first baby c/s, what to expect in second labour?

[BetsyBoop]

Just wondering what to expect.

First time round DD was breech until 38+6 & then turned head down, so elective c/s cancelled & back to natural delivery I wanted...

However when my waters went at 39+4 her head hadn't engaged at all, so I was advised to go straight to hospital due to risk of cord prolapse. When I got there my BP was 177/110 & DD showing mild signs of distress so they kept me in. No contractions at this point.

They gave me 2 hrs to start contractions, but nothing had happened & my BP was still high (155/100 I think) & DD still showing minor signs of distress so they put a syntocinon drip up to try & start things. (They did offer c/s at this point but I desperately wanted natural labour) Had 5hrs of strong contractions after the drip, but nothing was happening with my cervix (got to 1cm I think) & my BP was still high & DD's trace no better, so reluctantly agreed to have a c/s.

I think part of the problem last time was I hadn't got my head "ready" for a natural delivery as I was resigned to a c/s due to DD's stubborn breechness (had ECV at 37wks, only for her to turn breech again 2 days later...)

This time I feel much better prepared for my VBAC & have a lovely doula too. However I'm wondering what to expect when I go into labour. Will it be pretty much like a first labour, seeiing as I didn't get very far last time?

If you got this far, thanks for reading

39wks today & counting....

Hi Betsy,

Similar position to me. My official due date is 31 Oct - one of many so already fed up of waiting!

Posted similar question myself and here are the v helpful answers (thanks all!):www.mumsnet.com/Talk/1365/409016

thanks Stripey

Wonder which of us will get going first? - my EDD is 30/10...

Hi Betsyboop! This time your labour should be much nicer and progress well cos you won't be getting induced

And it will be like a first timer from the point you reached in dilation last time.

A VBAC anytime in the next 3 weeks then?!

your baby was not ready last time, neither were you, and both of those things can have a massive impact on labour. you have done everything you can do to prepare, and come what may, this will be a far more positive experience for you...

when i got to the hospital in labour with DD, i had not dilated, due to DD being OP, so MW turfed me off the bed, took gas and air off me, and made me stand and move with the contractions, at the time, i could have cheerfully killed her, but within an hour, DD had turned and i started to dilate very quickly and efficiently !! my first labour was also very slow to get going, but never got going due to induction at 39 weeks with a low bishops score, epidural at 2 cm and not moving off the bed for hours.. so in some ways it was similar, but then due to better advice i had a far better outcome.

your doula will be on hand to help you thorugh it and encourage you

your best chance of a VBAC starts with spontaneous labour, active , mobile and positive !

best of luck to you and stripeybumpsmum x