VBAC

cbutler0045

Is anyone going for a VBAC in here?? My first delivery with my son was an absolute sh*tshow and ended up in a csection. I really want to try for a VBAC this time, but am so nervous about it. My MIL is my midwife and come highly recommended for a VBAC, but the thought of going through labor again and still ending up with a csection scares me. 

tgortney

I'm going for a VBAC! Mine was also a disaster, I ended up in therapy for it. I had terrible PTSD from it.

After watching The Business of Being Born, I'm choosing to go with a midwife this time. My midwife is a VBAC mom so I love that.

I know the documentary is biased but a lot of it resonated with me. I don't think OBs intentionally give patients bad experiences and I'm totally grateful for their skills in the OR but I had too many interventions with my Labor and Delivery that I did not appreciate. Now that I'm a STM, I know what I do and don't want. I know how much I can tolerate so I'm hoping for a better experience. If I end up with a CS again, I'll know that I went in with everything I've got instead of feeling like things were being done to me without control.

ladythrice

I am! Full disclosure, I've had one, so it doesn't feel like it counts, but all future deliveries are still considered VBACs.

DS delivery: Water broke and I went straight to the hospital but labor had not yet started. They checked me, confirmed broken waters and started pumping me full of Pit. I asked to be given some time to let labor kick in naturally, they gave me 45 minutes.... The pit did nothing for me so they increased, and kept increased every half hour until I went from no contractions to puking. I got my epidural and labor stalled completely. DS was born 20 hours after my water broke. My C/S was NOT an emergency delivery, it was classified as 'failure to progress' which put me on the bottom of the list of successful VBAC candidates. BUT I KNEW my body and I knew they didn't give me time to progress so I decided to go for a VBAC with DD.

DD Delivery: [New OB Office, new hospital] Labor started naturally at work. I labored at work until I realized my contractions were timeable (I had been having contractions for weeks). I went home, labored at home until the wee hours of the morning, showed up at the hospital and was only a 3 (/cry). The on-call OB came in and told me to get an epi, I refused (I was terrified of stalling labor again) and kept ball sitting and bath/spa sitting until the doc came back and told me that he promised my labor wouldn't stall, I had continually had contractions for for over 15 hours, he said the train wasn't about to stop. So I got my epi. Glorious. Labor progressed, albeit S L O W L Y (scar tissue on my cervix slowed progression). After 24 hours of labor my doc said we might call it and go with a C/S if you don't progress past 5 (I was fine with it at this point. I was like, WTF, I gave it my all, lets get this over with). Half an hour after that, my epi stopped working and my body flew to a 9 and the next thing I know it was time to push. I told them I changed my mind and I wanted a C/S (lolz...), they laughed at me and told me it was too late. Out came my baby girl and holy balls I've never felt more powerful in my life.

Post partum was 19882347598734871928374 times easier guys. SO MUCH EASIER. Milk came in faster, the oxytocin high was real, my post-partum baby blues were nothing compared to the first time.

I hope this delivery is the same: labor at home as long as I can stand it, show up and get my epi, deliver a healthy baby.

**I just want to add that I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with going for a planned C/S. My story is NOT and indictment on people that elect to have a C/S or are told they don't have an option. Please do not take it that way.

Mattel

Since I'm high risk, a midwife is not an option for me. With DD I had a c-section. I had probably the best case scenario for a CS and was really lucky with the whole experience, so if I need another I'm okay with it. Because of my high risk status, I'm not sure if they will even let me attempt a VBAC but I plan on asking. With DD, I never even had a single contraction, so I'd like to experience that. 

kmalls

I'll throw in my two cents here: I went for a VBAC my last pregnancy after I had an emergency c/s with my first. It didn't end up working out for me, but I'm SO GLAD I tried. I didn't want to look back on it and think, "shit, I wish I had at least given it a shot." 

@cbutler0045 talk to your OB about what their process is for VBACs. Mine made it absolutely clear that I was in total control: if I felt at a certain point that I had nothing left to give, it was entirely acceptable to ask for a c/s at any time. That made me feel incredibly empowered and actually took the sting out of ultimately having another c/s. It was my choice, after about 24 hours of induced labor, to go for a csection. 

