Please help. Hoping for VBAC

ravensmama911 · July 2015

So today I saw my ob. Im 38.5 weeks. I have been 1cm dilated for a few weeks now. I was told they wont let me go past 41 weeks and cant induce unless im more then 1cm, so next week they want to talk about either scheduling induction or c section. How can I dialate one more cm? I really don't want another c section. They also said if im 1cm but my water breaks they can induce me. This doesn't make sense to me. Ugh. Please help.

abmommy15 · July 2015

I've heard that a membrane sweep can help encourage dialation....but is by no means a sure thing. Maybe bring it up with your Dr and discuss the pros and cons.

I'm confused that they say if you are 1cm but your water breaks they can induce but if your water doesnt break they cant.....why wouldnt they just break your water as part of the induction?

lifesabeach85 · July 2015

Hm I'm sorry I don't know how to dilate more, but maybe a good place to start is asking your doctor "why?" For all these guidelines. For example, why do you have to be dilated more than 1 cm to be dilated? Why is this different in the case of water breaking? What if you are having contractions? It's your right to have all the information - risks and benefits - of ANY procedure and make the best decision you can at the time.

Thinking of you and wishing you all the best!

jesselayne8 · July 2015

Will they not break your water? I attempted a VBAC with my last child. My OB broke my water at 40wk3d. I was at 1cm and was in full blown labor within an hour. I was unsuccessful because I stalled out at 6cm for 8 hours.

ravensmama911 · July 2015

My doc said she couldn't strip my membranes because im only 1cm so maybe its the same with breaking my water.. not sure but I will ask next apt

jesselayne8 · July 2015

ravensmama911 said:

My doc said she couldn't strip my membranes because im only 1cm so maybe its the same with breaking my water.. not sure but I will ask next apt

It may be difficult to get a finger in there to strip but they should have no problems using the hook to break your water. Also ask about a foley bulb induction.

breezymeema7 · July 2015

I'm on VBAC # 3 and they will induce if necessary but only with Pitocin. If I were in your shoes, I would get to walking. 1 cm is a great start so hopefully with some added activity and *tmi alert* lot's of sex (semen) you can get yourself to either go into labour naturally or at the very least, get to 2 cm. I would also question the membrane sweep. At 1 cm, they should be able to get a finger in there. It will probably be really uncomfortable, but worth it if you are trying to VBAC. Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck momma, I really hope you get your VBAC!

emmacake08 · July 2015

I'm going for a VBAC too. My OB will induce with pitocin without any dilation conditions. Is the practice VBAC friendly? With all the conditionals they are giving you, I'm wondering if they're really pro-VBAC or just very conservative. The only medical no-no for VBACs is cervadil. As PP have said, ask them really detailed questions to see how far you can safely push them. My OB talked about induction at 40 weeks and I explained my anxiety about induction but also wanting a healthy baby. He then said I could go some days past my due date if all of the monitoring looks good. He explained that the worry with VBACs going overdue is that the hormones that soften and ripen the cervix also soften c section scars. After a long discussion about his concerns versus mine, I feel like we reached a safe middle ground and I trust his plan.

Miz_Liz · July 2015

No advice but just wanted to say good luck, I hope you are able to get your VBAC but at the end of the day, as long as you and baby are healthy that is the most important thing!

Badger85 · July 2015

I have absolutely no experience with induction but I have found the website birthwithoutfear extremely informative and uplifting. Lots of vbac stories on there. Good luck momma!

abmommy15 · July 2015

ravensmama911 said:
My doc said she couldn't strip my membranes because im only 1cm so maybe its the same with breaking my water.. not sure but I will ask next apt

I was a "tight 1cm" at my last appt and was offered a membrane sweep so that seems strange to me. Funny how different doctors methods can be.

ravensmama911 · July 2015

Im starting to wonder how VBAC friendly they actually are. They seem to be but now that its down to crunch time im starting to worry.

