my husband as my coaches and my friend said she'd never dreamed childbirth could be so quiet and peaceful. Something you might need to consider is whether you can find a hypnobirthing teacher there in your area and whether you have enough time to complete the classes and practice your relaxation techniques. It all comes down to what you are most comfortable with. Good luck and enjoy your pregnancy!

I would contact your local ICAN group. It is a group made up of women who have had c-births and have had vaginal birhts afterwards. I didn't use hypnobirthing for my vaginal breech birth but I used Birthing From Within and might be another option for you to look at.

Hi J.,
Although I have not tried hypnotherapy I have successfully had three V-bac deliveries. I just wanted to let you know that it can be done and it can be wonderful. And after all if there are any complications you have your doctor there by your side to deal with them as they arise. Good luck and if you want to talk feel free to do so.

Take care
Vida

Yes, you totally *can* have a VBAC and hypnobirthing is good tool to use. I'm not an expert on hypnobirthing, but it's my understanding that it's a form of meditation to bring you back to focus during and after your contractions.

You doctor should have told you that a cesarean section is not risk free, for you or the baby, either. Of course, no one can promise a perfect birth where nothing goes wrong but I can tell you that risk of something bad happening (other than it results in another c-section) is about 2% TOTAL and the chances of something happening to the baby are much less.

I have attended natural VBACs and I can tell you that YES, you totally can do this if you want.

I suggest you check out ICAN where you can learn all the facts and if you want to chat with women who have been through both cesareans and VBACs, you can join the Portland ICAN listerv at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ICANofPortland

I hope everything goes well for you!

-A.

My first child was delivered by c-section after a long and difficult labor. With my second, I really wanted a VBAC. I took a lot of time and effort to research the risk and possible complications. I would reccommend that you find a supportive doctor and have your labor in a VBAC supportive hospital. The chances of rupture are small (almost as small as chances of complications from the C-section), BUT if a rupture does occur you need to be in a place where your doctor can deal with it immediately. Unfortunately my second pregnancy had some issues other than delivery and I had a second c-section, but the recovery w/o going thru labor first was amazingly quick. I have since changed my philosophy: Any birth from which you walk away healthy with a healthy baby is an awesome birth.
Congratulations and best of luck woth the rest of your pregnancy!!

My first was a c-section. I went on to have my second and third deliveries vbac. They both went well. Then I found myself pregnant with twins and I wanted to have a tvbac. There was not enough research available to see if I could do it safely. Turns out the option was taken from me anyway, since my uterus was stretched so thin, you could read a newspaper through it. I was on bed rest in the hospital and no one was even allowed to examine me because they were afraid it would make my uterus pop. I had a successful c-section and have since been forbidden from natural births.

I guess it really comes down to the person and situation. I am not sure I would risk it with the limited resources you have. I never did get to hold the babies I delivered naturally. They both were in critical condition upon delivery. I might have done it differently, had I known before hand.

J.,

Although I did not have a v-bac, I used hypnobirthing very successfully when delivering both of my children. My first labor was 14 hours and I pushed for 4. I had back labor the entire time. I was unprepared for all the pain being in my back, so I was thrown for the first hour or so, but after I got in the swing of things, hypnobirthing worked wonders. It helped me relax (relative to the situation) and birth my boy without medication.

I do believe that my son's "sunny side up" position, paired with the factors of 1) not dilating past 8 for 3 hours, 2) my boy getting stuck on my pubic bone, 3) having to "labor" in one position for most of the time due to the position of the umbilical cord, would have warranted a c-section had I been tense or exceedingly stressed. I attribute my natural delivery to hypnobirth training.

I was at Providence and asked specifically for a nurse familiar with Hypnobirthing, or at least tolerant of it. My understanding is that, in Portland, the only hospital to do v-bacs is OHSU. I'm not sure if I'm correct, but whichever hospital you go to, it would be beneficial to call ahead when you're coming and request a nurse who is in on the whole idea. Additionally, having a solid, 1-page birth plan in hand will help.

