VBAC

lmkusek84

I’ve been ok’d to have a VBAC and am pretty thankful. I had my first 2.5 years ago at 39w5d via CS r/t placenta previa. I never went into labor so not sure what to expect. My husband is willing to help me with perineal massage as I know I will tear regardless so trying to help prevent it a little if possible. Any advice or previous experience would be appreciated for those who’ve had vaginal births or VBACs. Thank you so much. Due 3/7. 

harpseal135

lmkusek84 said:

I’ve been ok’d to have a VBAC and am pretty thankful. I had my first 2.5 years ago at 39w5d via CS r/t placenta previa. I never went into labor so not sure what to expect. My husband is willing to help me with perineal massage as I know I will tear regardless so trying to help prevent it a little if possible. Any advice or previous experience would be appreciated for those who’ve had vaginal births or VBACs. Thank you so much. Due 3/7. 

I don't have much for advice, for the exception perineal massage may NOT do anything.  I had it done and was 1mm away from going to the OR for a 3rd degree tear that almost tore into my rectum. 

Honestly its not a guarentee that it will work and you will tear if the circumstances are there.  You can't worry about tearing, your body and baby will do what needs to happen to deliver. 

paytonpedro

Unlike pp, I didn’t do any massages and only tore a little bit, they put in 1 stitch, with my first. Didn’t tear at all with my second. Every body is different and your body is going to react how it needs to regardless of what you do to “prep” it. I will say, my tearing wasn’t bad, didn’t hurt much after the fact, and healed up perfect quickly. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I imagined. 

maggiemadeit

I had an emergency c-section after 36+ hours of labor with my first, and an unmedicated VBAC with my second. If you have already found a supportive provider, you’re doing great. I would suggest putting energy into preparing for labor and childbirth. I listened to pregnancy and birth affirmations, and also did the whole hypnobirthing thing. The hypnobirthing stuff was not all the useful when it came down to it, but I found the affirmations were really important for me. In the back of my mind I was worried that my body was somehow not capable of natural delivery, and the affirmations helped me and gave me confidence on the big day. 

As for tearing, I would suggest not to worry too much about it. I had a 4th degree tear because my son had shoulder dystocia and was over 11lbs, and the recovery from that was still far better than a c-section, and after a little pelvic floor PT everything is fully operational. 

Wishing you all the best! My VBAC was one of the single most transformative moments of my life. I hope you can have the outcome you want, and it all goes great!