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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

vaginal birth after 2 c-sections

64 replies

kimmy2912 · 13/06/2012 10:05

i had a c-section in dec 2009 with twins, then with my dd in april 2012, i wasn't getting the support for a vbac, but i regret my decision, hopefully in a couple of years i'll be pregnant again and would like to know if a vbac would be possible?

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hermionestranger · 13/06/2012 10:07

It is. I know this because I emailed my consultant midwife about birth options should I ever have a third. I have had 2 sections.

Does your hospital run vbac classes? Mine did and the level Of support was fantastic. I didn't mange my vbac but I'm glad I had the choice and information to make that decision.

homeaway · 13/06/2012 11:25

I had one c section and had a problem free vbac afterwards.

Original poster

kimmy2912 · 13/06/2012 12:08

i think kings college hospital would to my best bet, but kingston the nearest to me won't allow it after 2 sections

OP posts:

hermionestranger · 13/06/2012 12:24

Can you transfer? I gave birth both times outside of my local area. It might be worth speaking to your head of midwifery and explaining your feeling and situation to her.

BlueberryPancake · 13/06/2012 13:15

My experience is that the hospital will say that they do support and encourage vbacs, but in practice for me the actual support was poor (whipps cross, East London). They said that they would encourage a Vbac but when it came down to it the labour was ultra monitored, they insisted, really really insisted that I'd have one of those baby heart monitors at all times, so I ended up my back and that's not a very active way to labour. My high-risk room was tiny, I didn't have access to a bath let alone a birthing pool, I had to walk down the corridor to go to the loo, and the consultants insisted - insisted, over and over again that I'd have my waters broken artificially which I didn't want, I wanted labour to progress as naturally as possible. I gave in, in the end, and it all ended with a full ten-hour labour, an hour an a half of pushing, and still I had to have an emergency c sec.

Looking back I wish I'd had hired a doula.

massistar · 13/06/2012 13:20

I had a super quick, problem free VBAC after 1 c-section.

The midwives were all very encouraging. To the extent that I eventually got agreement to use the birthing centre and pool as I was dead set against all the continous monitoring.

In the end, it all happened within in an hour and I didn't get the chance!

MarsLady · 13/06/2012 13:26

Hi Kimmy2912 it's entirely possible. Here's a link to a fab book VBAC Handbook in case you want to do some reading. It's very balanced and you also have VBAC.co.uk which has information and stories for you.

CointreauVersial · 13/06/2012 13:27

I had a problem-free VBAC (only one CS though, and a successful natural birth before that).

They did insist on more monitoring, but not constant, so I was able to move about.

Bigmerlin · 13/06/2012 13:32

I had el-cs first time as baby was breach. 2 1/2 years later I had a very succesful VBAC. I used the birthing centre and pool (had to sign disclaimer or something), and had giant baby in 5 hours with no pain relief. Midwives in birthing centre were angels, extremely supportive of VBAC. MV at my own health centre was not supportive, so I transferred my care to the birth centre. I also signed myself off consultant care as he was a git and just kept telling me I'd need a cs.

tostaky · 13/06/2012 13:37

i had two successful vbacs after one emcs, i hired a doula for each vbac.
i guess it depends on your hospital policy but i dont know why you shouldnt be allowed to give it a try.... it prob wont be in a birth centre, but imo, you only need a bed and a midwife to give birth, no need for fancy paint on the wall and plasma tv (who watch tv when giving birth???!!!)

you probably wont be allowed to use the pool though and you can have intermittent monitoring.
hire a doula, i found them really really good!
it also depends on the reasons why you had your previous cs?

good luck (says the woman who screamed and begged for an emcs during her vbac.....)

AWimbaWay · 13/06/2012 13:47

I've also had two problem free vbacs after one emcs. However there was a lot of monitoring, I had to be on my back on the bed throughout which is not where I felt most comfortable. I was told at the time that should any issues arise I would be rushed through for an emcs, I was put in the room opposite the operating theatre just in case.

They also said should I go on to need a second cs they probably wouldn't advice vbac in any future pregnancies, which is the position you're in.

Good luck in getting the birth you want.

AWimbaWay · 13/06/2012 13:49

I should add both my mw and consultant were very supportive of my first vbac and with my third pregnancy cs wasn't even discussed as an option.

Idratherbeknitting · 13/06/2012 14:07

I had my third VBAC on Sunday, but my CS was 9 years ago. They were still a bit jumpy about me having had a CS, and kept trying to follow procedure (tried to get me to lie down to monitor, I couldn't), and tried to get a cannular in (MW gave up as his head delivered as she said 'please try to hold still...'). But I only had to go to one consultant appointment and say 'VBAC please' for it to be okay.
I only remember being asked the once for the original VBAC, I siad I'd have a go, and that was that.
And with the second, it was never even discussed.

I do find it odd that we're 'not allowed' to do things. I suppose it's all about money and risk. Stick to your guns, be positive, and the best of luck.

nunnie · 13/06/2012 14:18

I had one 9 months ago, after an EMCS 11 months prior to that.