I will say that recovery was so much easier the second time. I'm sure others have had different experiences, but for me, having to be somewhat active with a toddler pretty soon after birth was a good thing: I was up and moving and felt pretty good pretty quickly. 

Abyway, I just wanted to share my story to hopefully alleviate any anxiety about going for a VBAC and potentially not getting there: it's not a failure on your part, and it's not the end of the world! 

ladythrice

My personal tips for a successful VBAC:

• Write a birth plan - Tell your doctors you have one (it doesn't have to be crazy, but it should outline your goals)
• Hire a doula (I didn't do this, but if you worry that you can't advocate for yourself or that your birth partner won't be able to advocate for you, hire a professional who WILL)
• Be active during your pregnancy - Try to get out and walk as much as possible
• Labor at home as long as you can (safely)
  
• Be active during your labor - I was active EVEN AFTER I had my epidural!!! During my first delivery the hospital all but tied me to a bed after getting my epi. During my second delivery?? I was moving all over the bed. On my hands and knees, using the peanut, sitting up bow-legged, sitting against my husband's back etc. Make sure your delivery nurses know how to get help be active during delivery
  
• Find a VBAC friendly delivery location - this is essential. Most hospitals (or wherever you go, I felt more comfortable in a hospital) that do VBACs are friendly, but some aren't. Make sure the staff has done VBACs before. Make sure your OB has experience with it.
  
• Make sure you OB is on-board and not just 'well if you insist' about it
• Make sure your partner and birth coaches are on board. My mom and husband were in the room and they helped me immeasurably. Their support and advocacy for me absolutely made my VBAC attempt successful.
• Avoid unnecessary medical intervention - If you can, try to avoid any intravenous fluids. Any added medical intervention will increase the chances of a C/S (it obviously doesn't guarantee it, I had a successful VBAC with an Epi, fluids, monitors, little bit of pitocin, some anti-nausea meds, etc). However, the deeper into the labor you let your body get without intervention, the higher your chances of success.
  
• Link up with your local ICAN chapter for recommendations on hospitals, doulas, etc
  
• HAVE YOUR BACK-UP PLAN: A family friendly C/S--ensure your hospital has this... its as close to a vaginal delivery as you can get with immediate skin to skin and nursing. We made sure that in the event I did end up with a C/S, it would be the 'kindler, gentler' event than my first. [Obviously, emergencies arise, so acknowledge that may happen too.]
  

*Based on my personal experience... this is not medical advice.... Hopefully it goes without saying, but talk to your doctor..

Dumbgurl04

I watched that doc @tgortney before I ever had children because I watched it with my BFF while she was pregnant to help me understand why she wanted a med free birth.  Cause honestly I thought she was crazy.  It was interesting the information they gave but still freaked me out like no other.  Now my BFF had a bad birthing experience but she went thinking she was going to do it this way and not open to things could happen.  (Baby was breach and she had pretty bad preeclampsia) so she was scheduled for a C/S.  

Also I just wanted to read this thread it doesn't apply to me since i didn't have C/S but still good info for anyone I believe about having a plan but still being open to changes in that plan.  I know for me after I got my epi I relaxed a little to well and me and DD's heart rates dropped really low.  Thankfully I was at a great hospital and my OB likes to do whatever she can to avoid C/S.    

tgortney

@Dumbgurl04 yeah, the documentary totally resonated with my experience and it made me so angry about my birth experience.

I think most moms that go into a VBAC know that it might not work out, like their first time. But it's good to be armed with more knowledge this time, I'll admit that I was way more ignorant than I thought about birth.

My epi did not work correctly and I felt everything, even my CS cut. I felt like no one listened to me so I know I'm passionate about a VBAC/med free option this time. Also, my OB who did my CS said she was 100% confident a VBAC is an option for me so it def made me feel better

bettyvonsomethingstein

So many yesses to all of what @ladythrice has said!  That list was on point!   I had a VBAC, and it was so empowering.  I'm looking forward to trying again.

