VBAC support thread.

[mamasunshine]

Hi, thought it would be nice to have a seperate thread for those of us that are planning/thinking about VBAC this time round We can share fears/hopes/research found/fights to get what we want etc etc. I had a succesful homebirth VBAC (HBAC) last summer, and I'm hoping to do the same in January

Mamasunshine-DD 17th Jan. Dc1 EMCS,Dc2 HBAC

[frutilla]

Anyone overdue for their vbac right now? Have tried everything (epo, caullophyllum, raspberry tea, nooky, hot salsa, parsley tea) and am 40+2 with closed cervix. Previous section was at 40+6 due to fetal distress when they insisted on inducing me.....
Have pro-vbac doc, but still the policy is to let me go only 10 days overdue. After that I guess it's a section (no pessaries here in Argentina and induction not allowed). Impossible to sweep membranes if cervix is high and closed like at the mo.
Any ideas or anyone going through this? Thanks!!

[bellastella]

hiya, can i join too?
ds1(12) went in at 3cm, 12 hours later had got to 9cm, they said baby was distressed so emcs.
ds2(3) was supposed to be hbac but never went into labour! 14 days over midwife wouldn't deal with me any more, was then badgered by hosp so had elcs when 16 days over.
ds3 due 18/4/11. been told by mw that vbac is fine. there is a special vbac clinic with very pro vbac consultant at west suffolk hosp. not seen her yet. no-one will be pro hbac but they can't refuse to attend me.

dreading it all really.

[alicedee]

Thought I'd better join this thread, as just been to see MW for booking visit and it was not the positive experience it should be and it brought back all the bad memories of my first delivery. EMCS after days of labour and intervention. Thought I'd go for VBAC this time and would like home VBAC, alas this apparently is laughable at UCH. The midwives wouldn't support it and visibly laughed at the suggestion. Anyone know the policy at UCH?? Am I really going to have to spend my pregnancy getting stressed about fighting with health professionals??? Sounds like a good start to a bad labour to me.
At least this time I'm going to try to get a doula to help calm things down a bit....

[sittinghippo]

Hello AliGrylls, I had all but forgotten about this thread, I posted on here so long ago and then more or less put it out of my mind as I still have 19 weeks to go so I'm not going to know if I can have VBAC until I find out if baby is in the right position this time. Last time I had ELCS as DD was breach with legs all over so wasn't given an option. The consultant told me that there was no way I would be able to have a vaginal birth like that!
So I have my fingers crossed that this baby will behave and go head down and I can have natural labour, as in some ways I feel like I missed out last time, I don't even know what a contraction feels like!!
I think I'm like you, as it will almost definitely be my last chance to experience this I really want it to go right.

So I see you are really close to your due date now, I would love love LOVE to hear how you get on and whether you have a successful VBAC. I have my fingers crossed for you and wish you all the luck for a happy and successful birth experience.

Karen I too am confused by your post. I may be misreading it but I think surely you've been told to have ELCS??

[AliGrylls]

Don't get that karen. If he might not survive labour why have they said you must haev a VBAC? Or am I being thick?

I am joining this thread. I am obsessed by my VBAC and am so desperate to have one as I only intend on having 2 children.

I too will have to have continuous monitoring. My middie said that she would be happy to see how things go at home initially but even she (who is very pro homebirth) has ultimately recommended continuous monitoring in a hospital (shame).

I am due in 3 weeks 6 days and doing everything I can for it to be as pleasant as possible. I have done hypnobirthing course and started acupuncture today to soften my cervix. In 6 days I am also going to start on a course of raspberry leaf and thyme tea.

[KarenHL]

A bit reassured with this thread! DC1 arrived with an EMCS, after an unsuccessful induction. It was an awful experience and I still get nightmares sometimes. To cut a long story short, the EMCS was the calmest, easiest bit - and it has taken me 4 yrs to get the courage to try and conceive again, after the way I was treated on that particular labour/maternity ward.

I have asked for an ELCS this time round (DC2), but because he was breech at the last scan and has abnormalities (spotted at wk20 & confirmed on subsequent scans) that mean he might not survive labour, I am told I must have a VBAC. My situation is unusual, so there is no reason for anyone here to panic.

Hopefully we'll all be fine with our VBACs, but I must admit I am scared stiff. Wish I could just stay at home for the initial bits of labour, but because of the complications, that isn't an option.

