Vbac consensus?

[Sass827]

Hey all! Just starting to do my vbac research for my current pregnancy. Starting reading the mega vbac thread on here, but it's huge. Just hoping to ask, for those who have had a vbac, is the general consensus not to do it with pain meds? I'm in the U.S., so I don't have the option for gas and air or a tens machine. I think my only options are epidural or narcotics via IV. Any opinions, into or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

[QueenQueso]

No experience (I had a 'bait&switch' doctor who refused to allow labor after 41w, so a rcs at 41w1d because I had no other OB option), but when I preregistered at the hospital and met with the anesthesiologist, he had me fill out the questionnaire for an epidural (all the Q's they have to ask you before you can have one, like allergies or what-not) as well as the spinal (for in the event of a cesarean without having an epidural in place).

So it seems that at least at my hospital, you're allowed an epidural for a vbac.

 

[misspriss]

I am planning to do it naturally, with no pain meds, but that is only because I want to. There is no reason not to as far as I am aware, except for that it can (not always) lead to a cascade of interventions which lead to another cs.

 

[luz]

My sister in law had a c-section with her first and has since had 3 children vaginally. she had an epidural with each of the 3. The second child required a little assistance to come out, and they used a vacuum on him, but the other 2 were fine.

I would choose an epidural over IV narcotics, as an epidural will not enter your blood stream and transfer to the baby like the IV drugs would.

 

[Sass827]

I love hearing stories like that Luz. Gives me so much more confidence. Thank you.
It's not that my hospital won't give an epidural- they absolutely will. They'll even give me pitocin if I stall out after labor starts.
I'm just trying to gather more information about whether having any drugs will lower my chances of a sucesful vbac. I could see it going either way, truly. My first labor was so bizarre, so I'm just trying to get my head around this properly.

 

[Srrme]

I opted for a VBAC last time and had one successfully. I delivered my baby naturally without any pain medication, but an epidural or pain meds through IV were an option for me if I chose so. I think they mainly try to stay away from induction.

 

[babifever]

I will be going for the narcotics in the IV, definitely no epidural. I wonna feel my body. This is how I did it with my son and everything was good. The narcotics knock the edge off for me.

 

[Nanaki]

Hi. I had a CS with my first son and went on delivered my 2nd son natural with only gas and air! And hope I will be doing the same with 3rd but looking into water birth. xx

 

[x__amour]

My first/DD was an EMCS and my second/DS was a failed VBAC/RCS. In no way am I against pain medications during birth (I had an epidural with DD) but if I could've had a VBAC I was opting more for IV narcotics rather than an epidural because I really wanted to be able to walk around and help progress.