Need some vbac succes stories!

[MollyBloomYes]

Dc1 was emcs last year. Got to pushing stage, he turned and got stuck, failed ventouse then cs. Due at the end of the year, hospital are happy to support me in vbac. Trouble is I'm starving to doubt my body can do it, it couldn't last time!

To further complicate things I need a passive second stage of labour, basically not pushing for two hours after fully dilated to allow baby to descend. I had this last time and it was BRUTAL trying to deny the urge to push so have been strongly advised to have an epidural which I'm fine with. However, it's occurred to me that epidurals make intervention and therefore cs more likely! Starting to feel I should just cut my losses and have an elcs, not my first choice but equally I wouldn't be devastated. I guess I just want to give vb a go and feel like ive flung everything at it I can (and avoid the recovery time from a cs with a toddler to chase as well) but don't want a repeat of a very traumatic birth last time!

Basically I think I just need a bit of positivity or equally a bit of common sense!

I'm trying a VBAC this time but am also not very sure about it and keep wondering about an elective c section. It's a really difficult decision to make. I want to feel positive but like you deep down I'm not entirely convinced my body can do it. I only made it to 4cm last time before DS became extremely distressed. He was in a very bad position so logically no reason why this time shouldn't be different but I still have quite significant doubts.

Sorry none of that is very helpful. I guess you need to keep talking it through with your midwife /consultant keep it under review etc. You never know what might develop. You may need induction or baby may be breech for example.

I'm due very soon and think I've finally decided on giving it a try but no induction so will probably have an elcs if I go overdue. This seems like a reasonable compromise to me as I just feel like once they start interfering with me things will go downhill.

Good luck x

Thanks, they offer a vbac class at the hospital which I'm meant to be booked on so I guess go into that with open eyes at least, then go from there.

God luck to you too!

Without wishing to be too negative about your wish for VBAC, you should consider the age gap and discuss risks of a VBAC with your consultant.
I luckily had a planned section second time round and my scar was found to be breaking down. I had a 17 month gap. I have been advised it should be at least 2 years if we go for a third.

I had a great experience with a planned section this time and the recovery was far easier than after the emergency one. And really I consider that it doesn't matter one bit how the baby came out, as long as baby and mum are healthy.

I would make sure you have a discussion with a senior doctor about the risks, my VBAC midwife consultation did not mention the age gap - a later consultant appointment did; she was right in saying to me that my choice of planned section was the correct one. I am very grateful for that. I was also keen to avoid another emCS and its associated greater risks.

Anyway, congratulations on your pregnancy.

Thanks for the advice, we were advised to wait a year before getting pregnant again which we have done. I've had an appointment with the consultant (doctor) and she didn't mention it which did surprise me but assumed they'd quickly done the maths. I'll definitely bring it up next appointment. I definitely don't think my birth will be ruined etc if I have an elcs so I'm not going to be precious about it, as you say the most important thing is a well Baby at the end of it!

I either didn't get that advice Molly or didn't hear it after my first section! Anyhow, it all worked out in the end. Good luck with your decision making and I hope you have a happy and healthy birth

Thank you

I had a vbac, but it was 7 years after my c section and I was nervous, however I had given birth 3 years prior to that too so I had experienced a 'normal' birth too. It went well and I was glad I tried but I was fully willing to go for a section again if things were not going well....lots of luck.

Hi - I've had two VBACs. DS1 was an EMCS for fetal distress. I spent 9 months debating VBAC vs ELCS while pregnant with DS2 - in the end I decided I would schedule a date for the ELCS and see how I got on. I went into labour the morning of the day I was due to meet the consultant to schedule the date (not in UK so this may not be an option for you).

Labour was long but straightforward, with both epidural and fetal monitoring (neither of which affected progress in my opinion). I was actually in favour of the fetal monitoring as I was concerned about the risk of rupture.

The VBAC was worth it in that the recovery was faster than after the CS, but not the holy grail either !

I had a VBAC delivery with DS3 also - again with epidural and monitoring. Much much faster third time round.

Good luck with your decision.

Thank you that's really positive and great to hear it can be done with an epidural. Under no illusions about recovery either, with dc1 I thought 'well at least my foof is honeymoon fresh still!' but I might bet to go home sooner and not have to stay several days on grim postnatal ward! Feel much more like going with the flow today, thanks all