Anyone had a VBAC following a C-section for Placental Abruption?

[JaneIR]

Had my first consultant appt today to discuss birth options and I'm now even more confused about what I want.

First birth, 2+ years ago, was crash c-section at 38 weeks , no labour/contractions, no dilation due to placental abruption . was v v lucky as no bleeding and baby's apgars were 9 and 10 as I got to the hospital almost as soon as problems began.

so up to today was convinced I wanted an Elective c-section this time as effectively this will be my first labour and also I'm worried could have another AP - about 5% chance of repeat , and I'm older now (will be 43 at birth) with not such a happy outcome.

Doctor today really tried to convince me to have a VBAC , playing up the risks of surgery but I know I would spend the last weeks of the preganancy worrying that every little twinge or ache was the start of something really horrible.

I'm looking for positive stories of either a Elective c-section or of VBAC to help me make up my mind which way to go.
:-)

I have a positive vbac story but my emcs wasn't related to PA: (copied from PN thread)

Sunday night, about 7.30pm, I was lying in bed just ready to go to sleep when I heard a pop and had really intense pain that lasted about 15secs. I had the sense that something must have happened. I went to the loo and felt my waters leaking. Called out to DH who rang my M&D so they could look after DD, but due to the bad weather, it took them about 45mins to do a 5min journey! Longest wait of my life.

After waters went, 10 mins later my contractions started. They were in a pattern almost straight away, about 1 every 2 mins lasting about 30-45secs each. Rang the labour ward who said to come in so we left as soon as M&D arrived.

Went straight into delivery suite - it was about 9pm by then. was hooked up to ctg and the midwife was fairly insistent that I had to stay on my back which was really uncomfortable. She examined me and said I was about 7cm dilated. Almost straight away I felt the contractions change and began to get the urge to push. MW was doing her best to control the progress but it was virtually impossible not to push as the urge was overwhelming. After a few more contractions, she said baby was ready to come. I pushed him out in 3 contractions (about 9 pushes altogether). 2h11mins from waters breaking to delivery!

As some of you might remember, I was hoping for a successful vbac this time, which is exactly what I got The sense of achievement and euphoria when she placed DS on my chest was unbelievable. I had a second degree tear which needed stitching but although it's a bit uncomfortable (and coughing and sneezing from the lurgy isn't helping!) for me it was such a positive experience, I can put up with that!

Good luck with whatever you decide

I think going for a VBAC with the NHS involved is something that has to be weighed carefully. The fact is that most labour wards will insist on monitoring which makes it very hard to move around in labour, thus making labour more painful.
My story: I was desperate for a natural birth the first time. But when labour started I was bleeding heavily so ended up in hospital despite the birth pool set up in the living room. After every intervention going I ended up with a c-section, which was probably a good thing as dd weighed 10lbs 8oz!
With DS, I was determined to have a natural labour but due to the risk of the scar rupturing (which is really not high risk at all, I did lots of my own research!) that they would not recommend a home birth but if I was in hospital they would not allow me to labour without a moniter. We looked at getting a private midwife but decided that if something did go wrong we were too far from a hospital (30-40 mins to the closest one).
My parents in law intervened and paid for me to give birth at The Birth Centre next to St Georges in London.
All I can say is they were fantastic!
As for NHS, if your not that bothered about labouring naturally then being on an epidural in case of problems might get you the VBAC.
As for an elective c-section I was going to have one if I went more than two weeks overdue, as I wanted to avoid syntocin as it increases the risk of your scar rupturing somewhat.
I am very glad I got my VBAC.

My second baby was stillborn due to a concealed abruption, i had a natural birth with her.

With my next pregnancy i was told i'd be induced at 38wks as the risk of another abruption increases as you get nearer to term. I was induced at 37+5 & got to around 5cm dilated when i had another abruption. This resulted in an emergency c-section under GA.

Next pregnancy i pleaded with my consultant to let me have a VBAC. He said i needed to have a c-section at 34wks due to the 2 abruptions. He said 'if' i went into labour before 34wks i could have a trial of labour.... but i didn't so had to have the c-section. I have also had a further 2 more babies at 34wks via c-section.
He said my risk of another abruption was 45% & they felt the easiest and safest thing for my baby & myself was a c-section at 34wks.

I think if you want a c-section you should argue your case. As much as i understand the risk of a c-section etc, i also think the doctors have to understand just how stressful it is after you've had an abruption. You're always stressed & worried about every little movement.
My c-sections were fine, no complications or problems.

jane while fridakahlo is right that most hospitals want you to be continuously monitored if you go for a vbac it's important to remember you have the right to refuse. I agreed to let them monitor me but my labour was very rapid so it was only 20 mins or so attached to the monitor - if it had gone on longer, I'd probably have told them to take it off so I could move around.

TBH I don't want continuous monitoring if I have another child and get to VBAC, but that was because he got stuck with his head sideways and I had an emcs for failure to progress, however I think continuous monitoring is exactly the thing I'd want if I'd had an abruption. OP I hope you get to deliver your baby in the way that gives you the calmest, gentlest birth experience - whichever way that is.