VBAC success stories

[LadyPug]

I had my consultant appt this week and he explained that the main issue with our last birth was that baby’s head turned to the side and effectively got stuck, he said it was just bad luck and could have happened to anyone. So he is positive about VBAC for us and I would like to give this a go. What are my chances? Have others had successful VBAC stories?

I had one. I had an EMCS with my first and they later told me it was because she had her head in the wrong place and chances of that happening again were slim. I made sure I had a detailed birth plan, one I did with the consultant and I went for a VBAC and had one! It was great!

Thank you Buddy you’ve made me feel so much better! I just read a thread which really scared me where nobody advised vbac. It’s good you had the same problem as me also. What sort of thing did you have in the birth plan? I’m keen for it to go well!

The birth plan detailed my length of labour really. With my first they left me for 36 hours before they realised I’d need a section so the plan stated if I didn’t progress as expected they would give me a section. I also stipulated that I didn’t want any induction drugs (these can increase the risk of uterine rupture). I was also booked in for an elec-section on my due date as they didn’t want me to go over and then be induced. My consultant was really good and had this all written down in my notes.

Thanks Buddyelf that’s so good to know. So you went into labour before due date? That’s good to know after a previous c section! We’ve agreed that I can go right over eg a full 10-14 days etc but if haven’t gone into labour then go to elective

Yes. DC1 was Cat 1 CS when heart rate dropped during labour. DC2 - waters went at 35 weeks and she came out the next day after a 45 min labour! Really glad I had a VBAC.

I had EMCS with DS1 (4 days of induction first...) - I was exhausted and just couldn’t get him out.

Had an amazing (and quick!) VBAC 3 weeks ago - totally natural labour from start to finish. Big headed I know, but I felt so bloody proud of myself!!

I had a c section with my first due to him being breech and the consultant thought that he was going to be very small and poorly. I was induced with my second and had a VBAC. It all went well. I was so delighted afterwards. I was told I had a fifty/fifty change of the VBAC being successful! I recovered so much better than after my c section.

I'm hoping for a VBAC next month and these stories are so inspiring! Congrats to you all.
I had a traumatic first birth that ended in a forceps delivery, then elective c section but this time really want to try for a VBAC. Apparently my chances are good as I've already had a vaginal birth, albeit by forceps. I am scheduling a section for 41 weeks if the baby hasn't arrived by then to give time for a few sweeps on/just after my due date, but no other induction.

My first was brow presentation and had a VBAC with second even though she was back to back it was all fine 😀

I also had a successful vbac and induction. Despite being closely monitored (which actually made me feel happier as I could see babies heart rate was ok) I was able to stay active during labour, move into different positions etc and delivered with just gas and air. It was amazing.

I also had an emcs with first due to brow presentation. Wasn’t straightforward with second due to going 15 days over, but ended with a relatively straightforward vbac.

My first birth ended in emcs for pretty much the sane reason. DS1 head was at a funny angle so he ended up wedged back to back.

I've subsequently had 2 successful vbac. 👍:)

My first was a EMCS because the baby just didn't descend properly. There was no medical reason why so I chose a VBAC for my second. After a much quicker labour the Same thing happened second time round but with DD2 I was able to push her out, with the help of forceps. I am glad I went for the VBAC, personally I made the decision to go for a VBAC as I felt I owed it to myself to try. However, I did also stipulate that if I'd gone too far overdue I wanted an elective rather than to be induced. Good luck whatever you choose to do!

I had one. High risk pregnancy due to gestational diabetes so had section booked but DC came 3 days early. Started with the odd contraction the night before, waters went at 4pm and DC born at 9pm after 45 mins proper labour. It all just seemed to fall into place this time unlike last time with very overdue and growth restricted baby. Good luck OP.

Thank you so so very much everyone! What hope you have given me!!!! I can DO THIS!!!!!

Also had brow presentation with DC1 resulting in emergency CS.

Went passed my due date with DC2 and they wouldn't let me try VBAC so elective CS, same with DC3.

But after DC3 I read extensively about VBAC and fully understood the risks of VBA3C but still thought I can do this...and I did!

First ELCS because she was beach. Second was VBAC and it all went smoothly. I didn't really have strong feelings either way but now I'm really glad I got to experience both types of delivery. Being able to just stand up and walk over for a wee minutes after giving birth was amazing, I felt so light! Recovery was much quicker too. Will just say that staff all seemed very impressed VBAC been successful, so I wonder if it's maybe less common for it to all go to plan than maybe you're lead to believe. The wireless monitoring also wasn't really working that well so did end up with traditional wired monitors which I think probably meant I was flat on my back and less mobile than is reccomended later in labour. I really didn't even notice or care at the time, but did have to have an episiotomy which I wonder whether was because I wasn't in a particularly helpful delivery position. But again that was honestly fine, all numbed up beforehand and has all healed no problems. I found it really reassuring that induction wasn't really an option (some consultants at my hospital would apparently offer to at least make some moves towards it, but as the NHS guidelines don't reccomend it I didn't really feel under pressure to go down that path), so I knew that c sec was always an option if it was needed.

If you want some more "i can do this" vibes I read Ina May Gaskin's "guide to childbirth "before dc2 was born. It's a bit "hippy" i guess but very positive and makes you think what your body can do.

I also read the Effrctive Birth Preparation by Maggie Howell and used her VBAC natal hypnotherapy cds.

Thank you everyone, this is so good to know. Unfortunately peppar I do feel a bit under pressure as my consultant was advising induction but I said no, I didn’t want that again after dd reacted badly to sytocin and we had awful experience. He said we’ll talk nearer the time and I know he’s going to get firmer but so am I as I know I don’t want that. This time around I am armed with more knowledge. And thank you jaggy I read Ina May for the first birth which is why I felt so crappy when it didn’t go well, I just believed I could do it... and then I couldn’t! Will try again though!

Ps well done sandrapanda that’s dedication! I’m so glad you did it!

Hideous first birth (blue light from birth centre to hospital, everything panicky, forceps, ventouse, tear...) so I had an elective c-section with my second. I felt she was born a bit early as a result (not so laid back as my first and I didn't feel good emotionally or physically) and I pushed (ha ha!) for a VBAC with my third. That was great and number 4's birth was even better!

Of course, take advice but it can be done. Good luck!

Thank you stocksund good to know!

Hi LadyPug, have a look at the NICE guidelines, unless things have changed I don't think steps towards induction is a reccomended route and shouldn't feel pushed in that direction. Of course, some women may want to give it a go anyway which maybe what the consultant was suggesting. When I was overdue they were suggesting breaking my water to get things going, which I was completely freaked out about, but I think it was in hindsight because they thought VBAC was something I really wanted to achieve and they would help me do that, when actually I was fairly ambivalent about it! Good friend said to me at the the time that needed to remember it was all only suggestions, and ultimately I could consent snd refuse consent to whatever I chose which I found really helpful, not just feeling like should do what I was told. After stressing about it, all kicked off of its own accord anyway so needn't have worried, but certainly wasn't something I was particularly keen on

I should have said too that I went 2 weeks over with both VBACs. The first one the hospital was a bit funny about and I had to go in for monitoring every day. With the second VBAC, I fibbed about my last period and gave myself a week... I came clean when I knew I was nearly 2 weeks over and the midwife (different one every time) said it had only been a week DS arrived 2 days later.

OP, thanks for starting this thread: our experiences are identical and I'm trying to get my head around the idea of a VBAC with my second, due at the end of January. I'm really heartened to hear stories from those who had head presentation issues first time but not subsequently. I was worried that perhaps there was something about my anatomy encouraging my babies to tilt their head...