Weekly VBAC Check-In

ashie0610 · July 2014

Here we go - our first official VBAC Check-In! This will be a post and run for now because I am off to take my glucose test in a little bit, but I'll be back on later.

What was the reason for your previous c-section?

Have you made a firm decision around your VBAC plans or are you still deciding? If you've decided for one already, what are your plans?

What are you most excited about when it comes to your VBAC?

What are you most fearful of?

Rants/raves/other thoughts?

tucker1384 · July 2014

What was the reason for your previous c-section? failed induction/26 hrs of labor

Have you made a firm decision around your VBAC plans or are you still deciding? If you've decided for one already, what are your plans? I want what is healthy for baby and I... VBAC would be awesome however, if it has to be a c-section that is what I'm doing

What are you most excited about when it comes to your VBAC? no meds...easier recovery. NO PCA pump, dilaudid and I don't mix well

What are you most fearful of? something going wrong with baby or I... I think that would be at the top of most people's lists

Rants/raves/other thoughts? Not really... I'm talking to the doctor today about my low fluid levels w/ DD last time today and seeing if that is likely to happen again with this one. the only reason I got a US was because I thought my water broke, that ultimately detected the low fluid levels and induction within hours.

ashie0610 · July 2014

What was the reason for your previous c-section?

I had a planned c-section with DS because he was stuck in breech position from about 28 weeks on and never budged. We decided not to do a version due to the risks and low success rates. We also had a complication with my blood pressure at 37.5 weeks, so we had the c-section a week and a half earlier than expected due to a sudden appearance of gestational hypertension. I was told I would have been induced had he not been breech.

Have you made a firm decision around your VBAC plans or are you still deciding? If you've decided for one already, what are your plans?

Provided everything stays how it is now, I am committed to attempting a VBAC. I am now at a new practice seeing a team of midwives and doctors who I love. They all recommended a VBAC before I even could make my wishes known, so it feels good not having to push for it on my own.

What are you most excited about when it comes to your VBAC?

I'm actually really excited to experience what's it like to go into labor. It's crazy to me to think that I gave birth to this amazing little boy, but never felt a contraction or had a single sign of labor.

What are you most fearful of?

Aside from the horror stories of rupture and things like that (which I know are incredibly rare), my concern is that I could develop gestational hypertension again and not make it to my due date. As of this morning's appointment, my BP is perfect and baby is head down. Hopefully it will stay that way. All I can really do is hope for the best at this point.

Rants/raves/other thoughts?

I had my GTT this morning and I thought the fruit punch glucola was delicious.

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ss265 · July 2014

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My water broke and after 14 hours of labor, I was only dilated to 7cm and DS's heart rate started dropping. I could have continued to labor but didn't want to, for fear that we might have to do an emergency C-section. Turns out that DS was facing to the side and there is no way I could have given birth to him vaginally.

Have you made a firm decision around your VBAC plans or are you still deciding? If you've decided for one already, what are your plans?

I am still deciding. I had a pretty good recovery from my C-section and I will have help this time around as well. I keep going back and forth on it.

What are you most excited about when it comes to your VBAC?

I would be excited to actually give birth vaginally although I have to admit that it scares me more than a C-section because I am afraid of tearing. Plus, I know what a C-section feels like but a vaginal birth is still unknown to me. My C-section recovery was so great that I can't imagine a vaginal birth being even easier.

What are you most fearful of?

The usual horror stories about rupture etc. and if I do have a RCS, the restrictions on lifting preventing me from carrying DS1. My child loves to be carried.

Rants/raves/other thoughts?

Is it just me or is there an influx of VBAC threads recently? I guess we are getting to the point where people are getting more stressed about the delivery. Oh and even though I passed my GD test, I tested my sugars over the weekend and they were not good. I might have to follow the diet anyway.

ashie0610 · July 2014

ss265 said:

What was the reason for your previous c-section?

My water broke and after 14 hours of labor, I was only dilated to 7cm and DS's heart rate started dropping. I could have continued to labor but didn't want to, for fear that we might have to do an emergency C-section. Turns out that DS was facing to the side and there is no way I could have given birth to him vaginally.

Have you made a firm decision around your VBAC plans or are you still deciding? If you've decided for one already, what are your plans?

I am still deciding. I had a pretty good recovery from my C-section and I will have help this time around as well. I keep going back and forth on it.

What are you most excited about when it comes to your VBAC?

I would be excited to actually give birth vaginally although I have to admit that it scares me more than a C-section because I am afraid of tearing. Plus, I know what a C-section feels like but a vaginal birth is still unknown to me. My C-section recovery was so great that I can't imagine a vaginal birth being even easier.

What are you most fearful of?

The usual horror stories about rupture etc. and if I do have a RCS, the restrictions on lifting preventing me from carrying DS1. My child loves to be carried.

Rants/raves/other thoughts?

Is it just me or is there an influx of VBAC threads recently? I guess we are getting to the point where people are getting more stressed about the delivery. Oh and even though I passed my GD test, I tested my sugars over the weekend and they were not good. I might have to follow the diet anyway.

I feel the same way about the bolded. It was a fairly easy decision for me because I may want to have more children, but I still am scared of what I don't know. I had such an easy recovery and didn't have a lot of the typical post c-section issues, I assume because it wasn't an emergency situation. I think it takes a lot to give up some of the control that comes with first-hand knowledge.

