VBAC & induction

[SamJ2012]

Hi - hoping for some experience / advice.

I'm hoping to have a VBAC for DC2, currently 39+2. I had agreed with consultant I would try for VBAC but if nothing happened have a CSection at 41/2 weeks. I don't want an induction after a failed induction with DC1. Experience last time wasn't terrible but I felt I got pushed into doing things I didn't want and rushed by hospital and ended up with Csection so it was all pretty pointless.

Saw a different consultant today and she said she wouldn't sign me up for a Csection at 41/2 weeks at this stage and asked me to consider what parts of induction I would agree to.

E.g. Would I agree to pessary? Waters breaking? Etc?

My worry is that if I agree to one the same will happen as last time and I will get pushed down route I don't want (I'm worried re ruptures too but consultant was a bit dismissive because risk increases from 1% to 3%).

Anyone here have experience of induction for a VBAC? Or an induction where you were allowed to say no to drip?

Thanks!

From what I remember I wasn't allowed a pessary or a drip for vbac because of rupture.

They inflated some balloon inside me (horrible horrible) and broke my waters manually (which was also horrific my cervix was far up - I needed inducing for medical reasons (obstetric cholestasis) the consultant literally had half an arm up me and was sweating like crazy - while I had my legs in the air and gas and air - literally was so brutal I felt so so so violated. In hindsight wish I had just had the section which I ended up having anyway.

In our local hospital they won't induce you with the drip if it's a VBAC because it can cause contractions that are too strong. They do give pessaries and pop your waters though. I have had a natural labour and a caesarean to deliver a stillborn and would always go with natural because of the recovery being so much better, but in the end whatever gives you your baby is worth it I think. Good luck, I hope you get what you want. x

Thanks both.

@peonie83 sounds horrible for you! Hope you are all recovered

Yes! Dc2 is 5 months. I had c section for breech first time round so was very wary of vbac, having never been in labour. But, Dc1 was only just over 18 months on my due date, so was worried about the recovery from a c section this time.

I changed my mind a million times, then went for c section booked at 40+4.

Changed my mind again when on my dd I ws told I could just have my waters broken. I had three sweeps, nothing. So I ended up going in 40+9 to have them done. It was OK, not enjoyable but you know, you're going to be in labour soon so not that bad!

I didn't want the drip, but they did want to start me on it. I was resisting and by the time they were trying to push it they checked me and I was fully dilated. So that wad that, no drip. I didn't have the pessary as at the sweeps was told I was 2/3cm dilated already.

They only use the drip under caution in vbac.
I was pleased I went down that route as even with a 10lb13.5 back to back baby, episiotomy and forceps, the recovery was far better than even a good c section.

I've had three VBACs and two of them I was induced for and the thirdI had my waters broken to move things along.
For VBAC 1 I was 40 plus 9, I had half a dose of prostin gel as consultant was cautious and then I had waters broken. Dd was a vaginal delivery 9 hours after prostin gel. I had an epidural in case of emergency c section and constant monitoring because of rupture risk as consultant wanted me to have a c section and that was my compromise.
For VBAC 2 I had been having irregular contractions for two days once I was 4cm midwife broke my waters and ds was born two hours later again a vaginal delivery with epidural in case of emergency c section and constant monitoring because of rupture risk.
For VBAC 3 I had a different consultant, waters went at 40 plus 1 at 40 plus 3 after no contractions I had a syntocin drip and dd was born 5 hours later again a vaginal delivery. This time I had constant monitoring again because of rupture risk but I only used gas and air.

Thanks @Nottalotta and @fleshmarketclose