"Support for imminent VBACers" thread?

[pendulum]

Hi there,
I am 38 weeks today and planning a VBAC after my el CS for breech.

I haven't spent much time on the ante natal threads because I couldn't keep up with them! But now I am on mat leave and due date is approaching I would love to chat to anyone else hoping for a VBAC in the near future.

Is there anyone else out there, or another thread I can join? (Am just heading to docs to check baby position but will log in again later!)

Thanks
p xx

Hi, I was originally planning an elective c-section after my son was born by emergency c-section 3 years ago, but the nearer I get (I am 27 weeks) the more I am thinking that VBAC would be a better option for recovery afterwards.

Have got an appointment with my consultant next week, who is apparently very thorough, and I have ordered a book on VBAC to give myself some inspiration! Am also considering going to the Active Birth Centre in Archway for a labour workshop just to remind myself of breathing techniques and get myself pysched up for labour again. Was in early labour for a couple of days before the emergency section due to no dilation beyond 3cm so I am not afraid of the pain, but can't remember what to do or how to breathe!

wocha daisy I'm still here. I have the consultants appointment on Monday next week (I will be 32 weeks) I have had lots of encouragement so far from my community midwife, the midwife counsellor and have been to a VBAC workshop this morning run by the physios so I am hopeful I can have a positive experience on Monday. I have a list of questions and my community MW thinks I may even be able to make my case for a water birth, we will see on Monday although trying not to get too fixated on things.
rexsmum there is no reason to think you will not dilate this time so if a VBAC is what you want it is worth a go at least. I have a VBAC book I got from NCT and an AIMS book both of which have some very positive information in them.

just to add I just realized that cripes I am fairy imminent, when I stated looking at the thread it seemed ages away ekkkkkk

thanks lulu

good luck for your appointment hedgepig and keep us posted as to how you get on. I'm not seeing them again until 36 weeks, but in the meantime have hired a doula, and have read as much about it as I can and filled my notes with my birth plan and copied the RCOG greentop guide 45 and NICE guidleines which are in the back of my notes.

The registrar I saw at 13 weeks was fine about a VBAC, but said I would need CFM (decided to argue that one later), and that they would only want me to go to 41 weeks and if no spontaneous labour by then they would recommend a section. Not sure how I feel about that or whether to fight my corner and hold out until I go into labour naturally. I know they can't force me to have a section, but there are some scary statistics out there regarding still births and previous sections. My CMW isn't exactly supportive of my choice either, so I hope it isn't her who delivers me as they now do one hospital shift a week to keep their hands in (so to speak )

Rexsmum, there are some great links on page 2 of this thread. Are you on the November AN thread? I think you are on the stats list anyway, you should drop by and say hi. there are a few of us there planning a VBAC/VBA2C

Thank you for your encouragement Hedgepig and Lackadaisycal, it's the first time I've posted on mumsnet although I've read it for years!

I saw the links on the other page and will definitely have a read up before my appointment next week. Quite pleased that the midwife suggested I see the consultant at 28 weeks to coincide with my Anti-D injections as gives me some time to consider the options although I do feel pretty pro-VBAC, probably more to do with recovery and looking after a 3 year old than anything else.

Good luck with your appointment on Monday hedgepig.

I'm off for my hols right after the appointment so may not be able to post for a couple of weeks after. I did the same about the CFM at my early appointment but I think this is the appointment to "discuss" it. I am having difficulty getting DH to see why I think it is important not to have the CFM, he thinks all monitoring is good ,but I have a few days to knock him into shape.

I think that you should be able to negotiate to be monitored more closely (placental function etc) if you go over 41 weeks rather than straight to a CS if you want. I have never laboured before so this does concern me but I will have to wait and see.

I laboured fine with DS inspite of being induced. Had third dose of prostin at teatime, waters broke naturally just after midnight and dilated well; the only problem was I wanted to push too soon, MW didn't examine me, just told me I couldn't possibly be ready as i had only been 4cms an hour previously and went back to her notes. I couldn't stop myself from pushing and developed a cervical rim, was told I could "push past it" and tried for over three hours to do so.

I bloody well wish that I'd known then what I do now and things could have been so much different.

