Talk to me about VBAC

luluAXA

I need the good, the bad and the ugly.  I'm a candidate, I've done some research, I want to try it but I am scared.  Scared that something will go wrong and I'll end up with another c-section and more problems and pain.  And also scared about pushing out a baby.  I know our bodies are made for it but I can't explain the fear.  My main reason for trying is the shorter recovery time so I can take care of DS as well.  So let's hear some real life stories or any words of wisdom.  Oh and the reason for the previous c-section was small pelvis or slow dilation.

mcurban

I had one and it went about as smoothly as a delivery can go. I, too, was nervous that something would go wrong. I was most worried about a uterine tear. But, I found that the drs and nurses at NAMC were very cautious. I was in the room closest to the nurses station and they had me come in a bit earlier than I would have if I was a repeat (or first time) vaginal. When I called the hospital and let them know I was having (rather) painless contractions about 3 min apart, the dr. said I could stay home until I was having difficultly talking through them. I let her know that I was a VBAC and she wanted me in for monitoring as soon as I could get there.

From the time I started pushing until baby in arms felt like a few minutes, at best. My recovery was night and day. I know some c/s moms had an easier time than me, but I was in bed w/ leg pressure cuffs on for at least 12 hours, maybe more (I had Jack at 5:03pm and they kept the cuffs on me over night and removed them sometime the next morning). I hated not being able to get up!  It took me quite a while before my ab muscles felt back to normal, as far as sitting up, laughing, etc.

With the vbac, I was able to get up shortly after the birth, go pee and walk around. I just felt more comfortable, overall.

rssnlvr

My biggest fear was a uterine rupture, but I was able to talk to my doctor at length about what that might feel like, when it would likely happen, what the risk factors for it are, what would happen if it did happen, etc. He made me feel so much better; I felt like I was getting the best possible care and being taken care of very well.

My labors were identical b/c I labored about 24 hours before my first c/s. So the laboring part was BTDT. I pushed for about 90 minutes. My epi failed (or wore off), so I was able to feel him crowning, me getting stitched up, etc. Not the best, but not the worst, either. For me the biggest difference was my awareness in the post-birth period. After my c/s I was so tired and drugged, I don't really remember much. After my VBAC, my kiddo was placed right on my chest, I nursed him immediately, I was up and walking after about 30 minutes--I just remember it all so much more vividly. It makes me sad I lost that experience with DD.

At home the two recoveries were actually fairly comparable. With the first, my stomach hurt but I took it easier on myself and had more help. With the second, my lady bits hurt and I probably didn't take it as easy on myself and necessarily had more on my hands with a toddler running around. I can't imagine what it would have been like if I'd had a r-c/s. 

I think it's normal to be scared b/c a c/s is a known experience and a VBAC is an unknown. But I would absolutely, hands down vote for a vaginal delivery now that I know what they're both like.

Interestingly enough, I asked DH recently, and he would vote for a c/s. He didn't like the danger, the "what ifs" associated with a VBAC.

I have my complete VBAC birth story in my blog if you're interested in a blow-by-blow. Link in sig. 

GL! 

fjaril

I'm going for a vbac with this little monkey.

I was 41.5 weeks and had a failed induction AND GD with my first. My c-section wasn't terrible or made me upset I didn't have a vaginal delivery. O says I was gone about 45 minutes, he was with H the whole time. As soon as I was in the recovery room, I had H and he started nursing right away. Only thing that sucked was having a catheter and they said I had to wait 12 hours to get it out. I bartered that down to 6, I can be persuasive sometimes.  I don't remember much about the recovery except I kept pushing it and would be stuck on the sofa off and on.

This time, I have a 4 year old that needs his mama too. So I want the faster recovery of vaginal, but I won't be sad if it is another c-section. I just want to be a healthy mama and have a healthy kiddo in my arms.

I'm doing acupuncture to help get my body ready and my OB says he'll do whatever he can to help me have a vbac.

There is a vbac board, but some of those gals are quite bitter over their birth experiences and it's hard to hang there for me. But they will give you lots of resources etc. if you are up for some reading.

ec3under4

I have never had a vbac but I can tell you that if I knew then what I know now, I would without a doubt have chosen to vbac. As it is, the only reason that is holding me back from having a fourth(well, minus the hyperemesis) is having to have another csection. I am in physical therapy right now and getting deep tissue massages to reduce my scar tissue. If I were to have a fourth, I would probably drive all the way to Dallas where there is a doctor who delivers vbacs after multiple csections. I will say that a small pelvis is typically a reason that drs give you but rarely is it the actual case and from my research is actually from unnecessary interventions and not allowing for adequate time to let your body do what it needs to do. So, if it were me and I were still with the same dr who said my pelvis was too small, I would switch prior to attempting a vbac. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for my original csection, I just wish I hadn't gone that route for my subsequent deliveries!

JenniferL923

VBAC was the most amazing thing I've ever done. I felt like a million bucks. I have a full birth story in my TTC/PG blog down at the bottom of my sig. 

I was very nervous as well. So nervous that I almost chickened out while signing the scary sounding consent forms. I went ahead with it because I was mentally prepared to at least attempt it and my dr had been cheering me on for weeks.

 My experience was similar to rssn's. I realized I missed so much with DD and I enjoyed every second of the vbac. It was, in a way, fun. The day after I felt like I hadn't even given birth. I felt amazing so my recovery was more than worth it. 

 My husband wasn't on board, neither were half my loved ones but thankfully they let me work it out with my dr and trusted us.  I made it clear that if there are any signs of distress to the baby lets c/s as I wasnt hellbent on it- just wanted to see if it would work out. 

 

RevJG

I didn't try for a VBAC.  I wish I would have.  Recovery from my second c-section sucked so, so, so, so, so bad.  (Recovery from the first was easy, all things considered).

Duckie07

I had a successful VBAC and I am so very grateful that it worked out.  I think one of the big factors in being able to get my VBAC was my OB.  She was extremely supportive of a VBAC right from the start--actually, every time I saw my OB (post-partum, annuals) she reminded me that I was an excellent candidate for a VBAC.  Throughout this last pregnancy, we spoke at length about VBACs--how long I could go past my due date, if she would induce, monitoring, risks, etc.  She was very thorough and did not sugar coat the information.  In the end, I completely trusted her medical opinion and I really feel that helped me be successful.

After having had both a c-section and vaginal delivery, I would hands down choose vaginal delivery over surgery.  Like Rssn, I was so drugged and out of it after my c-section that I barely remember that first day with DD, and that makes me sad.  I had a relatively easy, non-complicated recovery from my c/s, but recovery from my VBAC was sooooo much better.  I really cannot imagine having to recover from a c/s and take care of both a newborn and toddler.  I'm sure it can be done-people do it all of the time-but it would have been extremely difficult.  It was great to be able to remember the delivery, hold DD#2 right away, and generally just be completely aware of what was going on during the delivery and after.  It was nice to be able to walk around (and right away) without abdominal pain/soreness.  Seriously, I was very happy that it worked out. 

I would encourage you to really talk to your OB.  Ask lots of questions.  Let them know your concerns.  I think it's only natural to feel a little scared or anxious about labor and delivery, but if you and your OB can be entirely on the same page, it might help make you feel more comfortable attempting a VBAC (if that's what you decide).  Best of luck with your decision!  Let us know if you have any other questions.