VBAC - Were you constantly monitored?

[SamsMum]

Hi all,

I'm currently weighing my pros and cons between repeat CS or VBAC.

Of those who had VBAC, were you constantly on the fetal monitor and not allowed a water birth, or were you allowed to have an active birth/water birth?

Thanks

xx

 

[OmiOmen]

I can not 100% answer this because I am yet to attempt a VBAC but at my hospital you have to have a IV put in and constant monitoring, also water birth is not an option. My consultant is insisting I have an epidural in order to do a 'trial of labour' but I am going to try and fight that one.

 

[Quartz]

Hi

I had a vbac after an elcs and was told no water birth but that I could be active. As it happened I had a water leak and then 24 hours of irregular contractions on the ante natal ward where I could walk around and bounce with occasional monitoring. I spent an hour in active labour there have freedom to move around and an hour on the delivery ward where I could move around as much as the monitoring machine allowed (you have pads strapped to you with wires attached to a machine) then the final 20 minutes of pushing in stirrups as I had to have ventouse as it was happening too quickly and ds was in distressed.

Having had both I would have a VBAC again (although not planning on having any more) and I found the recovery much easier. Having said that it was only the two hours of active labour that the pain was horrendous (before it was manageable with no pain relief) and I could run around with my toddler quite easily.

The biggest fear for me would be a long labour ending up with an emcs so its a difficult choice!

 

[SamsMum]

Thanks for your replies.

It is a real tough one. My worst nightmare is indeed what you mention ; choosing vbac, going overdue, and ending up with an emcs!

My cs with my son was an emergency, but they had to get him out within a few hours (he was breech and my waters went at 35+5) It wasn't a bad experience - maybe I'd feel differently if I'd had a full on emcs after a long labour.

Lots to think about, thanks aldies.

xxxx

 

[_Lexi_]

I'm planning my vbac at the moment. I've been told I can't have a water birth, due to them needing to monitor me, but I can labour in the pool, if it's free. My hospital only has one!! You can refuse constant monitoring and have intermittent monitoring. I've just bought a book on amazon called 'vaginal birth after caesarean, which is really informative and helpful x

 

[momofone08]

I attempted a vbac. I was allowed to walk around the hospital to get labor going and was allowed a birthing ball to bounce on. Once an hour I was put on the monitor and checked to see my progression. I was not progressing and was told that I had to get an epi which I did not want because he said if they needed to do an emcs and I didn't have an epi. It ended up completely stopping my labor and after 14 hours I was given a emcs.

She was rather big and never fully engaged which was part of why I didn't dilate even though I was having contractions every two minutes.