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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

"Support for imminent VBACers" thread?

871 replies

pendulum · 05/09/2007 08:42

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

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lulumama · 18/09/2007 17:59

also, why is he bothered about you going into labour before your due date.... only around 5 % of babies are born on their due date. a normal pregnancy can be anywhere from 37 - 42 weeks.. and a lot of women give birth somewhere around 41 +.. rather than bang on the due date or earlier.

should you go over your dates, your best chance of a succesful VBAC starts with a spontanoues labour, and induction can be complicated for VBAC as can increase risk of rupture..

you can ask for regular scans and monitoring to make sure baby is happy in utero

auschick · 19/09/2007 01:44

Thanks for your replies. Makes me feel a bit better as I had myself really despondent yesterday.

I have a thrombophilia - hence why a number of obs in the UK (was living in the UK until 5 weeks ago) have said going past 40 weeks is a risk for me. I may be allowed to go to 41 - will find out tomorrow.

I'm not really sure why vbac is so important to me - and I know that a safe delivery and healthy baby is the most important outcome. I think I feel like I'm missing out on something if I can't delivery naturally. It's such a confusing time, isn't it.

lulumama · 19/09/2007 07:35

are they concerned about placental blood flow ?

VBAC was important to me as i felt that i had not given birth to my DS, that he was removed from me. I found it very difficult. For me, pushing a baby out, and being hte first one to hold the baby,and be able to get up and do things for him/ her was so important. And i got that and it was amazing. It almost doesn;t matter why you want it, that it is just a strong gut feeling you cannot explain, if you want it, you should go for it.

let us know how you get on x

BetsyBoop · 19/09/2007 11:24

another useful VBAC link if you are after a quick summary of research

littlestar · 19/09/2007 18:22

Hi, just wanted to let you know that DD was born yesterday at 9am (so 41 + 2). I didn't get my lovely water birth as things started progressing too quickly and I was also bleeding heavily, so the midwife decided to transfer me from the Home From Home Birth Centre to the Delivery Unit for monitoring. An epidural was mentioned but no doctors were available (which I'm glad about in retrospect) so I just used gas and air. I never really believed deep down that I could give birth lying down, being constantly monitored and with no drugs, but even though it didn't go entirely to plan, the experience was amazing and I'm really proud of myself and my baby! DH was brilliant and I feel the experience has brought us closer together. Unlike my CS he was much more involved and really knew that I needed him there. (And he now actually seems slightly in awe of me!)

Without wanting to sound too sentimental, my VBAC was a really positive and healing experience and, to be honest, if I can do it I'm sure anyone can! Best of luck to anyone who is contemplating it

BetsyBoop · 19/09/2007 18:27

congratulations Littlestar

Although it might not have been your "ideal" (I guess not many people manage that if we are realistic) it still sounds like you had a fabulous VBAC

Original poster
pendulum · 19/09/2007 19:49

That's wonderful littlestar, congratulations on your DD's arrival and your VBAC! You have become another inspiration to all of us hoping for the same!

pendulum (39+6)

OP posts:
mousemole · 19/09/2007 20:11

I had a great VBAC ten weeks ago. Ds1 was a crash c section after his heart rate failed and he got stuck. ( he was over 9lbs). All very traumatic. Was determined to have a VBAC this tiem but the docs said baby was in a bad position ( head turned at weird angle). His head never engaged because of this but against all the odds I delivered DS2 5 days early after a 11 hour trauma free labour. He weighed in at a chunky 9lbs as well ! So pleased with myself and still smile now when I think about it. I was happy to prove the doctors wrong and will definitely try for a 'natural' birth next time.

lulumama · 19/09/2007 20:43

congratulations to littlestar and mousemole on the safe arrival of your DCs and for sharing your inspiring VBAC births x

Klaw · 20/09/2007 11:40

Many congratulations to Littlestar and Mousemole!!!! Well done!

canadianmum · 21/09/2007 19:04

Congratulations littlestar and mousemole.

Just wanted to add my story. Was told that I would need continuous monitoring and was determined to give birth in a private birth centre instead.

