Anyone up for a VBAC support thread?

[Chulita]

I'm 34+3 and baby's currently OP. Had an emcs with DD 19 months ago and I'm desperate for a VBAC but there seem to be so many variables and I'm just dreading another OP labour.
Anyone fancy joining?

Yes.

I am 33/34 weeks ish and feeling sad about impending birth attempt.

First baby a back to back induced forceps in hospital.

Second a malpresented diagonal baby (moved during labour) had to transfer to hospital for c-section after 24 hours in labour at home.

Awaiting third birth with a very negative mood. Every midwife I have met/spoke to has told me I will fail again, my preceding bad labours mean I have a higher chance of things going wrong again, joy.

The community team are meeting to discuss how to 'manage' me this week. Only know this, as one of them tried to invite me to the meeting until she was told it was a meeting to discuss me not for me to attend and I was uninvited again.

We have been saving up for our doula fees for months and last months emergency garage bill (£460) and this weeks emergency cat vet bill (£250) has wiped us out. So I need to ring and let the doula know. I still hope to get the money together but with only 1 maybe 2 paydays before labour day, it isn't looking good.

So I am looking like facing a home vbac with a selection from the hopefully not too panicky community midwife team, sigh.

Ooh, both times sound horrible home VBAC is very brave though! In my completely unprofessional opinion you have a good chance this time. Both previous times were baby positioning so no reason you can't do it this time!

I debated a doula but the all the mws have been very positive so I'm hoping I'll get a positive one when I'm actually in labour. I just hate all the 'can't do this/that' stuff you get.

Can I join. I'm only 22 weeks, but will get there in the end! 1st baby cs due to breech presentation. Just need to make sure s/he is the right way round this time!

Hello moonstorm! LO was breech a couple of weeks ago so I've been googling VBAC breech but there doesn't seem to be much on it. It's turned now but wriggles so much who knows where it'll be in 6 weeks!

Hi everyone,

I'll support you LOL.

Sorry I'm not pregnant but I'm a trainee doula and saw the thread and couldn't resist. [Grin]

I've had a VBAC though lol actually 2 . Which is what lead me to being a doula.

Babieseverywhere I'm sure if you discuss it with your doula you can sort something out and like chulita said there's no reason why you can't do it this time.

Chulita a skilled and confident midwife would deliver a breech, so a Independent midwife may be an option.

I'm in the middle of nowhere and the only doula I could find who'd be happy coming out to me wanted me to change hospitals so it was closer to her. IM isn't an option in my case, there aren't enough around
ummlayla why did you have a cs?

Can I join too please - am 36+5. I was induced with DS as I went 2weeks over, then he went into distress and his heartrate dropped so had to have an EMCS.

I've spoken to my consultant about it this time and she says they'll leave me to go 2 weeks over and then I can have a max of 2 pessaries and if they can't break my waters at that point then under the knife I go....

I'm absolutely dreading it - I can't imagine it being any different to the last time, even though I know there's no real reason why it shouldn't happen naturally. Am just scared, I suppose...

Chulita - what's an OP labour?

First one for pre-eclampsia, second for failure to progress and same for the third.

Looking back and from studying I think the second one I was not in the right environment to birth I had far too many distractions.

The third one I think I physiologically did it to myself. I have a pattern of natural ceasarean, natural ceasarean. So when I had a slow leak at 38 weeks and a then my waters broken and set on a clock. I think I just gave in.

The first one is the only one I've really have no problems with. He was born 3lb 2oz at 35 weeks.

So 3 naturals and 3 caesareans

What area do you live in Chulita? I could ask my collogues if they know of anyone in your area, that is if you need to find another one.

OP is when the baby has its back against your back, rather than your front

it cna make labour longer, particualrly the latent stage as there is unequal/uneven pressure on the cervix.. and can give you a bad backache.

however, it does not mean that all is lost ! My VBAC was an OP labour, baby born still OP.. long latent stage but established labour was 2 hours 45 minutes, no intervention

staying active, upright and mobile is always helpful. esp., if the baby is not in the best position, as gravity will help and being uprihgt helps keep the pelvis open..

being on all fours can take the pressure off your back too

waiting for your waters to break naturally and having a spontaneous start to labour will also give oyu a good start

I'm not pg, but I did have a VBAC at home in water, and I feel very strongly about a woman's right to VBAC, so I thought I'd have a nosey on this thread.

