hi everyone! My first pregnancy ended up being a csection. My water broke naturally, labor 18 hours 2 hours of pushing. I had a large baby 8 lbs 10 oz for a petite woman. My doc said she would do a Vbac on me as long as the baby isn't too big. (Unfortunately I have a small pelvis). I debate whether or not to do a vbac. Any other opinions or other stories of successful or unsuccessful vbacs?? Thanks!
Re: C section mamas wanting a Vbac
M/C #2 - October 2016
MMC #1 - April 2016
I was induced with DD, they broke my water, I did fully dilate, but she never dropped. I personally feel I was induced too early and she just wasn't ready (induced a day after EDD). I was induced due to her small size as I was watched for FTT but she ended up gaining the last week and was 7 lbs 2 oz. Since DD will be 3 by the time this one comes, I should have healed fully.
A good old friend of mine just had an attempted VBAC for her 3rd child. She had a vaginal delivery for her first and a csection for her second. She ruptured her uterus and it took her bladder too. She had both reconstructed and ended up with a csection and a rough recovery. Her story scares me. The last two children were not 2 yrs apart so that could have played a part?
***TW in Siggy***
Me: 34 / DH: 33
Married: Nov 2011
TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014
TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
I do also have a couple of friends that successfully had vbacs.
I was going to go for a vbac with #2. I was a good candidate for it and my doctor would have let me. She ended up staying breech, so I would up with another c section. I will say that a scheduled c section versus and emergency c section, the recovery was a million times easier and less painful than with my emergency c section.
Whatever way you choose to go, good luck!
DD 1 10/2012
CP 9/2013
DD 2 6/2014
CP 3/2016
BFP 12/8/2016
DS 6/3/2016
MC 1/12/2017
BFP 7/19/2017
EDD 3/31/2018
Got pregnant with my second when he was just over 1. Found a new doctor who had a reputation for successful VBACS in a very natural birth friendly office (just him and two midwives). Had another fairly long labor, five days post dates. Pushed for 2 1/2 hours (with an epi, thank goodness) and FINALLY delivered my 8 lb. 15 oz baby.
Had number three 2 1/2 years later. Four days EARLY and finally got my natural birth with no epi (born barely two hours after I got to the hospital).
My biggest VBAC advice is to find a provider who doesn't just say they'll let you try for a VBAC and back out but one who will actually deliver on their promise. I've heard too many stories about doctors backing out because 1- baby is too big (I've read research that this is very rarely actually the case. My tiniest, narrow-hipped friend is the fastest birther I know! Also those weight guesstimates are so off sometimes... ), 2- you go past your EDD (again, research shows it's really a "due window" and 2 weeks should be given on either side, provided everything looks ok), or 3- any other number of things.
Just find a provider you believe in. The doctor for my first VBAC really knew the current research. He wasn't practicing in fear of lawsuits or scheduling inductions and c-sections to fit his schedule. He really believed in the research and had a desire to see women achieve the birth they were hoping for. It felt good to be under his care, because I knew that even if it ended in another CS, it wasn't any fault of his, you know? I mean, I pushed for 2 1/2 long hours. He could have easily said nope, this baby isn't coming. To the OR we go, simply because he was tired and over it and I wouldn't know different, anyway. But he stuck with me, cheered me on, monitored baby and me and knew we looked fine. He believed in me, and that made me believe in myself. It paved the way for my next birth to be so ideal, and hopefully this birth, too (planning for a homebirth type birth center).
Another biggie that I think helped me was regular chiropractic care through my last two pregnancies. Since my c-section was largely due to positioning, I wanted to make sure I didn't run into that issue again. The chiropractic care really kept everything in alignment and open. My chiro with my third baby actually met me at the office for an adjustment on my way to the hospital in labor.
Good of luck to all of you making the decision. It's a personal one, for sure, but I wanted to share my experience if it could encourage anyone.
Married 7.28.07
DS 9.16.10
DD 8.3.12
DD 3.1.15
#4 EDD 8.7.17
- I should be a candidate
- they will not induce me to have a VBAC, contractions must start on their own
- I cannot go past my EDD
- I only have one hospital option (happens to be where I delivered the first time)
- I'm not guaranteed a certain doctor at delivery (same as last time)
- they won't allow a VBAC after two csections
I know we have a lot of time to decide but I'm so on the fence. Having a friend that ruptured and also lost her bladder just freaks me out!
***TW in Siggy***
Me: 34 / DH: 33
Married: Nov 2011
TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014
TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
with my CS!
Married 7.28.07
DS 9.16.10
DD 8.3.12
DD 3.1.15
#4 EDD 8.7.17
***TW in Siggy***
Me: 34 / DH: 33
Married: Nov 2011
TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014
TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
***TW in Siggy***
Me: 34 / DH: 33
Married: Nov 2011
TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014
TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
#1 - DD: 7/5/12
#2 - DS: 5/21/14
#3 - EDD: 8/25/17