April-VBAC

arome2311

I searched and didn't find a thread talking about VBACs on the October 2018 Mom's forum, so I hope it's ok to add this new discussion. 
I am starting the process of trying to decide between a VBAC or another CesareanBirth.  Has anyone gone through this process before?  I would love to hear your decision making process or any advice you might have.  Anyone else in the same boat? 

jengibre_zorro

I am currently going through this process!  I have been lurking on the November VBAC board as well.  I am pretty sure we are going for a VBAC at this point, because all signs point to having a successful delivery.  I still get very nervous considering the risks though, so by no means is my decision final....

***My son was a c-section because he flipped to breech when i was 39 weeks pregnant (total indicator of his personality, btw)  We of course found out at the hospital when i was 9 cm dilated and there was a butt. Flipping so late in the game is super rare, so because i have a history of fast labor, and fully dilating, my doctor said i was a great candidate.  Here's hoping!

jengibre_zorro

***Also, if you want to add the month to this thread, we could make this a monthly?  Just an idea, totally up to you!  

Gizmo1231

My first was an emergency c-section due to a cord injury. My second was a RCS after he didn't come on his own at 40 weeks. My OB and her practice won't induce if you have had one previous c-section sonour options were spontaneous labor or RCS. I REALLY wanted to do a VBAC but it was helpful to have a "drop dead date" and know that if he didn't come by that date that the decision was made for me. The whole birth was a much better experience than the 21 hour labor and emergency csection was with DS1 but I do believe my healing was slower. Probably due to having a toddler at home too. 
I would love to do a VBAC this time, but our OB has said that she won't do one after 2 csections due to risk of rupture. Although I'm sad, I do understand. And since we probably aren't done, it's what's for best but it still doesn't take away that "inner want" I have to have my baby vaginally. 

meltonjl

I am hoping for a VBAC and would love to hear about people's experiences, too.  My doctor will do a VBAC and says I am a good candidate.  However, she will not allow me to do a VBAC if I need to be induced.  She said the risk of rupture is more likely.  So, she suggested scheduling a RCS at 41 weeks and hoping for spontaneous labor.  If I know she will not induce and allow for a VBAC, I don't see the point and not scheduling the RCS.  Like @Gizmo1231 said, the decision is made for me at that point.  That's my thoughts on it for now.  I am hoping for a spontaneous labor within 3 or 4 days of due date.  I know that's alot to ask of the L&D gods!

mesamyt

@Gizmo1231 That’s interesting that your doc won’t do them after two. From what my doctor has told me is that the risk with vba2c is quite similar to a single vbac.  My new doctor actually discussed all of the options for me until I had to correct her and let her know I’ve had 3 sections. At that point the vbac door was closed for me. 

purplegoldfish2

VBAC here.  I had 1 previous c-section with my twins because they were both breech.  My Dr at the time told me immediately after she finished sewing me up that I was an excellent candidate for VBAC.  She did an amazing job on my section and I had no issues healing.  The risk of rupture decreases with time too and it’s been over 5 years, so although I haven’t talked to my OB yet, I’m confident she won’t have an issue with it.  My friend also goes there and has had 2 VBACs since her twins were born.

bundleofjoy4iluvu

My first pregnancy was a twin pregnancy (1 twin was breach) in 2005. So I had a c-section.  My second pregnancy 2012 was a successful v-bac. I had no trouble with it and only had to get 2 internal stitches.  This time around I'm going for a vbac.  

sammierose464

My Dr won't do vba2c. I only know this because of my mom. I was emergency c (I think I was too big and she was 17), my 1st sister was vaginal, 2nd sister was a scheduled c after going past 40 weeks. My brother was automatically scheduled as a c to prevent rupture.

arome2311

@jengibre_zorro I don't know how to add the month to make this a monthly threat, but that would be great .  I'm still kind of ignorant about a lot of things on the bump lol.

