VBAC

kepsmom · December 2015

I just found out my OB's office doesn't even offer a conversation about a possible VBAC. They just don't even allow them. So, now we are switching hospitals, practices, adding 20 minutes to the commute to delivery and office visits, but I feel like its worth it. I'd really like to avoid the whole major abdominal surgery and recovery. Maybe we will be successful at breastfeeding. I could potentially do skin to skin right after birth. Hormones and tears over here... Anyone else finding out similar news?

decoycandy · December 2015

Nothing first hand, but a friend of mine had a very traumatic c section, to the point where she was terrified to be pregnant again and suffered ptsd. She eventually did get pregnant again, three years later and did research to make sure that her new hospital would consider a vbac. I am happy to say she got her vbac and a more positive birth story. I hope this provides some hope. May you have a healthy pregnancy and a wonderful birth story with this one.

jlgriff11 · December 2015

Explain to me what a vbac is. I'm not generally so ignorant but I am quickly learning that I know nothing about pregnancy, labor, or raising children lol

candypantsls · December 2015

jlgriff11 said:

Explain to me what a vbac is. I'm not generally so ignorant but I am quickly learning that I know nothing about pregnancy, labor, or raising children lol

Vaginal birth after C-section.

thebigoaktree · December 2015

My mom had two c-sections and then natural vaginal birth with my sister. It's completely possible.

DataJane · December 2015

The way it was explained to me is that your hospital has to be big enough to be fully staffed 24/7 or they won't offer VBAC. They are concerned that if you have a uterine rupture it will take too long to get on-call doctors in to do an emergency c-section. We are in a little mountain town and our Dr. said we could transfer care to a hospital 2 hrs away starting at 35 weeks if we wanted a VBAC.

Luckily my first c-section recovery was a piece of cake so I am not too upset about it, definitely don't want a 2 hr drive to deliver!

decoycandy · December 2015

What happens if you are a ftm and need a csection? They just may not have someone there?

DataJane · December 2015

decoycandy said:
What happens if you are a ftm and need a csection? They just may not have someone there?

They have staff there to handle things but the surgeons are typically on call overnight so it just takes a littlelonger for you to get the c-section. My understanding is with most situations where you need a c-section you have a bit of buffer time even if it's an emergency. There are only a few situations where you would need one immediately but uterine rupture Is one of them.

Y0urm0m · December 2015

I really wanted to have a vbac. I asked my OB and he told me absouletly not it could kill me and/or the baby. I was on the verge of tears, I feel like he wouldn't even bother hearing me out when neither of us know much about my condition. It was so hard hearing my husband agree with him.

holly142 · December 2015

I am sorry your first c-section sounds like it wasn't the best. If you do end up having a 2nd c-section you can still ask for immediate skin to skin and help breastfeeding. I had a c-section with my dd and she was on my chest within 4 minutes of being born (first they had to section meconium out first). I was able to try breastfeeding within 10 minutes.

I think it is good that you are finding a doctor that supports your decision of vbac. However, they aren't always successful so I wanted to share this with you so that in case you need another c-section you can still get the things that are important to you!

xc1148 · December 2015

^^^ a lot of hospitals try to make c-sections as close to a vaginal delivery as possible. My friend got to do skin-to-skin right away and had her baby handed to her pretty quickly to try and breastfeed. I hope you find a practice that takes care of what you want! Keep in mind that vbac is heavily regulated by insurance, so while a doctor might be telling you "absolutely no" it's generally not always his/her call.

DobbysSock · December 2015

I talked a lot with my doctor about repeat c-section vs. VBAC. She was super supportive of a VBAC but shared with me that at our hospital (only one in this city, next closest city is 1 hour away) there is no on-call surgical team overnight, and they do scheduled surgeries around the clock. So what this means is, if they are busy doing a knee replacement overnight and I am trying for a VBAC but need an emergency c-section, I would have to wait for the knee replacement to finish before I would have access to a surgical team. This level of risk is just too high for me given my traumatic first labour/c-section with DD so I am opting for a repeat c-section.

She also shared with me that our hospital does not place a huge priority on skin-to-skin post c-section. They don't typically allow the baby into post-op recovery with mom so you don't get to hold them until you are out of recovery and in your room. Thankfully my doctor feels very strongly about skin-to-skin, bonding, and getting breastfeeding established early, so she told me she is working on changing policy right now. She also told me she won't take any vacation at that time and she would be there to assist during surgery, and if she has not yet been successful in changing the policy she would just bring the baby to recovery and stay with us. She's awesome, I'm so lucky to have her.

