UK ladies who had/tried for a VBAC

[the why bird]

Sorry I know there's a lot of VBAC threads but I have some specific questions, hope you don't mind.

I had a c section due to baby's head getting bent to the side late in labour. I went into labour spontaneously, dilated just fine, baby wasn't in distress at any point and no other problems. The dr at the time said there was no reason I wouldn't be able to give birth vaginally in the future.

Thing is, I am terrified of being stuck in a bed attached to monitors. They had me hooked up to fetal monitoring pretty much all the way through the first birth, and every time they took me off and I stood up, someone else would come in and put me back in bed. I strongly believe this was part of the reason I had a c-sec: I think if I had been allowed an active labour I would've had a decent chance of getting her in a better position. Anyway, guess I'll never know.

No idea why I was monitored so much - no probs with baby's heart rate, the only complications was slightly high blood pressure the week before - no other signs of pre-e, and the blood pressure would return to normal every time I was monitored - and borderline case of polyhydramnios which mostly resolved itself before birth.

So - do I have any chance of being allowed to give birth in the birth centre instead of the high risk ward? Any remote chance of a water birth? Or at the very least, do I have good chances of being allowed to labour in whatever position I want?

I'm seriously so stressed about the idea of being stuck lying down again, I would rather just opt for a c-sec if that's my only option. Ladies who have been there - were you treated as high risk just because of your prev section?

 

[tristansmum]

I had a vbac last year. First labour progressed fine and I pushed for ages but he was brow presentation and had a emcs.
Second time I was mw led but still had to go to labour ward. The info given said no birthing centre, monitoring, no water but I've heard of UK ladies challenging this and winning. I didn't as I'm not a fighter and just wanted a vbac in a safe environment. I was monitored but I could be in any position I wanted. Had a very quick labour as I had dilated to fully last time. 4-10cm 2 hours and just over 1 hour of pushing.
All I can suggest is bringing it up with your mw. There is literature out there to suggest continuous monitoring makes no difference and there was a lady on here that laboured on water for her vbac around the same time as me. She had to fight for it mind you x

 

[loopy82]

I haven't attempted a vbac yet but I have recently found out that I can go to the birth centre instead of hospital. I had a consultants appointment where it was discussed, they couldn't give me a good reason why not so left it with me to contact the birth centre who said they would be more than happy for me to deliver there. Obviously I'm still early on and things may change but I'm so glad to know it's possible, hth.

 

[baileybubs]

I've not had my second yet but i had my appointment with the consultant and basically my local birthing centre won't allow me to labour there and I will have to be monitored throughout so have to be at the hospital. Saying that I am considered high risk for a couple of reasons including suspected pre-eclampisa last pregnancy (was never confirmed as I was just induced the day before due date). But as a pp said i think it's possible if you fight for it to have a water birth and intermittent monitoring if the only reason is for previous section. Personally I will just be happy for a natural birth where I can move so I will at least be fighting to be active!

 

[irish_cob]

I had a home vbac, no monitoring except for the mw listening to the heartbeat every 15 mins with the sonicaid, no vaginal exams and I moved around wherever I liked. I could have gone to the birth centre too if I'd wanted to. It's your labour and your birth. You can accept or refuse anything. You can refuse continuous monitoring, you can refuse an iv, it's totally up to you.

 

[Miss406]

Firstly, I have to agree with yourself. Chances are their continuous monitoring caused you issues during your last pregnancy.

I've had a HOME BIRTH after Caesarean (two actually) and both times I have been advised that if I was to go into hospital in labour I would be continually monitored from 3cm and stuck on the bed with regular interference and absolutely no chances of a water birth or even active labour.

I decided to tell them to stick it up their pipe and smoke it and went on to have my home birth - that I'd wanted all the way along, even with my firstborn.

You will have to ask for hospital policies and procedures for VBAC women in your area, what one hospital may monitor continuously another may monitor only every half an hour for 10 minutes or what ever..... best of luck xx

 

[Mrs HM]

I haven't attempted my vbac yet, but I was told that i could have an active or water birth and that they have wireless monitors that would allow me to move around. This was a huge point for me as I was very clear that I would not be confined to a bed. I am prepared to fight to be allowed to move, I won't consent to continuous monitoring and I will refuse to have an IV cited 'just in case' it's needed.

They did say i was high risk, which is laughable as I only needed a section as last LO was undetected breech - I had and have had no other issues.

 

[mysteriouseye]

Hi Ladies, I am a VBAC hopeful here, I was going to have a home birth VBAC but I am a big wimp so I am having my VBAC at the hospital but I am refusing CFM and letting the midwife check me every 5 minutes as in my research CFM is the thing why most women fail at VBAC, I have told the midwife I want to be as active as possible and will not be laying on the bed xx

 

[baileybubs]

Hi Ladies, I am a VBAC hopeful here, I was going to have a home birth VBAC but I am a big wimp so I am having my VBAC at the hospital but I am refusing CFM and letting the midwife check me every 5 minutes as in my research CFM is the thing why most women fail at VBAC, I have told the midwife I want to be as active as possible and will not be laying on the bed xx

I'm going to refuse that too and stay as active as possible, I hope!!