Required wait time?

[dakotablue]

IS there a required wait time between pregnancies in order to try a VBAC?

we just found out we're expecting and DS is almost 9 months born via C-sec, we are unsure of how far along I am (anywhere between 10 weeks to 3 1/2 weeks)

Is it foolish to think I could go with a midwife for this one?

and random thought...would they let your first VBAC be twins? (they run in my family I doubt I am, but you know)

[JessieBird]

Congratulations!

I think it can vary greatly. The policy at our midwife-led birthing centre is 2 years and dependent on the reason for the c-section(s) as certain situations are likely to repeat themselves (I won't try to repeat the list of reasons that would disqualify you as I'm sure to get it wrong). However, a friend of mine was supported in her goal for a VBAC with 18 mos between births. Reason for first c-section was preterm labour (32 weeks) and fetal distress. She was at a hospital in the next province over (we're in Quebec, she was in Ontario). Not sure if this is a difference in provincial laws or different policies between the facilities.

On twins - midwives here cannot follow multiple pregnancies no matter what, provincial law. However I know this differs across the country and across the US as I've read about many twin births attended by midwives. Not sure about VBAC twins though.

[marrymeflyfree]

I think this may vary a lot from hospital to hospital and practitioner to practitioner. FWIW, I had a c-section 8 months ago and am now about 10 weeks. I'm seeing a hospital midwife and everything is a go for VBAC. I don't know what criteria she may or may not have, but she didn't even flinch when we discussed my history.

[MNHall]

My first VBAC OB (pregnant with what I hope to be my second) was the 18 month from c/s to VBAC kind. I do hear that 18 months is a pretty popular time frame. However, my currect OB is a lot, lot, lot more VBAC friendly and I've personally heard of a 17 month, but I wouldn't doubt if he'd let a mama do 14-15 months too, just because he's very VBAC friendly and really believes in a woman and her ability to deliver vaginally, like nature intended.

Anyway, I think with an OB and hospital policy, you're more likely to hear 18 months from c/s to vbac through to 2 years.

But if you're with a midwife, in a birthing center, or homebirth, I'm sure you'll find a lot more willingness to do closer together!

I do have a friend that her first VBAC was 14.5 months after her c/s. She was with a midwife.

My c/s to vbac was just under 22 months, with an OB.

[AlexisT]

Some OBs don't like primary VBACs of twins. Your VBAC chances would go down, though, because of the increased likelihood of complications and positioning issues--this would be true regardless of your OB/MW.

[ShwarmaQueen]

My MW uses a point scale to assess risk- get 5 points and you're out, no matter what. I think you would get a point for the short time frame between pregnancies.

[AustinMom]

The 18th month rule is 18 months between births, not pregnancies. So if you son is 9 mo old now, and you are in the beginning of your pregnancy, you're right around that mark.

Personally, I feel that any time frame is good, as it takes 42 days for a scar to completely heal (Birth After Cesarean is a great book for this stuff, but a little outdated as far as some interventions go).

Typically, I hear 12 months between births, so that would be getting pregnant when your baby was 3 months old or later.

Much Love!

[texmati]

wow! I had nearly the same thing heppen to me last month! My ob says he's ok with a year between births.

[roadfamily6now]

My first VBAC was 14 months after my c-section.

Good Luck momma!

[Climbergirl]

My old OBs rule was 18 months between births. But, if I remember correctly, she also told me that it really takes the body 12 months to completely recover from a c-section. I did not ask details, but I think that is why she preferred 18 months (because your uterus is not so stretched out during the first part of pregnancy, maybe?).

The answer to your questions depends on your area and laws and comfort levels of the practitioners in your area. Personally, I would say interview as many different providers as you can and get a feel for what they say. If 3 midwives are not kosher with a primary VBAC of twins and you find one that is, then I would really grill that midwife on why and her experience.

I think you should start making a lot of phone calls

Good luck!

[dakotablue]

Well I called two midwives today. One which take my insurance I think I will go with. The person I talked with didn't seem at all bothered by the spacing, more amused I never returned to having periods. Both said they will deliever twins if 1st is head down.

however 1st VBAC is required to be done in hospital verses center.

I'm excited about this. Although would the hospital require you to stay? how long?

[AustinMom]

IF you are prego with twins, I would HIGHLY suggest Midwifery care. The only reason is statistically, OB care with twins is pretty crappy, compared to MW care, as in, focus on Diet, exercise, and how to keep babies from being premature. I know of one mom locally who was doing dual care with twins, and her OB said, there is no way a uterus can carry more than 15lbs of baby, and you are going to go into labor well before your due date, and most likely before 37 weeks. Well, turns out with the focus on diet and optimal care for babies in utero and for mom, she had a homebirth of one 8lb 5oz and one 8lb 15oz baby at 41+weeks. Both EXTREMELY healthy. I can't imagine what htey would have been like with the OB 'typical' care. Those babies obviously needed to cook longer and they need more focus than a 15 min (usually 5 min with Dr.) oppointment.

Also, IF your babies are born 'early' with OB care, yes, you will have a longer hospital stay, and most likely babies will be kept in nursery for longer than typical due to NICU suspected issues, blood glucose issues, etc. With a MW, you can avoid those complications, catch them EARLY as they screen better, and FIX those issues. Some issues in the medical model of care can't be fixed, like 'low fluid', some say the baby just needs to be born, MW care says, let's up your hydration, etc, get a second opinion, and base it on feeling instead of u/s, which is more accurate anyway and MW are trained for this, OBs aren't.