Can I have an active labour after a c-section?

[leannecharles]

Hi all, this is my first time using a website like this, but I need some advice. I'm pregnant with my third child (its very early stages), I would love to have an active labour after having a previous c-section with my first (He was meant to be a home-birth). When I went into labour with my second, everything progressed lovely at home because I could move and change my positions but as soon as I was taken into hospital I had lay on my back to be monitored. Labour soon changed from something that was manageable into that was uncontrollable. What I would like to know can I request to have more of a active Labour and be monitored occasionally, rather than being bound to a bed?

Leanne x

I think it depends on your consultant, hospital policy and if they have remote/ wireless monitoring equipment. I was hoping for an active labour for the VBAC but it was so difficult getting into a comfortable position without messing up the monitoring. I ended up in bed, and like you said - it becomes uncontrollable and unbearable. Ended up with an epidural, thought might as well lie in in comfort and what's a few more tubes and wires! Still I'm happy with the experience, so pleased I went for a VBAC. I'm due in 5 weeks time and hopefully going for another VBAC. Apparently my hospital now has one monitor that is wireless so you can move around. My midwife also thinks that I might be able to go in the pool, if it's free and the midwives are happy.

My advice would be to have a chat with the hospital and consultant midwife see what they can offer you. Also have a look at ways of managing your birth whilst being tethered by all the equipment - breathing, gas and air, meditation, hypno-birthing.....

Good luck

You don't have to accept continuous monitoring. It may be part of their protocol but you don't have to consent to it, they can't actually force you. It would be documented that they had advised it and you had refused.
If you feel strongly about this it would be best to get this agreement in place before labour so you aren't fighting battles then. You could request intermittent monitoring and having a midwife with you all the time. I am not sure whether evidence suggests this is any less safe.

Yes you can. I had a c-section with my first and planned a home birth with my second. The midwives were not keen but agreed it was my choice. My logic was I would have 2 midwives at home, no guarantee of one in hospital. In the end my waters broke at 36 weeks and I was advised to go in. I did once contractions at 3 mins apart and refused any continuous monitoring. The midwife just stayed throughout and took mine and baby's pulse regularly. I think I got better treatment as they knew I had planned a home birth. Baby was born 4 hours after arriving in hospital, without any tears, cuts or needing any pain relief. Still count as my greatest achievement - shame I can't put it on my CV!