Dumbgurl04

I really hope you are able to have a VBAC @tgortney it made me so sad in my last BMB and with my BFF to see the horror stories that they had during birth.  

I hope a lot of FTM read this thread because even though this doesn't apply to them, all of you have given great advice on how open you need to be with the birth plan as well as still fighting for your own needs as much as it's allowed without putting yourself and baby in danger. 

tgortney

tgortney

tgortney

My experience with my current OB was VBAC tolerant, even though she claimed she was VBAC friendly. She gave me all these guidelines and rules I had to meet, which was so statistically arbitary that they're asinine. 

MAKE SURE YOUR PROVIDER IS VBAC FRIENDLY

That is all lol

ETA: sorry for the spam, thought these graphics might be helpful.

ladythrice

I think the graphics are good, especially the 'tolerant' versus 'friendly' one. I will say that based on the graphic my provider was closer to tolerant than friendly. That being said, if you can't find the perfect friendly provider, (unless you deliver with a midwife I think it will be hard) find a provider that at least crosses the spectrum and has some friendly rules.

Deal-breakers for me:
-Must go into labor by 40 weeks. (I'm okay with restricting me to 41-42 because I have gone into labor on my due date every time and I know my cycle so if I'm past 40, I know I'm 'late.')
-Will not augment labor or induce under any circumstance.
-Potential for C/S to be scheduled because of estimated baby weight/size. Nope absolutely not. (If my first kid had been an abnormally large child I would have potentially reconsidered, but that wasn't the case.)
-Epidural placed 'just in case' - this is crazy and a clear sign of not truly being supportive of a VBAC attempt.

Dumbgurl04

that is crazy about the weight of the child.  I had GD with my last pregnancy and they said DD was measuring just under 10lbs.  I was induced at 39 weeks to hopefully lower the risk of having a C/S and she weighed 8lbs 7 oz.

cbutler0045

I love the first graphic! I know my midwife is VBAC friendly. I had a friend that delivered with her at 42.5 weeks with no pressure to be induced. She has already told me that she wants me to have the birth experience that I want and will do anything to support that. I messed up the first time and made the decision to be induced and I did not progress. This time around I will be planning on waiting until the baby wants to come, laboring at home as long as possible and hoping to go without the epidural this time. That was a different horror story itself. One thing that does make me nervous is that multiple doctors tell me that my cervix is very small and makes it harder for delivery. I'm definitely not trying to let that stop me though! 

btm013

I would like to go VBAC and plan on meeting with an OB who specializes in it in our area. However, I'm not hopeful I will end up successful. I know I know, not the right attitude. My sisters and I just don't birth babies well. They get stuck in the canal and won't budge. I have two older sisters and between their 7(!) children they tried for vbacs every.single.time and each time it ended in a C after 30+ hours of labor. Must be our hips

danjoly

I have so much respect for ladies who go through VBAC! I won't be eligible and to be honest I'm totally fine with going through a csection again. My first csection was an emergency after 27h of labor and fetal distress and I got lucky with a really easy recovery so I'm hoping a planned csection will be even easier. That being said, anyone here heard about the "gentle c-section" and about clear drape? If anyone have infos, I'd be interested in having those handy for my doctor!

holly321

I am so fortunate to have a VBAC friendly doctor.  He was telling me how I could have a VBAC, during the same conversation of telling me I needed a C-section.  

Unfortunately though, he is now part of a multiple doctor practice.  One of the doctors delivered my son, and she was not vbac friendly, but she did "allow" it with my DS. 

There are two other doctors at the practice, and the one I saw for an emergency appointment, and he mentioned my csection scar and asked how many I had.  I mentioned my vbac and he went on and on how great it was and how vbacs are the better option, so at least I know I have a good chance with 3 out of 4 doctors.  I still need to ask the other guy.

Dumbgurl04

my SIL had that same problem with her first getting stuck in the birthing canal @btm013.  When her first was born she labored for hours and they finally said that her DD was stuck and they could either help get her out but it would probably break my SIL's tail bone in the process or do a C/S, so she went with the C/S.  She recently had a baby at the end of July and she just went for the C/S because she knew her hips were too small.  

ngolimento

Dumbgurl04 said:

that is crazy about the weight of the child.  I had GD with my last pregnancy and they said DD was measuring just under 10lbs.  I was induced at 39 weeks to hopefully lower the risk of having a C/S and she weighed 8lbs 7 oz.

