considering a vbac..but scared

rheard3582

I labored for 36 hours (28 natural) before having to do a c section. There were no major complications and my OB was great. She told me my pelvis was a little narrow and DS had a hard time getting low enough to apply pressure to dilate me pass 5. She said I could try for a VBAC next time.

Overall my c section was fine. I recovered pretty fast. and I just knew I would do it again. im thinking what can I really do about a narrow pelvis

I realize I am afraid. I don't have any horror stories but I did feel disappointed and sad that the 2 things I did not want epi and cs. I ended up having. I have a fear of planning for a vbac..laboring and having the same outcome of a c section

mrsrobare

I am in the same boat. I was left in labor for 3 days by a doctor in SC, had a placenta abruption, and ended up having an emergency C-section. Now my husband and I are considering having another baby and I am really worried about having to have another C-section. The doctors say I am a good candidate for a VBAC, but I am worried about going through everything just to have another C-section. I hope all goes well for you and your delivery.

nosoup4u

I worried about the same thing - going through labor, only to have it end in a cs again. It helped me to go through the things I had control over (making sure my provider was truly supportive, having the full 42 weeks, staying active, etc) and the things I couldn't control (how my baby was positioned, how long my labor was, etc.)., I did listen to the Hypnobirthing relaxation track, and just focused on trying not to get caught up in what-ifs. Easier said then done, but having a VBAC was worth the worry during pg. Is your doctor 100% behind your VBAC decision?

iris427

I was also told my pelvis was too small, and I was very worried that if I tried for a VBAC, I would end up in the same situation again. 

I did some reading and found medical studies that women who had a primary cesarean for their pelvis being too small (cephalopelvic disproportion, or CPD) still had a 60%+ chance of having a successful VBAC.  A lot of times a CPD diagnosis is really just the baby being in a weird position--do you know if your baby was sunnyside up or anything like that?  My c/s baby was sunny side up (aka occiput posterior, OP ) and having a malpositioned baby greatly increases your odds of a c/s.

So yes, it's always possible to try for a VBAC and just end up with another c/s.  That is a risk you have to weigh in your choice.  Some people would rather schedule a c/s and know that it will be a planned, calm event.  Others are comfortable with the chance of having another unplanned c/s if it means they have a chance at delivering vaginally.

Different laboring and pushing positions can help open your pelvis up and get the baby into a better position, so that is something you can try if you decide to VBAC.  Oh and my too small pelvis turned out not to be too small at all.  I had a VBAC with a baby who was slightly larger than my first.  So you really never know.

GL!