FluffleSprout · December 2015

I don't have advice but a dear friend of mine had a successful VBAC this summer and drove 2 hours to find a practice that met her needs and wishes. It can be done and I wish you the best!

megth · December 2015

I had a VBAC. It wasn't easy and I'm not going to sugar coat it as "amazing" like a lot of people do, plus there were complications after my baby was born so I didn't get to do the skin to skin thing. I'm mentioning it because having a VBAC doesn't automatically mean your c-section experience will be "healed" or whatever. Not trying to be mean so I hope it's not coming off that way, just that childbirth isn't always what we expect or want not matter how hard we try.

THAT SAID, it's important to you, and switching to a doctor that is supportive and hospital that is capable is the right move and I really hope you get your VBAC. The recovery is definitely easier. Keeping my fingers crossed for you and your little one that you get the experience you want!

kepsmom · December 2015

megth said:
I had a VBAC. It wasn't easy and I'm not going to sugar coat it as "amazing" like a lot of people do, plus there were complications after my baby was born so I didn't get to do the skin to skin thing. I'm mentioning it because having a VBAC doesn't automatically mean your c-section experience will be "healed" or whatever. Not trying to be mean so I hope it's not coming off that way, just that childbirth isn't always what we expect or want not matter how hard we try.

THAT SAID, it's important to you, and switching to a doctor that is supportive and hospital that is capable is the right move and I really hope you get your VBAC. The recovery is definitely easier. Keeping my fingers crossed for you and your little one that you get the experience you want!

I couldn't agree more about childbirth not always being what we want no matter how hard we try. I gave my first birthing time all I had, and no matter how much I pushed my baby boy didn't budge. The decision my husband and I made to go through with a c-section is still an emotional topic for me to even think about. It wasn't a terrible surgery or recovery. My son was healthy. And that is what really matters. I just want to explore all my options as a mom and if I am successful at VBAC then maybe I can walk sooner after birth. And maybe I can chase my son around and hold a newborn when I return home postpartum. I really would like to avoid wearing mesh undies with jumbo pads taped to the front. And scrubbing off that crusty glue around my incision. Hugging a pillow to cough or sneeze, ouch. But if my body cannot push this one out and I get sliced again, that is 100% acceptable. I just want to kiss this baby and watch it's expressions when I talk for the first time

bunkie999 · December 2015

My sister in law had an terrible labour and had to be rushed in for emergency c section, they said she would probably never be able to deliver vaginally, she just had her second baby and did it natural and normal birth! No complications!

Anewman1985 · December 2015

I had two textbook vaginal births followed by a csection. I am determined not to have a csection this time. I know I can do it because I have. Good luck on getting what you want.

megth · December 2015

Those were my reasons for wanting a VBAC also. I'd like one this time too. Taking care of 2 kids in addition to a baby while recovering from surgery is not something I'd prefer. But if that's what happens, that's what happens.

PugsandKisses · December 2015

I had a horrible labor and rough first C/S. I am not eligible for a VBAC. My 2nd C/S was night and day. It got to hold baby in the OR and do skin to skin right away. I was breast feeding baby in the recovery room. It was wonderful. My pain was minimal, and I was walking that night, I had almost no bleeding and felt great. I have no issues having my 3rd and final C/S.

As for the PP, it depends on the hospital will depend on the staffing on how fast an urgent or STAT c/s can be started. I used to work for a teaching hospital. It can take as short as 3 minutes for us to make the call for a C/S, to getting the patient in the OR and asleep (general. .. true emergency here), and patient being prepared as the surgeon would be scrubbing in.

My 1st CS was decided on and I was in the OR with them starting with on 5 minutes. It was urgent but not a life and death emergency.

ladythrice · December 2015

@Kepsmom, I'm in the exact same boat as you. I had to have a C/S with my first and would like to attempt a VBAC with this one. Unfortunately the hospital that my (former) OB office has privileges at does NOT perform VBACs. Not because they OBs aren't supportive, but rather because the hospital is not equipped to handle an emergency should it arise (emergencies can be worse and more grave during VBAC deliveries than a standard delivery with no damage to the uterus).

