Home Birth after c section...

[sugarpop]

My husband and I are considering a home birth. I would prefer a birth in a birthing center, but wonderful good old CT would prefer us to be in a hospital.

SO I know that uterine rupture is a scare with a VBAC, how possible is it? Any resources you would recommend? I don't want to scare myself, I just want to be realistic. I don't want to jeopardize my life or my babies by having my dream birth. A dream birth is worth nothing if everything is risked! SO please help me I don't even know what to ask. 

I am 4 weeks along. I had a c section in September 2009, after 60+ hours of labor and 2-4 of pushing (i never totally dilated) and DD head wasn't coming out right. I let them break my water and still to this day wonder if that is what started my mess that lead to pitocin and then Cesarean!

[TrumpetMom]

I am 31 weeks now and am doing an HBA2C with a Certified Nurse Midwife. You are right to do as much research as you can before making your decision.

As for resources, some of the books that helped me the most were Natural Childbirth After Cesarean, The VBAC Companion, and any of Ina May Gaskin's books. I have not yet read Spiritual Midwifery, but plan to soon. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth is very helpful. Also, Silent Knife is helpful for VBAC advocacy, but it was written 30 years ago, so some of the statistics are not current (though the rates of uterine rupture haven't really changed much in the last 30 years).

As for web resources, I have found the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) to be helpful, as well as VBACfacts.com

What ever you decide in the end, make sure it is the right decision for YOU and your family. Don't let other people tell you what you should or shouldn't do and don't get down if/when people criticize your choice, regardless of whether you choose ERCS, hospital VBAC, HBAC, or even UBAC. If you are comfortable with your decision, it's the right one.

Good luck!

[babycatcher12]

I had a HBA3C in Aug of 2010 and am planning another HBAC with this baby (due in May). 

I second what Trumpetmom said. Here are a couple other sites I visited...

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/icanvbac.html#VBACProhibitions

http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/CSANDVBAC/NewestVBAMCresearch.htm

http://www.vbac.com/

http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/vbacsum.htm

http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/viewer/Pages/index.aspx?newsid=2835

http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/CSANDVBAC/VBA2Cstories.htm#Personal%20VBA4C%20Stories

Here's my birth story...

http://www.birthstoriesondemand.com/consecutive/2011/1/27/erins-journey-to-a-healing-birth.html

[Lynann]

I had a HBAC a month ago, only 15 months and 1 week after my c-section.

My c/s birth was a planned HB turned hospital transfer after my waters were broken over 24 hrs. After 37 hours of labor I was still only 8cm, and had been for 12+ hours so was diagnosed with arrested dilation and given a c/s.

My HBAC was 9 hours total labor and 20 minutes of pushing. Totally different experience. I also used "The Pink Kit" childbirth preparation material for the 2nd one and it really taught me how to relax and work with my body, which I think had a lot to do with why I labored so much quicker.

Do your research. Make YOUR decision based on what you are willing to accept as risks, and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. Whatever decision you make for you will be the right one for you.

[Mom2SammyJoe]

I had an HBAC 2 1/2 years ago, and we are planning another. My c/s was for "failure to progress" at 7 cm after 36 hours of a cytotec/pit induction.

My homebirth was 18 hours of hard work, including 4 hours of pushing. My midwife was very supportive and gave me lots of positive VBAC birth stories to read. Actually going into labor on my own, just a few days past my EDD, was amazing. Once labor started on its own, I had no more doubts in my body.

Two things I recall repeating to myself and others over and over as we planned for the HBAC:

1. I was more likely to have my house burn down this month than have a uterine rupture

2. First time moms are just as likely, if not more likely, to have a uterine rupture as VBAC moms. (this is probably from Cytotec use for induction)

I wish I could give you sources! I think the house fire thing came from VBACfacts.com

The thing about first time moms I read again more recently and can't tell you where I found it. I'm sorry. But it was so nice to realize that the risk wasn't as risky as people wanted me to believe.

[TwinMum3]

I am planning a HBAC in December and just wanted to say thank you!  I love hearing positive stories.  Lynann-your first birth experience could have been my own so I was very excited to hear how well things went for you.  And Mom2SammyJoe, I am in Michigan too!  My midwife also suggested reading only positive stories and gave me some to read.  Another midwife in the practice had some great advice for me too which was there was a point where I needed to just STOP READING and enjoy this pregnancy, which I have, and it really was the best thing for me.  I am now getting really excited for our new arrival.  Thank you again for sharing your positivity!

[lisafalknerlmt]

hey i'm in ct as well and would love to know who you choose as a care provider for your vbac.  i had a crazy first birth experience as well that resulted in a c/s and we're planning on getting pregnant with our second in the next year or so.  still trying to decide between a home birth and hospital birth.  and in case you're interested in massage therapy during your pregnancy, i'm a certified prenatal/postpartum massage therapist and i do labor assistance massage therapy as well.  good luck with your pregnancy!