VBAC moms

neludelu

How are you prepping for your VBAC? Why do you want one? What are your thoughts on the process??

Waiting4Fred

My number one reason is that I really want to experience labor and delivery. I want that immediate bonding with the baby and not to feel completely drugged and out of it like I did last time. I also hope it's an easier recovery. 

As far as prep, I'm not doing much. She only has until Friday to come and then they will do a super slow induction. I'm a nervous wreck! 

nycegurl27@yahoo.com

My c-section recovery was awful! And now that I have a 2 year old to run after I'd really rather not have to deal with major surgery. I almost couldn't have a vbac because she was breech but we had a successful version (flip) so they are giving me until Thursday to go into labor naturally after that it'll also be a slow induction. 
My last induction lead to a c-section so every day I pray for my water to break. 

kdanjou

I've read a bunch on VBACs to get ready, basically any books I could get my hands on that had a chapter on it.
I really want one because I've never experienced labor, and I want a quicker recovery if possible.  My recovery with my previous planned c-section went well and was pretty easy overall, but I have a 5 year old now and I just don't want to be handicapped in that way again if I don't have to be.
I'm a little nervous about the whole thing but I'm mostly just really excited to experience labor and delivery if I can.  My doctors are fine waiting until 41 weeks for me to have this baby and I'm hoping she will decide she's ready soon.  If I don't go into labor by then we will schedule a c-section rather than induce.

mezalune

I had a scheduled c/s almost 4 years ago due to frank breech position and low amniotic fluid.  My scheduled c/s was really wonderful- I got to see him immediately, I held him as soon as I was stitched up and we rode into recovery skin to skin. He nursed, was bathed right next to me, and my family was able to visit me in my private recovery room, even before I got assigned a regular room.  I am hoping to VBAC knowing the recovery is so much more involved for a c/s but I also know that if my cervix doesn't cooperate and I can't be induced (OB will only induce if I'm already showing a favorable cervix) then a scheduled c/s is totally doable and can be a beautiful moment too.  I had my first cervical check this week at 37 & 4 days but my cervix was so long, she couldn't give me much encouragement for an early labor.  

neludelu

Update: I had a VBAC yesterday morning. I needed assistance and ended up getting a 3rd degree tear. I'm not in nearly as much pain as I thought I would be. I keep comparing this time to last and I'm amazed that I can move so well. Don't get me wrong my vag hurts a lot but it's nothing compared to the csection. Obviously my experience will be different from others but I figured I would let you guys know! Good luck to anyone trying. 

kdanjou

Congrats @neludelu and thanks for the update!  I'm dreading a tear but it will be easier to deal with than surgery.

neludelu

nycegurl27@yahoo.com said:

My c-section recovery was awful! And now that I have a 2 year old to run after I'd really rather not have to deal with major surgery. I almost couldn't have a vbac because she was breech but we had a successful version (flip) so they are giving me until Thursday to go into labor naturally after that it'll also be a slow induction. 
My last induction lead to a c-section so every day I pray for my water to break. 

How did it go? 

Waiting4Fred

I had my successful VBAC on the afternoon of the 9th! I was induced around 10:30am with a Foley catheter and the lowest dose of pitocin. Foley came out within an hour and I was dilated to a 4. Pitocin was upped every half an hour until my contractions were 1-2 min apart. Pitocin contractions were intense! I got an epidural around 12:30 (amazing!!) and was at 6-7 by 3. Doctor broke my water and I was complete at 4:30! I let her labor down until about 5:15 and she was out at 5:31. It was the most amazing experience! 

The only negative part of the whole thing was that I had previously undiagnosed placenta acretta. I had a huge hemorrhage immediately after she was born, but luckily they were able to get it under control fairly quickly without removing my uterus. We had to stay an extra day and I'm on some extra meds, but I am so lucky, and I am so, so glad I VBACed! 

mezalune

Waiting4Fred said:

I had my successful VBAC on the afternoon of the 9th! I was induced around 10:30am with a Foley catheter and the lowest dose of pitocin. Foley came out within an hour and I was dilated to a 4. Pitocin was upped every half an hour until my contractions were 1-2 min apart. Pitocin contractions were intense! I got an epidural around 12:30 (amazing!!) and was at 6-7 by 3. Doctor broke my water and I was complete at 4:30! I let her labor down until about 5:15 and she was out at 5:31. It was the most amazing experience! 

The only negative part of the whole thing was that I had previously undiagnosed placenta acretta. I had a huge hemorrhage immediately after she was born, but luckily they were able to get it under control fairly quickly without removing my uterus. We had to stay an extra day and I'm on some extra meds, but I am so lucky, and I am so, so glad I VBACed! 

Were you at all dilated prior to your induction?  My doc has said she can induce me for a vbac but only with Pit and only I've already got a favorable/ripening cervix.

neludelu

I wasn't dilated at all. I was tight and high. They gave me a very low dose of pit for about 10 hours and rechecked me. I was open to 2, they inserted the bulb and checked it hourly for about 11 hours finally a nurse pulled it out and I was open to 4cm. They turned up the Pit and things moved quickly after that. The process started around 1am Friday morning she was born by 8:13am Saturday morning. 

kdanjou

Congrats @waiting4fred I'm glad everything turned out ok in the end, scary about the hemorrhage.

Waiting4Fred

@mezalune I was 2.5cm dilated, 50% effaced, and she was at station -2.  Pitocin and the foley was all my doc would do. Also, he would only induce on a day he was the doc at the hospital for 24 hours. He monitored me and baby constantly and could have had her out in minutes. 

michaela0704

@Waiting4Fred @neludelu congrats on your successful VBACs!!