Support thread for those attempting VBAC soon?

[artifarti]

Apologies if there is already such a thread but if there is I couldn't find it...

Basically wondered if anyone else is going for a VBAC in the next few weeks/months? I am nearly 33 weeks, due 17 March. DS is 3.5 and was born by EMCS at 42.3 after a failed induction. Saw a consultant at 16 weeks who is happy for me to attempt a VBAC in principle and have another meeting next week - have just realised that I haven't really thought about it at all and want to be a bit more prepared...

Good for you!

What were the reasons for your first CS?

I'm attempting an HBAC (Home VBAC) sometime in the next few weeks (hopefully). I'm 38+4. I had an EMCS for FTP 19months ago.

Good starting point is to read up on your hospitals policy. Ours said it's policy to do continuous monitoring even though there's no clinical evidence it improves outcomes... But it does make labour harder coz you'll be strapped down to the bed unless you can get him to write on your notes that you can have mobile monitoring (if your hospital has the kit). Of course you can refuse point blank, but expect to be bullied.

Will write more later. DD wants to play...

I am 40+1 and am attempting VBAC this time round. First CS was also due to failed induction at 42 wks with my ds. If I haven't gone into spontaneous labour by 41+12 I will be having another CS though so hoping this one wants to come before then.

Have been feeling a bit anxious about what it will be like but hoping I can trust my body to do it's thing and have been listening to hypnobirth cd to relax and breath - not sure this will help but worth a try.

My hospital have a wireless monitor which I hope will be free for me to use as it is also waterproof so allows you to use the pool (if it's free again)

I am attempting a VBAC too, I am due on the 16th of March.

DS is 2, had a EMCS after 24 hours. Got to 9cms and then just stuck. Turns out his neck was flexed.

Had a couple of birth option appointments, looks like I'll be having CFM although they have said it will allow me to bounce on a ball, stand and lean over the bed. No pool action allowed!

Feeling positive, but sometimes get this sudden anxious feeling that I am doing the wrong thins/scar rupture etc and if I end up with another long labour and EMCS I'll be pretty miserable.

arti have you spoken to MW about it?

Hello . I was failure to progress too. I got to 9cm but then nothing for about six hours. He was back to back which probably contributed.

shipslady - yes, I do need to know their policy better. I think it's fairly middle of the road tbh. At first cons appointment (which was basically a tick box exercise) I was told no water, CFM and that they would only let me go to 41 weeks. I was only 16 weeks at the time and it all seemed so far away (and due to a previous complicated mc I was only just coming to terms with the fact I might be successfully pg!) so I didn't really take much in. My main sticking point at the moment is whether to accept induction or go straight to ELCS when it gets to that point - given that DS went past 42 weeks, I don't hold out much hope for this one turning up before 41 weeks.

BigHotMama - not long for you now! Are you doing the Maggie Howells CDs? I used hers in first pg and although I didn't exactly get the homebirth they prepared me for (!) I felt that they helped me a lot with breathing techniques etc. I was eyeing up the VBAC one on Amazon earlier.

Midnight - due the day before me I think it's only natural to have moments of panic about scar rupture etc. but then when I think about ELCS I fret about all the negatives there too! Ah well, this baby has to come out one way or another...

Oh and Midnight, not spoken to any mws about it properly. I've only had one MW appointment since 16 weeks and it was all just "you'll talk to the consultant at 34 weeks...".

Hi

I am due April 6th and am planning to have a vbac. I had an emcs 8 months ago. I am so scared....
X

arti my ds was back to back and i didn't progress past 6cm it was totally gutting! I have downloaded an app called innervision for the iPhone as cd I had kept jumping. The VBAC one sounds interesting never thought to look for that. I just wish I could remember what she says as I seem to fall asleep before the end but it totally relaxes me and gets me to sleep. Last week I kept waking up just thinking over and over what a vbac was going to be like. And yes I'm just hoping it doesn't start off VBAC then end in an emcs as I'll be really upset.

I do feel however that the benefits of VBAC outweigh CS that is what persuaded me to go for it.

I'm, bizarrely, also due April 6th and planning a possible VBAC! DS was breech and an ELCS. This one is head down so far.

I've been listening to the Maggie Howells VBAC cd but a lot of it is referring to dropping 'baggage' from last time which I don't really have. The CS last time was fine but I still feel a VB would be preferable if possible. (Naive?! )

I have been using that CD too ski.

