VBAC hopeful receives sucky news at appt

blessedandhopeful · April 2014

I switched doctors right around 20 weeks in order to see one who was willing to let me try for a VBAC. She said we would talk induction if I hadn't gone into labor by 41 weeks, but that there were only certain induction methods she would use on me. Well, I'm 37+3 today, and at my appointment she informs me that the hospital has changed their guidelines and is now not allowing anyone with a previous c-section to be induced. I cried on the way home. I am hoping my body will do its thing this time, especially since LO seems to be in a better position than DS1 was. I'm just so afraid of feeling like my body failed me yet again. On the drive home all the emotions from my first c-section came flooding back. I really want to experience a vaginal delivery. I know I may go into labor and it not work out and still result in a c-section, but I wanted to give myself the best chance I could at it. Now induction is off the table, and for some reason it makes me feel like I have less of a chance. I guess I'm going to try some of the acceptable natural induction methods in a couple weeks. You never know.

Are there any 3rd time+ moms out there who will be having a 3rd c-section? In my mind, I want to limit that kind of trauma on my body, but DH and I have always been open to the idea of 3 kids. This one is #2, and I fear that after a 2nd c-section I just won't want to do that to my body again, thus limiting our family, so to speak. Any thoughts? I am probably just being overly emotional about the whole thing. Feel free to tell me, if so.

Thanks

Xath · April 2014

Just had my 3rd c-section on Saturday. Docs say I can go on having more kids, though they advise waiting 24 months between deliveries next time, mostly due to my other complications. Talk to your OB about your desire to have more kids. One thing they can do is double sutcher over the incision to increase the thickness. My uterus was too thin for that this time, so my OB took some uteran tissue from behind the bladder to reinforce the scar line.

jenb_99 · April 2014

I'm having my 2nd c-section in 5 weeks (happily; my first quashed any desire to experience a vaginal birth) and am still considering a 3rd. I've known several women who've had 3+ c-sections and are just fine. A couple of them are in their 50s and still maintain that they wouldn't have done it any differently. In fact, most of the 3+ moms I know who complain about how pregnancy and childbirth wrecked their bodies had vaginal births. Obviously that's a tiny sample and completely anecdotal, and there's no denying that c-sections are traumatic in their own ways, so don't take it for medical or scientific fact. But it does ease my mind a bit when I think about the future.

blessedandhopeful · April 2014

kitchencolors said:

Oh how awful! Any chance of a different hospital?

No experience, just sympathy that you're in a crap situation.

That hospital is the only one that will allow VBACs in my town. Her practice is basically the only one in the area that will do VBACs. I'm stuck where I am. I am happy with her, and glad I at least have the opportunity. Before she opened her practice last year, there were literally no options if you wanted a VBAC. You are an automatic repeat section in every other practice. Thanks for the sympathy. I know other people may have more supportive situations, but there are also those who have no options. I'm trying to stay positive. I'll need positivity if/when I go into labor!

blessedandhopeful · April 2014

gertiebarden said:

Just had my 3rd c-section on Saturday. Docs say I can go on having more kids, though they advise waiting 24 months between deliveries next time, mostly due to my other complications. Talk to your OB about your desire to have more kids. One thing they can do is double sutcher over the incision to increase the thickness. My uterus was too thin for that this time, so my OB took some uteran tissue from behind the bladder to reinforce the scar line.

Thanks. I'll mention it should we get to that point.

pistolpackinmomma · April 2014

My dr/hospital policy is not to do inductions on VBAC patients as well. In fact my dr has scheduled a RCS for 39w1d even though I hope to go into labor on my own right before that and have a VBAC. I'm already having off and on contractions so we'll see!

IBackBevo · April 2014

I would just try to hold off as long as you can. If you make it to 41 weeks and have not gone into labor, I would try to push for a few extra days. You might try vbac facts and Ican. Nipple stimulation has been shown to help...but the studies were with a lot of it. Sex. Walking. Get the doctor to sweep your membranes. I think there are some other things but don't know the safety of all of them.