Didn't exactly go to plan as my waters broke last Sunday night and after 48 hrs of contractions 15 mins apart and no sleep I was only 2 cms dilated and exhausted so had to go into hospital. I emphasised how much I wanted a VBAC and they agreed to do monitoring and induce me with a drip for a 4hr trial. I had an epidural to help me rest but went from around 3cm to 10cm in an hour and a half with the drip, baby was continuously monitored with a clip and was very happy. DH barely made it back to the hospital after going home for a rest, I pushed my little girl out after an hour and was having a shower on my own 2 hours later. I know it still probably sounds very medicalised and wasn't my ideal birth but I got my VBAC and it was so worth it! Up and about within an hour or two and back home the next day - bliss!

DH and I are still floating up on cloud nine somewhere - highly recommend the VBAC no matter how it comes about!!!!

lulumama · 21/09/2007 19:06

congratulations ! glad you are so pleased, even if it wasn;t how it was planned, you got your VBAC and pushed your baby out ! well done x

littlestar · 22/09/2007 11:14

congratulations canadianmum and mousemole, hearing your stories is making me feel all warm and fuzzy again! I'm still floating on cloud nine too. I really don't think I realised how important VBAC was to me until after I managed it - far more important than all the details I'd meticulously planned, like having the right music on my ipod and the right aromatherapy oils (none of which I gave a second thought to during labour!)

Chirpygirl · 22/09/2007 13:39

Congrats canadianmum, littlestar and mousemole on all your VBACs!
I haven't been around for a few days and come back to see all these success stories...fingers crossed I'll be on here in a few weeks!
It is actually really reassuring to hear that you all still had some intervention and still managed a VBAC, makes me feel a bit mroe positive!

canadianmum · 22/09/2007 16:46

good luck chirpygirl, i am still on cloud nine!

Klaw · 22/09/2007 19:39

Congratulations Candianmum!!!! Well done, but don't forget to take it easy, you're only human!

diddle · 23/09/2007 22:01

congrats to you wondeful vbac mommies.
its so nice to read positive stories about this subject.

I am 39+2 and hoping for a vbac this time. First delivery was failed induction, so ended up with a c-section. Felt very let down with my body, as i so want to experience a natural birth.
DS is now 15 months old (today) so i really want to avoid another section, can't imagine 6 weeks of recovery with a toddler and a new baby.
Midwife has already worried me with her very practical, but a little premature mention of induction again.

fingers crossed baby makes and appearance soon.

canadianmum · 24/09/2007 11:21

Good luck diddle, I really hope you get your vbac. Think positively! The second time can be completely different to the first and even if you need another induction you could still get the vbac you want.

Hope it all works out, keep in touch.

littlestar · 24/09/2007 13:22

Good luck diddle. My MW and consultant made me nervous by muttering about induction too, but you've got plenty of time for nature to take its course. Let us know how you get on x

Chirpyghoul · 01/10/2007 20:24

Hi ladies!
I am ressurecting this thread (with appalling spelling) as I am off to the consultant tomorrow for my 40 week appointment (I will be 39+3, god bless the ladies in the appointments section )

It has been agreed that they will set a preliminary date for an elective CS at 10 days over my due date and will also give me a sweep tomorrow so fingers crossed I don't need the surgery date! I also have an appointment with the midwife next week for another if this doesn't work...

What I really need to know is if there is anything I can do before or after the sweep to 'help' things along?

Chirpyghoul · 01/10/2007 21:02

anyone?!

jenjins · 01/10/2007 21:19

i had a sweep at 39+3 which didnt really do anything as cervix was uneffaced but the next one at 40+3 really was more brutal and after that i was always feeling niggly things and in between i had raspberry tea and sex and 4 days after the sweep my waters broke and i started contracting straight away. i feel that it did work along with some help but on a different note chirpy i after 54 hours and regular contractions i never past 2.5 cm so i had to have another section. Did my best though despite being desperate to do it myself. DD has just turned 1!!

Chirpyghoul · 01/10/2007 22:01

Thanks jenjins, I thought it might work quicker than that as I never got one with DD...hmm..shall resign myself to bouncing on my ball for a bit longer!

VoodooLULUmama · 01/10/2007 22:07

sex helps ripen the cervix

also, you can ask for a c.section at 42 weeks with expectant management to make sure baby is happy in utero, or an induction

your best chance of a VBAC is spontaneous labour, so lots of sex, nipple stim, letting go of your fears, visualisation and keeping yourself positive

Chirpyghoul · 01/10/2007 22:20

Pleeeeeeeeaaaase stop saying that! everyone is saying that and DH has that look in his eyes! (more so since someone in his work told him about blowjobs being better than actual sex....I'll kill her when I see her!)

I just want to go to sleep!