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Original poster

Second attempt vbac

38 replies

shas19 · 12/05/2021 22:50

had my first emc 2014 42 weeks after being in labour for 38hrs and fetal destress got to 5cm, second 2018 37 weeks ftp at 3 cm after about a day. Im now pregnant again and adamant i want a vbac. Of course if needs must and labour isnt going the right away and baby is in danger i wilk have to have another emc. Can i refuse it? Can i try for the vbac?

OP posts:
Oopsydaisynotagain · 13/05/2021 06:24

It will be strongly strongly discouraged as your risk of uterine rupture is much higher with 2 scars on your uterus. You will probably have to see a consultant and possibly a consultant midwife to counsel you on the risks involved. Ultimately of course, no one will force you to have a CS but it will definitely be recommended!

Chanel05 · 13/05/2021 06:53

@shas19 totally your choice but as @Oopsydaisynotagain said, you will be discouraged.

Google vbac calculator and it will give you a % chance of success.

Original poster
shas19 · 13/05/2021 07:34

The risk is no different from 1 lower transverse scar i read? I definitely dont want a planned section they terrify me

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EarringsandLipstick · 13/05/2021 07:48

This is ridiculous. A VBAC following 2 sections is not medically recommended.

Do the best for you & baby & listen to your medical team.

The other point to consider is that you had sections due to failure to progress, in 2 pregnancies. It's very likely a VBAC won't be possible for the same reason.

Original poster
shas19 · 13/05/2021 07:55

No its not ridiculous at all. Of course if it was needed ultimately i would have one. But, there isnt any solid evidence proving its any more dangerous than the first. And the likelyhood of a uterine rupture is very small. I wont be puahed into it as there are people with more than 2 sections that have gone on to have a normal delivery

OP posts:
Original poster
shas19 · 13/05/2021 07:57

Also ftp was likely to happen with second pregnancy as i we t i to labour at 36 weeks and baby wasnt in best position and they chose to leave me for 6 days untio they induced. Hospital appointment after birth also said if i was induced earlier or went later i to pregnancy a vbac would of likely happened. I have straight forward pregnancies also

OP posts:
Lavender201 · 13/05/2021 07:57

If this labour also fails to progress, you will end up with another emergency c section. You can’t really refuse that, as they’ll do what’s safest for you and baby.

It’s strange that a planned section terrifies you. They are much calmer and safer than a third emergency section. I second googling VBAC calculator.

Original poster
shas19 · 13/05/2021 08:05

Yes i understand that, thats fine if it doesnt progress and i need one but its my personal choice to not want a planned one, the whole thing scares mex whether that be calm or emergency. If i can deliver naturally i want to be able to try, as there is women that go on to have natural births. There is greater risks involved with repeat sections. Not enough solid proof that a repeat vbac is a risk greater than the first.

OP posts:
Original poster
shas19 · 13/05/2021 08:06

I juat did the calculation and came back with 71.6%

OP posts:
Moorelewis · 13/05/2021 08:19

I think they will advise against it, especially due to the failure to progress. That reduces your chance of a successful vbac, although I appreciate you did go into labour early. I completely understand how you feel though, I believe people downplay the recovery and whole c-section experience. I'm hoping for a vbac this time. I can't think of anything worse than another c-section, especially when you've already got kids to look after! I really hope you get a consultant that is sympathetic x

Greenmarmalade · 13/05/2021 08:23

Yes you can push for a vbac, as I did. I didn’t manage it as I had other complicating factors, but in theory I was allowed to give it a go.

I think antenatal care is really lacking (in the uk) so you’ll have to judge whether you feel the monitoring, etc, will be enough to take care of you and baby. Ask what will be in place and when/how often you’ll be checked.

Original poster
shas19 · 13/05/2021 08:25

@Moorelewis thank you! Someone more understanding. I know they will probably push for it but honestly, its my body my choice. I will never opt for a section theyre awful! I struggled to bond with my daughter aswell. My son was put down as fetal destress so that was for baby not myself. My daughter was only 5lb and still high up in my pelvis so i wouldny of progressed far anyway i dont think. Im definitely going to ask for sweeps and trial of induction and labour. If baby is in danver then by all means take me the cesarean x

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Greenmarmalade · 13/05/2021 08:31

I completely understand- I’ve had 3 csections. If it’s any comfort at all, my 3rd was the quickest recovery of all 3 and the least painful recovery.

