VBAC with Pessary induction.

lolomoon · 2024-03-20T12:42:00+00:00

Due to go in tomorrow night for a pessary induction & would love to hear anyone else's experiences/stories that have gone for an induction following a c section birth. For context, Im 40+1 weeks with my 2nd baby. 1st born c-section as he was transverse. At my 39 week check up my cervix were still closed, (Bishops score 5) & I'll be examined again tomorrow morning. (Not in the uk)

mrssunshinexxx · 20/03/2024 15:28

Good luck x can't help with induction

supercalafragilisticexpealidocious · 20/03/2024 15:30

Why are you going for an induction when you're only 40+1? You're more likely to have a successful VBAC if you aren't induced (I believe). I had a VBAC at 40+6. It was great. But I wasn't induced.

Mummyofatinyterror · 20/03/2024 16:36

I have had 2 successful inductions ending in Vbacs! One at 38 weeks and one at 39!
The pessary is inserted and then taken out 24 hours later, both times I started to have mild contractions but it is a long process, I've had to have my water broken both times.
The first time I had the hormone drip to progress labour and the pain was quite intense. I had an epidural.
The second time I didn't need the hormone drip as progressed on my own.
Happy to answer any questions you have!

Original poster

lolomoon · 20/03/2024 18:35

Mummyofatinyterror · 20/03/2024 16:36

I have had 2 successful inductions ending in Vbacs! One at 38 weeks and one at 39!
The pessary is inserted and then taken out 24 hours later, both times I started to have mild contractions but it is a long process, I've had to have my water broken both times.
The first time I had the hormone drip to progress labour and the pain was quite intense. I had an epidural.
The second time I didn't need the hormone drip as progressed on my own.
Happy to answer any questions you have!

Thank you for your reply. Can you tell me how long was it roughly that you had the pessary in before you were put on the oxytocin drip? I'm so eager for a VBAC after having a rough time/recovery with my cesarean during covid. I'll have my cervix examined tomorrow and am just hoping and praying that I'll be cleared for induction as I'm dreading it going in the direction of another section.

OP posts:

supercalafragilisticexpealidocious · 20/03/2024 20:30

Still not clear why you're agreeing to induction...? Why not wait a few more days and hope things get kicked off naturally? You're much more likely not to need intervention or a section if you start labour spontaneously.

Mummyofatinyterror · 20/03/2024 20:34

Absolutely!
Both times I had the pessary in for 24 hours and I wasn't given the drip until I was on labour ward and my waters had been broken.
My advice is once the pessary is inserted, get up walk around, climb stairs, stay active.
Some people react quicker to the pessary but in general (in the uk) you won't be examined again for 24 hours.

Mummyofatinyterror · 20/03/2024 20:35

supercalafragilisticexpealidocious · 20/03/2024 20:30

Still not clear why you're agreeing to induction...? Why not wait a few more days and hope things get kicked off naturally? You're much more likely not to need intervention or a section if you start labour spontaneously.

It could be medical reasons, overdue, literally anything and I don't think the OP needs to explain this.
She's asking for people's experiences not to be told what to do and what not to do

flyinghen · 20/03/2024 20:36

I would wait and not be induced at 40+1 for a higher vbac chance

Original poster

lolomoon · 20/03/2024 20:36

supercalafragilisticexpealidocious · 20/03/2024 20:30

Still not clear why you're agreeing to induction...? Why not wait a few more days and hope things get kicked off naturally? You're much more likely not to need intervention or a section if you start labour spontaneously.

I feel as though the longer I leave it the more likely I would be pushed in to a cesarean here to be honest. VBACS are very uncommon here & I would take any opportunity to try for a VBAC. Since last week my bishops score was low I feel as though my body won't progress at a fast enough rate to come on naturally. Obviously nature is nature and that could be wrong. It's just what I feel is right.

OP posts:

Original poster

lolomoon · 20/03/2024 20:48

Mummyofatinyterror · 20/03/2024 20:34

Absolutely!
Both times I had the pessary in for 24 hours and I wasn't given the drip until I was on labour ward and my waters had been broken.
My advice is once the pessary is inserted, get up walk around, climb stairs, stay active.
Some people react quicker to the pessary but in general (in the uk) you won't be examined again for 24 hours.

Thank you again, that's good to know. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.
What was the reason you ended up being induced if you don't mind answering?

