VBAC info/support

[IcedQueen]

Hello all,
It seems like forever that I haven't posted here... although I have been lurking on the board and soaking up as much info as possible. You guys are just such a wealth of information. Thanks all. Its so good to see that I am not the only one that is so determined to have a VBAC.

I started my hypnobirthing course today. Lets hope I can put it into practice when the time comes

 

[modo]

Good luck Icedqueen I really got a lot out of my hypnobirthing course!

 

[chuck]

Hello all,
It seems like forever that I haven't posted here... although I have been lurking on the board and soaking up as much info as possible. You guys are just such a wealth of information. Thanks all. Its so good to see that I am not the only one that is so determined to have a VBAC.

I started my hypnobirthing course today. Lets hope I can put it into practice when the time comes

Hey missus, hope you enjoy the hypnobirthing course!

 

[bodi26]

Hi girls, hope I can join you all in here.

I had an elective section almost 3 years ago as my DD was breech throughout the whole pregnancy. I wasn't told at the time that any future pregnancies would automatically be considered 'high risk' and therefore, a lot of options wouldn't be available to me..

So after doing lots and lots of reading and research, I've spoken with the head of midwifery at my chosen hospital, their specialist VBAC midwife, the specialist water birth midwife and the team of midwives and it's looking likely that I'm going to be given the option of a water birth VBAC - so excited and so pleased with myself for putting my case across and "defying" their policies - usually I'll just go with the flow to avoid 'making a scene' but I fought for something and have had a really positive experience so far - I feel quite empowered lol!!

It's early days at the moment and I'm so worried this one's gonna turn breech too but at the same time, trying to stay positive.

That's my story - look forward to sharing your journeys too!

 

[momofone08]

Hi girls, hope I can join you all in here.

I had an elective section almost 3 years ago as my DD was breech throughout the whole pregnancy. I wasn't told at the time that any future pregnancies would automatically be considered 'high risk' and therefore, a lot of options wouldn't be available to me..

So after doing lots and lots of reading and research, I've spoken with the head of midwifery at my chosen hospital, their specialist VBAC midwife, the specialist water birth midwife and the team of midwives and it's looking likely that I'm going to be given the option of a water birth VBAC - so excited and so pleased with myself for putting my case across and "defying" their policies - usually I'll just go with the flow to avoid 'making a scene' but I fought for something and have had a really positive experience so far - I feel quite empowered lol!!

It's early days at the moment and I'm so worried this one's gonna turn breech too but at the same time, trying to stay positive.

That's my story - look forward to sharing your journeys too!

So glad that you are able to have your VBAC. Welcome to the group. It has been amazingly supportive and informative!

 

[NickyNack]

Hi bodi

I've had a elcs for a breech baby too, my third. And I'm crapping my pants this one will be breech too.....find out on 30th but so far so good according to midwife

 

[modo]

I saw the MW last week for my 34Week appointment. Baby is head down and engaged so everything seems good. I was reading somewhere that second babies don't engage until the end so was surprised to hear that my baby is. I guess that must be because I had a c-section with my first, right?

 

[chuck]

2nd Babies often don't engage just because there's more room in the uterus because its been stretched out before, neither of mine engaged until labour.

Stanley wasn't fully engaged until I was fully dilated.

 

[modo]

Wow ok I didn't know that. I wonder how come my baby is engaged then

 

[chuck]

Just getting ready to make an entrance!

Not every baby is the same, they might be popping in and out of your pelvis a bit in reality, but theyre headed in the right direction so its all good!

 

[bodi26]

For those of you who had breech babies, are you worried this one will be breech too?

I keep googling tips for getting baby into the right position, what are people's thoughts on this, do you think it works?? My last was breech ALL pregnancy and no sitting/standing in different positions for 5 or 30 minutes a day changed that!

 

[bodi26]

Sorry for the double post but I wanted to vent this somewhere and thought you ladies might be able to relate the most...

I was watching videos of births, especially water births this morning and ended up crying every single time the baby is placed on the mum's tummy.

