Spoke to a woman who had a VBA5C!

[SAMarshall]

I recently ran into a woman who had had 5 previous c-sections (and 5 children), and then got pregnant with her 6th. Her 6th labor ended up happening so fast that she delivered vaginally in the hospital after having 5 consecutive c-sections! I didn't have time to ask her a lot of questions as it was just a chance meeting, but it makes me think that anything is possible!

I'm planning a VBA2C after (hopefully) conceiving soon, and it just makes me that much more hopeful for success! Just thought I'd share.

[Jennbee]

Wow, take that hospital.

I thought I saw on one of those birthing shows on TLC, long ago, maybe 8 years ago, that there was a woman who had a VBA6C. I may be remembering incorrectly, but I thought that was amazing.

[Sanveann]

Honestly, that is NOT something I would attempt. A friend of mine had a six C-sections due to a misshapen pelvis; when her OB went to section her for her sixth (and final) baby, he found that her uterus was already coming apart at the old scar. My boss' husband, who is an anesthesiologist, saw something similar recently.

[weliveintheforest]

I would not attempt it either, but it's nice to hear about it happening and turning out well!

[labortrials]

Originally Posted by Sanveann 

Honestly, that is NOT something I would attempt. A friend of mine had a six C-sections due to a misshapen pelvis; when her OB went to section her for her sixth (and final) baby, he found that her uterus was already coming apart at the old scar. My boss' husband, who is an anesthesiologist, saw something similar recently.

What you're describing is a dehiscence . . . which is usually ONLY discovered during a c/s.  Science still fails to tell us what that mean.  Unless we section all women with previous cesarean, we won't know how often the dehiscence occurs, and still it won't tell us what that means in terms of outcomes.  It's one of those 'thank God we did the c/s because your uterus is too thin to VBAC" chicken egg scenarios.

My research (and discussions with some clinicians) leads me to believe that true uterine rupture is generally symptomatic whereas dehiscence generally is not.

(Oh, and I'd not be doing that many cesareans much less a VBAC after so many surgeries.  But I do find these stories affirming and very inspiring!!!!!)

[lawmama1984]

Wow, what a great story to get to hear! Our bodies truly are amazing!!! 

I'm not sure the point was whether or not we would attempt it ourselves, so much as sharing a cool story, especially since the woman didn't attempt it herself, but the birth was precipitous.  Oh, well, of course it's anyone's right to say whatever they feel :) Anyway, best of luck on your journey to VBA2C, OP. I am on the same journey. Are you going for a hospital or home birth? 

[lawmama1984]

Originally Posted by labortrials 

What you're describing is a dehiscence . . . which is usually ONLY discovered during a c/s.  Science still fails to tell us what that mean.  Unless we section all women with previous cesarean, we won't know how often the dehiscence occurs, and still it won't tell us what that means in terms of outcomes.  It's one of those 'thank God we did the c/s because your uterus is too thin to VBAC" chicken egg scenarios.

My research (and discussions with some clinicians) leads me to believe that true uterine rupture is generally symptomatic whereas dehiscence generally is not.

[UBA5C]

I had an unassisted home birth 5 csections in March 2009 (my original  birth write up is on this birth site somewhere). It was awesome and iI am pregnant gain due in June and planning for another ssuccessful homebirth. 

Stacy

[MaryLang]

Oh wow!! That is amazing! I've had 5 c/s's and due with #6. I would love a hb, but I already feel so much pain around my scar still that I would be terrified to labor. During the last surgery, the attending resident was sorta freaked out at how she could see all the amniotic fluid swashing around through the full "window" of a scar I had. The 3rd baby, the scar was coming apart before the doctor touched a scalpel to me.

[thorn]

My ICAN chapter has had someone who had two vba5cs.  As a doula I have attended a vba4c attempt that ended in rupture.  It was scary but because she was in the hospital and was able to get an immediate cesarean, she and the baby were both fine.  So, I can't say whether I myself would attempt one or not - I have only had one c/s - but I think as long as you are in a hospital with the right safety protocols in place, and understand the risks, I wouldn't say someone shouldn't attempt it.

[EElady]

I think that's awesome!