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

Original poster

Positive VABC stories

17 replies

Carysmatic · 25/07/2023 10:24

Hi, I'm pregnant with my second child, my daughter was born via emergency c-section after a very long labour (over 72hours long)! I am really keen for a VBAC this time around, I'm due in March 2024 so it is really early days but I am looking for advice to make sure my pregnancy is the healthiest it can be from start to finish to ensure I get that VBAC. Any advice on ensuring a VBAC, advice in advocating for myself and stories of positive VBAC experiences please. Obviously I am aware that things don't always go to plan and that a c-section may still be required and of course at the end of the day it comes down to my babies safety and I will do what is best for them. However I want to give myself the best possible chance of a vaginal birth! I myself was a VBAC baby, my mum had my older brother via emergency C-section and then had me completely naturally and vaginally so I know it can be done, all advice and positive stories welcomed TIA

OP posts:
Iwasafool · 25/07/2023 10:28

I had a VBAC of a 10lb baby. I didn't do anything in particular other than talk to my consultant who offered by an elective. I said I'd rather have an elective than an emergency but vaginal delivery was first choice. He said OK we'd all do our best. Rather unpleasant forceps delivery and bruising that would blow your mind but I was happy I managed it.

Original poster
Carysmatic · 25/07/2023 10:30

@Iwasafool thank you for your story, hope you healed well after the forceps! It's nice to know VBACs are possible xx

OP posts:
Hollyppp · 27/07/2023 09:54

Following as currently 38 weeks and going to try for a VBAC!

I had a VBAC clinic appointment (extra appointment with a VBAC midwife) to discuss how I had an ECS last time and what could possibly have this time. I also have an out of guidance birth plan done by the birth centre (as they usually want you on labour ward for a VBAC).

I’ll report back here in a couple of days or weeks :)

Iwasafool · 27/07/2023 11:27

Carysmatic · 25/07/2023 10:30

@Iwasafool thank you for your story, hope you healed well after the forceps! It's nice to know VBACs are possible xx

I did heal well and much faster than after the CS. Good luck.

Original poster
Carysmatic · 27/07/2023 13:45

@Hollyppp good luck! Hope you get your VBAC xxx

OP posts:
DeerWatch · 28/07/2023 23:07

My two youngest were both VBAC. The first was at 40+3, he made a very rapid appearance, no pain relief and only just made it out of the lift and onto ante-natal ward.
My youngest was at 40+5, lovely labour and I kept mobile all way through with just a bit of gas and air.

I did do a lot of exercise during pregnancy to keep BP controlled as I knew if that went up they would suggest CS.

Hollyppp · 01/08/2023 21:53

Carysmatic · 27/07/2023 13:45

@Hollyppp good luck! Hope you get your VBAC xxx

Sorry to say not a successful VBAC story here! Had my baby 4 days ago by emergency Caesarean under general anaesthetic. Got to 9cm using gas and air and then she got distressed, lots of Meconium in the waters, was back to back so they had to get her out fast and BP plunged.

bit bummed! At least she is safe and alive!

Palmtreesinwinter · 01/08/2023 23:07

I had a wonderful vbac. Things that helped - I was well rested before hand (went on mat leave early) , did a lot of hypnobirthing and towards the very end acupuncture with a specialist in natural birth. Got very manageable pains around 4pm and stayed at home as they got stronger and more regular. Sent my toddler to grandparents around 10 and things ramped up then, I think my body said right you can go now! In hospital midnight , was monitored but on a really long cord so I could labour oh my ball. Things got intense and baby arrived 130. A gorgeous experience that was painful but felt ‘right’. One thing to note though - I got to 7 cm on my first before a crash section so I think my body had some clue what todo. Wishing you a healthy birth whatever happens!

TheaBrandt · 01/08/2023 23:09

My first birth the same as yours second took 6 hours start to finish natural birth. It was like I a different person. Dont assume the first birth will necessarily be anything like your second.

BiscuitsandPuffin · 01/08/2023 23:46

I had a successful VBAC. I had to fight every step of the way to get it because we were in Ireland where they are unbelievably risk averse, at a hospital with a 43% C-section rate (yes you read that right).

At 38 weeks they did a scan and they said I had to have a CS because my baby was too small. She had been bang on the 50% until then.

At 39 weeks, they said I had to have a CS because my baby was mysteriously now too big. Somehow I now didn't believe them.

They said when I hadn't given birth by my due date (you would think they would know that 70% of women don't give birth by their due date) I had to have a C section. So I printed off the national maternity guidelines and helpfully highlighted the bit telling them about VBACs.

Honestly, all this nonsense ruined the third trimester because instead of chilling and preparing for our new arrival, I was stressing about how on earth I was supposed to look after a toddler and a newborn post CS all by myself.

When I arrived at the hospital after my waters broke (as told to, they didn't want to wait for 3 in 10 or whatever it is), they told me they didn't think my child could tolerate labour so they prepped me for an EMCS.

Then another doctor took over and DD mysteriously recovered, so they let me have a trial of labour.

At that point my assigned consultant (who I had never met, he passed all his "decrees" down via junior doctors) washed his hands of me and transferred me to one who was more pro-vaginas. The midwives in the delivery suite were fabulous.

17 hours of back-to-back labour later, including being on the pitocin drip, (and one episiotomy) my beautiful princess was delivered wearing her umbilical cord like a necklace but completely healthy and I recovered within days and was running around soft play again with my toddler 3 weeks postpartum.

