- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
VBAC
Should I even ask if VBAC is an option?
With my son in 2001 I had a c-section after being listed failure to progress from my cervix being scarred from cancer. I was told afterwards not to bet on being able to deliver babies after that since my cervix wouldn't dilate.
December 2009 I had my little girl. When the OB came to check my while I was in labor she said my cervix was 100% effaced, Emma was at a 0 station and she never said if I was dilated. Emma was born at 36 weeks by c-section. Once I was given the epidural I started becoming tachycardic (sp) and was moved ahead of the line for the OR for the c-section.
Now, my OB hasn't mentioned me even attempting a VBAC. When I was pregnant with Emma I asked if I could VBAC and I felt bad for asking when she left the room saying "I don't want to be put in a position of choosing which one of you to save, your uterus is likely to rupture." But in my u/s the tech said the scarring had a good thickness so I don't know where the threat of rupture would have come into play.
Is there something I'm not asking correctly with my OB to be able to VBAC?
Does the likelihood of uterine rupture show in the u/s from the thickness of the scar?
This is my last baby and while I do feel that I missed out on my birth experiences by having c-sections...I'd like to try and VBAC. Does that sound selfish? I don't want to sound like I'm not thankful for having healthy babies but I'd like to be able to VBAC if I am able to.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Should I even ask if VBAC is an option?
Are you still seeing the OB that told you "I don't want to have to decide which one of you to save?" Because if you want a chance at VBAC, you need to switch doctors. That line is serious BS. There are multiple studies showing the safety of vaginal birth after 1 or 2 cesareans. Fetal deaths from uterine rupture are rare and maternal deaths from uterine rupture are exceedingly rare. So it sounds like your doctor would not support VBAC or VBA2C for anyone, and has no idea what the medical literature or even the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says about VBAC.
ACOG has recently come out saying that VBA2C is safe for many women. There are also studies showing it is safe. Yes, there is a small risk of uterine rupture, but a cesarean also carries some small risks. So I certainly think you can look around in your area to see if there is a doctor who will do VBA2C. If you don't ask, you will never know.
I have read some stuff about cervical massage being used to break up scar tissue and help with dilation. If you Google it a lot of links come up that might help you.
Here are some articles on VBAC/VBA2C:
https://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr07-21-10-1.cfm
https://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/CSANDVBAC/vbac_after_2_cs.htm
Studies on VBA2C:
https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/2006/07000/Risk_of_Uterine_Rupture_With_a_Trial_of_Labor_in.5.aspx
https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(05)00058-X/abstract
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2009.02351.x/full
HTH!
Were they letting you try for a VBAC with your 2nd pg?
Well, I'd try and find out if you were dilated at all, and if you do want a chance at a VBAC, find another provider who is comfortable with it. I believe your chances of uterine rupture, just factoring in your two previous c/s are around 3-4% - I may be wrong, but I'm pretty certain if I am that your risks are a bit lower than that, not higher.
I don't, however, know if any of the cancer treatments that have effected your cervix have otherwise had an impact on your uterus. That may be a question for your OB or Oncologist.
Either way, I'd get a 2nd opinion if it's something you really are interested in considering. It doesn't sound like your OB is at all comfortable with it, and some honestly just aren't, despite the fact that for many it is a very safe option.
I would honestly ask a gynecologic oncologist. They will know better whether or not a scarred cervix should be able to do anything.
But if you could efface, there's probably a good chance you would dilate, too. Just sounds like your last OB didn't want you to try.
I agree that if you want a trial of labor you need a new doc. I think what the doc told you is BS as well.
I would go in educated knowing things like your risk of rupture is less than 1% (.9% after 2 c/s), ACOG supports a TOL after 2 c/s, there are risk to you and baby associated with another c/s, etc. and know that you are the boss. You hire the OB and you can fire the OB.
There are some studies that show that the risk of rupture can be guessed by scar thickness, but I personally don't put much credibility on those (although if you have a thick scar according to t he studies you have a lesser chance of rupture--I really just don't think that you have a higher risk of rupture with a thinner scar or that an u/s can accurately tell thickness).
I don't think it is selfish to want the birth you want. While not the only reason I wanted a VBAC, that was part of the reason for me. I also think that VBAC is just safer for baby than ERCS in my situation.