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Original poster

Vbac after no labour experience

14 replies

Unchive2025 · 16/04/2025 08:47

Hi, as the above states really, has anyone had a vbac after first birth with no labour at all (planned section etc). I had a csection after my waters had been leaking and meconium in them. Zero dilated, not effaced, cervix high and closed. No contractions.

Anyway 2nd baby, and have been cleared to try vbac if I want but also booked to chat with consultant to book another csection. Just wondering if anyone else has been in this position? Specifically with zero previous labour experience

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
ecossegirl91 · 16/04/2025 11:48

Following with interest as I had a c section for baby 1 with zero labour - none at all not even waters breaking.

as above I can have a vbac or a c section….

Original poster
Unchive2025 · 16/04/2025 12:23

ecossegirl91 · 16/04/2025 11:48

Following with interest as I had a c section for baby 1 with zero labour - none at all not even waters breaking.

as above I can have a vbac or a c section….

It is such a strange situation isn't it! My waters didn't break properly just leaked for 4 days with meconium when I was past due date, took the doctors a while to realise. I have had my vbac appointment and they said given that there is nothing to go on they would support another csection but I would be so interested to here from any vbac mums in our situation

OP posts:
tarheelbaby · 16/04/2025 12:27

If you had a good C-section the first time, have one again. I very much wish I had had a second C-section.

I did VBAC and it has been no end of trouble. All the medicos will try to convince you to have a VBAC but don't waste your time.

mondaytosunday · 16/04/2025 12:38

My doctors were encouraging a VBAC but then changed their minds (baby was just under 10lbs at 38 weeks). My first was always going to be a section due to size (10lb 4oz at 37 weeks - waters broke before scheduled one for 38 weeks).
Have to say I was relieved, even though I had some complications after the second section. All resolved. But they were pushing it initially because isn’t a vaginal birth statistically safer?

QueenAstrid · 16/04/2025 12:55

I was encouraged to have a VBAC too and it didn’t go well. I ended up with a ruptured uterus and my DS born asphyxiated and fitting with suspected permanent brain damage. Thank god he was fine in the end. My consultant (after the event) said if I was his wife he wouldn’t have let me have a VBAC.
I’d say, if you want to try one then do so but have a plan in place to go straight to c section if the labour doesn’t progress quickly.

Original poster
Unchive2025 · 16/04/2025 14:53

QueenAstrid · 16/04/2025 12:55

I was encouraged to have a VBAC too and it didn’t go well. I ended up with a ruptured uterus and my DS born asphyxiated and fitting with suspected permanent brain damage. Thank god he was fine in the end. My consultant (after the event) said if I was his wife he wouldn’t have let me have a VBAC.
I’d say, if you want to try one then do so but have a plan in place to go straight to c section if the labour doesn’t progress quickly.

Was this after a previous no labour csection?

OP posts:
Original poster
Unchive2025 · 16/04/2025 14:54

tarheelbaby · 16/04/2025 12:27

If you had a good C-section the first time, have one again. I very much wish I had had a second C-section.

I did VBAC and it has been no end of trouble. All the medicos will try to convince you to have a VBAC but don't waste your time.

Hi sorry to hear you have had issues after your vbac, I had a very complex and long csection recovery so I don't feel safe either way really! Did you find vbac very traumatic?

OP posts:
QueenAstrid · 16/04/2025 16:20

Unchive2025 · 16/04/2025 14:53

Was this after a previous no labour csection?

Show quote history

Yes, after a planned section.

tarheelbaby · 16/04/2025 16:25

Firstly, I have to confess, I did labour before my C-section. DD1 was in an awkward position and after 15+ hrs labour and 8cm dilation, they decided to go for C-section. This was a good decision for both of us. My recovery was straightforward and I was back driving in 6 - 8 weeks and back to work at 10mos.

The VBAC was for my 2nd DD. Labour itself was reasonably short, about 4 hrs, but there were complications (baby fine) and I spent a long time recovering and this continued well past my mat leave.
I was so frustrated b/c the midwives had all encouraged VBAC because I'd would have a quicker recovery! But I could have avoided placental adhesion (nearly bled out post-birth), temporary incontinence, prolapse, reconstructive surgery and ongoing issues.