Procedure was a followed to the T, but I presented havign only had one painful contraction and was 6 cm's, then I started experiencing severe pain in my scar which prevented me from trying to push and hid the contraction, little ones HR dropped and didn't pick back up again so I was given epidural, and whisked to theatre for section, however she was so far down in the birth canal they decided to try with forceps for a couple of pushes and she came out on first attempt, didn't make a sound for 4 minutes so a bit tense. Not my ideal birth but healthy baby and healthy lady bits now and all birth related issues are a thing of the past, and am happy to say I did try and I did succeed against all odds.

I was under the impression due to the stupidly small gap that I would not be given the option and would have to have a CS but I was offered and pretty much told to have a go.

I should say I had had a previous successful VB prior to my EMCS and got to 2nd stage with my EMCS so I think the feeling was that my body had laboured before and should be able to labour again.

Original poster

kimmy2912 · 13/06/2012 14:25

thanks, i have been doing lots of reading about this, and have found out that 10 women in the uk had a vbac after having 4 cs - so it must be possible after having 2 and if i give it long enough to heal.
i mean they can't force me to have a c-section, all i want is to have a trail labour and if i have to have another cs then i will.
how long do you think i should wait until i start ttc, as i do feel upset that i never went for a vbac with my dd :(
i have three beautiful healthy children but i just feel like something is missing

OP posts:

nunnie · 13/06/2012 14:29

I fell pregnant far too soon after my EMCS and spent the whole pregnancy worrying. I would advise at least a year for peace of mind.

amyboo · 13/06/2012 14:34

I've had one cs and had a vbac 2 months ago. I was told thattere should be a minimum of 12 months between births in order to stop any rupturing of the scar. There was never any question of me not going for a vbac.

BlueEyeshadow · 13/06/2012 14:46

I had a problem-free VBAC after one ELCS. As CS was for breech it was a first labour. They wanted me to sign loads of forms to say it was my choice not to have a cannula or continuous monitering. In the end, they put the monitor on "for 20 mins" but the whole labour was so fast there was never time to switch it off and we forgot all about it! Would have been keen on walking around etc but legs wouldn't co-operate...

bigbuttons · 13/06/2012 14:58

I had 2 sections followed by 4 problem free vbacs, the last 2 were home births

bigbuttons · 13/06/2012 15:00

oh yes and with my first vabc my consultant was dead set against it, told me i was selfish to want one! The midwives were great though and told me to take no notice of him, that he only sees the troubled pg's anyway.

Original poster

kimmy2912 · 13/06/2012 15:05

bigbuttons can i ask you how long did after the 2 section did you fall pregnant?
if i do fall pregnant again i will be trying for a vbac, i'm 100% certain on that

OP posts:

fridakahlo · 13/06/2012 15:53

I have had one c-section and one VBAC. I did not have my vbac with the NHS though as during the pregnancy talking with both the consultant and the 'VBAC expert' midwife, they were very insistent that I would have to have constant monitoring and would not be able to labour in a pool. We then looked at having a home birth attended by a private midwife but decided that with the nearest hospitals being thirty to forty minutes away it was too risky. If your scar does rupture (which is HUGELY unlikely) then you need to be having surgery within half an hour.
I ended up at The Birth Centre next to St.Georges hospital in London, was a private birth centre but has now closed down.
If you are not to far away from your local hospital, then a labour at home with a private midwife would be a good option or labouring in a hospital with a doula.
Have you spoken to a consultant yet?

CurrySpice · 13/06/2012 16:07

I was really supported to go for a VBAC with DD2 and my consultant and midwife were great.

Sadly I had another emergency section

Good luck OP I hope it works out for you x

Doomfinger · 13/06/2012 16:09

I know exactly how you feel. I had two babies by section. Both were premature, the first stuck her foot out and I was under GA, she was out within half an hour so I found it quite traumatic. They then said that because I have a special scar (inverse T) I couldn't VBAC, so when I went into labour again at 35 weeks they left me until last minute and rushed me in for another GA (that sounds mean but they want to give the baby every last second inside when they're premature). I wasn't going to have another baby but found a Doula when I did my own training who specialises in VBAC and she talks about my scar type on her website so I sent her a message and said if I was planning another baby she'd be my Doula. Then I sent her a message a few months later asking if she'd be my Doula!

Anyway, I contacted a Supervisor of Midwives at the hospital, she arranged a meeting with my consultant, they were both amazingly supportive and insisted I had a fully natural birth (darn! :o) or it'd be into theatre. I didn't have the best team on the day BUT I had a successful VBAC, only 12 hours of getting proper contractions, half an hour from 6cm, waters breaking, starting to push, baby and placenta out!

LackaDAISYcal · 13/06/2012 16:59

I had an emergency C-Section, an elective C-Section and then a VBAC (but needed forceps at the end). I hired a doula who just happened to be on the local maternity services liaison committee and knew which consultant to get on side. I think she made it all possible for me.

I had DS 3.5 years ago and there was a great thread up and running around that time, I'll see if I can dig out the link.

Good Luck

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