"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

lilmama - am also going for a vbac in the netherlands, would love to chat to you in more detail about which midwifes, hospital etc you are going to. Am also slightly non-plussed by how medicalised they seem to want it to be from the off here. Let me know if you;d like to mail me.

Wow Milkmade! Would absolutely love to chat. You can mail me at [email protected] if you like. Whenever you're ready but I'll be back online from tonight.

lillimama - i believe the signs of uterine rupture are any of the following:

scar pain
raised blood pressure
raised heart rate

If you would like to read my birth story of HWBAC it is in the birth announcements section (my usual name is ILikeToMoveItMoveit). It was in September this year and it was fantastic.

It sounds like you have a great MW.

thanks ILikeitHoHoHo
I'll check out your story, very interested.
And congratulations, so nice to hear it was fantastic! Might come back if I have any ??? this forum really is great.x

I remember your labour thread over the New Year last year. You were so strong and brave and I believe you are able to have the birth you want. Have faith in yourself and your baby, you can do it. You will no doubt have the odd wobble and crisis of confidence, but that is normal and can be overcome with knowledge and surrounding yourself with positive people and thoughts.

I'll be keeping an eye out for you and if you have any questions put a shout out for me on MN

Hello,
May I join? I had an em cs two years ago and am now 35 weeks pregnant. I wanted a VBAC and had made my mind up to go for it until today. I went to the hospital to tell them and whilst they said I could they reminded me (at my request) that the rupture rate was 1/200 and that jsut seem astronomical. I know not all ruptures mean catastrophe but still, she said they take them all very seriously. Add to this the fact that I am not someone who can summon up a positive mental attitude and given my existing concerns I am quite likely to freak out at the slightest unusual development in labour, I now think I should have a planned cs. This really doesn't fill me with joy. Don't really know what I'm asking here, have just been in tears all day and am very tired and confused. Any words of advice would be really appreciated. xx

HI Racka

Congratulations on your second pregnancy. I'm sure more experienced people will have more to offer on your post but I just wanted to say, that maybe it could be a good idea to have an experienced doula to support you? Also, have you considered opting for a vaginal delivery and only having the CS if you run into trouble? As I understand it, there are quite certain signs if you are heading for a rupture so perhaps it's possible to stay rational if you're well informed as not every feeling and sensation you have will mean you are rupturing. i.e if you're well informed and supported you can stay in control of what's happening rather then end up in the theatre just because of some sensation and "freaking out" because of it etc. Remember though ultimately, it's not really the birth you have but how you feel about it that matters in the end. If you feel most comfortable and empowered in your process with opting for the CS then that in itself can be a really positive place to come from.
Wishing you all the best with your decision and birth.....
I'm sure other's will have some useful input.

Thanks for your positive support ILikeIt....
Still haven't managed to read your story...off to find it...
x

Racka - that figure really isn't that high. Another way to look at it is 0.5% There are risks associated with repeat CS too - it is just weighing them up.

this information may be helpful

Hi everyone and welcome to all potential new vbacers, this is a great thread with lots of information with which ever decision you go for.

Mears, apologies for not updating sooner, LO has chicken pox so busy playing nurse. Had appt with fetal medicine consultant last week scan results were normal no signs of anemia and bloods were taken to check titre levels, they will only call me if titre levels have risen, not heard from them so no news is good news. I have appt next week at local hospital for repeat bloods and scan and follow up appt with fetal medicine doctor in 3 weeks. Like you said he stated anti-s is not one of the more riskier antibodies and unless titre levels rise dramatically and even then would not be looking to deliver baby early if no signs of anemia in baby. We got onto subject of delivery and their were raised eyebrows when i mentioned vbac he asked what i knew about rupture rates so i told him and he responded with "mmmm you've been on the good old internet" with a sound of sarcasm. Im past caring about such comments have decided will only discuss antibodies with consultants not delivery and will meet with consultant midwife in new year to discuss my vbac plans if everything is normal with antibodies. It is becoming a bit draining and have questioned whether its worth it or not but all i have to do is come back to this thread and re-read posts to believe i can and will have the birth of my choice.

FLFS fingers crossed you make it to 37 weeks.

