Any tips for successful vbac?

[Bananasinpyjamas12]

I'm getting loads of conflicting info about vbacs including when to go to hospital, whether to hbac or birth at birth centre or hospital, whether to have continuous monitoring etc. I'm just wondering if there's anyone on here who's attempted vbac who might be able to share some tips/advice? If I'm going to give vbac a go I want to give myself a decent chance after all! Thanks in advance!

[Bananasinpyjamas12]

Anyone?

[R3ALLY]

I had an amazing vbac 4 years ago. I did loads of acupuncture (from a birth specialist) which definitely helped prepare my body for labour. I also did hypnobirthing which kept me calm and allowed me to stay at home for hours. 3rd good thing I did was to involve DH and get him on side - my best friend was also pro vbac and you need that positivity around you. Good luck - it was an amazing, empowering experience. I had a traumatic ECS first time around and my vbac was wonderful, it took 2 hours from arriving at hospital to giving birth. My bouncy ball was my BEST FRIEND ( you could not wrestle that thing away from me) but I got gas and air towards the end too X

[R3ALLY]

Oh and I had continuous monitoring but with a cord long enough to allow me to sit on the ball during labour. I only got on the bed for exams, and ended up giving birth on my back simply because he arrived in a hurry after an exam!

[PacificDogwod]

Understand the reasons for your previous CS and find out whether whatever led to your CS is likely to happen again.

Having had a previous vaginal birth will improve your changes of a successful VBAC ('Tested pelvis').

Excellent, evidence based advice here

I have had one induction, one emCS, then 2 VBACS - all good deliveries and the VBACs went without a hitch
My advice would be to aim for as little intervention as is safe. Allow labour to start and progress naturally, remain as active as you wish to be and consider labouring in water (I never made it in to the pool as everything went too quickly).

Good luck! I hope you get the delivery you want, but also remember that how we deliver is only a tiny part of being a mother.