Wanting a VBAC Next Time Around....

Hi H.-

My experience the first time around with my daughter sounds much like yours. I had an emergency C-section because of my babys heart rate and my labor was not progressing fast enough, even though they gave me pitocin. My water had broken and 19 hours later,I managed to dialate to 7 and was fully efaced but at this point the both of us were in danger......God is good and all went well. I had no desire to to have another c-section the second time around especially when having to care for your oldest child. I talked to my Dr. and that was the plan with # 2. I DID go VBAC and I was SO happy to. The recovery is nothing compared to C-section! My understanding is that the risk is greater to go VBAC IF you have had more than one C-section. Otherwise, it's totally possible and an AWESOME experience! I wish you good luck and most importantly talk to your Dr. and see if this is something he is willing to do for you and go from there.
HTH-

H.
I want to encourage you that vaginal births after cesareans are done and they are done safely all the time!! My experience is that it takes a mom who is committed to VBAC and a health care provider who also is very committed and believes in the bodies ability to birth on its own. Due to the fact that there is a very small chance of complications, there are not a ton of options when seeking out hospitals and health care providers that are 100% supportive of VBAC----but they do exist!! I think some thing that might be encouraging to you would be meeting with a heath care provider which does support VBAC and talk with them about what your options or goals could be in striving for one in your next birth, whenever that may come. They can then tell you your chances of “this, this and this” happening and the things you could work on to avoid that. We all know that cesareans have a purpose and there are those times when we are so thankful for that medical technology---but we also know that over 70% of pregnancies are free of complications and so a vaginal birth is optimal and just the normal thing to do.

I know many people who use Dr New and love him—but I have not heard of any one having a VBAC with him…actually I don’t think I have ever heard of a VBAC at Baylor Grapevine ever (some one can correct me if I am wrong—I would love to be wrong!) There are other health care providers in DFW who do them and are strong supporters of them, including OB’s and midwives—if you are interested in any referrals you can email me and I will send them to you privately.

I just want to encourage you to gather as much info as possible and don’t give up your desires until the “fat lady has sung!!” There are always options!!
Take care,

L. S.
A little about me: I am a local birth doula and the admin. Dir. at the American Pregnancy Association-- Pretty much everything I do revolves around pregnancy! My husband and I are expecting our first in May--right now we only have furry kids...3 of them!

H.,
I can so understand your desire to VBAC for the next delivery. Many women are able to do so, but there are some medical requirements that can be somewhat limiting. For instance the PIH that required a c/s initially may return and cause the same complications. Also most OB's today are following the recommendations that prevent assistance with cervical ripening, inductions and other procedures due to potential uterine rupture. So if your labor doesn't start on it's own by 40-41 weeks there are no other options to inducing you.
However, as I said many women do come back for the second baby as every pregnancy is different, and are able to have a vaginal delivery. Being in good shape is certainly helpful, yoga is a great tool for losing wt, toning the muscles and allowing you to continue with the exercises throughout the pregnancy.
Having said all of this, please know that a c/s is a blessing not a failure and a safe way to welcome a wonderful new child into your life as an alternative. After all we wouldn't have had Julius Cesar without it.
Dr New is a very good OB-GYN who is also a very caring person and will listen to your desires and communicate his concerns, rationale for care and practice style with you. Please feel free to discuss this at your next gyne visit with him. He may have a lot of insight to offer re your health status overall.

Many Blessings to You and Yours,
Sincerely,
K. Willis, RN, @ The Nestingplace, Grapevine

H.: You will want to check with the doctor as well as the hospitals in your area. From personal experience working in different hospitals - it is against some hospital's policy to allow VBACs. The risks are higher and the hospitals are very concerned with being sued. Some hospitals in the area may be dropping OB services altogether because there are more lawsuits in that department than any other. That is the same reason many ob/gyns can't deliver babies anymore - their insurance is the highest in field. Crazy. Too many people have sued and ruined things for everyone. I hope that you will find a doctor and hospital that will support your decision, I just wanted to give you some feedback on why it will be difficult to do. Good luck!