I'm not willing to give up just yet.

Moesten · March 2010

So far 3 of the 5 doctors in my practice have said I am a crappy candidate for a VBAC. Unfortunately, so does everything I read on the Mayo Clinic and similar sites. Nevertheless I have scheduled a second opinion consultation with Dr. Froehlich.

So has anyone had a successful VBAC? If so, what led to your initial c-section as that seems to be the real indicator of whether or not you're a good VBAC candidate.

suprchicy · March 2010

I haven't had a successful VBAC, but my OB said I could attempt it if I wanted. I have a bicornuate uterus, which I didn't know before my c-section. This caused DD to be transverse and I couldn't contract hard enough to get her down. I was at 9 cm for 10 hr, they gave me pitocin to get me to 10 and even with the pitocin I couldn't contract enough to get her down. My OB said if I really wanted he'd support a VBAC, but there was a good chance I'd end back up with a c-section.

ETA: Is it a policy of your practice that they won't do VBACs, or just those doctors? I get that there is a risk, but if I knew there was a good chance I could have a successful VBAC I would definitely at least give it a shot.

sippolas · March 2010

I can't help you with VBAC but wanted to let you know that Dr. Froehlich is great. He delivered my DD in January and I was extremely happy with the whole process. Good luck on the VBAC!

curlypie1 · March 2010

I'm sorry. This is my battle this time around as well. My docs have all indicated that it's a wait and see situation this time for me. My first was breech. I was never in labor so I can't fall back on my experience with that to tell me if VBAC is the right choice. I'm anxious to here from other Mom's that had good (or bad) VBAC experiences.

pinkylu · March 2010

I elected to have a repeat c-section. I had a c-section last time due to no progress after being induced and having a small pelvis/large baby. I feel pretty strongly that I would likely have the same situation this time, so I would rather schedule it and know when I'm having the baby than to wait and see. Not trying to convince you either way, if you feel strongly that you want to try vbac, I hope it works out for you!

Mrs.Cooley2bee · March 2010

I'm curious, what about your previous delivery makes you a bad candidate? I am have been thinking about the same thing, and my doc said I could try. I guess if my doctor felt like it was a bad idea I wouldn't try.

I am pretty set on a repeat c-section. DD was posterior (which is totally do-able for vaginal deliveries) but I had two epidurals stop working...for unknown reasons. I got to 10 but I was going to need some major pushing and assistance (turning and/or forcepts etc), the pain was brutal and they were unable to get me ANY relief so I ended up with a c-section.

I am scared that the epidurals won't work again and I will be $hit out of luck!

Moesten · March 2010

Well, my labor started with my water breaking. 23 hours later I was at 8 cm (with pitocin) and ran up against that line in the sand that says you shouldn't go more than 24 hours with broken waters. So the official reason for my c-section was failure to progress. When my water broke I was less than 1 cm dilated. So it begs the question what would have happened had I just been allowed to labor longer or if my water hadn't broken. My practice is fine with a VBAC if the reason was breech or something of that nature but not failure to progress.

I will accept whatever Dr. Froehlich has to say on the matter. I just won't rest well if I don't at least get a second opinion.

suprchicy · March 2010

Moesten:
Well, my labor started with my water breaking. 23 hours later I was at 8 cm (with pitocin) and ran up against that line in the sand that says you shouldn't go more than 24 hours with broken waters. So the official reason for my c-section was failure to progress. When my water broke I was less than 1 cm dilated. So it begs the question what would have happened had I just been allowed to labor longer or if my water hadn't broken. My practice is fine with a VBAC if the reason was breech or something of that nature but not failure to progress.
I will accept whatever Dr. Froehlich has to say on the matter. I just won't rest well if I don't at least get a second opinion.

My water broke before I even started contractions, and I got an epi, antibiotics, and pitocin 24 hr into it, after being stuck at 9 cm for 10 hrs. 4 hr later I finally hit 10 cm, pushed an hr and a half and then they finally said I needed a c-section, so almost 30 hr of labor total. That would make me wonder if they had just given you more time if you'd have progressed the rest of the way.

sistrkate · March 2010

suprchicy:
Moesten:
Well, my labor started with my water breaking. 23 hours later I was at 8 cm (with pitocin) and ran up against that line in the sand that says you shouldn't go more than 24 hours with broken waters. So the official reason for my c-section was failure to progress. When my water broke I was less than 1 cm dilated. So it begs the question what would have happened had I just been allowed to labor longer or if my water hadn't broken. My practice is fine with a VBAC if the reason was breech or something of that nature but not failure to progress.
I will accept whatever Dr. Froehlich has to say on the matter. I just won't rest well if I don't at least get a second opinion.
My water broke before I even started contractions, and I got an epi, antibiotics, and pitocin 24 hr into it, after being stuck at 9 cm for 10 hrs. 4 hr later I finally hit 10 cm, pushed an hr and a half and then they finally said I needed a c-section, so almost 30 hr of labor total. That would make me wonder if they had just given you more time if you'd have progressed the rest of the way.

