Any VBAC Mamas?

Cricket Bug · May 2016

Any VBAC moms with wisdom to share? Any other mom's planning a VBAC this time around? I never went into labour with DD, so have no idea how labour will be, but recovery wise what was your experience? Differences/similarities? What did you do to prepare? What made you chose VBAC over RCS? What do you wish you knew going in that you can share?

Edited to work towards all 20 questions...

Thurstobertay · May 2016

This will be my second VBAC. I had a really horrid time recovering from the C-Section (that I probably never needed, I had a failed induction due to OB's scheduling preferences and not medical necessity -- ugh) with my first and I decided I didn't want to repeat that experience if I could avoid it. I was in pain for weeks, didn't feel "right" driving until a month and a half later, and breastfeeding in the beginning was a bitch and a half because I could never get comfortable. I'm so glad C-Sections exist for emergencies, yay medical science, but holy crap I only want another one if it's really needed.

The most important factor is a supportive OB/midwife/whoever your practitioner is. When I was scoping out doctors the first time around, there were some OBs who were supportive in theory – they didn't dismiss VBACs outright – but upon further prodding I heard things like "really, it's like a bus crashing through a paper wall." Self-fulfilling prophecy? It's probably a little late for anyone reading this to switch providers but it's so important to know your doctor's stance. Google ICAN + your region for resources.

Prior to the VBAC, I prepped with red raspberry leaf tea (no clue if this did anything but it tastes like regular old black tea, which I love) and non-vigorous exercise. I don't think you need to be able to do 90 minutes on an elliptical but regular activity probably helps. Otherwise I just gathered a ton of information on if X, expect Y, etc. so I felt knowledgable about what I was getting into. Be prepared to stand up for yourself and be a pain in the ass if you have to be.

The VBAC itself went smoothly and pretty fast. I went into labor naturally, labored for 7 1/2ish hours, and pushed for around an hour. I did opt for an epidural and went with intrauterine monitoring at my doctor's suggestion (it gave me peace of mind). I was just over 37w when I went into labor.

I was able to nurse baby right away (awesome) and I was walking hours later. The only thing that particularly sucked vs. post C-Section was the nursing contractions but that very well may have been because I was way less drugged.

I'm hoping this VBAC goes as well as the last one and I strongly urge anyone considering a VBAC to give it a shot in a safe environment. Like I said above, I'm so glad C-Sections exist, I had one and I'd have another if it became necessary, but I think at large it's not regarded with the same level of seriousness as other major abdominal surgery.

Cricket Bug · May 2016

@Thurstobertay Thank you so much for sharing!!!

Your c-section recovery sounds like mine, and the whole process was an absolute nightmare. I would do it again in a heartbeat in the same scenario, but every digit is crossed and stars are wished on that it doesn't come to that. I have an incredibly supportive midwife who will do everything in her power to help me succeed, I just want to do my part too and get into the right head space!

May I ask you a few more questions if you are okay to share?

My scar still bothers me over 3 years out. How was yours after the VBAC? Did you notice any difference for better or worse?

How did your partner find the differences of experience? What was easier/harder for them in both situations? My DH almost lost his crap in the OR, so trying to better prepare him this time...

indy_chic · May 2016

I had vbac in Oct. Worst experience ever. I wont get into details but I would nvr opt for that again. It was a very painful and traumatic experience. 7 months out and I am still physically healing. We are doing c sec again this time around. 1st was csec due to . position, that was 4 yrs ago. A couple weeks of tenderness otherwise i had no issues. If you're doing vbac make sure your provider/hospital knows ur birth plan. A lot of facilities do not support vbac.

Cricket Bug · May 2016

@indy_chic I'm sorry that you had such a bad experience with your VBAC. It just goes to show how every experience is different. I consider myself very lucky to have the support system that I do in terms of care.

Thurstobertay · May 2016

Sorry I'm behind on this, been a little wacky at work.

