Chances of going to a MLU if having a VBAC and "old"?

[fonxey]

Basically what it says on the tin!

I placed for a totally natural birth with first but that ended up going out the window and i had an emcs instead.

So is like a second. I think. Maybe.

I'm 35 so according to my GP, past my best before date.

Obviously i won't be trying for another for at least a year. My scar has, i think, healed pretty well. I had no problem with it. It healed up and feels fine, just a bit numb currently. ( It's been 4 months)

I really heated the delivery unit. The "bed" was the most uncomfortable thing i have ever sat on, was hard to move around on, get on our get off. I'd rather give birth on a granite slab. The room was horrible and cramped. And it wasn't private. Every time they had to go outside anyone waking past could see right in.

I wanted the MLU last time. I would prefer it the second. I don't want another csec.

But feel i have everything against me now. So feeling a bit... I dunno.

I also felt emotionally really really shit after the birth of my first and if I'm honest if it happened again I'm not sure what I'd do. I'm hoping I'll be more prepared at least because i know more of a chance and can mentally prepare.

But anyway. I just want a natural experience. I don't want the feeling of hitting rock bottom again. By the time i got to hold my daughter (i couldn't even see her properly when on my chest) i was stressed up to the max. And just...bah still upsets me.

Of course might happen again no matter what!

Anyone... Anyone been over 36+ and had avbac and went to a mlu?

I don't think you're allowed if you've had a section I'm afraid

I'd had an emergency c section with my first after trying for a home birth. With my second I was 35. I hired a private midwife and had a lovely home birth. It was expensive, but I'm glad I did it.

Like you I had a difficult birth and didn't want a second c section.

Apologies for dumb typos. I swear i have an anti v touch screen finger. I do correct quite a few though you wouldn't know it!

One of my good friends had an emergency section #1. Forceps with #2 (I think) and home birth with #3 when she was over 35. She was such an inspiration in her approach to childbirth. I’d have a chat with your midwife and see what your options are. Hope you get the birth you want this time x

I don't think I'd go down the home birth route as i live 22 miles from nearest hospital and the only road in tends to be terrible. Otherwise i would probably be tempted. The MLU where i live is Disney's from delivery unit.

Maybe if i threaten to not come in at all unless they allow me there...hehe. Not serious... Much.

Just the thought of having to be in that horrid room really puts me off and rather upsets me thinking about it.

Tell the mw at your booking appointment that you’re keen to try for a vbac at the MLU. You might be surprised at how ok with it they are.

I’m going NHS this time and honestly the woman didn’t miss a beat when I said I would like to have a home birth (having just been through my history which includes a emcs, 4 vbacs and a post-partum haemorrhage). I’ll also be 45 by the time this baby arrives.

If they start saying things like ‘you’re not allowed’ ask to speak to a different midwife or the supervisor of midwives. Good luck!

I had a EMCS with my first (should have been ELCS due to breech but went into labour before planned date). Am due in 3 weeks and keen to try a VBAC.

I was told at my booking appt that I'd have to be on the consultant led unit and this was reiterated at a 36 week consultant appt.

However I went to a midwife led VBAC class and they recommended speaking to a consultant midwife who could sign you off to be on the midwife led unit after a birth options chat and assessing the risk. Do you have anyone similar who can help assess and write a plan for you?

I've been signed off for the midwife led unit but also told that it can depend on the midwives on duty on the day as they could say no if they weren't comfortable with it.

You would need to negotiate it with the head of the MLU and it depends on the individual MLU. At my hospital, they were initially quick to tell me I wouldn’t be able to use it but I got the impression that if I was a VBAC patient with no other risk factors, I might have been able to negotiate access. Some MLUs have a blanket policy of no VBACs. I think you would have more luck with an MLU in a hospital than a standalone unit.

The main issue is that most hospitals like you to have continuous monitoring as a VBAC patient (and this can be done wirelessly in many hospitals) to detect any signs of scar rupture at an early stage. The MLU, as far as I understand, isn’t usually equipped for this or staffed for the one to one care recommended for this.

Ultimately you’d want to look into what your hospital recommends and why, what the risks are of following/not following their advice and then make your own decision.

There is a VBAC UK support group on Facebook which may be helpful.

I could have written your post OP. I felt exactly the same. Hypnobirthing waterbirth that fell apart and EMCS. At 4 months pp this was still super raw for me.
I'm now TTC with a toddler and I have very different views and whilst I still hold out for a waterbirth with no drugs... I'm much more comfortable with ELCS and Epidural and Labour ward as decent options for baby two if and when I get pregnant. So I also advise to 'park' the next birth until your TTC and enjoy the newborn days :)

I gave myself space to enjoy the newborn and not plan or even anticipate the next birth.

@DesiDiva2020 thanks. I know i should but i guess it's come to the forefront recently and i can't see a pregnant woman or hear a birth story without feeling upset. Doh.

I'm also realising of we do decude it'll have to be next year as who knows how long it'll take and i don't want to be too old if i can help it. Nothing wrong with being older, is just rather sooner than later.

I was one and done before this then got broody rather quickly... Or rather realised i wanted another by surprise. Probably just lucky to have an easy baby that gives me time to think about this!

I also had an EMCS after hoping for a water birth and ended up feeling quite traumatised by it all. Birth trauma is very real and if you have lots of difficult feelings around your baby’s birth, you might want to seek some help.

For what it’s worth, I agonised over a VBAC for much of my second pregnancy but ended up with an ELCS after not going into labour and that was right for me.

I think if you were to go into labour naturally at around 39 weeks, and we’re otherwise low risk the hospital would accommodate you.
Before your consultant appointment, I really recommend you read “Give birth like a feminist”.
It really has opened my eyes to reclaiming the birth experience. Good luck x

I don't blame you for thinking about it, I was obsessed with my experience and felt genuine envy when others had easy birth. A local doula actually lead a traumatic birth workshop and that helped me immensely.
Don't feel bad for feeling bad. I just had to make a conscious effort of thinking 'I will pay attention to birth choices when I next become pregnant' and it allowed me to stop obsessing.

If your next pregnancy is low risk you can labour on a WLU, however this would need to be agreed by a consultant and head of midwifery.

*MLU