VBAC, anyone?

[frtchr]

I am two weeks short of my due date with #2, and I am going for a VBAC this time. Any POSITIVE advice or experiences to share? Please, no "I was in labor for 24 hours" stories; I heard them all the first time. I am very committed to trying to do a VBAC if at all possible this time, and I thought some positive stories of success might help. TIA!

 

[purplepaint]

A really good friend of mine had two and had NO problems at and with both she had very speedy recoveries. Good Luck

 

[SandraVB79]

what's a vbac?

 

[EdiePA]

I had a VBAC (vag. birth after c-section) over 23 years ago. It was a great experience.

First birth -- DS#1 had a large head, got wedged and after 48 hours of labor wouldn't badge. I was "put to sleep" and had a c-section that took me five days to recover from.

Second birth -- DS#2 -- 12 hours of labor, no drugs, just Lamaze breathing. Pushed for an hour (larger child, who cork-screwed three times to get out). They gave me extra time in recovery to hold my baby because I didn't get that experience the first time. Then, they took him to the nursery, wheeled me to my room and I bounce off the gurney and was ready to go home. They convinced me to spend the night there and then DS and I went home the next day.

I fought to be able to do this and had no regrets. As I told my OB after number 1, if I had to have a 2nd c-section, I wasn't going to have any more children. He really worked with me to make this possible.

Edie

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I had two VBACs. First pregnancy, I had a C-section due to a strep infection resulting in fetal distress. That DD weighed 10 lbs 1 oz, and I thought, "Well, thank God I had a C-section!" But then I did have two VBACs...next DD was 10 lbs 5 oz, and DS was 11 lbs 5 oz. We all survived! LOL

 

[funhouse8]

My first was a C-section. 48 hours of labor I only dilated to 4cm even with meds. Well I was determined to have a vbac. My son is 25 so I really had to look around for a Dr that was willing to let me try. I was two weeks late they were having me come in for a C section the next morning. that night I drank castor oil. Woke up two AM in labor. My DD was born that next morning no problems, no drugs and a very easy labor. Next two Vbacs (no drugs) also no worries. Have an easy delivery and I hope everything goes smooth. I won't be worried about it, I think now it is very common to go vbac after C-section.

 

[dhcoffey]

My first delivery was a c-section after a stubborn baby wouldn't come out after almost a day of labor and six hours of pushing.

Second delivery was five years later and I chose to do a VBAC. First baby was 8 lbs and second baby was 9 and a half pounds, easy delivery, no problems, maybe five hours of labor.

Good luck, I'm sure it will be fine.

Heather

 

[kellyg403]

I had an emergency c-section in 03/93. Rough time for me. I had a successful VBAC in 6/94 and again 3/96. Before the c-section I had 4 VB. IMHO, a c-section was just to hard on me. My sis had a c-sec with her first child and opted to just have her next to scheduled as c-sec. I was really glad to not have to have another!

Kelly

 

[Tribe0701]

VBAC is possible. I think it mainly depends on why you had the first c-section. Some women just don't have the pelvis to deliver ******lly, it is not anything you can control, just genetics. The best advice I can give as a L&D nurse, is don't beat yourself up if you are not able to VBAC, it doesn't mean you are a failure, or you are "less of a woman" because you are not able to give birth ******lly. The goal is to have a safe dilivery for both mom and baby. I wish you all the luck in the world and I hope you have a safe and happy delivery, no matter what the route is!

 

[shmoogrrrl]

I don't have any personal experience, but one of my good friends has had two VBAC after having her first by c-section. In both cases, things went very well and she didn't have any huge issues. With her last (born just two weeks ago) it was touch and go only because they didn't want to induce her and she was 1.5 weeks past her due date. They did decide to give induction a try (although they avoided pitocin) and she was able to have her new little girl with no issues ******lly.

Good luck!

 

[Mellie2162]

I had one. My first pregnancy was a section due to large birth weight. The second one I insisted was going to be vbac because I couldnt stand the thoughts of another section. I was in labor for many hours but I will say this. I held off as long as could to not get an epidural and in the end once I finally got one I went from 2 cm to 10 cm in a matter of minutes. I wish I had just gave in and gotten one early on. Live and learn. Anyway, no problems here and I recovered much faster. Now our hospital will not permit a VBAC and will make you travel to the next hospital to get it. I do have a friend, however, who has had like 3 of them and she has never had a problem.

 

[Laura]

No personal experience here, just wishing you luck!

 

[JBurke]

Best of luck to you!

I had a c-section with my first. She was 9lb 4 oz and I wouldnt get past 4 cm dilated. I think a lot had to do with the hospital. It was a Navy hospital (my husband was in the Navy) in Bremerton WA. and sorry to say but it was really poor care. I was 2 weeks past due and no one seemed to care. They wouldnt give me an epidural, which I think would have helped me. My DD ended up with a strep infection and stayed in that hospital for 2 weeks. The whole thing was a terrible experience (except for getting a beautiful DD out of it of course!!)

