Failed VBACs?

mom2b_09

I hear a lot about successful VBACs but not much on those that have failed.  I am looking for some real-life examples and situations on why a VBAC failed with labor ending in a C-section.  Most of all, do you think that I am setting myself up for failure by allowing my doctor to induce me (by breaking my water)?  I am already at my doctor's deadline date and still pregnant of course.

disbride061103

I had an unsuccessful VBAC attempt last year.  I was induced with a foley cath and pitocin.  My doctor and I agreed that an induction was best (it was that or RCS).  I was induced with a foley cath and pit.  The baby started having decels after my water broke when I was about 7 cm.  For the next 8 hours, I labored on and off the pit. Decels came and went.  They tried an amnio infusion to try and help the decels.  It did help, but not enough.  And at that point, it had been 8 hours and I was still at a 7.  Given the decels and my VBAC status, no one (including me and DH) were comfortable with more pitocin. We decided that a c/s was best.  So after 20 hours of labor, we headed to the OR. 

I knew going in that by inducing my chances of a c/s were higher, but at that point it was my only shot at laboring and delivering my baby without a c/s.  For me it was the right decision.  I don't regret a single decision that I made. And I am forever grateful to the medical staff who did everything they could to avoid a c/s.

If the choice for you is induction or RCS, you need to realize that yes, inductions have a higher risk of ending in a c/s, but it won't necessarily end in one. There are successful VBAC inductions all the time.

GL!

+diana82+

I had an unsuccessful vbac, technically speaking I suppose. My water broke, and since I was a vbac and group b strep + they wanted to see some sign of labor actually happening within about 6 hours.

When they hydrated me at the hospital any contractions that I was having promptly stopped so I never progressed at all. But really I wasn't surprised. I never got further than a fingertip when I was induced with my son - even with pitocin I barely had any contractions at all. 

JG362009

disbride061103:

I had an unsuccessful VBAC attempt last year.  I was induced with a foley cath and pitocin.  My doctor and I agreed that an induction was best (it was that or RCS).  I was induced with a foley cath and pit.  The baby started having decels after my water broke when I was about 7 cm.  For the next 8 hours, I labored on and off the pit. Decels came and went.  They tried an amnio infusion to try and help the decels.  It did help, but not enough.  And at that point, it had been 8 hours and I was still at a 7.  Given the decels and my VBAC status, no one (including me and DH) were comfortable with more pitocin. We decided that a c/s was best.  So after 20 hours of labor, we headed to the OR. 

I knew going in that by inducing my chances of a c/s were higher, but at that point it was my only shot at laboring and delivering my baby without a c/s.  For me it was the right decision.  I don't regret a single decision that I made. And I am forever grateful to the medical staff who did everything they could to avoid a c/s.

If the choice for you is induction or RCS, you need to realize that yes, inductions have a higher risk of ending in a c/s, but it won't necessarily end in one. There are successful VBAC inductions all the time.

GL!

I know this is a personal decision, but just out of curiosity -- if you had it to do over, knowing the result, would you do it again?  I really want to VBAC but I'm also really worried of another failed induction/labor. 

disbride061103

JG362009:

disbride061103:

I had an unsuccessful VBAC attempt last year.  I was induced with a foley cath and pitocin.  My doctor and I agreed that an induction was best (it was that or RCS).  I was induced with a foley cath and pit.  The baby started having decels after my water broke when I was about 7 cm.  For the next 8 hours, I labored on and off the pit. Decels came and went.  They tried an amnio infusion to try and help the decels.  It did help, but not enough.  And at that point, it had been 8 hours and I was still at a 7.  Given the decels and my VBAC status, no one (including me and DH) were comfortable with more pitocin. We decided that a c/s was best.  So after 20 hours of labor, we headed to the OR. 

I knew going in that by inducing my chances of a c/s were higher, but at that point it was my only shot at laboring and delivering my baby without a c/s.  For me it was the right decision.  I don't regret a single decision that I made. And I am forever grateful to the medical staff who did everything they could to avoid a c/s.

If the choice for you is induction or RCS, you need to realize that yes, inductions have a higher risk of ending in a c/s, but it won't necessarily end in one. There are successful VBAC inductions all the time.

GL!

I know this is a personal decision, but just out of curiosity -- if you had it to do over, knowing the result, would you do it again?  I really want to VBAC but I'm also really worried of another failed induction/labor. 

I would absolutely do it again.  My first son was breech and thus a scheduled c/s.  I never had  a single contraction with him.  I wanted to experience labor (and delivery).  Unfortunately I didn't get to the delivery part, but I am glad that I was able to labor.  I don't regret a single decision that we made and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Also, fwiw, I did not find recovery from my c/s to be difficult.  I was probably 95% by 5 days PP.  I attribute it to moving around more and knowing more about recovery from my 1st c/s.

TLM08

My VBAC attempt was unsuccessful.  My first was breech and 6 weeks early.  I went into labor on my own and progressed fast but an emergency c-section was ordered because she was breech.  I had no reason to believe my body "couldn't" do labor and delivery because the need for my c-section was due to my baby's position. 

My OB is very specific on his VBAC requirements.  You have to go into labor on your own (he won't induce or help the labor along) and the baby's head has to be fully engaged in the birth canal.  He states these are factors that keep women from rupture. 

When I went into labor with my second I went in at a 4 so I knew when the nurse checked me that we were staying in the hospital, but delivery was uncertain until my OB came in.  My OB commented on my bleeding and then he checked me and said baby wasn't fully engaged.  The tone of the room got very serious and rushed.  The next morning my OB came in to my room and apologized.  He said he was sorry he really wanted things to work out for me, but when he "got in there" my uterine wall was so thin I was very close to rupturing.

I'm pregnant with our third and because there hasn't been enough time between pregnancies I will have to have a third c-section. 

I have been dealing with the disapointment of missing out on my preferred birth plan.  I am happy I tried though.  I think regardless I would be upset to not experience a vaginal birth, but I wonder if not giving a VBAC a shot would make me feel like I gave up or if I would always wonder what if.  Everyone's different though.

manbearpig31610

I planned on attempting to vbac but never really got to try. I went too far past due and had no dilation, contractions, etc. My OB would not induce with pitocin. She would have tried other induction techniques if I had been showing any progress but since I wasn't a rcs was my only option. In the end I could not be more happy with the way things turned out. My first cs was a nightmare. My rcs was a great experience. I still can't get over how different the experiences were. If a vbac is something you really want you should go for it! If you don't try you may end up regretting it. BUT if you end up opting for a rcs (or if the vbac doesn't work out), it can be a great experience too! Either way, I hope you get a great birth experience.