Induction and VBAC

[honneybunny]

Hi, I was just wondering if there's any mums here that have been induced while trying for VBAC, and were succesful. I am 39w4d today, and my ds1 was born by em-cs in December 2003 (he was undiagnosed breech). Today I had an appointment with the consultant, about what to do when I am overdue (I still think this is unlikely, as I have had 4 false alarms already, but you never know...), and I was very surprised to hear that I actually do have a choice at 10 days overdue between another cs, and a VBAC.
I know I am already 2-3cms dilated, and had a sweep on Sunday night.
I decided to try for the induction+VBAC in case I go overdue, mainly because my body already seems to be getting there. I wouldn't need the prostaglandins, and possibly all they'll need to do is break the waters. But I am a bit scared about the syntocinon drip, with the increased risk of uterine rupture. Anyone with advise, experience, and stories?

I had a CS with DS1 in November 2003 (classed as an 'emergency' - but only because it was on the day rather than planned in advance). Didn't even start labour with him.

DS2 waters broke about a week before EDD (as per DS1) and I was induced 3 days later - didn't have any contractions/braxton hicks/cervix softening at all - but was absolutely fine. Start contractions about 5.30 on the Wednesday night - he was born the following lunchtime.

I had a successful vbac with my second. I did lots of research and was told in no uncertain terms by everyone I spoke with (including pro-vbac midwives) that induction + vbac is NOT safe. It greatly increases the risk of uterine rupture and that's the biggest risk of a vbac. I would do a lot of online research before considering the induction.
In fact, although I had a successful vbac, if I had to do it all over again, I would choose an elective cs next time. But that's another discussion.

My midwife was very anti-induction with a VBAC, but then she's very anti-induction, under any circumstances. We tried reflexology, and went over dates, but DS2's head would not engage, so we gave up. (My waters did break naturally, though, so he came out when fully cooked. Technically an "emergency" cs, but not really.)

You can choose to have your membrane broken, but not accept the drip, surely? You just consent to one, but not the other?

From what I know, uterine rupture is really really rare, and you get pains on your scar as warning.

HRHQOQN ( almost shorter to type it out), SA and NQC, thanks for your reactions! As the consultant put it to me yesterday, there is a risk of uterine rupture (3:1000 = 0.3%) which is increased 8 times when you are induced (24:1000 = 2.4%). This sounded scary to me, but when you put it next to other risks (fetal distress, bleeding/transfusion) it seemed very small. Also, according to him, cs is always less safe than vbac, and em-cs after vbac would not be any different risk-wise than a planned cs.
NQC, I have put that on my birthplan: it is not likely that i'll need the gel as I am already dilation quite efficiently now (and I have just under 2 weeks to work on it), and when i have my waters broken they will give me 2 hours to see if labour starts before starting the drip. Apparently the risk of rupture is mostly increased with the PG gel/tablets, and the drip is relatively mild. Anyway, I'll read up on this one, as you wrote SA, and they told me that I can always change my mind and ask for an el-cs anyway. I just thought the statisticts don't make you any wiser really, it's just a bunch of dry numbers, and it's much more informative to ask for realy life experiences.
So thanks again, girls. I'll let you know what happened in the end.

SofiaAmes - why would you have an elective cs next time? I am considering the vbac vs elective cs at the moment.

just thought I'd add my story. I last an amergency cs with first baby. Was hoping for normal birth second time, at 2 weeks overdue I was having lots of nice regular 10 min contractions, but never dilated past 2cm. Then had PGgel for 2 days, still having contractions, no more dilation.
I had a scan which showed the baby was going to be over 10lbs, combined with fact that I'd had a cs only 1yr6mth earlier, and at 2 weeks overdue+gel and STILL not going into labour was advised to have another cs.
Although I would have prefered a vbac the cs was easier and less scary second time around. on the downside recovery was a bit harder with a demanding toddler at home!

tongey, i think it's just because of my age (39 when I had my second). Although I didn't have any major complications with the vbac (apart from a postpartum haemmorage, but that doesn't really hurt) and despite being an extremely healthy and physically fit person, I found that my recovery period was just as long, if not longer than with the emergency cs (which was preceeded by 40 hours of labor). And then there were all the additional results from the vaginal birth like piles and bladder leakage that never did quite go back to normal. Our bodies were designed to have babies at 13 and although we are much healthier nowadays and can have children fairly easily in our late 30's, I do think that our bodies (or at least my body) need a little extra help from modern medicine.
But I do think it's a very personal decision, that doesn't have just one right answer.