Those who have had a Vbac, question?

Luvmy2sons · February 2012

I had a c/s with my 1st, and a successful vbac with my 2nd. I went into labor naturally with my 2nd, at 39wks1d, labored for 23 hours and had him the next day. Talking to my midwife at my last appointment, she asked if i'm definitely vbacing. I said yes, and jokingly added as long as baby doesn't go overdue! She said she'll induce me before she lets me have another c-section. I was always under the assumption that they can't induce? She said she can use pitocin, but nothing on the cervix, etc. I do remember they used a little pitocin with my 2nd to get my labor moving (I stalled at 6cm), but I was already in labor. I just didn't know they could "induce" you with it.

I'm still planning on a 2nd vbac. Hoping i'll go into labor naturally again and not need to be induced... that part kind of scares me. It's different when your body says, "Let's GO!" than when you have to tell it to do so.

Any of you who have had a vbac, were you induced? Since I had a vbac before I defintely want to try and avoid a c-section if I don't go into labor by 40/41 weeks, because I have 9lb babies at 38/39 weeks!

monksmama · February 2012

Huh, I too thought inductions were a no no for VBAC'ers but I'm sure your MW knows more than me

I'm sure it has something to do with how ready your body is. (bishop's score, I think?)

ldbryan · February 2012

I talked to my OB this week about VBAC and she said they can do a "gentle induction" with pitocin. I'm not sure if that means they do a slower or drip or what exactly...

Jessimurph · February 2012

My OB said he would not induce with a previous c/s. If you went into labor at 39 weeks with your vbac I can't imagine you'll be overdue...and even if you are I would personally refuse the induction. I just can't imagine seeing a reason for it after having a successful vbac.

MAprincess · February 2012

I was induced for my VBAC with pit. The hospital would not let me go past 41 weeks, but would allow inductions.

Cervadil is contraindicated for VBACs but Pit is fine. The most recent studies have shown that it doesn't increase the rupture risk (in any statistically significant way) than the risk you already have as a VBACer. Some doctors refuse to do it anyway, but not for scientific reasons- just because they won't do it.

angelina477 · February 2012

I was induced with pitocin for my VBAC. They used a foley catheter to ripen the cervix since no cervadil could be used.

babyike · February 2012

Gentle inductions are usually allowed for VBACs, assuming you have a supportive provider and birthing environment. These can include:

Acupuncture

Herbal teas

Nipple stim (manual or with breast pump)

Sweeping the membranes

Foley bulb catheter

Rupturing the membrane (breaking your water)

Low-dose Pitocin (last resort usually, and increased much more slowly than with non-VBAC inductions)

FWIW, I was offered all of the above when I was at my 41week appt. I chose membrane sweeping, as I'd already tried the non-medical methods above. I was told that if labor didn't start before 42 weeks, then we would talk more about what type of induction I was best suited for based on cervical change. We scheduled my induction for 42w0d.

Thankfully, labor started the following morning at 41w1d Smile I also received low-dose pitocin the last 2 hours of labor (was at a level 2-3).

Saltina11 · March 2012

Good question!

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Those who have had a Vbac, question?

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