Who has attempted a VBAC - what was your outcome?

[Manoo]

Hi, I'm going to go for a VBAC but am getting myself in a tizzy trying to decide whether to go into hospital, or go for a home birth with an independent midwife (which I can't really afford). I've been reading the messages on the (wonderful) yahoo VBAC group, which are fairly biased towards homebirth, and I'm getting the impression that the hospital VBACs are less likely to succeed than the home ones.

So what I'm asking is... where did you attempt your VBAC and what was your outcome? Was there anything you would do differently if you could do it again?

Thanks! (ps my first emcs was for a posterior baby with his head tilted up - got to fully dilated.)

[lulumama]

optimal foetal positioning

that thread has some useful info re getting baby in a good position to be born. there is no reason why this baby should be in the same position...so why not give it a go!


i had a VBAC in hospital...the best day of my life...it has empowered me so much, i am training to be a doula so i can hopefully support other women to have a wonderful birth experience!

there are some interesting VBAC threads if you look through the childbirth / pregnancy board, they make for interesting and at times lively reading!

[Laura032004]

DS1 - laboured for several days, no progress beyond 3cm even with drip - big head badly positioned then bad foetal reaction to augmentation/epidural.

I read the same groups in the run up to DS2's birth. I planned a hb, but my waters broke, I didn't go into labour (96+hrs) & then a swab showed I had Gp B strep so I had to go in to hospital.

I was induced with the drip (no pessaries as prior c/s). Two hours after the drip was at the maximum I was examined - no progress at all. Told there was no hope baby would be born naturally and to have a c/s. Confined to hospital limitations - no eating, continous foetal monitoring, cannula in hand (needed for induction and antibiotics anyway). Managed to stay upright and on birthing ball even though it interfered with their monitoring. Really good MW who was quite happy to hold the monitor by hand once in a while to check baby was OK. Was given another two hours to make some progress, or c/s - no progress. Then had to get 'permission' from consultant to continue. They were very surprised to meet with any resistance, but I wasn't in any particular pain and the baby was fine. Got to midnight - drip had been going since about 7am. Cervix had thinned, but only dilated to about 2cm. Lovely consultant came on duty, and said I could keep going if I wanted, for as long as I wanted. Decided to switch drip off overnight, rest, and start again next day. Good move. Got some rest, and started again at 7am. MW brought me tea and toast at midnight, and again at 7am. I was eating and drinking quite a bit whenever the MW's were out of the room anyway, as I knew that if I got hungry, I'd have no chance of getting the baby out. No progress for most of the day, and various doctors kept pressing me to have a c/s. Then progress went backwards - cervix swelled up, and baby got a caput on his head. Decided to have an epidural (very tired and in lots of pain). Didn't work. Got back on my knees on back of bed, and things suddenly started to happen. Dilated from 3cm to 10cm in a couple of hours, and then took an hour to push him out. Consultant was at the door desperate to do a ventouse, but the MW wouldn't let him. Had an episiotomy in the end (even bigger head and 2lb heavier than DS1), but got him out!

The MW's said they truly didn't think it would happen. I had to fight a few of them, and a lot of the doctors. I think they all thought I was mad. I knew I had to give it everything I had to avoid the 'what if' feeling afterwards.

I don't think he would have been born naturally at home - I needed a lot of intervention, and I think at home I wouldn't have dilated, would have been taken into hosp where I'd have closed down, and ended up with a c/s. Therefore, I'm glad things turned out the way they did. However, if you got to full dilation last time, then I'd say home, with supportive MW's would be the place to be. Sound out your CMW. I didn't have the option of a IndMW - the nearest is 3 hours away, none in this county! However, all the MW's I met were fully supportive, and quite happy to attend me in labour (I met them all during the time when my waters broke, as they came to say hello each morning in case I went into labour that night ). VBACing in hospital requires a lot of confidence and stubbornness, but it can be done. 4 months later, it is the best thing that I ever did. I have faith in my body and myself again, and the PND that I got as a result of the c/s is nowhere to be seen this time.

Good luck with whatever you decide

[kittywits]

After 2 sections I have 3 successful, uncomplicated, no pain releif vbacs, the last one was at home and I'm hoping to have the next one at home too.

[NAB3]

One section and then 2 VBAC.
First VBAC I had a matter of hours left to get baby out and then would have been a section. (had a retained placenta so still ended up in theatre )
2nd VBAC Much quicker but more traumatic.

[Toady]

Please go to this forum . There are loads of ladies who have had a VBAC 1, 2 and 3 and have loads of advice and research to offer you.

I had a VBAC2 after two previous emergency caesereans.

[LadyMuck]

Toady isn't that the group the OP was reading?