I hope you get your vbac though.

turnthebiglightoff · 13/05/2021 08:33

Having been induced, with 2 tears, an episiotomy, a 1.75l pph, a prolapsed bowel and ruptured haemorrhoids, I'd go for a planned section absolutely any day of the week.

GappyValley · 13/05/2021 08:33

There are 2 things at play
The medical risk after 2 sections, and also the likelihood of success after 2 failed labours

There are plenty of calculators online which will give you the statistical chance of you having a successful VBAC (and it’s going to be low), but maybe instead of setting yourself for a ‘my body my choice’ battle with medics, you should look at why you find sections so terrifying, and seeing what can be done to help you deal with it.

Fwiw, a planned section is a lot calmer than an emergency one, and on the whole, easier to recover from - smaller incision, baby hasn’t had to be moved back up the birth canal

Original poster
shas19 · 13/05/2021 08:49

@greenmarmalade they was happy for you to try then? Thats encouraging

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Greenmarmalade · 13/05/2021 08:54

Not happy, but I said I wanted to see if it was possible and they agreed- they probably had to! One consultant was on board, others were more wary as it’s such a known risk I suppose.

Original poster
shas19 · 13/05/2021 08:58

@greenmarmalade when was this if u dont mind me asking? Im definitely going to do my research on it, but im sure if i remember rightly my hospital are quite pro vbac so hopefully ill be allowed to try

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Papadontpreachimintroubledeep · 13/05/2021 09:17

I'm also wondering the chances of having a vbac after 2 sections.
My sections were planned ( breech and then second baby I had pgp)
They themselves were straightforward and calm and I had very good care however I this is my last baby and I would want to try a vbac if allowed.
I hope you get to try as long as it's not a major risk to you or baby. Hopefully you'll be able to speak to a good consultant soon.

GappyValley · 13/05/2021 09:30

OP, even if the hospital lets you try, you should probably prepare yourself for the fairly likely scenario that it will fail and you will have to have another section.

And therefore do something to address why this thought ‘terrifies’ you...

If nothing else, having those terrified thoughts at the back of your mind during labour is not going to help your chances of it succeeding. You need to be as relaxed and calm as possible

Chanel05 · 13/05/2021 09:40

I think the one of the main factors that you need to take into consideration, which the medics will press, is that you didn't dilate to the magic 10cm either time, which is a huge factor in achieving a vbac. Your chances are far greater if this is achieved in previous births.

Chanel05 · 13/05/2021 09:47

Also, are you a member of VBAC Support UK on Facebook? Lots of positive stories and advice on there.

I fully understand your desire for a vbac by the way! I thought to myself for ages in my next birth I'd have a planned section after my emergency, but the hope to have that vaginal birth (and generally easier recovery) is there.

The Queen had a successful VBAC ✌️.

Original poster
shas19 · 13/05/2021 10:46

@Chanel05 ive just joined waiting for the approval! Im definitely going to try different things in this pregnancy such as hypnobirthing and actually try and be calm for once haha. I was very naive with my last two and just sort of went with what the drs said but this time im going to do everything possible to get my vbac!

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Chelyanne · 13/05/2021 11:11

It's up to you. You can refuse whatever you want but they will discourage you as the risks of scar rupture are much higher after multiple cesareans.
An elcs is actually much better than you'd think, I was terrified of having one but breech twins meant it was the safest way to deliver. I had an easy recovery despite heavy blood loss and an infection. I'm going to ask my consultants to book me an elcs for as late as possible this time if baby goes head down, the hope is I can try for a vbac if I go in to labor before that date. I am not willing to be induced so it's spontaneous labour or cs for me.

Moominmiss · 13/05/2021 11:25

I had an emcs after ftp at 7cm with my first.
I then opted for an elective section with my second.
After the 2 sections I was heavily discouraged from a natural birth for my third.

I was happy for the 3rd elective anyway though.

I think you could push for it as like you say it is your body and your choice.

I do just want to say though that my emergency section experience was TOTALLY different to my 2 electives that were wonderful calm experiences.

With both of those I was up in a few hours and out of hospital in under 24 hours with very minimal pain.

After my emergency one I was in hospital 5 days and in unbearable pain.

Just to give you a positive section story.

Good luck with your choice.

I am currently 22 weeks pregnant with baby number 4 and will be opting for a section again if that’s what they suggest, although I’ve been told that as it’s been over 4 years since my last section (it will be nearly 7 years by my due date), that I will be offered a vbac if I want. So will see what my consultant says.