Latent labour length for vbac

[Ididivfama]

I just wondered if anyone knew how long you were allowed to be in latent/early labour for when attempting a vbac. I know with active labour there are limits (although can’t remember what these are so please feel free to remind me). Last time I had a C-section partly because I was in latent labour for so long (nearly 5 days) with a back to back baby and I was admitted due to his distress. Then I got to active but progression was so slow I went for a section. Surely a long latent labour also can’t be good for the scar?

As a bonus, if anyone can tell me why they think their vbac was a success I’d love to know!

Bump

Hey, I’m a midwife and had a successful VBAC.
there is no official length for latent phase or active labour as a VBAC. It’s not a case of, right it’s been 24hrs bail out. It’s very individual. Your long latent phase was caused by malposition so that’s something to work on in 3rd trimester, you need UFO positions/optimal fetal positioning. Although sometimes with all the will in the world, these babies do their own thing.
I was actually induced for my VBAC with the pessary for likely late onset GDM, had polyhydramnios and big baby (prev 4.7kg, this one was 4.5kg). Had a normal birth, bled a lot and had a 3rd degree tear but a normal birth. I’m 25weeks pregnant now and planning a 2nd VBAC 🥰

Thank you so much for this

Any particular things you’d recommend and when to start?

Raspberry leaf tea from 32weeks, 6 dates a day from 36weeks, using a birthing ball at home, keep moving, curb walking at term , look into positive birth company hypnobirthing

I did a lot of hypnobirthing with my first and felt so sick after all the raspberry leaf tea! But you never know, may be better this time.

@Ididivfama take the raspberry leaf capsules or mix it up with the tea. It isn’t the nicest even though it sounds nice!!

As much as people say, "there's no time limit," that is exactly what I was told by my consultant in the first appointment. He said, "after 8 hours you should have a c-section."

So as much as midwives talk about individual care, progression etc, be prepared!

This is what I wondered. Because my early labour was so long last time it took ages to get into active labour and by the time it did, he was distressed.

@Ididivfama The NHS has a habit of promising you the moon on a stick during midwife appointments and reneging on those promises the minute you step foot in a delivery suite.

You'll be told about allllllllllllll of your options during midwife appointments.

Yes, there's a birthing ball and you can use it. Yes, you can move into different positions during continuous monitoring and the midwives will help you!!!! Yes, wireless monitoring is available. Yes, during a VBAC for active labour they look for steady progression of your cervix rather than a time limit.

Then when you get in the delivery suite it is:
You must wear a hospital gown.
You're not allowed off the bed.
The wireless monitor isn't charged.
You're not allowed to move around otherwise it's too hard to maintain the trace.
It's been 8 hours you're not allowed to labour longer.

Don’t be disheartened OP from other readers. I’ve been a labour ward co-ordinator for about 7years and a midwife mainly on labour ward and MLU for 15years and that’s mostly crap. There is some and shit, but most units are very keen and proactive with mobilising/position changes/gowns are for theatre. We induce VBACs all the time, I was induced with pessary for mine and was contracting for 24hours before giving birth, including having hormone drip for 2nd stage as contractions went off the boil.
I see successful VBACs all the time, and women in early labour for 12-24hours at home

There was no time limit because I was having an attempted vbac. Although my waters had been gone for 8 days and I had an infection so there was a "we need to hurry up" atmosphere going on. It was more about whether the baby was in distress or not rather than a specific time limit. In the end I was in latent labour for 4.5 hours but then baby went into distress so they took me to theatre for a c-section.

Thank you, is there anything that you think makes a vbac more successful? My midwife said I’d need to progress a certain amount per hour, what is this generally?

@Ididivfama if you want a successful VBAC you have to be totally committed as a start. I see women coming in super early, wanting admitted in early labour etc and on the whole this just doesn’t work. Once your in active labour, so 4/5cm with regular contractions text book is 1/2cm per hour… continuous progress is the key and as long as that’s happening and everything is safe then labour will continue. Staying active, UFO, positive birth company, TENs machine, good environment (dim lights, whatever music works for you, positive affirmations) and your partner being onboard. Letting your midwife know what you want, write it down for them