Could you please share some successful VBAC stories - I'm wondering if after my previous births I am being silly to contemplate having a VBAC as success seems unlikely!

[hotmama]

I am 28 weeks with ds1.

I had a lovely forceps delivery with dd1 and lost 4 pints of blood - didn't have a blood tranfusion but had saline solution and iron tablets - dd1 was 8.10 and I took ages to recover.

DD2 was born by emergency section, was 9 cm but after my waters broke I undilated to 4cm and they couldn't get me to dilate again. I lost over 5 pints of blood and had a blood transfusion - but was out after 2 days and actually I recovered better than after dd1. Dd2 was 9lbs.

Both times I had epidurals and syntocin to speed up contractions - and both times dd's heartbeats dropped - just didn't like the syntocin.

Dd1 was 9 days late and dd2 was 12 days late - although I was booked in to be induced with both, luckily I started off naturally.

Both dd's were back to back and never really engaged - in fact dd2 was very high and wouldn't come down!

After, dd2 the consultant said that if I ever had another dc - I could consider a vaginal birth - which was heartening.

I have had a consultant appointment with ds1 - I stated that I wanted to try for a VBAC and the consultant is happy to let me. I have got an appointment at 36 weeks to see how things are.

Now I'm thinking am I being unrealistic trying for a VBAC and that I might as well go for an elective as will probably end up with another csection - or am I just being fatalistic!

I have borrowed my dsis active birth books and want to try ds1 in a good position.

I'm 41 and this is going to be my last dc - just wanted to see if I could actually push one out IYSWIM!

Any advice is truly welcome!

(Sorry about no emoticons-long story involving dd1 and knocking over dp's drink)

This thread has my VBAC story.

That was after DS (back to back, never engaged, wouldn't come any further down than 0 station even after an hour and a half of pushing, turned out that he was in an asynclitic position, 40 hour labour with syntocinon then c-section).

I didn't know whether to go for VBAC or just book another section, but given that the issues with DS were around his position I went for the VBAC and am very glad I did. I had a good recovery from my c-section but still the recovery from the VBAC was a walk n the park in comparison.

Ooh thanks - P&L - just the kind of story I need.

bump

Any advice is truly welcome.

i had a VBAC and it was with a persistent OP baby who was born OP . i.e back to back and born face up. 3 hrs 15 of established labour, managed with pethidine and gas and air. no intervention or comlications

get yourself a doula! she will help you feel empowered and positive about your birth, however it goes.

search my name and VBAC and victoriansqualor, VBACqueen1 and Klaw. you will find some excellent and inspiring advice

iliketomoveitmoveit recently posted her home water birth VBAC story

Here is mine.
I was determined to do whatever I could so demanded an internal and a sweep at 39 weeks, and had DD2 on her due date.
I said to DH, even if it doesn't work (DD1 was undiagnosed breech and rushed CS at 41+ weeks) then at least I had tried, whereas if I just asked for an elective I would always 'wonder' if I could do it.

In celebration I went out 36 hours after birth with DD2 (to tesco to buy knickers...but still)

I had a brilliant VBAC after two awful deliveries.

With DD1, I was induced at 40+14, very slow and long labour. Baby was back-to-back and very high, I kept getting to 8cm then the baby kept bruising the cervix where it would swell and close. This went on for 40ish hours when it was decided a c-section was necessary. The epidural I'd had put in earlier was in the wrong place and they couldnt numb me properly so I had a general.

So DD2 I was offered an elective c-section, but decided against it. I was given a sleeping tablet when I was admitted to labour ward which totally knocked me out. Waters then broke and was persuaded to have an epidural by midwives as I was "out of control". So I had pethadine, then epidural and when I was ready to push I was pretty much unconscious. Baby was delivered in a poor state and I felt guilty thinking it was my fault. I kept thinking I should've had a section.

But with my DD3 I was determined to have a great experience. I wrote to the ward sister before I was admitted expressing my worries and concerns, who responded back with a reassuring letter. This time I wanted an active birth with as little interference as possible, and no drugs. The midwives were brilliant and totally hands off with minimal monitoring. Again the baby was back to back but this time things progessed quickly and I delivered on all fours with minimal tearing. It was fantastic to finally get the "normal" birth.

For this birth I did everything possible to optimise my chance of a good vbac. I kept mobile and upright, got on the ball and also trusted in my body.

