Tilted cervix and failure to progress in lsbour

[Hatty8]

My last pregnancy resulted in an emergency caesarean due to “failure to progress” after an induction. It was thought that my DS’s head did not help my cervix dilate due to its position (my cervix is tilted so the head couldn’t put pressure on it or something like that!)

I am now having to decide between a VBAC or an elective but I am wondering surely history will repeat itself and I won’t dilate again. I would rather not go through the induction process again for it to end in another emergency CS, especially with a little one at home.

Did anyone have a similar birth experience but go on to give birth vaginally in a subsequent pregnancy? Or did the same thing happen all over again with a second labour?

Are there any other reasons why I might have failed to progress?

No idea of other options but had similar and other problems. If this is your second i wouldn't even be considering vbac. You dont want the stress/drama of induction then latterly section afterwards. Opting for scheduled section for us meant we could plan childcare etc and it remove fear stress exhaustion of going through a vbac that didn't work. Best wishes for whatever you decide

I have a tilted cervix, and had a very similar sounding labour to you! 56 hours in total and finally got declared failure to progress, which resulted in emergency c section as baby became distressed. Baby 2, I opted for an elective csection as I didn't want to go through it all again for the same outcome. I was put under consultant care due to first labour, and she advised a c section after reading my notes. Good luck op

I have a tilted cervix, and I had an emergency c section after failure to progress. I was told this was due to baby's head position rather than anything to do with my cervix. I had a successful VBAC 2.5 years later, it was the best decision for me.

I also have a retroverted uterus, but thought that once pregnant, it makes no difference. Its only when not pregnant that is either falls/sits forward or backwards. Its just less common, not rare or unusual at all BTW. I'd take advice from your medical team. What are they advising?

I had a birth debrief and it was suggested that the position of my cervix probably caused the failure to progress and therefore the EMCS. I was never able to have a sweep either despite several (very painful!) attempts. Again due to cervix position apparently.

So far, midwives see no reason why I can’t try a VBAC but consultant a bit more tentative.

If this is true (idk) it would explain a lot. My first was a long time ago I have tilted womb and my first birth failed to progress and I had ventouse and forceps. Huge baby, very overdue and I was fairly slim and the baby was born blue and had to be revived . Rest of mine after were c sec. I was traumatised by the first birth and nearly lost my baby,.

I am currently pregnant with baby 2, first pregnancy ended in an EMCS as baby was becoming stressed following induction. I really don't want to be induced again, so I have opted for a planned c section on my due date and if I go before then I'll try a VBAC.

I had similar issues, went for vbac and ended up with C-section. Although I don't regret trying for a vbac, a planned section would have been less stressful.

I’m so sorry this happened to you. Thank God you were both ok after it, although I do not mean to underestimate the trauma you’ve been left with. I really appreciate your perspective.

I don't know if I have a tilted cervix but I had a C-section first time due to failure to progress, I got stuck at 4cm. Second time round I tried for a vbac, was only allowed a balloon catheter for induction which didn't work. So I scheduled an elective for the following week. I ended up going into labour the day before but didn't actually dilate at all. Glad I had the opportunity to try for the vbac and the elective was so much better than the emergency.

Tilted cervix. 5 days using every induction method possible and got nowhere, they managed to pop my waters and I laboured for 14 hours then had to have emergency section after an hour of pushing did fuck all and baby’s heart rate was starting to get dodgy. I wish I’d asked for a c section on day 3 of induction. Awful horrible experience but I’d have a c section again as that part was actually fine for me and I recovered well. I will never ever be induced again.

I know it might vary depending on hospital, but I know a lot of hospitals (mine included) don't allow inductions after c sections.

I had an emergency c section following a failure to progress induction (baby's head in wrong position, therefore not hitting the cervix at the correct spot to make me dilate past 5cm).

I am now pregnant with my second, and I was all prepared to tell my midwife I would not be allowing another induction, when in fact she told me they don't allow inductions anyways as it's too much stress on the uterus! So my options are either go in to labour naturally or have a planned section. At the moment I'm leaning towards trying for a VBAC but if I go overdue or am medically advised for another reason, then I'll have a section.

You couldn't pay me to go through induction again

I have a retroverted uterus. Induced twice.

I had a vaginal birth with my first, but a caesarean with my second due to failure to progress. Slowly got to 5cm, but got no further. My son was back to back and had tipped his head back, so his head couldn't impact my cervix properly. The consultant was confident that he was stuck and would never have come vaginally.

I'm not planning anymore children, but if I were to have another, I would attempt a VBAC, and to be induced if necessary (likely). If it all wound up in another C-section, c'est la vie, but I would want the opportunity to at least try first. But that would be the right decision for me. How important is a a vaginal birth to you?

If it helps any, whilst recovery from the C-section wasn't entirely smooth sailing, it was far easier than anticipated. Even with a toddler to care for.

I have a retroverted uterus and two difficult labours. No one every suggested there might be a link.

First was back to back and had forceps with no pain relief as he was in distress. Still have PTSD from that.

Second was induced, labour for 12 hours and then emergency caesarian due to failure to progress. But DD was never even engaged, her head was so high and I think she was lying diagonally but they kept dismissing my concerns. She came out looking like she'd been in a fight. Black eye and all swollen.

I have a retroverted womb and all 4 births were normal, but slow. All four were back to back so I wonder if there is a link to back to back births and retroverted womb…