Who here is considering a VBAC?

Ceefome · July 2010

Just wondering who on this board is considering one. How have your conversations with your provider been going?

They keep telling me I'm not a great candidate, but I can try, even though they don't recommend it. I'm keeping the "wait and see" attitiude, and DH is being very supportive.

pawcall · July 2010

Not to pry, just curious. What makes someone a good candidate vs. bad candidate?

This is my first, so I have no birth experience, but my sister just had a VBAC 2 weeks ago. My SIL was told that she could not have one (she's due in December).

nmeissner25 · July 2010

What is VBAC? Sorry if i should know this but i have no idea.

Ceefome · July 2010

cdobry01:

Not to pry, just curious. What makes someone a good candidate vs. bad candidate?

This is my first, so I have no birth experience, but my sister just had a VBAC 2 weeks ago. My SIL was told that she could not have one (she's due in December).

A "good" candidate is someone who has never been tested - c/s due to the baby being breach, or never dialated enough to even try pushing, things like that. I'm a "bad" candidate because I pushed for 3 hours last time and wound up with a c/s. That makes the doctors think my pelvis is too small, or my kids are too big and I'll wind up with another one. That's why I'm on a "wait and see" train of thought. Babies typically get bigger, but in my family, the oldest is usually the biggest, so my next baby might not be 8lb.6oz at birth. And if I go into labor on my own (my drs won't induce with a VBAC) I will want to try.

Ceefome · July 2010

nmeissner25:
What is VBAC? Sorry if i should know this but i have no idea.

Vaginal Birth After Ceasarean

nmeissner25 · July 2010

Ok thanks.

pawcall · July 2010

Ceefome:
cdobry01:

Not to pry, just curious. What makes someone a good candidate vs. bad candidate?

This is my first, so I have no birth experience, but my sister just had a VBAC 2 weeks ago. My SIL was told that she could not have one (she's due in December).

A "good" candidate is someone who has never been tested - c/s due to the baby being breach, or never dialated enough to even try pushing, things like that. I'm a "bad" candidate because I pushed for 3 hours last time and wound up with a c/s. That makes the doctors think my pelvis is too small, or my kids are too big and I'll wind up with another one. That's why I'm on a "wait and see" train of thought. Babies typically get bigger, but in my family, the oldest is usually the biggest, so my next baby might not be 8lb.6oz at birth. And if I go into labor on my own (my drs won't induce with a VBAC) I will want to try.

Gotcha, this makes sense

mommajen8 · July 2010

i am a bad candidate for a VBAC. i have a mishapen pelvic bone and wound up with and emerg one with DS. but i wish you luck and i hope you can do it!

juliane2004 · July 2010

I'm considering it, but due to my previous c/s being only 14 months before this babe is due, they may not let me.

We'll see.

SaraLynn21 · July 2010

I am and my doctor is very supportive. We'll see if I change my mind as it gets closer but right now that is my plan and my husband is on board. DS was only 6 pounds but his head was positioned kind of sideways toward my pelvis so I ended up pushing for 3 hours and had a c-section. As long as baby is positioned well this time I should be good, but I'm also scared that since DS was so small and I still didn't deliver vaginally that I'll be doomed to a c/s.

erbear · July 2010

I am! My OB is on board (I switched to find one who was) and he thinks I'm a very favorable candidate as long as I go into labor on my own (I was induced last time) and baby is measuring smaller than DD (9 pounds, 8 ounces).

erbear · July 2010

Ceefome:
cdobry01:

Not to pry, just curious. What makes someone a good candidate vs. bad candidate?

This is my first, so I have no birth experience, but my sister just had a VBAC 2 weeks ago. My SIL was told that she could not have one (she's due in December).

A "good" candidate is someone who has never been tested - c/s due to the baby being breach, or never dialated enough to even try pushing, things like that. I'm a "bad" candidate because I pushed for 3 hours last time and wound up with a c/s. That makes the doctors think my pelvis is too small, or my kids are too big and I'll wind up with another one. That's why I'm on a "wait and see" train of thought. Babies typically get bigger, but in my family, the oldest is usually the biggest, so my next baby might not be 8lb.6oz at birth. And if I go into labor on my own (my drs won't induce with a VBAC) I will want to try.

That's interesting. My doc said I was a good candidate BECAUSE I dilated and pushed last time; told him I could get to 10 cm! He doesn't encourage VBACs for women who didn't get to 10 (unless breech or something)

calhoun05 · July 2010

Me! My doc said I'm welcome to try, but he doesn't think I'm the greatest candidate either because I only got to 3 cm. BUT, I had to be induced a week early due to low amniotic fluid and preeclampsia. My cervix wasn't ripe, I wasn't dilated, and my body totally wasn't ready to give birth. Since induction isn't an option, I know that if I'm trying for a VBAC at all it will be because my body went into labor naturally and it's ready. So I think my past experience isn't indicative at all. My tentative plan is to schedule a c-section about a week after my due date and see what happens. I'm glad I have docs that, as long as all else is going well, will allow me to go past my due date. I've heard for a lot of docs that's a non-starter. I think that really will help my chances - plus if I do go past my due date it will get the kid's birthday further from Christmas. Not a priority, of course, but that would be nice.

AJinVA · July 2010

I had a c/s with DD b/c I only got to 8cm (and stalled for 3+ hours after 20+ hours of labor) and DD wasn't tolerating the pitocin well. My c/s will be scheduled for my due date, and if I go into labor on my own before then and baby is in good position and I'm dilating well, we'll try for a VBAC. My ob practice is pretty flexible.

Ceefome · July 2010

erbear:
[
That's interesting. My doc said I was a good candidate BECAUSE I dilated and pushed last time; told him I could get to 10 cm! He doesn't encourage VBACs for women who didn't get to 10 (unless breech or something)

Hmm, sounds like there's no real definition of a "good" candidate in the OB world. I switched OBs to find ones that at least offer VBAC as an option, and I'm frustrated that my prior medical records give no reason why the baby was stuck. So we're all left guessing.

cess525 · July 2010

My doctor says we are good to go as long as baby isn't breech (like DD) and as long as I go into labor on my own. He really is on board with it (phew). He said right now he is going to put my chances at 50% as we get closer and the baby actually flips he will move the % up. Once I walk into the hospital in labor he will bump it to 90%.

I think he knows I am a math nerd and that's why all the % chances. Granted he has cautioned that the reason DD was breech was because my pelvis is comfy to sit in and not put your head in. So if that is the case another c/s for me. So lets all hope for a flip baby time time Stick out tongue

cosmobella · July 2010

I really want to but I am approaching it cautiously so I don't get my feelings hurt again. With DS I only got to a measly 1cm after 36hrs of induction with pitocin. They won't induce again due to the risk of rupture so the best chance is for me to go into labor on my own. I was really disappointed last time so I don't even want to plan for it until I'm in 3rd tri.

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Who here is considering a VBAC?

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