all you ladies who've had a VBAC

[Kity]

Hello all, Im currently pregnant with DC2, due in August and have been attentively following all the ELCS after EMCS threads or anything to do with VBACS and would love some advice.
Long story but my first birth started out well, fairly easy labour felt very calm coped on gas and air bouncing on ball, felt very in control, 9hour labour then 2 hours pushing. Baby was brow presentation so was stuck fast and I ended up with a EMCS. I recovered really well and fast and didn't have any problems with bonding breastfeeding etc and as terrifying as it was I thought Id dealt with it all fine. Until I fell pregnant with no 2.
Am now facing the dilemma of what to do this time, my hospital are being very supportive and have offered councelling and have basically given me a choice, VBAC or ELCS, I have a while to decided and I just find myself split down the middle (so to speak)
Some days I think go for the VBAC and others I feel so heart stoppingly terrified that I cant consider anything but a CS.
Any of you ladies out there who've had a VBAC who can give me some real positive thoughts to hang on to? I know that nothing is for certain but it would just really help me if I knew lots of people did it and it turned out just fine! I feel like I got so far last time, could I manage again? or is my fear going to make things so much worse?
Thanks so much in advance

My friend had a homebirth (VBAC) after CS due to a similar situation (at puishing due to brow presentation).
She talks about it on this video if you are interested-
blip.tv/file/2174226/
Selina

DS2 was a VBAC at home in a pool - 20 months later I am still on a VBAC high!

What are you so scared about? If I were you I would accept the offer of counselling whether you choose a csection or a vb. It's good to talk

With ds1 I got to 8cm at home then was transferred because of lack of progression. One thing led to another and he was delivered by csection. Like you I healed very well from the surgery and bf went well, but I just KNEW that I needed to experience a vb to feel like I had actually given birth.

When I was pg with ds2 there was no question in my mind that I would have a vbac at home. If it was necessary to transfer to the hospital, then so be it, but I didn't dwell on it. I truly beleived me and my baby could do it.

And it turned out we could - and quite quickly. The mw got to us with 15 minutes to spare

In preparation for a vbac I listened to some hpnobirthing cd's made for vbac's. One of the cd's was about letting go to the negative feelings of guilt and fear associated with the section. The cd's were great and I would highly recommend them even if you choose not to hypnobirth.

Also I surrounded myself with positive 'I am a strong, powerful woman type' people. My dh encouraged me and told me I could do it, as did my sister and mw.

Don't let the negativity in. Yes I had my wobbles from time to time, but I would counteract these by reading birth stories from the homebirth.org.uk website.

I'll see if I can find my birthstory and I'll post a link.

vbac birth story here

Similar experience to Iliketomoveit. My midwife wouldn't let me have a home birth due to post-partum haemorraghe (sp?) with previous ECS (breech presentation) but I had a VBAC in hospital. It was absolutely fine, only used g&a but unfortunately suffered 3rd degree tear. The only issue I had was that they wanted to continuously monitor me which meant I couldn't move around at all but I think this varies hospital to hospital. I was absolutely elated I had given birth naturally and I too used the hypnobirthing CD especially for VBAC which was great. You might get a bargain on ebay if you're lucky but if you buy it new will definitely be able to sell it on anyway. Now 25 weeks with no3 and praying for another natural delivery. Go Girl!

thanks so much ladies!
I think my main fear is that I felt so positive last time and had the mantra "my body is made to do this" going around in my head and Im just scared that I wont be mentally prepared as Ill be waiting for it all to go wrong?? I have such vivid memories of what it felt like to push and nothing happening and yet couldnt tell you what a contraction felt like?? just that I was able to cope with them. It also took a very long time to get the spinal block in which meant me hanging on to the midwife for dear life whilst my body naturally continued to push! Horrid.
BUT saying all that there is such a big part of me that wants to do it and I know how proud I will be of myself if I manage, first time around I read a lot of really helpful books and some great natural birth stories so I felt in such a good place I guess Im just trying to get myself back in that place and like iliketomoveitsays says I really want to block out the negativity. Im lucky that Ill have my DH and my sis again coz they were such a big help to me last time.
Thanks again, cant tell you how much difference it makes to read some good positive stories!! x

50 hour labour with DS1 then EMCS as back to back. 7 hour VBAC with DS2 and 5 weeks ago did 3 hour VBAC with DS3 in a birthing pool. VBAC 1 was good but more prepared for VBAC2 with hynobirthing and the pool was amazing for pain relief. My friend also just did her first VBAC on monday night. I'm such a VBAC fan - leaves you on such a high although I have had my wobbles along the way - speaking to consultant MW at hospital really helped give me confidence when I was at a low. You just have to be mentally prepared that it could end up in section again and not beat yourself up about it but if it does work out you'll be elated.

If it helps here's mine
DD1 was an undiagnosed breech, was not discovered until I was 41 weeks and in labour.
Was horrible experience as I hate hospitals and had only gone in for a checkup, then was not allwoed to leave, ahd no stuff etc etc. ended up with an infection from the wound, took days for my milk to come in and discharged myself from hospital as I was so unhappy.