Rexsmum, come and join us on the November Antenatal thread now that you have taken the plunge

Daisy hindsight is a wonderful thing - I wish I had never believed the mw who told me the baby was head down @32 weeks - the word "boney bottom" bring shivers to my spine .

rexmum, my first labour stalled at 2 -3 cm.. something to do with being induced when not ready, given diamorphione and an epidral, being immobile and frightened! i had c.section for failure to progress

with DD i had spontanoues labour at term, stayed mobile , upright and active as long as i could, had gas & air and a bit of pethidine, and went from 3 - 10 in 2 hours 45 and pushed her out with no intervention or tearing in 30 minutes .

and she was back to back and remained so , born face up!

my VBAC watchwords are:

mobile, upright , active.. and get a doula if you can...

mobile, upright , active.. lulu that sounds like a good mantra - I will get DH a tee-shirt printed with it so we remember.

lol hedgepig......my DH will need one of those as well

although my doula should help us keep that in mind.

DH is scared witless about it all, as he was there during my labour with DS (I was off being high on diamorphine and other delightful concoctions ) and remembers how scary it got, whereas I just remember it all going on for a bit, being in a bit of apin and being witty (in my head anyway) and the fight I had over the gas and air when the epidural didn't take (they wouldn't believe me) and then begging them to cut off the cervical rim rather than doing a section . My big sis was there as well and she is still traumatised six years after the event! DH is worried about me going through all that again, and him having to witness my distress and whether he will cope if things start going wrong again. Mind you at least with our doula there he can take a break, and she will be able to help explain things rather than the blind leading the blind situation we were all in before.

I need to get him to read up on my birth plan and all my paperwork though.

cripes daisy it sounds like you really went through a bad experiance. it must be hard for a partner who is just looking on watching you in pain and distress. As you say hopefully your doula will be able to give him reassurance thais time and there is no reason to belive that it will be the same again. My DH is slightly weird he loves medical stuff, when I had my cs he was standing up looking into the incision over the screen The surgen said "you can sit down" to him in a surgeney way meaning get out of my way!!

I was getting a great view of DDs section in the shiny chrome around the theatre lights.....made me feel very sick indeed, but the screen was low and DH could see over it quite well; he was fascinated by it all as well.

re DSs section, DH's never to be forgotten (by me anyway ) comment was "Bloody hell, you wouldn't put a dog through that; you'd just shoot it" . Admittedly we weren't married then and the pregnancy had been a shock for him and we had separated (he wanted to be there for the birth though), but still.......I like to remind him of it sometimes, keeps him on his toes

My DH was looking too! couldn't help himself. I actually quite enjoyed mine as at last something was happening and there was some people around, I know that must sound weird!

My waters had broken naturally and then no dilation for almost two days. No beds on labour ward available, so I left the stiflingly hot antenatal ward and went home. Walked around, had hot curry, had contractions on and off. Went back into hospital the next morning, still no beds, contractions very painful and back pain in between them. Was offered paracetemol which didn't really touch the sides as I was hanging off the wall, chair, whatever I could find, but they told me I was only in early labour, implying it couldn't hurt that much! Eventually a bed was available and I was so knackered I grabbed the chance of an epidural and some rest. On the drip, still no dilation after 8 hours and I was happy to have a section then after almost 48 hours since my waters had gone. Don't feel I could have done any more, I was basically left alone to get on with it and managed to cope with the pain with very stoic DH. So on the plus side I've got some experience of labour and pain, but just don't want lack of dilation to happen again, but suppose I just have to wait and see! But keeping mobile and concentrating on the breathing was a definite lifesaver.

does anyone know if a cannula is incompatible with using the pool? Have consultants appoint on Monday and am thinking about this I don't have a particular problem with a cannula (thought it could be one negotiation point i would give way in IYSWIM) but now wonder if it will rule out using the pool??? thanks

Had my consultants (it was actually the Registrar) appointment yesterday and it was pretty positive. I got my list out and he said "I like lists". I explained I was uncomfortable with the CFM and he seemed fairly relaxed about it and said I needed to talk to the consultant midwife and the same with using the pool. I felt like a bit of a damp squib to be honest as I was expected some sort of confrontation, so I need to wait for an appointment with the consultant mw and take it from there. Also finally someone took seriously the lack of fluid I had with DS (ie none) and they will do and extra scan at 36 weeks to measure fluid and placental function.

Hello All, please can I join you ladies, I am due on Nov 6th nd had an EMCS with DS after induction. I haven't seen my consultant yet (35 weeks I think) to discuss anything but I am hoping to try for a VBAC this time round.

I know I'm way too early to be "imminent" (due at Christmas so only 22 weeks) but can I lurk quietly please?

I had a CS last time due to my first twin presenting breech. Had a GA due to low platelet counts. Was very disappointed at such a clinical birth and heartbroken to be unconcious for the birth.

