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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Does anyone have any positive VBAC experiences please..?

39 replies

PrincessConsuelaBanana · 14/02/2019 07:17

I’m 14 weeks pregnant with DC 2 after having an ELCS with DS1 - so it is quite early to be thinking about this already, but I’ve heard quite a few horrendous VBAC stories and wondered if anyone out there has a positive experience to share? Thanks in advance

OP posts:

Seline · 14/02/2019 07:21

I personally wouldn't risk it but I know someone who did it and says it was lovely. Fairly quick labour.

The likelihood of success depends on why you had the cesarean.

0htooooodles · 14/02/2019 07:26

I had a VBAC after having an emergency section with my first. I was insistent on trying to have him naturally, and it wasn't horrendous. I did have complications after, but I'm not sure that was because I had him naturally. Given the chance to do it all over again, I would choose naturally every time despite the issues I had after.

LoopyLou1981 · 14/02/2019 07:28

Yes! EMCS with my first (24 hour labour, never got passed 5cm, turns out he wasn’t properly aligned and was hitting my hip not my cervix). Brilliant procedure, horrendous recovery.
Opted for a VBAC with my second. 12 hour labour. Hopped out of bed straight afterwards for a nice shower and felt amazing!
I couldn’t recommend it enough!x

margaritasbythesea · 14/02/2019 07:29

Oh yes! I did it and was really pleased. I had a ceasarian the first time because I had too much fluid.

I have to say that I was fortunate to give birth the second time on a night that wasn't busy and so staff could give me a lot of attention (ds's heart rate was dropping). They told me that if they had been busy, they wouldn't have taken the risk and would have given me a csection. As it was they prepped me and told me it was a possibility.

It's a bit shocking that csection might happen because of staffing levels, and to me, it shows that it's useful to be pragmatic and not build your hopes up.

Good luck OP. I was glad I did it, but would have been OK whichever way DS arrived.

Arkos · 14/02/2019 07:29

Yep ...emcs first time. 2nd child when in labour at 8am having had no pains before. Went to hospital. Arrived at 10 and told I was 6cm. Walked down to labour suite. I had back to back baby and no pain relief as g and a and opiates don't agree with me. Asked for epidural...guy was trying to site it when my waters went, crowned straight away and baby was out in 1 push.
Total time of contractions was just over 2hr 15min. No pain relief. Minimal tear and I fairly skipped out with my baby a few hours later. Brilliant.
Ooh and I wasn't on a monitor and I wasn't flat on my back. The midwife just kept checking with a doppler

EeeByeGummieBear · 14/02/2019 07:32

Yes! EMCS with DS1. Had to fight with some of the community midwives re VBAC, but most midwives happy to support me. Hospital midwives great, supported me throughout, explained when and why I would have to stop. However all went well and had a successful VBAC. I'm sure if there are any concerns these will be raised my medical staff

Scottishgirl85 · 14/02/2019 07:34

I researched this to death and decided in the end I couldn't mentally handle the (very small but very scary) risk of scar rupture. I have a friend who had a wonderful vbac, and another who had a horrendous vbac with recovery taking much longer than CS. There's really no way of telling how you'll get on, but you'll have a lot of medical staff on hand to intervene quickly if needed. Good luck with whatever you decide x

PhannyMcNee · 14/02/2019 07:40

I had 3 VBACs. Dc1 was an ELCS due to breech presentation. I tore with each birth as they were quick labours/pushing stages but clearly they weren’t bad enough experiences to put me off doing it again

Brainfogmcfogface · 14/02/2019 08:17

Thanks for this post OP.
I’m 37 weeks today and planning. VBAC, keep the positive stories coming ladies

Firsttimer16 · 14/02/2019 08:37

Following...I’m 34 weeks and desperately hoping for a Vbac after elcs for breech. Mostly worried about going overdue and it not starting naturally. Was anyone induced? I know it increases risks. I found this article v interesting www.aims.org.uk/journal/item/vbac-on-whose-terms

Damntheman · 14/02/2019 08:38

Not me personally, but my mum had three babies vaginally after my brother's emergency C. She talks very positively about all three. Good luck!

BuntyCollocks · 14/02/2019 09:34

I had an EMCS with DS due to deep transverse arrest, and had a brilliant Vbac less than 2 years later with DD. Was nearly a WBAC (water birth after caesarean), but by the time the pool had run, I was half an hour from having her and actively pushing; I had no chance of moving! For you, it’s more likely to be like a first labour as you haven’t laboured before, so your body has to figure it all out, so don’t expect a quick birth - equally, you might be one of the lucky ones whose body just knows what do you and baby just pops out! Regardless, I hope you have an easy birth whatever your choice.

BuntyCollocks · 14/02/2019 09:35

Firsttimer - induction for VBAC is usually via cooks balloon as using hormonal methods is contraindicated due to the increased risk of uterine rupture, they also shouldn’t use synto during labour for contractions for the same reason

BuntyCollocks · 14/02/2019 09:40

Please also know you can refuse anything you don’t want. There is no evidence you need to be cannulated on admission. There is no evidence you need to be strapped to a CTG. You can have a waterbirth. Cannulation and CTG are pushed because in the case of emergency we’re better equipped to immediately intervene, but if you’re in hospital, you can be emergency cannulated. Intermittent monitoring in a healthy pregnancy is fine. Stay mobile, use those upright positions, and don’t lie down are my best tips!

