I know...

MrsRucinski85

that every birth story is different.

But if I didn't dilate past 1 cm with my first, what are the chances that might happen again? Is that a "normal" thing not to dilate?

With my first I was induced twice! and the second time he broke my water to try and make things progress. I was having contractions but not heavy/super horrible contractions.

I'm really hoping for a VBAC with my next and lately I'm concerned that it (dilating and real labor) didn't happen with the first so it won't happen with the second and then I'll just end in another c/s. 

Any thoughts?
 

pepomntpat

What was LO's position? I didn't dilate past a 4, but DD had the cord around her neck several times and was poorly positioned so she didn't engage so I was very slow at dilating.  I also never had any super hard contractions.  

Also, depending on when you were induced your body just may not have been ready for labor. 

MrsRucinski85

pepomntpat:

What was LO's position? I didn't dilate past a 4, but DD had the cord around her neck several times and was poorly positioned so she didn't engage so I was very slow at dilating.  I also never had any super hard contractions.  

Also, depending on when you were induced your body just may not have been ready for labor. 

She was head down and everything was normal. I was induced just because I was past my due date. I guess I didn't think about my body just not being ready, but that is a good point! Sadly, like most first time moms, I was not very knowledgeable my first time around and I was kind of lead to believe it was the best thing to do. The next time around I would love to wait as long as possible and really hope my body will be ready so I can actually go thru labor and have a vbac

holly321

Kind of different scenario, but shows your body has to be ready.....

with dd, my doctor was broke my water because I was very dilated and fully effaced, found dd to be breech in the process, but labor started quickly and intensely.

this time, my water broke, the nurse swore it has to due with the pressure of bad weather, which I believe there is truth too...... Hours later, no contractions, I actually didn't start to dilate until 8 hours into having a pitocin drip.  I don't think my body was ready.   

Fletcha

It honestly sounds like your body just wasn't ready. That's partly the cause of my c-section as well. I wasn't dilating well and he started going into distress. Talking with my OB now he says it just sounded like a failed induction, possible positioning issues (the baby just facing the wrong way or being slightly tilted can prevent dilation). Then of course fetal distress sealed the deal for surgery. I still think it was the best option because of how late I was (41w6d). But the OB thinks I still have a great chance at VBAC this time because every baby is different. We will be doing everything we can to encourage optimal positioning of the baby and the most important of all: letting my body go into labor on it's own. That is the kicker. So I'm preparing to go late. We will not be talking any sort of induction or surgery until the end of my 41st week, with close monitoring, of course, just like last time. I had lots of NSTs and had one BPP, which really helped just knowing my baby was still perfectly fine.

preg_amy

I didn't dilate past 1cm with my first either.  I was in labor forever after an induction and eventually wen with the c/s.

When I got to the hospital for my VBAC, I was only at 2cm, and everyone was so confused as to why I was so excited.  I really thought I was broken and would never ever dilate past a 1.  

But I had a successful VBAC with #2.  I will warn you that you might have a long labor (similar to what a FTM might have) because you haven't dilated that far before.  Luckily, I had patient providers who kept reminding me that it was taking so long because my body had never done this before.    So yeah, my advice is to make sure you have someone patient who understands that it will take longer.