VBAC Stories

I see the midwives at Metro Partners and will be delivering at Southfield Providence. I am hoping for a VBAC. I also hired a Doula.

The biggest thing I have learned is to surround yourself with positive stories. There are some great books out there that tell positive birth stories. Many doctors/people scare you into a VBAC. Talk to the midwife to decide if you are a good fit - why did you have a c-section in the first place, etc.

I am a good fit for a VBAC, but a good friend of mine is not.

I wish you the best of luck - I am due in 5 weeks and am looking forward to a positive birth story.

A., I don't have much for you but I do know one of the midwifes at HFWB - she is my neighbor and also helped me through my labor (and helped my husband through my emergency c-section). Her name is Lyn Spencer and maybe you could call Henry Ford WB and talk to her.

Congratulations on your upcoming addition.

Drew

A midwife group is great. We used Metro Partners in Women's Health out of Providence. Their website is
providencenursemidwives.com They were wonderful and now I will only use them. Also I cannot say enough about having a doula. The one we used is in Farmington Hills and she is on mamasource. Her website is tranquiltouchforwomen.com. And she is the best. Her name is Exie. She is very experienced and just perfect to have with you every step of the way. You can read her testimonials and just educate yourself on having a doula.

Good Morning A.!

I have to tell you upfront that I am very biased when it comes to this discussion (so just know that as you read my answer!!)

I have had 2 C-sections and 2-VBAC's. My first child was a C-section as a result from a failed induction. (I was over my due date and the baby was large, so they decided to induce. They could never chemically/artificially get me into active labor. So after 24 hours of trying, the baby started showing signs of distress and the decision was made to do a C-section.)

For my 2nd child I found an OB/Gyn who was very supportive of VBAC's. (After having a C-section most doctor's wouldn't say it out loud, but there was A LOT of "encouragement" for me to just schedule a C-section and not even concider a VBAC. I even had one doctor tell me that I was being selfish for not doing a C-section.) Dr. Paul Corsi was outstanding! He looked at all my post-op notes and said that the OB who performed the C-section made a low transverse incision and stitched me up in such a way that the uterus would be a good candidate for a VBAC. He monitored me closely when I was in labor.. and we delivered a beautiful 8lb 12oz baby girl vaginally!!

Then my 3rd child while we were in labor (again planning on a vaginal birth) started showing signs of distress (heart rate plunging and not returning to normal after a contraction)Dr. Corsi tried every non-invasive way to relieve the baby's distress, but baby was getting worse.. so we went for an emergency C-section.

Baby 4.. back to Dr. Corsi and another VBAC. All went well, and little Nathan came into the world the "natural" way!!.

The first step (I believe!) to having a successful VBAC is to find a doctor who is committed to doing them. Due to the liability, I think that OB/GYN's would rather not even try. If you have a doctor who is just giving you the reasons not to have a VBAC, then if one thing is not perfect... they will be ready to cut.

Second, you need to be a good candidate. You sound like you are, because you had a successful vaginal birth before. The previous C-section needs to have been done with in the "safe" guidlines (the low transverse incision and no complications in the sowing back together) and the reason for the C-section was not due to your physiology.. but because of the position of the baby.

Third, I would make sure that I was delivering in a hospital that is equipped to do emergancy C-sections/Surgery. If by some fluke you do fall into the 2-3% that have a uterus that ruptures, you want to know that you are in a facility that can respond quickly. (When you have a second VBAC like I did your risk of rupture increases to 6 - 7%. On my second VBAC there was an instance where the baby's heart rate dipped one time and was slow to come back up... which can be a sign of uterine rupture.... with-in seconds I had 10 nurses,interns and Dr. Corsi in my room. They stayed until they could determine if it was just a cord/position issue or a true uterine rupture. 5 hours later Nate was born "naturally".)

For me the risk was 97-98% that I would deliver without any complications the first VBAC (which is the risk for a woman who has never delivered before) and 93-94% that it would be successful the second time was worth it. A vaginal deliver is so much easier to recover from and that is really important especially when you have children at home already!! I am thankful that all my deliveries have blessed us with healthy children and I am thankful for our medical professionals who assist us in this process.

I hope you find this helpful. Sorry that it is so long, but I have thought a lot about this topic!
I'll be praying for you!
Peace,
B.

P.S. If there is anything more specific you think I can help you with or you have questions about, I would be more than happy to help!