Bugsymalonemumof2 · 14/02/2019 09:46

I had a vbac. Personally for me I wouldn't do it again. Both labours I laboured very fast and for my vbac the placenta got stuck on the c section scarring. It took 23 minutes to deliver baby from first contraction and then 3.5 hours to deliver placenta. There was no time to monitor baby when I went into labour and fast labouring increases the chance of vbac complications.

princessib · 14/02/2019 09:48

Had 2 VBAC. First was a EMCS because he got stuck, but it was always on the cards due to his disability anyway. Both VBACs were a doddle compared to the first in terms of recovery afterwards, though I did have episiotomy with the first one. I did both with only gas and air because there was no time for an epidural (I have chronic pain so wanted it for my comfort getting into a position!), sorry I’ve no experience of being induced - in fact 2nd VBAC was at 30 weeks so sort of the opposite experience!
Good luck to those expecting - exciting times 💐

ladycarlotta · 14/02/2019 10:12

I'm interested to see that water birth after C-section might be an option - I really wanted one for this labour but baby is still breech so scheduled section is increasingly likely. I'd love to try for a water birth with a future pregnancy, as I do feel quite robbed (although obviously happy to do whatever is necessary to get this baby out).

Is it something the NHS will consider, then? I assume I'd have to advocate hard for myself.

Trillis · 14/02/2019 13:37

I had EMCS for DC1; VBAC for DC2 (no issues); VBAC (ventouse) for DC3.

Afther the EMCS I was in hospital for 5 days and long recovery. I was home same day after no. 2 and no.3, and it was a much quicker/easier recovery.

BuntyCollocks · 14/02/2019 13:48

Lady - yes, has both my babies on the nhs, both in arrowe park, actually. I didn’t have to advocate very hard at all - I think it would be completely dependant on your consultant how much you’d have to lobby. I literally said, I want a water birth, I’m happy for intermittent auscultation but if you want a ctg then it has to be a waterproof, mobile one and he literally said “ok”. And that was that. 😂

quietcontentment · 14/02/2019 14:28

I hand EMCS with my first and had a successful VBAC with second, mainly because I can't have epidurals or spinal blocks so if I elected for a second C-Section I would have to go under again which was the worst bit of the EMCS for me.

Apart from obviously not having to go under again I was so pleased I did it, for me it was because I didnt want to miss out on not seeing my baby straight away, having her handed to me was brill. With my first it took me 5 hours just to wake up and another hour before I was lucid enough to really see him straight let alone hold him!

All the best in what ever you decide.

SmarmyMrMime · 14/02/2019 14:33

1st EMCS for stuck back to back baby after 2 hours of pushing at the end of a 40 hour labour.

2nd, VBAC as odds were favourable and I wanted to "finish the job".
The labour was much better. A mere 10 hours from the start of any pains and DS2 was born within 3 hours of getting to hospital.
I laboured over a birthing ball, on my knees. I was on crutches from SPD so being active as possible was logistically awkward. I was monitored. Apparently there was a wireless system in the hospital, but my MW spent much of her time on her hands and knees putting pressure on the contacts so they could work. I was pretty much phobic of the idea of being beached up uncomfortably on my back from an experience of finding myself in that position in birth 1 when the fog of pethadine eased off.

They did have a panic over monitoring while I was pushing and I did end up in theatre. It ended up being a rough forceps rather than a rough CS as DS was at about the point of no return. SPD and a 3rd degree tear did make for a very painful recovery over the next few months.

Mentally, I didn't regret it. It was a much more positive, empowered experience than my first birth where "go with the flow" turned into being a powerless passenger and feeling completely disconnected from the process. I knew it would be a gamble to have a VBAC. If I ever did have a 3rd, for my body, if I had SPD again, and yet another back to back baby I would consider ELCS. I love the idea of chilled waterbirths, I'm not sure if I could reconcile medical convention, that desire and outcomes on my body to go with it. And that's why it's tough, because the outcomes are unpredictable. Was the mental healing worth the physical toll? Probably, for that time. On balance my VBAC was positive and empowering even though the birth and recovery were not plan A.

user1474894224 · 14/02/2019 14:42

2 vbacs after 1st emcs. Both were really straight forward. In fact dh missed our daughter being born as he thought there was ages based on first experience, and took his time dropping eldest off at GPS. In hindsight I wish I'd asked for a home birth for 2 and 3 .....as that was what I wanted with 1 but it didn't work out and I thought I wouldn't be allowed. Only thing I had to fight was against monitoring in hospital....I didn't want continuous monitoring .... wasn't an issue with number 2. But with number 3 when I arrived at hospital I wanted to stay upright bit they stuck me on my back with a monitor....which I think slowed things up. I believe baby would have come immediately if I stayed upright....but who knows. Definitely give it a go if you want to try.

User12879923378 · 14/02/2019 14:49

One of my friends had a VBAC and it was fine. No complications. She did say, though, that at the moment of crowning she did kind of wonder why she hadn't just had another section

Pinkprincess1978 · 14/02/2019 21:28

I had a fab VBAC with my second. Fast labour and quick birth. I would recommend it unless medically advised against it.

wendz86 · 14/02/2019 21:34

I had vbac with my second . I had slow labour for ages but once it got going was quicker than my first labour . I had a epidural and had a bit of a rest, then told I was 10cm. They waited a while before getting me to push as I got less time due to previous section but I pushed her out in less than 30 mins . Was very glad I did it .

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