My scar still bothers me over 3 years out. How was yours after the VBAC? Did you notice any difference for better or worse? My scar pretty much felt (or .. didn't feel?) the same as it did beforehand. It stopped hurting within 6 months of the C-Section, but has been a numb area ever since and that persisted through the VBAC.

How did your partner find the differences of experience? What was easier/harder for them in both situations? My DH almost lost his crap in the OR, so trying to better prepare him this time... It was much easier on him. There was still some anxiety there because I hadn't had a successful vaginal birth prior but not the stress of holy-crap-throw-on-a-gown-and-run.

Afterward it was easier on both of us. My husband always jumps in and helps, but I was back to being self-sufficient much faster by virtue of being able to move around and not being on painkillers (my husband is great but I like to be able to make my own damn breakfast, thankyouverymuch). We were able to focus more attention on baby as opposed to rolling me around and trying to get me comfortable in bed, feeding me, etc.

@indy_chic I'm sorry to hear you had such a negative experience.

Were there any factors that you think contributed?

ssimon621 · May 2016

Following for more input.

I had a C/S with my first and really healed great with no issues. I am not opposed to another C/S, but am considering a VBAC. This reminds me that I need to discuss this further with my OB.

Cricket Bug · May 2016

@Thurstobertay Thank you soo much for sharing everything, and sorry to pepper you with all of my questions! But You have made me feel an incredible amount more confident. Determination was my first step (and fear of the alternative), confidence is a big next step! So glad to hear that your DH had an easier time too! I am oddly excited about this!

crispy11 · May 2016

I had a vbac with DD2 and it was amazing. My recovery was quicker and I was able to do a lot more with my 22 month old than I would have been able to do if I had had a c-section again. The reason I really wanted to vbac was that I don't know how many children we will have. Both repeat c-sections and vbacs have risks; however, each vbac after the first "successful" one becomes safer, but each c-section becomes a little more risky. Women do have 5-6+ c-sections, but having more than 3 c-sections is something I am hoping to avoid We'll see what happens this time!

Also, successful is in quotes because I definitely do not consider a repeat c-section after attempting a vbac a failure!. Good luck with the decision!

Cricket Bug · May 2016

@crispy11 I am so glad that you had a great experience! That is such a valid point too about the effect that each birth method has on any possible subsequent ones... Thank you!

Thurstobertay · May 2016

@Cricket Bug Of course! If you have any more questions toss them my way.

The only other thing I'd recommend, and you probably know this already, is be prepared to be a pain in the ass (and your husband, too). I'm not sure if you're planning on a hospital birth or not, but there was a time between when I was taken into OB triage/eventually admitted when I had nurses and the on-call doctor telling me I was gonna be having a C-Section and simply to deal with it. That stressed me out more than any of the lead up to labor.

I totally get it because for every person who has talked through a VBAC with their doctor/midwife and prepared from the get-go, there are probably plenty of people who aren't prepared or know what they're getting into. As long as your situation isn't an emergency, make sure they know you know what your plan is and your support system is on the same page. I don't think this necessarily means a 10 page birth plan, but a "hey, my OB/midwife is X, I last saw them on Y date and we still believe I'm a good candidate for a VBAC. I've done my research, VBACs are within this hospital's policies, and as long as this isn't an emergency I'd like to wait for OB/midwife."

Everything wound up sorting itself out when my own OB showed up, but there was a time when I thought I'd be swatting away scalpels from the on-call doc and chewing off heads.

blr131517 · May 2016

I have a question. When there is recommendation of 18 months if you had a csection and are trying for vbac, does this mean 18 months from delivery to conception of next child or delivery to delivery?

Cricket Bug · May 2016

@breannahayes12 I asked this of my midwife when I was in care before, and I believe her answer was from delivery to delivery.

Cricket Bug · May 2016

@Thurstobertay You are wonderful. Thank you so much, and I can almost promise you that I will have more questions! If there is one thing I am good at, it's being a pain in the ass. Hahaha So I am both fully prepared for that struggle with the hospital staff, as well as to be a solid advocate for myself.

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