Vbac and being induced?!

[SingingKettle]

Hi,

Really could do with some advice. I had an emergency section for my DD and am hoping for a vbac but am coming up to a week overdue and obviously talk has turned to being induced. (i don't want to go past the 10-12 days they recommend) Has anyone been induced for a vbac? My trust will start a balloon catheter and syntocin.

However, I am worried about the increased risks that being induced brings and wondering if a c-section would be the best option. Have wanted a vbac all along but as each day I go overdue passes i am less confident about an induced Vbac and feeling that there is no support

Any stories or advice would be gratefully received.

Ask re use of synto for VBAC. Some trusts won't as raising chance of rupture??

Hopefully a MW will come along to answer in more detail.

I have the option of an induced vbac at 38ish weeks. They will use prostaglandin pessary/balloon thingy but not syntocin (sp?) because of the risk of scar rupture.

I was induced at 42 weeks, had a pessary, gel and eventually sytocin.

I think the thing with induction is that the baby just isn't ready. Me and a friend of mine were both induced and I ended up with forceps in theatre and her with ventouse. Mine was in theatre because if forceps didn't work they were going to give me a cesaerean. I can't imagine what would of happened if they didn't work - would not enjoy recovering for a massive episotomy and c-section at the same time!

I know it's annoying waiting for the baby, but I'd go for monitoring and try and let labour start naturally because induction is really not a nice process, my labour was long and ended up with a lot of interference. If labour doesn't start naturally then I'd personally rather have another c-section because problems arrise with induced babies more often, and you're doubling that risk having had a previous one though!

That's my opinion having had a bad induction experience however - make sure you speak to a proper professional before deciding either way! Good luck!

Thank you for replying

Katie and kickingking I had read that some trusts won't use syntocin due to the increased risk of scar rupture, the consultant seemed confident in his use of it, saying they use it cautiously. However, I am not so sure!

Jam Thank you for sharing your story. I think an episiotomy and failed forceps then c-sect is what I am most worried about. Am not strong enough to be monitored rather than be induced, the increased risk of still birth is real enough for me not to risk it, though I completely back those that choose that route. So it is either being induced or c-sect.

I just feel so unsure about being induced, yet really don't want to be booked in for an elective, would probably always wonder what could have been i think? Even more

bump

It's a bit different I guess as I am not doing Vbac, but had previous 3rd degree tear and trying to avoid a repeat. They have suggested starting induction process, but if it is not really working and progressing as they would like they will go to c-section. They are calling it a low-threshold induction. Maybe that would work for you?

They have said that it will be very carefully done, but I know how quickly things can go wrong and don't want to find myself heading down a cascade of interventions. The doctor actually said that even with a 3rd degree tear, the recovery is better than with a c-section and if it was a choice of forceps or c-sect, he would still go for forceps Easy to say for him I suppose. How did you find your recovery?

I'm watching this with interest. I'm 41 + 3 today with DC2 and need to decide between an induction and elective C section. I had epis and forceps with DS which was horrific and I don't think that I could cope with that level of intervention again but it seems so dramatic to be choosing major surgery over the risk of forceps.

mrszuko It is so hard to make a decision, as the variables are so great with each choice that it is never a true informed decision. You are simply weighing up one set of risks against another. That is how I am feeling at the moment and keep going backwards and forwards. What have you been 'advised' to do?

Quick reply but just wanted to give my experience...

DC1's birth left me with a 3rd/4th degree tear (jury was out), blue lights, ventouse and forceps,
DC2 - elective c-section
DC3 - wanted a VBAC. Went a week over and had to go to hospital every day for monitoring. Finally went into labour on 41+6, regular birth, no intervention, gas and air, no tear.
DC4 - (fibbed out my dates ) went into labour on 41+6, again no intervention, gas and air, no tear.

My babies obviously take longer than the average and were all well over 9 pounds!

I found the best route was to question (politely). So when a consultant said 'we need to book you in', I'd ask if we could wait a few more days. They seemed to have the idea that the mother wanted the baby out but seemed quite happy to wait.

I'm seeing the obstetrician tomorrow for a consultation but I'm leaning towards trying the pessary induction first because if that starts labour off then I can still have a water birth. If that doesn't work then I think I'm going to opt for the c section. I have a mis-aligned pelvis due to forceps first time round which means I can't lay on my back and the thought of being strapped to a hospital bed for what could be days on end waiting for the drip to work just isn't an option for me.

The only thing I can't get my head round re the c section is the fact that it's live surgery. I'm hoping they'll offer me some kind of sedative!

MrsZuko - when I had my planned cs I got a bit hysterical nervous after the put the spinal block in and started pulling the screen up. I was given gas and air to help me calm down, which did help. Everyone in the theatre is very calm and kind, you will be fine! If that's what you decide to do, obviously.

Thanks kickingking, it's reassuring to know I can have something to take the edge off my panic, even if it's not the general I was hoping for!

Wow that's interesting. Am in Ireland and my hospital (and I believe most hospitals here) will not induce using prostaglandins or syntocin due to increased rupture risk. ARM is the only method used.

I was offered/strongly encouraged to have an induction when I went overdue with DD2 (previously ELCS for breech with DD1). I refused as I felt the risks weren't worth it, although I strongly preferred a VBAC to a CS I didn't think the increased risk of scar rupture was safe. At the end of the day if you refuse to be induced they are very likely to give in and book you for an ELCS. After a lengthy argument discussion with the registrar, he finally agreed to book me in for ELCS at 42+2. Luckily I finally went into labour at 41+5 so I didn't need the CS in the end.

Given my experiences, (failed induction ending in emcs and successful vbac) if I had to choose between induction or elcs, I'd go for the elcs everytime.

Just thought I would update to say that I didn't need to be induced in the end, went in to labour and had DC a few hours later, really pleased I went with the vbac too Thanks for all sharing your stories it really did help.

Congratulations, wonderful news!