I am now on the second bit which concentrates on the birth itself, although I always fall asleep so I am not sure how mush is going in.

I don't think it is naive to think that a VB would be preferable to a CS. I have a friend who had a lovely calm ELCS for twins, and yet she still says her VBAC two years later was much better, and she had a long, long labour.

Hi,

I'm due 25th April (I had 1st May from charting but that's what dating scan said).

I had an unplanned CS last time (2009) and also only got to 6/7 cm. I eventually ended up on drip to speed things up which didn't help much. It was apparently down to DS's position.

I am aslo listening to the Natal hypnotherapy disc1. I'm not sure I have lots of baggage either but it's quite nice and relaxing and confidence inspiring :) I'm a bit impatient for 30 weeks to get the next CD on!

I did go into labour spontaneously at 41+0 last time so I am hoping to this time.

I have a consultant appointment at 34 weeks to discuss 'mode of birth' so will hopefully find out teh hospital policy then.

Oooh, you are convincing me to get the CD now; I did really like them the first time round. I am 33 weeks now so might skip the 'baggage' one (again, not sure I've got much).

How are you doing BigHotMama - any sign of baby yet?

Not planning on attempting VBAC again, but just wanted to pop on and wish you all luck. VBAC'd almost exactly 6 years ago

One thing you might find useful is talking to the head of midwives at your hospital when you're making a birth plan. When I was planning DD3's birth, the HoM was great in trying to meet all my expectations whilst still doing what she felt was best from a clinical point of view. And it was the consultant who suggested I speak to her, as he said that the MWs were far better informed at achieving a good VBAC than him, as he tended to be called in once things were not prgressing to plan.

I'm due the 10th March and attempting a vbac too. I have had one normal birth and then 1 emcs after a failed induction etc. I have to have an appt with the consultant as want to try a water birth this time. Has anyone else had a water vbac? I really don't want constant monitoring on a bed - am sure this will lead to my wanting an epidural and then further intervention..

We run a specific Birth Options clinic at our unit, primarily for mothers who have had a previous CS so they can make informed choices about their next birth. In keeping with most Maternity units we too would 'advise' for the use of CFM and a labour ward birth. However we do positively encourage mother's to keep mobile in labour if they are not planning for an epidural-based labour. The wireless CTG monitors are very good in this respect and are also waterproof so can be used in for those mothers who wish to labour in the water pool. Although it is not the 1st choice for the majority of our mothers who have a VBAC, and there are some additional risks, but if after a considered discussion of the options this is what an expectant mum wants then we will support this decision.

Most good Maternity services will at least try to individualize the Birth plan to the mother's choices rather than the other way round. So do make sure you explore all the options fully when finalizing your birth plans with your Consultants and Midwives. As has been posted elsewhere if you find you and your Obstetrician are poles apart on these issues then do ask to meet with the Head of Midwifery in your units as they will usually be in a position to assist you.
Good luck to all those who are due soon!
SC

Shipslady.... How did you get your crew to agree to a HBAC? I'm not due til September and am planning a VBAC but I've been told I can only wish for a home birth as no one will agree to it. I honestly think its my best chance of having a calm and controlled labour.

VBAC'er here too, previous EMCS after reaching 10cm, pushing, failed ventouse and forceps (DD's head deflexed and very stuck).

37 weeks, so not long to go. Policy at my hospital is cfm (so bed, ball, small area around bed) unless they can find wireless monitor (which they have told me goes missing), iv cannula, ranitidine, no pool. I am meeting supervisor of midwives next week to refuse cfm etc... and push for use of birth pool.

Just wanted to wish all you ladies luck with your VBAC :) I had mine almost 19 years ago and out of all three of my births it was the very best. It was a bit of a battle all those years ago but was very smooth, no induction, very little monitoring and only gas and air for a 6 hour birth. I took caullophyllum for a week before the birth and arnica afterwards. Gave birth in the hospital and went home the same day, Tescos for champagne & blue cheese on the way! The difference in how you feel after a VBAC in comparison to a section is amazing.

Good luck ladies. I had my vba2c almost a year ago. Ds1 induced got to 9.5 cm failed to progress emcs. Dd elcs by choice, ds2 chose elcs but ds made it out early and before we got time to get emcs going. Tougher birth, faster recovery. I loved all 3 births though and couldn't choose between them....

