Worried about next birth - talk some sense into me, please

[gorgeousgirl]

Hi

I am not pregnant yet (ttc) have started to panic a little about the next birth. I KNOW it's silly, but ...

I had a cs last time (ds was breech and premature so I never made it to labour). I am worried about another premature birth (ds was 35 weeks, so not dreadfully early, but early enough). My water brke with syle...

ANYWAY I would like to try for a VBAC, but keep reading about problems. I really want to experience a vaginal birth, but I am panicked about the pain of birth ( I know we all are). I hated the cs, and worry about the recovery with a toddler. So I feel that I don't really know what I want and am scared (I have heard all the birth stories of my friends...)

I don't really know why I am typing this and what I want you to tell me - your experiences would be helpful.

Has anyone had a successful VBAC and been really happy they took this route?

thanks x

I had a VBAC and found it far better than the emergency cesarean. I too wanted to experience a vaginal birth and with my dd only 18 months when I had ds I knew I'd find the aftermath of another cs hard to deal with.

Did it hurt? God yes, worst pain I've ever been in. Did I dread going for a wee for weeks after? Yes. Which would I choose if I did it again? Definitely the vaginal.

I had no complications, was up showering within a few hours of giving birth, home the next morning and just felt generally better than with the cs.

This might just be my lucky experience, I had a particularly nasty emergency cs and a fairly fast vaginal delivery.

Good luck with whichever you choose, and remember, millions of women do it everyday and most go back for more, so it can't be that bad!!

Hi Like you my first was a c-section at 35weeks due to complications.
My next pg was 7 years later when I had a VBAC.. it hurt yes but was worth everything and I was so proud of myself I then went on to have another VBAC 3 years later..
And I am due my next baby in 11weeks.. I am panicing about the birth as yes it does hurt ALOT.. but I know itr will all be worth it when I hold the baby in arms..

HTH

Thank you. It's good to hear other's stories. People who have never had a cs can't understand me wanting a vaginal. And although it might sound silly, I really want to experience a vaginal birth - even if it means a painful birth instead of pain free (until after).

threeplusone - congratulations. It's also nice to hear of a prem birth, followed by normal births.

gorgeousgirl Do your homework. If you do, you have every chance of a great VB, but being a VBAC there will be medical protocols that might get in the way of your labouring optimally iygwim. And not labouring optimally can mean an increased chance of a c/s.

These protocols are standard rather than taylored the the individual, so do investigate and think about whether they will be a)acceptable and b)necessary.

And I absolutely cannot recommend more highly having a doula as your advocate.

Hi

You are not silly to worry about the next birth. My VBAC was 3.5 years in the planning!

I didn't manage to get my VBAC as due to problems with the baby it was another emcs for me, but I had a fantastic labour. I was mostly at home so it was drug free. Yes, it hurt. I swore and sweated and complained but after each contraction I was so proud to be coping that I kept going. Really, even though it didn't work it was a good experience for me. I would actually do it again if I thought I stood a chance of success!

I would recommend reading some positive birth stories to counteract the hideous ones. Ina May Gaskin's book (called "Guide to Childbirth" or something) is worth a look. Also you can google for positive stories. I also watched tonnes of birth videos online and found one or two that showed the business end very clearly - this helped me understand what would happen. "The VBAC Handbook" by Churchill and Savage has some useful information about factors influencing the success of VBAC attempts which helped me when speaking to my consultant and midwives about my plans.

Oh, I should say that what I wanted out of my VBAC was that moment when the woman first holds the baby and the pain is suddenly over. It looks like such bliss compared to the two weeks of pain that is not unusual after a cs.

2children - it was the research that started me worrying!

mrshappy - great ideas thanks! Sorry you didn't gat your VBAC in the end