DD2 was born naturally on a saturday night (on her due date) If you search the archives I was really panicking about the continuous monitoring that I was told was necessary but at the time I couldn't have cared less, it made no difference to me at all.
She was born at half 9 at night, DH brought DD1 in to visit on sunday morning and we allk went home together for sunday lunch. I rememebr all I could say for the first hour was 'Look what I did! Look! all by msyelf!'
While DH wet himself laughing at me.
I was in tesco carrying DD2 in a sling(buying sanitary towels and new knickers) on the monday, having driven there myself!
The birth was not the major thing for me in hindsight, it was the 'aftermath' of having a 19 month old toddler to deal with as well as a newborn and being able to get out and about made it so much easier.

thanks JB! your birth run down is great! and very inspirational, was scanning down to see how long you were in hospital for and god how incredible would it be to be home with my hubby and son not long after giving birth?

And also being able to get out of bed without feeling my insides are going to burst out (sorry TMI)
Im starting to feel v positive, just need to build on it now,

Have ordered a couple of books from Amazon to hopefully get myself in a good place.
Am trying to start thinking, "I am aiming for a VBAC" and not "Shall I have a ELCS or a VBAC?"
THanks again for sharing

Oh you are welcome!
I think the important thing is to aim for something but have an open mind.
I wanted a VBAC but if I had had a CS for whatever reason at least I would have tried. DD1 was not coming out the normal way without risk of injury to both of us (she had oen foot under her bum and one behind her head, bendy girl) but if I had just had an ELCS I would have always though 'what if?'

It was so nice, and DH said it was a much nicer experience for him as well (if you care about that) as he could actually help instead of being shoved ina corner with scrubs on looking like a twat.

I tried for a vbac after a traumatic first time,I did end up with another c-section but I was so glad I'd tried,the second section was because the labour wasn't progressing and there were concerns about my scar,it wasn't a major rush job,and was very calm and lovely,I had about half an hour before they took me down to theatre.In my mind it was worth it partly as I hadn't gone into labour at all the first time,also I just felt good that I'd given it a go.A second section isn't too awful as you know what to expect,and if you do succeed with the vbac well that's great too!

When I had DD I had a crash section under GA, she was a brow too. Twas pretty horrendous.

With 2nd pregnancy I dithered but ended up trying for VBAC at home, with a very firm birth plan that basically said, if baby comes out- fine, it anything isn't right, I want a CS with no pissing about.

Had a repeat CS for failure to progress but was sooo much better than the first one, I was awake, it wasn't out of control and scary, I was just so happy to be awake(with a lovely spinal block) Recovery was tough with an almost 21mo toddler plus newborn and very sore, but I gave it my best shot and felt I made the right decision for me/us.

Thanks again ladies, I think the thing that everyone seems to be saying, that I hadn't even considered is that even if I do end up with another cs it wont be a panicking or scary as first time? I know the midwife and consultant have both said that I wouldnt be left and would have to progress very well otherwise they'd "pull the plug" and go straight for a section so I do take some reassurance in the whole affair being much calmer?
Really hope I can come back on in August and say "I did it!"
Very grateful for all replies x
PS JB think hubby kind of liked the scrubs, made him feel bit more important

I had two VBACs, the last one at home and they were both great. My first (EMCS) baby was stuck fast and was the same size as my third baby who I delivered at home without a scratch.

A brow presentation isn't the sort of thing that's likely to reoccur and first labours are usually the most difficult. So while there can of course be problems with any labour, the odds are most definitely on your side if you do opt for a VBAC.

One of the big issues for VBACing women is a fear of losing control. If this rings a bell, maybe look at methods or tools which may help you feel more in control. Hypnobirthing, visualisation, VBAC specialist doulas (even just to talk to before the birth if you don't want one there) might all be helpful.

Good luck

thanks carmen, the last consultant I saw said the same as you, that actually a brow presentation is highly unlikely to happen again and I should really feel positive about the fact that I laboured well last time and pushed well, so in theory my body did a lot just couldnt do the final bit.
See am feeling better already, I knew MN would help! Have been looking for some hynobirthing cds and will be seeing a councellor at the hospital v soon so hopefully this will all help
thank you!

There is a pic on my profile of me in the recovery room after my second c-section.The anaesthetist took it.You can see I look really happy! As you say even if you do end up with another section it will be so much better than the first time.Highly unlikely to be an emergency as they keep a real eye on you and if it isn't progressing properly (as happened to me) then you are safer having another section,but it is all pretty calm and relaxed,and you have had one before so the recovery is easier.

ahhh hellymelly! what a lovely pic? you look so serene! I do remember with DS feeling absolutely fine in recovery.
I think I feel like i'll be really upset if I end up with another emcs when I could have avoided it and gone for a much calmer elcs.
Am reading a great book at the mo though, the VBAC handbook which has got some great stats and case studies in.
Thanks!

I had EMCS with DS due to his position as well (though never got to the pushing stage with him, so at least you have experienced that already up to a point, which should help if you do decide on VBAC). Then went for VBAC with DD and I am SOO glad I did!

DD ended up as a very "natural" birth, although it was in hospital I had only TENS machine and gas & air (which they took away at the pushing stage too) and was only monitored for the very last bit, by which time I really didn't care. I will be honest, it DID hurt like hell and at the time I was inclined to say "never again!" when she was born. But at the same time, the feeling of achievement is great and looking back now, I have such great memories - especially the amazing feeling of having this tiny wriggling thing put straight onto my chest as soon as she was born. With DS I couldn't even hold him until much later. Also the recovery, although it was still tough, was definitely quicker than after DS, and it was more important second time as I already had a toddler to run after and pick up. So if we ever have another I will be going for VBAC again. That said, you do have to accept the risk that it could go wrong again and end up with another EMCS; so it is a personal choice whether to take that chance or opt for ELCS from the start.