I had a VBAC 13 years ago, before mn I had a ecs first dc under GA as she was brow presentation and became distressed.

I was asked which I would like to do and they would go with what I wanted as had great consultant and I wanted a VBAC.

It worked, even though dc 2 was back to back and my contractions stopped at the end, I had a forceps delivery. I didn't have anything other than gas and air and they had me sorted ready to go in for GA if things didn't go well. I gambled on not having a spinal block or anything on the hope It would help a vbac. I was home within 23 hours.

Good luck

Hello All.

How are we all getting on? Zhen, let us know how you get on at your appointment - hope it goes well for you.

Well, things took a bit of a funny turn here. I was admitted to hospital on Wednesday with a suspected blood clot on my lungs. I was dog sick to say the least, but it transpires that I had a partial collapsed lung due to pleurisy instead. I am home and on the mend, although in pain.

However, when I was reviewed by the obstetric consultant they are concerned I am bigger than I should be, so ?big baby or ?too much fluid. Annoyingly I couldn't have a scan that day and so I am going back for the growth scan and appointment tomorrow.

I have spent all weekend feeling pretty low about it all, even though I don't actually know anything yet! Just proves that being on track for a VBAC is all about being in a positive mental place for it.

My fears/concerns are:

VBAC and a big baby...tearing/forceps/EMCS again, especially as you can use the pool or move about that much.

Having a ELCS...already feeling some sense of loss if this happens. This is my last time to have a baby and really feel like I need to try for a VBAC to heal some wounds from DS's birth.

So I am in limbo really, and will sit and wait until tomorrow.

Sorry for the me,me,me post - very therapeutic to get it out though.

Lots of positive VBAC stories, which is nice, thanks .

Midnight, poor you, that doesn't sound like much fun at all. I hope your scan goes well tomorrow. There seem to be lots of stories on MN about 'predicted' big babies that don't turn out to be that big after all but it's hard to know what to do, isn't it? Was your DS a big baby?

I had my consultant appointment last week which was a bit peculiar as I was told completely different things than at 16 weeks. There was some good news though - they will let me go overdue to 42 weeks (told 41 weeks at 16w, which given that DS hadn't budged by 42 made me feel I didn't stand a chance) and if I then get that far they recommend an ELCS over induction ( I tend to agree after my last pointless induction experience). She said that based on my history I had a 70%ish chance of a successful VBAC...but we shall see. They will want CFM but to be honest I am pretty risk-averse so don't want to go against this.

I am trying to be more positive about it all now. Have ordered a birthing ball and VBAC hypnotherapy CD!

Good for you arti, I think you'll find the CD really helpful. I agree you have a reasonable plan there if you do go over 42 weeks. I'd go for a ELCS over an induction at that point too.

Yes, DS was 8,13. Not massive, but pretty big.

Hmmm, I have been having period pain on and off all morning and feeling a bit 'funny'. Can't explain it really. I am driving me self potty!

How was your scan today Midnight? Hope you are feeling okay.

Hope scan went well Midnight

Went to see Supervisor of Midwives today, she was very good. She said no-one could force me to do what I didn't want to and that if I felt midwives/registrars/consultants were not listening/respecting me on the day then I could get them to call SOM on duty (she will fill in her team of SOM's about my wishes) who would come and get them to leave me alone. In her own words 'we won't let them bully you' . Turns out they don't have any telemetry cfm monitors despite what I was told (they have been ordered) so will be refusing cfm unless they have telemetry on offer on the day.

Hello.

Well, I am in no mans land. The fluid levels were fine, but they are predicting a big baby - 9-10lbs.

Saw the Dr afterwards, who has suggested I have another scan in three weeks, and decide what I would like to do. If I still want a VBAC then they could do a sweep to try and help me not go on for much longer.

I am at a loss really. I am terrified of a VBAC and a big baby, really worried about shoulder dsytocia and/or a really bad tear/needing another EMCS after a long labour again.

But, at the same time I feel sad at the thought of a section and would be so annoyed with myself if the baby was a reasonable size.

So, I am just driving myself a bit bonkers going back and forth with my thoughts really! If any of you want to make the decision for me, I'd be grateful!

Zhen, how annoying to be getting conflicting information regarding the CFM. Are you hoping to use the pool? I'd love to but my hospital will not let a VBAC in the pool sadly.