Would love a VBAC this time around but waiting on my 32 week scan as at 20 week scan my placenta was "a bit low" and they decide at the 32 week scan whether it's moved enough to have a VB.

Don't suppose there's any way of getting it to move naturally is there?

Anyway, am starting to think about the birth and very interested to read all experiences. Good luck, I really hope you all get your VBACs .

Been lurking on VBAC threads including this one for a while. Thanks for all your posts and also your comments which I've found really useful (in particular Lulumama).

After terrible 50hr labour and emergency c/s with DS1 I've just had great VBAC for DS2 last thursday. I remember your words of wisdom - 'mobile, upright and active' and kept this in my head all the way through - I was off my face on diamorphone and kept shouting it at the midwife who thought I was mad .

Yes it was bloody sore and a section was threatened at points as he was in distress but this was due to a knot in the cord and not a rupturing uterus as I feared. I had CFM at the start and then they did some blood test thingy on his head and I had that on for the last bit and his oxygen perked up. I also only got 30 mins to push him out in as opposed to the usual hour but everyone shouted at me lots and he finally came out after 40 mins without any ironmongery involved.

I was up in the shower within 2 hours compared to 3 days after my section and I can't believe how mobile I am which is such a relief with a 2 year old at home to chase after. Anyone who thinks a section is the easy way out is having a laugh - I would take 7 hours of contractions any day over the pain of recovery of a c section.

hi there

firstly duh moment... what is a doula???
secondly can i join??? any support would be wonderful, im 29wks with baby no 3 had my heart set on a vbac after 2 cs last one was 11 yrs ago, saw my consultant last thurs who was totally unsupportive gave me no pros whatsoever and frightened me and hubby with horror stories. I left in tears thinking how stupid i was to even consiser the risks but reading some of the other threads with people who have had successful vbac am in turmoil of what to do
i really dont want another cs unless totally necessary but am now terrified of trying for a vbac in case i rupture.

hi moonlily. I'm not one, but I the best explanation I can manage is that a doulah is a birth support person. They are not midwives but know loads about birth and are trained to give to support and empower you to make your decisions about your birth and support you and your partner in the hospital (or home). I'm sure Lulumama will be along soon to explain it properly. I'm really sorry the consultant was not supportive, have you discussed with VBAC your mw? is she supportive? Can she recommend a different pro VBAC consultant you can change to? A VBAC after 2cs is possible and you have had a long time to heal so hopefully you can find someone more supportive. If you go to the beginning of this thread (page 1 or 2) there are links to lots of good information resources.

moonliliy, I hope you read this.

I'm aiming for a VBA2C, only 17 months after my last c-section, so it is possible.

there are some links on page 2 of this thread, look at the RCOG green top guide which gives you their guidelines for VBAC. there is also a lot of info in the NICE guidelines.

My MW was very negative when I told her my plans (she is a bit old school "once a section always a section") but there really is no need.

I'm sure I read somewhere though that an older scar may have more chance of rupture, but not sure. Have alook at the links that have been posted; I'm sure there will be something in there about it.

I'm now less than eight weeks away from my due date and tbh, that elective at 39 weeks is starting to look more and more appealing (have SPD and baby is breech so horrendous heartburn and gastric reflux going on). I'm seeing my doula this week so hopefully she will be able to get me more grounded and confident again.

I think this thread needs a bit of a revival as I know there are a few of us out there who are getting to the imminent stage

Come along and chat one and all!

Hi daisy 37 weeks so now rather imminent I suppose

Has anyone heard of a telemetric CFM? I went to talk to the consultant MW last week about my VBAC and using the pool and the issues I have with CFM (ie. movemnt restriction) and she told me they have a wireless CFM whihc means I can move about as I wish. I was just wondering had anyone used one, for me so log as it is avaible it seems like a good compramise, the only draw back would be it picking up fetal distress that wasn't real I suppose

Using the pool is against the hospital policy because if you were to have a rupture they don't feel they could get you out of the pool and to theatre in time. But they will let me use it

hedgepig, once I finally got my cons' support for my VBA2C she too suggested the wireless monitor and the pool, but I didn't get to have the VBA2C, however she said they used it a lot and it was good.

Hi all
I'm going for a VBA2C, I'm 33(?)weeks. My consultant is very supportive. He has told me what the hospital policy is but at every stage has said that it is my choice.

So I guess I need to develop some kind of birth plan?? VS I know you had a fabby one, I could just do with some realistic advice on what to put in it. I have another meeting with my consultant at 36 weeks.

If all went well, would I be able to be discharged in three hours like 'normal' births?