VBAC Experiences

[winterbabyrose]

I have a 4 month old, our first born, and the other day came across my hospital discharge notes so had a flick through and saw it says I am eligible for VBAC next time around. I had an Cat1 EMCS with my daughter due presumed fetal compromise, but luckily all was well, she is perfect and the surgery was relatively easy to get over.

We want little ones relatively close together (going to wait for at least 12 months due to CS), but I would love to go for a VBAC next time - I had started with hypnobirthing the first time until it all went pear shaped!

So, I would like to know what your experiences are of a VBAC if you have had one - was it successful, did you have to do much to prepare for it, etc.

To be totally honest, the problems resulting in emergency CS the first time, occurred in my second pregnancy too; but because a wanted VBAC, it was too late to have a CS, so ended up having extended epesiotomy, ventuse and retained placenta. Wish I'd had another section.

@Hadalifeonce How come you were too late for a section if you don't mind me asking? Wasn't an EMCS an option?

Baby was so far down the birth, and getting distressed, canal the registrar felt ventuse would be quicker.
1st baby had started down the birth canal so had to be pulled back to get him out.

I had a VBAC 2 years ago. DS1 was breech, so was an ELCS for that reason.

I was adamant I wanted VBAC. It was during first lockdown, so I wanted to spend the minimum time possible in hospital. And wanted to give VB a go - I hated that my decision had been taken out of my hands for DS1, if you see what I mean.

I did a lot of research. Read books, papers as much as possible. Spent a lot of time on hands and knees to make sure he was in prime position (no idea if it made an ounce of difference, but can't have hurt). Had a scan at 34 weeks to see position. All looked good. The consultant asked what I wanted to do - I said I'd go for a VBAC, but see how things went. I really wanted to avoid induction, as I'd read that it was more likely to lead to CS, but DS2 is an angel and came the day before his due date.

Labour was quick, managed with gas and air. Only things different for me as opposed to someone not having VBAC was that they wanted more monitoring, which I agreed to, and wanted to put a cannula in my hand in case of emergency. I told them to bugger off.

I had a really good pamphlet about it - online. I'll see if I can find it for you.

Emcs c section for my first due to undiagnosed footling breech.

Vbac for my second 2.5 years later. Good experience, no pain relief and only minor tearing. I did hypnobirthing and that made me feel more in control. I was really keen to try the vbac as vaginal birth generally has a quicker recovery time. Mine was all good and I was discharged after 4 hours, could easily walk around the house and was at a park with my toddler too by day 2.

i also found it really cathartic to have more of the birth I want at a pace I wanted rather than the rush of my first when they discovered she was breech at 8cm dilated.

The booklet is called 'Birth after Caesarean' by Jenny Lesley. I had it on my Kindle. Didn't take too long to read, but lots of good info.