After my husband was out of the Navy, we had our next 2 children (8lbs girl and 9lb boy) both by VBAC. I had a wonderful OBGYN who saw no reason for me not to try for a VBAC. Both of them were late as well, but with a little pitocin and then an epidural everything went fine. It was a wonderful experience. So much easier than recoverying from a C-section! I had no problems.

I hope everything works out for you and your baby!

 

[Tinkermommy]

I had two c-sections. After the first they told me I would not have to have a c-section the next time I could do a VBAC which is what I really wanted. Fast forward 5 yeas, and my Dr told me that in the past few years they have reversed their reccomendations and don't recommend VBACs since a higher chance of complications (I won't go into them, but if you want to know just PM me) for the baby.

He said with the c-section you assume the risk, with a VBAC the baby does. After hearing that, I agreed. So I did a c-section again and when they went in to get him he was transverse (sideways)!! My first was breach. My kids didn't seem to want to turn and they still have their own ideas about doing things.

I know you asked for positive stories, but please be aware of the slight, but possible risk. I am sure many people have success, but I wouldn't want to be one that didn't.

Best of luck to you and your little one!

 

[HelenePA]

I just wanted to wish you lots of luck!

 

[missypie]

Baby #1 - 11 lbs - scheduled C-section
Baby #2 - 10 lbs - scheduled C-section
Dr. said sure I could deliver, if I ever had a "normal" sized baby.
Baby #3 - 8 lb, 10 oz. - VBAC. It was SO COOL! I was thrilled. After I delivered, I held baby and was alert. They actually asked me if I wanted a meal. I was shocked to be asked that and I initally declined and they said they'd bring something anyway...about an hour after I'd delivered I was eating hospital spaghetti that tasted so good to me!!!

 

[frtchr]

Thanks, everyone!

With my first, I dilated and pushed with no meds. However, after quite a bit of pushing, nothing was happening as far as movement. I had an epidural, slept a while, and then tried to push again. The baby wasn't moving, so that's when the C-section was decided upon. Recovery for me was pretty awful, and I would rather not go through it again. Plus, I don't want to be forced to have someone with me all the time to help take care of my 19 month old while I recover from a C-section. I also have to admit that I *do* have feelings of failure for not delivering ******lly. Thank you to Tribe0701 for the kind words. I know in my heart that a safe delivery is all that matters, but my head sometimes has a hard time catching up.

 

[bumbershoot]

I am two weeks short of my due date with #2, and I am going for a VBAC this time. Any POSITIVE advice or experiences to share? Please, no "I was in labor for 24 hours" stories; I heard them all the first time. I am very committed to trying to do a VBAC if at all possible this time, and I thought some positive stories of success might help. TIA!

I'll be working towards that goal too, when I get pg! I wish you all the best luck and excellent labor vibes in the world!!!!!!!!


By the way, I only read your first post and the post you made right before this, so I don't know what has been said, but I had to reply to this.

"I also have to admit that I *do* have feelings of failure for not delivering ******lly."

Since those are your feelings, just in case anyone is telling you that you are wrong to feel that way, that you should only be happy about the baby and all the jazz that is thrown the way of people when they should be heard, listened to, and gently hugged...there are many of us who know just how you feel, feel the same way, and honor your feelings just the way they are. There are others out there who wish for the day that feelings like that are respected by the masses, but for now, know that there are others who know what it feels like, and want you to know it's totally OK to feel that way.

 

[golfgal]

I was going to try a VBAC with the twins but I was at 37 weeks and hadn't started dilating and my OB wouldn't enduce me until I had but I was DONE being pregnant so I opted for a C-Section. We did that the next week and hindsight it was a good thing since the cord was wrapped around DD's neck twice and it wouldn't have been a good outcome had we done the VBAC. Sort of a positive story.

 

[tlens]

I'll be working towards that goal too, when I get pg! I wish you all the best luck and excellent labor vibes in the world!!!!!!!!


By the way, I only read your first post and the post you made right before this, so I don't know what has been said, but I had to reply to this.

"I also have to admit that I *do* have feelings of failure for not delivering ******lly."

Since those are your feelings, just in case anyone is telling you that you are wrong to feel that way, that you should only be happy about the baby and all the jazz that is thrown the way of people when they should be heard, listened to, and gently hugged...there are many of us who know just how you feel, feel the same way, and honor your feelings just the way they are. There are others out there who wish for the day that feelings like that are respected by the masses, but for now, know that there are others who know what it feels like, and want you to know it's totally OK to feel that way.

To the OP. Good luck and I hope you have the birth you are waiting for.

For the person quoted, show those of us who are simply happy to have a child who otherwise would have died in birth the same respect you are asking of us here. If we're happy with the way our birth's went, even if diametrically opposite of your feelings, respect that as well.