Happy to join this blog - trying for our second via VBAC

[Granola Earth Mama]

I have been reading Mothering for a few years now and I absolutely love the articles and information it provides. We gave birth to a little boy January 3rd, 2008 in a rather traumatic experience for me, which despite our planning on having a natural, unmedicated, home birth with our midwife, resulted in ending up in the hospital and finally a c-section. Without getting into details, pregnancy and the labour and delivery of my first was very difficult and left its mark on me. Although we had initially planned on having only one child, we have gone back and forth on the topic several times in the last year and a bit. We are finally at the point where we feel that having another child is what we want, and this has lead me to register on this forum.

We initially thought that any further children would be born by c-section as well, which was not enticing to me in the least. However, I have an equal amount of fear around the idea of having a VBAC, given what I went through the first time. And so, I am hoping to find some wonderful advice and guidance and support through this forum. I have already read many wonderful and inspiring articles and a video that brought both myself and my husband to tears, on the topic of VBACs. I have already begun the process of healing and now it's about surrounding myself with like-minded people to support us through this new journey for our as of yet unconceived baby number two. We are beginning to try this week

Thank you for sharing, giving, and reading.

[phathui5]

Have fun "trying."

[proudmomof4]

Hello and welcome to MDC!

[AustinMom]

Welcome to MDC!

My son (1st) was a planned birthing center birth, long labor, little support (good support), transfer to hospital, and a cesarean not long after. I had tons of trauma from it, which I would call a combination of postpartum depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It was bad. We are prego again now and are planning a HB for this one.

A few things I did that have REALLY helped, joined ICAN, found a great MW who had a CS for her first, and then a HBAC for her second, found a great Doula, she is the chapter leader for our local ICAN, and is wonderful. Did lots and lots of education and research. I found out why we had a CS, what we could have done to prevent it, and spoke of all my crazy fears even if they are something like, I hear a heart beat, but no movements, what if hte baby is just a baby heart, and nothing else? It's nice to go through a MW, who will sit, listen and VALIDATE all my fears.

I also read Rebounding From Childbirth Toward Emotional Recovery, it was a tremendous help, and An Easier Childbirth, it's a workbook that helps you identify and residual trauma, etc, and deal with it, because as most women will tell you and attest to, it will come up in labor.

That's what I did that helped me. I interviewed 8 or 9 different MWs before choosing one, and I interviewed them before I was prego, so I'd suggest that. Speak with them about your experience and ask them how they would have better supported you in what you needed. A selling point for me on my MW is when she said 'a mom who transfers to the hospital, I feel she need much more support than a mom who didn't'.

I watched the NIH conference on VBAC vs ERC, and it was very helpful too.

Do you mind me asking what it is exactly that you are concerned about? I'd love to give you some more info. email me if you would like.

Have fun getting prego!

[Carhootel]

Welcome to MDC!

[tinybutterfly]

Welcome to MDC!

My second was a VBAC.

We have a VBAC forum here.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...splay.php?f=21

[Kidzaplenty]

Welcome to MDC!

[Irishmommy]

Welcome to Mothering!