My dd is pregnant again and questions

[marlasmom]

I'm overwhelmed. the babies are going to be one year and one week apart. Sarah says it is a total surprise and she didn't know she was pregnant. I don't know how she didn't know and I didn't ask.

She e-mailed me today and said that they would check her for signs of labor at 39 weeks and if there are no signs they would schedule a C-section. I asked why they wouldn't just induce the baby and she replied that induction with a VBAC is very risky. (She was induced btw.)

Does anybody know anything about this or have any experience. Heather, where are you? Thanks.

 

[Christine]

I have heard that induction after a C-section *is* dangerous. I think the pitocin used to induce labor can cause contractions that *may* be stronger and quicker than normal. Since the abdominal muscle/wall is weakened after a C-section, there is a higher chance of rupture--which you don't want.

I understand your concern, but there really are some benefits of a C-section (which I won't go into on this board!! ) but this is probably the safest thing for her.

 

[MosMom]

Induction with a VBAC is riskier because pitocin causes very strong contractions and they worry about the uterus rupturing. Why wouldn't they just let her go into labor naturally first though? Is there a reason she can't go a full 40 weeks or a bit longer?

 

[amid chaos]

There is always a risk in a VBAC that the original incision could open up or the uterus could burst. induction makes this risk even greater. Our local hospital won't even do VBACs anymore due to insurance increases.

 

[scanne]

My kids are 23 months apart. It's hectic, but I love it.

Are you concerned about your daughter's health more than anything, or the idea of having 2 babies so close in age? I think that as long as she's under a doctor's care that everything will be fine.

Also, if she is nursing now, then it's quite possible for her to not have known she was pregnant. When I was nursing I didn't get my period at all. In fact, it didn't return until recently, and my DD is 15 months old! She stopped nursing at 10 months. So it took a LONG time for my body to get back into the swing of things.

I have a friend who has a DS3, a DS1 and a newborn. She's VERY busy, but also doing well.

Hugs to you. Hope this helps.

 

[bajanswife]

I have no experience, but from everything I have read I wouldn't feel comfortable inducing the second if the first was a C-section. The oxytocin given to induce labour very often produces contractions that are stronger than what the body would have produced naturally, and that increases the risks associated with VBACs. I would be more comfortable with a naturally-occuring VBAC. Why doesn't she want to wait and let a VBAC happen naturally? Or is she set on a repeat C?

 

[justhat]

Congrats! My cousin just had her 3rd baby on September 26th and he is just 16 months younger than his sister (her other daughter is 9). She had to have a c-section with baby 2 because her labor stopped even with pitocin and her water had broken the night before so they needed to get the baby out. Since there's only 16 months between her 2nd and 3rd babies, her dr said that it would be too risky to try a vbac because of the high chance her uterus could rupture on the c-section scar. She's a nurse so she knew this anyway, but explained to me that you really need about 2 years between babies in order to try a vbac because otherwise the risk of rupture is too great, and that includes both late-stage labor contractions and pushing. She had a scheduled c-section for 9/30, which was 38.5 weeks, but her water broke on the 26th so out he came!

 

[Kermit]

Yes, inducing with a VBAC is risky. The main risk to a VBAC is a uterine rupture. That risk is actually quite small. However, inducing with pitocin also has almost the exact same risk for uterine rupture, so when you have both, you more than double your risk for uterine rupture.

Does she really want to have a VBAC? If that's important to her, then she doesn't have to have a c-section scheduled if there aren't any signs of labor at 39 weeks. No signs of labor doesn't mean that you won't go into labor in the next few days or even in the next few hours. She had a c-section for a breach baby, right? If so, she has an excellent chance of a successful VBAC. I would highly recommend reading the book The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer. Also, moms in her area will know which OBs are best about encouraging VBACs. Another good source for that information would be a LLL Leader or natural childbirth instructor in her area. She can find a Bradley instructor on this website. Bradley instructors love to talk about birthing and will be glad to help her.

 

[mtemm]

I did a lot of research on VBAC prior to my second pregancy. Induction is riskier...has a greater chance of leading to uterine rupture. One of the things in my favor according to my midwife (once I was pg) was that I knew and understood this. granted, I didn't end up having a vbac (breech twins will do that for you. lol).

congrats to her. I know its scary and overwhelming, but I hope she has a happy and healthy 9 months.

 

[mickeyboat]

I know nothing about c-sections and VBAC's, but I know a lot about having two babies in less than a year.