GwennieF - remember that it wasn't you or your body that failed during ds's birth, it was the induction drug. There is no reason for history to repeat itself. Stay positive. Don't let the fear in and let everything become a self fulfilling prophecy

GwennieF I hope you know that, that is just one option that your consultant has given you and you can just wait and ask for extra check ups if your worried about the baby.

It could be your pattern to cook babies longer and there is nothing wrong with that. Estimated dues dates are just that estimates.

Starting things before baby is ready can get them into distress. They will come out when they are ready. As they say 'No one is pregnant forever!'

I had wondered about leaving it a bit longer - but am not really sure how long it can be left before it can lead to problems (or if it does).

My DM was over 2 weeks late with DSis and me and nearly 4 weeks over with DB, but then had huge complications with his birth due to size - both his and hers... I think there might have been other issues as well, but she's quite hazy about it all now.

gwennie the waiting is the worst bit isn't it? You count down til DD and then nothing happens...argh!

I had a 6 day latent labour with DD, started spontaneously but dragged on and on with about 1 cm dilation a day. Got to fully dilated on the day they were going to induce me (they didn't believe I was in labour cos I saw about 9 different midwives during the 6 days so had no continuation of care) Fought with DD all day but she was face presenting as well as OP, cord round her neck 3 times and fully wedged in so she wasn't coming out. They did ARM by mistake but they were bulging out by then so the mw just trying to see how dilated I was popped them!
Problem I've got is that a) I kept telling them DD was OP and they kept saying that she was LOA and b) I was wrestling with DD for 6 days and no one realised there was actually a problem. (I wanted a homebirth so I never went into hospital til the 6th day which is why they took so long to pick up on it...I think) I don't want another week-long fight because I've got a toddler to deal with now and it was horrendous - I took 10 months to be pain-free but I really want a vbac.
As you can tell I've been thinking about this a lot!
I'm in South Dorset btw.

Yup - there's pretty much feck all else going through my mind! Will I be able to do it naturally this time..? Will it go ok..? Bless - my poor DH longs for me to talk about something else.

My DS is just 19 months as well and the thought of having to look after him as well as a newborn after a possible section is filling me with dread. My DH works away, so is only home at weekends and I keep on thinking daft things like - how am I going to do the shopping if I can't drive for 6 weeks?

I can't imagine how it'll start - there was absolutely nothing last time, not a niggle, nothing... It's nearly like this is my first time - except I know what to expect when I come home this time round!
South Dorset - hope it's sunnier down with you than it is up here, am in Northumberland, currently a very grey and mizzly Northumberland.

Gwennie I was meant to ask you if your mother or mother in-law had a pattern of being late as this can be passed down.

Does this not give you some comfort that it is normal for you to go later than the EDD?

Maybe you can research things that might help with a big baby? like different positions and gravity, just incase.

Gwennie Your week long fight was for a very good reason and may have been a sign for you that something was wrong. Baby was ready but just couldn't get out. So should this happen again maybe ask for a scan to see what is going on. You have a good reason to ask for one.

A week long fight is a lot less than 10 months of pain to deal with a toddler and a baby!

I will ask about any doulas in your area.

Thank you! And yes gwennie it's been lovely and sunny down here

Thought I'd pop in and say hi. I'm not pregnant and not trying yet, but my first was an ELCS for placenta previa and would be hoping for a VBAC next time.

Sorry second half was for Chulita not Gwennie.

Similar experience to Gwennie, I went 12 days over with ds before they induced me and after 16hr labour his heartrate dropped and ended up Csectioned. Am 36weeks now and have been told I have 70pc chance of VBAC but they wont let me go over dates and have booked ELCS for 3 days after due date...

Really want a VBAC as I have toddler and want to recover more quickly but am v v nervous about the pushing stage having never done it before. How can I encourage this baby to come "on time"?

Same for you Pinkgrapefruitjuice Baby will come on time and that will be it's time!

When you say that they won't let you go over dates they don't have any choice but to let you!

You are the one with the choices and if you say your going to wait they can't drag you into the theatre room.

You will be given yourself, your baby and your whole family for that matter a better chance if you wait.

You need to know in case you didn't that we have choices and sometimes we are only shown one of them.

You really need to look at all your options before you just say yes to the first thing that is said to you. I'm talking about all of us here, myself included.

Hence why I had my sections because I just put up with it without questioning it. I now know I had soooooo many choices and I can't get my time back.

For you ladies you have a Chance and a Choice

I get so sad when I think we have to educate ourselves just to give birth naturally just to keep the health professionals at bay.

