Having a wobble about my VBAC..

[RobertLouis]

Last time around I had a long labour ending in a CS as my big baby was OP and deflexed. I was very sad at not managing natural delivery, got an infection on my cs wound and as a result had a terrible time establishing bfing with my baby and a long recovery. Needless to say my CS was not a happy experience, and since about 5 mins after it was done I was adamant that I wanted a VBAC next time around.

Now I am 39 weeks and having bit of a wobble on this decision. I am told my baby is OP again (I'm doing lots of all fours and leaning etc to try and shift it, but there is a very stong history of OP babies in my family, so it may well stay that way) and I have a horror of forceps delivery as I know a couple of people who have been left damaged as a result of being born that way.

I am now wondering if VBAC is a selfish choice on my part, if I should have taken the offer of elective CS rather than risk a nasty labour with a large OP baby and instrumental delivery, not to mention possible damage to my small frame.

... or maybe I'm just getting a bit scared and nervous now that it's imminent...

i think it's prob normal to start feeling a bit nervous about it when you get close.
I felt nervous about my homebirth when I got to about 38/39 weeks last time, but thankfully all went well. I also managed to birth my giant OP baby too... so there is hope! lol

Of course you're scared and nervous, anybody would be

I can't offer any real advice, as I'm a CSA2VBer (can you work that out?!!) but I would not have thought that your HCP would let you try for a VB if they thought it was unsafe in any way.

Best of luck. Somebody knowledgable will be along shortly

Thank you for your kind comments... I am surprised at how nervous I'm feeling.. more so than last time I think. Just hoping that I have it in me to do the birthing bit properly this time...

Just to let you know I'm in the same boat - previous traumatic c-section, OP baby, 3 day labour. I'm 38 weeks and getting the fear like you wouldn't believe about my imminent VBAC.

I also can't help thinking that if I'd gone for an elective I'd only have a few days left as they said they'd do it at 39 weeks. At least then I'd know when it was coming rather than being in this state of limbo.

So I know exactly where you're comimng from - I guess we just need to be strong and remain firm in our convictions that it's NOT going to be the same as last time. PLLLLLLLLLLLEASE!

Hi, want to keep this thread going, as there are probably quite a few of us in the same boat too.

The labour and c-section with my first wasn't too traumatic: long labour of a couple of days but I don't think it ever really got going (i wasn't screaming for the epidural) and then suddenly dd's heartrate dropped and i was rushed for a crash section.

Of course I wanted a VBAC with this one, and I haven't changed my mind yet, but DH isn't so sure, and the thought that this time there are actually more risks than last time is a scary one.

I just have to hope it's a completely different thing and it all happens quite quickly....

country lover... it's good to know that I am not alone in this.. I'm also finding it very hard waiting. I had thought it would be easy to spot labour starting this time around, but every twinge feels like it could be something and then it's not...

In my experience (doula) it's really common for a VBAC mum to get wobbles around 38-40wks. Do you have a support group near you? an NCT experience register? are you a member of the Yahoo HBAC/VBAC group? I think what you need is a good dose of positivity and confidence. Speak to as many women you know who have had a successful VBAC and try and absorb some of that confidence.

You could see a hypnotherapist for a quick "confidence boost" session, it can work wonders. Find one who is also a HypnoBirthing practitioner if possible.

GOod luck!

Hi, I had a VBAC after my first was delivered OP after a 30+ hour delivery (water labour and no pain relief), failed forceps and ventouse and then finally emergency c-section. I was trautimised.

Didn't realise how much until with second baby I stopped dilating at 3cm and my fab irish midwife said that maybe I was still stressed by my previous c-section. I had an epidural and made it through. It was another 30+ hour delivery but I had a beautiful baby boy (now 5) by VBAC. He was also OP

How did I feel about it now?

Honestly I am so proud of myself, I cried tears of joy after he was born. It totally healed the trauma of my first baby's birth.

But I do remember thinking that I don't know how I would have reacted if it had ended in another c-section. It was fundamentally the same birth, long labour, OP baby but this time round with the desired result. It could have gone the same way as my first.

I had luckily an amazing midwife who was there for the whole birth. She counselled me when I got stuck at 3cm dilated, she helped me evacuate my bowels (after I had the epidural - not much fun) and helped me achieve.

DS2 is a fighter, when he was in the womb I called him buster because he was always kicking me.

So what would be advice - if you can get a private midwife or doula so that you can talk through your concerns. A good midwife can make such a difference.
Maybe get some pre- birth counselling.

And at the end of the day, I was so happy but I was lucky. And now looking at my boys - c-section & vbac - now five years ago it really isn't important how they got here

i recently had a CBAC (!) after planning a VBAC - and I too had a wobble about the same time - exactly the same wobble 'am I risking things by not taking the option of a c-sec'.

(As it was, I ended up with a c-sec but not through choice)

RL With good support during labour and good positioning during early labour OP babies very often manage to turn using the cx to help.

Were you upright/forward last time? Are you planning to be upright/forward this time?

Drugs and monitoring can interfere with your ability to ensure good labouring positions, but compromises can be reached if you are aware, informed and determined.

hth

Starlight - I was upright and moving through most of the labour last time... till I had the epidural and was then on the bed.. but the LO never moved. My waters went a few hours before labour kicked off and I reckon LO was pretty stuck after that. Also all the babies born in my family (my sister and me, her DD and my DS) have been OP. I'm trying to get it turned as much as I can and I plan to be moving and upright as much as possible this time too, but I am starting to feel it may be inevitable.

Thank you to everyone for your very helpful comments, it is good to know I'm not alone in my feelings. It does help a lot. I will try and do some reading and relaxing to try and get myself more chilled and prepared.