I guess I should share my experience as well.  I was induced at 41w3d due to high blood pressure and was shortly after diagnosed with pre-eclampsia.  After 30 hours of labor without dilating past 7, I received a c-section. My LO ended up being 11lbs 12 oz and 24 in long, so I really don't think he was going to come out the other way haha. The dr. said he had concerns about me having small hips, so he wasn't sure that I could naturally deliver a large baby...(I'm not sure about the accuracy of that, but that's what he said). I felt that the c-section went well and I recovered pretty quickly from it.  No concerns about that.  I keep wavering between wanting a VBAC and Repeat C.  I am not wanting to get induced or schedule a c-section prior to 40 weeks.  I would rather go into labor naturally even if I do have a c-section.  I still need to talk with my provider, but I'm really happy to see everyone else's insight. 

meltonjl

@arome2311 my first was similar, except I was induced at 37 weeks.  It was also because of pre-eclampsia. I labored for 3 days and did not progress.  Just as we were deciding if I wanted to try for another day of induction, the baby's heart rate dropped so I was rushed in for an emergency c-section.  As far as the hips are concerned, I am not sure if that's true.  I have heard people say that, but it would seem odd.  I will say, 11 lbs is pretty big though!  Is your baby this time growing at the same pace as your first?

knottieamusements

@arome2311 - just scroll up to the original post and hit the edit icon (it looks like a gear).  Then add “April” to the title. In May, someone would need to remember to start a new one. 

jengibre_zorro

Just to add to the induction issues, i know different doctors have a different "hard stop" date.  For mine they said they would let me go all to 41 weeks before an automatic RCS (provided baby looked good!), and while the won't induce with pitocin, they are ok with membrane sweeping and foley bulb.  (but lets hope it doesn't come to that!)

mariek312

I was a VBAC! So while not personally impacted by this, I have learned a lot out of curiosity over the years. I would encourage anyone who has a doctor who says no to get another opinion if it's truly important to you. You may end up with the same advice or you mah learn that you have a chance. Doctors vary greatly in their support of and comfort with VBACs. It doesn't make them good or bad or right or wrong, it just is. 

jennybean80

I’m a L&D nurse, so have experience with VBACs from that angle if anyone has questions I may be able to help. 

pluckypickle

I had a VBAC with my second. 1st was induced and ended up with an “emergency” c-section. 

2nd I went into labor on my own, 12 hours later I delivered my son vaginally.

I had a complication with my 2nd’s birth, but that shouldn’t be something I have to worry about this time. I am planning on discussing VBAC with my doctor next week. If I can do it again I will. 

Im happy to answer any questions! I’m not sure what info would be helpful.

shortstack930

My first was an emergency c-section after 15 hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing. My OB was old fashioned and refused to let me switch positions to push—she had my lying flat on my back with my legs in the air. I think if I had been able to move around and change positions and even push longer then things may have gone differently. This time around I’m using a midwife and absolutely trying for a VBAC. 

midwestmom12

My first was an emergency c-section. DS’s heartrate kept dropping with each contraction after 12 hours of labor. 

Second was a successful VBAC. My doctor wouldn’t let me go past 40 weeks. He did a membrane sweep at 38 and I went into labor that day.  Very painful labor but pushed for 30 minutes and DD was out. It was a really great experience all in all. 

Going for another VBAC with this third baby!

For what it’s worth, I had no issues recovering from my c-section but I’m very pro-VBAC if circumstances allow! 

BLyn627

My first was a csection after 26 hours of labor after my water breaking and a few hours of pushing. Not necessarily an emergency one, but she just wasn’t desending. 

I took forever to decide on RCS vs VBAC. I really wanted a VBAC, but the risk of rupture and how fast they have to get baby out scared me. Ultimately, I decided to go for a TOLAC if baby didn’t come by a scheduled RCS date I chose. Well, baby did not come and I ended up with a RCS, which I was kinda glad of when she came out 9lbs 15oz! FWIW, my scheduled csection recovery was soooooooo much better than my first after being in labor. So many people told me this is the case, but I found it hard to believe until I experienced it myself. 

I know some do, my OB won’t do a VBA2C because of the increased risk of rupture. After my RCS went so well, im perfectly fine with another. 

