VBAC - what issues do I need to consider? Long...

[LaTrucha]

Sorry to start another VBAC thread. I've read lots of others, but feel I need to ask my own question.

I had an emergency c-section due to baby's distress 9 months ago. I had been scheduled for an elective c-section due to a transverse position, but then things went tits up for no known reason. Was pretty shocked by the whole idea of a c-section at the time as I hadn't contemplated not going into labour at all.

Very happy to have me and DD healthy and no problems with the medical decision made.

However, the experience has left me with a bit of a peculiar problem and I think two things have contributed to this.

Firstly, I had a long stay in hospital, which included one mad day when more that twice the usual number of babies were born on the ward. Several labouring women had to have part of their labour in the ante-natal ward where I was. Also, during my stay, an awful lot of women seemed to need emergency c-sections after long and distressing labours (I chatted to a lot of them afterwards). Frankly, I found all this really disturbing. Wuss, I know.

Secondly, the nature of my problem was discovered very late and by accident. One of the aggravating factors was having too much amniotic fluid. This would have meant that if I had gone into labour at home, not knowing of the problem both me and my baby would have been at great risk without us knowing.

For months this has left me with an abiding fear of labour (before having DD I was very positive about it, maybe naively so). I have been convinced that an elective c-section was the only way forward for next baby - we're going to TTC soon.

Recently though, I've started thinking a lot about having a VBAC. I had a dream about giving birth which has really made me see it in a more positive light. Plus, I was in agony after my c-section due to bruising and hemorrage and was very immobile for a long time. I would want to be more mobile than this with 2DCs to tend. Another factor is we want three, and I'm getting on a bit and we don't want to have to wait another year to conceive due to second c-section. I'm sure they will allow me to go for one if I want as I've already spoken to a gynaecologist about it.

Well, thanks for wading through that but I hope it explains my question, which is: what issues do I need to consider if I opt for a VBAC? Are there particular ways they will want to treat me?

And behind this is a sneaking fear I won't be able to hack labour because those labouring women next to me on the ward frightened the bejesus out of me.

Sorry for posting three times! For some reason it wasn't showing up on my computer as having been posted.

Personally, I was treated with kid gloves and it was brilliant. When I went into labour and arrived at hospital I was only 2 cm but they would NOT send me home. Hooked up to a monitor straight away. The whole labour was amazing, even though it ended with forceps, but a VBAC non the less. I felt as though the mid wives treated me like I was speacial because I was even attempting it. Really, go for it. x

I'm sorry you had such a rough time with your DD .

This may be somewhere you don't want to go, but have you considered a home birth? One of the reasons I wanted a home birth for DD was because I didn't want to be around other labouring women in hospital - I wanted to be in familiar surroundings where I could listen to music / watch telly / do whatever I felt I needed to do. Nearly all Independent Midwives are supportive of VBACs at home, and some NHs trusts are as well. IMs give you the chance to have a MW that you know and trust turn up to deliver your baby - which has been shown to have a large impact on how the birth goes.

The risks of a VBAC are different, but that doesn't mean a homebirth is substantially more dangerous than a hospital birth - as long as you understand if there are any risk factors specific to you and what they mean. The VBAC pages here have some useful info.

Fingers crossed things pan out for you whatever you decide

LaTrucha - lots to think about from your post.

First - yes it is perfectly possible to have a successful VBAC. I had given birth vaginally with dc1; my CS was dc2, so at least with DC3 I knew what labour was like, which I suppose gave me an advantage (maybe!!)

The thing you need to try to get your head round is that the pain of labour is TOTALLY different to any pain experienced with a CS. Yes, you end up battered and bruised after a CS, but ultimately you are having a surgical procedure done TO you. Labour is about putting a lot of energy into doing it yourself. Yes, the pain is unlike anything I have every experienced, but you can learn to work WITH the pain. I would recommend practising breathing exercises a lot beforehand - they work. Also, stay in water if possible, and avoid interventions as this will mean you are in less control.

The big plus (and my main reason for going for VBAC) is that you will be up and about far quicker, which is an important consideration when you have other children to care for. With a CS there is so much you can't do for a number of weeks - driving, lifting etc whereas after my VBAC I came home the same day and was feeling great.

Good luck!

Thanks for your replies.

Mrsout - did you being monitored mean you couldn't move about?

Tangle - thanks - I will have a look at those links, though I don't think a home birth is for me. Useful info though.

Findthe river - thanks for your story. Recovery time is a big issue.

Do you know what? After posting this I read a whole thread full of women who wished they hadn't VBAC'd because of tears etc. hmmm . I kind of read it by accident.

Those are very useful pages. Thanks Tangle.

hi LaTrucha I am one of those ladies wishing they had'nt had a VBAC at the moment but please don't let one persons experience put you off if this is what you really want to try for it really is a lottery whichever birth you decide on.

Regarding my labour and birth it really was much easier than I expected and I was up and about a few hours later, home after 12. Aftercare was crap though much better after section.

I chose a VBAC hoping for a quicker recovery too, which usually it physically is. But for me mental recovery is what I am struggling to deal with this I had'nt thought about before. I was not expecting my lady bits to feel so different silly me! But on the plus side although they may look and feel mangled orgasms are better than before!

Good luck in whatever you decide

Umm. I think I'm a bit naive about that too. And a part of me thinks, 'well I've already got a big scar across my tummy, why mess up anything else.'

Is that the only reason you regret it?

I mean, it is a good one. Just wondered if there was anything else.

Yes thats the only reason. If I had'nt torn I would be thrilled to bits with the birth.
But I did and am now having to make a decision on whether to have a repair done which is worrying me silly. Its only cosmetic really as it doesn't hurt but affects how I feel sexually whereas if I'd had the section I'd be on the road to recovery now (am 5 months post natal) If they had stitched me at the time like they should have maybe I wouldn't feel like this.

Oh and I always loved my section scar, I would smile when I saw it as it reminded me of my dd's birthday. But I don't like the new one!

My scar is great, as far as scars go, but I don't yet love it!

Bump!