VBAC appointment what to expect

[Ceebeebee87]

Hi all,

I have a Vbac appointment this week and just wondered what your experience was and what to expect from the appointment. I am still unsure which birthing option to go for this time around and I feel deep down I’d like an ELCS or someone else to make the decision for me. However I don’t know if you have to meet a criteria. Another part of me kind of wants to go through Labour again. My EDD will be about 2 years after DS1. I had an EMCS due to an infection and DS1 being quite distressed. I also had a late miscarriage earlier this year which makes this pregnancy high risk. I’ve heard conflicting stories about automatically needing a c section if you’ve already had one. What was your experience? TIA X

I had an emergency c section and my midwife didn't even question me wanting a planned c section, I think she even asked before I said I wanted one. So I think if you want one you'll be given one. Similarly if you want VBAC you will be supported.
I am in the same position as you, EMCS last time was all quite dramatic according to my husband who is still quite traumatised by it all. I was minutes away from having a hysterectomy but luckily avoided it. I don't really remember much after my DD was out. When I suggested trying a natural birth again a wash of fear came over his face and he said if I was desperate too he would support it but if he could pick he wouldn't want to see me in a similar situation again. So based on that I think I will do elective

You could ask about the specific risk factors in your case and how likely they think you are to succeed in VBAC.

What their policies are over time limits for things - having to wear a monitor and whether these are mobile (otherwise you can be stuck in bed on your back), how long they allow labour and pushing to go on for before intervention. What the success rate is for VBAC in that unit. Whether you could choose CS as an alternative to induction if you go over term. What forms of induction they use (not all are suitable for someone who had a CS previously).

Part of it might be whether you plan further children - the more CS you have, the more risky it is. Whereas that's not the case if you have CS then series of VBAC. And whether the recovery element of CS will be important for you (eg at home for long periods with a toddler). Not that you're guaranteed an easy ride with VBAC recovery.

I had VBAC and the birth bit hurt but was overall a much better experience than long labour then EMCS with firstborn. I was convinced CS had impacted BF first time around, and I had been so exhausted. After VBAC I was totally full of beans right after, could get up and wash etc. I got a big hit of hormones once baby was out, whereas with CS I felt like I'd been hit by a truck and could barely hold my baby. But I guess an elective would be less exhausting!

I think how far you got in dilating first time is a key factor in how VBAC might go.

Thank you both for your replies and I now have some great questions to bring along with me and a few things to consider. I think what I want to avoid most is going through an induction or natural Labour only for it to end in an EMCS again. Like you mentioned @NoCloudsAllowed I was absolutely exhausted and as soon as baby was out I barely had the energy to soak up the special moment. I know with a planned section lots of people have said the recovery is much much better - same with natural birth but it’s just so hard to predict how things will go. @Flopsy145 so sorry you had such a traumatic experience. Good to know your midwife is supportive of you having an ELCS. Sometimes I feel like they are against anything but natural birth. For DS1 I had been informed about all possible birthing options in detail except a c section so I was a bit shocked when it came to that.

Since my daughter the rules have changed so this time round they're far more open to c sections than they were in 2021! Hopefully you have a supportive midwife who will advise you well on making the best decision ☺️

Hi there, well they will go through your birth notes from last time and ask want you remember, how it felt and what you’d like to do. I found this time WAY more supportive of c sections than they used to be.

I said I’d try a vbac but asked lots of questions about how that would work and how quickly id get a section if it wasn’t working out (much more quickly - but again I feel more confident to just tell them this time).

They also ask what you want to do if overdue. I said induced initially but then changed my mind and said I’ll book in a section for 41 weeks. You can change your mind.

Still waiting for labour so will let you know! I found it really hard making the decision too. They purposely tried not to sway me either way (for my situation). A part of me is so excited to try a vbac and another wishes I just had an elective booked for next week and didn’t care!

They are and it made me feel way better! I remember having an emergency previously and they were almost doing everything not to have one because of how it ‘looked’ whereas now they’re not rated on that so much more pro them.