Disappointed about section

[Flumpybumpy]

I am 33+5 with my second after having dd by emergency section after 36hr labour. I was initially told to expect a section this time as there were problems with my blood. These problems have all been sorted and I was told I had the choice of a VBAC. I looked into it and started get quite excited at the thought of a VBAC (really don't want another section). I have started planing etc... ie: ordering a TENS machine and looking up loads of info about natural birth.

I had another appointment yesterday and have been referred straight back to the consultant as the midwife is concerned about my scar. I have been having pain on one side and she says she can feel something 'not quite right'. She said it is highly unlikely I can have a VBAC and to expect a section.

I can't help feeling really disappointed, I had built myself up for VBAC and now feel gutted that I won't be able to.

Sorry for the long thread but this has been on mind all night.

aaargh what a load of crap please talk to these ladies here . They have loads of experience and advice to give you. Please please talk to them so you have some information based on facts.

Can they not allow you to start labour and be carefully monitored? Scar problems for vbac are v v unusual and as I was told by lovely supportive midwife, if there is a problem, you get warning signs (like a drop in bp and stuff like that) for hours before hand and have time to do something about it, it's not like you would just burst open with no warning. I had a vbac in hosp for my dd and had monitoring but was still able to stay upright using tens and birthball. Then for ds2 I was able to give birth at home. I would talk to them about your hopes for a vbac, ask to see a more supportive m/w or consultant and read some of the research, there's lots of good stuff online.

Have you seen the consultant yet? Maybe he/she will let you have trial of labour in the hospital. But, my first thought is that if the midwife is saying section, then I'd proably listen as I have never ever met a pro section midwife. So, if she is saying, I best listen.

However, my views tend to lean towards sections anyway. So perhaps you'll like to take my advice with a grain of salt. If you don't like what the consultant says, can you get a second opinion from another consultant?

Don't give up hope until you've seen the consultant and raised all your questions with him/her. It would be best to check this out. I think the risk of scars rupturing is about 0.04%, so v.v.v.v low. Maybe it is worth pushing for a scan as well to check inside.

I am 34 weeks, and saw my consultant yesterday, and having thought like you that I'd have to go for an elective section, he was very reassuring in that he said if I go for a VBAC, it will be very controlled, and they will monitor my progression during dilation very carefully and discuss all the options all through. I'm not in exactly the same position as you though, as DS1 was c-section because he was breech, and that complication isn't there this time. But surely they can do a scan, check the baby's position, whether there is a problem or not etc.

My experience of midwives isn't quite as positive as Uwila's unfortunately, and I have met a few panicky ones.

Flumpy, do see the consultant. My hospital (consultant and midwives) was very pro-VBAC, but I am still likely to opt for an elective - so to that extent feel free to discount my views.

Bear in mind that even if the consultant gives you the go-ahead for VBAC, if they consider you to be considered higher risk than normal, you will be continuously monitored, prob given time limits for labour/pushing, more frequent internals, checked for bleeding etc. Also ask about whether you will be allowed an epidural (not that you want one but you never know once labour progresses) because it will dull any sensation of pain between contractions (signs of uterine rupture). Check all this with the hospital in advance because these limitations may reduce the chances of a successful VBAC and increase the risk of last minute intervention.

Definitely don't allow yourself to be induced.

Good luck . Arm yourself with the facts.

Flumpy, my hospital won't induce me, so if I go overdue, the only option then is an elective c-section. the induction increases the risk of rupture. You could ask whether they will induce by breaking your waters - I don't know if that has the same effect of speeding things up, which is where the problem lies (I think).

Good point about the epidural - hadn't thought of that. Mental note, must ask too!

We had a tour round our maternity unit the other week - although they will make you keep a monitor on all the time, to monitor baby's heart beat (they said baby's distress would possibly be the first sign of a problem with the scar), the leads are quite long, and you should be able to move around and be upright if that's what you want to do. I've also been told there'll be more frequent internals, so that they can monitor progression carefully. To be honest, this all reassured me, so that I'll know if there's a problem early on, and then we can take a measured decision about what to do.

Good luck!

Just too add that I also had pain in my scar with both pregnancies after first section, this is fairly normal from what I understand, got a really fuzzy mummy mind but I think it is scar adhesions breaking down - can anyone help me on this?

Flumpy, I can only relate...I have also had some pain on one side of my scar (the side that burst open post section#1, and got infected) and wondered if its adhesions or thinning or what. I had a failed induction, leading to section, last time.
This time, the odds are against me for VBAC (PIH, mid forties, transverse lie last time etc) but my OB is willing to try it in theory - and now it looks like the position of my placenta has probably scuppered that slim chance. I hadn't started building myself up, so I'm not too shattered - and in some ways would rather deal with disappointment pre-birth than during, so I can get past that and just enjoy dd2 arriving when she does. But. I'm still disappointed - and understand.
I hope the consultant is clear and helpful either way, and fingers crossed for you the midwife is wrong. If she IS right, then I'm sorry...and your feelings are totally valid: you are bound to go through a loss, if you wanted a VBAC.

My appointment is on Monday so I have a bit of time to work out all the questions I need to ask.

Have started doing a bit of research on planned sections so I can to the appointment a bit more level-headed

Also, thanks Toady that website is really good, I definitely don't feel as emotional. I am more ready to put my point across in a less 'I'm going to burst into tears any moment' way.

Another great website, thanks Toady...

Thanks for the thanks, I just want to make sure that you get all the TRUE facts before you make any decisions.

I am so glad you had a look

When I spoke to Gina (from the website) about my VBAC2 - really did not have a clue about anything, she gave me her opinion, information, other womans stories, statistics and facts on what I needed to know.

If I had not done this I would have had an elective section (not for me but appreciate it is for some) on the 16th December 2005 instead of a VBAC2 on the 21st December.

Hi I am 24 +2 with my second baby and am currently under the consultant who is happy for me to try a VBAC. My son was born by emergency section after 54 hours of labour and only going 2 1/2 cm! I am desperate for more info on VBAC but my midwife is useless and my consultant wasn't much better in giving advice for my situation ie is there any point in putting myself through a pointless labour and should I be gearing myself up for another c - section (which I dearly want to avoid). If anyone can reccommend any books to read or advice to follow I would be really grateful.

Roo, pls read Toady's post a bit futher down, There is a link there you can click on that takes you to a really good website.

Flumpy Bumpy, thanks for that will e-mail Gina after doing this. Fingers crossed I can get some answers to my questions before I go into labour!

Well saw the consultant and he checked over my scar and said it was fine. He actually said the point where I am getting the pain in actually quite far away from my internal scar and is most likely a collection of scar tissue inside my external scar that the baby keeps lying on and causing pain.

He said there is no clinical reason why I can't try for a VBAC! Yippeee. He said I would be closely monitored as all VBAC's are and to just rest and let nature takes it's course.

I was practically bouncing out of Ante-Natal like Tigger!!

Hurrah for your consultant, Flumpy! I'm glad for you

Excellent news Flumpybumpy. If you do agree to be continuously monitored (there is no reason why you should - if anything goes wrong with your scar your pulse and blood pressure will change before the baby goes into distress) do try to keep as mobile as possible as lying flat on your back is not going to help you get this baby out.