Not Sure About VBAC

kygirlie113 · July 2011

Hi! I am new to theBump, and I have been lurking on this board for a month or so. This is a long post, but in order to get some advice, I need to present the whole story.

My son was born three years ago via c/s. My water broke at 5:45pm on Saturday night. Once we arrived at the hospital, I was started on Pitocin bc I wasn't contracting, but was 100% efaced and 2-3 cm dialated. My son's heart rate was bouncing all over the place and dropping very low each time I contracted. I was given an epideral around 11pm even though I didn't need one at the time. Midwife wanted to go ahead and give me one because she was going to put internal monitoring on my son bc of his heart rate and she stated it would be easier to do that if I had my epideral. Long story short, his heart rate kept dropping, nurses spent a good four hours turning me from side to side, which caused epideral to fall out, I was on oxygen, had a second epideral, and waited it out until about 5:30 am. At that time, OB came in and explained that the situation with my son's heart rate was becoming a serious problem. She said that since I wasn't past 5cm at that point, if I didn't agree to a c/s, she was probably going to have to do an emergency one in an hour. Not wanting an emergency one, my hubby and I agreed to a c/s. I know it sounds like she was harsh, but she really wasn't. She explained the entire situation fully.

During the c/s, the doctor pulled my son halfway out and then had to push him back in bc the cord was wrapped tightly around his neck five times (hence the low heart rate drops and no progress). It was during this that my uterus ripped on its own hortizonially down to my cervix, giving me a t shaped cut in my uterus (vertical from OB, hortizonal from tear).

I was not told about tear until a few days after c/s, which I was not happy about, but I was in so much pain that I really didn't care what anyone said/did.

At my pp follow up, I was told that a VBAC was out of the question for baby #2. And at the time, I agreed that was probably the best option for me bc I had a horrible labor experience. But, as the years have progressed and the converstation about ttc #2 started, I began feeling conflicted. I have since changed OB's to a more VBAC friendly practice. At my yearly appointment last month, my new OB said there was no reason why I couldn't try a VBAC (said clearly she would not induce or allow me to sit at 5 cm for a long period of time, etc. before doing a rcs). I left feeling giddy because I really wanted baby #2, but didn't want c/s#2. But, now as we are actively trying for baby #2, I am starting to question a VBAC. With my history of uterine tear already, I am scared. Scared to VBAC and scared for rcs.

My DH said he would support which ever way I decided to go. My mom is very anti-VBAC-she was a delivery/nursery nurse and saw a lot of failed VBAC. She is very familiar with the complication I had and I know she is just worried about me, but ultimately, she will support me as well.

I guess, I just need some advice. Maybe hearing other stories/experiences will help me make a decision.

Thanks for reading and thanks in advance!!

cchill01 · July 2011

It sounds like you've done your research and have really given this a great deal of thought. I'm not sure anyone can make that final decision for you and DH. You can read the story posted today about a uterine tear that still had a positive outcome.

Good luck with your decision. I certainly don't envy you.

kygirlie113 · July 2011

Thanks. I know the decision is all mine. I just wanted to see if anyone had a similar story to mine. It helps to hear what others have been through.

And, I did read the post about VBAC with uterine tear, and it honestly terrified me. Since I had a uterine tear with a c/s, I am paranoid that it will happen again no matter what .

Nov5Mrs. · July 2011

Maybe it would help to get a second opinion. Not necessarily change OBs, but if another one told you the same thing as your OB, would it make you feel better about attemping VBAC?

kygirlie113 · August 2011

Thanks for the suggestion. I had already switched doctors to a more VBAC friendly practice. And, my doctor said she would support me either way (VBAC or RCS). The problem is me. I am scared and indecisive. After having a uterine tear with a c/s, I am just freaked out that it will happen again. : (

bugabean · August 2011

Most OBs would not recommend VBAC after a vertical incision or T incision without tearing, so I'm honestly surprised you would be told it's no big deal. I'm assuming you got your horizontal and vertical mixed up, so maybe the vertical tear wasn't very big? Maybe you can ask your OB why s/he thinks it's not a big deal and ask for some reassurance. Personally, from what you described, I wouldn't be comfortable with VBAC for myself, but maybe there is some additional info.

kygirlie113 · August 2011

I did get my vert and hort confused...thats what I get for not proof-reading!

Anyway, bug, what you said is exactly what I was thinking. I would love to try a VBAC, but given my history, not sure if its worth the risk. Thanks for repsonding!

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