VBAC at age 40

[CycleWoman]

Has anyone had a successful VBAC age 40 or over?

I’m 39 and had a straightforward birth at 35 and an ELCS due to breech presentation at 38 (held out to go into labour but baby wouldn’t budge!). I’d really love a 3rd but realistically I’d be aged 40. This isn’t an issue to me in itself but I know most hospitals suggest induction at 40 weeks when you are 40 and the idea of being induced for VBAC is not appealing.

It all feels a bit complicated and it’s making me want to stick with my lovely two. But not sure if I’ve just scared myself reading horror stories.

I was in a very similar situation to you and I opted for an ELCS.
I too was warned that due to my age I would be induced at 40 weeks, from my (limited) knowledge an induction of labour can be hard fast & painful and make intervention more likely.
With a previous CS the risk of problems would be increased anyway so I was worried about having a failed induction and then EMCS which seemed the worst of all worlds.
My ELCS was calm and as lovely as these things ever can be. I'm happy with my decision & id make the same one again if I had to.

@choosername1234 thanks for that, my worries are exactly the same. The idea of an EMCS or assisted delivery is putting me right off.

I had a fantastic vbac at 39 but I went early, I wouldn’t have been let go over 40 weeks. I did everything I could to encourage Labour (safety!) including accupuncture etc and it went really well at 38 plus 6. Best of luck

Thanks @R3ALLY that’s good to hear.

@CycleWoman

Has anyone had a successful VBAC age 40 or over?

I’m 39 and had a straightforward birth at 35 and an ELCS due to breech presentation at 38 (held out to go into labour but baby wouldn’t budge!). I’d really love a 3rd but realistically I’d be aged 40. This isn’t an issue to me in itself but I know most hospitals suggest induction at 40 weeks when you are 40 and the idea of being induced for VBAC is not appealing.

It all feels a bit complicated and it’s making me want to stick with my lovely two. But not sure if I’ve just scared myself reading horror stories.

Anecdotal, but it seems a lot of babies come slightly earlier after a previous cesarean.

You might just take a more flexible approach—open to an ELCS if it comes to that but try for a VBAC if conditions are optimal.

Would they even induce for a Vbac though? My hospital wouldn’t although I know it varies on the hospital.
They might let you go over and say if you’ve not delivered by 41 weeks then ELCS.

I had an emcs at 37 with DC1. I attempted VBAC at 40 with dc2, went into labour spontaneously at 39 weeks and dilated to 10cm. Unfortunately, I dilated so fast and my contractions were so strong, that I had a uterine rupture and haemorrhage, and dd was born by crash emcs. We were both OK though! So that is my experience. I understand that rupture etc was not age related though.

Yes at almost 42 with DC3 (DC1 was EMCS at 36 DC2 was VBAC 5 weeks early at 38). He did come at 33 weeks though so never came close to discussing induction..I had 2 great VBACs but they were both

@BikeRunSki oh goodness that sounds like an absolute ordeal. I’m glad to hear you are both ok. What you describe is my biggest worry. My first labour was also very intense and I went from no contractions to regular 3-4 mins apart within about half an hour. So I do worry about attempting a VBAC for those reasons.

@CimCardashian yes they do in my area but only use certain methods.

I imagine I’d be encouraged to opt for an ELCS.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

@CycleWoman, that is very similar to how fast my contractions started. I’d definitely discuss this with your MW or consultant.

@BikeRunSki how far apart was your c-section and attempted VBAC?

3 years 5 weeks and 6 days

Was this vbac induced? Or did labour happen spontaneously.

Blimey. Im attempting a vbac in may next year God willing. Last baby was born by emcs in January 2023 so over 3 years, it will be. Hoping it goes well as I found the c-section worse than my 5 other normal vaginally deliveries.