When deciding, I did a ton of research though and can’t believe how unsafe some FB groups actually encourage you to be in order to get a VBAC - not do it a hospital, not being monitored, etc... I’m all for VBAC, but there’s definitely safe vs unsafe ways to go about it. 

RosieMommy2016

We are in the process of discussing it with our midwife. She really encourages it if you are a good candidate. We are waiting to see if the baby will be in the right position.
   If it is breech or sideways (like DS) c-section. If it's in the right position,  all natural , but in the hospital in case something goes wrong.

missmaehurt

I’m debating on if I want to try for a VBAC. I had to have a c-section after a failed 4 day induction. My c-section was so quick and easy. I didn’t think recovery was that bad, so it makes it tempting to just schedule a RCS. On the flip side, every source says typically natural is a much faster recovery. I’m just scared of the unknown, not being able to anticipate a delivery date, or knowing how it feels. Thankfully I’ve got some time to decide.

arome2311

@meltonjl at this point Baby is measuring a week small, but that was just from the dating ultrasound. My first measured small at the first ultrasound and then large for most of the pregnancy. Time will tell I guess. If this baby measures as large, we might need to opt for the repeat c. 

jengibre_zorro

@jennybean80 - i have a feeling once my due date is closer, i am going to have ALL the questions for you.....

koala1107

This has been on my mind as well. My first was a csection due to breech presentation and a septate uterus (basically my uterus was nearly divided in two with just a bit of space underneath, so she was really stuck and no hope of flipping). I had the septate corrected over the summer, so if all goes well I’ll be a candidate for a VBAC. I honestly have no preference though, I just want whatever is safest. They both have risks and they seem pretty evenly balanced. On one hand, I really don’t want another surgery or that harder recovery, on the other, I’m the person that’s usually the exception to statistics and things tend to go wrong in bizarre ways. My current plan is no plan. I’ll probably schedule the csection close to 40 weeks and see what happens if I go into labor before then. 

eireyes

I had a VBAC with DD. DS was a surprise breech baby, and we only found out when I arrived to the hospital in labor. I had a c-section with him because of it. Two years and two weeks later I had DD via successful VBAC. I'm very fortunate that I had a two fantastic OB's who were willing to listen to me and help me reach my goal. My one OB actually told me "you're very reasonable, you have realistic expectations, lets see if we can make this happen for you."

I ended up in the hospital for monitoring 5 days before DD showed up with a c-section scheduled for that same afternoon. My BP was crazy high (in the 140/90 and above range) and my OB was rightfully freaked out by it. No swelling or any other symptoms, but in I went for monitoring. I was told that if my BP came down on its own, I could decide to opt out of the CS. Fortunately, my BP came down, and I did opt out. I had a follow-up appointment where I met with the second of my now favorite OB's, and he was surprised they'd let me go. I was past my due date by a day at this point, so we had a long discussion about my desires (I really just wanted the chance to try for a vaginal delivery, and if it came to it I'd do another CS). My OB asked if I was OK going to a slightly farther away hospital than my original plan, and if I was, he'd see if he could set up a 'gentle' induction. I got the call the next day that an induction was scheduled for the day after. Fortunately I went into labor that night so the induction ended up not being necessary.

All of that to say, in my experience, if you want a VBAC, go into it with realistic expectations. (Being reasonable is key. I fully believe that if I had been of the mindset that 'VBAC WILL HAPPEN COME HELL OR HIGH WATER' my OB wouldn't have been willing to work with me in the first place.) Find a doctor or practice that you trust and that will listen to you and take your opinions into consideration. Plan, but be willing to flex your plan because shit happens. I'm very glad I was able to get my VBAC, but if I'd had a CS I know I'd have ultimately been OK with that too. Would I have been disappointed my body didn't cooperate? Absolutely yes, but my ultimate goal was healthy baby and mom, so a CS would have gotten us there too.

Holy hell that got long... sorry!!

koala1107

@eireyes great perspective thanks for sharing!

arome2311

@missmaehurt that's why I'm torn too.  My c-section and recovery went well.  In some ways I felt in a lot better condition than one of my fiends who had a vaginal delivery the day before me.  However, before the c-section I wanted to have the natural birth experience so the vbac has been on my mind often.