That being said, I live in a metropolitan area so there are plenty of hospitals and OB practices near me, albeit they aren't as convenient as the old OB, so we changed. I now have a longer drive to the new practice (25 minutes farther from my work place, but only about 15 farther from my home) and will deliver at a hospital a bit farther away. Given the progression of my last labor... I'm not too concerned about this...

I'd love to keep chatting with any ladies seeking a VBAC as we move forward during our pregnancies!

kepsmom · December 2015

Yes let's keep a running conversation about what we learn from our doctors and what research we find on the VBAC front. My first appointment with the new OB and first prenatal care visit aren't until January 11. I will be around 11 weeks. It's a tad nerve-wracking that I won't get any baby news for so long. But on the other hand I'm kind of ok to get through the first 10 weeks by myself. My first 2 pregnancies ended in miscarriage around 8-9 weeks. So 10 weeks is my "I'm ok" point. My son was pregnancy 3, and this resident is #4. Here's to healthy pregnancies, babies, and mommies!

afrazer521 · January 2016

I'm bringing back this thread. I haven't discussed vbac vs c section much with anyone because well I feel like it's totally my call. With ds it was an odd situation. I went to the OB for a normal check up, they sent me to l&d because the u/s looked funky, that was cleared but my liver enzymes were super high. After being in the hospital for 2 weeks while they tried to figure out what was wrong with me they decided to induce me at 32 weeks. Induction started around 9pm, everything was going fine but the next morning the doc recommended a cs because she had a feeling it might end up that way anyways which was fine with me. No horror story over my cs. I didn't get to hold ds, hubs did for about a minute, but then he went off to the nicu and I had to go on a magnesium drip for 24 hours so I didn't get to see him and hold him until the next day.
So here's my thought process. My cs wasn't bad and I healed fine so no issues there for me. I didn't get to hold ds but that was a prematurity issue. So I don't mind having a scheduled cs this time around. What I feel like I missed out on though is the going into labor and calling family to let them know you're heading in etc. Sounds like a silly reason, but I feel like I missed out on a huge part of the pregnancy/birth portion. Honestly I feel like it's kind of a good excuse to bypass the whole waiting and labor pains....but I can't help feeling like I missed out on something. Anyone in similar boat/same feelings?

foxa319 · January 2016

I was an L&D nurse at a high risk level 3 hospital. We delivered babies as young as 26 weeks and our Drs, nurses and nicu staff were all prepared for pretty much anything! That being said, my hospital and the ob offices all associated were very pro vbac! I have seen probably 40-50 successful vbacs in my time as a nurse and the women were all so so happy afterwards saying their post partum time was full of much less pain, and much more bonding with their babies! If you are able to find a dr and hospital that supports vbacs definitely go for it!!

afrazer521 · January 2016

@foxa319 I have an appt with my OB next week and was going to discuss it with her. I believe they are open to either option, and she was my OB with ds so she knows all my weird pregnancy stuff from him so I trust her opinion. I guess part of me is ok "wimping out" and doing the cs and not having to deal with labor, but the other part feels like it's an experience I need to go through. Even if I do go with another cs I know it won't be the same situation as ds...or atleast I hope to god its not lol I don't know how I got through him being in the nicu for 6 weeks and my entire family, including the dreaded and much hated mil, seeing my son before I could.
The other concern is blood. If there WAS an emergency with a vbac I do not accept blood transfusions of any kind, but the hospital I go to is the top in the state for bloodless medicine. Thanks for being my sounding board ladies lol

tjcloverray · January 2016

(Lurking from June!)
I am also going to try for a VBAC2, and really nervous this time around! My last cs was in October of 2014 and I am due at the end of June! I'm worried that my body will not have had enough time to heal, and possibly make complications that lead to a third cs. I also feel like I have missed something, never having my water break on its own, going into labor, rushing around our house grabbing kids and stuff to go to the hospital while calling family and sharing the news, pushing in pain for several hours, and finally, meeting my little baby, fresh from the womb!! I know that as long as the baby is healthy why should it matter so much how he/she is born, but I think most women can relate to these feelings we have, having yet to deliver vaginally. All of that being said, after my second cs, I was given my dd within 2 minutes and got to have skin to skin while I was stitched up, and also got to hold her and feed her once we got to recovery. My midwife this pregnancy is the same as my second, and she is fully supportive of a VBAC2, and my clinic is in the third building at our hospital, so if things go south, there is always people ready for an emergency cs. Good luck to you momma! Hopefully we can both get the birth experience we are hoping for!