You guys had pretty much the same experience that I had. My water broke in the evening, but at the time I wasn't sure what it was. It was more of a trickle and didn't seem constant. I called the doctor the next morning after my shower when the trickle didn't slow and they sent me to L&D. By that time, it had already been 14 hrs since it broke. I was on antibiotics and pitocin right away, but I didn't reach 10 cm until 31 hrs later. I pushed for 3.5 hrs and he never descended past zero station. I was told I could continue laboring, but that I'd probably need a c/s anyway. I was so exhausted I just gave in.

When I got pregnant with Tyler, my doctor gave me the option to try for a VBAC. He left the decision up to me, but told me that in cases where the earlier c/s is due to failure to progress, VBAC is only successful in about 20% of cases. It's even less likely to be successful in women over 35 (like me). Since I already had a toddler at home, and no desire to repeat that horrible labor experience, I opted for the c/s.

FWIW, however, the day I checked into the hospital (at 39w2d), I was having timeable contractions, and my water had not broken. I suppose it's possible to have a successful VBAC after that, but it was easier to plan with the c/s. And my recovery from it was a dream after the first experience.......I wasn't recovering from surgery and 31 hrs of labor.

suprchicy · March 2010

sistrkate:
suprchicy:
Moesten:
Well, my labor started with my water breaking. 23 hours later I was at 8 cm (with pitocin) and ran up against that line in the sand that says you shouldn't go more than 24 hours with broken waters. So the official reason for my c-section was failure to progress. When my water broke I was less than 1 cm dilated. So it begs the question what would have happened had I just been allowed to labor longer or if my water hadn't broken. My practice is fine with a VBAC if the reason was breech or something of that nature but not failure to progress.
I will accept whatever Dr. Froehlich has to say on the matter. I just won't rest well if I don't at least get a second opinion.
My water broke before I even started contractions, and I got an epi, antibiotics, and pitocin 24 hr into it, after being stuck at 9 cm for 10 hrs. 4 hr later I finally hit 10 cm, pushed an hr and a half and then they finally said I needed a c-section, so almost 30 hr of labor total. That would make me wonder if they had just given you more time if you'd have progressed the rest of the way.
You guys had pretty much the same experience that I had. My water broke in the evening, but at the time I wasn't sure what it was. It was more of a trickle and didn't seem constant. I called the doctor the next morning after my shower when the trickle didn't slow and they sent me to L&D. By that time, it had already been 14 hrs since it broke. I was on antibiotics and pitocin right away, but I didn't reach 10 cm until 31 hrs later. I pushed for 3.5 hrs and he never descended past zero station. I was told I could continue laboring, but that I'd probably need a c/s anyway. I was so exhausted I just gave in.
When I got pregnant with Tyler, my doctor gave me the option to try for a VBAC. He left the decision up to me, but told me that in cases where the earlier c/s is due to failure to progress, VBAC is only successful in about 20% of cases. It's even less likely to be successful in women over 35 (like me). Since I already had a toddler at home, and no desire to repeat that horrible labor experience, I opted for the c/s.
FWIW, however, the day I checked into the hospital (at 39w2d), I was having timeable contractions, and my water had not broken. I suppose it's possible to have a successful VBAC after that, but it was easier to plan with the c/s. And my recovery from it was a dream after the first experience.......I wasn't recovering from surgery and 31 hrs of labor.

That is really good to know. I had a horrible recovery from having DD. It took more than a month to just walk into a store, get one thing, and walk back out without being in a lot of pain!

identicaltwins2be · March 2010

If anyone is going to let you try a VBAC it would be Dr. Froehlich. I LOVE him! I just saw him today for my PP check up. Anyway, he was willing to let me try a vaginal birth with the twins even though Baby B was turning everyway but head down. I had DD vaginally so it would not have been a VBAC for me but a lot of doctors will only let you deliver twins vaginally if they are both head down. Really long story short, I ended up having to have an emergency c-secetion because the babies were in trouble. Dr. F. got me into the OR and the babies out in less than 10 minutes. I hope your appointment with him goes well and let us know what he says!

awinning · March 2010

I'm a little late here but wanted to let you know that there is another Dr. in the area that is very pro VBAC. His name is Dr. Bowen. I'm not sure I've heard anyone mention him on here but from a professional stand point, lots of my previous co-workers recommended him. Good luck with your appointment. I hope it works out for you that you are able to VBAC.

doodlebug914 · March 2010

I have heard nothing but positives about Dr. Bowen for VBAC and pro-natural birth as well. I plan to see him possibly for my next pregnancy. I do believe he and Dr. Froehlich cover eachother. I have met Dr. Froehlich professionally and he is very laid back and patients seem to love him!

andailey · March 2010

I am really motivated to try for a VBAC with pg #2. Since DD was born via emergency c-section at 36 wks. with no signs of labor or progress, my doctor says that I could try if I choose. He says he will monitor me very closely next pg since I'll be high-risk, and as long as HELLP syndrome signs don't present themselves (or any other complications for that matter), he will support my VBAC decision. However, I must deliver at a different Dayton hospital since Kettering doesn't do VBACs.

I wish you the best of luck in your decision, and when the time comes, I am very interested in hearing other Cincy mom's stories of successful VBACs.

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