Any mom's out there have experience with VBAC?

[disykat]

I had my first c-section after a 36 hour labor on Pitocin (they had to induce to start labor going after my water broke) during which I dialated to a 4. Recovery was tough since I was exhausted, had an infection, was delivered out cold since it was an emergency at the point they did it. etc.

My second one was 2 years later with a different doc, different hospital etc. I made sure that they were very familiar with my first labor story and my desire to have things go more smoothly. We agreed on a 12 hour trial labor with the goal of a VBAC. We had a doula (labor coach) provided by insurance. After 12 hours on Pitocin I was still at 0 and everyone agreed I had given it the college try. We felt like we stayed in control of the situation and I was able to get an epidural and be awake for the birth. I was much less physically and emotional exhausted and felt good about the decisions we made.

Since both births failed to progress I probably would have been a planned cection if I'd had a third. I am definately glad I tried for VBAC though.

 

[snoopy]

I had the same experience as Bet, and I am also tall. I was so surprised the first pregnancy when the doctor told me the baby would more than likely not come out ******lly. How could this be, I had always heard the taller you are the easier labor was. Not so in my case. I tried to deliver him ******lly, but after 36 hours of labor, I had a c-section. It was a very painful recovery, so on my second pregnancy I opted to try a VBAC, even though my doctor insisted it wasn't going to happen. And he was right, it didn't.

I agree with everyone who said the 2nd c-section is a MUCH easier recovery. I was in and out of the hospital within a couple of days, with virtually no pain except for maybe the first couple of hours after birth. If I had a third child, I wouldn't hesitate to have a planned c-section.

Good luck! I have known plenty of women who have had succesful VBACs. I just wasn't one of them.

 

[EdiePA]

First C-section was after 48 hours of labor -- DS was "sunny-side" up and wedged himself into my pelvis. My recovery was long and painful (3 months). He's now 20y.o.

I talked to a wonderful doctor who understood that if I had faced another C-section, I wasn't going to have anymore children. He encouraged me to get my records, find out what type of incision I had, etc.

DS#2 was born completely naturally after 12 hours of labor. I felt so good that when they took me to my room, I hopped off the gurney and asked to go home! Of course they talked me into staying the night! The bonding with DS#2 was so much better and really helped to make up for my horrible experience. This was 18 years ago!

There is a great book called "Silent Knife" about c-sections and VBAC. If it isn't still in print, e-mail me and I'll send you my copy. There is still a lot of misinformation out there -- like someone telling my mother that I was putting myself, my baby and my uterus in danger.

HTH
Edie
whipple@westpa.net

 

[Lars624]

13 years ago I had a C-section with my twins. On my due date I hadn't started to dialate or efface so my Dr scheduled a C-section for the day after my due date. I was HUGE! I never even experienced one contraction with that pregnancy. My twins were born weighing 8lbs 2oz each & we spent 5 days in the hospital. My recovery was slow because after my staples were removed (I'm cut vertically on the outside from my belly button down but horizontally on the inside) and I went home they started to come bak open. The Dr then gave me 3 weeks completely off my feet. Not easy with 2 babies.
I really wanted to try VBAC with my next child because I felt like I'd missed out by not having any labor pains at all. My youngest son was born by VBAC and he is now 6 years old. I was induced and on pitocin for 2 days before he decided to make his appearance. I am really glad that I had him *****ally because my recovery time was so much quicker & I was in and out of the hospital faster too. I have no labor horror stories to share with you because honestly I didn't think it was that bad. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Good Luck!!!

 

[Lars624]

13 years ago I had a C-section with my twins. On my due date I hadn't started to dialate or efface so my Dr scheduled a C-section for the day after my due date. I was HUGE! I never even experienced one contraction with that pregnancy. My twins were born weighing 8lbs 2oz each & we spent 5 days in the hospital. My recovery was slow because after my staples were removed (I'm cut vertically on the outside from my belly button down but horizontally on the inside) and I went home they started to come bak open. The Dr then gave me 3 weeks completely off my feet. Not easy with 2 babies.
I really wanted to try VBAC with my next child because I felt like I'd missed out by not having any labor pains at all. My youngest son was born by VBAC and he is now 6 years old. I was induced and on pitocin for 2 days before he decided to make his appearance. I am really glad that I had him *****ally because my recovery time was so much quicker & I was in and out of the hospital faster too. I have no labor horror stories to share with you because honestly I didn't think it was that bad. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Good Luck!!!

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

With first DS I was in labor for 3 days. They broke my water, put me on a horse's dose of pitosin, and progress was still amazingly slow.

Finally decided on a c-section. What a relief! The surgery was at 8 am. I was back in the room and STARVING before the surgeon even left the hospital. Liquid diet my foot! When the Dr. came into the room the next day at 8am I was dressed, had the baby dressed, and my bag packed. "What took you so long? I want to go home!" And I did. Up the stairs to my apartment!

