induction at term for a vbac, any experience of this?

[carrotcake]

I had a different midwife today who seemed shocked that I thought I could go to term +10 for a vbac. She said they will want to induce me on my due date but will only try one pessary and breaking waters before doing a section? This seems absurd to me, especially as my scan date is a week before my period date that happens to be regular as clockwork.
This would almost certainly mean having a section before I even think I'm term.. and she practically fell off her chair when I discussed the birth pool at the hospital, no way, it appears, and unless I want to be continuously monitored, she suggests I stay at home till I'm pushing. Seems like really strange advice to me, but she says I can discuss it with the 'top' consultant who I'm seeing next week, who 'always' induces at term apparently. No-one wants to put the baby at risk but this does sound excessive.. oh and vbacs are only allowed to push for half an hour!! 35+5 at the moment and don't need this stress... any experience or hep anyone?

i think maybe their main issue is a uterine rupture-the most likely time for a scar to rupture from previous caesearean sections is in late pregnancy or more commonly labour itself,as a result of very strong uterine contractions. because of the high risk of uterine rupture following a classical uterine incision, an elective c-section is usually planned at week 38 in a subsequent pregnancy to minimise risk.

although positively, i found this statistic- VBAC is successful in 80-85% of cases.

also some consultants i find anyway can be very stuck in their ways of doing things-but then they are the consultants and have your optimum wellbeing as a priority.

good luck with how ever it happens!

hi, my first was emergency cs. Sec one I was induced at 40 wk, due to "medical condition of baby". Had breaking waters, pessary, iv drip, pushed for ages (sure was more then 1/2 hour), forceps delivery in the end. Did have to be monitored though, continuously.
But can be a bit of a struggle to make your wishes clear, and glad dh was around to help me to make my wishes clear to all the staff. Also, te consultant you are seeing me not be the one on-call when you are delivering, so lots of different opinions.

Thanks, I know there is a risk, but as far as I know it's fairly tiny after one section, and to induce on the due date seems strange as I've been told up to now that they simply won't induce and I had better hope I go into labour naturally before the ten days is up.. I guess I need to speak to him on wednesday but I'm pacing up and down now worrying about I really don't want another op, although of course I wouldn't hesitate if I thought it was essential..

i know its horrible not knowing exactly, its hard when different professionals tell you different things. the risk is 0.8% (or so says my midwifery textbooks!)that is a really tiny risk and i apologise if ive made you worry-the last thing i wanted to do!

im sure you will be fine, and nearer the time do lots of things to get baba out!

Good Luck

Thanks, you haven't made me worry more, steffy, it's the glib negative language of the midwife. She even said in front of dd1, 'if you rupture we have five minutes to save your baby'..
and I've been doing loads to avoid an OP, reason for last ceasarian, and he had engaged today, so maybe he'll come early and save me the worry!!

oh i hate it when sometimes midwives dont realise how their little comments put the fear of god up us when we preggers!

yeah loadsa sex, curry, pineapple, etc etc at the time-and fingers crossed!

good luck

Carrotcake, Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy
I'd like to know what your consultant says. I also had an emergency section with DS last December and I'm currently 31+ with my second baby and am hoping for VBAC too. My consultant who I saw a few months ago was quite positive about it all and gave me some statistics on success rates etc. I see her again next month. The whole rupture thing is quite frightening but only half hour pushing? I would get a second opinion and perhaps you could post under childbirth too for more replies.

Let me know if you can the outcome of your meeting with consultant - scary stuff don't you think!?

Good luck x

Carrotcake, there is a forum on VBAC's on yahoo that I would recommend you check out. There are plenty of ladies on there who have been there and done that (vbac, that is)and who know loads about the things concultants and mw's will tell you to scare you. Check it out, I'm sure it will give you the courage to go for the type of birth you want. Good Luck XXX

At my local hospital the time limits for a VBAC are 6 hours for first stage labour, and one hour of pushing, but I think it is different in every hospital.

Obviously any time limit makes a c-section more likely, and I have heard people on MN say that the 2 best options after a c-section are the 2 extremes of an elective or a home birth where you won't have time limits imposed on you.