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.

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!

Congratulations Natalie! I am glad it all worked out!

I had a check up and a consultant appt at the hospital yesterday. Not as thorough as the nhs consultation it seems. He asked if I wanted a vbac, I said yes and he said, '' Good because you would get one anyway. We don't do repeat c sections ''. Oh, glad I waited 1hr for that chat!

My son was always on the 97th percentile but this baby seems to be small. 6 weeks ago on the 34th, now on 18th. I was worried by this drop but the doctoes weren't because apparently my placenta is great. I just don't really understand how two children 22 months apart can be so different without a medical reason. Got another scan in 2 weeks at my own doctor 's office so I will get her to check growth too. As long as everything is ok, smaller can only be good on the vbac front!

Hope everyone is well!

Sorry to join thread so late but 22 yrs ago I experienced a emcs for failed forceps/ cord prolapse ( after being induced and a 10 hr labour), where my dd nearly died.(8lb 12 at 40 +3)
I later discovered that despite being 5ft9 I had narrow pelvis and advised all future deliveries be elcs....which I had for dd 2 (6lb 12 at 37 wks)
When I was pregnant with ds,, 17 yrs ago I was also booked for elcs at 37 wks ...however he decided to make early appearance at 35 wk (7lb) and I had a vbac thanks to a very understanding registrar who let me have a trial of labour...after a 12 hr labour and less than 30 mins pushing I'd done it and put to rest the horrors of my first birth experience....all the best for you future vbacers......it can be done and it's great!

Now 33 weeks and starting to brick it!
Midwife said at my last appt she would get me booked in for a scan after 35 weeks to check position, still feels like this one is breech (like my dd was) I asked her about whether I could stay at home for as long as possible during labour (as had bad experience at hospital last time) & she said yes, but then I thought they needed to monitor me for rupture? When are you supposed to go in? I hate the idea of needing to be monitored but only just dared read up about rupture so scared myself silly!

Hi deardinah, call up the labour ward when in labour and they will guide u when to come in. I have asked for intermittent monitoring. They may ask you come a little earlier buy this varies so much between hospital. My consultant said that I need to come in as soon as I go.into labour and the midwife said I can stay home as late as I felt able to. Go figure

That's great news Natalie, congratulations!
I'm 37+4 now, and all was well at the 36 week scan, though apparently baby was 7lb at that stage, which is giving me a bit of fear!

The next thing to worry about will be what happens if I go overdue - my hospital do a ballon catheter induction at 10 days over, (which DD was) and I'm not keen...

I am having a growth scan tmrw. Interested to see how baby is posotined as she is kicking me in some weird places

How did the growth scan go? I'm having another next week to check I'm not growing a monster!

Baby was head down at my 34 week appt so VBAC dream still alive!

Baby is measuring on 50 the centile. So no worries about growth and doing really well. They offered me further scans just for reassurance but I declined as they are done in community and getting to the clinic is such a hassle.

My baby is head down too. :)

Only thing is I'm being monitored for slightly raised BP. Hope it doesn't lead to early induction :(

Fingers crossed for you mrsmugoo.

Gahhh I'm 38+3 today and hardly any signs of this baby :(

Could be a while yet Lazymilk!

Well that makes me feel better!!

Sorry haha, didn't mean to be a Debbie Downer!

I am beginning to not favour the idea of MLU so much. Because I don't want pethidine and am undecided on the pool I would like the option of epidural if need be.

Am.not sure how my doula will react to that as she and I myself was quite anti epi.

My braxton hicks are really reminding of what labour was like.

Lazymilk when did u have your first one?

37+1 so this feel like a lifetime!

I'd expect your doula to help you get whatever you would like, that's their role isn't it? Regardless of their own preference? I was planning on local MLU for ds1 but that just didn't happen. How far is it from the labour unit?

Here, there's a MLU in my town and then a hospital about 20mi s away with high and low risk units. Perhaps if there's something like that near you the low risk unit would be a good compromise?

The MLU and labour suite are on the same floor. Apprently the transfer time is 2 min but not sure if I believe that. Its my indecisiveness. The closer I get to the birth the more indecisive I am.

I had mine at 37 weeks exactly I was hoping this one would come around a similar time.

Baby 2 is at birth weight of baby 1. I m excited for a chubby baby this time

How is everyone doing. I am feeling really unwell severe nausea, light headedness and fatigue since a couple of days. Feeling so sick again

Poor you - that sounds rubbish.
The warm weather has made my feet and ankles balloon! I look like an old lady. 39 weeks tomorrow, and getting very impatient.

Has anyone written their birthplan?
I will be packing my hospital bag this weekend hopefully

I'm quite jealous of everyone who is getting towards the end, I've still got 15 weeks to go!
Hope you're feeling a bit better coldest

Thanks baskingTrout. Unfortunately not much better. Added to the nausea and lightheadedness is heart burn now. I spoke to my GP over the phone but he refused to advise any medicine. Apparently its common for this stage in pregnancy but I am so unwell with it.

If not better by Monday will call them again.