DS #2 the same Dr. wanted me to try VBAC. That little voice inside said NO WAY! They thought as long as DS was under 8 lbs there was no danger. They told me this was a small baby and there was no problem. I had "one of those little talks" with DH and we opted for a scheduled c-section. Well, 9 lbs, 11 1/2 oz. later, I again woke up starving, started walking early that afternoon and went home early the next day.

I think it helped me that I was a college athlete, hated hospitals, and had a very positive attitude towards the surgeries.

You have to do what is right for YOU. Obviously there are varied experiences posted on here, but if you just listen to that little voice inside, you will do the right thing.

 

[honeywolf7]

I agree that c-sections get easier. My c-section with my daughter was awful but with my son, I shocked the nurses and doctors with how early I was ready to try doing things. The only problem I had with him was that they had to try several times to get the epidural to work.

 

[ripleysmom]

I had a VBAC and it was great.

My DS was breech and was a c-section. DD was not and my labor went so fast that when I got to the hospital I was 10 cm and ready to push (which meant no drugs ).

I was really glad that I was able to do a VBAC. I never felt cheated having a c-section but the recovery was horrible and it was not as easy of a procedure as I thought it would be.

Also I am a belly sleeper so I was able to go back on my belly as soon as my milk went away.

 

[wdwnutze]

Had ds by c-section after 12hrs of labor. He was in distress so it was an emergency. Everything turned out fine and he was healthy 7lb 12oz.
When I had dd I asked for a section figuring the recovery wasn't bad and it would be easier. Dr. refused and thought I would be fine with VBAC. My biggest hurdle was I didn't like my Dr. Should have just switched Dr's but I didn't. 36 hours of induced labor and lots of pushing. Finally had dd 8lb 10oz. Lots of stitches and painful recovery. Also had spinal headache because they had trouble with the epidural. Had to go back to the hospital 3 days after the discharge because te headache was so bad. Blood patch to fix headache was pure torcher!
When I had dd #2 I made sure I chose a midwife that believed in medicine. I wanted the epidural but I wanted a more calming environment. She was awesome! Started pitocin at 8am and had dd by 2pm. I had lots of stitches but I wasn't "cut" like I had been before. Because it wasn't as traumatic of a delivery my recovovery was easy. The day I came home from the hospital I went shooping for a little while. I think finding someone I trusted was the key for me.

 

[cinlee3]

I had my first child - 8 lbs 10 oz by C-section after 21 hours of labor and 3 hours of pushing. It was a horrible experience that I didn't want repeated in any way.

When I was pregnant with #2 and I was considering VBAC my dr assured me he wouldn't let me labor more than 12 hours. We discussed every possible situation. I knew that if #2 looked like he would be as big or bigger than #1 than I would opt for repeat c-section. I ended up laboring in the hospital only 5 hours and he was born using forceps but the experience was wonderful. I was sore but nothing like the first.

When it came time for #3 I had to switch drs again and this time he couldn't reassure me like the 2nd time. He said he didn't know how big this one would be etc. I was very uneasy as to what to do because with #2 if he had been any bigger the dr said there was no way I could have delivered by VBAC - he was 7lbs 4 oz. #3 decided to come 5 weeks early and was breach so there was my decision.

I am not having any more children but comparing all three - C-section with long labor, VBAC and c-section with no labor. VBAC was the best situation.

My best advice is to make sure your Dr. is well aware of your history and you are comfortable that he/she is listening to your wishes.

 

[Pembo]

I've had 2 VBAC's with no problems at all!

DS#1 - I went to the hospital way too early, was only 1 cm, got my epideural at 3 cm and labored 14 hours. I got to 5 cm and started to swell, went back to 4. C-section. I thought it was the WORST thing in the world.

DS#2 - 2 1/2 yrs later - The dr stripped my membranes in the office. I went into labor later that morning. I got to the hosptial I was 3 cm, held off on the epideural until 4-5. They started Pitocin after I got my epi and he was born after about 12 hours in the hospital. I only pushed for an hour.

DD - 4 years later - I was 2. Stayed home with lots of contractions until they were close together and long, went in and was 4-5. Got my epideural, they broke my water, waited about 4 hours and after 20 mins of pushing-she was here. VERY EASY!

I highly recommend VBAC. It was so much easier on the recovery!!! I was amazed at how good I felt after the birth! My doctor was wonderful! Good luck!

 

[mtemm]

Wow! Who knew...I really appreciate all of your stories, ladies. When I posted I didn't know how many responses I would get...nobody I personally know has even attempted a VBAC, although I do know a few who had sections and repeat sections.

Thanks again! I have some names of doctors, and some good info to read for now. Will try to get my records in Feb. when we are back in Boston for a visit. If I have a chance, I'm going to try to schedule an appointment with my old dr. and have a nice long talk with her. Then I will relax until there is even a reason to continue.

Marcia