RL My OP DS turned at the very last minute to come out in an optimal way. My waters also went before labour started, but you are right it can make moving more difficult.

If an epidural is likely, does your hospital offer mobile ones?

Starlight = didn't get the option of mobile epi last time, although they did have trouble getting it to work at all... although less likely to have one this time as it was to go along with syntocin drip, which I am not to be allowed this time. I'm going to try and avoid an epi this time if I can, and hang off from other drugs too... they just made me feel drunk and out of it, I'd rather stay in control a bit more.

RL - sorry no time to read whole thread, but I've been reading lots about this myself and one thing I noted that might help - research suggests that what you do to position baby before labour doesn't count for diddly, it's what you do during. Little monkeys can just keep changing their minds apparently. hth (will try and come back later)

rl- could you tell me what 'deflexed' means please?

My experience is similar- traumatic 1st birth, OP, ending in emcs. I wobbled with my VBAC about same time... DS went over... on day 10 I asked for a cs. I was too scared of induction, exhausted from a very hard pg, and have a heart condition.

I don't regret it- DS is now 9 wo, and recovery has been good. First week was hard- felt like I'd been hit by a train... don't know how old you are... but after that was great. Emotionally was about 1000times better. As long as your baby arrives safely and you are safe too, thats all that matters.

GL, I hope you get the birth you want this time round.

Deflexed is where the LO has their head tipped back instead of chin tucked in... effectively trying to come out nose or forehead first rather than crown of the head first. Usually means the LO is totally wedged and it's a CS.

... and I'm ancient.. nearly 40, and not terrible fit and having a great deal of trouble with getting any decent sleep... so I have concerns that if I have a long or difficult labour ahead of me that I'm not going to be able to do what is needed...

RL You do know that your first baby will have benefited from a)being able to go to term, and b)you having gone through labour don't you.

Because you got so far last time, it 'should' mean a shorter labour. The important thing is to not panic when labour starts and to relax and try hard to get all your happy hormones going. They will build up to become natural painkillers and help you to not fight your body and let it do what it needs to do.

I have been told after a debrief, that had the labour ward not been full I would have had a c/s . I was pushing for quite a while, but he managed to turn in this stage (despite me being forced on my back). If I had been allowed to use gravity I believe it would have been smoother.

TENS are supposed to be good for OPs because the contractions are felt in the back where the machine is attached.

Stay at home for as long as you can manage and then a little bit longer. Refuse to lie down on the bed. Stay forward and upright (sitting on the loo, birthing stool, kneel on the floor with arms and head on bed/sofa etc. are all good positions)

When you get the first twinges practice your coping strategies so that they are second nature when it gets harder. Breathing is good (can give you some tips if you like).

You don't have to be fit, you just have to be relaxed and your body will do it all. In between contractions you can rest.

I'm sure you know all this. I bet you will be fab. It is normal for all mothers to get the wobbles just before she goes into labour.

Thanks rl- thats interesting... DS was deflexed then- forehead down, and OP just like dd was, so my instincts were right. He had been engaged for about 3 months though, so he had a line across the front of his head from my cervix, and his face was very squashed

Staying home where you have more control for the first part is good.

Wobbles at this stage are natural... when I was 39+3 or so- I started to panic and began thinking I didn't even want the baby
Its just nerves, and your last birth experience of course plays on your mind. But no two labours or births are the same- there's no reason this will be long and drawn out.

Lots of good luck vibes your way {{{}}}

just wanted to say what everyone else has already said VBAC wobbles at 38/9wks is totally normal

Yes things might not go to plan, but there is no guarantee with a c/s either that everything will be perfect either, that's childbirth for you...

I ended up with an el c/s at 40+10 (long story) but I'm still really glad I tried for a VBAC.

You just have to go with whatever feels right for you.

I just want to say a big thank you again to everyone who has posted. Your comments really have helped me to allay my fears and have a more positive and practical approach to the coming birth (due any time now !)... It's also very good to know that my wobbles are quite normal.

It great to hear about everyone else's experiences, both successful and not, because it encourages me that it's OK to try for what I want and that even a planned 2nd CS has risks the same as VBAC does. In the end up, OP or not, I still have a chance at the birth I have always wanted and that's best for the LO too.

I am now determined to stay home a long as I can, with TENS, bouncing on my ball and staying relaxed and positive and hope for the best and keeping upright as much as poss. I'm already practicing some good positions for labour and birth so that I'm more confident when it comes times. Having a plan and things to prepare have helped me very much.

Starlight - the breathing tips would be appreciated !

Thank you all again !

What a lovely post RobertLouis - wishing youy the very best of luck, do let us know how you get on

RL There are quite a few different techniques but I'll tell you about the one I used because it is so simple I could remember it easily during labour.

When you feel a contraction starting breathe out naturally to empty your lungs, and then breathe in as slowly as you can, aiming to get count to 24 very fast in your head, and then breathe out as slowly as you can.

In that time the contraction should have come and gone, and you can tell yourself not to fear them because when one approaches, the end is but a breath away.

It is good to practise beforehand though because you may not be able to get to 24 the first few times.

During labour, your birth partner can do it with you in your ear or in front of you to keep you on track. They can also push your shoulders down to remind you to relax.

Using a visualisation can make it feel shorter too. Some people like to imagine a wave coming in and out, or a sunset dipping over the horizon, or a flower opening.

Personally I'm not very visual so it was either nothing, just concentration on the breathing or sometimes visualising the muscles contracting to remind me that they are only doing what they are supposed to be doing and that they are doing it with my help by being as relaxed as I can.

Practising in early labour when it isn't painful can help you to get a pattern established and enable it to become second nature when things get tougher. Breathing in this way at this time can also help you to relax in a way that is good for getting all the right labour hormones going too.

Hope that helps, and good luck.