VBACers support thread

[Coldest]

I know there are a multitude of threads on this but was hoping for a thread where is anyone is at the same boat as me.

Had an EMCS with my first at full dilatation and after 12 hours of labour due to fetal distress but I feel that care was really mismanaged and I probably could have b even birth vaginally if I had been allowed off the bed but for reasons which the midwife couldn't justify later I was on ctg and not allowed off the bed. The resulting section was very difficult to recover from but 2 years later I feel fully recovered. Am 25 weeks now.

After all my research I have hired a doula this time and hoping for a VBAC but after the consultant appointment yesterday I am feeling quite wobbly. Feeling like an ELCS would be better. Also I was talking to friends and colleagues who say that they still feel quite tatterted vaginally after y even birth quite a few years ago while feel completely recovered ROM my section. So maybe a section wouldn't be so bad.

Anyway sorry for the long intro but I am sure I will oscillate from VBAC to ELCS throughout this pregnancy so would appreciate to chat with those in a similar situation.

How is everyone doing? 32 weeks now.

I'm 39+2 now! Due on Monday & getting veeeery nervous, every twinge was worrying me - but I've now convinced myself that she'll be overdue!
Popping to the hospital tomorrow to have a final chat with my consultant to settle any last questions so ill let you know how that goes and/or if anything happens! :) Xx

So I spoke to my consultant today!
She's put my mind at ease a little - if i go into labour naturally i'll need to ring & go into labour ward as soon as I'm having 'regular' contractions which could mean I'm there for a couple of days before she's born!
They won't induce me if I go over - instead I have a C-sec booked for the 29th April (I'm due 18th)
&&& they attempted to give me a sweep today but couldn't quite reach my cervix properly (tmi sorry!) & I really don't want another one, it left me feeling really uncomfortable and physically sick! Aha

All in all i'm happy, if I don't go on my own naturally, its nice knowing a plan is in place for the 29th (I'm sure she'll arrive before then but you never know!)

Xxx

Natalieboston that is pretty much what my consultant said for me. To book section for 41 weeks if nothing happens. I went into labour at 37 weeks with my first. Let's see what happens!

29 is so close. Fingers crossed for you

Hi everyone! I am also 32 weeks today and feel like it is getting closer... Starting raspberry leaf tea etc today and have my next hospital appt in a week.

Good luck Natalieboston, not long either way now!

Salzundressing what is the raspberry tea for?

It apparently tones your uterus and makes contractions more effective. I had a c section after failure to dilate past 8cm last time so I thought every little helps. Will check with my midwife next week first, just to check it is allowed after a c section.

Hi all, hope it's ok to join. Am 36+4 today and am aiming for a VBAC. Ds1 was born at 37+1 by emcs after PROM and a failed induction, then fetal distress and failure to progress. So all a bit dramatic. I was refused a ELCS due to no clinical or obstetric reason but I'm feeling more positive about the vbac the nearer it gets. Have been trying to learn some hypo birthing techniques to stop me panicking so much. Def ready for baby to arrive now, I've had enough!

Looks like I killed the thread- really sorry!

I don't think you killed it!

There a few of us in limbo in third trimester just waiting to see what happens next!

I'm just holding out for mine to be head down as previous ELCS was for breech. She's doing cartwheels and I honestly can't tell by prodding myself or belly mapping etc what position she's in. I don't think she's breech like my son as I can't feel a hard head under my ribs. But who knows?

Haha lazymilk no you didn't. As mrsmugoo said we are in limbo. I am not due to see my consultant until 38 weeks and have yet to get a hold of the midwives at the MLU as I was to go there. Will try again from Monday. I am now 34 weeks I think. Can't keep track of week this time.

I also feel baby making very big and almost turning movements but at my last scan was head down so don't know what she is doing in there.
I am having regular growth scans as last baby was small for gestation and seems so is this one. So at least I will know which way she is up.

lazymilk did u labour with your first?
I am feeling positive too about VBAC although it can be variable on days.

Haha I always worry about killing threads!

I know the feeling of limbo, I was 37 weeks yesterday so now I'm just waiting. Ds1 was born today in terms of gestation, so that's freaking me out a bit.

I went to DAU last night with reduced movement but it's all good, baby was just keeping still.

I laboured for about 7 hours last time, then epidural went in and they started the drip and I carried on labouring for about another 7, but didn't feel that.

I'm at the point of excited to meet the baby but terrified of the idea of labour!

I'm excited for you, being term now!

I'm 33 weeks, got my 34wk midwife appt next Friday. So far I haven't been palpated for position as my last appointment was 28 weeks and I was super ill with flu and had my 2 year old with me so the whole appt went by in a daze really. I mentioned the position and she said they don't check until 36 weeks now as they can't act on it anyway and it makes mums anxious when the baby will most likely move anyway.

I'm so anxious about the not knowing her position so I'll be begging for her to check next week. Anyone else have experience with not being palpated until 36 weeks? It seems so late as if she is breech then, I'll be sent for a presentation scan and booked straight for an ELCS without even giving myself the chance to turn her by exercises E.g spinning babies. I can't do the exercises now because I don't know the position - she might be head down!