Best of luck welcoming your next child!

E.

I just read your "So What Happened?" and if it were me, I would go with a planned C-Section so the staff is ready for what you are having done - especially with the recent tragic death. I live in a more rural area with some of the same medical issues, though not as severe as you describe. For me, the risk would not be worth it. You know what to expect for recovery from your c-section. My advice is to go with what you already know and having the medical staff that is available ready for what you are having done. No surprises. I have had three c-sections (cord presented first for No. 1 and I'm not a risk taker when it comes to life and death stuff) and had no trouble with recovery. There is something to be said for never having a labor pain . . . . ever.

Just my two cents . . . best of luck to you with whatever decision you make.

My first child I delivered natually. My second was breech so I had a c-section. And my third I did a v-bac with no complications at all. I am now pregnant with my forth and am planning on doing another v-bac.

My Dr. recently told me with v-bacs there's a 1 in 200 chance of complications but that even with the 1 that as long as you're being monitored everything should be okay. At the first sign of any kind of complication is when the Dr should stop and perform a c-section.

I had no problems and hope you are able to do it as well. Good luck and if you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

Megan

My friend just recently went through a V-bac with great sucess! Like you she was really worried that someting would happen to her or the baby. But her doctor was wonderful. He explained to her that yes there are real risk however the staff and doctor are completley aware of those risk and monitor you very closley... if any issue were to arise they would be right there and anticipating. Everything was perfect for her delivery.. and just remember if your doctor had any doubts that your body couldnt handle a natural birth he wouldnt have suggested it. She says now that if she does have another child she will have a vaginal birth... the v-bac was so much more enjoyable and she was alot more mobile and wasn't in so much pain afterwards. I feel if you are given a chance to experience a vaginal birht do it! There is nothing in the world like it! Good luck with what ever you choose.
Cori

Wow. You could be me. I am 34 and have a 19 month old daughter and am pregnant with my second. My first was also delivered via c-section, due to breech. Your doc has probably already told you that since your c-section was due to breech, you are a good candidate for VBAC. If you go down the VBAC route, I totally agree with the idea someone mentioned of getting a doula who is really familiar with VBACs, because IF you go the VBAC route, you want all the support possible to make sure you do, in fact, deliver vaginally. Last thing you need is to labor a long time and THEN have a c-section - as the recovery is hardest that way - and like you said you have a toddler to take care of.

Personally, I really struggled with this decision. My doctor was supportive of either method. I have decided to for a "C-peat" (that, and my husband was uncomfortable with some of the VBAC risk). I totally respect those that do VBACs, but for me the recovery associated with doing a trial of labor only to have a c-section was worse than the prospect of the recovery with a planned c-section, and for me it was all about recovery time. And, with a very active toddler, I have to admit that I do like the idea of pre-arranging dates/times of how my toddler will be taken care of while I am in the hospital.

Good luck and best wishes to you!!

Hi J.,

I am 34 year old mother of three. My first baby was an emergency c-section, and my second two were both natural, vaginal births using hypno-birthing. I strongly urge you to consider attempting a V-Bac. I know that many doctors disfavor it, but it is totally possible and much better for you than multiple C-sections. If your doctor is not supportive of your decision, you may want to consider another practitioner, particularly if you are concerned your doctor will be pushing you during your labor to opt for surgery.

As long as you are at a hospital with access to an emergency C-section (should you experience uterine rupture, a small but definite risk of V-Bac), there is no reason you should not be able to deliver your baby naturally. The hardest thing for me was the contiual fetal heart monitoring, IV line, and blood pressure cuff that came with a higher-risk delivery. It was very challenging not to be free to move around easily. In retrospect I wish I had pushed back harder on those points and not consented to them.

Hypnobirthing is a wonderful method, and helped me deal with the intensity of labor (including the first). I encourage you to explore it, and if you do decide to use the technique, practice practice practice, and have your partner practice with you. It is a great method but you will benefit most if you have gotten very accustomed to the meditation process. Good luck!!!

