VBAC? Is It Hopeless to Think I Can Have One?

I have not had a VBAC but I know several women in Utah who have. I really suggest you contact ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network). I think the Web site is www.ican-online.org. The organization is excellent, AND the current president (Pam Udy) lives in northern Utah and is likely to be current on your options here in Utah.
I also suggest you Google the blog "Birth, Babies and Breasts, Oh My!" The woman who runs that blog also hosts a birth discussion group and most of the moms I know who have had a successful VBAC are people I've met at that group. I'm sure there's an email contact listed.
Good for you for exploring your options--you're already trying to make the best mothering decisions you can for this upcoming baby! Best wishes!

If we're just talking about plain and simple facts, a c-section is more risky than a VBAC. However, in general, doctors get sued for not doing a c-section, which results in the unfortunate situation we're in right now. Even with 2 c-sections, I think a reasonable doctor would allow it.

I see you're in Roy, which is close to me. We've been having this VBAC discussion at the La Leche meeting in downtown Ogden. The leader has had two c-sections and is exploring her options before getting pregnant again. The other person at the last meeting told us her VBAC experience. She had her VBAC with Jon Ahlstrom at Roy Family Medicine (5400 S and 1900 W behind Down to Earth). (Although she says she doesn't know if he wants a lot of VBACs being sent his way.)

There is an ICAN meeting in Sunset. It would be March 12 at 2 pm. The leader has been having lots happen in her life, so she actually hasn't having the meetings lately. Hopefully she will this month.

I would love to help you out on this. Send me a message if you need anything.

I have had a VBAC. Unfortunately, I can't recommend my doctor because he is in Phoenix! Unless you're moving down there... I had my first vaginally. My second pregnancy was twins and one of them was Frank Breech, which is why they chose C-Section, and my fourth (third delivery) VBAC. What he told me about VBAC was this: If you've already had a normal vaginal birth, and it's been at least a year since your C-Section, they will give a VBAC a try. They did it in an operating room just in case something went wrong and they had to do an emergency C-Section (like if my scar ripped with the labor, or the baby was in distress, or my uterus wasn't strong enough to handle labor after the C-Section.) My point is that it's possible. Especially if you've already delivered vaginally successfully. I only moved here about a year ago, and I haven't had need for that type of doctor yet, so I can't recommend any. But I would say ask the questions and find one that will do VBAC. I have heard that some doctors are very opposed to VBACs at all, no matter what the situation because they're more risky, and they know if they just do another C-Section, they won't have to worry about all the "what ifs" So my advice would be to find a doctor that is more concerned with patients and less with his/her own personal liability, and go with that one. Good luck baby making! (and delivering, for that matter!)

My first was a c-section, but I have gone on to have 3 successful VBAC's. You have a different situation because you have had 2 c-sections.

When I moved back to Utah and was expecting my 2nd child 9 years ago, I had a hard time finding a Dr in the SLC area that would do a VBAC. I ended up driving to Roosevelt Utah, and had my friend who was a midwife deliver me there. They have since changed their rules, and will not allow a midwife to deliver a VBAC at Uintah Basin Medical Center.

My third was Delivered in Atlanta GA, and I found a wonderful Dr who had no problem doing a VBAC, same with #4 in Boise, ID. You have to shop around, and find a high risk Dr who is willing to deliver you. They will always say there is a risk of uterine rupture, and there is, but you can do it. I agree full heartedly that the recovery is so much easier after a VBAC then with a c-section. Happing hunting!