Inducing for size of baby is the biggest childbirth scam on the market, VBAC or not.  Sizing scans have a huge margin of error, and docs always size up "to be safe".  I have had several friends let their doctors bully them into a sizing scan.  I told them not to do one, I warned them over and over it is a tactic for an automatic C/S.  They all didn't listen, and every single girl who went in for one got dire warnings about the size of their babies.  Every one of them went for a C/s, and every. single. one. had a baby under 8 lbs.

I hunted for a doc who wouldn't do that to me.  She never even scheduled me for a sizing scan, and never freaked out, even when it was clear I did have a large kiddo.  She just told me "you can handle it".  And I did. 

mrs_massie

We had a planned C-section with my DS. I was at intermediate risk for shoulder dystocia so the Dr. asked me if I wanted to try a vaginal birth or just have the C-section. I didn't want to take the chance so we went with the C-section.  

I was scheduled for a Monday afternoon, but started labor naturally by the Saturday before. *TMI alert* I woke up around 9am and could see pieces of my mucus plug in the toilet when I went to the bathroom. I started having very light contractions immediately and said to my husband we needed to go get IHOP now before it was too late lol. By midnight the contractions were intense so we went to the hospital. I figured because I was a planned C-section and I had no option to have a vaginal birth, why put myself through the pain any longer. Got to the hospital, checked in, got hooked up to a monitor to check contractions,  the nurse checked me said I was definitely in labor, but wasn't dilated. They gave me a sleeping pill and sent me home .   

I wake up Sunday morning, still having contractions (obviously...I was "definitely" in labor). I didn't want them to send me home again so I waited it out. Again, by midnight Sunday night I couldn't sleep because of the pain, so we went back to the hospital. Checked in, got hooked up to a monitor to check contractions,  the nurse checked me and I was a measly 3cm. After 36 hours of labor, I was only 3 cm...So in I went for my C-section, not even 12 hours before my scheduled time at at 2:59am Monday morning DS was born at 9lbs 2 oz.

I would like to attempt a VBAC with this baby, but I'm scared to try because of how slow my labor went last time.  And chances are, I'm going to have another large baby that I would be at risk with for shoulder dystocia again. My other fear is going past my due date and my Dr. said that if you have a VBAC they can't induce you, or use drugs to start labor or speed it up.  Also, I should mention, my water never even broke. 

Any thoughts? 

Dumbgurl04

Well that's good to know @ngolimento  I think the only reason I had the few ultrasounds at the end of my pregnancy was because of GD.  My Doctor from the beginning though told me she wanted to make sure we avoided a C/S as much as possible.  I think I said it above but after my epi I relaxed a little to well and they could have just rushed me right in for a C/S but they said they wanted to try a few things to see if they could get my heart rate back up first. So I think finding a great doctor who cares for you as person and not just another notch in their delivery belt is very important. 

I think your point just pushes it even more that you really need to educate yourself about the whole birthing experience and know how to advocate for yourself.  

kindbytealikat

I have been thinking about this for the past year with no decision made. I ended up with a C/S with DS because I didn't progress after 3cm. But that said I was also induced at 36.6 because he hadn't grown in a couple weeks and was under active so they were concerned. I like the idea of a VBAC since recovery is so much easier. That said if I test strep positive again I'll have to have a serious talk with my doc because the PCN made me so sick last time and they wouldn't stop giving it to me after I asked. 

bettyvonsomethingstein

@kindbytealikat, I will say, my CS recovery was by far easier than my VBAC recovery.  As long as I wore my belly binder after my C, I was good to go within a few days.  I tore a lot with my VBAC and destroyed my bladder to boot.  I'm not saying it's VBAC related, just my experience.  

angiek1

Okay - so my best friend just VBAC'd with twins. Just last night I asked her about it and she said if she could be an advocate for VBAC's she would. She also told me that our doctor (both see same specialist) encourages all moms to try to VBAC unless there is a very specific reason why they can't.

