VBAC mamas « Back to Group Discussions

[laurilj]

Any other mamas out there trying for a VBAC or HBAC? I am still not sure where my birth will be... at home would be wonderful, but the fear of something going wrong makes me want to be in or near a good hospital. I had an amazing midwife for my first pregnancy and would love to work with her again.

Where are you having your birth and what are your concerns?

[kdorrain]

Hi, 

I just found this group.  I'm very nervous because my last pregnancy ended in a MC at 12 weeks. I'm 8w 4d.  I have a 5 yo DD and a 2.5 yo DD.

 I had a c-section with my first for a long list of reasons including

U/S dating pushed the due date up (NEVER let an U/S push your due date up.  Back, yes, up, no).

Failure of the OB to wait

My own inexperience not trusting my heart.

I had a VBAC (attempted HBAC) with my second and it was cathartic and healing and awesome (but too long and I had dehydration and exhaustion after 57 hours).  I will be going for an HBAC this time again.  I recommend reading books like Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, anything by Ina May Gaskin, and Pushed.  Learn about how safe and normal birth is and believe.  I took Birthing From Within classes (and read the book) regarding my affirmations.  And when faced with an unplanned hospital transfer and an OB badgering and threatening me to submit to a c-section, my DH and I were able to stand up and say "my uterus WILL NOT explode, my body was MADE to birth babies, get OUT".

So, having a homebirth doesn't scare me, because I know I won't have to fight anyone during labor regarding my capabilities.  Going to the hospital scares me.

Get involved with your local ICAN group, if you have one.  And make sure you hire a doula who will support, and not hinder, you.

Best of luck to you.

Kristine

[Gray's Mommy]

I'm going for a HBAC. I have a proven pelvis (hee hee) since I had two vaginal births. My 3rd was my c/s birth due to midwife complications with a breech presentation. I've had one homebirth already & really loved that birth experience.

[bfw0729]

I had a hbac with my third child. I had twins before her, with the second twin born by cesarean. I will likely plan another homebirth, but need to work through the same worries I had in my previous birth.

I'm not comfortable birthing in a hospital. I feel very insecure in that environment. My alternative is to birth at home - I worry "less" in that environment. I'm very grateful and excited for this pregnancy!  

[loveandgarbage]

I had a VBAC with DS2. Once you have a c-section is every subsequent birth considered a VBAC, or only your first afterward? Was never quite sure on that one. Either way, I don't consider myself as having a VBAC this time around... but wanted to post in here to support all you mamas planning H/VBACs.

I had a pretty rough birth experience with DS1 that led to a c-section. Hospital interventions, gigantic stuck baby, the works. But my VBAC was an incredible and life-altering experience. I have never felt so empowered in my life. I wish the same for all of you!

[laurilj]

A cathartic, healing and life-altering experience would be wonderful. I wish I knew what was going to happen now. I definitely believe I can give birth naturally, and that I could have with my first birth, but I had pre-eclampsia and was hooked up to so many machines that I couldn't move, had an epidural and was totally out of it. This time I want to be away from all of that.

I'm sorry for your loss, Kristine. I hope you have a wonderful and healthy pregnancy!

[kdorrain]

Have you heard of the Brewer Diet?  It is a very high protein diet for the prevention of pre-eclampsia.  I have a mama friend that had a successful homebirth with her third after her high BP with her first and pre-E (and HELLP) with her second.  Her second was born way early and in the NICU for 3 months.  She changed her diet with #3 and had fabulous BP and a wonderful homebirth.

The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth recommends this diet (as does my midwife....I do my best!)  It's worth looking into if you're committed to staying low risk and birthing at home!

Kristine

[Gray's Mommy]

Originally Posted by loveandgarbage 

I had a VBAC with DS2. Once you have a c-section is every subsequent birth considered a VBAC, or only your first afterward? Was never quite sure on that one. Either way, I don't consider myself as having a VBAC this time around... but wanted to post in here to support all you mamas planning H/VBACs.

I had a pretty rough birth experience with DS1 that led to a c-section. Hospital interventions, gigantic stuck baby, the works. But my VBAC was an incredible and life-altering experience. I have never felt so empowered in my life. I wish the same for all of you!

Coming from a doula perspective, yes, any vaginal birth after a c/s is considered to be a VBAC.

[laurilj]

Originally Posted by kdorrain 

Have you heard of the Brewer Diet?  It is a very high protein diet for the prevention of pre-eclampsia.  I have a mama friend that had a successful homebirth with her third after her high BP with her first and pre-E (and HELLP) with her second.  Her second was born way early and in the NICU for 3 months.  She changed her diet with #3 and had fabulous BP and a wonderful homebirth.

The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth recommends this diet (as does my midwife....I do my best!)  It's worth looking into if you're committed to staying low risk and birthing at home!

Kristine

Thanks! I just checked it out... looks difficult but I'll talk to my midwife about it. It looks like A LOT of food to eat! And right now I can't go anywhere near eggs... ugh. 

[kdorrain]

And right now I can't go anywhere near eggs... ugh. 

Me either.  Like I said, I try.  Not so much on the success.  However, Chipotle's Bol covers like 57 grams of protein....