I then had a nice long bath and started talking away to bump like a mad woman lol and it dawned on me..... It isn't the labour, the vaginal birth, the being in control etc that I'm longing for the most. It's that moment, that moment when the new born baby is given to mum and she can hug and kiss that little bundle of life.

With my c-section, I didn't get to hold her until a good 30 mins after she was born and I never got skin to skin. I didn't feel that rush of love and as awful as I feel for saying it, at that moment, she could have been anyone's baby - she didn't feel like *mine* - I didn't feel like I'd given birth and I actually found it pretty hard to bond with her. I was mesmorised with her but then I would've been with any newborn - I didn't feel that love until we got home 3 days later.

I'm really scared that I'm going to end up so disappointed if this one ends up breech and I have to have another section or if I end up having to go for an emergency section. At the end of the day, my whole relaxed, tranquil water birth can go out the window and they can do whatever they like to me as long as I get *that* moment and I'm really scared of how I'm going to feel if I don't.....

I feel really silly for saying that but as I said, I needed to get it out and actually admitt it and thought you girls might be able to relate the most.

 

[NickyNack]

I completely understand your train of thought, I feel the same way. I hate that others get to touch her and hug her before me, I'm the one who carried her for 9 months!! I am so looking forward to the moment she is on my chest, I can look down at her little face, and think Holy sh1t - I done that!! I didnt have that straight away with the other ones, my mum or husband got given them first while I was being stitched, and until I got into recovery. I feel like those first bonding moments were taken from me, and given to them instead

And try spinningbabies.com for turning breech babies. cant hurt to help baby get head down already

 

[kraftykoala]

So glad I found this thread! I'm currently TTC #3 and after 2 c sections I'd rather never think about again, I want to try for a VBAC this time. My DS1 was born by emergency section in 2003 after a failed labour, dilated to 10cm, then they discovered he was back to back and his head was deflex and they told me he wouldn't be coming out that way.

When I fell pregnant with DS2 in 2005 I feel I was pretty railroaded into an elective section, I was told my weight was an issue, the baby would be bigger than DS1 (9lb) and it would be safer all round to have a section. So I took their advice, and had the section which was anything but straightforward. Somewhere along the line the fact I had placenta previa wasn't picked up, the placenta was fused to the previous section scar and when they went in for the section through the existing scar they cut straight into the placenta. It's all a bit of a haze after that, there was a lot of shouting and panic, and I needed a big transfusion but thankfully we were both ok (although DS spent a few days in the neonatal for a breathing 'grunt'). He weighed half a lb less than ds1.

No one spoke much to me about the birth, although the health visitor did tell me I could ask for an enquiry, but I was just grateful for a healthy baby and wanted to forget all about it. I've since had a chance to look at my hospital notes and it's been completely glossed over lol.

Anyway, if we are blessed with a third, I'm pretty reluctant to let anyone near me with a knife again, and I want to experience a VBAC. Hubby is v v v negative about it so all this info is going to be great for persuading him to get on board with at least having a try!

 

[stepmummy]

Just had second attempt at a sweep (40+9 today) and my cervix was 'medium', closed and too far back for her to reach. She also confirmed that my LO has swung round back to back.

I have had my heart set on this VBAC, it means so much to me and I'm sure I've just gone and put too much pressure on myself. I'm feeling a little disheartened - well a lot disheartened if I'm honest! I've been waiting for this precious time for almost 10 months and I can't believe it seems to all be going wrong when I've tried to do everything right

I swear I'm normally so positive and not usually one for histrionics but I feel totally

Any reassurance? Is my VBAC still possible? Induction booked for Friday but now I'm terrified that LO will get stuck due to bad positioning and I'll just end up under the knife again!

 

[NickyNack]

Babes are born sunny side up as well, not always in the right position......Even breech babies are born vaginally these days

and 1 in 10 are posterior in labour - Most back-to-back babies are born vaginally, but this position can make labour more difficult for you, particularly if your baby's chin is pushed up rather than tucked in. As a result:
you may have backache as your baby's skull is pushing against your spine
your waters may break in early labour
your labour may be long and slow
you may feel like pushing before your cervix is fully dilated

When your baby gets to the bottom of your pelvis, he'll need to turn through almost 180 degrees to get into the best position to be born.

