Home vbac?

[LLO7]

Hello,
Has anyone had a home birth after a previous c section?
With my first I was induced due to pre eclampsia and then had to have a emergency c section due to not progressing and becoming poorly. I am currently pregnant and would really like a home birth (I live very close to the hospital!) but when I mention it people look at me like I have two heads! Is it a completely careless idea?

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Personally, I'd be all for it, but people looked at me like I had 3 heads when I said I planned my first birth at home. I think most people are trained to think hospital is best without ever making a 'real' judgement for themselves.

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Ps... I do think hospital is best in some circs... had first 2 at home, 3rd in hospital....

[Ubercornsdiscoball]

I think in your case it might not be the best idea. You seemed to have some medical complications leading to an emcs last time which may make complications more likely with a Vbac. IF you had needed a c-section last time for something like a breech position then that might have made the idea of a homebirth less complex.

You have the right to give birth where you want to but in your case I would probably discuss it in a lot of detail with various family and health professions to make sure everyone is happy and on board with the idea

[sycamore54321]

It's an incredibly dangerous idea. The risk with VBAC is that your uterus might rupture. If that happens, it needs to be detected as soon as possible and your baby needs to be out in minutes to save your life, your fertility and your baby's life and brain health. Sure, plenty of people have VBACs that go just fine, but the consequence of being the one are incredibly severe. Plus there is no way to reliably distinguish in advance between the 99 women who were just fine and the one who wasn't.

If course, nobody can legally force you into hospital. But simply using "it's not illegal" as a justification is setting an incredibly low bar. I would also be hugely wary of any midwife who encourages you to do this. If at home in a high-risk situation, the last thing you want is a midwife who is at the risk-taker end of the spectrum.

Please talk in great detail to a doctor before making any choices.

[TroubledLichen]

Firstly, congratulations! Secondly, sadly I can’t imagine any doctor or midwife would be for you in having a VBAC at home as this makes you higher risk. Even if you go to hospital it will probably have to be on the labour ward and they’ll likely want continuous monitoring too. Having said that no one can drag you kicking and screaming to hospital but unsure what would happen if you refused to go and whether community midwives would come out anyway...

You should be able to discuss all your birth choices and what’s recommended and why when you next see you consultant and/or midwife. Good luck.

[Steeley113]

Well no one can force you to go into hospital but it’s not advised. However, I wouldn’t get your hopes set on it as you’re at increased risk of pre-e again.

[ButteredScone]

What’s more important? The birth or the days after?

[LadyPug]

Hi there, I’m not much help but am in a similar position, but want a MLU birth. I’m trying to do my research right now into all of the info so I’m prepared and have all the knowledge. You probably won’t be supported in a home birth but you have the right to birth anywhere you choose to. In saying that I plan to do all of my research and debate it thoroughly with the consultant armed with my notes!

[Twofishfingers]

Personally, I would have a hospital birth but hire a doula. I think the risks are too high with a vbac, but if you want a natural birth your chances are increased if you have a doula with you throughout labour.

[LadyPug]

Ooh that’s interesting twofish why is that? I’m interested in hiring a doula too!

[ShowOfHands]

I had an emcs then planned a home vbac. Had another emcs!

[LadyPug]

What happened showofhands

[Twofishfingers]

I read somewhere (I amnot sure if I could find it again) that having a doula with you during labour and birth increases your chances of having no direct medical intervention and they are pretty good at helping women dealing with the pain - helping with breathing, massage, keeping mobile, changing position, etc. Reducing the risks of a c section.

Having said that, if you do need an emergency c section, you would be in a hospital and have much speedier access to the consultants. This could put your mind at ease and reduce stress.

[ShowOfHands]

My first was an attempted homebirth but ended up with a crash cs following an attempted ventouse and then an attempted manual rotation. DD was in deep transverse arrest, facing sideways but with her head tilted and presenting ear first. I transferred whilst fully dilated and after a couple of hours of fruitless pushing.

With DS, my waters ruptured at 37 weeks, just like they had with DD which was a clear indication that he was similarly malpositioned. I went to hospital for a check up and they confirmed labour and that DS was OT as well. I went home to see if I could encourage a better position in water, doing some spinning babies stuff etc but after 24hrs, he was still poorly positioned and I was dilating backwards. I had a repeat CS without any other intervention.