And yes, I've seen a few VBAC threads the past few days. I'm glad because the VBAC board is generally pretty quiet and it's nice to connect with others in a similar situation.

ss265 · July 2014

@ashie0610, I think the difference between our two situations is that you are a great candidate for a VBAC (since your 1st was due to breech position) while my OB doesn't think I am a good candidate for one. She admits that she is risk averse though and had a VBAC go south on her once so she is extra wary of VBACs. Her patient was a good candidate but had a rupture and she almost lost them both.

We are on the fence about a 3rd child so that weighs in on my decision as well. I am half hoping that LO makes the decision for me by being breech.

ashie0610 · July 2014

ss265 said:

@ashie0610, I think the difference between our two situations is that you are a great candidate for a VBAC (since your 1st was due to breech position) while my OB doesn't think I am a good candidate for one. She admits that she is risk averse though and had a VBAC go south on her once so she is extra wary of VBACs. Her patient was a good candidate but had a rupture and she almost lost them both.

We are on the fence about a 3rd child so that weighs in on my decision as well. I am half hoping that LO makes the decision for me by being breech.

Definitely. I joked about the same thing with hoping he'd make the decision for me!

I get into my own head a lot with stuff like this and probably would not be going for a VBAC if I had gone through a difficult labor with my first. Even as a good candidate I question my decision sometimes, especially now that it's getting closer. For every horror story there are so many more success stories though, and it could really go either way in either situation so I'm doing my best to just go with my gut now that I have all the facts and professional opinions.

Good luck in making your decision!

lisamahrt · July 2014

What was the reason for your previous c-section? I had a rare medical condition called pseudotumor cerebri. My multiple doctors were concerned that the size of my girl and pushing would cause to much pressure in my head and on my optic nerves. So a week before my due date we had a c section.

Have you made a firm decision around your VBAC plans or are you still deciding? If you've decided for one already, what are your plans? Our goal is VBAC all the way!!

What are you most excited about when it comes to your VBAC? To be able to hold both of my kids after the birth!

What are you most fearful of? End up having a c section and having to recover from both!

Rants/raves/other thoughts? Tomorrow my husband is taking off work to enjoy the 75 degree weather with our daughter! We are taking her to a petting zoo!

Syllessa · July 2014

What was the reason for your previous c-section? Heart rate dropping and cord wrap

Have you made a firm decision around your VBAC plans or are you still deciding? If you've decided for one already, what are your plans? VBAC is my firm plan. I'll be induced at roughly39 weeks b/c of distance from the hospital.

What are you most excited about when it comes to your VBAC? Having this whole thing done with. I'm so over being pregnant.

What are you most fearful of? Not having my mom here. She's awesome.

Rants/raves/other thoughts?

Arctic_Seal · July 2014

What was the reason for your previous c-section? 21 or so hours of labour and I only got to 8 cm due to occiput posterior. (Head down but her spine facing my spine.

Have you made a firm decision around your VBAC plans or are you still deciding? If you've decided for one already, what are your plans? I am pretty sure I am going to try for a VBAC, however, I have an appointment with an OBGYN tomorrow to talk about it...

What are you most excited about when it comes to your VBAC? Not having to worry about lifting my daughter or driving her to her normal activities.

What are you most fearful of?

Rants/raves/other thoughts?

ashie0610 · July 2014

Good luck at your appointment tomorrow, @arctic_seal!

trisharenee0316 · July 2014

What was the reason for your previous c-section? They were afraid of a prolapsed cord because my water had been broken and she was not descending but was having heart decels.

Have you made a firm decision around your VBAC plans or are you still deciding? If you've decided for one already, what are your plans? I've decided to have a VBAC. I decided that pretty much right away. At least, I'm committed to having a TOLAC, but if it becomes not safe for me or the baby, I'll have a RCS. As long as the baby stays a normal size and as long as I go into labor before 41 weeks, my OB is comfortable with me proceeding with a VBAC. He will strip my membranes to try and help me go into labor, but cervical ripeners are contraindicated for those with prior c-sections, so can't use Cytotec to ripen, and he is personally risk averse regarding use of Pitocin, so at most, I'd get a gentle Pit drip if needed. My hospital doesn't use Foley bulbs either, so an induction would be really hard to do if I get to 41 weeks, but he's open to it to give me at least a shot at a VBAC.

What are you most excited about when it comes to your VBAC? Being able to hold my baby right away instead of having to wait for 40 minutes. Also being able to pick up my toddler without restriction right away instead of having to wait 6 weeks with a RCS.

What are you most fearful of? Failing. Or, God forbid, being one of the exceptions and having something catastrophic happen.

Runner313 · July 2014

What was the reason for your previous c-section? Long labor, couldn't dilate past 8cm, spiked a fever, meconium in my water and DD in sunny side up position. Basically I couldn't progress any further and due to my fever/meconium it was decided it was best that we get her out.

Have you made a firm decision around your VBAC plans or are you still deciding? If you've decided for one already, what are your plans? I am trying for the VBAC and praying that it works out.

What are you most excited about when it comes to your VBAC? Not having to go through surgery. My recovery from my section wasn't awful, I am just more fearful of the risks that come along with any surgery.

What are you most fearful of? Any type of harm to baby.

Rants/raves/other thoughts? I am going to try to delay the epidural as long as possible! I sincerely believe that it caused a stall in my labor. I will also try different positions from laying down, because I do not feel that sped up my labor in any way either.

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