New, TTC and hoping for a VBAC...

[Jayd]

Hello :)

My name is Jennifer, I'm a 22 year old Mommy to a wonderful, beautiful 21 month old daughter. We are currently TTC number two, and I want to do everything in my power to have a VBAC. My last pregnancy was induced at 39 weeks due to higher than normal blood pressure. After 13 hours I was only 3cm dialated, my blood pressure was slowly but steadily rising, and they deamed me as "Failure to Progress" and wheeled me off to the OR. I didn't get to see my daughter for two hours. I have come to terms with it, but it still makes me sad when I think about it. I decided to look for a forum where I could talk to other ladies who have been there, done that or that are going through the same things that I am. I recently decided to get healthier... we are eating better, exercising, and I'm trying to get my stomach muscles as toned as I can so that I'm ready for labor next time. I also plan to do it naturally, no induction and no pain medication. And I've been reading about different methods or relaxation, as well as Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, but I'm not sure where I'm headed with any of that yet... I was hoping for some insight from some of you. What did/are you doing to prepare for your VBAC? Thanks in advance for the replies! :D  

[jenniro]

Welcome!  I am a Jennifer as well.  I am preparing for a VBA2C, and I wish I had prepared better for my VBAC turned CBAC.  There are some great books that I am reading, Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin and Silent Knife by Cohen & Estner.  I also watched the movie, The Business of Being Born, a documentary by Riki Lake.  I have also found a truly supportive provider, which for me is a midwife.  I am doing a homebirth, but if an OB in a hospital is what you are comfortable with, then you might have to shop around.  A truly supportive provider is respectful and evidence based.  They don't put ridiculous requirements on VBAC moms, like you have to go into labor by 40 weeks, you have to have an epidural.  The only "requirement" I think should be extra is maybe monitoring, but even that can be intermittent.  You should be treated like a healthy, pregnant woman, not a ticking bomb.  Is there an ICAN, International Cesarean Awareness Network, group in your area, ican-online.org ?  They would be able to give you suggestions for OBs that are really supportive.   We are TTC as well, so maybe we'll be in this together!