ladythrice · January 2016

afrazer521 said:

@foxa319 I have an appt with my OB next week and was going to discuss it with her. I believe they are open to either option, and she was my OB with ds so she knows all my weird pregnancy stuff from him so I trust her opinion. I guess part of me is ok "wimping out" and doing the cs and not having to deal with labor, but the other part feels like it's an experience I need to go through. Even if I do go with another cs I know it won't be the same situation as ds...or atleast I hope to god its not lol I don't know how I got through him being in the nicu for 6 weeks and my entire family, including the dreaded and much hated mil, seeing my son before I could. The other concern is blood. If there WAS an emergency with a vbac I do not accept blood transfusions of any kind, but the hospital I go to is the top in the state for bloodless medicine. Thanks for being my sounding board ladies lol

@afrazer521 RAGE at MIL seeing baby before you....... Lordy. Someone will die if this happens to me.

ladythrice · January 2016

tjcloverray said:

(Lurking from June!) I am also going to try for a VBAC2, and really nervous this time around! My last cs was in October of 2014 and I am due at the end of June! I'm worried that my body will not have had enough time to heal, and possibly make complications that lead to a third cs. I also feel like I have missed something, never having my water break on its own, going into labor, rushing around our house grabbing kids and stuff to go to the hospital while calling family and sharing the news, pushing in pain for several hours, and finally, meeting my little baby, fresh from the womb!! I know that as long as the baby is healthy why should it matter so much how he/she is born, but I think most women can relate to these feelings we have, having yet to deliver vaginally. All of that being said, after my second cs, I was given my dd within 2 minutes and got to have skin to skin while I was stitched up, and also got to hold her and feed her once we got to recovery. My midwife this pregnancy is the same as my second, and she is fully supportive of a VBAC2, and my clinic is in the third building at our hospital, so if things go south, there is always people ready for an emergency cs. Good luck to you momma! Hopefully we can both get the birth experience we are hoping for!

/waves @tjcloverray ! I had my last CS in DEC 14 so I'm also worried about the healing thing. However my OB doesn't seem concerned; I'm hoping this is a good sign.

ladythrice · January 2016

So lately I've been thinking a lot about wanting to VBAC and the potentiality that I won't be successful at it. I've changed OBs so that I can attempt a VBAC and knowing that its not a guarantee makes me wonder if its even worth it. I'm worried that I'll be even more upset if I end up with another C/S after attempting a VBAC. Part of me thinks that I'll feel 'satisfied' with just the attempt but I wonder...

Thoughts? Experiences?

tjcloverray · January 2016

I think that the best for women in our shoes is to go in knowing that what we want is not necessarily what we will get. Knowing that we may end up needing/having to have a c/s even though it isn't what we want is a great way to cope, in case a c/s is what we get, you know? I am going to do what I can physically to make my chances of a vaginal delivery more likely, but IF that ends up being out of the question, then I also know that I can handle the letdown of another c/s, as long as baby is healthy. Is this where you see yourself going, emotionally?

aimz2377 · January 2016

@ladythrice I was dead-set on having a vbac with #2. But when the time came, my water broke 2 weeks early and I opted to have a section in the end. I don't feel like I failed because I have an awesome, adorable, funny son. It doesn't matter how he came out. I guess my words of advice, plan for a vbac but don't beat yourself up if you have a section. It's all about the end result, not the way it happened.

PhoebeJune1984 · January 2016

I had a (rough) emergency c-section with my first. Since there were so many factors in why I didn't give birth vaginally, my doctor didn't think that I would qualify for a VBAC, but said that she would re-visit the convo when I was pregnant again. Well, I am pregnant again, and although I would love to not have a c-section, I have decided it is what is best for me (mentally and emotionally). After 28 hours of labor with DD, I was barely functioning by the time she was born, and I hardly remember anything. Since this one is most likely my last, I don't want to go through all of that again, to possibly have to have another c-section and not remember this child's birth. So I am actually delivering 45min away (passing like 10 hospitals along the way), to go to the hospital in my area that offers "family centered c-sections" (also sometimes called "gentle c-sections). Its kind of the best of both worlds, they will drop the solid drape and I will be able to watch my baby being born, and then they will do skin-to-skin right away, delaying measurements and cleaning of the baby, and I can also breastfeed right then if I would like. I missed all of that with my first c-section.

