TOLAC/VBAC support

kc0711

A few of us have brought this up, so I figured it was time to get it going! Come and join the discussion if you will be attempting a VBAC this go round. If you feel like it, share a bit about your previous birth and your goals for this birth. 

footdrbritt

DS whole birth is a TW so I won’t go too much into detail but in short: piss poor care led to a never substantiated dx of pre-e (which I probably did have but never worked up) induction at 38 weeks failed miserably with emergency c section, hemorrhaged, coded, multiple transfusions and a nice long hospital stay. 

 I just changed OB providers but if my BP stays in check I’m really hoping for few interventions and a VBAC. I have severe anxiety and PTSD regarding my sons birth and I’m not sure I can do a repeat without a panic attack. 

kc0711

DD’s birth was actually ok, everything leading up to it was stressful. I had vasa previa with a velamentous cord *TW* so a vaginal birth would have been fatal for her and potentially me. Thankfully we found out about it at our anatomy scan. I started having contractions at 24 weeks and was sent home on procardia and bed rest. That was just an awful time of waiting hoping the contractions would be controlled by the medication and keep her inside as long as possible. Because of her head down position and the contractions, we opted for steroid shots for lung development and delivered at 35w5d. She went straight to the NICU and spent the next 5 days there on and off a feeding tube and O2 as she figured out life on the outside world. The hardest part was delivering her and not getting to touch her until 8 hours later. But because it wasn’t an emergency c-section, my scar has healed well, which is surprising due to my connective tissue disorder. So we will try for a VBAC this time, and I really hope for an intervention free birth. After having every intervention possible with DD, I would like to just have this baby and get to hold him after. Hopefully no PTL this go round and we have gotten the all clear that his umbilical cord and placenta are fine this time. 

kc0711

@footdrbritt I hope your provider this go round is much more on top of things and keeps both you and baby safe and sound!

footdrbritt

@kc0711 well I’m now going to a civilian hospital (I’m active duty military) so hopefully that’s step one to all this. 😩

NinnyJean

I had a VBAC with DD2 but unfortunately her shoulder got stuck behind my pelvic bone pretty severely so I have to have a C-section again this time. I just wanted to pop on to say that if you’re determined to have a VBAC to really advocate for yourself. My OB’s office was wicked supportive but when they would do the VBAC calculator in the computer my numbers never looked favorable but I was able to do it. They also had originally said if I had to be induced then I couldn’t because your risk of rupture increases after a c-section if you’re induced. My OB when the time came for me to be induced told me while yes the risk doubles, it goes from 1% to 2%, so it is still really small.

So make sure to have a supportive doctor on your side and really advocate for yourself, even if it seems like there might be some obstacles 

knottied3a988cf35cc44fd

Our first boy was born last February. Originally, I wanted to go the vaginal route. But we found out around 30 weeks that he had craniosynostosis and was going to be BIG, so my o.b. wasn't sure it was a good idea for me. I went to the hospital for planned induction, was in labor for 42 hours, and then doc came in. "You can keep trying, but at 48 hours, we have to pull you in for c-section" was the scariest thing I'd heard! But I got the cs, and LO was 10 lb 9 oz.! 
This pregnancy I was kind of pushed into another c-section, which now I'm regretting. I'm 26 weeks, *have type 1 hemophilia*, SPD, and they *THINK* this boy is going to be big, too. What do you ladies think--would it be worth my time to discuss VBAC with my OB? I would love, love, love to have this experience. Plus managing a toddler, newborn, and a dog with c-section pain is not ideal!

mayisch

I just brought this up to my new OB on the last visit, she is totally in to what I want which a vaginal birth as long as everything is OK.
Last time I really wanted to try a VB but my OB was more concerned about his vacations I guess... so I really didn't  had a chance to try, he told us baby was big but as my new Dr explained, is not only about the weight, or baby's head size, there a lot much more to consider, and even when all the conditions are ideal sometimes it just does't happen. 
This time I am determined to go as far as I and baby can, that because I do want my recovery to be faster. She said she will be patient if I was patient too, and if I changed my mind last minute, it will be fine.

@knottied3a988cf35cc44fd

So its really important to talk about it to your Dr about your birth preferences and any questions you may have, also is very important to let someone else you trust know what is it that you want. Like, I don't want to cord to be cut immediately (if conditions allow it) and the opportunity to BF first thing... things that I didn't have the chance to do with my first. 

amj161820

First birth (2016) was an emergency cs. He was sunny side up and wasn't descending. But looking back there are many things I wish I had known and wish I had done differently.

Second birth (2018) I switched providers, went to midwifery care vs OB. I also hired a Doula. Exercised and did more body work to keep things in alignment (spinning babies was great). Read and researched more so overall I felt more prepared and educated. Labored at home. Wanted to avoid all interventions. Was 9cm dilated on arrival to the hospital and had a successful VBAC! My recovery was so much easier from the VBAC birth Vs my CS.
This time around I'm again sticking with a midwife and hired the same Doula. I've started One Strong Mama exercise program since it's too cold where I live to get outside yet. Trying to remain active & keeping my body in alignment, although this seems harder this time around with 2 littles already running around haha!

I definitely suggest finding a provider who is VBAC supportive and hiring a Doula who is experienced with TOLAC/VBAC. 

kittenslove

My first was a c-section and my second a v-bac. My OB is letting me choose this time, and I'm not sure. My v-bac wasn't great, forceps and some pretty horrible tearing. But it was a better recovery than the c-section. Right now the plan is v-bac unless I need an induction, which we would jump to c-section. But I am pretty not sure.