Panicking about VBAC

[Dinesawww]

I'm 37+2 with DC2 and was intending to try for a VBAC after a EMCS with DC1 after failed induction and foetal distress. I had been feeling positive about it, having read lots of encouraging stories on MN and elsewhere. However at my 36 week consultant appointment the doctor gave me the fear by telling me that I would have to be "strapped to the bed", monitored continuously and would only give me four hours to labour before whisking me off for a c-section. So now I'm questioning it and wondering if I should just go for a ELCS. I understand why there's a need to continuous monitoring (for uterine rupture) but don't want to be on my back and immobile and I don't want to be under a time pressure to deliver either.

So I just wondered if this rings true for others who've had a VBAC?

I think you have been given the 'worst possible scenario' chat which IME drs are prone to giving, I suppose to allow you to consider ALL options and prepare you for even remote possibilities of stuff going wrong which is always v scary.

You can decline: ANY intervention you are not comfortable with including continuous monitoring. And you don't have to be monitored continuously - it can be done intermittently for instance. There are other ways to recognise uterine rupture...

Can you speak to you midwife or the supervisor of midwifery?

Fwiw, I had 2 lovely VBACs and was going to labour AND deliver in the pool (baby had other ideas, delivery was v fast so never made it in the water [winnk]) and my consultant was totally up for that.

Don't make decisions out of fear - whether you decide to have an elCS or go for VBAC: understand the issues and then plan for whatever you are more comfortable with.

I'm due in 5 weeks and had an ELCS with my first son due to him being breech. I have discussed VBAC with my consultant this week. She said their success rate is 95% but only if the head is engaged properly and I go into spontaneous labour. Once they have to induce me then those rates really drop. So now I'm in the position of ...should I just have an ELCS so at least it's calm and controlled or wait for me to go into labour?!! I'm not in the UK so DH is not allowed with me during a section and sometimes if labour is getting a bit difficult they kick out the partners too. My baby is currently breech though so I might not get the choice.
I realise this doesn't help you but thought you might appreciate that you are not alone in trying to decide what to do!!

I'm trying for a VBAC soon too and my consultant was much more positive- the hospital I am going to has some wireless monitoring which hopefully he said he can't promise but I should get. He also said if I don't get wireless the wires are long so can sit on a birth ball, stand by the bed etc.
I've got to go back to decide if I go over whether to go c-sec at this point or go for induction.
I went into my appointment expecting to have to fight for a vbac but he was very positive.
Could you speak to your midwife and ask if there are any pro-vbac consultants at your hospital? Or ask about vbac policy and wireless monitoring?
Your experience sounds very different to mine!

Thanks all. It's really good to know it doesn't always pan out the way the doctor suggested, and Pacific that's great that your consultant was up for a water birth VBAC.

I've made another appointment for next Friday to discuss it again, although I know I'm cutting it fine time-wise! Really appreciate your replies so thanks :)

Remember, you also don't 'have' to do anything. If you don't want to be lying on your back constantly, don't be. Research suggests your labour will progress better if you're not.

You need to make an appointment with the supervisor of midwives on labour ward ASAP. She will talk you through the risks, probably be much more positive about the whole thing, and risk assess you for when you're admitted.
Most hospitals these days have wireless monitors so you can walk around and go in the pool whilst still being monitored.

They agreed for me to try a water vbac, I just had to speak to the right people. In the end I had another EMCS but did masses of research into vbacs beforehand and it really is just a question of finding supportive nhs staff.