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VBAC
  • arizonamommy
    Posts: 2Member

    Are there any mommies out there that have had a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)?  I'm attempting one with this pregnancy and would love to hear about other's experiences with VBAC.  DH and my Dr. are super supportive of my decision, but I'm still a little nervous.  I've done tons of research and read lots of boards, but it still feels like it's a topic on the fringe, that people don't really discuss it, there's got to be more moms out there that have had VBACs then it seems....<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

  • Still_ur_mommy
    Posts: 534Member
    I have been trying to find a doctor and hospital here in Las Vegas, but looks like it may be impossible. Breaks my heart that the medical field is going to deny me the chance to birth my child the was nature intended.

    Good luck to you and I think it's a wonderful decision.
  • ChristennotchristyChristennotchristy
    Posts: 17Member
    I didn't have a VBAC, had the scheduled C...there was just too much trauma for me with the emergency C I had with my first one, the idea of VBAC was giving me anxiety attacks.  

    That said...it is a lot safer than it used to be and my anxiety was probably needless.  I had a support group of moms who had E-C's during my 2nd pregnancy.  Most of them had VBAC's.  None had any problems or issues whatsoever.  If your Dr. says you are ok for it and you are ready to do it, then do what feels right for you.  

    I had my second pregnancy in Arizona too.  My Dr. wasn't as supportive with VBAC but honestly, I think he wanted the easy C-section to do rather than a lot of labor and waiting LOL.  One thing he did say (and perhaps another issue why he wanted me to have scheduled C) is in Arizona, State law requires that 2 MD's be present during a VBAC.  I am not sure if that helps or not.  Good luck though...I know it can be a nerve wracking decision.
  • InAMinuteInAMinute
    Posts: 117Member
    I'm about to have one (assuming I ever go into labour!) The doctor told me since I've only had one c-section and have no complications so far, I'm not a candidate for another. And as long as this isn't big like it's sister (10 lbs 2oz) then I see no reason why I can't. Again, assuming I ever go into labour. I'm due Tuesday and there nothing going on down there. If I end up going over and having a beast child again I'm going to be so mad!! Wish me luck!

    and good luck to you. So glad to hear you have support in your decision! 

    (I'm in Canada so the rules/guidelines are different but having support ALWAYS make a difference no matter where you live)
  • Kry
    Posts: 93Member
    I haven't had a c-section, but I have an number of friends who did and went on to have sucessful VBACs. My stepmother also had 2 successful VBACs in the 90's after 2 emergency c-sections. You can try looking here http://www.ican-online.org/ for information. There is probably even support in your area. GL with your delivery!
  • arizonamommy
    Posts: 2Member

    This is great! 


    @ Still_ur_mommy - It took me almost a year of research and interviewing practices to find a Dr. that I felt comfortable with and no just agreed to do a VBAC, but was in fact supportive of it!  Don't lose hope, hopefully someone in Las Vegas that's had a VBAC will post on here.  Also Kry  posted the link to ICAN  http://www.ican-online.org/ and it's a great source of information.  Good Luck!


    @Christennotchristy - I can totally relate with the anxiety feelings!  And I think the Dr. who delivered DD via c-section wanted to repeat c-section with this pregnancy because it was easier for her.  She said VBAC was an option but then proceeded to tell me all the risks involved with VBAC (in a scare tactic manner), which didn't seem very supportive to me, so I found another Dr. Arizona is a very difficult state to VBAC in because of malpractice fears, but fortunately there are a few hospitals out here that are onboard with VBAC.   


    @InAMinute OMG, good luck, I really hope you go into labor on your own and soon!!!

