Vaginal birth after C-section

I had a C-section with my first child.  The baby didn't drop down to the the birth control at all after being in labor for over fourteen hours.  The doctor sais his head was too big for my pelvis.  He was 8 lbs 8 oz...a good size, but not huge.  Does anyone know if it is possible for me to have a vaginal birth for a second pregnancy or will my pelvis always be too small?

[cmn]

Hi i've never given birth before, but I have had a friend of mine who had a c-section with her first child and had a vaginal delivery with her second. Alot of the time they will give you the option if you want to have a c-section with your second or vaginal, they asked my friend what she wanted to do. I can't remember how big the babies were though.  Hope this helps

[Kassimom]

VBAC is usually completely up to you. I had cephalo-pelvic disproportion which it sounds like that is what you had as well. Basically that means you are a tiny girl with a BIG baby. I was 98 lbs before preg and had a 9 1/2 lb baby. Or you could say, we had a watermelon trying to fit through a keyhole.

I had several factors leading up to my HUGE baby, the most obvious being that I was 4 weeks late. (Yes, 4 whole weeks...can you say idiot dr?)

After discussing my preg and delivery with my NEW dr, he thinks I am a good candidate for VBAC. You may be too. Talk to your dr. Try to remember every aspect of your labor and ask your dr if there is anything preventing you from trying a VBAC with your next birth. I mean if you had CPP, like I did and mine thinks I am a good ccandidate, surely you could be too.  But remember too, my dr told me that after a section, when you labor you are only TRYING to deliver vaginally and it isn't always successful. Sometimes you still have to have the section.

[msklar]

Hi, How are you doing...

Anyhow my first was a c-section, and I have now had two vbac's. My section was due to fetal stress though.  From what I have heard though, having a pelvis too small (or babys head to big) is very very rare. A lot of women are told they have this problem when actually it could have been something else. But more than likely your doctor will try to do a repeat section, because he will assume the baby will be big again. Another option could be inducing ealry to avaoid a big baby.
VBacs are possible, but less likely for the reason you had it...

Allready thinking about another one? lol

How are things going for you now? and the baby?

Ashton is doing great, I still have to do a website so I can show pictures of him..I need to do that soon...

[shelbert6]

According to my doctor, the only requirement for VBAC is that the incision was a bikini cut.  It also helps to have a previous history of at least one uncomplicated vaginal birth (not an option for you) and your health during your pregnancy is also taken into consideration.  I just had a c-section but wanted a VBAC.  I wasn't a good candidate even though I have a history of 2 uncomplicated vaginal births and a previous c-section with a bikini cut.  My age was a factor, my chronic hypertension, as well as my gestational diabetes.  I would set my goal for VBAC if I were you because even though I had my c-section 16 days ago, I still feel exceptionally sore, not even close to feeling "recovered".  I truly believe that is because of having 2 c-sections back to back.

regards,

Shelly

[Danasel]

Thanks for your input!  I was blown away by the recovery of the C-section.  I had no idea it was so bad!  My baby is four weeks old, and I'm still not back to normal.  I'm TONS better, but still sore.  I believe I got the epidural too soon which is why the baby never dropped...is that possible?  I know it can slow down how quickly you dialate, but how about the baby's position?

Msklar--- I'm doing great, thanks!  My baby is wonderful!  I feel like I couldn't fully enjoy him the first couple of weeks because I felt so lowsy, but he is everything I wished for and more!  My husband is already talking about another.  He says I have a "Mamma's boy," and he wants a "Daddy's little girl."  I just don't know if I could do it again, plus I've often thought I only wanted one child.  Who knows!?  So, how are you doing?  I haven't been on much...busy with baby!  Ashton is doing well?  I'll post a site for you to see Derek's picture, and I'll check out Ashton!  My Ashton is sitting next to my computer right now.  He is a cat, remember?

[GinGib]

I also had a c-section 3 1/2 years ago. At the time my doctor said whether I did a vbac or another c-section was up to me. However, when I got pregnant this time she said that studies have now shown that once a woman has a c-section she should continue with a c-section as the complications with a vbac tend to be much more severe. I wanted to go with another c-section anyway so seems to make sense to me. Good Luck!! Ginger

[savanna3000]

Hello there,

  I have a 4 yrs daughter whom I had with a c-section due to being breach. My doctor told me I could have my second delivary VBAC unless I wanted a c-section. Yet, in case i decided a c-section then this will be the situation for the rest of my delivaries!

