VBAC & Attempted Vbac's Anyone?

Hi B. -

I had a successful natural childbirth after a c-section with my first baby.

VBAC definitely has its risks and that is why doctors (and insurance companies) have moved away from allowing them. Nevertheless, there are many success stories out there.

My first pregnancy was smooth -- then in the last weeks my son turned and was tush down and engaged. We tried an inversion to move him back around but it didn't work. The doctor at that point gave me a choice to wait to go into labor or have a c-section. He recommended the latter.

When I was pregnant with my daughter I really wanted to try a vaginal birth. I knew this would probably be my last pregnancy and wanted that experience I guess. So -- I did some research -- there are some really good books out there. I would tell you the titles but they are in a box in my garage somewhere (it's been 6 years now). My doctor was pretty much not thrilled about my decision and I did have to sign a special waiver (probably for their insurance coverage).

Anyway, one thing that made me feel a little better about pursuing the VBAC is that my first baby and second were both small -- both were a little under 6 lbs. and my c-section wasn't due to a problem in the baby passing through the birth canal, hypertension, or any of those situations that are high risk.

For some reason I had this belief that since it was a VBAC I needed to do the birth without any drugs -- I had this ridiculous theory that if I began to rupture I would have a better chance of knowing if I could feel everything. Well -- after having gone through it now, I am not sure that that is true. I mean could I really differentiate from the pain of labor and some other thing going on??

Anyway, in the end I did it -- all natural and very successfully. The baby and I did great and now, looking back, I am glad that I did it.

What I would recommend is you do a little more research, talk to your doctor about the risks he foresees -- as every person and their risks are different. If you can -- do it, but if you can't -- no big deal -- the real reward is a beautiful, healthy baby.

Good Luck!

I had a VBAC at Queens hospital and I am a military wife! I was able to becasue I opted out of the network and it was the best decision because they are sooooo supportive there about breastfeeding! Everything went great! I exercised throughout my entire pregnancy this time around and I was able to have him naturally. good luck

After 48 hours of labor with my first child I had a c-section for the very reasons you did. I went on to have 3 vbac's with no trouble. I really felt the recovery was much easier with the vbac than with the section. I was induced 2 days late with my first vbac and she was born 7 hours later (really only 2 hours were very intense). My third baby (2nd vbac) came about 3 hours after I knew I was in labor. My fourth almost ended in csection because she wasn't in the right position so she wasn't decending properly...but at the last minute I turned on all fours and went from 7 to 10 in one contraction and pushed her head out right away and pushed the rest of her out with the next contraction.
I would say it can be done and I loved the experience... however - if you are anxious about it that can hinder your efforts so do whatever feels right for you. In the end that healthy baby is so much more important than their "exit strategy"! Ha, ha!

Hi,

Your story sounds similar to my first birth almost 31 years ago. I also ended up getting an emergency c-section. I have 3 other children, all c-sections. I don't think that I would have had more children if I would have had to go through labor again. It was too painful. It took weeks to recover. You must be a trooper!

I was offered a vaginal delivery after c-section with my last two kids and said "Thanks but No Thanks". My last c-section was almost 12 years ago and I was walking with almost no pain only hours after. They followed the c-section with morphine.

This following is a link with frequently asked questions about vaginal birth after c-section. I hope it helps

http://www.childbirth.org/section/VBACFAQ.html#what>Wh...=

I know that they claim that there is greater risk with c-section but I never had a problem.

Good Luck,

D.

Hi B.,

Well, I know first hand about this and know exactly how you feel. I thought I was the best candidate for vbac. I had two vaginal deliveries, one in 97, one in 02, then in 03 I got pregnant with twins, one was breech and I had to have a c section. I again got pregnant in 06 and from the very beginning was set on vbac. I too did my research, looked into everything, my doctor agreed would do it. but when push came to shove, it just didnt happen, i was labor for literally a month. They would never do anything since I wanted vbac. They wouldnt induce because that increases the chance of rupture. I did everything I could to improve labor and hopefully have a vbac. I walked like there was no tomorrow, I drank teas, took hot showers, anything and everything to improve labor. It never happened. I was dialated, but she just wouldnt come. Mind you I have had 2 vaginal deliveries and only one c section which was only because twin a was breech. Now I know everyone is different and has different experiences. But when I did go to the operating room, after they did do the incision, my doctor said my uterus lining was so thin, he could practically see through it and one more hour my uterus would have ruptured. I felt so horrible that I put my baby and I in this risk and the thought that I came so close to a rupture was really scary. I have heard many stories of success and so forth. The doctors did agree to go through with it, but I would have had to sign a waiver and they always reiterated the high risks. If still really set on it, I would plan to have a vbac, but as the time nears and it doesnt look like labor is progressing, then be very willing to go with a second c section.

follow your heart and mind and I hope all will go well.

well first off, you are lucky that your dr/ hospital does vbac. mine did not. so obvoiusly i had a second c-section. my first was very traumatic, like yours. the second one was not bad at all. it was less painful, less recovery time and very nice to know when it was going to happen so that i could make arrangements for my oldest. so just remember that if things dont go your way (having a vbac) there are pros to having a second c-section. good luck!!!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
You go girl!
That is AWESOME that you are doing your research and looking into this before you are even preggers!
Way to be on the ball!
I would recommend a birth doula.
My birth doula was AWESOME (and i had one back east with my first baby too) and her presence and peaceful way of interacting and her vast knowledge is still helpful....months later. She was awesome though and i highly recommend it!
My doula is knowledgeable about VBAC's as well and is totally PRO vaginal delivery and ultimately whatever is best for the mother and baby........
GOOD LUCK!
S.
____@____.com

I'm new to mamasource, not entirely sure how this works... is everyone on this thread local to Ventura County California?
B., I wonder if you know about ICAN? International Cesarean Awareness Network. They have chapters around the country and support meetings for VBAC and c/s recovery and more. Are you in VC? I can point you toward a contact for the chapter/meetings and other moms knowledgeable about VBAC resources in the area. Feel free to message me privately if you would like more information. I know the resources are out there :)

I don't have the option of VBac. The hospitals here won't do it, from what I was told. So make sure that your hospital, and doctor, will attempt a VBAC.