VBAC after ELCS due to breech

[orangestarburst]

Hi I am 16 weeks pregnant with my 2nd, my first was an ELCS due to breech presentation - I would like to try VBAC with this one and am seeing consultant for the first time on Tuesday.

Are there any questions I should be asking (I want to have as little intervention as possible) and am worried this won’t happen due to monitoring being required etc/ we also live very rurally so hospitals are 1.5hrs away - has anyone got experiences with this? Would I be “allowed” to go over due date?! Would different hospitals have different protocol? Should i research this before requesting where to be sent? It’s all so confusing!

As first section was due to breech and I haven’t laboured before does this make any difference? I REALLY want to avoid another section, I didn’t have a bad experience, it’s just not what I’d choose again (if I can) I know this baby may also be breech but will deal with that if it happens!

I'm in the same position and would be interested to hear from others who have already been through this.

I only know a little as I'm at an early stage myself (7 weeks) but I asked a bit at booking in, plus a friend has recently been through the VBAC clinic process. From what I understand it's inadvisable to be induced after a C-section due to pressure on the scar which can lead to rupture, so they don't like going too far over due. My midwife mentioned that it's a good idea to arrange stretch and sweeps for the last couple of weeks to encourage labour. She also said that as I'll need monitoring during labour I wouldn't be able to go to the midwife led unit, but that otherwise there isn't any reason why I can't have a relatively normal birth - I guess it depends if you end up needing continuous monitoring rather than intermittent, and if the hospital has mobile monitoring.

I won't get to see a consultant for a long while yet, but I'd be asking about those things I think, and also what would be the trigger(s) for another c-section, from their point of view as well as mine - I don't particularly want another c-section either, but I'd rather a c-section that than the horrendous and frankly risky vaginal births that some people I know have experienced - it doesn't really matter how they come out, in the end, and there are worse things than a c-section. Good luck!

I had an emergency c-section with my first;failed to progress, he was back to back , got himself wedged as he came down, cervix hadn't come away fully, waters had broken over 24 hours and had been in established labour 26 hours. Basically everything haha!! This time I've just seen the consultant and they have been fantastic! I'm still undecided whether to go for elcs or vbac this time but they were fantastic. He Went through all the pro's and con's of both, but definitely could tell they prefer vbac as recovery and safety for both mum and baby does tend to be better. Ultimately they said whatever decision I make they will support as it is my body and my baby. Hopefully you get a great consultant like I did and I'm sure they will support you in your decision.

I had a vbac after having my first by section for a breech baby, i did go into labour even though they didnt think i would. Mine isn't a great story but I know of loads of people who sailed through their vbac. This time round if I fall with number 3, I'm pushing for an elective section as early as they will allow me to
Have a good read up and chat with the consultants, you could book a section and change your mind further down the line. There's a percentage of how many vbacs end up in sections as well. Everyone is different of how they feel 're labour but as long as baby is out safe and sound it doesn't matter how you do it. Good luck and hope it all goes well!

I tried VBAC after emcs (undiagnosed footling breech). I had ended up with a crash cs under ga due to uterine rupture due to the first cs. My contractions were very very strong and my, already compromises, uterus could not cope. Lots of blood. knocked out and straight to surgery.

I don’t want to scaremonger. What hspoener to me Is rare, but it does happen.

@Bikerunski, mine was similar. Have you had any more children since that birth?

Thanks all for your replies. Going to write a list of questions before my appointment and will update when it has been.

@Bloodylegoeverywhere - I havn’t had any more children. I was advised against it, but that baby was always going to be my last. Apart from the unplanned CS of both children, I had hyperemisis in both pg and I was nearly 41 when I had my second/last baby. I’ve coo’ed over lots of babies since, but never felt broody. Enough was enough!

Hi there!

I would ask how a VBAC would look with your history and in any hospitals you’re likely to be delivering in. Some hospitals may have more / better equipment that will make an active labour easier (assuming it will be monitored).

I had an EMCS with DD1 before I’d even had a single contraction as she had IUGR and got distressed when I was induced at 40+5.

With DD2 I was desperate for a VBAC but, like you, worried as I’d never been in labour before. I ended up having a really easy spontaneous delivery - I felt so fit and on top of the world afterwards compared to after my CS. Personally, from comparing my two newborns, I would also say that a natural delivery is preferable for the baby.

I’m not in the UK but my hospital will not induce after a CS, nor will they let you have an epidural, as both increase the risk of a uterine rupture. I wasn’t allowed to go overdue with DD2, but that was due to the placenta not functioning properly rather than the CS.

Although I had to be on the CTG throughout, I managed to labour standing up and give birth on all fours, all without any pain relief (no gas and air where I am!)

I’m currently expecting no. 3 and hoping for another natural delivery!

I hope that helps!