I have had a lot of friends have two c-sections, and they have all said that the second one is SO much better than the first, when it comes to recovery and everything. If the doctor and hospital aren't going to offer the birth that you are hoping for (whether it ends up happening that way or not), I fully agree that you should find a doctor and hospital that will at least let you attempt for the delivery you would like to have.

cg0112358 · January 2016

lurking from August 15

I attempted a VBAC with my 2nd in August 2013. After laboring for 12 hours I ended up with an emergency c/s. Even though I ended up with a c/s I felt much better about my birth since 1) I knew it was possible that I would have a c/s (the first time it was a complete surprise--found out DS was breech when OB broke my water to induce for pre-e), 2) I got the chance to experience labor, and 3) the c/s was necessary. My recovery (emotionally and physically) was so much better even though I didn't get the VBAC I wanted. I ended up pregnant with #3 and was able to have a successful VBA2C this past August. Anyway, just wanted to share. Good luck!

ladythrice · January 2016

aimz2377 said:

@ladythrice I was dead-set on having a vbac with #2. But when the time came, my water broke 2 weeks early and I opted to have a section in the end. I don't feel like I failed because I have an awesome, adorable, funny son. It doesn't matter how he came out. I guess my words of advice, plan for a vbac but don't beat yourself up if you have a section. It's all about the end result, not the way it happened.

@Aimz2377 so very true!

ladythrice · January 2016

@cg0112358 I know its just an anecdotal story, but your story gives me hope!

Pankers · January 2016

@afrazer521 I felt like I missed something too by having a c section. Just that I didn't get the full birth experience. I guess I was lucky that I actually did go into labour and my contractions got to 1 minute apart so I got to experience that. I'm trying for a VBAC and I hope to discuss it next week. Will update you all on feedback. I'm in the UK, so not sure if that'll make a difference.

sarah2311 · March 2016

I know this thread is older, but need some advice/encouragement. Just scheduled my second Csection for 6/29 and I'm beginning to freak out a little. Our plan is to have that date set, then if I end up going early I will attempt VBAC. I was 2 weeks early with my DS so we will see what happens
but for some reason I'm starting to get nervous I don't know what I want to do. On the one hand I'm totally okay with having a second Csection, then when I think about it more I want a VBAC. So I guess this is the best option. I'm just worried I'll be disappointed come 6/29 if I haven't gone into labor yet.

stillcozy · March 2016

sarah2311 said:

I know this thread is older, but need some advice/encouragement. Just scheduled my second Csection for 6/29 and I'm beginning to freak out a little. Our plan is to have that date set, then if I end up going early I will attempt VBAC. I was 2 weeks early with my DS so we will see what happens
but for some reason I'm starting to get nervous I don't know what I want to do. On the one hand I'm totally okay with having a second Csection, then when I think about it more I want a VBAC. So I guess this is the best option. I'm just worried I'll be disappointed come 6/29 if I haven't gone into labor yet.

When is your due date? Why are they scheduling you a c section?

sarah2311 · March 2016

Due date is 7/4. I had a Csection with my first after 30hours of labor so they said another section would be safest. But if I wanted to attempt Vbac I could. Since I couldn't decide either way they suggested scheduling this and seeing how early I go.

PhoebeJune1984 · March 2016

I don't think that there is anything wrong with being nervous about your choice. I have had several friends and family members attempt a VBAC and they all really struggled with if they were making the right choice or not. Some of them ended up being successful, some of them weren't but were okay with the fact that they tried. All of them had c-sections already scheduled even though they were attempting a VBAC. I had a c-section for my first, after 28 hours of labor. Since there were so many factors into why I didn't deliver vaginally, I decided that a c-section was the best choice for us (for this baby). After 28 hours of labor, I barely remember my daughter's birth because I was so exhausted, and I don't want to go through that again....I want to be 100% present at this baby's birth. I think that I would have thought a little harder if the reason my daughter wasn't born vaginally was because of something else (breech....for example). But since that wasn't the case for me, and this is most likely my last, I want to mentally be there during the birth and will be scheduling a c-section.

sarah2311 · April 2016

@PhoebeJune1984 Thanks for your reply! Great way to look at it. I had 30 hours of labor with my DS and was totally exhausted!!! I guess I'm just freaking out because now a date is actually set!

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