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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Induction for VBAC (and your VBAC experiences)

30 replies

Anonymouse007 · 09/11/2019 08:12

I am scheduled for a VBAC in a few days and the hospital has said I will be induced at 41 weeks 5 days if I don’t go into labour naturally.

My first child was born by a drip-induced vaginal birth. Second was a planned C-section due to complications with child’s position (breech) and some abnormalities that showed up in a late scan.

Third pregnancy is just over 2 years after my second and I’m hoping to try for VBAC. I read on a separate thread yesterday that some hospital trusts don’t induce for VBACs whereas others do. This made me more worried as I’ve also heard slightly conflicting info.

Were you induced for a VBAC?
Were you given the option to be induced?
How was your VBAC experience?

I’m just hoping this helps to calm my nerves...

Thanks Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Anonymouse007 · 09/11/2019 08:14

And sorry, if Mumsnet could amend the title from “Induction after VBAC” to “Induction for VBAC” then that’d be great! Typo from my side.

Obviously this would be my first VBAC!!!

OP posts:
CatherineVelindre · 09/11/2019 08:35

DD1 was an EMCS for deep transverse arrest following a failed (very badly handled) induction.

DD2 arrived spontaneously a day before EDD, straightforward labour (couple of problems at pushing stage as she had cord round neck but it was a normal delivery).

My birth plan was for ELCS in the event that I didn't labour spontaneously by about 41+3 , because it was the cascade of intervention with DD1 that contributed directly to needing a section.

The most important factor with both labours was the baby's position. With DD2 I had lots of support to stay upright and get her to move into a good position. With DD1, I was so focused on the interventions that I had no idea she was going to get so badly stuck. Size was not an issue - DD1 was a pound smaller than than DD2.

I can't remember whether the hospital would induce for a VBAC, but I was anti-induction as that contributed directly to the awful experience with DD1.

The big difference was the care. Hospital one was very "we know best dear" and hospital two was more "Here is the evidence. Let's discuss what is best for you - what do you think?"

MumofTinies · 09/11/2019 08:45

I was induced for my VBAC, I had my waters broken as I was already at 3cm (I had no idea I was this far along). I went from waters to baby within a couple of hours. I did have forceps at the end but I would still call it a positive birth as I gave birth at a different hospital to my first and felt respected and in control the whole time. The recovery was so easy compared to a c section, I felt amazing getting up and having a shower within a few hours after birth.

Like PP said, position is very important, DS1 was a back labour so I was in absolute agony at 3cm, with DS2 I needed convincing that I was at 9cm.

Good luck OP and congratulations!

Original poster
Anonymouse007 · 09/11/2019 13:49

I think my bigger fear is that the induction will hurt my previous C-section scar or even cause it to rupture 🤮 I hope nothing like that happens! I’d rather have a planned CS than an emergency one... but it’s just one of those things, isn’t it? Totally unpredictable

OP posts:
Starlet79 · 09/11/2019 14:08

My hospital wouldn’t induce after a previous section.

I had a failed induction and emergency c-section with my first.

With my second it was either start naturally for a Vbac or another section. I never started naturally. I had a c section.

Rubyroost · 09/11/2019 14:14

I think many women who want a vbac change their mind and decide on a c section if they have an induction. I know that there are extra complications from an induction and then vbac, but I don't think that they are particularly significant. At the end of the day it's your choice, you need to weigh up the options for you.

My last induction ended in ECS and I knew it would, I was asking to bypass induction and go for c section, but they refused. I'll be having an elective this time, but that's my choice and I don't think I'd be able to have a natural c section due to the fact that I never laboured naturally with my first and ill be an older mother too.

Rubyroost · 09/11/2019 14:15

Natural v bac, not natural c section- sorry preggo brain!!

makingmammaries · 09/11/2019 14:18

I had one non-induced VBAC. They tried to induce me for DC3 and I noticed weird stuff happening on the fetal monitor. They did an EMCS and found a rupture.
Induction for VBAC is quite a bit riskier than induction alone or VBAC alone.

Merryoldgoat · 09/11/2019 14:19

My trust only induce using Foley Catheter after CS.

I did my research and I wasn’t interested in it.