  • OxiMOMOxiMOM
    Posts: 3,028Member
    I would LOVE to attempt a vbac with this pregnancy but only being 15 months out from a c section I doubt it will happen. I am going to a new OB this time that several people I know use and rave about. I also know the hospital I am going to is supportive of vbac and natural birth. The nurses did everything in there power to help me avoid c section but it did become an emergency c section ( I don't blame the nurses for that.) I actually am starting to wonder how emergency it was since it happened to suddenly become emergency the moment my dr who had been pushing elective c section came on duty. We shall see I healed quickly and very well from my c section so I am Really hoping that if this pregnancy goes smooth they will let me attempt it. If its another c section I'll be mad but okay as long as they let me TRY for natural birth.
  • Katescrazymom
    Posts: 1,844Member
    I vbac'd DS almost a year ago.
    Dd was breech, I was peeved that no one even suggested a version or tried to check her position earlier. I somehow missed that she should have turned before. I went to a midwife because the first thing my dr asked me after was if I had another, would i just schedule a repeat. Um, no. Maybe he was just trying to gauge how I was feelin?
    Have you been to spinning babies . com? Awesome website for things you can do to encourage them into the right position. Not just avoiding breech, but during labour, too.
    Consensus seems to be that avoiding inductions and epidurals helps to avoid a csection too. I was induced with a pitocin iv at 41 weeks. Midwives said I was lucky I chose the hospital I did, the obs at the other only want vbac moms going to 40 weeks.
    Any how, they can't use the gel, so I got a catheter in the cervix the evening before, which was uncomfortable. It had a ball on the (inside) end they inflated with saline. It was 1-2" across and came out with the mucus plug when I got up in the morning. Then they broke my water and got the iv going. Nothing much happened until after lunch. I've heard induced contractions are unbearable, but to me crowning was the only painful part. And getting the iv and the two shots of they jabbed into my leg to get the placenta out. I hate needles and knowing they're injecting something into me, can you tell. I'm a wuss about pain, but did want to avoid drugs (they really seem to mess me up) and surgery, so I was pretty determined to do it without them.
    He was 8 lb 14.6 oz, and I'm not big. No tears, a minor "scuff mark" abrasion. Easy recovery. I said the day after, I'd do that every day for a week before I'd volunteer for another surgery.
    Of course, I also got really mad when someone, after I mentioned I'd had surgery, said, oh, a c section, I thought you'd had an operation I hadn't heard about. Ass. They cut open your body, remove a large growth, put everything back in, put you together, then you have to heal from that while your uterus is trying to shrink AND you have a newborn. No, that's just a csection, not surgery at all!
    Good luck. Let me know If you want any other details!
  • InAMinuteInAMinute
    Posts: 117Member
    I did it! I was so scared this one was going to be big again but she wasn't. Totally different pregnancy, totally different baby. It can be done. I was nervous and a little apprehensive about it but I'm glad I did it and everything went fine.
  • Still_ur_mommy
    Posts: 534Member
    Congratulations!!! That is awesome.
  • AnonUser30
    Posts: 1,916Guest
    Vbac not an option for me. But I was lucky and had my first vaginally.
  • rileyc
    Posts: 1Member
    My first was born by emergency c after 36 hours of labor and 2.5 hours of pushing.  It was a horrible experience, but much of it was my own doing.  I didn't educate myself on the birthing process beyond what's offered in the mainstream and when things started getting hard I accepted every medical intervention offered - not understanding the potential ramifications of what might happen until it was all said and done.  The Drs. of course laid no blame on the combination of interventions I received and diagnosed me with CD (cephalopelvic disproportion - too small pelvis for my 7lb 7oz baby) instead. 

    With my second pregnancy I decided to approach the birthing process completely differently and was hell bent on a VBAC.  With my CD "diagnosis" the OBs in my office were skeptical and I felt they were giving me a lot of lip service around their support of my vbac.  At 32 weeks I changed practices.  Having an OB who thinks it's possible is essential.  I also hired a doula, practiced Spinning Babies exercises and prenatal yoga.  I labored at home much longer too. My second delivery was still long and challenging, but successful and he was almost a pound bigger than his brother.  What CD?!

    My 3rd was also a vaginal delivery w/ now a 3rd OB (OB #2 retired :().  It was a super fast L&D and I had some hemorrhaging afterward that necessitated a trip to the OR.  I had a difficult time delivering the placenta after my 1st vbac and after the second it didn't all come out which is why I had the bleeding and D&C.  The OB thinks my c-section scar is likely to blame for the placenta delivery problems.  

    My vbacs were better births for so many reasons.  With the c-section I felt like a passenger at my own birth - it is SO counter to my personality and I think why I've been so frustrated with myself about it.  With the vbacs I felt "in control" as much as one can be.  I still firmly believe that c-sections are a valuable tool in deliveries where there is an emergency, but I also believe the medical community downplays the increased risk of c-section when they start offering their interventions.  I believe they often create their own emergencies - as in my case.

    Good luck!!  
  • Charlotte_SometimesCharlotte_Sometimes
    Posts: 1,756Member
    I am about to get off the computer so I'll make this brief but I will come back to it later.

    I had my 1st via emergency c-section for placenta abruption, in 1992.   I had the old school vertical incision too. My son was in the NICU for 2 weeks, aspirated meconium and blood and amniotic fluid at birth, was born at 37 weeks and was 7lbs 6 oz.

    Five, almost six years later I had his brother via VBAC.  AND he was 3 weeks late.  And huge (10lbs, 13oz).  I was in labor 32 hours, no drugs, no induction, it was amazing and he was perfectly healthy.

    I was scared scared scared but I read everything under the sun, chose my doc very carefully, and decided I wanted it badly enough to get over my fears.  Read the stats on actual problems like uterine rupture, and they are reassuring, really.   My doc is called the "male midwife" in this town.  And, I hired a doula as well.

    It empowered me so much that had I ever had a third baby (sadly not happening) I would have probably gone for a home birth.

    I would consider maybe a certified nurse midwife who can do a hospital birth perhaps, if you can't find a doc?
    "But a lesson must be lived
    In order to be learned"

    Ani DiFranco, Manhole
  • Wellmom
    Posts: 4Member
    Wow. You Ladies have some kind of brave in you. My first child was 36 hours of labor and both of us nearly didn't make it. My second was four days of labor resulting in an emergency c-section. Now that we are expecting our third I could not picture going through another 3-4 day labor, c-section all the way for me.
    All in all it is what you feel is best for you and your child.
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