This can take quite a while, or your baby may decide he's not going to turn at all! In this case, he will be born with his face looking up at you as he emerges. He might need forceps or ventouse to help him out.
Try the following:
Check that your favourite armchair doesn't make your bottom go down and your knees come up. If it does, try turning the chair round, kneel on the seat pad and lean forwards over the back of the chair.

Scrub the floor! Our grannies used to say that washing the kitchen floor was a good way of preparing for labour. They were right - when you're on all fours, the back of your baby's head swings to the front of your belly.

Take regular breaks and move around if your job involves a lot of sitting.

Sit on a cushion in your car to lift up your bottom.

Watch TV leaning forward over a birth ball.

It's common for babies to change position during labour and most babies get themselves into an anterior position by the pushing stage, no matter what position they were in at the start of labour.

You may find that the best posture to labour in is on all fours. In this position, your baby drops away from your spine, helping to relieve backache and hopefully helping him to turn, too.

When you're in actual labour, try to:
Stay upright for as long as possible.

Lean forwards during your contractions – use a birth ball, bean bag, your partner or the bed to lean on.

Ask your birth partner to massage your back.


Rock your pelvis during contractions to help your baby turn as he passes through the pelvis

Don't stay sitting in a chair or on a bed in a leaning-back position for too long.

Try not to have an epidural if you can, as epidurals may increase the chance of your baby being in a posterior position at birth. Epidurals also make having an assisted birth more likely.

If you get exhausted during labour, lie on your left side, as your pelvis can still expand to give your baby space to turn while you are resting.

(stolen from https://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/planningyourbabysbirth/babyinpositionforbirth/)

 

[IcedQueen]

Sorry for the double post but I wanted to vent this somewhere and thought you ladies might be able to relate the most...

I was watching videos of births, especially water births this morning and ended up crying every single time the baby is placed on the mum's tummy.

I then had a nice long bath and started talking away to bump like a mad woman lol and it dawned on me..... It isn't the labour, the vaginal birth, the being in control etc that I'm longing for the most. It's that moment, that moment when the new born baby is given to mum and she can hug and kiss that little bundle of life.

With my c-section, I didn't get to hold her until a good 30 mins after she was born and I never got skin to skin. I didn't feel that rush of love and as awful as I feel for saying it, at that moment, she could have been anyone's baby - she didn't feel like *mine* - I didn't feel like I'd given birth and I actually found it pretty hard to bond with her. I was mesmorised with her but then I would've been with any newborn - I didn't feel that love until we got home 3 days later.

I'm really scared that I'm going to end up so disappointed if this one ends up breech and I have to have another section or if I end up having to go for an emergency section. At the end of the day, my whole relaxed, tranquil water birth can go out the window and they can do whatever they like to me as long as I get *that* moment and I'm really scared of how I'm going to feel if I don't.....

I feel really silly for saying that but as I said, I needed to get it out and actually admitt it and thought you girls might be able to relate the most.

I understand exactly what you feeling. I did not get to see my DD for at least 3 hours after the c-section! And then too, I had to beg them to bring her to me. To top it off I was in such pain. I suffered awful PPD for about 18 months after she was born and it took me over a week to get the breastfeeding right (with lots of biting, blood and pain!). But now she is like my little shadow and won't even let me go to the shower alone. She is still my little angel no matter how rocky the first few hours were.

 

[stepmummy]

Babes are born sunny side up as well, not always in the right position......Even breech babies are born vaginally these days

and 1 in 10 are posterior in labour - Most back-to-back babies are born vaginally, but this position can make labour more difficult for you, particularly if your baby's chin is pushed up rather than tucked in. As a result:
you may have backache as your baby's skull is pushing against your spine
your waters may break in early labour
your labour may be long and slow
you may feel like pushing before your cervix is fully dilated

When your baby gets to the bottom of your pelvis, he'll need to turn through almost 180 degrees to get into the best position to be born.