I had hoped for VBAC but owing to PIH and unstable lie it was ELCS at 39 weeks.

I would avoid induction like the plague after my first.

Rubyroost · 09/11/2019 14:29

@Merryoldgoat can I ask why you mention a Foley catheter? Don't all trusts use this for anyone who has to have an epidural either during vaginal birth, c section or induction?

elliejjtiny · 09/11/2019 14:30

I had an induction for my attempted vbac. It didn't go well but there were a lot of things stacked against me. I was only 36 weeks with an infection that was about to turn into sepsis. There wasn't really time for a successful induction really but because I'd had fast labours in the past they thought they would try. Ds and I both survived but we both suffered permanent damage.

haveuheard · 09/11/2019 14:34

I had VBAC. I had it agreed with the consultant that I would have a repeat c-sec rather than induction because there is a much higher risk of complications with an induction after a c-sec.

Rubyroost · 09/11/2019 14:35

Oh gosh @elliejjtiny that sounds horrid. Hope you're both okay.

Babyroobs · 09/11/2019 14:36

I had 3 VBAC's. Not induced for any of them, never went to my due date with any of them. No problems with any of the VBAC;s.

Original poster
Anonymouse007 · 09/11/2019 15:53

@elliejjtiny

Oh goodness, I’m so sorry to hear about your experience. If you don’t mind me asking, what sort of permanent damage? I’m absolutely terrified about my induction and am tempted to request an ECS instead...

OP posts:
FizzyGreenWater · 09/11/2019 15:59

In your situation I would go straight to CS and decline induction. I'd be more concerned about risk of scar rupture, and also, knowing that they won't let you labour too long as VBAC, I'd assume that the chances of it turning into an EMCS would be pretty high.

So I'd just go straight to the more controlled and safer setting of ELCS.

Rubyroost · 09/11/2019 16:09

If your terrified about your induction than decline and have elective. Job done. They won't/can't argue with you because of the risks involved

FizzyGreenWater · 09/11/2019 16:14

That's a very important point too. Bottom line -if you are anxious about the concept of induction then that's another reason to decline. It's less likely to be successful if you're going into it afraid.

It's a totally valid reason and exactly why I was always adamant I wouldn't be induced. I KNEW that the very concept of being hooked up to a drip would make me feel as if I wasn't in control of the process and it would be tits up from there on in as I would no way be able to relax and get on with it.

Original poster
Anonymouse007 · 09/11/2019 16:34

The thing is that induction itself doesn’t scare me because it’s what I had with my first child and it went really well, thankfully. This time round I’m afraid because of my C-section scar... I will be going into hospital tomorrow morning anyway so will speak to them about my concerns. In fact, I might even go in tonight - I’m just not sure what to do. I wanted to let my body be in control for as long as possible but it’s come to a point where the risks are very clear and real.

OP posts:
Lovewineandchocs · 09/11/2019 16:39

My hospital don’t like inducing via pessary if you have a C-section scar. For my VBAC I was induced by Cook’s balloon overnight, then it was removed in the morning, waters got broken manually then I was put on a drip. It was fine.

holidayhelpp · 09/11/2019 16:40

Consultants at my hospital wouldn’t hear of me having an induction after my c section. Uterine rupture rates triple with inductions, most hospitals don’t want that kind of risk (understandably!!) I wouldn’t ever ever be induced after a c section and wouldn’t question the professionals
Tasked with my care if they suggested that course of action.

holidayhelpp · 09/11/2019 16:41

Would question, rather

PumpkinP · 09/11/2019 16:47

I was induced by the balloon thing after my Emcs, worst experience ever and didn’t even work! Had to go for another csection in the end as I just wasn’t going into labour at all. I would never have a Vbac again

HeyPesto55 · 09/11/2019 19:16

OP, I had a EMCS for my first and then ended up being induced for my VBAC.
I had a really great experience. And my 2nd child was huge (I didn't know, thank goodness!) To be honest, it really helped me get over some of the baggage I'd carried around from the first labour / c section.
There is no reason it can't be a success. I'm so so glad I opted for it.

Rubyroost · 15/11/2019 17:15

@Anonymouse007 so your baby must be her by now? How did it all go and how are you and your newborn?

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