Ladies who have had a VBAC

[JoPo]

Hi

I know that in lots of cases second labours are faster than the first.

My question is for a VBAC (second pregnancy) should I expect a long slow labour as its the first natural birth or will it also be quick?

My OB told me VBAC births are usually quick 4-5 hours. However I dont know if I should mentally prepare for a 24hr+ labour which can happen with first birth.

Any experiences would be helpful!

Thanks

 

[patch2006uk]

It depends on the circumstances around your first birth. If you got to fully dilated and pushing before a c-section, then I'd consider a VBAC to be a second labour and to expect it to be quicker. If you had a planned c-section, so never dilated at all, it's expected to be closer to a first labour. I think most women fall somewhere in between.

I understand it's also quite common for VBAC labours to be a bit more start stop, as if the body knows not to run at it head on with a scar to consider. However, I've heard as many stories of them being very fast labours.

There's lots of online info and support groups for VBAC, and maybe consider a doula

 

[tristansmum]

I dialated to 10cm and pushed for 2 hours but he was in a bad position and forceps could turn and deliver him. I have been told the dialating part of labour i will be second time mum but the pushing him out (fingers crossed ) will be first time mum as he never moved down past my cervix. So thats my understanding but who knows! Fingers crossed we all get our vbac reguardless of its length xxx

 

[Banshee]

I attempted VBAC with ds2 but 40 hrs after they started inducing me I ended up with a second emergency c section due to poor foetal heartrate and failure to progress so it definitely wasn't quick for me. I never fully dilated with ds1 though as when I arrived at hospital in labour ds1 had a pathological heart trace (think that's what it's called) so I was dashed to theatre for my first c section and only got to 5cms.

 

[heyluu]

I agree with patch, it will probably depend on what happened with labor number one. However, I've had 4 vbacs and I can attest that even with previous births labor can be slow to start and and last what seems like forever. But then a first labor can be relatively quick in comparison. I think there are a lot of factors that go into it. A doula is great if you can afford it but definitely go into it with an open mind.

 

[lrxjessica]

My first son's csection was due to him being breech, though I did labor until 4cm with him.

I just successfully had my VBAC for my second son. I had pretty intense contractions for two days. Started on 4th of April at 10am until I gave birth on the 6th of April at 3:25am. They finally admitted me into the hospital on the 5th at 8pm at 5cm.

So I guess it depends on you and your baby. I was hoping for a decent paced birth with my second son but ended up being drawn out.

 

[JoPo]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

From your answers I will assume it may not be quick as my c-section was planned before any labour/contractions even started.

To be honest expecting a longer labour is a relief as give me more time for person to get to my house who will look after my son and get to the hospital which could take a while if traffic is bad! I realise there is no way of knowing what will happen, but I have been worried I would run out of time and baby be born in the car!!!

Thanks again