VBAC Check In 4/14

sillyfox · April 2016

I was hoping we could do another VBAC check in. I searched and it looked like the last one was about a month ago, so rather than resurrecting that zombie thread, I figured it might be better to start a fresh one since we're getting closer!

How are you feeling about VBAC lately? Are you hopeful or discouraged?
Is your SO supportive?
Is your OB/midwife/MFM on board?
Do you have a birth plan? What did you include?
Are you doing anything to prepare? Physically, mentally, etc.
Do you have questions for the group?

sillyfox · April 2016

I go back and forth between feeling hopeful and discouraged. But at the moment I'm pretty optimistic. DH is very concerned about the risks involved with VBAC (mainly uterine rupture) but he has said he will support whatever I decide to do. He's going to come with me to my next appt (36 weeks) to ask about the risks involved with each option. My OB seems more on board lately than he was in the beginning. He will not help or augment labor (no inducing, no pitocin, etc) but he did say that he's willing to move my RCS back to 41 weeks so I have a better shot. I have not made a birth plan but it is on my list of things to do... With my first I kind of copied a few things I saw on the internet and then never got it out of my hospital bag. This time I'm going to be more specific about what I actually want and not what people on the internet say they want, and I plan on taking it with me to discuss some points with my OB before I deliver. I am pretty sure this baby is as breech as they come, so I am planning on looking into SpinningBabies more seriously and maybe setting up an appointment with a chiro to see if we can get him to flip. Otherwise I've been pretty lazy about preparing ... I tried to take my toddler (not quite 2) for a walk yesterday but it was a complete fail. She ran into a neighbor's garage where the neighbor (who I've never met) was working, ran out in the street repeatedly, kept stopping to pick up every rock and stick and acorn .. we made it about 5 houses down and turned back and that took about half an hour! I may try to rush home after work so I can walk a little while she's still in daycare.

kbrands7 · April 2016

Good luck @sillyfox and other vbac mamas!

I'm out. I had an u/s today that confirmed this little guy is stuck breech. His shoulder is caught where my fundus dips like a heart and his hips are engaged in the pelvis. My hips are balanced and there's no room to manually turn him, so there's really nothing to do except the RCS. The position that he's in, it looks like he was trying to be head-down and just couldn't make it work. I guess my boys just must fit better breech once they get big!

avidkeo · April 2016

Vbac is the norm here. Im with a MW but will be overseen by an OB who I don't talk to for another 2 weeks.

Hubby is mostly on board. He had odf moments wherr hes like just have a csect. Ivr told him he has to be supportive cause i cant do it without that support. He changed since then thank god.

sillyfox · April 2016

Thanks @kbrands7! I'm sorry your little guy is breech. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a CS - healthy mom and baby are most important! Have you looked into spinning babies or a chiro? I'm sorry if you already mentioned that.

@avidkeo I'm glad you got DH on board! Hope mine can be more supportive, I think talking to my OB in a couple of weeks may help.

mmemartinez · April 2016

I am still waiting for my operating notes from the last CS to confirm that this is something I can definitely attempt. Everything else has been cleared (baby's head down, no complications right now, etc). So I should hopefully find that out at my next appt on Monday. I was getting really scared about it when I started to think about the risks and how I would feel in the worst case scenario. When that happens I also try to remember that it is less risky, truly, than a CS, and if we decide we want a 3rd kid it is better to not have a CS as well.

DH is very supportive. He got freaked out when we had to read through the hospital waiver together but thankfully that waiver also mentioned how the CS is riskier.

My OB/MW practice is extremely supportive with a very high VBAC success rate. The hospital still will use pitocin, that is the only thing I don't like, but I am going to have a doula (who I meet Saturday hopefully) and I hope I won't need it or that we can create a birth plan to help prevent it. From last time I remember rejecting it at first, and they allowed me to use a breast pump to help naturally encourage contractions. I will tell you, those hurt just as bad as the pitocin. So I don't know if that will truly make a difference. I know that it makes the VBAC riskier so that is my main reason for hoping to avoid it.

We are going to a VBAC class sponsored by the hospital this weekend also so that will be our main preparation. I do some yoga poses and try to stay active, hopefully that helps in some way! I wasn't inactive last time around, but I am doing more strengthening activities rather than just walking, etc.

emilyj77 · April 2016

Ultrasound scheduled for 36 weeks to determine position of baby. Right now he/she feels transverse and switches from back to front every couple of days. Haven't done one thing to prepare for a VBAC except sign the paperwork and talk with our Dr about all of the options and concerns for delivery. Both DH and I feel good about taking it one step at a time and then making decisions that are best for baby as we go. So much less stressful this way.

kbrands7 · April 2016

@sillyfox Thank you! I've been trying spinning babies and weekly chiro appointments for a few months now. At this point, if this is the safest way for LO to be delivered, that's all there is to it.

DanandVan · April 2016

I am feeling really hopeful! I switched providers at 34 weeks (kind of crazy!) when they told me they changed their vbac policy. I did a ton of research and was so happy to find out that the hospital with the highest vbac rate in the state took my insurance! Its a group of midwives, and so far I LOVE them! I am nervous about GETTING to said hospital, as it is an hour away without traffic (Chicago traffic can be brutal).
I am also worried about baby changing positions like my 3rd did (the reason for my csection). I've been having nightmares about it every night

He has been head down since 27 weeks, and hasn't changed so I am trying not to be nervous about it.
I've been taking long walks around Target (ha ha), having lots of sex as per midwives orders (she said be like rabbits at 36 weeks onward), and eating 6 dates a day, as that has shown to promote healthy labor. I *just* started researching red raspberry leaf tea, and bought some this morning. I've read some amazing claims about the tea, so hoping there is something to it!
I wish all of you the very best of luck with your vbacs!!!

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