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.

I am.not sure about the sweep. My cmunity midwife said baby is very high and not engaged at all. Even if sweep does set off labour I am not keen as don't want baby to engage in the wrong position

Mrsmugoo I think you had section for a breech baby? What's the baby position like this time? Mine is head down but very high up.

Oh sorry just read your previous post. Your baby seems to be moving in the right direction

Hi coldest yes my last was breech. Thankfully this one is head down and in a good position for labour (LOA). She has started to engage, she's very low down now, it's quite uncomfortable!

Second and subsequent babies can engage during labour though so I've been "lucky" that she's decided to head in the right direction. Hoping it means she comes on time.

I am having my VBAC follow up appointment tomorrow. We need to discuss when to schedule for ELCS if I don't go into natural labour. Consultant said 41 weeks. Baby is measuring on 50th centile. I did start another thread about this but got only one reply. Am wondering what everyone else is doing. And what the chances are for successful VBAC after 41 weeks and waiting till 42 weeks for ELCS provided baby is happy and all is well

I saw the community midwife today for my 38 week appointment. All looking good and baby is 3/5 engaged now.

My next appt has been booked at the hospital antenatal clinic for 40 weeks so I can discuss my "plan".

I think my plan is no intervention (except sweeps) until 42 weeks then if my cervix is favourable I would go in for breaking of waters. If labour doesn't start after that then I'd opt for c section. Really don't want drip.

Looking good mrsmugoo!

Hi, a positive story that may help! Having a vbac was the best decision I ever made! Dc1 was elective section for transverse presentation.

I insisted upon a vbac at home for dc2 and was supported by the community midwives - but ended up with an independent midwife instead. The best money I've ever spent and would highly recommend it if its financially an option.

Dc 2 was born in water, at home after a 5 hour labour and only 12 minutes after my water broke. Perfect birth with not stitches

If I'd listened to the Drs, id have had another elective as dc1 was big (9.5 lbs) and they tried to convince me that dc2 would be even bigger. She was nearly 2lbs smaller and born very easily. Not the 11lb monster the scan predicted...

The best advice I could give is to do your research, know what you want and don't be afraid to fight for it. Of course there are sometime safety and genuine medical reasons for not having a vbac. But from my research, experience and what I learned from phenomenal Indepentant midwives; most of what the hospitals recommend protects THEM from being sued; rather than giving you the most up to date evidence based care. Many of my local hospitals policies and procedures were horrendously out of date. And they actually admitted this when challenged with modern, evidence based approaches x

Ps: I also went to 42 weeks x

Booked my ELCS for 41 weeks but based on my own dates and a private dating scan I had at 12 weeks I would be 42 weeks so am happy with that. Other than that will have a sweep at 40 weeks of nothing happens. Am jumping on gym ball and that seems to be having an effect of making baby move more but nothing else.

Love your positive birth story Tiredandtorn sounds amazing

The NHS scan I had was quite late at 14 weeks so I doubt jy was accurate

Are sweeps more likely to end in an EMCS like other form of induction? Can't decide what to do about them x

Sweeps will only help you along the way if you're heading that way yourself anyway so I wouldn't have thought they'd contribute to higher EMCS rate.

I had two sweeps - first did nothing. I was in labour 3 hours after the 2nd

My waters have broken & contractions started...I'm at the hospital just about to get checked!

way to go mrsmugoo. Hope babymugoo makes a safe, uneventful and speedy arrival

Good luck Mugoo! Hope everything is going well :)

Hope everything is progressing well mrsmugoo

Baby girl born at 9:38pm at 38+4 after 4 hour quick, intense labour!

Successful VBAC, gas and air and one shot of pethedine (which was bloody brilliant!)

Needed ventouse and a small epi at the end as my contractions went shit and she had the cord around her neck.

All happy snuggled in bed feeding now - she latched on almost immediately and has been planted on eversince!

So happy for you mrsmugoo. Will miss you on here but am so glad that you had a successful VBAC.

And congratulations on the snuggly baby

fantastic news mrsmugoo so pleased for you

and a huge happy welcome to babymugoo!!!

I can't believe I did it !!!!!

Got bad back pains last night which dissapeared completely in the morining. Then got on off very little pains throughout day. Around 10 pm started getting pains again completely unlike a contraction. Called labour triage. They said to stay put. Within twenty minutes intense contractions one after the other. Called doula. Started pushing in car. Baby born in triage!!!!

She is beautiful and just like baby sister. 6 lbs. Thanks everyone on the thread esp Mrsmugoo. Your stories really inspired me. But it was horrific pain and am still in shock. Also after birth!!! Yayaya. So messy and painful

Wow! You wait weeks for a VBAC then two come along at once

Congratulations Mrsmagoo and coldest, I'm glad it worked out for you both. Lots if newborn snuggles for us all

Congratulations!! Wow our babies born a day apart!

Coldest do come and join the June babies thread - it's in antenatal clubs at the moment as its not even June yet haha!