Need advice on VBAC

Re: Need advice on VBAC

• MAprincess member

  September 2012

  First- are you considering a VBAC?  If so, you need to work through the fears that it might not happen.  Every birth is different.  If they were all the same, none of us would have VBACed, you know?  My second pregnancy didn't look anything like the first and my birth was completely different.

  I can definitely understand your fears.  Physically, the VBAC is generally safer for you and baby, which is why your doctor might be pushing for it.  Mentally, it clearly is a problem for you.  Your emotional well being is just as important as physical.

  Is it possible to talk to someone else in the practice who might listen more?  Even schedule a different appointment specifically to discuss this?  Maybe they can calm your fears and you decide to go for the VBAC.  Or maybe you decide together that it is just too much of a roadblock for you and you'd prefer the RCS.

  Either way, definitely do some reading on both.  There are definite risks to either.  The C/S gets increasingly risky the more you have, so if you are thinking more kids, you might want to consider a VBAC.  If you were only planning two and really don't want to try for it, let your doctor know you'd prefer surgery.

  FWIW, since your first c/s was because of poor positioning, you have a great VBAC chance.  But that doesn't mean you need to go that route.

  

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• MAprincess member

  September 2012

  I should add that, pretty much all of us here were afraid of trying a VBAC and ending up in surgery again.  That is a totally normal fear.  Some of us did.  Some of us didn't.  It's an unknown that you have to deal with in this situation.

  

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• shibby00 member

  September 2012

  MAprincess:

  First- are you considering a VBAC?  If so, you need to work through the fears that it might not happen.  Every birth is different.  If they were all the same, none of us would have VBACed, you know?  My second pregnancy didn't look anything like the first and my birth was completely different.

  I can definitely understand your fears.  Physically, the VBAC is generally safer for you and baby, which is why your doctor might be pushing for it.  Mentally, it clearly is a problem for you.  Your emotional well being is just as important as physical.

  Is it possible to talk to someone else in the practice who might listen more?  Even schedule a different appointment specifically to discuss this?  Maybe they can calm your fears and you decide to go for the VBAC.  Or maybe you decide together that it is just too much of a roadblock for you and you'd prefer the RCS.

  Either way, definitely do some reading on both.  There are definite risks to either.  The C/S gets increasingly risky the more you have, so if you are thinking more kids, you might want to consider a VBAC.  If you were only planning two and really don't want to try for it, let your doctor know you'd prefer surgery.

  FWIW, since your first c/s was because of poor positioning, you have a great VBAC chance.  But that doesn't mean you need to go that route.

  Thank you!  I wasn't considering a VBAC at all, until the hard sell.  If this baby is a boy, then we are done having babies, and if it isn't a boy we are probably still done, lol.  So maybe, possibly one more baby, maybe, lol.  That was part of the docs reasoning.  I am actually considering changing practices and hospitals, but the hospital/docs I am considering are an hour away which sucks when my current doc/hospital are 13 minutes.  I'm going to do some serious research, any links you think are good would be very appreciated.
  

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• mrs.jenRN member

  September 2012

  MAprincess:

  First- are you considering a VBAC?  If so, you need to work through the fears that it might not happen.  Every birth is different.  If they were all the same, none of us would have VBACed, you know?  My second pregnancy didn't look anything like the first and my birth was completely different.

  I can definitely understand your fears.  Physically, the VBAC is generally safer for you and baby, which is why your doctor might be pushing for it.  Mentally, it clearly is a problem for you.  Your emotional well being is just as important as physical.

  Is it possible to talk to someone else in the practice who might listen more?  Even schedule a different appointment specifically to discuss this?  Maybe they can calm your fears and you decide to go for the VBAC.  Or maybe you decide together that it is just too much of a roadblock for you and you'd prefer the RCS.

  Either way, definitely do some reading on both.  There are definite risks to either.  The C/S gets increasingly risky the more you have, so if you are thinking more kids, you might want to consider a VBAC.  If you were only planning two and really don't want to try for it, let your doctor know you'd prefer surgery.

  FWIW, since your first c/s was because of poor positioning, you have a great VBAC chance.  But that doesn't mean you need to go that route.

  This is great advice! Thank you! I don't think my OB will listen (he is the only one in the practice) , but I am thinking about attending ICAN meetings.

  

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• nosoup4u member

  September 2012

  My first birth was very similar to yours - I pushed for 4+ hours, and he didn't really descend (he was OP/bad position), and I had an unplanned c/s. I was really messed up about it for a good year after he was born, and definitely had moments of "I will have a RCS the next time, what's the point of trying for a vaginal birth again."

  By the time I got pregnant, I knew I wanted to try a VBAC, but I had some serious doubts off and on my whole pregnancy. I talked to my MW, doula and husband about it a lot, and worried a ton about even trying. In the end, I know I had to at least attempt a VBAC, and I had a few "ground rules" for myself - I was okay with getting an epidural if labor dragged out, things like that. It helped me to go through the things I had control over - how much I worked out, stayed active, etc., and to remember the things I didn't have control over - when I went into labor, how the baby was positioned, etc. 

  All that being said, if having a RCS is better for your mental and emotional health, do *not* feel bad choosing it. Everyone is different.

  ETA: Like MAprincess said, having a third kid is safer if it's a VBAC vs. a RCS. That was also one of my reasons for planning a VBAC. Your doctor sounds like a good one, in all honesty!

  Here are some good links about VBAC:

  https://givingbirthwithconfidence.org/2-2/a-womans-guide-to-vbac/

  https://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10213&ClickedLink=293&area=27

   https://vbacfacts.com/quick-facts/

  DS1 - Feb 2008

  DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)

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• Kristen050 member

  September 2012

  I am in the same boat as you, going back and forth on my VBAC decision. My docs have been a little difficult too because while they are supportive of either decision, I get a lot of different answers on what will and will to be allowed with each type of birth.

   I also had an OP baby who only weighed 6lbs 9oz and just wouldnt budge. My csection experience  was also really great but there is just a part of me that wants to try a vaginal birth again. Some great advice one doc gave me is to visualize how you imagine or want your birth to turn out and let that guide your decision.  Consider both but ultimately do what you're comfortable with. Neither decision is going to be a good experience for you if you're not committed to it. Good luck with whichever one you choose! 

  
  
  

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• MAprincess member

  September 2012

  Nosoup's links are great.  Be careful of googling it because you get some crazy things.

  Your doctors might have some good reading material also.

  

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