MissLadyTay · April 2014

I'm sorry. That's the policy with my MFMs as well. No inductions for VBAC. So I have to go into labor on my own. It's a lot of pressure, which feels silly since I have no control. I'm coming to terms with having a RCS. Not looking forward to it but I know it's worth it. Fingers crossed you go into labor!

mamagerman · April 2014

I don't know a lot about this as I am a FTM, but I do work with a woman who has three children and were all delivered via C-section. Hope that baby comes for you on its own!

Kris2011RN · April 2014

I am sorry! I told my doctor I didn't want to be induced, I feel like it is not safe even though she told me it would be fine. My doc said she wants baby to be more engaged for me to have a VBAC. I know I have plenty of time for baby to get in better position but all of my feelings from when I had a c/s came back as well.
Just try and do all the natural ways to start. I did have a L&D nurse tell me to have lots of sex because the semen will soften the cervix... now if only having sex was comfortable

dakota01 · April 2014

Keep your head up- you very well may go into labor by 41 weeks. I have had 2 vbacs. With my first vbac I was 49w3d and ended up taking castor oil to get labor going, worked great and he was born later that night. So if all else fails you could try that. Hopefully you won't get to that point!

QOTR · April 2014

I'm sorry that you received disappointing news, but hopefully you won't need to be induced anyway. Good luck!

pistolpackinmomma · April 2014

Also in a few weeks I'm planning to start acupressure with my chiro hoping to move things along as well. Other than that I plan on lots of walking and stuff too.

sthomas1222 · April 2014

I'm so sorry. That sucks (for lack of a better word). Especially since ACOG states that other than misoprostol (cytotec) induction for a VBAC is safe.

manderdoll · April 2014

Well hopefully it doesn't come to that, with my first I drank a castor oil concoction, mixed with oj and cranberry juice, it got my labour going. If I were you I'd try everything you can, walking, stairs, sex, etc. But on a positive note if you do end up with a section, I am about to have my 3rd section in less than 3 1/2 years, and I know of women who have had 4 and 5 sections, so it is still entirely possible to have another.

Good luck, hopefully it's nothing you have to worry about.

mmks · April 2014

Hopefully it won't come to induction and you'll rock that VBAC all on your own!!!
My practice will induce (im vbacing too) based on my Bishop Score, but I really hope to avoid it at all costs!
I agree with a PP that if you do go to 41 weeks that you could put off a few days as long as you and your babe are doing ok.
Keep us posted!

Bluebird2318 · April 2014

Lurking from A14.

I'm a VBAC hopeful as well and my providers are not fond of induction either. I'm not sure if it's expressly forbidden by the hospital, but one of my OBs made a statement along the lines of "the only thing you'll encounter resistance to is induction because it doubles the risk of rupture." As I understand it, many/most VBAC-friendly providers are the same way so I was accepting of that restriction.

What is your provider's policy with regards to the duration of your pregnancy? I know there are some providers that are pretty insistent about VBAC patients delivering by 40 or 41 weeks and encourage scheduling a c-section in advance, but not all of them are that way. Some may let you go to 42 weeks barring other issues. Mine allows it, though they like to perform a cervical check at 41 weeks to see what sort of progress is being made so that the doctor and patient can discuss expectations and the mother can make a more informed decision about whether or not pushing toward 42 weeks is worth the extra risk as you progress towards post-term. It may be worth discussing with your provider for some peace of mind if you don't know the answer already. It's unlikely that you would still be pregnant beyond 42 weeks. Possible, I know, but unlikely.

fatbarbie0226 · April 2014

Oh I'm sorry you got some bad news. I was a VBAC hopeful too but found out that the hospitals in my area don't allow VBACs at all.

Now I have to have c-sections for all my babies. My sister in law just had her 5th c-section and everything went well for her! Gives me some hope, because I don't think we're done with 2 kids, but I am sure we don't want as many as 5! Hopefully things will move along on their own and induction won't be a speed bump for you!

EmilyGolden1 · April 2014

So sorry to hear this! See a chiro and an acupuncturist for moxibustion-- Google labor inducing acupressure points, have sex, walk a lot and eat spicy foods! Good luck to you! Also why won't they let you go to 42 weeks before inducing?

Want a personalized experience?

VBAC hopeful receives sucky news at appt

Re: VBAC hopeful receives sucky news at appt

Choose Another Board

Search Boards