Any VBAC stories?

[Missy08]

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for anyone with VBAC experiences (good or bad)...A little background on myself:

DD 1 was born in 2008. She was 3 weeks early, my water broke on it's own, was in labor around 12 hours and pushed an hour. It was a fairly complication free delivery.

DD2 was born in 2013...I was induced after I went passed my due date (I REALLY regret that). I had Pitocin with my 2nd and had my water broke and also had an epidural...things just spiraled from there...I was in labor around 14 hours, had dips in my blood pressure, nausea then toward the end I got a fever and DD's heartbeat kept getting too fast so I had a c-section....They said when they took her out that she was in there "cock-eyed" so she wouldn't come down all the way. The whole experience was traumatic and my recovery was so much worse than with my first.

My question is, DH & I are now talking about TTC #3 and I'm just trying to get some information on VBAC's...I've started doing a little research and it seems the risk of uterine rupture is very low but it still scares me...Just looking for anyone's experiences on this.

(Also I'm in the U.S.--anyone know if VBAC's are treated differently here than in the U.K.?)

Thanks!

 

[spunky84]

I'm a vbac hopeful so haven't had one yet, but I'm with you on the fears.

UR is rare, about 0.5% (or 1/200).

I found it hard to find good information on the internet. I feel there there's a line between fear mongering and being knowledgeable and making an informed choice. Generally, from what I've read (not sure about accuracy), vbac is safer for mom, rcs is safer for baby. A vbac is safer than rcs, but a rcs is safer than a failed vbac. Based on what I've read.

I would honestly talk to your doctor about it. You'd likely have to sign a risk/informed consent form acknowledging the risks of vbac. I was absolutely terrified before I really had the chance to talk to the OB about it (I see a midwife, but I'm now alternating between the two as the OB will be at the delivery - I just saw her at 24 weeks).

They have about a 75% vbac success rate. In all her time of doing vbacs, she only had one UR and that was with someone that had multiple c sections (however saved the uterus). She honestly prefers vbac over rcs (though I have a choice). She prefers not to induce (as it can increase odds of UR), but will do a gentle induction if my body is favorable enough (and will consider a foley catheter if I'm not dilated only approved by ACOG which it is). She'll allow me to only go to 41 weeks. Obviously this can vary by provider.

Some providers are not vbac friendly, others are, but I really think your provider will be helpful (provided they are vbac friendly) information and will help ease your fears. I feel much better (though still a little scared) since talking to the OB and having a better idea of what to expect.

I hope some people can share their vbac stories as I'd like to hear them as well, and hope that they can confirm or disprove anything I've said.

 

[Srrme]

I had a natural hospital VBAC the last time! I had no issues whatsoever. No one ever made a big deal about it, and I was even allowed minimal monitoring during labor and delivery. I went into labor naturally and wasn't induced.

 

[sopho]

I had a vbac. I planned vbac from the start, midwife encouraged it. I felt nervous and at points i was asking for a c section, however my waters broke at 34 weeks and labour started naturally, straight forward labour but babys heart rate dipped with each push , she they had to use forceps in the end. They whole labour was great, no problems .

Im hoping to ttc #3

 

[misspriss]

I had a VBAC recently. It went well.

I went to a VBAC friendly doctor, but when my BP was high she was talking about delivering right at my due date, and said if I didn't go into labor myself by then, we'd have to talk about "alternate routes of delivery" (so much for VBAC friendly...). I insisted on being induced before a RCS, told her I was willing to do anything to induce before I would agree to a RCS, she agreed we would do a foley bulb then maybe low dose pitocin.

I tried everything I could to go into labor on my own, EPO, sex, TONS of walking, bouncing on the ball, etc. Nothing. When I went in, I was fingertip dilate and they put in the foley. They told me I could be on it 12 hours. Luckily they were lazy about that because it took about 14 hours to fall out. I was supposed to be 3-4 cm after it fell out; I was only 1-2 stretchy to 3-4 (all that EPO?). Great. I went all day walking, bouncing, nipple stimulation...but I also had some serious anxiety attacks over conflicting things told to me by my doctor and then her coming in and basically saying she didn't think I would be successful (in not so many words). I told her to keep those kinds of opinions to herself, that I was in this for the long run and if I was in labor 5 days, I'd be in labor 5 days. I considered leaving the hospital AMA after that, just because I was so distraught, which probably did not help my labor. I would not let anyone check me as I did not want to be disappointed. They checked me later that evening (after I agreed to stay and took an anxiety pill against my doctor's advice) and I was 3-4 finally. They said they would start pit at midnight. I was still 3-4. They started it and increased it every hour, I had regular, intense, close together contractions from about 2 am. At 9 am, I was checked...still 3-4.

