VBAC vs ELCS

[roseswade]

Hi all,

I had a previous ELCS due to breech positioning. This time around I really want to try for a VBAC. I also found the c section recovery very difficult and suffered a pph.

The consultant suggested an induction (via balloon method) at 39 +3 but I declined as there was no other medical need to induce and I’ve been hopeful for a spontaneous labour. I had a sweep at 40+2 and my cervix was closed. I was then scheduled for an induction at 40+3 but they didn’t have the bed space and I actually decided I wanted to wait until 41 weeks to see if labour started spontaneously.

I’m tentatively booked in for an induction at 41 weeks (Monday) but my head is all over the place. Personally I don’t want to go to the 42 week mark for various reasons. But keen to hear experiences and opinions on:

• would / did you opt for a repeat c section instead of an induction if labour didn’t start by 41 weeks (I know there is research to suggest VBAC can be less successful after 41 weeks)
• If you had the balloon method of induction for vbac, how did you find it?

I have had slight scar pain in this pregnancy but nothing too concerning, although that does make me worry about issues arising during the vbac too

Also adding that the consultant said if the balloon did not work they wouldn’t offer me another form of induction (e.g low dose of drip) so then we’d be looking at another c section anyway

I he an emergency section then 2VBAC. Birth three nearly ended in tragedy but I'm assuming your scar is fully healed with no issues so I think you're reasonable to try a VBAC. Have you tried natural ways to start labour?

I had a VBAC in January.

I was also really keen to avoid another c section unless totally necessary, and I refused to book in for an induction at any stage. The consultant wasn’t happy about it, and made me sign a document saying I knew the risks of going over 42 weeks, but honestly the chances of getting to 42 weeks are so slim anyway that I decided it was worth it.

I was also offered the balloon, as well as multiple sweeps and they also said they’d break my waters. I was also told I could have the drip as long as it was very slowly turned up.

Had I got to 41 weeks, I’d have accepted a sweep (or as many as they’d give me!), and then if nothing came from that I’d have accepted induction via the balloon, BUT if I remember correctly, you have to be a little bit dilated for them to use the balloon, and so I’d have asked them to check baby’s position and then break my waters before getting the balloon in. If at 42 weeks my cervix was still rock solid etc, I’d have probably opted for a section. The consultant also said if I got to 42 weeks and then decided to go for section, they’d probably not be able to schedule me in for a few days, which in my head would mean a few extra days to go into labour myself!

I know it’s scary, and I felt a lot of pressure to medicalise it. I was fortunate that baby arrived at 39+5 so I didn’t have to make any of these decisions, so I really feel for you. Scrubbing the floors genuinely got me into labour with both of my children! Good luck x

So sorry to hear about your third birth! My previous c section was 4 years ago so scar is fully healed / no issues there.
Yes, been trying lots of ways to start labour naturally but haven’t felt like anything is remotely close to starting

I suggest a walk, rhubarb and custard and some curry. Day two of r and c and my baby was born. Six days late.