16 answers

Vbac - Long Beach,CA

My baby is 8 months old and I just found out I'm pregnant again. My first baby was a c-section after 50 hours of labour. Did I get pregnant too soon and ruin my chances of having a VBAC? Has anyone had a VBAC so soon?

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So What Happened?™

I was able to try for a VBAC. I went into labor on my own a day after my due date. It came on much faster than my first labor. Contractions were very close together right off the bat, but very short (some 10 to 30 seconds long). I dilated much faster this time too. I made it to 10cm with a small cervical lip. I had tons of pressure and the baby's head was very low, but wasn't ready to push yet. The baby's heartbeat was not consistent and would disappear altogether at times. Apparently my pelvis has a large enough opening, but my birth canal is very narrow. The nurses even had a very hard time to check my cervix because of this. The Dr. wasn't sure the baby would fit through even if I had pushed for hours. We decided to go for another c-section. The epidural was no longer working (many medications do not work well on me) so I got a spinal block for the surgery, but was given too much medication (to be sure I wouldn't feel anything this time) and the muscles I use to breath were frozen and I felt that I could not breath. It was terrifying and I was put asleep. I missed my baby's first cry and my husband wasn't able to be there either. But his cord was around his neck and that's why his heartbeat was disappearing. If I had tried to push him out, he may have died. I really wish it could have gone another way, but I'm happy I have a healthy baby. All of this after 22 hours of labor. I now have 72 hours of labour under my belt and only two children to show for it. Next time I'll have to go with a schedued c-section.

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I have a friend that had a VBAC 13 months after the C/S. So long as you're a good candidate for a VBAC I don't know about any time frame that applies.

Dear Rachel,

Midwives (and physicians who support them) are usually more sympathetic to VBACs in general. You might consider midwifery care ( and possibly home birth) if you have trouble finding a doctor who will give you a chance.

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Dear Rachel,

Midwives (and physicians who support them) are usually more sympathetic to VBACs in general. You might consider midwifery care ( and possibly home birth) if you have trouble finding a doctor who will give you a chance.

it may, i'd ask your ob. it seems to vary hospital by hospital.

I had to have an emergency C-section with my daughter. At 8 months I became pregnant with my son. They tried to talk me into another c-section, but I refused and had him natural.

I also was pregnant with my second when my first was 8 months. I had a c section with my first because she was breech. I had a successful vbac with my second because there was no reason not to. In your case, because you had a difficult labor with the first, I think it will just depend on how things go with the second one to see if you can do a vbac. Having done both, if you can avoid the c section, definitely try!

First I would check if a VBAC would be covered by your insurance. Then check with your OB/GYN or hospital if they allow it. Not all hospitals do.

And of course, discuss it with your OB/GYN about having a VBAC... and she what his/her advice is, per YOUR situation.

All the best,
Susan

My first was a c-secton too and my doctor would not do a vbac with my second one and they were 4 years apart. Ask your dr if she or he thinks you could. Good luck and congrats.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I got pregnant 6 months after I had my first c-section and had a beautiful vbac. it's definitely possible!

I had a c-section with my first and tried very hard to have a VBAC with my second. Everything seemed to be going along fine. I dilated and pushed for 2 1/2 hours. As it turns out I just have a very small pelvic outlet. If I had not been in a hospital, I or the baby could have died because he was NOT coming out the natural way!!! I have since had a 3rd c-section and in the end all that really matters is that baby and Mom are healthy. Just be careful and make sure you are in a place that can offer you both options if need be.

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