This can take quite a while, or your baby may decide he's not going to turn at all! In this case, he will be born with his face looking up at you as he emerges. He might need forceps or ventouse to help him out.
Try the following:
Check that your favourite armchair doesn't make your bottom go down and your knees come up. If it does, try turning the chair round, kneel on the seat pad and lean forwards over the back of the chair.

Scrub the floor! Our grannies used to say that washing the kitchen floor was a good way of preparing for labour. They were right - when you're on all fours, the back of your baby's head swings to the front of your belly.

Take regular breaks and move around if your job involves a lot of sitting.

Sit on a cushion in your car to lift up your bottom.

Watch TV leaning forward over a birth ball.

It's common for babies to change position during labour and most babies get themselves into an anterior position by the pushing stage, no matter what position they were in at the start of labour.

You may find that the best posture to labour in is on all fours. In this position, your baby drops away from your spine, helping to relieve backache and hopefully helping him to turn, too.

When you're in actual labour, try to:
Stay upright for as long as possible.

Lean forwards during your contractions – use a birth ball, bean bag, your partner or the bed to lean on.

Ask your birth partner to massage your back.


Rock your pelvis during contractions to help your baby turn as he passes through the pelvis

Don't stay sitting in a chair or on a bed in a leaning-back position for too long.

Try not to have an epidural if you can, as epidurals may increase the chance of your baby being in a posterior position at birth. Epidurals also make having an assisted birth more likely.

If you get exhausted during labour, lie on your left side, as your pelvis can still expand to give your baby space to turn while you are resting.

(stolen from https://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/planningyourbabysbirth/babyinpositionforbirth/)

That's so encouraging NickyNack, thank you so much! You've made a very miserable grumpy preggo much happier And I've just ordered a hot curry to cheer me further. MIL is insisting on a little glass of wine to cheer me up Between B&B and my loved ones, I'm very well looked after!

 

[stepmummy]

Sorry for the double post but I wanted to vent this somewhere and thought you ladies might be able to relate the most...

I was watching videos of births, especially water births this morning and ended up crying every single time the baby is placed on the mum's tummy.

I then had a nice long bath and started talking away to bump like a mad woman lol and it dawned on me..... It isn't the labour, the vaginal birth, the being in control etc that I'm longing for the most. It's that moment, that moment when the new born baby is given to mum and she can hug and kiss that little bundle of life.

With my c-section, I didn't get to hold her until a good 30 mins after she was born and I never got skin to skin. I didn't feel that rush of love and as awful as I feel for saying it, at that moment, she could have been anyone's baby - she didn't feel like *mine* - I didn't feel like I'd given birth and I actually found it pretty hard to bond with her. I was mesmorised with her but then I would've been with any newborn - I didn't feel that love until we got home 3 days later.

I'm really scared that I'm going to end up so disappointed if this one ends up breech and I have to have another section or if I end up having to go for an emergency section. At the end of the day, my whole relaxed, tranquil water birth can go out the window and they can do whatever they like to me as long as I get *that* moment and I'm really scared of how I'm going to feel if I don't.....

I feel really silly for saying that but as I said, I needed to get it out and actually admitt it and thought you girls might be able to relate the most.

I understand exactly what you feeling. I did not get to see my DD for at least 3 hours after the c-section! And then too, I had to beg them to bring her to me. To top it off I was in such pain. I suffered awful PPD for about 18 months after she was born and it took me over a week to get the breastfeeding right (with lots of biting, blood and pain!). But now she is like my little shadow and won't even let me go to the shower alone. She is still my little angel no matter how rocky the first few hours were.

Yes I totally get you, it's always that moment on OBEM that gets me. Having the first skin to skin contact with this baby is so important to me. I had a fairly major haemmorhage with my c-sec and it took some time to put me back together! DH held LO for the first hour and a half of her life and much as I'm glad he was there, I wish it had been both of us.

But yes I definitely agree that an unbreakable bond will still be established, even after a stalled start. My DD is my world and she is so attached to me. It took a little while but it was SO worth it.

 

[NickyNack]

No problem chick, I'm sending lots of labour dust your way fingers crossed for a tranquil birth whichever way you end up going