I had a failed induction with DD ---had pitocin and I did get 10 CM but I pushed for 3hrs and basically got no where. It ended with the doctor telling me I needed a c-section b/c he though the baby might be looking sideways. (BUT--I should add, they told me to start pushing, I never ever got the sensation to push--so I kinda feel like they didn't give my body time to get there...but I digress.)
Anyhow, i'm newly pregnant with #2 and my doc told me on the phone last week he doesn't think I'm a candidate for VBAC b/c of my failed induction and b/c I pushed for 3hrs......
My question is this (i'm switching docs)---If you HAD to be induced with #1---is it safe to assume you won't go into labor on your own with #2? I'm worried that since I was told I can't have pitocin again, what if with #2, I never go into labor ? I was nearly 42 weeks with my first when they induced me...so I'm scared my VBAC chances may be nil if I'm one of those women who needs help getting labor started...
--Confused about VBAC
TIA!!!
Re: Mammas who had failed inductions.....
I had a "failed induction" which turned out to be because my doctor never put pitocin in my bag and so how could I progess? I changed OBs and they are optimistic that everything will go smoothly for a VBAC. I am concerned because I never went into labor and wonder if my body even knows how. There's no way to know for sure until you're there, so it is worth trying. Change docs and see what they say. I'm sure you'll have a positive experienece.
GOOD LUCK!
1 ht
induced w/ #1 @ 41 wk 3 days, went into labor on my own w/ my VBAC baby, 40 wks, 4 days, or so.
I was not induced, but just had some thoughts on your question.
No way would I assume that. Firstly, there are medical reasons to induce (like pre-e) that mean absolutely nothing for your next child as long as those issues don't repeat. Secondly, there are reasons one might not go into labor and/or progress fast 'enough' that also mean absolutely nothing for your next child. If your daughter was actually facing sideways, THAT might be why you didn't go into labor. I am not familiar with sideways babies but I know a woman who never went into labor because her baby was frank breech and the feet weren't putting proper pressure on the cervix. If her position kept her from descending, perhaps that was the problem.
I was induced at 41+ weeks (no question of my dates, btw) and despite cervidil and pit never progressed past a fingertip. This time, my OB is totally fine with a vbac and hasn't expressed any concern about me not going into labor on my own based solely on my previous history - however if I don't she won't induce.
I think this time, assuming I stay with the vbac plan (I've admittedly wavered back and forth quite a bit already) I will do what my friend did and try EPO and RRL tea to help get things going.
I was induced at 41 weeks. No real reason except my OB was more comfortable with having the baby out at that point. If I knew then what I know now, I would have pushed for an extra week. My Mom was ten days late with my older brother, and then I was early. This time, my midwife is comfortable with me going to 42 weeks. If we're getting close and we're worried, we'll do RRL tea, EPO and other natural methods. You can also do acupressure/puncture, hypnobabies, chiropractic, lots of walking and sex... I did some of that stuff last time but this time will be making it a bigger priority. Personally, I am approaching this as if it's my first pregnancy so I anticipate I'll go late, and probably past 41 weeks. That's why I made it a priority to find someone who supported me going to 42 and didn't feel it was problematic if I did. I know it stinks to be "overdue" but the pressure to deliver at/by 40 weeks is an arbitrary cut off point.
As for you worrying about not going into labor on your own, I can see how you'd feel that way. I worried about it for a while, too. But I eventually decided that me worrying about it wasn't doing anything other than creating stress. So I decided to just go with the flow, believe I'll go into labor by 42 weeks and if on the off chance I don't, I'll cross that bridge when I get there. My midwife is great and I totally trust that if I got to that point we would figure out what to do together. So I don't have to sit in that worrisome state, you know? I'm a big worrier, so this is a big step for me mentally. Not sure if that helps you at all?
Also, if you want a VBAC, I definitely agree you should look for a new doc/midwife. If they don't believe in you, you won't get much power in the birth process. Find someone who will give you a shot and believes in you!
This is where I am (although I'm pretty set on attempting a VBAC). But that was basically how I was induced (prostaglandin instead of cervadil, but I had a lot of pit too). I never progressed past 1cm.
So yeah, my midwives are not too concerned with me not going into labor on my own. They won't pressure me into having a RCS unless there are medical reasons.
But yeah, I plan on starting EPO around 36 weeks, drinking my weight in RRL tea, acupuncture, yoga, walking as much as I can... the works. I figure it can't hurt. So yeah, I don't know if I'll go into labor earlier... but I'm certainly going to try.
I was induced at 41 weeks, dilated to 10 cm and had a c/s after 1-2 hours of trying to push. Later I found out that my baby was posterior, which can interfere with normal labor progress. The OB who did my c/s told me that if I couldn't push my daughter out, I probably couldn't push out any full-term newborn. I think her position was probably a big factor. Do you know if your baby was in a funky position like posterior or asynclitic?
My current OB thinks I'm a great candidate for VBAC. He said even if I have trouble pushing again, he will try different things before just sending me off to the OR. My baby is currently anterior so I'm feeling optimistic that if s/he stays in this position, I'll have an easier time than I did in my first labor.
There are a lot of studies on VBAC that look at VBAC success rates based on the reason for the mother's primary cesarean. If you had a c/s for failure to progress during labor or pushing, you still have a 60% + chance of having a successful VBAC. So there's no reason to think you shouldn't try just because of how your induction went.
In summary: find a new doctor