The pitocin contractions were getting awful, and I was not progressing at all. My dr wanted to break my water, but suggested I get an epidural first. I decided to get an epidural. The first one didn't take, so it took nearly 2 hours to get the epi in and working (2 hours of pit ctx every 3 minutes or so...and I had to be lying down in bed, which was the WORST). But the epi finally worked, they did a good "walking" epidural, I could still feel my legs but not my contractions. I got sleep. The next time they checked me I was a 7-8! I had woken up because the epi was wearing of and I was starting to feel contractions. The doctor came to check me as I don't think she believed the nurse I was 7-8. I was. The next time I was checked I was a 9-9.5 (this was very shortly later). Next thing I knew I was 9.5 with a tiny lip, then 10....my doctor wanted me to "labor down" instead of starting pushing when I hit 10, which was fine with the epi, I was feeling contractions but they were bearable.

I started feeling pushy, so they said I could start pushing. I pushed for less than an hour and DD was born! I had a 1st degree tear that required 1 stitch.

It can be done, but sometimes you do have to be firm with your doctor, even very "VBAC friendly" doctors. I had a doula and a very supportive husband as well. I have heard from other people since that my doctor told them she would not induce a VBAC. I read the ACOG guidelines and knew my research and knew what was safe and what was not, what the risks were, etc. I do believe because I was knowledgeable and stood up for myself was the only reason I was not "persuaded" to get a RCS.

And the moment my daughter was born was the best moment of my life. The moment my son was born was wonderful, but it was also filled with anxiety and fear (preemie, severe pre-e, etc). I didn't have these feelings with DD. So empowering, words cannot even describe.

 

[Missy08]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone!

It helps to hear about successful VBAC stories. I haven't done a TON of research yet but I have done some...I understand the risks of a UR (the biggest reason people get a RCS) are very small, possibly even smaller or the same as a RCS, so that makes me feel better. I have also had a previous vaginal birth, so I think that helps my chances as well. I will be going to a different OB this time (we moved), but the one I will probably first meet with does seem to be supportive of VBAC, although I haven't actually spoken with her yet...

Hoping to hear some more stories/get more info!

 

[ttcnewbie123]

I'm in the Uk and had a successful-ish vbac. Had an emergency c section with first child due to foetal distress, was adamant I wanted a vbac with me 2nd. Midwife and consultant encouraged it but I was still classed as high risk which meant more monitoring during labour. All I would say is a few times during my labour c section was mentioned by the midwife, I'd been bleeding quite a lot, things weren't progressing very quickly and it would have been so easy to have said yes! But I wanted the vbac so much I did almost have to fight for it a little. Ended up having an episiotomy which took soooo long to heal and was so painful but still I am so so happy that I gt my vbac. We are ttc number 3 now and will be going for a vaginal birth again. Good luck!!

 

[Srrme]

I just had another successful VBAC, this time at home.

 

[SmartieMeUp]

I had EMCS in 2011 and a VBAC 5 days ago

1st labour was 43 hours start to end, this time it was shy of 23 hours start to end. I stayed at home 9-10 hours and admitted myself at 4cm and it went smoothly from then on. I did have scar pain which was brought on by my awful midwives forcing their fingers inside me for me to forcefully (and not ready to) push them out. I asked to be taken into theatre for an assisted birth in which I was given minimal vacuum. Just as I was being prepared my body wanted to push and it took 4 contractions (12 pushes max) to get her out. I was given an episiotomy too, which didn't hurt at all either.

Recovery is so much better, I was happy within myself and skipped the "blues day" And it made me breastfeed easily. I just wish I could do the labour again, loved it.

 

[Mrs HM]

I'm in the UK and the link to my vbac story is in my signature.