[Bumptobirthbeyond]

The risk of uterine rupture during an attempted VBAC is very low (less than 1%). Of this 1%, 90% are asymptomatic ie. the mother and baby won't need any assistance.

Constant monitoring is totally counterproductive to a VBAC labour. It restricts movement which is one of the most important things a labouring mum needs to have.
Plus, monitoring your baby won't necessarily indicate a rupture as these signs are typically noticed via checking the MOTHER'S blood pressure and temperature and looking for any changes. Monitoring is useful in checking how the baby is tolerating labour, so is still important.
You can INSIST on intermittent monitoring. It's your right.
Lots of hospital consultants appear indifferent when they are talking to prospective VBAC mums. My advice is not to be lulled into a false sense of security ito thinking that they are being open minded on VBAC births. Hospitals have rules, policies and protocols to follow and although the NHS now has VBAC targets to meet, a VBAC mum still often has to 'jump through hoops' to ensure she gets the birth she wants and deserves.

I'm a VBAC coach, based in Mill Hill North West London and help mums who want to maximise their chances of getting a VBAC.

If anyone needs any help, or has questions, please do get in touch!

Best of luck ladies!

Madeleine Moss
Bump to Birth and Beyond

[maxpower]

fizzielove good for you. That's exactly the kind of thing that angers me - if I hadn't have had to have an emcs last time, there wouldn't be any of this 'deal' making this time round. IMO, I think it's agreeable to say you can have a listen when I arrive but if there's nothing unusual, then there shouldn't be a requirement for monitoring. I read somewhere that the research there has been on uterine rupture is quite flawed as they haven't actually established that the risk relates to previous sections - ie it might have happened anyway - because noones looked at where the rupture occurs in the uterus (so they don't know if it's at the scar site or somewhere else).

[LadyBuzz]

fizzie well done you, I think you were right yes!

Good Luck!

[Fizzielove]

Do I really HAVE to have constant monitoring is I am having a VBAC!

Had a meeting with consultant yesterday and stood my ground by saying No! I didn't want it - she kept on telling me that it was due to uterine rupture - FFS 0.05% - surely the risk by giving birth by CS is higher!

So I've got her to agree that if I go into spontaneous labour before my due date they will not constinuously monitor me until the latter stages and that I will be able to use the bath for pain relief.

Was I right?

[maxpower]

thanks ladybuzz

[LadyBuzz]

Hello maxpower and sittinghippo

maxpower if it helps they were very lax with me and quite happy for me to go for the VBAC 2nd time round. Unfortunately DS2 had other ideas and was happy where he was so I had an ELCS!

[maxpower]

Unbuffy - DD 27th Nov, DD1 ELCS
Maxpower - DD 31st Dec, DD1 EMCS
Mamasunshine-DD 17th Jan. Dc1 EMCS,Dc2 HBAC
LadyBuzz - DD 29th Jan. DS1 EMCS, DS2 ELCS
TheBreastmilksOnMe - DD 2nd Feb, DC1 EMCS
Sittinghippo - DD 7th March, DD1 ELCS

Saw someone I presume was the consultant yesterday (he didn't introduce himself) who had no idea why I was seeing him - always reassurring . Anyway, he seemed totally nonplussed about the whole vbac thing, bascially said ok, I'll see you nearer your due date. And that was that.

I'd worked myself up into a right state beforehand but I'm sort of hoping that his level of disinterest means that they'll be fairly lax in their approach to vbac, rather than some tales I've heard about what they'll 'allow' you to do or not.

[sittinghippo]

Hello to the originals and hello to Maxpower. I would like to join too, I had ELCS first time round due to breach position, it was all very trauma-free and calm, and my MW has said no good reason she knows of at the moment why I cant attempt VBAC so will definitely be hoping. No way am I even considering HBAC, just not that brave!!

Am currently 14+6 so a long way to go...

I do feel like I missed out on a proper labour, as it was planned I have no idea what a contraction feels like! Never had Braxton Hicks or anything so have always felt a little hard done by.

Unbuffy - DD 27th Nov, DD1 ELCS
Mamasunshine-DD 17th Jan. Dc1 EMCS,Dc2 HBAC
LadyBuzz - DD 29th Jan. DS1 EMCS, DS2 ELCS
TheBreastmilksOnMe - DD 2nd Feb, DC1 EMCS
Sittinghippo - DD 7th March, DD1 ELCS

maxpower do you want to add yourself to the weeny list?