[Manoo]

Thanks for the replies - particular thanks for Laura for taking the time to write in detail.

Toady I'm already on that forum - in a way, that's what's freaking me out, because there's such a bias towards home birth there.

In a way, I'd just like to do an MN survey, see how many folk who tried hospital VBACs succeeded, and find out more about what happened to them in hospital.

[lulumama]

Manoo


I had my VBAC in hospital.

went in after 12 hours of contractions.....told i wasnlt dilated and judging on my past history - failed induction, 2-3 cm. no progress, i was just one of those women who don;t dilate

DH took the midwife outside and explained that c.s was not an option, the baby had to come out vaginally.

anyway DD was OP..so they asked me to get off the bed and move with the contractions..although i was attached to the CTG.. i could move enough and my legs were so weak from the pain i could;t have gone far anyway!! was not having pain relief at this point..had not used any at home and had some g&a , but they took it off me! pains every 3 minutes and had been for some hours.

after an hour, she turned!!! which hurt... a lot!! but as soon as she did , they gave me some pethidine and the gas & air. Once that kicked in , i was much more relaxed, and the labour went very quickly....dilated from 3 - 10 in 2 hours 45 and pushed her out in 30 minutes....by waters went with a bang and shot across the room an hour after i had the pethidine...!!

no intervention, no episiotomy, just a nice simple, vaginal delivery.....by the time the placenta was delivered, i was back to my chirpy self!

i had no venflon, the midwife left me to it once i was dilating and didn;t faff with me at all , or look at the CTG much.....

twas fab!

[morocco]

mine was fine and nice and quick as well which I was surprised about cos only got to 5cm last time round. It took 5 1/2 hours and I only spent an hour of that at the hospital at the end when things were well on their way. There were concerns about the scar cos I started bleeding a bit so ventouse and bit rushed at the end but scar was fine and all went well. this time round I'm getting a doula to be there as well, i think that might help too

[franke]

I had a vbac in hospital. Pretty straight forward 13 hour labour (that's from the first twinges) with just a bit of a tear at the end. The only thing I would change would have been to allow a couple more internal exams. to check progress - this may have meant I would have avoided an epidural right near the end of the first stage. Other than that it was a fab experience and I was home 6 hours after ds came out.

I would have liked a home birth but to be honest in the end I just didn't have the guts to do it and we lived in a flat at the time and what with me bellowing like an alpine cow for several hours...

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Bluebear]

I had a VBAC - in hospital - the staff were more motivated to avoid me having another section than I was to be honest.

I had complications during the birth, and despite me asking for a section the staff kept on going with just one more thing first until dd and I were at great risk.
My impression was that the hospital wanted to keep the section rate down at all costs - so if a hospital VBAC fails it won't necessarily be due to lack of motivation from the staff.

[sarahsausage]

I had an emergency section with dd1 for face presentation.

I tried for a VBAC, was in labour for 8 hours and was in a lot of pain (obv). I ended up with an emergency section because i was complaining of pain in between contractions and they were worried my old scar would rupture. I ended up with a general anasthetic too because for some reason they didn't let me have gas and air while they were trying to give me a spinal while my contractions were very close together and very painful so obviously the spinal wasn't going to get in!

I am now pg with 3rd baby and i'm trying to find out if i did rupture, if i didn't and it was just me being a wuss, i will be fighting for a VBA2C.

Good luck with whatever you decide

[jellybeans]

Hi I had 2 VBACS and also another c/s. 1st birth was a c/s, 2nd was VBAC with shoulder dystocia and bad tear (but all was OK), Next VBAC for twin 1 followed by crash c/s for distress of twin 2. I am pg with #5 and no idea whether to have a c/s (or whether i will even have a say in it)

[McDreamy]

I attempted a VBAC but ended up with another section due to failure to progress after 36 hours! Next time I will go straight for a section.

[Toady]

Sorry Manoo

Should have read your post properly.

I think a successful hospital VBAC depends on:

how pro VBAC they are.

Whether they are willing to let you labour with minimal interference

and how strong you are in telling them what you want.

There have been many successful VBACs in hospital, myself included.

I personally would go for a home birth with an independent midwife but you have to do what is best for you.

[trincarm]

I had my VBAC at home after 2 c-sections. It was fantastic and I would not change a thing.

[Manoo]

Thanks to all who've posted - its really good to know how people have been getting on with these VBACs as until recently I'd never even heard of one!

Luckly at 21 weeks pregnant, I've still got time to do a bit more thinking... just wish I wasn't so blooming indecisive (and skint, those IMs aren't cheap!). Anyway, thanks again people.

[lulumama]

have you considered a doula for extra support?
can really help give you the confidence and self belief to go for a really positive birth!

good luck ....

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