To have sudden terror and major cold feet about the VBAC I've been fighting for for months?

[Ifyourawizardwhydouwearglasses]

Paralysed with fear.

Been planning a WVBAC for months now. Hassled all number of people, my hospital isn't v vbac friendly so I've really had to fight for it. Even DH has almost had enough of hearing about it.

I've done endless research, jumped through every hoop the nhs owns, and have been so determined to avoid another section.

HOWEVER at 39 weeks I am now suddenly absolutely petrified and have serious cold feet. Feel like I'm being totally unreasonable, irrational, and weak minded.

Help? Anyone else been through this?

(Apologies if this is in the wrong place - I'm new here)

Monitoring and cannula on't prevent you from being mobile and getting comfy. I had awful associations about monitoring and being beached helplessly on my back prior to DS1s EmCS, so for my VBAC, I leaned over a birthing ball for the whole thing. I used a natal hypnotherapy track on loop on speakers to stay calm and breathe through it.

My anxiety hit me halfway, but I knew under those fears that I'd already gone through my worst case scenario, so this one could only be better.

F

I was bullied and browbeaten into having a cs with ds who was breech. LIke you, I'd done my research and was adamant that I wanted a natural birth (like my mother and grandmother who'd also had breech babies and just got on with it!).

My cs left me infertile - this was never once mentioned to me as a possible option - so personally, I think the "cs is the safer option with more predictable outcomes" line is overused.

I don't know if this would bother you - maybe your family is complete - but it's something else to consider in the mix.

Hope that whatever it is you decide to do in the end, you find the support to do this your way - in the end, I think that's probably the most important thing, whichever way dc2 comes out! And couldn't agree more with Dougal that you need someone in the room who gets it.

Yeah neither is my DH, wizard, though likewise he tries v hard. Think the mental side of it is less easy for men to understand.

Where are you? I'm in London and went to some good active birth classes, the lady that runs them is v well connected and always happy to help. PM me if you want her number? She might be able to suggest an affordable doula for example. I remember her inviting one to our classes who had only recently trained so wasn't charging much but had had five children of her own, and seemed v nice.

Sending you good vibes xx

By the way, you don't have to have a cannula and continuous monitoring. I refused both, they were just more diligent with the Doppler.

I didn't have to fight for my vbac in the end, as I'd left it 6 years. BUT I did panic last minute.
I was told for years chances of a vbac were non existent, then when I fell pregnant, it was discussed again, with me saying I was disappointed I couldn't have a vbac, and was told that actually I could!
I was told I wouldn't be allowed a home birth or a water birth though, as my last labour did have complications (twins, one got stuck, both distressed, hence emergency CS)

It all went absolutely fine though, no complications at all. I honestly don't know what I was so worried about.
I'm sure you will be fine, and you will be in safe hands no matter what. But no, you are definitely not alone in your feelings.