[maxpower]

Hi Ladies, can I join you? 24 wks with DC2 and I have VBAC clinic appt today. Had a emcs after failed induction with DD 4 years ago. Really would like a successful VBAC as the recovery from the emcs last time was horrid and completely spoiled my first months with DD.

[LadyBuzz]

unbuffy I would start by asking for a full breakdown of your notes from your first labour as to where and why it all went wrong. It might not be nice to hear but it will prob help your greatly with your decisions this time.

Hope it goes well for you and you get the answers you need.

[Unbuffy]

Hello hello!

Good news on your appointment Mama. Homebirth would be soooo nice - I am jealous!) No, we did not find out the sex - at the moment I think it's a rabbit with boxing gloves on (and perfect bladder aim...)
Appointment with community matron coming up on Wednesday - any suggestions as to what I should be asking? Can't believe it's taken this long to get an appointment, and not even with the hospital! Many grrrr's.
Oh, and we too have started potty training. Yukky.

[mamasunshine]

Hello ladies Hope you are all well? We're starting potty training with ds1 at the moment (not fun!)

Had midwife booking in app and she seems to think there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to have another homebirth . Will see what consultant has to say although still waiting for an appointment. My blodd pressure was high though, which obviously isn't good with my history. So have to keep an eye on that already , but I'm sure it's 'white coat syndrome'.
ladybuzz - why don't you get in touch with the head of midwifery and get a de-brief from previous times? You can discuss everything with the HOM and she/he will be very honest and realistic with what your chances are etc. Then you can decide for yourself what you think is worth it? Hope that make's sense? For e.g I was given a 70% chance of successful VABC last time, so I thought 'great' . However, if they had said 35% for eg. I prob would have had an ELCS.
unbuffy - thanks for the link Great news on scan! Did you find out the sex?

[LadyBuzz]

thanks unbuffy I will have a good look at that when the horrors lovely quiet children are in bed!

mama hope the DCs are better.

[Unbuffy]

attempting shamelessly stolen link

I fort I'd frightened everyone off, hence the thread killer thing, it's happened before!

20 week scan today, no adhesions as far as they can tell so that's positive. No news of appointment yet, though...

Poor mama, poorly dcs are horrid. Sympathy.

[Unbuffy]

Ladybuzz grrr at your mw. I would suggest you try to get a consultant's appointment earlier than that, they like to have it all sorted by 36 weeks or so, so a good idea to try to have a bit more time perhaps? Someone posted a link to some helpful homework... will find and pass on shortly...

hang on, you're going on hold for a sec...

[LadyBuzz]

Well I had my parade well and truly rained on this morning. I had my 12 week scan and the MW said you will be having another CS so you will be a week early. I said not if I can help it and she said they would advise me against it because of the problems I have had and because I have had 2 CS before. I have a consultant app at about 34 weeks so we shall see!

[mamasunshine]

Hello ladies

Have had a very busy week or so with poorly ds's...it feels never ending!

unbuffy - i would definately suggest you get a debrief from consultant for dd's birth. They should answer all of your q's and tell you exactly what happened and why it was needed etc. Have you heard about HOM app yet? Also what's a thread killer? Sorry a bit stupid of me maybe?
ladybuzz - sounds like you had a very scary time

Well I'm having my booing appointment on Saturday (at last!) I'll be 14 weeks! Will ask my midwife about de-briefing births 1 and 2 etc. I'm still not sure which consultant to be under? The one who is excellent at his job and would be best to have if I have P.E.T again, but son't think it very likely that he will 'stand by' me having HBAC. Or the consultant who doesn't have the best reputation but who signed my HBAC off last time (as my consultant was on holiday )? Argh...decisions! Hope you're all well?

[Unbuffy]

No one else then?!

Thread Killer Strikes Again...

[LadyBuzz]

good luck unbuffy I hope you get your appointment.
Ask them to go through your notes with you from last time.
I demanded a consultant appointment after DS1 as the midwife kindly informed me I had almost died - I had no idea so I was a little bit. It def helped to hear exactly what had happened.

if you have any problems try the hospital PALS service, they usually get things moving if you are having issues.