VBAC and continuous monitoring

[spangly]

I'm hoping for a VBAC with baby 2 due in Sept. I've been told that it's possible but continuous monitoring will be needed to check for fetal distress/ signs of scar rupture. Does this hinder labour due to decreased mobility or is it a good thing? I have mixed feelings. Is it possible to be monitored intermittently? Isn't the continuous monitor only checked intermittently anyway (I assume a midwife doesn't stay looking at it all the time)?
Sorry for the long ramble. Any views and experience gratefully received

I had a vbac without continuous monitoring. I was even able to get into the birthing pool (got straight back out again, but that's another story). It's all negotiable, but the best thing to do is to read up on it so that you can stand your corner if you feel you need to. There are threads on here that have discussed it and I found the discussion here really helpful. I'm sure lulumama will be along soon - she is the fountain of all things vbac Good luck

you can request intermittent monitoring

signs of scar rupture can be detected through more than the CFM trace

signs of rupture

this site is excellent

i had a VBAC 19 months ago, stayed at home as long as i could, did have CFM, but was encouraged to be mobile as long as possible ! the leads are long enough to enable you to stand, sit on a birth ball and bounce, and rock with the contractions

but you do not have to have it

decreased mobility is known not to be a good thing when going for a vaginal delivery...

do a search on here , lots of good VBAC threads

I recently went for a vbac for my 2nd, unsuccessfully in the end. I was continuously monitored and ended up v uncomfortable, stuck on my back (though I was able to be mobile for a few hours before we got to that). I'd do as Lulumama suggests and stay at home as long as possible and try to keep as mobile as possible. On reflection, and having read so much about all of this on MN since the birth, I'm quite annoyed about how it all went, and can really see the advantage of having a doula, or a really fantastic mw who recognises all the different stages and can help you to get people to back off if necessary. My 1st CS happened quite quickly, so I didn't really know what was going on (what was going on was that I was 10cms dilated!). Don't know if this is possible for you, but I would certainly consider it if it is.

you can have whatever you do or don't want, no matter what anyone tries to tell you to the contrary. I read up and decided not to go for continuous monitoring but you might read the same info and decide you would prefer it. in either case, advice to stay at home as long as pos is definitely well worth considering - the further into established labour you are, the less chances of meddling once you get to the hosp

It might also be interesting to ask for your hospital's statistics on successful VBACs - I would be concerned by anything under 70% which would suggest to me that their policies were hindering the chances of giving birth vaginally. The 6 hour limit is particularly concerning IMHO and as far as I know is not evidence-based. This is also a good site for information on VBACs www.vbac.org.uk

i had a vbac with my last one.i was induced at 11am on the wednesday morning,i was monitored for 3 hours (an hour to start with,off for 10 mins so i could go to the loo and then back on the monitor for 2 hours).i was in agony!

i was told to go for a walk at 4pm,which me and dh did,but my contractions were so painful i had to keep stopping!

at 2am the following morning i was finally taken to the labour ward,and was on the monitor,and they attached a probe to dds head as the trace wasnt very good.i had a mw sit next to my bed watching the monitor (the probe one) until she changed shift at 7.30am.then another came and sat there.i wasnt allowed to move,and was so exhausted and uncomfortable all i could do was cry!

a doctor came at 9.30am and examined me and said i was still only 6cm dilated and i should have an epidural.(i hate needles but i agreed to it).2 anaesthetists walked in,just as i shouted i needed to push,and out flew dd!!

i hated not beng able to move,and the pain under my scar was worse than the contractions!(please dont think yours will be the same!!!dont want to scare you!!i know others that have had vbacs and it hasnt hurt)

i was so traumatised by it (and knackered) that with this baby (im due october) i am so scared about having to have a vbac.my friend is a mw and said that they shouldve done something sooner with my last labour.and has said i should state exactly what i want this time re.the monitoring and being mobile.last time i just laid there and did as i was told,this time will be different!!

this was suggested & I refused. Luckily my labours were quick so no time for monitoring!

Thanks so much for your responses. I'm hoping (and trying) to be much more informed this time. In hindsight I should have read more last time, though I wasn't diasappointed with the birth I had - I still ended up with a beautiful, healthy little girl
I'll have a read and digest the links - thanks. I've done some reading already but it's always helpful to hear things from people who've been through it.
It definitely sounds like staying at home as long as possible is a good thing - something I didn't do last time. I might look into a doula too as I've read lots of good things from other MNetters.

try here nurturing birth and doula uk,here to find a doula near you!

try this as the other link isnt working since te new website went live:

doula.org.uk/

cx

i had noticed that too actually, herts !

are you on there yet lulu?

cx