Water birth after VBAC?

[allthesharks]

DD1 was born by EMCS at 28 weeks as she was a footling breech, 6 years ago.

DD2 was a successful VBAC at 33 weeks, 4 years ago.

I'm now pregnant with by 3rd baby. If by some miracle I go full term with this one, do you think there's any chance I'd be allowed a water birth? Or at least to be in the pool during labour.

I will obviously discuss this with my midwife nearer the time (I'm only 16 weeks), but I just wondered if anyone knew if this is a definite no, or if there could be a chance.

Depends where you are in the country. A water VBAC is supported where I am as long as wireless monitoring is available

I hate this term “allowed” as you are a free woman to labour and birth how you choose to however you are deemed high risk with history of preterm labours and also LSCS so if you go to term you would need continuous fetal monitoring in labour. You can use telemetry which would be okay for the pool but I don’t think the midwives looking after you would be happy for you to go in the water. It may be worth seeing your midwife or consultant for an in-depth discussion of your birth options and try and establish a plan together as you could labour in the pool and get out for delivery?
No one can stop you but it’s just there are greater risks of getting you out the pool if something happens..rupture etc.
It’s definitely worth seeing someone for a conversation though x

Someone units do offer a high risk birth pool but criteria will be so specific but I do really think you should see someone to go through it all with you 🙂

I think they would have been prepared to discuss it at the hospital I had my DC at. I certainly discussed use of pool in labour for planned VBAC for DC2. However DC2 and DC3 were both premature and super speedy, so that idea went out of the window! Like you, was wishing for just one normal delivery...

Thank you. I will discuss it with the midwife and the consultant. I've just assumed that it won't be an option, however I've been watching OBEM and it's reminded me that I had hoped for a water birth, or to at least use the pool, with my first pregnancy. It can't hurt to ask. If they feel that it were to in any way put the baby at risk, then I wouldn't do it, I'd always follow their advice. Just, where my risk factor is preterm delivery if I were to get to full term then that risk isn't a problem. Both DDs had a good fetal heart rate throughout labour, it was just the fact that DD1 was a footling breech with bulging membranes that meant the c-section was necessary. I laboured all the way with her and was fully dilated when they took me to theatre. Also, having had a successful VBAC already might help my case. I'm prepared for them to say no, but I definitely will ask the question.

You may need to ask for an appointment with the consultant midwife to discuss, others may just say "it's not our policy" but don't be put off

I had the same EMCS and then a VBAC. I had to have an appointment with a consultant midwife but she gave to go ahead for a water birth on labour Ward with telementry. Plans have now been scuppered as I have group b strep so will need antibiotics during labour and they have said I can't have a water birth with a cannula in 😔