Another VBAC question!

[anchovies]

I had a cs with my first pg as I was induced at a week overdue and didn't dilate at all, not even enough to consider having my waters broken. Ds was then born by em cs (I had had raised blood pressure) and was born weighing 10 pounds.

Am currently pg again and would like to try for a VBAC however my consultant is concerned I will have another big baby and won't go into labour naturally. I would really like to give it a go but was wondering whether anyone on here has had a successful VBAC with similar circumstances. Next appointment with consultant is tomorrow so need to have some decisions made!

CAnt give you any advice but I am in a similar situation. My DS was not that big, but after all induction etc never went into labour naturally.
I have since been told that I have a high cervix, and narrow pelvic opening so would have difficulty having a natural labour.

I am a bit disappointed because I wanted to try for VBAC but am nervous of not going into labour or having along labour that ends in ceaserean.

Hope you get some answers.

Hi

I was induced a week early, which didn't work at all, they then tried again two days early and it still didn't work - no labour no dilation. DD1 was born by section weighing 8lbs 10. DD2 - I went into labour with her 10 days late and was strapped to the bed and forbidden to move (didn't realise they had no right to do that), after all day labouring and getting to 9 cms they did another section - cue pnd!(8lbs 10 again) DD3 - I went into labour 11 days late and she came along an hour later(7lbs 5). cue euphoria.........

It can be done and personally I feel it is worth trying every time, I'm going for a home birth with the next one! My babies have got smaller each time, God knows what dd1 would have weighed if we had gone 10 days over, personally I think that the amount I ate during pregancy and the lack of exercise in certainly the first one made a difference.

Good Luck and I hope that you get the birth you dream off.

Lu

Thanks for your replies. Cori, they said I had a high cevix too which was a possible cause although it's not been mentioned as one of the determining factors this time?

Lu you have certainly given me hope! I have been told that I'm "not allowed" a home birth and on one hand they want to try and get me to try for a VBAC however under the condition that I am continuously monitored (not my idea of fun!) I think either way though if don't go into labour on my own this time I will defo have an elective cs (maybe at 10 days overdue?)

I am making a concious effort to give myself the best chance of being able to do things naturally this time, eating much more healthily and lots of gentle exercise. It's hard though because I don't want to get my hopes up and end up disappointed again.

Anchovies

You can labour however and wherever you like, it is not a case of being 'allowed'. You have all the rights, not them or your unborn baby!! If you are interested there is a group on yahoo aimed at vbacs and hbacs address is : groups.yahoo.com/group/ukvbachbac/ i think if you cut and paste that into the address line you could get there that way. One of the reasons my 2nd birth ended in a section is because I wasn't informed enough, and so nor was dh, 3rd time I researched it thoroughly, and I went to a one day NCT course (again) which really helped.

I will climb down off my soap box now, good luck whatever you decide

Lu

Thanks for the link Lu. This is totally the reason I'm thinking about it now. I felt so out of control last time around I really want to be involved in the decisions this time. It's funny to think that I actually have a choice, they have gone so far to tell me what's best and what I should do.

Back to the original question though, anyone had a successful VBAC after a big baby and not dilating at all?

hi anchovies
I had a vbac 5 months ago. I was 42 wks and was also told initially(when i arrived for induction) that my cervix was high but the pessaries only took 24hrs to kick start labour. My ds was 10lb 6 and i feel i need to tell you that I found the experience quite traumatic. MW was great and knew I was concerned about the cs scar and I was happier to be monitored, but I was pushing for 2 hours, tore badly and damaged my coccyx in the process. I recovered quickly after the cs whereas I'm still needing to see physio and gynacologist to sort out prolapse etc. However many women have speedy recoveries and enjoy their experience, I'm in the minority but wanted to share it with you. Good luck and best wishes for whatever you decide. xx

Thanks gengis, it's great to get both sides but it doesn't make the decision any easier! Sounds like you had a pretty tough time.

I still don't know what to do, the only decision I have made is that I want growth scans again!