What to expect during vbac in 9 weeks (hopefully) help needed...

[riamay2011]

Hi

I had a EMCS 9 months ago and had a gorgeous baby girl :) now 9 weeks away from having another (mad i know) and am going to try for a VBAC. However....
I would like to know what i am in for...can i walk around or will i be closely monitored? Will i be about to get out of the bed or be strapped down? I was induced with DD as had PROM at 34 weeks and was just strapped to a monitor the whole time was so uncomfortable :(
Has anyone been in a position like this? Also i am worried about uterine repture, does anyone know any tricks to prevent it?
Thanks
X

Hello

Am also about 9 weeks away from a vbac!

Had an emcs due to fetal distress - his heart was repeatedly stopping - during an induction at 42 weeks. I hyperstimulated and was monitored continuously (I was contracting every minute for a minute from within minutes of the pessary being inserted). I hated the CFM, as was strapped to the bed unable to move even slightly. Was horrible.

My hospital's policy is to do continuous fetal monitoring as part of a vbac. I feel strongly that I don't want to do this as I really think I'll end up with another c-section that way. I'm willing to revise this should I need to (eg intermittent monitoring picks up irregular heartbeat or meconium in my waters) but in my experience CFM meant myself and my husband were left alone for ages at a time with a beeping machine despite hyperstimulating.

This time I've been able to book into the birth centre to try for the vbac - means midwife led care and no CFM but only one floor away from the labour ward should I need to be transferred.

To do this I've needed a meeting with my consultant (with the actual consultant, not just the usual registrar/SHO) and with the consultant midwife at the birth centre. Both very graphically talked through the risks of scar rupture. Means my notes are now full of lines like "flipfantasia and her partner are aware of the risks of severe injury or death to the baby". Which is and scary but I'm grateful for, as I'm very much making this decision with my eyes open to the potential dangers. But I'm still refusing CFM as a standard...

Have also booked a doula to help support us both (particularly my husband, who found my last labour and birth utterly terrifying!).

Anyway, am sure there'll be ladies along with positve vbac stories with CFM, just wanted to share the steps I've taken in my pregnancy to try for a vbac.

2 babies under 1 - you are brave

I had a VBAC seven weeks ago after a previous EMCS (2.5 years ago) for fetal distress. I agonized over the decision whether to try for one or not (in fact the day I went into labour I had decided I was going to give it till my due date and then request a c-section date). I think deep down I wanted an ELCS for me, but knew I should try for the VBAC because I had a toddler at home to look after - if that makes sense ? As it happened the delivery was very straightforward and recovery has been so easy (even with an episiotomy - large baby, 9lbs 7oz, with a big head ) in comparison to the section.

I was on an antenatal ward for the early part of labour (went into hospital far too early and they wouldn't let me go home due to previous section) but was up and walking around during contractions. Consultant examined me after a few hours and I was 4cm dilated - then they moved me to the delivery room and put me on CFM. At that stage the monitoring was fine but then my waters broke and I lost control of the pain (was so bad walking around wouldn't have helped!) so had an epidural. Although I had been worried that the epidural would send me hurtling towards another CS it actually turned out really well - I was careful about using the top-up button and made sure I could move my feet at all times. It allowed me to rest (was another five hours before DS was born) and it had worn off enough by the time I was fully dilated to allow me to feel pushing.

All in all it was a fantastic experience and I was absolutely elated by it all - the buzz afterwards was amazing.

Wrt uterine rupture - I was worried about this but felt the odds were in my favour and I knew they would take no chances with me during delivery (I was very closely watched by an experienced midwife during the whole thing). I don't think there is anything you can do to predict it or prevent it in advance. I was happy to have the CFM because it gave me additional comfort that all was ok - that was just me however. Am not sure that I've answered your CFM question but just wanted to say it won't necessarily mean you won't be successful.

Best of luck, hope everything goes ok.