Glad scan went well last week Mppaw hoping everything continues to progress well.

Hi all, Just a quick update....had another growth san today (Am 36+1) and my fluid has reduced, HORAY, so hopefully full steam ahead with my VBAC. Although the little mite is measuring top end of average...they have estimated it's weight at 6lb 10oz already !!! Ahh, still got another 4 weeks to go..

Was talking to DP today, and I dont remember feeling nervous about DD's birth. I suppose it's because you dont know what to expect, but I am starting to get really nervous with this one. Some days really confident about a VBAC, then other days, really nervous and thinking what the hell am I doing !!! No doubt this is normal....

Thanks for update Nevil.

I did it.....
Just to let you all know, I had DS (Was only 37wks+5) early hours Saturday morning. 2 and a half hours start to finish !!!
11:30 waters broke
12:45 got to hospital fully dilated
1:30 started pushing
1.58 George was born, 7lb, 52cm
Apart from the constant monitoring, it was the VBAC I had hoped for, albeit early and v v v quick.
Thanks to all on this thread, totally inspiring.

Yaaay! Congratulations Mppaw. Wonderful news! And an inspiration. Enjoy your new DS.

MPPAW THAT IS AWESOME! CONGRATULATIONS!!

WOW! Congratulations mppaw and well done on achieving a super quick VBAC, absolutely fantastic and welcome to the world George.

Quick update, i will be 35 wks tomorrow, had appt at hospital again re antibodies today, scan was normal and bloods were taken to check titre levels, last results showed titres are now down to 32 which is good since they were 128 at beginning of pregnancy. Have to repeat scan in 2 and 4 weeks.

Quick question, even though my antibody titres continue to decrease and no signs of anemia in baby fetal medicine doc recommends for delivery to take place no later than 39 weeks, their reason being HDN harder to detect the closer to term the pregnancy reaches, even though they keep saying anti-s is a low risk antibody, does anyone know if this correct?? Mears?? My only chance of achieving a vbac is if i go into spontaneous labour, unlikely before 39 wks since this has never happened before.

I have an appt with consultant midwife tomorrow to discuss mode of delivery/birth plan so will discuss antibodies with her but beginning to feel my chances of a vbac is becoming less and less likely and don't know if i have the energy to push for vbac anymore, it's just so exhausting.

Nevil - I really don't understand why you are being pushed over this. If all monitoring is good then there is no reason why you can't wait for spontaneous labour IMO.

How did you appointment with the consultant midwife go?

Congratulation mppaw

Have no idea why they are pushing for early delivery either Mears .
Had my appt with consultant midwife she will get me some independent, unbiased advice/evidence re my situation. Have decided that as long as no increased risk to baby if I continue past 39 wks and monitoring continues to show everything is normal will plod on with my plans for VBA3C.
Consultant midwife has been amazing, supportive of whatever I decide, she will be getting the biggest bunch of flowers I can lay my hands on when all this is over .

That is good Nevil that you have her support.

Remember also though, that although spontaneous labour is the ideal for VBAC - induction of labour can be successful too. The NICE guideline on induction of labour includes previous CS. Just another option to consider if you have to.

Just bumping this thread as it has gone terribly quite lately. Surely there has to be some imminent vbacers out there.........anyone??

That will be a no then........

there have been a few questions lately baout VBAC, so we could keep this bumped

Hi everyone,
Another possible VBACer here, but very nervous about it. I'm 14 weeks.

A bit of background: I had my son by emergency CS after 20 hours established labour. He was big (9lbs 6oz) and has very broad shoulders which meant he never moved down, even though I was fully dilated. Because of his shoulders I have a tear in my womb that happened during the CS, and so have been advised that an elective CS is the probably the way to go.

I've agreed with my consultant that we'll wait until closer to the time to make a final decision. Apparantly second babies are usually larger .. but sometimes they're not [hmmm]

I was wondering if anyone else had any thoughts about this situation, or similar experience?

Hi Camgirl and welcome to the thread.

Can't really help as not heard of a tear occurring as well as cs scar but didn't want your post to go unanswered, check out the links on page 2 of this thread, a wealth of information which may address your situation. I will keep this bumped for you and hopefully a wise mumsnetter will be along shortly with advice.