Successful vbac anyone?

[mammaofjoelandunbornboy]

Im having my 2nd baby soon, hopefully via vbac, as 1st was horrendous 47 hour labour followed by a emergency c section and just wondering how successful vbacs are? Or not? Thanks ladies

[DuggeeHugs]

I don't have direct experience of a VBAC, but I found this Which? guide really useful when facing the VBAC vs. ELCS dilemma: www.which.co.uk/birth-choice/units/

It gives stats around VBAC success for each hospital, as well as lots of other useful information.

My hospital had some worrying figures so in the end, along with other advice and risk information, I've opted for an ELCS. I feel glad though because, since I first started looking into it, our hospital has gone into special measures with maternity one area requiring improvement

[Livedandlearned]

I have had two vbacs and the only issue for me is the fact I wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything except ice!

And I love my food.

Apart from that, we were fine, baby and me.

[PacificDogwod]

Yes! Two of them

Your chances all depend on the reasons for your first labour to not progress to a vaginal delivery.

Evidence based VBAC resource

And some more

I had a vaginal delivery after induction, an emCS and 2 marvellous VBACs, but was very happy to have a go at delivering myself as I had the reassurance of a 'tested pelvis'.
You need to have a chat with your MW or consultant about the reasons for why your first labour went the way it went.

[Pineapple80]

Hi mama, I had a successful vbac 4 weeks ago with my second DS.

My first DS was born via emergency cs due to Induction and distress. I ended up going into labour spontaneously with DS2, after a very quick 5 hr labour and he was born healthy with assistance of ventouse (they didn't want me to push for very long as his heart rate was dipping with each contraction).

Before the vbac I was very unsure if I'd be able to deliver and wondered if my body would know how to labour and go through the entire process, so all in all I am really pleased and glad I went through with it.

Obviously every one is different and the success of vbac will depend on each individual and reasons why cs was required previously.

Wishing you all the best with whatever decision you make

[Lules]

I'm wanting to have a VBAC because it took me about 3 months to recover from my EMCS and not picking up my toddler for weeks would be really hard but all I seem to hear are negative stories and attitude that I'd be silly to turn down a ELCS if I'm being offered one.

I'd be interested to hear other stories. MW has said I've got a good chance of having a vaginal delivery as long as I don't have a giant baby again (!)

[Kentnurse2015]

I had VBAC last summer but that was after an ELCS previously due to a breech baby. I was allowed to eat and drink as normal throughout and was really happy afterwards as my recovery was much quicker - definitely a positive with my toddler around!

[forfucksakejanet]

Watching with interest, as I am 9 weeks away from DC2, and really really want a vbac!

Similar previous labour to you OP, 46 hours resulting in EMCS. Did you dilate last time? I got to 10cm, but due to epidural and being bloody exhausted I couldn't (didn't know how to) push and ended up in theatre.

I've tried pregnancy yoga this time for positions and breathing exercises, and will NOT be having an epidural!

Have you seen a consultant? The one I saw said I had a 75% chance but needed constant monitoring. Bit about this as I don't want to be confined to a bed - have you spoken to them about wireless monitoring? That's what I'm asking for

Fingers crossed for us

[bittorrent123]

I've had 2 vbac's after a planned c section with a breech baby.
Labours were 15 and 12 hours but pretty straight forward.
They monitored me really closely so I felt me and the baby were safe.

[Bythebeach]

I think the stats for a successful VBAC are around 70% - higher if if c-section was for non repeatable reason eg breech and a bit lower if c-section was for eg failure to progress. I had a section for fetal distress with my first and two successful vbacs after with no forceps/ventouse. I think there is a good argument either way for VBAC or repeat section but I really did enjoy giving birth with DC2 & DC3!

[Bythebeach]

Oh and 9 hour labour and 2 hour labour.

[KERALA1]

Yep similar first birth to op then dd2 popped out 4 hour labour.

[MarvinKMooney]

Me too! Although it wasn't exactly planned

I was booked in for an elcs with dc2bafter a tough emcs with dc1.

Dc2's had other ideas, however, and I went into labour a week before my elcs. She arrived within 90 mins - no time for anything other than gas and air. She shot out and (amazingly) no tears or anything.

I was a bit in shock by the speed of it all but the staff were fabulous and I was in such safe hands. (Dh meanwhile had to be prompted to move the car - it was still dumped outside the maternity entrance with hazards flashing!)

[StuntNun]

My first delivery ended in EMCS due to the baby having heartrate decelerations and being in distress (meconium in the water). I had an antepartum haemorrhage as they were prepping me for section and they got him out just in time under a general anaesthetic.

My second was a planned VBAC and all went smoothly. They made me go on the drip to speed up my labour and the delivery was attended by a doctor and a midwife so they could keep a closer eye on me.

My third was supposed to be a VBAC but during a very slow labour the placenta started to come away so they had to do another EMCS. The baby was transverse and his head hadn't engaged so it would have been a very long labour if he was to be born vaginally so the placenta wouldn't have lasted. The anaesthetist decided to do another general anaesthetic to make sure there weren't any complications (as the epidural hadn't taken with my first delivery).

My fourth was supposed to be an ELCS. The doctors would not even entertain the idea of a VBAC with my previous history and I was happy to go along with that. Unfortunately due to undiagnosed placenta praevia I brought labour on five weeks early so I had to have another EMCS but at least this time it was under a spinal rather than a general anaesthetic.

Happy to answer any questions about VBAC.