Sorry I'll stop win-gin

I hope you all find peace ladies in your roads to VBAC

I want to lend support and tell you what worked for me as had a successful VBAC last week after emcs following induction and foetal distress for my first birth. Also, my VBAC was at 42 weeks, and I was under strenuous pressure of induction again (I incubate babies longer than average).

The reason my VBAC worked was down to having a doula who ensured that I stayed at home right up to the point that hospital could not intervene when I arrived. I was at pushing stage so they had to let me get on with it, although I still had to decline continuous monitoring twice. The doula was amazing and timed it very well (as well as giving me the support I needed with labour). My advice therefore is get the right birth attendant eg doula or lovely friend or husband, and don't go to the hospital too early. And don't agree to induction just because they advise it.

I want to wait as long as possible so mitford that helps to know that it worked for you! The scare stories they tell you are quite hard to put into perspective - all about coming in when you're 4cm otherwise your stomach will explode and you'll be doomed (well not quite but that's what it sounds like). It could be hours between 4 and fully dilated and I don't want to spend that time in hospital being pushed into things! I'm just scared of them not actually being able to tell what position LO is in and wasting my time pushing when it's not going to come out...I'm going to beg for a scan at about 37 weeks I think.
Anyone else trying optimal foetal positioning? Gets quite boring!

ummlayla, I find it difficult to argue with doctors, maybe thats my problem, I always feel that they know best?

I felt that at my consultant appointment I was given a choice but given the scary stats too. ie.. chance of decline in placenta function, chance of scar tissue ruption if you go over dates, fetal distress etc..etc.. Its hard to know what to fight for without putting yourself and your baby in danger. I want VBAC more than anything, but if you are told something is safer for you and your baby you have take it onboard.

Thats why I ended up induced last time and it was a nightmare! so difficult.

Anyone else gone against doctors advice and had a good experience?

Morning Ladies,

I've also posted some comments on another thread which is here:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/981790-VBAC-Any-book-recommendations

There is some tips about good books to read and for your birthing partner.

I totally agree with Mitfordsisters about waiting. When I look back at my second section I know that if I had waited until things had got started I could have been OK. But my waters broke and that had never happened to me before . This was my fourth child and they normally break my waters for me and then 10 mins after baby comes so I panicked and went to the hospital without even having any contractions. Being it was my second section I was strapped to the bed and then when the baby became distressed. I was whisked off to theatre.

pinkgrapefruitjuice I totally understand they give you the stats that makes you think you are putting you and your baby in danger.

Here are some figures from the cotzias study (1999) for still borns

At 35 weeks 1:500
36 1:556
37 1:645
38 1:730
39 1:840
40 1:926
41 1:826
42 1:769
43 1:633

You have a greater risk at 35-37 weeks of having a still born than you do at 41-43.
Are they advising you to deliver at 35-37 when you have a higher risk of having a still born at theses dates than waiting???

Flip it around, you have a good chance of being 1 of the 825 women to have a health baby at 41 weeks and or 1 of the 768 women who have a healthy baby at 42 weeks.

Chance of scar tissue rupture is 0.5%

Scar tissue rupture 1:200
Placental abruption 1:100
Cord prolapse 1:100
Placenta praevia 1:200

So you have more chance of having a cord prolapse or Placental abruption before having your scar tissue rupture did they warn you about that? No! I believe it's because they believe you have such a small chance of it happening so why mention it.

Also your chance of placental praevia increases with the more caesareans you have.

When they tell you about the repeat section do they tell you that it increases your chances of you needing an emergancy hysterectomy (removal of your uterus)
The risk of infection, hemorrhage, embolism (blood clots in circulation), damage to the bowel or bladder. Also postnatal depression and post traumatic stress disorder.

The rate of maternal death associated with caesarean section is 4:10 000
The rate in Vaginal is 1:10 000

Sorry I hate to go on but they will show you the rates that suits what they want.

I don't believe that doctors want to just keep cutting us but I do think that some of them live by the text books and that is it.

We have to be the ones to make a stand to say we are not text book people, we are individuals and only we can change the figures and stats by going against the text books and doing what is really right for our bodies and babies.

Has any one gone against doctors advise and had a good experience?

I bet all the 70% VBAC's went against doctors advice and had a good experience.

When I moved abroad and was pregnant with my 5th child I was told no-one in the country would deliver me vaginally after 2 sections. I went against their advise and found someone who would and had her vaginally. Even though her head was titled. The confident doctor tilted it with a contraction without any problems.

I hope you all find the strength and support, to have the VBAC that you deserve.

Enjoy your day.