Has anyone had a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

[Tiger63]

I was looking forward to a natural birth first time around but many things went wrong and i ended uo having an emergency c-section. I have recently found out im pregnant again and im terrified of having to go through all that again to be given an emergency c-section again.

I know each pregnancy is different but i cant help these feelings. I was wondering if there were any positive stories or advise out there for me.

I have been asked to consider booking an elective c-section although im hesitant to do that due to all the recovery and things i couldnt do for my baby in the following 3 days.

[Tiger63]

More great info and stories! Thanks ladies feeling even more confident. We are still deciding if we are going to go through a Dr, ob or midwife so when we decide I am armed with a load of questions.

[chantej23]

I HAVE HAD A VBAC AFTER A C SECTION. I HAD A C-SECTION WITH MY DAUGHTER AND THEN TWO YEARS LATER I HAD A VAGINAL WITH MY SON. THE DOCTORS SAID THAT VBAC'S ARE SAFE AS LONG YOU DO NOT GET CERVIDEL TO ENDUCE CONTRACTIONS DUE TO THE SCAR TISSUE AFTER THE C-SECTION. I WAS IN LAB0R FOR 12 HOURS WITH MY SON BEFORE I PUSHED HIM OUT. I WAS IN LABOR FOR 27 HOURS WITH MY DAUGHTER BEFORE THEY TOOK HER. I WOULD GO FOR A VAGINAL ANYTIME BEFORE I GO FOR A C- SECTION.

[JoyRenee]

Wonderful information already given to you; don't think I can add anything unless you visit http://www.theunnecesarean.com/ and click on their RESOURCES tab. Maybe you can talk to someone there who knows more about AU VBAC!

The US most likely has the worst rates when it comes to birth in any area so you probably have a *better* chance of VBAC where you live. Talk to your doctor about it! If they won't listen do NOT hesitate to move on to another doctor.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I have had FIVE VBAC's.  My first was an emergency c-section due to oligohydramniosis (no fluid), intrauterine growth restriction (low birth weight) and breech presentation.  It was 5 years between my c-section and my first VBAC and all of my vaginal births have been perfectly normal, no complications.  I have had a natural-no meds VBAC, I've had a medically induced (pitocin) VBAC and most recently a naturally induced (broke my water) VBAC plus 2 that were spontaneous labor.  All of them were with epidurals except for one.  

Someone above suggested the ICAN website which is a REALLY good resource for information on cesareans and the risks involved.  One major determining factor in deciding if you are a good candidate for VBAC are the reasons for your first c-section.  Judging by what you said above, it sounds to me like it's something that ISN'T likely to reoccur.  

My last two deliveries were at a hospital that does NOT advocate VBACs...fortunately I found the ONE doctor around here who was willing to let me have a vaginal birth since Ihad in the past.  Everyone, indluding some of the labor and delivery staff were insistent that I was going to end up with a c-section.  I flat refused unless it was life or death for me or the baby.  

[Tiger63]

Hi Ladies,

thank you so much for your insights, resources and stories. I am feeling a lot more positive about VBAC now.

With my first, i was GBS positive which required me to be on a drip which was very hard to stay still during contractions. i was 11 days overdue and after a night of labour they broke my waters then induced me. Then lilly's heartbeat was through the roof then they couldn't fins it so i was scheduled for the emergency c-section. I am glad i had it but i am dissapointed about the care i was given leading up to the birth and during labour. I think things could have been different.

I live in Australia and im not sure if they have a better or worse c-section rate then US 30something13 where did you find that out?

TeddiH i was planning a totaly natural birth for lilly but things didnt go to plan. I would like to try things natural this time :)

I am scared from my experience too szw2008! Good luck and i look forward to hearing your story :)

[TeddiH]

* I would not recommend any medical form of induction or any pain medications!
I did my VBAC completely natural!!! Pain meds can slow things down and make it harder for you to push come time!!

[TeddiH]

I HAD A VBAC!!!!!

Im so happy that I did to! I had a ton of people, including family tell me its not safe and not to but I sure did!
I was the same as you with my first, 19 hours of labor to end up with a c section....
This time (I drank red raspberry lead tea and stayed active) I didnt even think I was in labor, it started at about 7 am, when I got to the hospital around 1-2pm I was 4cm, half hour later I was 6cm ( I wasnt even feeling most of my contractions! We were laughing and having a great time), I was admitted at about 3pm and had my water broke at about 5pm, my beautiful baby girl was born at 5:47!
I had a GREAT labor this time, I did tear and had an episiotomy but WAY better then the c section!!
Of course everyone is different but I would totally recommend VBACS!!!!!!!!

[szw2008]

Well, I am currently planning a VBAC... I should have a story to tell any day now! Another good website to check out is vbacfacts.com

I have spent the last year researching and studying up on VBAC. In short, as long as you don't have placenta previa or some other condition VBACing is safe- AS LONG AS IT ISN'T AN INDUCTION. Using things like citotec and pitocin increase the chances of a uterine rupture (believe it or not that applies to someone with an unscarred uterus as well- but they don't tell you that in the hospital!)

If you prepare yourself to go 100% natural without the use of drugs to induce, a VBAC is the healthiest choice.

Repeat c-sections increase you risks for subsequent pregnancies as well- another thing to keep in mind.

I was personally traumatized by my c-section and refuse to go that route again!

[30something13]

Before you do that go to the ICAN site and read up on the VBAC statisics. I ahve had a VBAC and it is much safer for you and baby by far then having major surgery!!! I can not stress that enough. I would be very leary about a dr that even asks you that! You need to go to the site and look up the hospital you plan on delivering at to see if the are VBAC friendly or not, have a defacto ban which they allow but dr's don't. I have had two natural, one emergency c-section, a Vbac then a repeat c-section that was NOT an emergency. It never bothered me that I had the first as should would of died and was not moving or breathing, so they got her out just in time! The last one shoudl of never happened! I cry whenever I look at his pistures and think of the first touches I missed and how he was taken to the nursry. It was horrible!!!!! I just did not have the support I needed when things came up during his birth to keep going. I am a stand my ground woman and feel like I failed myself form the whole thing. ALso watch the ICAN videos on you tube! THey are wonderful!

ALso so you know the US got a "D" on their report card for birthing out of all the countries. SOme third world countries got better then us! IT is from the unessary  c-sections and all the unnnesisary invasive proceedures for birthing. Birth is mother nature not a medical proceedure! OB's are surgeons which go to school to learn how to perform surgeries not learn touch and how the real birthing process works

Look up Ina May Gaskin, books, onlline, you tube videos are great! She is the worllds ronouned midwife and has great insite!

Wish you the best and have faith in your body and waht it was made for!

[Tiger63]

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