I'm trying to keep good posture anyway, not slouch etc...

Heeey all!
I'm 40+ 4 - and in hospital!!
I'm 3cm at the moment but contracting very well, after a nights stay for high bp im currently waiting for a bed on the labour ward, they're going to break my waters & then wait! - consultant has recommended epidural because of the bout of High BP last night (& reason for my previous csec!) In hope it'll keep my bp at bay & easier to take me in for csec if needed :)

I'll keep you all updated, but so far so good & its not as scary as I imagined :) Xxx

Yay! Keep us updated!

natalieboston so excited for you. Hope it goes really well and you will be getting to meet your baby so soon! Do keep us updated.

Mrsmugoo in my first pregnancy I was never checked for position until 36 weeks and she was born at 37! This time I having growth scans so position is comfirmed that way. She was head down last scan so hoping she satays that way and also in a good position and not OP like her sister.

lazymilk I have been having some very painful braxton hicks and that terrifies me from labour. Uptil now I was adamant for no epidural as I didn't have that good an experience last time but feel my resolve weakening. Also glad baby is doing well. Mine is making some very weird movements and kicking in areas I can't fathom how she has reach to lol

Coldest- I was adamant re no epidural last time and they told me that or nothing so I went for it, and was so glad I did!!

Natalieboston- how are you getting on?

LazyMilk my epidural took away all pain but also really dropped my bp leading to fetal distress. But when I look at the other pain relief options this is the only one that gives actual pain relief. I don't want pethidine and don't think I can survive on just G&A. Feeling quite like a wuss lol as I was very keen on the MLU in the hospital but.they don't have the option of epi.

Hi all, glad I found this thread as could do with some moral support, feeling anxious currently. Apologies in advance for long post!
I'm 28 weeks with 2nd pregnancy. DS arrived by caesarean at 42+ 3 after a failed induction and 5 days in hospital. Had 2 pessaries but no progress. Hospital wanted to break my waters ( without really asking!) but my community midwife had warned me to get her to do an examination before I let them do anything. She said that I wasn't effaced and that she didn't think I was ready to give birth as baby hadn't come into my pelvis in her opinion and she advised ELCS as thought I would end up with long labour, baby potentially getting stuck and EMCS . I went with her advice as was starting to become increasingly worried about baby health and my own mental state and energy levels after long stay in hospital and v little sleep.
This time round midwife at booking appointment said I should go for vbac but subsequent midwife appt said a vbac was unlikely as I didn't labour at all, and that hospital wouldn't want to induce due to previous casarean and increased risks. She also said baby will likely be bigger than DS ( he was 9lb 11) She has told me they will want to do ELCS at 38 weeks as its safer for baby before she gets too low.
I guess I'm wondering if anyone else in a similar position or has been, and has any advice/experience? I did want a vbac but now thinking it won't be possible. Have appointment at about 36 weeks with surgeon but want to be prepared and just feel so confused and want to make sure I'm not pushed into anything given what happened last time.

Hi ChorusLine sorry about your experience last time. What makes the midwife think your baby will be bigger this time? My consultant said that they would schedule the c-sec for 41 weeks if I don't go into labour naturally. Term is 37-40 weeks.
Make a list of your questions to discuss with the surgeon. If the reasons for sections are the same as last time e.g. small pelvis etc then I think that is safer but other things may not be same as your previous. Pregnancy and have no bearing On a VBAC

She's here!! Successful VBAC!

She was born 23rd April, 8.35pm at a lovely 7lb 5oz :)

Honestly, I was terrified the entire time, I never laboured with my first so contractions were new to me & I was put on a hormone drip so they were coming fast and strong - consultant advised an epidural as the drip increased the risk of scar rupture & it would be easier if we needed to go for a csec.
I got the epidural as soon as I could (around 7.30pm) they said they'd check how dilated I was 4hrs after the drip was put in so should have been about 8.30pm but not even 30min of the epidural being put in I felt alot of pressure in my bum... first few times I thought there was something going on with the epidural (because it had been working, but suddenly stopped! & my sister recently had a baby & said the midwives were telling her when to push because she couldn't feel a thing!) My midwife said she'd give me half hr before checking me but as she turned away I screamed 'I need to push!!!' I was 10cm, and my little Fearne arrived safely about 30min later :)

I've got a 2nd degree tear, which is far from sunshine and flowers.. but - definitely easier to cope with than the csec!! So soo happy - I'VE DONE IT!! :D
You will all be just fine!! :) Xxx

Yay!!!! natalieboston!!!! That is amazing . congratulations on your beautiful baby. So happy for you.
Enjoy the newborn snuggles

congratulations natalie so happy for you!!! So glad it all went well, wonderful news and enjoy your lovely baby xx

Congrats Natalie! Lovely name btw x

Thanks coldest - midwife just said that babies generally get bigger each time but I know that's not always the case! She just seemed quite negative. That's a good suggestion and I will definitely do that re making a list of questions - have already seen some example questions on this thread which will be very useful.

Congratulations Natalie!