Wering · July 2015

My doctor won't induce a VBAC at all. I either go on my own or we have a csection at 41+6. Definitely walking, definitely sex. .But also definitely ask him "why." You might also ask about doing nonstress tests during weeks 40 and 41 to get you some extra time. Why won't they let you go to 42?

jessyluscious77 · July 2015

No advice here as I'm having a repeat c-section...I just wanted to offer support and wish you the best of luck in getting the delivery you hope for and a healthy outcome whichever way it goes!

jessandandy09 · July 2015

try walking a lot. it helps move labor along. Also try having sex. I hope you get your vbac.-just don't try anything risky. good luck momma

cubberss · July 2015

Having 6 dates a day is supposed to help soften the cervix, as well as EPO. Good luck, mama! I hope you get your VBAC.

mamaloaf · July 2015

Get to humpin' girlfriend, you need the prostaglandins. Lay down afterwards and just let it marinate.

And walk, walk, walk.

ravensmama911 · July 2015

She said my cervix is very soft. I was taking EPO until I read that it could soften my uterine scar as well. Trying to have sex as much as possible but at this point im so uncomfortable.

4foxsake · July 2015

There is some evidence to suggest that eating a lot of dates will help make the cervix more favorable for birth. Its worth a shot. I've been eating them, they say to have six a day, but I have a hard time eating that many...

desertmama2 · July 2015

Also, remember you have the right to switch docs until it's time to push! If you're not comfortable with the discussion, find a new doc!!!

laurasuzanne2006 · July 2015

Does t really sound vbac friendly. My backup doc goes to 42 weeks and will induce

daniellepanda · July 2015

I'm going for a vbac this time too. My dr said I can go up to 42 weeks before a repeat c/s, and that I can be induced with pitocin if my cervix is "favorable" to do so. So im guessing that means partly effaced and softened? I scheduled a repeat c/s for 10 days after my due date hoping she comes before then on her own. I'm not totally opposed to repeat c/s though I would just ideally like a faster recovery time with having 2 kids to take care of this time instead of just 1 baby so my ob suggested I try for vbac.
I honestly think if you are at 1cm then can strip your membranes still... They did mine at 1.5 last time when they induced me before starting pitocin and breaking my water.

Vergiffen · July 2015

VBA2C here! From what I've read it seems that the more your body can start on its own, the better chance you have at a successful VBAC. I completely agree with the keeping active suggestions from other mamas.. get your uterus practicing those BH contractions.

Here are some stats from my local health board about which routes are more/less likely to lead to a successful VBAC: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/hp/if-hp-cfm-trial-of-labour-after-caesarean-birth.pdf
Good luck!

Suzanne237 · July 2015

Vbac here too. My dr said Pitocin won't do anything to induce unless u are already having signs of labor. She said she won't let me go past 40 weeks or she will induce. Her plan is the bulb or breaking my water. So breaking your water is inducing. So if she said when your water breaks... That means she can do more to move things along. I was told not past 40 because the reason I have a csection last time was because the baby was maybe too big for me. He was born at 39 weeks.

Bickey11 · July 2015

i don't think you can do much to MAKE yourself dilate. Just give it time, you still have 2.5 weeks. You can dilate more in a matter of hours. Stripping the membranes can help, but i had my membranes stripped at 39 weeks with my first and didn't dilate until 41.5 weeks.

Thj417 · July 2015

Anxiety is rising and I'm only 35 and 3. I want vbac. My first pregnancy- I never progressed and baby's heart decelerated on contractions so they refused to help things along. They say there's a 1% chance that would happen again and an 80% chance I'd have a successful vbac. I'm not usually a controlling person but knowing what I do may or may not have any influence on going into labor just drives me nuts. My doctors won't medically induce, said I have to go into labor on my own. I'm sure they'd do a sweep, haven't asked about other options but I will. I finally got a decent stroller I can use for walking just have to go early in the morning before it gets too hot.

I just need to vent and get this out of my head. I'll go get busy again so I stop thinking, lol!!

Edit: they don't want me to go past due date since first baby was so big. Repeat C-section scheduled for 39w5d or 8/24/15

emmacake08 · July 2015

@Thj417 I can understand the anxiety too and I hope you get your VBAC. It's so worrisome knowing that you have to go into labor and not knowing when or if your body will cooperate. I hope we are all successful!

Want a personalized experience?

Please help. Hoping for VBAC

Re: Please help. Hoping for VBAC

Choose Another Board

Search Boards