The gory details (if you're interested): at the end of my labour, DD's 99th percentile head meant that the last bit was very slow and this stretched my bits beyond their capacity. This has led to long term issues.
Immediately after birth, I had placental adhesion to my C-section scar and nearly bled out! I spent at hour + in surgery and then was individually monitored in a private room with baby. (This was fine; the nurse was lovely)
When I moved to the regular mat ward, I discovered that my bits were numb and I was wetting myself so was put on a catheter and, after a few days, sent home. Not only could I not drive (as per post C-section), I couldn't even really walk! This continued for a week + and I had to go back to hospital several times - difficult when one can't drive. Thankfully, my bits recovered after a few weeks and my waterworks are fine now.
Due to DD's head stretching my bits (hence the temporary numbness and incontinence) I also had a prolapse! This meant that well after my mat leave finished, I had to take time off from work for reconstructive surgery and recuperation from that.

ecossegirl91 · 16/04/2025 16:25

This is all interesting to hear. I had a really good c section experience and recovery ( minus a toddler of course!) so I’m probably leaning more towards another planned section

Original poster
Unchive2025 · 16/04/2025 16:28

tarheelbaby · 16/04/2025 16:25

Firstly, I have to confess, I did labour before my C-section. DD1 was in an awkward position and after 15+ hrs labour and 8cm dilation, they decided to go for C-section. This was a good decision for both of us. My recovery was straightforward and I was back driving in 6 - 8 weeks and back to work at 10mos.

The VBAC was for my 2nd DD. Labour itself was reasonably short, about 4 hrs, but there were complications (baby fine) and I spent a long time recovering and this continued well past my mat leave.
I was so frustrated b/c the midwives had all encouraged VBAC because I'd would have a quicker recovery! But I could have avoided placental adhesion (nearly bled out post-birth), temporary incontinence, prolapse, reconstructive surgery and ongoing issues.

The gory details (if you're interested): at the end of my labour, DD's 99th percentile head meant that the last bit was very slow and this stretched my bits beyond their capacity. This has led to long term issues.
Immediately after birth, I had placental adhesion to my C-section scar and nearly bled out! I spent at hour + in surgery and then was individually monitored in a private room with baby. (This was fine; the nurse was lovely)
When I moved to the regular mat ward, I discovered that my bits were numb and I was wetting myself so was put on a catheter and, after a few days, sent home. Not only could I not drive (as per post C-section), I couldn't even really walk! This continued for a week + and I had to go back to hospital several times - difficult when one can't drive. Thankfully, my bits recovered after a few weeks and my waterworks are fine now.
Due to DD's head stretching my bits (hence the temporary numbness and incontinence) I also had a prolapse! This meant that well after my mat leave finished, I had to take time off from work for reconstructive surgery and recuperation from that.

Oh that sounds really traumatic!!! Poor you! Did they know that baby had head 99th percentile before vbac or only after? Thank you for being so honest this is what I fear, vbac has been marketed as much shorter recovery to me which is appealing after many infections culminating in a week in hospital by myself when baby was 14 weeks old. But from what you say, it doesn't sound like vbac is the dream idyllic plan either! I hope you are doing ok now x

OP posts:
HavingFaith · 16/04/2025 16:33

Sorry to jump on but this is helpful to read! I had an energy section with my toddler and am currently 38weeks pregnant. I have a c-section planned for next week but have been going back and forth whether this is the right plan! I’m petrified of tearing and having an assisted delivery but also scared of c-section recovery with a toddler! But this thread has made me more confident in my original plan for the section. My recovery lash time was fairly straight forward so can only hope it’s a smooth recovery this time round. But there are pros and cons to both options! I hope you have a safe delivery and recovery, whatever you decide x

HavingFaith · 16/04/2025 16:33

*emergency section lol!

tarheelbaby · 16/04/2025 16:42

@Unchive2025 Thank you. Sorry to hear your C-section was not very good. In theory, a planned one should be straightforward. Doctors do plenty of these and know how to manage the risks well. If anyone is a control freak, in a good way, it's a doctor.

It was a long time ago, DD2 is nearly 15 and has always been an absolute joy. Totally worth all the complications.
It was intense as it was happening and dragged on for a long time. Worst of all, I have always felt that a C-section, whilst not without risks and possible complications, would have been much more straightforward and I could have fully recovered during mat leave, which is what it's for.

After her birth, I kept having to go back for appointments, first to sort out my catheter and incontinence (which healed itself really) and then to deal with the prolapse. Once that was identified, I had several sessions of physio to see if that would help. After months of that, they finally referred me for surgery but I had to wait until a year + after the birth for healing.

The US gets a bashing on MN but in the US, if a woman has had a C-section, all her subsequent births will be C-sections due to the risk of placental adhesion and a host of other issues.

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