VBAC / Vaginal birth experiences please??

[Bettyyy]

Pregnant with DC2 due January. Previous c section (elective - He was breach)

this time I’d like to maybe try for vaginal birth. My midwife is on board and said if I consented to sweeps as soon as they can do them we could try to avoid induction as this was a fear of mine!

I am nervous though. DS was big - over 9LB so they’ll want to monitor me very close I was told and also won’t let me go past my due date much. So I’m scared if the sweeps. Don’t work they’ll speak about induction :(

but on a whole whats a vaginal birth like? I didn’t even labour with DS as it was a planned c section. So it feels like quite a daunting experience to me as my first birth experience was planned I knew what I was in for etc

I have 4 children- every one was different. I had epidurals for two, the other two were too fast. Gas, the sucky thing that you can bite down on, was my best friend 😅 No advice op just best of luck

I had a VBAC 23 months after DS1 who was breech. With DS1 my waters broke at 37 weeks, two days before I was due to try an ECV and he was delivered the same day. He even had bruises on his back because of how hard the surgeon had to pull him out…. he was that wedged in!

I wanted to try a VBAC because I have chronic back issues which meant it took 5 attempts to put the spinal block needle in with DS1 🥴, and I was informed DS2 was not breech so nothing stopping me giving VBAC a go.

My labour started at 5am at 39+1 weeks with DS2, I was admitted to the labour ward at 5pm and he was out 3 hours later following what the midwife described as a textbook labour.

Recovery was much easier after vbac than csection, I couldn’t believe how good I felt afterwards considering it was my first ‘natural’ birth! That’s even with a 2nd, almost 3rd degree tear, which btw recovered in a much quicker timeframe than the csection.

I did scream the hospital down though…. My back hurt so much I didn’t even feel him crowning, but I put that down to my back issue 🤷‍♀️

This sounds like a silly question but what did you do when it was your 2nd+ birth and had your other child(ren)?

DS is my first so of course didn’t need to think of anything then but if I go into labour at 1am let’s say what do I do do I wait until morning to go in and drop him at school first ?? Do I wait until morning and then ring someone when they’re awake??

I had a VBAC nearly 6 months ago!

Back story - laboured with DC1 for nearly 24 hours, spontaneous labour but failed to progress and his heart rate kept dropping

I decided with DC2 that I wanted a VBAC. Midwife agreed I could try and spontaneous labour first time and general low risk!

Went into labour early hours of my due date (didn't know it at the time just kept waking up) and got up early around 6am as I could sleep. Said to Dp I was in early labour but I hadn't felt baby much. Called triage who told me to come in. Dropped dc1 off at MILs about 30 mins away and then drove to hospital another 45 mins away (thankfully was a Sunday morning!)

Got to hosp but had some complications with potential scar rupture but asked for a second opinion and dr agreed to break waters and see how we get on.

Anyway, laboured for about 6 hours or so, felt the urge to push and then 29 mins later baby girl was born!

VBAC was amazing, I was so pleased that I managed to do it. Didn't get an epidural (although I did ask eventually!) so just gas and air and although the VBAC had slight complications with shoulder dystocia all was fine

I would do a VBAC again in a heartbeat. I loved it. I felt so empowered and amazed at my body and just thrilled that I'd birthed my babies both ways.

Honestly I would say go for it! But I think you have to be at peace that it could end up in a c section. Doesn't mean it will happen but you definitely need to be open minded

I've had 2 vbacs. Remember that everything is your choice. Don't be pushed into inductions- I always refused them. Even sweeps can lead to a cascade of interventions.
When they start talking about inductions just tell them you're not having one. Also don't book a cs if you don't want one.
Your body, your choice.

@Fixyourself can you elaborate on the sweeps thing please? I want to be as educated as possible!

And I only have a vague idea what the process is and I know the aim is to try and start labour. But what can they cause etc??

Also had two VBACs. When I had mine inductions were not recommended due to the risk of rupture - my hospital would not induce if there had been a previous c-section. Not sure if that advice has changed. I also refused a sweep as I had had one on my first (c-section was due to foetal distress) and felt like I had been assaulted - it was extremely unpleasant.

Don’t feel pressured to have any interventions - in my case not having them didn’t affect my ability to have successful VBACs. I went into labour naturally and they were both quite straightforward.

Why does she want you to have sweeps? There is very little evidence they do anything and they are a form of induction as they are. Do what feels right to you. Personally I’d let it go and then a week overdue go to C-section.

Labour itself felt to me like really strong constipation then diarrhoea type cramps, off and on. Labour can be amazing and I’d do some Hypnobirthing, but have a cut off point so you stay in control.

This is my plan. Try for labour and then C-section, not bothering with a bloody induction! Actually loved my previous section haha the best part of my whole labour even though it was emergency.

I really dont fancy induction. I'm aiming for a VBAC this time, but would rather have second section rather than induction as I've been told the risk of rupture is very low, but measurably higher if you are induced. Induction sounds pretty unpleasant anyway, so unpleasant + extra risk = no thank you!!!

My eldest was a straightforward vaginal birth, my twins were a section - technically counted as an "emergency" at 35 weeks, but they were able to wait 2 days with me being monitored so that my preemie twins had time for steroids to work and for the SCBU team tobe ready, so it really wasn't a rush.

Personally, I much prefer the recovery from a vaginal birth (assuming it is straightforward). My births were apparently textbook examplesof each, no complications. Slighttear with my first (no stiches required) made it sting when I had a wee, but otherwise really very little discomfort during recovery. Section we manageable, but I had terrible trapped gas (needed oramorph) and the codeine/paracetamol made me constipated, which was really unpleasant as I was afraid of busting stiches. I also really disliked the fragmin injections. Couldn't do them myself without it hurting massively. Not being able to lift is also very inconvenient when its not your first baby, as is being afraid of someone running into your wound for an enthusiastic cuddle.

Last time round, c section was going to be at 9am, with DH told to be with me at 8.30. So my mum came to my house to look after my eldest (it was a Saturday, so no school). This time round my mum will be on call....

Don’t work they’ll speak about induction

Based on the earlier posts, it seems it may be different protocols in the UK than Ireland (not sure why that would be the case).

However in Ireland (where I am), inductions will not be performed in VBAC situations due to risk of rupture of scar.

ARM will be carried out but no drug-based inductions.

Regarding VBAC, it very much depends on your reason for a section first time - in your case, it was a breech delivery so trying for a VBAC seems a very workable idea, if that's your wish.

I had a SVD with my first, no complications; emergency section on my 2nd (due to breech presentation but I went into labour before scheduled section) and VBAC on my 3rd. I really wanted a vaginal delivery so was pleased it worked out.

I had an almost VBAC. I demanded an emcs just before the pushing stage because I panicked. Hindsight, I should have gone for it. I got the full on baby moving down the pelvis, needing a poo feeling!! I won't be having a 3rd but if I were, I'd be going for a VBA2C.

Hi everyone, did everyone planning for a VBAC get their VBAC? Planning for one in a few weeks!

Me too! Baby due 10th June. Also interested in any responses.

Attempting vba2c in Oct