2nd/3rd/4th timers - dilation experiences please!

[AutumnLeavesandCandleLights]

Hi all!

I was just wondering for those of you who had trouble dilating/it was a slow process and needed to be placed on the drip or wound up with a c section first time around, what was your experience like with any further births?

With my first child, my hind or fore (can't remember which) burst at 39+3, I had mild contractions at home for a day and a half before having to go in and be placed on the drip for 12 hours to still only be 2-3cms dilated and ended up needed a c section due to infection risk.

I'm due in 10 weeks and am now growing concerned that my body just won't dilate again and I'll wind up needing another caesarean.

I'm desperate to try for a VBAC as this will likely be our last child and I really want to experience a natural birth as I felt let down for so long regarding my son's birth.

I realise there's nothing I can do to make my body dilate quicker or easier - just hoping for some positive comments from you guys that have been through similar situations!

[AutumnLeavesandCandleLights]

Anyone?

[GreenGoblin0]

I needed drip with first to make things progress ( was two weeks over and in to br induced but labour started on its own just didn't progress quickly enough) however I did get to 10 cms but ended up with emcs as baby in distress

2nd time round had vbac - was 10 cms in 90 mins. slightly different as you didn't dilate all the way first time round. have you had your vbac appt yet ?

[tootsieglitterballs]

Following with interest!

4 weeks till due date. First pregnancy I was induced and that did nothing until the put me on the drip. Once on the drip, contractions came too quick , but still took me about 20 hours to get to 10cm. Ended in EMCS, and really hoping for a water VBAC this time - fingers crossed!

[AutumnLeavesandCandleLights]

@GreenGoblin0 90 mins! Amazing! Well done you, fingers crossed my next birth even closely resembles that length of time.

I've had one appointment so far yes. Got another in a few weeks time. They've given me the go ahead to try for a VBAC but after contracting for so long and being on the drip for ages and having it do nothing I'm dubious about whether my VBAC will be a successful experience.

[AutumnLeavesandCandleLights]

@tootsieglitterballs got my fingers crossed that you manage a successful water VBAC!

It's interesting how the drip has different effects on different people. I'm adamant the drip actually slowed down my labour and that's why I needed to have a c section.
Really don't want to go through all that again!

[Goldenbuzzer]

Hey. I had the drip first time as i was making slow progress. It was grim but ended up with unassisted normal delivery. 2nd and 3rd were an absolute breeze. Textbook births. I couldn’t understand how labour and birth could be so different. It suddenly made sense how different people had such different experiences to each other.

[GreenGoblin0]

@AutumnLeavesandCandleLights
The midwife at my VBAC appt did say that the fact I'd dilated 10cms before made me a "good candidate" for VBAC- doesn't necessarily mean you won't be able to do it though. I think for some people being stuck to a hospital bed and having and epidural can slow labour down. I was adamant that didn't want to be lying on the bed this time round so even though I had to have constant fetal monitoring I got midwife to hook it up with me standing up which really helped me deal with the pain. Good luck hope it goes well for you.