VBAC Prep?

[anonmum22]

Just found out I'm pregnant with no.2 and even though early days I can already find myself worrying about what on earth birth is going to hold for me and my options.

I had induction and EMCS with my first followed by uterine infection and frozen bowel. I cannot tell you why I was upset about having a section but I was and I really want to try and have a VBAC this time round. My husband wants me to elect so that I do not go through similar again (induction was very painful due to spd and drawn out as often is with the drip) but I just can't bring myself to give up hope of a natural birth, I feel like I need to give it a go at least. Again, can't tell you why and don't have anything against electing but something just doesn't feel right. A natural birth does also terrify me as they couldn't get an epidural in me last time and I worry the spd pain will be horrific again so all in all it's a bit of a scary concept!!

Has anyone got any advice on any aspect that can increase your chances of a VBAC that I can start from get go? Ideally I had wanted to lose weight but we conceived slightly quicker than planned!

You should have at least one appointment to discuss your options with a specialist midwife and/or obstetrician. When you do, it’s worth asking about early stretch & sweeps to avoid induction (as this is trickier and less likely to enable a VBAC). Your community midwife can then do them from 37 weeks.

You can also safely diet under the guidance of something like Slimming World - but might need a letter from your midwife.

Keeping mobile in early labour will help too.

Do you know why you had an EMCS last time? For delay in labour? Or was baby in distress? Did your cervix dilate?

That's good to know thank you I didn't know early sweeps were a thing.

First birth was because a very small pocket of waters went on a Friday night and then I didn't go into labour so they were up against a time limit. Long induction on the drip and manually breaking waters in another 3 sections only got me to 2cm so they had to get baby out on the Tuesday.

Crikey, that sounds like a pretty exhausting process to go through. The fact that you have laboured before (even if not to fully dilated) certainly helps if you need induction again. Good luck xxx