Vbac?

[postmodern]

Hello,
Currently pregnant with my third baby and have had two previous sections - one emergency due to DD1 being in distress, and one elective at 37 weeks as my spd was so bad I couldn't move, and my consultant was less than optimistic about my chances for natural birth.
I have an appointment on Monday with my new consultant to discuss birth options for this baby - I don't want to rule out a natural birth, but I am not sure how this will be received at all.
Any one planning a vbac or had one that might have any advice?
Thanks!

I had a vbac (although only after one emergency section) and it was way way preferable to the caesarean in my case even though there were some complications after!

You will get completely divided viewpoints on this though.

I think consultants are divided too in that some don't like VBACs after 2 sections whereas others think it is still safer for mother and baby as it is after 1 section.

If you do go for a vbac I joined a good vbac yahoo discussion group that had some great advice on it.

It is quite different from an elective in that you don't know when (obviously!) but for me the chance to experience "natural" labour was amazing, and although more painful at the time it was so much easier to recover from than a c section (walking about, driving, could hold other child etc)

Whatever you decide - congratulations on the pregnancy :)

postmodern, if you had SPD before I think you're likely to have it again aren't you? I had it with DS and had an EMCS. Now pregnant again, trying to decide if to go for a VBAC, but one big concern is how bad the SPD will get. I'm only 14 weeks, but stupidly did some heavy lifting today and now my public bone is getting that 'kicked by a Clydesdale' feeling again already.

yes, more likely to have it again - i had it with both dds and could barely move by 36 weeks both times. but i did feel bullied into my elective section and would like to see how it goes rather than opt straight away for the section. dd2 will only be 18 months when this one is born and i can't bare the thought of not being able to lift her up until I'm healed.

saw consultant on monday, who treated me like an ill informed idiot/ mad hippy. she suggested i research the matter properly on the rcog website (as if i hadn't already) before seeing her again. this is just going to be an uphill battle. :(

hope the spd doesn't flare up too much yank, and no more heavy lifting!! (although i did the house work with my crying 13 month old on my hip yesterday and had to crawl upstairs to bed, so maybe i should heed my own advice!)

Well taht is just LOVELY care, isn;t it, patronising you and treating you like an idiot!

Have you contacted AIMS? ICAN website?

What support do you have? Good support is key in helping you to get what you want... You are pregnant, dangit, you should not HAVE to be fighting! And if you have to fight now, what will it be like in labour? So, surround yourself with people you trust, people who are confident in your ability to do this and are 100% on board with your wishes.... Make sure your partner is completely on board and supportive, consider a doula and look at support groups for VBACs (there are a few online if you have a look around). GOOD LUCK!

Hi, have you considered hbac? or does the spd make this unthinkable? Good luck whatever you decide and I hope you find the support you need, sounds sadly lacking so far...

We live so far away from the nearest hospital (over an hour) so it just wouldn't be safe to have a homebirth, especially after 2 sections. My lovely husband has been great, and I am v capable of speaking up for myself but it does get very tiring having to fight for something that should be encouraged.

Also, having reread the rcog website, I saw an article saying they were going to revise advice for women who had had 3 sections and that they should be encouraged to have a trial of labour - so I think my consultant has obviously missed that memo!

Seeing midwife on tues so I'm going to ask is there a different consultant that I could speak to about it, and if they insist on scheduling a section at 37 weeks for me, I just won't go!

Thanks for the lovely words of encouragement and support - makes me feel a bit better about it all.

Hi postmodern, I had the same first two births as you, emcs at 37 wks with pre-eclampsia and elcs at 39 weeks with 2nd baby. Although I didn't suffer from spd with either. Baby 3 was booked for 39 week elcs but had other plans and labour started at 36+6 with waters breaking in house, within an hour I was in full blown labour and on way up for emcs. My ds beat us all to it and was born in theatre (assisted by forceps). This was not standard procedure in my area and I think a vbac would not have been offered, nor would I have sought it. However I am so glad now the way it ended up. The pain was obv horrendous but short lived compared to a cs and I was genuinely surprised how quickly I could do normal stuff. Good luck deciding!