DH and I had a lot of trouble conceiving, and decided not to stress about birth control after Hannah was born, knowing we wanted another one some day. Hannah was born on Sept. 2nd, 1999 6 weeks early. I woke up New Year's Day, 2000 feeling nauseated, and DH and I knew right away why. We were thrilled, but really didn't expect it so soon, especially since I was nursing, hadn't had my period yet (not that it matters), and since we were told we would have to take medication again to conceive.

Emily was born 6 days before Hannah's first birthday. The first year was pure hell, but DH was great and we had a lot of help from my in-laws. After being pregnant and / or nursing for almost three years, my body was exhausted. Now at 5 and 6 I am so glad we had them this close together. They both started K this year because the cut-off date falls between their birthdays. They are best friends and are pretty mad at me because I insisted that the school put them in separate classrooms. They wear the same size clothes and enjoy most of the same activities. They have a constant playmate, which makes things easy for me too.

Good luck to your daughter, and do what you can to help her through the tough times at the beginning. Welcome the new baby into your life just as you did the first. She will really appreciate it.

Denae

 

[marlasmom]

This is great information. Thank you so much. I don't understand why they wouldn't let her go into labor naturally. She wants to have a VBAC if she can. I am concerned about two babies so close together because she has a very demanding job. She has been travelling one or two days a week. She told them she couldn't do that any more and they said they would find something else for her. It may work out that her dh will be a SAHD. Sarah always pushes herself to an extreme.

 

[Ziva]

Congratulations on your second grandchild.

mtemm- I love your signature pic, Naveen Andrews is my TV crush.

 

[snoopy]

Why are you overwhelmed MM? Isn't it your daughter's place to be the one overwhelmed?

Good luck to your DD. I had a scheduled c-section the second time around, never considered a VBAC.

 

[coliebird]

After many discussions with my doctor about the risk of VBAC, I am having another C-section. I think that it is an individual choice. I personally do not feel comfortable with trying a VBAC, but everyone is different.

Congratulations to you and I hope your daughter has a healthy pregancy.

 

[nuke]

Why are you overwhelmed MM? Isn't it your daughter's place to be the one overwhelmed?

I was trying to figure that out too Snoopy. And who's Heather?

 

[mtemm]

actually, there is a risk involved with vbac if the pregnancies are too close together. I can look up the time frame if you want. there is a recommended wait period between them.

 

[YourMajesty]

My mom would worry about me too...that's one of our jobs as a mom. I hope all goes well with your daughter and her second pregnancy and birth. I justed wanted to let you know that I had a VBAC with my second child but I was NOT induced. Giving a mom pitocin greatly increases her risk of rupture. There is only a slight increased risk from a scarred uterus. I felt strongly about that VBAC and my kids were 2 years and 7 months apart...so not as close as your daughter. I have heard all the "news" about no more VBACS. I'm sure the insurance companies know that doctors rarely do a birth without pitocin so it's better to just say no VBACS. They had a bag sitting in my room ready to go during my VBAC. I told them that the pitocin with my first caused my infant to go into fetal distress and I had a C/S so please do not use it...not to mention I would prefer my uterus not to rupture. I'm not sure what I would do this time around. VBAC can be safe but not with pitocin...I would rather a repaet c/s. Good luck.

 

[Twinprincesses]

I have twin girls ANyways, I did not have a c-section but they are probably looking at a c-section because the scar from before has not had alot of time to heal which means it can rupture during a natural child birth.

 

[4nana]

MM,

I think as Mom's it is only natural to be concerned about our children, no matter the age, it's simply basic instinct that we want the very best for them . I'm sure to hear your daughter is pg again so soon, makes you anxious, but try to think positive, as she'll surely be upset if you send any negative feelings. Trust MM, it is out of your hands and she will work everything out.

My best to your daughter Sarah and congratulations Gma!!

 

[marlasmom]

I'm thrilled about the baby but yes I am concerned. Sarah has a very demanding job and two that close together does overwhelm me. My two oldest are 17 months apart and I had no problems but I was a SAHM. I was just surprised that they would do a c-section instead of waiting to see if she goes into labor. What they say is if she shows no signs of labor at 39 weeks, they will do the c-section. But what is wrong with waiting 40 weeks or even a few days more? Now I understand why they would not induce. I really hope she doesn't have to have another c-section - it took her a long time to recover from the last one.

Thanks so much for your thoughtful and informative replies.