Good luck xx

I had emergency section with dd1, she was in wrong position. Ended up a horrid labour.

DS1 was born by ventouse, but a much easier labour than with dd1.

With dd2 I saw an oesteopath for migraines, and she was studying treating pregnant woman. She treated me in the last few weeks to try and optimise babys position. Well I dont know if it was her, or if I was just lucky, but dd2 was born in under 50 minutes with no intervention at all. It was a completely different experience again.

Good luck x

Thanks everybody - these stories are really helping. I was getting a bit wobbly about my plans

At the end of the day, I went to have a healthy ds1 - but would like to give a VBAC a try.

Yes I had a successful VBAC. Avoid an epidural, as it will mean you can't feel anything or at least have reduced sensation, so you are more likely to end up with interventions or another cs. When you feel the contractions, work WITH them not against them - I know that sounds a bit silly but a good doula or midwife will help you. I found gas and air brill. Expect to feel pain - a vaginal birth is hard work and hurts, it's very different to a Csection which obviously isnt a picnic, but at the end of the day you are lying there having a surgical procedure done to you. Giving birth is very strenuous and physical. But yes, a VBAC is most definitely possible

i had emergency cs with dd1 after induction and long labour cos she didnt come down far enough. opted for vbac with dd2, went into labour that time and had vontouse delivery which seemed a doddle compared to cs. had to have syntocin drip again tho as contractions werent strong enough , but she came down far enogh for assisted delivery rather than cs. good luck!

I'll tell you my VBA2C story in around six or seven weeks

I am now 34 weeks and booked in for a VBA2C, but have had wobbly moments throughout the pregnancy. At the minute, after a lengthy chat with my doula and lots of great advice on here from lulu, VS, Klaw et al, I am feeling wuite empowered about it all.

I bought this book and this one. The don't cut me again one is American and a bit OTT in places, but all the stories are pretty amazing and empowering. The VBAC handdbook has some good stats in it as well as some very positive british experiences.

Good Luck

I had successful VBAC delivery of DS2 in just 7 hours after 50 hour labour and 3 pint blood loss with DS1 who was also back to back (got stuck at 4cm). PS - DS2 was never engaged either.

I'd assumed I'd need a section second time until consultant told me it was maybe due to the back to back issue that it had all gone so wrong first time around. To be honest before and all the way through the delivery I thought my body wouldn't do it and I'd be back on that operating table but I like a challenge so I decided to give it another shot.

I worked on getting DS2 into good position on my ball beforehand and stayed upright throughout the labour and managed without an epidural (although not by choice - I was screaming for a bullet in the head when they told me I was too dilated for an epidural!). To my amazement I was 8cm by the time they examined me.

Friends and family thought I was a nutter to consider VBAC after the horror of my first labour but I'm so glad I did as it was just brilliant. I'd take a natural delivery over a section any day!

If you want to try it naturally again I reckon you should go for it and trust that your body can do it if your baby is in a good position. Good luck.

Thanks everyone - you have given me hope - was having a wobbly moment!

Hi hotmama

I read the title of your post and I felt I just had to reply to you! Did you know that statistically, you have around a 75% chance of success at having a VBAC? Exactly the same as a first time mum - but in your case, the fact that you've already had a vaginal delivery bumps up the odds for you! Never feel that success isn't likely - it's MORE likely than you having to have another CS

Do some research into the things you can do to give yourself the best possible chance, and definitely consider a doula. This book is a good one - very concise and full of common sense, although if you do decide to get a doula, she'll usually have a variety of books that she can lend you for free.

HTH

Vbacqueen1 - thank you, thank you, thank you,

Fab to see such happy stats - I am definitely going to get that book!

If I knew where you lived I would come and give you a hug - so please accept a cyberhug!

I had a vbac 3 weeks ago, birth story here

I had an Independant MW for my 2nd pg and for me that made all the difference. I had someone who believed I could labour and birth my baby.

DS1 was 9lb 3oz and DS2 was 9lb 11oz. Neither of them fully enagaged and both were sitting high going into spontaneous labour. Infact with ds2 I was only 2/5 engaged and my cervix was posterior only 4 hours before he was born.

Read every scrap of information you can find and believe in yourself. It may even pay to get some answers/revisit your previous births, ie what were the reasons for the blood loss? Were you encouraged to move into good labour positions? Do you think the syntocin had a detrimental affect on your labours progression?

Good luck xx