  So, I've been exercising, strengthening my abdomen muscles hopping to have it normal (VBAC) and now in Santa Barbara CA I couldn't find any doctor who agrees to perform me a normal delivary :'( after a c-section.

  Please, do you any doctor who might agree to do it normally? and if there is any complications at the time, I can go for a c-section but as a second option!!

          Thanks in advance,
                  Savanna

[peekawho]

Unfortunately, doctors who do VBACs are a vanishing breed.  I personally find it very sad.  You may have to call each and every OB office in Santa Barbara, and be willing to expand your search to other nearby communities, before you find one.  

Your abdominal muscles really won't play much of a part in whether you can VBAC or not, depending on the reason your first one was done.  Its always a good idea to be toned and in shape, but exercising per se really isn't going to be the determining factor.

Let us know what you find out.

Peek

[tiredbuthappy]

my OB told me that around here, the only doctors who consider vbacs are the doctors who work with the Hasidic Jewish population. This is because they tend to have larger families, and there is a limit to the number of safe c-sections. If you have any hasidic jewish communities near you, you may want to look for doctors there. Of course this may not be the rule- just thought it may be a starting point. Also, I wonder if it would be possible to you to ask your hospital for the names of doctors willing to consider vbac/

[peekawho]

We have only one on staff at our hospital who will do them.  However, at a competing hospital in our community, VBACS are common.

[meiram]

My doctor will do them, and made it sound as if it were no big deal.  I haven't made up my mind which way I will go, if I become preggo again, but it is nice to have a choice.  He said that the incision I had was such that I could try for a VBAC if I wanted.  Something about the cuts through the layers were staggered so there wouldn't be too much pressure on one area.  

[alikat1205]

I attempted vbac and had a complete uterine rupture.  This should not discourage anyone, but please be safe.  NO induction drugs, and be ready to move to a c/s if at any time you feel something isn't right.  Do not wait for a medical professional to tell you when that time is (of course if they do say it - it's time), trust yourself.

[tiredbuthappy]

I wouldn't do it even if i could because my first c-sec was at 36 weeks. as my OB pointed out, my uterus didn't stretch as much as a term pregnancy. it would be my first labor, and there more likely to be long and hard. i feel like all of those factors would increase my risk of uterine rupture. i think if i had had a term vaginal birth prior, i would be more determined to vbac.

[savanna3000]

So, can you get pregnant again after a uterine rupture? Is the doctor able to check on you during labor? I think with all the labor pain and being a first time, I won't recognize the difference between the pain or delivary or the uterine rupture :(

Savanna

[savanna3000]

Thanks alot for the great information, I'll let you know how my next step (calling hospitals) goes. Wish me luck and I wish you all a happy normal delivary :)

It's like i'm the only one who is tired with c/s !!?? although, I recovered within a week, but I remember the first 2 days in the hospital were terrible! I couldn't move myself in bed ( I didn't take the Epidural) so hopefully not the case, but if I have a c/s again I'll take the Epidural this time.

                Savanna

[alikat1205]

yes, i can get pg again, but i am not allowed to labor.  if i am ever successful in getting pg, i will have a c/s at 36 weeks, earlier if necessary.

[alikat1205]

p.s. you would recognize the difference.  i know i definitely did.  the nurse kept telling me it was labor pains, and since i never got that far before, i didn't know what i was talking about (i was at 9, in my first labor, i got to 4 before c/s).  i knew.

[savanna3000]

Hello,

  I finally found an answer to my question which is a list of doctors supporting VBAC in CA. CHECK THE LINK:

http://birthactioncoalition.com/information/vaginal-birth-after-cesarean-vbac-supportive-care-providers

           Good Luck
                Savanna

[savanna3000]

Hi,
   I finally found, the closest doctors to SB that do VBAC .

Dr.Ronald De La and Dr.Van Geem both perform VBAC in Thousand Oaks CA.

                 Savanna

[makenziesmom]

I had a c section a weeks ago due to my baby being breech and the doctor said that i would have the option wether or not i wanted another my next delivery was a c section.....but i have had such an easy recovery i wouldnt even chance having a VBAC.. i was up out of bed and moving around within a couple of hours after the section....