Here is a great website for you: http://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_f...

I also recommend a doula. Ask around, get referrals and start interviewing a few.

Best of luck to you. I hope that you have a powerful birth.

http://www.boldaction.org

I used hypnobirthing with both of my deliveries. Both were drug free and both were wonderful experiences for me. My first child, I took the hypnobirthing class, did all the practice/homework and really committed myself. My labor ended up being 22 hours from first contraction to first breath, but it seriously only felt like 2 hours. It was painful, but not unbearable. I had my mother as a coach because my husband was dealing with his own emotions about the birth and I needed someone to focus and help just me.
My second delivery (4 years later), I brushed up alone and made a go at hypnobirthing from what I remembered. It was a four hour labor and was very intense. Still drug free, but not nearly as pleasant as my previous labor.
I think hypnobirthing is a wonderful way to labor and deliver, but it is really an all or nothing thing. You can't study it alone, and you can't be your own coach. If you are going to do it, you will need to take the class with your coach and commit to doing all the work to prepare.

I had my first child by c-section because she was breech. The second child came 2 1/2 years later and I chose to delivery him naturally. It was fast and easy. The recovery time for a natural birth is so much fast and easier than c-section. It was not a problem and if I did it all over again, I would go with the natural delivery again, but we are done. My children are 10 and 7 and both very heathy. Hope this helps.

I don't know anything about Hypnobirthing, but I have had a v-bac. My first child was a natural birth, the second was a c-section (a horrible experience in my opinion) and the third was a v-bac, another natural birth. I was totally committed to NOT having another c-section. You had one because the baby was breech, not because your body wasn't able to give birth naturally. There's no reason why you shouldn't try a v-bac. Unless you really like your doctor, you may even consider changing doctors to one that supports v-bacs more. Or better yet, find a mid-wife! I highly recommend them. As a P.S. I used the Bradley Method for natural childbirth and it worked well. I wish you the best! I think as you become more informed, the right decision will become clearer to you.

vaginal birth even after c-section is the best thing you can do for your baby. i had a c-section with my son because his heart rate dropped to 40 during my contractions and never went back up. anyway i am going to try and have a v-back as well. yes there could be complications with a v-back but there also could be just as many if not more with another c-section not to mention vaginal delivery is better for the baby because it pushes the fluid out of their lungs and reduces the risk of pneumonia along with other benefits. good luck with your pregnancy and delivery!

Hi J.,

I am a L&D nurse (have had 4 C-sects myself - attempted labor with 3) and have witnessed hypnobirth as a nurse.

First of all, since your first baby was breech, that increases the chance that your VBAC will be successful. If your c-sect was due to failure to progress or something else during labor, the VBAC success rate is decreased.

Hypnobirthing would be a safer bet for you than any anesthesia anyhow and given what you say about your community hospital, I would be weary of emergency situations. With a natural birth, you will feel pain of something going wrong as with an epidural, you could be having an abruption or slight tear and wouldn't feel it. They would not know until the baby started to show the effects and that may be too late in your hospital - unless they have the surgery staff in house during your labor - which I would suggest to your care provider to check in to.

As far a hynobirthing, I have been amazed at some of the deliveries that I have attended in which the woman used this as her pain control. The one that amazed me most, the woman wore headphones and listened to something (I never found out what, but it was something that kept repeating). She never uttered a sound, pushed for 3 1/2 hours. It was absolutely incredible. I did ask her afterwards if she ever felt pain and she said no but she did feel pressure when she was pushing. This experience really enlightened me to the benefits of this method.

Good luck with everything.

C.

I don't know much about hypnobirthing but I have a book to recommend, "Ina May's guide to Childbirth" It is empowering and encouraging even if you've already given birth. There is a chapter on VBAC. I don't remember much on hypnobirthing specifically other than small mentions. Still the book gives info on medical options from a midwife/natural birth perspective plus lots of positive birth stories.

