Hello,
I have been on this board in a while but wanted to post about my successful VBAC and hopefully encourage those that are thinking that a successful VBAC might not happen for them.
First, let me tell you about my first delivery.....I had a very healthy pregnancy without any complications. My water broke at 36wks6days and I was told to come to the hospital shortly after. I was only in labor for about 3 hours before my OB suggested that we start pitocin (huge mistake). From there, they slowly turned up the pitocin each hour until I was begging for an epidural at about 5cm. I really wanted a natural birth but couldn't handle the pain. I was in labor for about 22 hours when I fully dilated to 10cm. I didn't feel an urge to push but couldn't really feel anything because they had complications with the epidural all day. I pushed for approximately 3 hours without any success an developed a pocket in my thigh which was where all of the pain diverted to. It was awful, I was exhausted and the OB finally came back in and said "are you ready for your section now?". I had a bad reaction to the spinal and they had to slowly back down the dosage. I started shaking uncontrollably and ended up shifting my teeth during the surgery. I finally gave birth to a beautiful little boy (7lbs, 12 ounces) and was truly exhausted, in a lot of pain and was already starting to feel depressed. I was told by my practice that I could try for a VBAC next time but after the section, they told me that is wasn't possible because I would have a really low chance of success. They also told me that a section the next time around wouldn't hurt as much and that I woud recover faster.
fast forward to my second little boy....when I found out I was pregnant, I decided to search for an OB that would support me and really believe that a VBAC would be possible. I came upon Greater New Haven OBGYN in New Haven, CT and really liked the group. They have 5 OB's and 5 midwives. They were very supportive. They did also inform me that my chances of a successful VBAC would be lower but I believe in the power of positive thinking. It is also VERY important to increase your likelihood for success by eating well during your pregnancy, keeping your weight gain to a minimum (20-25lbs) and staying fit. I walked daily with my second pregnancy which I think helped tremendously. It is also very important to make sure that the hospital is supportive of VBAC's not just your practice. Make sure they have dedicated anesthesia on the floor. This is crucial...especially if you rupture during labor, you want to make sure that anesthesia can be there on a moments notice to avoid any risk to you and your baby.
Towards the end of my pregnancy the OB's had me schedule a section just in case, so I scheuled the latest possible date
. My water broke again around 37 weeks and I felt it was important to stay at home as long as possible so I could labor in peace. The little guy had other ideas about that though! (BTW, you are supposed to be monitored as soon as you start labor, but my practice was a little flexible about that). I went to the hospital about an hour after my water broke....I was experiencing a lot of back labor and my contractions were about 2 minutes apart. By the time I got to the hospital and was checked, I was 6cm. There was an excellent midwife on call and she transferred me to my room right away.....I found out later that the OB on call approached her in the hall and told her that I should just get a section because he felt that it was near impossible for me to have a successful VBAC (he was the only one in the practice that wasn't super supportive of VBAC's). I tried taking a shower to help with the pain (you can't take a bath because you have to be constantly monitored with VBAC's) and it didn't help. I was in a lot of pain (BACK LABOR!!!) and the anethesiologist tried to convince me to start the epi but I refused because I know it can slow down labor and I want things to progress without intervention.....I'm not going to lie....it was the worst pain ever, but I just kept convincing myself that it would all be over soon and that I REALLY wanted to avoid another section....remember, power of positive thinking! About 2 hours later, I was screaming (and I mean screaming!) for the epidural. Thank god I had an amazing midwife....she just kept trying to distract me....she checked me and I was about 8cm but the baby had gone sunny-side-up. She was able to turn him by having me get on all fours. It was very painful, but I'm glad she did it. after that time flew. I dilated to 10cm's and actually felt the need to push. I starting pushing, but had to stop for a moment because I had developed a lip on my cervix....the midwife was able to push the lip down and my son's head pushed past it with the next contraction. I pushed for about 20 minutes and successfully pushed out a beautiful little boy (6lbs, 2 ounces)!
The OB was there for the delivery and while I was being stitched up by the midwife he came to my side and said great job....I said "I hear you are the only non-VBAC friendly doc in the practice is that true?" he said yes and I said "how do you like me now?!" He laughed and told me that he really thought I would have pelvic issues but surprised to see that I had a perfect pelvis....he couldn't understand why my first birth was a section.
I was able to walk around with my little guys shortly after his birth which was much different than the first time. I went home 2 days later and what a difference it was from the first birth. Yes, I did have a little case of the baby blues again, but nothing like the first time.
I hope this helps those that are considering a VBAC and aren't getting a lot of support from their family, friends or dr'.s I had a hard time getting support from my own husband. Everyone felt that it was a huge risk and that I was better off with a section because I wasn't the perfect candidate (someone who had a breech baby their first time around). I fought the odds, used the power of positive thinking, took care of myself and my baby and was able to do it against the odds.
If anyone wants to talk more about VBAC's or is looking for information, feel free to contac me at any time!
Good luck everyone!!!
