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VBAC
Anyone not going to try to induce?
in VBAC
I'm going for a VBAC with a supportive OB, but I'm disinclined to try induction if labor doesn't start naturally. The background is that I was induced with my first at 42 weeks, and after a very long labor with some seriously awful pitocin-driven contractions, I ultimately wasn't able to push baby out after over 3 hours of pushing. DS was sunny side up, which may well have been part of the problem. His heart rate ultimately decelerated while I was pushing, and that, coupled with a substantial meconium show and me not getting him further down the birth canal after more than 3 hours, led to the c-section. My c-section recovery was fine; typical and not fun, but fine.
What I've said to my OB is that I'd like to go as late as she's comfortable letting me (probably in the neighborhood of 41.5 weeks), but that unless it is just a tiny bit of pit to urge along an already progressing labor, the whole induction process isn't one I want to endure again. She's totally supportive, of course, and noted (as we all know) that there are some increased risks of induced VBACs. (My guess is she's relieved I'm not trying to push an induction, but she's never said anything to suggest that to me.) But the more I read, the more I wonder if I'm being a big baby, and I ought to try the full out induction method again if necessary. Especially considering that the sunny side up baby may have had as much (or more) to do with my first labor as the induction itself, and there's no reason that I'm aware of to presume this one will be sunny side up as well.
Any thoughts? TIA!
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Re: Anyone not going to try to induce?
I think that's a completely reasonable choice.
Since you dilated all the way during your first induction, a second induction would probably be faster and easier than the first. But inductions can be rough and I can certainly understand wanting to skip straight to a c/s in that scenario. It just depends on what you feel most comfortable with. There's no right or wrong answer.
I had an induced VBAC (that was successful). So, my only experiences were with a CS and a successful induction. For me, the induction (though the pit. contractions were INSANE) was still better than my CS experience. Now, had the induction ultimately resulted in a CS, I might think differently. But the fact that I had the vaginal birth as a result of the induction made it worth it for me.
Bottom line, I totally see both sides in your situation and think that either are valid choices for you. So, go with your gut and it will be the right choice for you!
Hi Mama,
I totally would NOT call you a "big baby". The risks for uterine rupture increase dramatically with induction vs. letting your body labor naturally. If you want to kick start your labor, there are many "natural" and I only say that since they don't involve drugs.
The one that I did that seem to work with my second son was to have lots of sex. It wasn't so much the sex that got the labor going as it was the big OOOOOsss
I went into labor about 5 hours after (I think I had about 5 orgasms in a 3 hours period). If I go late with this baby, I will be doing the same thing to see if I can get labor kick started 
For babies that are sunny side up, there are positions you can do to try to get your bebe to move/rotate before and during your labor. I'm pretty sure you can google em.
Good luck mama!!!
I ended up going into labor on my own, but there were several times it looked like I might be developing pre-e and I thought induction would come up. So I didn't have to deal with it but I thought a lot about it. I was not strictly anti-induction, but it would depend on my bishop score, i.e. I'd want them to check me out and see if it looks like an induction is likely to succeed or not.
Really, there's no such thing as "being a big baby" when it comes to giving birth, IMO. (Well, other than macrosomia
) There are no guarantees, no easy ways, no high roads, no universals. All the options have risks, and all the options have positive sides. You've just gotta do what you believe is right FOR YOU.
I can definitely understand where you're coming from. I think if I get to a certain point and it doesn't look like my cervix is cooperating (I never dilated past 1 the first time), I might just go straight for a c-section rather than attempting induction.
Part of my issues with my first birth was the "out-of-control" feeling with everything. I think if I get to a point where it's unlikely that I will go on my own within the time that my MW would like to see me go (she's given me a while, so it's not unreasonable), and where induction might fail... I think just being able to feel like I'm making a choice might be the way to go.
I was induced at 42 weeks with my 1st and was very scared that my 2nd would go that far also. However, my water broke spontaneously at 41 weeks and I had a sucessfull VBAC. If I had not gone into labor within a few days my practice was going to attempt a foley induction. Good luck, anything can happen!