I think you should try for a vbac, and I really think the hypnobirthing method is great! I took the classes last year and I too was trying for a vbac birth. I was a little nervous about complications with the vbac but the risks of anything going wrong are so low - only 1% will have a rupture and then only 1% of those babies (born after a rupture) have any problems. My situation was a little more complicated (I was having twins) but I really wanted to try. I didn't get to deliver naturally in the end because one of my placentas began to seperate too early(nothing to do with vbac) and so I went in for an emergency c-section (again - and, yes, my babies were fine), but I'm glad I tried and I don't regret taking the hypno classes. I found that the hypnosis helped me greatly after my c-section because I was really stressed and it's helped me in other stressful times of my life since then. It also gives you a great outlook on childbirth and how your body works. I really recommend the classes. Congratulations to you and enjoy this special time! D.

Hi J.,

Congratulations on your upcoming birth. I too would advocate for a doula of course because I am one, but primarily because, a good doula, who is experienced can do more than hypnobirthing, and use those techniques as well. They can assist you in the time before hand to help you avoid certain roadblocks, and help you prepare mentally, physically, and emotionally.

You will find however, that if you are prepared on all other levels, that Hypnobirthing / Hypnobabies, is very powerful and a peaceful birth.

Best of luck to you!
T. Nelson CD (DONA)

J.,

Unfortunately both of my children were C-sections. My first was due to too many complications arising from my failure to progress. His head was too big to fit through me. I live north of Seattle, and the clinic I go to is really on board when it comes to VBAC's. When I got pregnant with my daughter I told my family doc that I wanted to do a VBAC if at all possible. She was super supportive of it.

Once I was far enough along in my pregnancy to consult with the doc that delivered my son she told me that, for me, there was going to be a 50/50 chance that I'd be able to deliver my daughter VBAC. She told me that if I really wanted to, we could try but the chances weren't that good, for me. After my daughter was born it turned out to be a good thing for us; her head was the same size as her brother's and she wouldn't have fit through me either.

Talk with your doctor and say that you want a VBAC and set up a birthing Plan A with him/her with that in mind. Remember also that things may not go as planned. Have a Plan B, C and D just in case. Any good doc will go with what you want and accommodate you. If they try to talk you out of a VBAC, go find a doc that will support you in your choices.

We have the technology and capability to keep both Mom and Baby safe, why put either life in jeopardy needlessly?

I have more story about me and my kids, but I've taken too much space already, if you have questions please ask, I'll answer them the best I can.

Good luck and Congrats!
Melissa

The way c-sections are done these days many woman have v-bacs. I had a c-section with my 2nd child and natural birth with my 3ed. If you are having the baby at the hospital and a complication comes up they can be ready to do an emergency c-section if needed. I had no complications and the recovery is so much faster with natural birth. I have never used hypnobirthing so I can't help you there. Good luck with the birth.
F.

Hi J.,
I'd highly recommend checking out HYPNOBABIES program as opposed to Hypnobirthing, especially since you are in a rural area and may have difficulty finding a hypnobirthing class. I did alot of research on the two programs and was very happy I went with HYPNOBABIES (google it). It is a home-study program with a series of CDs that prepare you for labor and birth. I used it and had GREAT success.

I had planned for a home birth and I stayed totally relaxed through my entire labor (even when the midwife had me doing squats up and down my stairs to try to get baby to turn), honestly felt no pain (even with back labor), and pushed for 4.5 hours with no meds. As long as I relaxed through the contractions they weren't bad. When I tried to fight it, it made it worse. It turns out we had to transfer to the hospital for lack of progress and docs there gave me only one option - C-section. They wouldn't give me an epi and let me push more. It was a nightmare because I ended up with a very bad infection as a result of the c-section that put me back in the hospital for 5 days (which the doctor who performed the c-section tried to say was my appendix. It was not until AFTER an appendectomy to remove my (perfectly healthy) appendix that they discovered it was indeed an infection in the right ovary/tube). Did I say nightmare?