@mrsmacias2008 - Your line "Dr. said that if you have a VBAC they can't induce you, or use drugs to start labor or speed it up.  Also, I should mention, my water never even broke." My friend was induced for her VBAC and she had pitocen to make sure her deliver followed a certain schedule. I would suggest getting a second opinion. I mean if you can't get induced b/c of a specific condition (I'm not a doctor so I don't know if that is a thing) that is one thing, but from what my friends have experienced you can have a VBAC with meds and induction.

kmalls

angiek1 said:

@mrsmacias2008 - Your line "Dr. said that if you have a VBAC they can't induce you, or use drugs to start labor or speed it up.  Also, I should mention, my water never even broke." My friend was induced for her VBAC and she had pitocen to make sure her deliver followed a certain schedule. I would suggest getting a second opinion. I mean if you can't get induced b/c of a specific condition (I'm not a doctor so I don't know if that is a thing) that is one thing, but from what my friends have experienced you can have a VBAC with meds and induction.

This. I was induced when going for my VBAC, and pitocin was used when labor stalled. They used a much slower, more conservative method when administering the pitocin to avoid the chances of a uterine rupture, but it's certainly possible for an induction and meds with a VBAC.

holly321

I was allowed to be induced (and was because of PROM) my doctor's only stipulation for induction was some progress without it, which I agree with, because the likely hood of an induction going well with no dilation or effacement isn't good. 

ladythrice

The discussion in inducing and using meds to augment labor goes back to VBAC tolerant versus VBAC friendly. VBAC tolerant doctors/hospitals fear inducing VBAC candidates (but likely will if you ask/demand) and fear using meds to augment labor because of the increased risk for uterine rupture.

My own OB team was extremely reticent to schedule an induction for me were I to go late. They flat out told me they'd prefer to schedule a C/S for 41 weeks than to schedule an induction for 41 weeks. It was a dilemma I thankfully never had to deal with since labor started at 40 weeks. However, my labor was loooooong and sloooooow so they did administer pitocin to augment my labor.

ladythrice

@angiek1 and DAMN! I don't know that I would have had the guts to attempt a VBAC with twins. Mad props to her. What a wonderfully supportive practice she must go to. I don't think my OB practice would have agreed to a VBAC were I pregnant with twins.

angiek1

ladythrice said:

@angiek1 and DAMN! I don't know that I would have had the guts to attempt a VBAC with twins. Mad props to her. What a wonderfully supportive practice she must go to. I don't think my OB practice would have agreed to a VBAC were I pregnant with twins.

Yea she said she was pretty popular on delivery day and that she was the first successful VBAC with twins any nurse she met had experienced. I live in Omaha and most hospitals are very pro VBAC.

Gillis2

For my daughter, my water broke at 5 at night after being at work at 7:00 am.  Got no sleep labored all night and came to hospital and had only dialated to a 3. Laboreded till 8 when I got an epi.  Then at about 1 my daughters heart rate dropped in half and had a csection.  She had the cord wrapped around her neck twice.  

After ny csection I had a seroma and had to have a wound vac and a nurse come visit me at home. 

My doctors are pro VBAC and since I have a blood disorder my hematologist is too!

praying all goes well!

saisongbird

@tgortney our experiences sound very similar. My epi only worked on half my body and while I didn't feel the cut, I did feel them putting me back together. My OB nicked a uterine artery and I nearly bled out. They ended up knocking me out completely and it was just an awful experience. I would love to try for a VBAC but I was also classified as failure to progress. I changed  practices and hospitals though, so I am hoping that once the RE releases me I will be a candidate for it - but I also don't know if IVF for some reason disqualifies me.

tgortney

@saisongbird I'm sorry you went through that also. It's the worst. I was knocked out too because I could feel my cut. I ended up not being the one to hold my son first even though it was the thing I looked forwarded to the most during the whole nine months. I was so groggy from the anesthesia that I didn't realize he was born until 12 hours later. I breastfed him and everything but I only remember bits and pieces of it.