In the run-up to the birth, I did so much on my birthing ball. I also did Epi-No (which I still think would have worked if she'd not been back to back). I also drank gallons of raspberry leaf tea as I thought it couldn't harm. And I took Clary Sage and battery-powered fairy lights to the hospital.

You might have a fight on your hands but if there's no medical reason for a repeat C section and you don't want one, push back. I'll fight to the death for anyone to have a CS when they want one, but no one should be pushed into one either unless it's actually needed.

Original poster
Carysmatic · 03/08/2023 20:10

@Hollyppp congratulations on the birth of your baby girl, I'm sorry you didn't get your VBAC but like you say at least she is here safely and doing well! Enjoy those lovely first few weeks with your newborn ❤️

OP posts:
Original poster
Carysmatic · 03/08/2023 20:14

Thank you @Palmtreesinwinter @TheaBrandt @BiscuitsandPuffin for your positive stories of your VBACs! I feel like I may have a battle on my hands here too as I was so poorly after my csection as well, wound got infected and ended up with sepsis, which is another reason to be put off by CS entirely! I will definitely fight for VBAC and am already looking into getting some hyponobirthing classes and possibly a doula too! Currently battling covid as well which has made me very nervous with being pregnant too! Lots of support from my GP though who are monitoring me closely

OP posts:
Palmtreesinwinter · 22/08/2023 04:09

I haed a wonderful vabac. I'm in a European country though and was v supported. Had very manageable pains around 4pm and stayed at home as they got stronger and more regular. Sent my toddler to grandparents around 10 and things ramped up then, I think my body said right you can go now! In hospital midnight , was monitored but on a really long cord so I could labour on my ball. Things got intense and baby arrived 130. A gorgeous experience that was painful but felt ‘right’. One thing to note though - I got to 7 cm on my first before a crash section so I think my body had some clue what todo. Wishing you a healthy birth whatever happens!.

Palmtreesinwinter · 22/08/2023 04:10

Apologies, I was trying to post this on another vbac thread!

MissSmiley · 22/08/2023 08:08

I had a VBAC for my second, labour was 90 mins. I had to change hospital to find a consultant to support me. She arrived at 41w

I also had a VBAC2 for my fifth child (had twins in between via section), that time the consultant insisted that if she hadn't arrived by the due date I would have to have a section. Went into labour at 5am on my due date and she arrived at 8.30am. She was 9lbs 9oz. I was in hospital when labour started as I'd had some niggles the week before and they wouldn't let me go home after my previous quick labours.

The only reason I attempted VBAC was because I had quick labours before, my first section was at 9cm dilated because I refused to push not for any medical reason (too scared, big baby, consultant had booked a section for after the weekend because of risk of shoulder dystocia, baby was from fifth ivf)

Blahblahgingerbreadlady · 22/08/2023 22:12

BiscuitsandPuffin · 01/08/2023 23:46

I had a successful VBAC. I had to fight every step of the way to get it because we were in Ireland where they are unbelievably risk averse, at a hospital with a 43% C-section rate (yes you read that right).

At 38 weeks they did a scan and they said I had to have a CS because my baby was too small. She had been bang on the 50% until then.

At 39 weeks, they said I had to have a CS because my baby was mysteriously now too big. Somehow I now didn't believe them.

They said when I hadn't given birth by my due date (you would think they would know that 70% of women don't give birth by their due date) I had to have a C section. So I printed off the national maternity guidelines and helpfully highlighted the bit telling them about VBACs.

Honestly, all this nonsense ruined the third trimester because instead of chilling and preparing for our new arrival, I was stressing about how on earth I was supposed to look after a toddler and a newborn post CS all by myself.

When I arrived at the hospital after my waters broke (as told to, they didn't want to wait for 3 in 10 or whatever it is), they told me they didn't think my child could tolerate labour so they prepped me for an EMCS.

Then another doctor took over and DD mysteriously recovered, so they let me have a trial of labour.

At that point my assigned consultant (who I had never met, he passed all his "decrees" down via junior doctors) washed his hands of me and transferred me to one who was more pro-vaginas. The midwives in the delivery suite were fabulous.

17 hours of back-to-back labour later, including being on the pitocin drip, (and one episiotomy) my beautiful princess was delivered wearing her umbilical cord like a necklace but completely healthy and I recovered within days and was running around soft play again with my toddler 3 weeks postpartum.

In the run-up to the birth, I did so much on my birthing ball. I also did Epi-No (which I still think would have worked if she'd not been back to back). I also drank gallons of raspberry leaf tea as I thought it couldn't harm. And I took Clary Sage and battery-powered fairy lights to the hospital.

You might have a fight on your hands but if there's no medical reason for a repeat C section and you don't want one, push back. I'll fight to the death for anyone to have a CS when they want one, but no one should be pushed into one either unless it's actually needed.

What’s Epi-no?

nappiesandcontracts · 22/08/2023 22:27

I had a successful VBAC. I think a lot of it came down to luck if I'm absolutely honest - baby in optimal position, spontaneous labour at 39 + 5 so not too big etc. Things which possibly helped: water birth, intermittent rather than continuous monitoring (both of which I had to advocate for), all the usual Hypnobirthing comfort measures (nice music, lights etc). There's a really good Facebook group called UK VBAC or something like that. I got tons of advice from there. Best of luck!!!

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