On the other note, my sister-in-law was one of the 1% that did experience uterine rupture, but she got pregnant only 9 months after the first one, and they say you should wait 1-2 years between. They did do an emergency c-section, but they were all fine, because the docs knew what to do. It sounds like maybe you aren't near a big hospital though, so that is also something to consider. I guess I'd recommend to see how your pregnancy goes and make your decision as you get closer to your due date.

I also hope for a VBAC with the next one and I wish you luck in your decision. And, I would most definitely recommend HYPNOBABIES. They also have a super online support network (kind of like this one!). I think it is a much more comprehensive program than Hypnobirthing. You just listen to your CDs every day starting at around 32 weeks. They are so relaxing, they will just lull you to sleep and you won't even know what was said - it all goes to the subconscious. It's wonderful!!

There is a move among many doctors back to the "one a c-section always a c-section" school of thought. I am encouraged to hear your doctor is open to giving you the option. I think the biggest consideration is WHY you had the C-section in the first place. If this second child is not breech.. go for it. I delivered my first child by c-section. I had the next three by normal delivery - though the one in the middle was TRANSVERSE BREECH and had to be turned around in order for me to deliver her! I did end up having a c-section with my last child because he too was transverse breech but refused to be turned around. I have never heard of hypnobirthing so I can't give you any input on that ... but did want to encourage you with your decision to try v-bac and kudos to your doctor for giving you the option. Explore all options available to you and remember - childbirth is painful, but women survive the pain and the joy of that sweet little bundle you hold later is so worth it.

best wishes..

J.

My first son was born via c-section because of a heart defect that he has. My second and third sons were born all natural via VBAC. In all the research I did about the risks about VBAC, I discovered there are risks with a c-section as well. A c-section is major abdominal surgery so there are risks. I think that some women need them but they are over used. I have no experience with hypnobirth but a vbac is definatly something that you can do.

Hi there!

First of all, good luck to you, and I am going to send so many happy birthing thoughts your way. We did hypnobirthing, and we loved it SO much. Our son was in a very funky position and did not want to come out, but we ended up feeling really positive about the birth we had. We strongly feel that I would have ended up with a c-section if we hadn't done hypnobirthing. I can't recommend it highly enough. The thing about it is that you don't have to rule out any interventions, should they be necessary, just because you do hypnobirthing. It is amazing education to be able to make decisions with your providers. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or want to hear more about it. :)

Warmly,
L.
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I recommend consulting with a midwife as they have more skill and experience then doctors not only vaginally delivering breech babies but also successful VBAC. They can also recommend hyponobirth specialists. I used Kelli McIntosh check out her website http://www.myspace.com/portlandmidwife

I don't have a direct answer to either question, but a couple suggestions:
1. Rest assured that even if you attempt for a vbac and there are complications, your doctor will make sure you and your baby are healthy as priority over the delivery route!
2. Hire a doula. We had one for my unmedicated vaginal delivery and it was very helpful. I stayed relatively relaxed and she was able to help me stay focused on the task at hand without getting all wound up about pain and concerns.

Hi J., I ended up with a C-Section due to breach position, but it was timed by baby - aka my water broke, etc. and I got to labor for many hours at home. I was planning a Hypnobirthing home birth and used the technique through contractions and also through the delivery with all the tugging and pulling, etc. It worked really well. It takes practice so you and your partner need to be dedicated to that.

My midwife said I would be a perfect candidate for a Vbac which I plan to try next.

I say, if you want to try it, go for it, and I think the Hypnobirthing is a great option. I will use it again.

Regarding the risk...there is a whole lot of risk with a C-Section. There are always things in birth beyond your control. All you can do is choose the best method for you and prepare and then pray that all goes smoothly. What I'm saying is...there is risk with both so choose what you would truly want to have!

Congratulations! And, have a wonderful birth! And, if you want a referral to a hypnobirthing teacher, we went through Zenanna Spa.