I progressed to 10cm and pushed for 2.5 hours so I think that's why my CS OB felt like VBAC was an option for me. I think the epi/pitocin combo really hurt my labor and delivery process. It was just way too many interventions.

saisongbird

@tgortney - such a similar experience. DD was born with a fever and was brought to the NICU before I could hold her. I kept waking up groggy and asking to see her and they wouldn't let me go until I could get there on my own - but I wasn't recovering well because they didn't give me enough blood. 12 hours later they finally took pity on me and wheeled me into the NICU so I could hold her, but they wouldn't let me try to breastfeed. It was a hot mess.

I'm sorry you weren't the first one to hold your son. It's an awful feeling to not have good memories from the first day.

ladythrice

@tgortney your description of post-C/S is why I wanted to attempt a VBAC last time around. I got really nauseous during my C/S with DS and started shaking uncontrollably. The meds they gave me to counteract these left me useless. It still makes me emotional thinking about this... I couldn't hold DS, I was literally strapped down (I imagine most are?). DH was able to hold him, but the first time I saw him he was already bathed and wrapped in a blanket. When I was moved to the recovery room (gah, so much emotion right now!), I wasn't even capable of holding him because of the meds I was on. The nurses held him to my breast for me for his first latch.

I had one goal for DD's birth: not a repeat of DS's. I wanted a VBAC, but understood I might end up with a C/S so I made sure to speak to the OBs at my practice about family friendly C/Ss. Skin to skin after birth, nursing in the OR were two things I really wanted for round two and my practice said they support that if I ended up with another C/S (pending health of mom/baby obviously).

turcs

I ended up having an emergency c/s. After my water broke my contractions started at 2 minutes apart, but the time we got to the hospital an hour later, I was having a single contraction which lasted 1.5 hours. The contraction put major stess on my DS and they lost his heart rate three times, third time they couldn't get it back. I was rushed in, he was stuck in the canal, took them 10 min to get him breathing.
He was a 10lbs9oz.
doctors advised a few more minutes and we would have lost him.

I would like to try VBAC but due to size (huge babies run in the family -BIL was 11lbs 7oz) and how scary almost
losing my son was, I'll be going back to the C/S. Just feel it's th smart decision for he baby. 

mcb2016

With my first pregnancy I really wanted an all natural birth. Sadly I got pih and induced just before 37 weeks.  I'm fine with the c section I had and was glad I attempted induction. 

Part of me really wants a vbac but according to online calculators I've done I have a less than 50% chance of it working out. I joined a fact and evidence based fb vbac group which has helped me tremendously. I want to talk to my ob obviously but I am feeling like I should be mentally prepare for a rcs. 

ladythrice

@danjoly and @turcs, we'll likely have several women on this board going for a repeat C/S. I highly recommend starting a thread to discuss this! In my last BMB, I participate in both threads/check-ins because the info in both was great.

geojaminee

I am also going to try for a VBAC. My first L&D was also a shit show- and like @tgortney I have PTSD from my last birth experience as well. I'm seeing a psychologist and I'm terribly afraid that my own pregnancy will be a trigger (full disclosure: I wasn't able to read all these comments because it was a bit of a trigger for me).

TW: Long story short, I ended up with a c-section after 17.5 hours while my baby coded and was rushed to the NICU. I feel as though I experienced a still born because I never even heard her cry, then it took about 6 months to feel like she was even mine. Since I did actually feel like I lost my baby. /TW

But I feel the same way. I'm horribly disappointed and still crave the birth experience I always wanted, which is why I'm determined to do a VBAC, but my husband is a Surgical ICU nurse and has taken care of VBACs gone wrong and he's terrified for me. He has his own set of fears in association with our first birth.

Sissy42

An unfortunate ending to a midwife/water birth experience = C/S 1. 
Could not convince my doc with baby 2 to try a VBAC (biggest mistake I've made was not changing docs) = C/S 2.
I so desperately want to try for a VBAC this time, but now everyone is so angsty about 2 c/s, and how I missed the boat. I'm sincerely hoping this is not the case.