"Delivered" 3 babies that passed away, does it count as vbac?

[mamatogirls]

After my 3rd c-section I lost 3 baby girls @ 19wks, 16 wks & 18 wks. I was induced with cytotec with all of them. I was fully dialated with each. The last induction I was actually frightened because the contraction were like nothing I ever felt(I know it was the cytotec), one on top if the other but I was okay, no rupture. I'm currently 37 wks & Drs don't want to let me vbac. Throwing all the dead baby scare tactics at me. I obviously don't want to put my baby in danger. I've made it this far. I feel like my scar has shown it's strength & I should get the vba3c attempt. Drs say my inductions don't count because I wasn't full term. I'm wondering what others think since my situation is unique. I can't find any others out there with a similar question. Thanks!

[scrunchiiface]

Your in a tough situation and the choice is yours to make. I'm sure you've studied the statistics. After a major medical intervention, or three the fist is there for bad outcomes. Many women do great and a very, very few have a catastrophic outcome. My situation is different from yours. I have only had one c-section and we are Trying to conceive now. I'm not sure what I will decide. I would love a home birth but the chance of something going horribly wrong scares me. I want the experience of a natural birth but I also want a healthy baby. I'm not sure if my want of a vbac is worth the risk. If something does go wrong I would never forgive myself. On the other hand if I don't attempt vbac I will always second guess my decision. I just don't know if its worth the risk. I think it's different for everyone and each of us needs to choose what level of risk we can live with if something does go wrong. Good luck to you. Whatever you choose I hope all goes well!

[MeepyCat]

The strain on uterine muscles and scars at 37 weeks is very different then the strain on those things at 19 weeks.  I am not a doctor, but I wouldn't consider that scar to be "proven".

[Roanna Rosewood]

I'm not a doctor but the cytotec might be your bigger concern. Uterine rupture and cytotec go hand in hand. A big part of my midwife agreeing to attempt a VBA2C with me was that I had never had cytotec. Presumably, the results aren't limited to while you are on the drug. Here's a link: http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/cytotec.asp. Good luck mama. 

[prone_to_wander]

I don't understand why you were induced at that gestation. Were they abortions?

[Floretta]

Originally Posted by prone_to_wander 

I don't understand why you were induced at that gestation. Were they abortions?

From what I understand she was induced because the babies had passed away in utero. How long ago was your last section? What were the reasons for the previous sections? Did you dialate on your own (how far) before you were sectioned?

[~Caitlyn~]

I cannot believe that they would give you prostaglandins even at that gestation. Scary.

Even if you had a successful full term vbac, you are still a vbac. That being said - you are only attempting a vbac after 1 cs... So, according to ACOG - you are still at a very low risk for uterine rupture.

The questions I would think about:
-why did you have your first c/s?
-are there additional medical issues at play here? A reason OTHER than uterine rupture that concerns the doctors?
-why don't they want you to vbac?

[phathui5]

Is there a more supportive provider in your area? If your doctor is trying to scare you out of a VBAC, I would shop around.

The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth has an excellent chapter with research on VBAC.

Don't give up!

[mamatogirls]

I was induced because my babies passed away, NOT abortions. Babies dying is a loss that's why I said I "lost" 3 babies. I had D&E or induction as my choices and I couldn't stomach the thought of a D&E. I needed closure & to hold them & induction was the only way since my cervix was not ready to have a baby & I didn't want to go on in the condition I was in. I know the dangers if cytotec & would never have used it with a live baby.

[fayebond]

*hugs*

Have you checked out the local ican group?  they might have more advice.  bonus, you get to vent/ask qiestions in person.

Me, I'd say you are a great vbac candidate.  BTW, I got the same line about my pelvis, and my baby was at a 2 station for two weeks before labor.  G_d has a sense of humor...

[~Caitlyn~]

Oh, mama - was just referencing the prostaglandins because there is an increased rate of uterine rupture (main concern of vbac) when they are involved. They should not be used on a scarred uterus, but I totally understand your reasoning. I would just think that it is another proof of strength for your uterus that it has withstood augmented labor.

[jr'smom]

I would definately keep looking for support for your VBAC.  There is no reason you shouldn't. 

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/groups/183444955077965/?bookmark_t=group

Please look into this FB group.  There is awesome support and many people have had situations like yours.

So sorry for your losses.  I hope you get the birth you want.

[prone_to_wander]

OP, I wasn't meaning to offend you, I felt it was unclear. Sorry.

[mamatoabirdie]

I am so very sorry for your losses.  no mother should have to endure what you have.

I think you are a great vbac candidate and quite frankly, I think you deserve a fantastic birth after what you've been through.  please shop around and talked to different providers.  

[AlexisT]

Originally Posted by ~Caitlyn~ 

Oh, mama - was just referencing the prostaglandins because there is an increased rate of uterine rupture (main concern of vbac) when they are involved. They should not be used on a scarred uterus, but I totally understand your reasoning. I would just think that it is another proof of strength for your uterus that it has withstood augmented labor.

The contraindications are for prostaglandins at term to induce labor.

The protocol for using prostaglandins earlier is different. I was given misoprostol for missed miscarriage after a CS even though you actually need a much bigger dosage in early pregnancy (800mcg for missed abortion, vs 25mcg for cervical ripening at term). I don't know when the cutoff is, but the guidelines are very different (I once saw a chart for dosage at various gestations). (As an aside, it is also OK to give misoprostol for PPH if necessary, even if you've had previous surgery.) Despite having had misoprostol that time (twice in fact) this was never a factor in whether or not to VBAC for my second. 

Like MeepyCat says, the pressure on the scar earlier in pregnancy is very different. While I am not saying you're a bad candidate for VBAC based on the info you've given, I don't think these losses will "count" in a VBAC sense. Previous vaginal births count not only because they "prove" the scar, but the pelvis. (Apologies for my quote overuse.) 

I think your doctors' concern is due to you having had 3 previous sections; the current ACOG guidelines call for VBAC as an option after 1 or 2 sections, but not more. One study in the UK did have positive results, but the numbers were small, and given the number of potential VBA3Cs, it's unlikely we'll ever have really solid data on the risks unless we aggregated them for years if not longer. 

I'm sorry for your losses.