OP posts:

supercalafragilisticexpealidocious · 20/03/2024 21:02

@Mummyofatinyterror she's asking for experienced because she wants a successful VBAC. The highest chance of a successful VBAC involves going into labour spontaneously. So it is relevant because I wouldn't advise her to wait if there was some medical reason why she needed to be induced. But based on her update there isn't a medical reason, she is just being pressured into it. So my advice (having had a successful VBAC) is to wait as long as possible and say no to induction for as long as she feels comfortable in order to maximise her chances. A due date induction feels very premature.

Mummyofatinyterror · 20/03/2024 21:51

@lolomoon I was induced the first time due to reduced movements and baby measuring big - she wasn't, she was 6lb14oz!!
This time I made it to 39 weeks and was hoping to go into labour spontaneously but I was quite poorly, I had gestational diabetes and high blood pressure and a decision was made that baby needed to be born.

Original poster

lolomoon · 21/03/2024 01:40

Mummyofatinyterror · 20/03/2024 21:51

@lolomoon I was induced the first time due to reduced movements and baby measuring big - she wasn't, she was 6lb14oz!!
This time I made it to 39 weeks and was hoping to go into labour spontaneously but I was quite poorly, I had gestational diabetes and high blood pressure and a decision was made that baby needed to be born.

I'm glad they were both were a success and that you're all fine now. Thanks so much for sharing!
All the best 🥰

OP posts:

Original poster

lolomoon · 21/03/2024 01:48

supercalafragilisticexpealidocious · 20/03/2024 21:02

@Mummyofatinyterror she's asking for experienced because she wants a successful VBAC. The highest chance of a successful VBAC involves going into labour spontaneously. So it is relevant because I wouldn't advise her to wait if there was some medical reason why she needed to be induced. But based on her update there isn't a medical reason, she is just being pressured into it. So my advice (having had a successful VBAC) is to wait as long as possible and say no to induction for as long as she feels comfortable in order to maximise her chances. A due date induction feels very premature.

The risk of rupture increases past due date due to babies size, & I do have a doctor to advise me medically (who is aware of my medical history & babies current situation). I was just asking for everyone's experiences but I am not looking to be advised on my own situation. Thanks for sharing your own experience though.

OP posts:

Outthedoor24 · 21/03/2024 01:50

My friend and I both had very successful deliveries after pessary induction. Although both were second babies.

auspreg · 21/03/2024 02:54

Where I live in Australia, they don't allow inductions after a c section. I've been told my options are going in to labour naturally or have a planned section. I'm happy with this as I went in to the appointment thinking I was going to have to fight my case as to why I was going to refuse another induction (first birth was c section after failed induction).

MariaVT65 · 21/03/2024 03:32

Yeah sorry op, my understanding is also that induction after c section isn’t recommended due to high risk of rupture. So you may not get many people on here with experience of it. There’s also a poster above who i’m not 100% sure actually had a vbac.

mrssunshinexxx · 21/03/2024 06:49

I have had a vbac and aiming for my second end of the year and wasn't : won't be allowed induction either but tbh I wouldn't except one x

Autumn1990 · 21/03/2024 06:55

I didn’t think you could have a pessary drip induction after a cs due to risk of ruptured. I think it’s usually a balloon induction.
You should be constantly monitored as well.
I had a successful VBAC went into labour spontaneously and was monitored constantly

Original poster

lolomoon · 21/03/2024 08:15

There is no significant higher risk for rupture with VBAC which is induced, vs a VBAC with spontaneous labour. (0.5%)

I am outside of the UK, and am monitored daily since i hit 40 weeks as standard as the health system is much different here to NHS.

But that aside, I was generally interested in people's opinion that HAVE gone through induction for VBAC. Not opinions of those who haven't.

Thanks all. 😌

OP posts:

MariaVT65 · 21/03/2024 08:20

Ok then op. Good luck with your birth :) You may want to ask a different internet forum then that is more local to you as I’m pretty sure that women in the UK are not routinely offered inductions for vbac. I certainly wasn’t.

Blessedbethefruitz · 21/03/2024 08:39

Obviously this isn't an induction, sorry, but I had 2 sweeps at 40+ weeks for my vbac (like you I had a bad cesarean recovery for breech first baby) and went into labour and had baby at 40+6. I had an induction (by balloon) and cesarean booked in and kept pushing them back as I was worried about induction complications and really didn't want another cesarean.

The second sweep was very vigorous and a little painful, but I believe worked. Do they do sweeps where you are? It's less invasive than induction but could get the ball rolling.