VBAC experiences after emergency CS

[MJane3]

Hi all. Looking for some advice/ stories. Here's my background

2 years ago, with DS1, my waters broke at 38 weeks. I didn't know it at the time, as it was such a slow trickle. After about 48 hours, I went to hospital and they confirmed waters broke and induced me. I hyper reacted to the pessary and was contracting every 1-2 minutes for about 24 hours, until I finally caved and got an epidural. After 36 hours, I was 9 cm dilated. I tried pushing, but baby was up too high, back to back and part of my cervix haven't come away- so emergency section done

I'm hoping for a vbac this time. What was yours like? Did your body allow you to birth naturally when it "failed" the first time? Did you go into labour at home (no induction) and everything went more or less smoothly the second time around? Did anyone try and end up with another EMCS? I can't imagine labouring at home, a slow build up of contractions and it all going well, as last time was nothing like that.

Can anyone tell me their successful or even unsuccessful stories about vbacs? Thanks

I had this dilemma last year. After much agonising, I booked a late ELCS for 41 weeks with a view to attempting VBAC if I went into labour naturally before then. I didn’t so had the section.

I would look at the stats for successful vbacs, both in general and at your hospital, and factors which influence them. My hospital tried to push VBAC in a fairly unsubtle and dubious way but, to be fair, made it clear a section would be agreed from the off. But were adamant that I was a good candidate.

My previous history was EMCS for failure to progress following failed induction at almost 42 weeks, and I also had concerns in view of being short, older (38), overweight (BMI 28) and never having given birth vaginally before. They pooh-poohed all of these despite RCOG flagging all of them, plus going past 41 weeks and/or carrying a larger baby (75th centile for me), as factors likely to hinder VBAC. They claimed I had. 70% chance of VBAC. RCOG stats suggested closer to 60%, my own research suggested odds of an uncomplicated natural delivery were closer to 36%.

As it was, I never went into labour and decided I wasn’t going to be induced or go past 41 weeks with a baby likely to be over 4 kgs by then. So ELCS it was. This was the right decision for me.

Thanks all. I have a high BMI so that's something to consider too. After reading these posts, I definitely won't be induced. I've read the vbac handbook and think I'll have a go 😬😬😬

I think it definitely makes a difference why the emergency section is needed. I had to have it as my child was in danger. I hadn't gone into labour. I was booked for a c section 5 days after my second child was due but when I told the consultant I didn't want a section he just said don't have it then. She was born six days late.