Does anyone feel positively about VBAC even if it all goes wrong?

[3flightsofstairs]

Just asking as I'm due to have one in 7 weeks-ish and have just read a uterine rupture story!

I'm feeling largely ambivalent about the whole thing - what will be will be I think. I understand the birth process and the pros and cons - and did the first time too. Not being told that my baby was back-to-back (they didn't know either until I was 10cm and they broke my waters - ouch) and the midwives mistakenly telling me that he had descended were the reasons why we ended up with an emergency section. I was also told that I was small for dates and baby was 8lb15oz - so not that small either!

Slightly distrustful of NHS staff these days (apart from the people in theatre oddly enough) but not enough to not use the NHS. Was told that I couldn't have the dedicated midwife team as I was in the wrong area - even tho I'll be at St Thomas's again and they have a team - as the bloody Health Minister kept on harping on about the other week on the news. Grrr. Stupid woman.

Anyway - why am I still up? Should have been sleeping hours ago!

snowpatrol...no-one can operate on you without consent, but i imagine you will have a lot of opposition.....but if you want to go VBAC, then it is your (informed)_ choice

the links Daisy and Klaw have given are great, i would also look at having a doula to support you too, doula uk

hi 3 flights. I had a similar situation to klaw. ended up with a 3rd degree tear and haematoma. The worst part to heal seems to be my epi. am 17w pg with dc3 at the mo and planning another vbac. had ecs with first due to breech.

I think a distrust of nhs is healthy. I did evertyhign they said and didn't come out the best for it. First thing should have done was get rid of my mw. insisted on constant monitoring and was on my back in stirrups entire time also told me to get baby out v quick. Total labour hour and half she was out in 3 pushes, hence tearing.

Despite fact that i recovered much better from my cs I think that my own management (rather than someone elses) of the labour and being much better informed will help me slow down the process and I will let them monitor me roughly evrey half hour only and will be upright. so I'm goin gfor another vbac.

thanks again for all the support and encouragement. I never thought I'd get to this stage and despite being a bit scared at the thought of being so out of control again, I hope that we'll have better luck this time (supplemented with better preparation too!)

Good luck too manitz, hope it all goes well!
Sx

If you still have 7 weeks to go I'd try and keep an open mind and NOT stress and worry about it.

I spent the whole of my 2nd pregnancy reading and preparing for a VBAC and I actually think it made me much more anxious. I think I put myself under unnecessary pressure to achieve a natural birth.

I think if you've had a previous negative experience the pressure to perform second time around can just make you very anxious. Pro VBAC-ers mean well but it can add to the pressure.

When I got to 39 weeks I saw my midwife who said the baby was big and wasn't at all engaged. She said I had a 50% change of VBAC success. At this point I just lost confidence (maybe hormonal!) and started crying hysterically! I think I was so scared at the idea of a failed VBAC I then opted for an elective c/s.

It's a year later now and I don't regret anything. My c/s recovery was fine and my baby was healthy - that is the most important thing.

So my advise would be try not to worry about it. I am Pro VBAC - I think it must be very satisfying to do it naturally. But I also think you shouldn't feel guilty if you choose an elective c/s closer to the time.

thanks 3 flights. I think Mrs Bond is right. I didnt even think of my vbac as one and wouldn't have hesitated to have another ecs had no 2 been breech as well. ultimately a healthy baby is most important - though if there are no problems you could have a natural birth.

I had a c-section first time (breech baby)and a VBAC second. I must admit, I felt cheated out of the whole giving birth experience the first time and was very keen to have a VBAC. The risk of rupture seemed very small to me. It was a very positive experience and I'd encourage anyone to give it a go. My only advice would be to request intermittent monitoring. I was monitored constantly which restricted my ability to move around. I did manage to delivery on my own but had more pain relief than I'd wanted.

I do think you have a greater chance of successful VBAC if your first was a breech (elective). This is purely because you don't have the mental scars (physical ones are not the problem!) and lack of confidence.

Also can depend on getting good support - after a long bad experience I think my husband started dreading it (although he tried not to show it). This makes it harder for them (as a birth partner) to give you encouragement.

I do agree with others posts that a Doula or even just having the same midwife throughout would help many women (especially ones with mental scars!). I was skeptical I would receive good quality support (having had 5 midwifes with my first labour - all with different methods and varying quality).