I have been on this board in a while but wanted to post about my successful VBAC and hopefully encourage those that are thinking that a successful VBAC might not happen for them.
First, let me tell you about my first delivery.....I had a very healthy pregnancy without any complications. My water broke at 36wks6days and I was told to come to the hospital shortly after. I was only in labor for about 3 hours before my OB suggested that we start pitocin (huge mistake). From there, they slowly turned up the pitocin each hour until I was begging for an epidural at about 5cm. I really wanted a natural birth but couldn't handle the pain. I was in labor for about 22 hours when I fully dilated to 10cm. I didn't feel an urge to push but couldn't really feel anything because they had complications with the epidural all day. I pushed for approximately 3 hours without any success an developed a pocket in my thigh which was where all of the pain diverted to. It was awful, I was exhausted and the OB finally came back in and said "are you ready for your section now?". I had a bad reaction to the spinal and they had to slowly back down the dosage. I started shaking uncontrollably and ended up shifting my teeth during the surgery. I finally gave birth to a beautiful little boy (7lbs, 12 ounces) and was truly exhausted, in a lot of pain and was already starting to feel depressed. I was told by my practice that I could try for a VBAC next time but after the section, they told me that is wasn't possible because I would have a really low chance of success. They also told me that a section the next time around wouldn't hurt as much and that I woud recover faster.
fast forward to my second little boy....when I found out I was pregnant, I decided to search for an OB that would support me and really believe that a VBAC would be possible. I came upon Greater New Haven OBGYN in New Haven, CT and really liked the group. They have 5 OB's and 5 midwives. They were very supportive. They did also inform me that my chances of a successful VBAC would be lower but I believe in the power of positive thinking. It is also VERY important to increase your likelihood for success by eating well during your pregnancy, keeping your weight gain to a minimum (20-25lbs) and staying fit. I walked daily with my second pregnancy which I think helped tremendously. It is also very important to make sure that the hospital is supportive of VBAC's not just your practice. Make sure they have dedicated anesthesia on the floor. This is crucial...especially if you rupture during labor, you want to make sure that anesthesia can be there on a moments notice to avoid any risk to you and your baby.
Towards the end of my pregnancy the OB's had me schedule a section just in case, so I scheuled the latest possible date
. My water broke again around 37 weeks and I felt it was important to stay at home as long as possible so I could labor in peace. The little guy had other ideas about that though! (BTW, you are supposed to be monitored as soon as you start labor, but my practice was a little flexible about that). I went to the hospital about an hour after my water broke....I was experiencing a lot of back labor and my contractions were about 2 minutes apart. By the time I got to the hospital and was checked, I was 6cm. There was an excellent midwife on call and she transferred me to my room right away.....I found out later that the OB on call approached her in the hall and told her that I should just get a section because he felt that it was near impossible for me to have a successful VBAC (he was the only one in the practice that wasn't super supportive of VBAC's). I tried taking a shower to help with the pain (you can't take a bath because you have to be constantly monitored with VBAC's) and it didn't help. I was in a lot of pain (BACK LABOR!!!) and the anethesiologist tried to convince me to start the epi but I refused because I know it can slow down labor and I want things to progress without intervention.....I'm not going to lie....it was the worst pain ever, but I just kept convincing myself that it would all be over soon and that I REALLY wanted to avoid another section....remember, power of positive thinking! About 2 hours later, I was screaming (and I mean screaming!) for the epidural. Thank god I had an amazing midwife....she just kept trying to distract me....she checked me and I was about 8cm but the baby had gone sunny-side-up. She was able to turn him by having me get on all fours. It was very painful, but I'm glad she did it. after that time flew. I dilated to 10cm's and actually felt the need to push. I starting pushing, but had to stop for a moment because I had developed a lip on my cervix....the midwife was able to push the lip down and my son's head pushed past it with the next contraction. I pushed for about 20 minutes and successfully pushed out a beautiful little boy (6lbs, 2 ounces)!The OB was there for the delivery and while I was being stitched up by the midwife he came to my side and said great job....I said "I hear you are the only non-VBAC friendly doc in the practice is that true?" he said yes and I said "how do you like me now?!" He laughed and told me that he really thought I would have pelvic issues but surprised to see that I had a perfect pelvis....he couldn't understand why my first birth was a section.
I was able to walk around with my little guys shortly after his birth which was much different than the first time. I went home 2 days later and what a difference it was from the first birth. Yes, I did have a little case of the baby blues again, but nothing like the first time.
I hope this helps those that are considering a VBAC and aren't getting a lot of support from their family, friends or dr'.s I had a hard time getting support from my own husband. Everyone felt that it was a huge risk and that I was better off with a section because I wasn't the perfect candidate (someone who had a breech baby their first time around). I fought the odds, used the power of positive thinking, took care of myself and my baby and was able to do it against the odds.
If anyone wants to talk more about VBAC's or is looking for information, feel free to contac me at any time!
Good luck everyone!!!
Enjoy your babymoon! You earned it!