A. - If you are considering VBAC, I would encourage you to read the ACOG practice bulletins on this topic (ACOG is the American College of Obsterician Gynecologists, the governing body of OB/GYN's in the US). This is information based on evidence based medicine that OBs themselves consider when they are managing their patients. Also, you will want to have the absolutely most qualified individuals around you managing your labor - not that midwives are not qualified, but you want a professional who can look at your fetal monitoring and your clinical presentation to get on top of any potential problems that could occur during your labor immediately. Also, it is essential that the hospital you choose has a Level III NICU for your baby. Not to worry you, but because of the increased risks with VBAC, you want to make sure that if anything happens, you are within seconds of a neonatologist on call and on site at the hospital who can promptly care for your child in an environment where top level support is given. Good luck with your decision. L.

Hi A.!

My first was born via emergency C-section under general anesthesia due to fetal distress (his heartrate dropped into the 50-60s and wasn't coming back up). My second was born 18 months later via VBAC at Providence in Southfield. I used an OB/Midwife group - Metro Partners in Women's Health (now located in Novi @ Providence Park) but saw only the OBs. Dr. Lacoste is who I saw then and who I am seeing now for #3 - also hoping for another VBAC, as long as there are no complications that would prevent it. My OB was fairly neutral on the subject of VBAC vs. repeat c-section, but would not let me be induced (too much risk) nor would she let me go past 41 weeks. My second son was born @ 40 weeks following 22 hours of labor - with pitocin & an epidural.
I think it's incredibly important to be well informed on your decision (but at the same time remain open to all possibilities - as we all know nothing goes exactly as planned in the world of labor & delivery!). Be sure you check with the hospital that you'll be delivering at - some actually have bans on VBACs, even though a provider may support them.

Here are some online sites I found helpful in my process:

www.vbac.com
http://www.ican-online.org/
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/

Best wishes!

My first pregnancy was a scheduled c-sec cause the baby was breach and was estimated to be about ten pounds. He was 10.7 lbs at birth! The experience was terrible as far as recovery goes. My second baby was a sucessful VBAC. It was awesome! With drugs, it was no harder than having a large poop! Recovery was increadible! I felt great. I did go through a midwife group that also has doctors in their office so if need be I could switch to the doctor side. Everything fell into place as far as baby's positioning and timing and it all happened so smoothly. The mid wife had me do some excercises to be sure the baby was not going to move on me during the last few days. Not sure if they worked but the baby stayed where she needed to be.
Good luck.

Hi A.,
It is wonderful to hear that you are considering a VBAC. I recently worked with a mom who successfully had a VBAC at Henry Ford in Detroit. It was before the opening of Henry Ford West Bloomfield, but we had the privilege of having Jennifer as her midwife (who is now at W. Bloomfield). Jennifer is an amazing midwife who totally believes in the ability of women to birth naturally. The key to a successful VBAC is patience. You have to be patient as your body works with the hormones and contractions of labor. This can be difficult as the contraction pain may be felt in the area of your previous c-section scar for some time before you are actually actively laboring. There is a wonderful website for the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) that gives amazing information about VBAC. Also, if you hire a doula, then you can have someone there who is knowledgable and experienced and will help you and your husband stay focused and positive throughout your labor and delivery.
I have also worked with the midwives at Metro Partner's (someone mentioned them in a post)and know that they are also very supportive.
Every woman's experience is different and dependant on your individual obstetrical history. Your best bet is to get your medical files from your c-section (this will give a full understanding of the incisions made in the skin and your uterus, your recovery, etc), take them to your interviews with midwives and talk openly with them to determine if you are, in fact, a good candidate for VBAC. If you are able to determine that you are a good candidate, then I say "go for it". Have faith in what your body can do and stay positive.
If you would like to speak with me personally about any of your concerns, feel free to contact me.
I wish you the best,
E. B.
866-384-1734
____@____.com
tranquiltouchforwomen.com

I also am a VBAC success story! Similar to the one mom, I had a c-section, after a failed induction (the cord was wrapped around my sons neck). Since then, I've gone on to have 3 successful VBAC deliveries. I see Dr. Zaidan in Lake Orion -- I know that would be a hike for you, but he's an amazing doctor. All 3 of my deliveries went really smoothly. I knew he was monitoring my labor closely, making sure it progressed smoothly, that the baby was handling labor well, etc. He knew VBAC was my desire, and while he was committed to my desire, I also knew that if it wasn't supposed to happen that way, he wouldn't take unnecessary risks with me.
I hope it goes well for you!