VBAC? « Back to Group Discussions

[bmcneal]

This is really, really, late, but I was just curious if there's anyone else in our DDC that's having a VBAC, and what plans you have, like, home birth, birth center birth, hospital birth, etc. And maybe just to have a place to talk about (possible) issues/challenges that someone having a VBAC might face, that others might not, as well as supporting in case anyone has worries or concerns. (Because I've been having some, maybe someone else may be, too.)

[velveeta]

Hi there, I am planning an HBAC for this, my fourth birth. I had two great home births, and then a hospital xfer during transition for my third birth, that ended in c section. I am 32 weeks now, and baby is breech. I am doing a number of things to get baby to turn, but I am still optimistic about HB!

[cagnew]

I'll chime in :) This will be my second VBAC and I feel pretty good about it. I'm having a hospital birth, but I've chosen my OB and hospital carefully, so hopefully things will go "as planned." Of course, you can do all you can do, and at some point you have to let go. My OB/hospital is an hour away, and that sucks. It's the same one we were supposed to deliver at last time with my first VBAC, but we ended up with an unplanned unassisted birth in the hotel across the street from the hospital. We had planned to just labor there, but things went crazy fast and I didn't realize what was happening until I was pushing, hah! Our doula was a midwife, but she didn't make it.

This time we will be going directly to the hospital as soon as I think "this is it." We might kill some time in the van or walking around, but no more hotel laboring. No doula this time either (although I fully support having one!). Many of the nurses at the hospital are natural birth friendly and have even taken some doula classes, so I have high hopes.... Many of the moms in my ICAN group have said they had good experiences there.

I'm hoping my labor is fast like last time. 

My biggest fear is a breech baby (and little one is currently breech). With my first VBAC I had a lot of fear. A LOT. I'm so thankful for how things worked out in the end. This time around, I'm kind of looking forward to birth, which is strange because I haven't forgotten how painful it is. 

[bmcneal]

Originally Posted by cagnew 

I'll chime in :) This will be my second VBAC and I feel pretty good about it. I'm having a hospital birth, but I've chosen my OB and hospital carefully, so hopefully things will go "as planned." Of course, you can do all you can do, and at some point you have to let go. My OB/hospital is an hour away, and that sucks. It's the same one we were supposed to deliver at last time with my first VBAC, but we ended up with an unplanned unassisted birth in the hotel across the street from the hospital. We had planned to just labor there, but things went crazy fast and I didn't realize what was happening until I was pushing, hah! Our doula was a midwife, but she didn't make it.

This time we will be going directly to the hospital as soon as I think "this is it." We might kill some time in the van or walking around, but no more hotel laboring. No doula this time either (although I fully support having one!). Many of the nurses at the hospital are natural birth friendly and have even taken some doula classes, so I have high hopes.... Many of the moms in my ICAN group have said they had good experiences there.

I'm hoping my labor is fast like last time. 

My biggest fear is a breech baby (and little one is currently breech). With my first VBAC I had a lot of fear. A LOT. I'm so thankful for how things worked out in the end. This time around, I'm kind of looking forward to birth, which is strange because I haven't forgotten how painful it is. 

This will be my second VBAC, as well. That's crazy about your first VBAC! I haven't had any labor like that, where it just happened by itself. I'm hoping I get to this time. Last time, my OB was not really harassing me, but, like, nagging me, from about 38 weeks on, about did I have my bags packed because I was probably going to need to be induced, or else have a repeat c-section. The nurse at one of my last appointment scraped my membranes, because I think she knew how much I wanted VBAC, and she said it should help (It did. But I don't think she was *supposed* to do that, because she said something along the lines of, "OB doesn't really like for us to do this, but I know it can help sometimes, so I'll do it for you, if it's something you would want.") and that started early contractions, and by the time I went in for my "induction" I was 4.5/5 cm, and they said they wouldn't have to induce, but just augment. As much as I'm glad I got to VBAC, I would really like to experience labor starting on it's own, and the "entire" experience, if that makes sense.

I don't know for 100% how supportive the OB I'm going to next week is of VBAC. I told them that I'm wanting one, and they still said they would see me, so DF wants me to at least try.

We're kind of the opposite, then. :) With my first VBAC, I was 100% positive it was going to be successful. The nurses and everyone were very doubtful, especially when the BPP showed he was going to be 10+ lbs. But I just *knew* it was going to be okay. This time, I'm a little nervous. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I'm just hesitantly optimistic. DF is being really good with me, though, and making sure I stay positive.

[MountainMama15]

I am planning an HBAC, my second VBAC. My former OB (just transferred to a MW) is fully supportive of both repeat VBAC and of me switching to HB!!

He says that repeat VBAC success rates are really high,like 95% success rate.

I have been using Hypnobabies and really rocking the Affirmations and the VBAC success mp3s. It's really boosted my confidence and excitement about my upcoming birth and my happiness in this pregnancy.

MM

[ameliajade]

I'm having a HBA2C this time around. I'm very optimistic, everything so far as been perfect, and I think things should go really well

[delfin]

Hi! Long time since I posted on the DDC. Im having a HBAC! VEry happy and escited about ir, I have great midwives, a pool and a very very supportive enviroment. Eveything is going really good, baby is in a good position, and im looking forward to birth her <3

[cagnew]

It's great to see so much positive energy here! When I was getting ready for my first VBAC I was a mess. I struggled a lot with having confidence. A friend of mine had a great VBAC at the Farm a few years ago, and because everything was perfect, she had a hard time preparing mentally for her second VBAC. She felt like the other one went so well that there was no way this one could that well. She didn't go back to the Farm, but went to a birth house, and had a peaceful water birth :) So doubts are normal I think, even for a second time. I think going to a hospital makes the doubts stronger because all the extra stress of interventions. Even though the hospital I am going to is supposed to be very good with natural birth, I still know that it's a hospital and things might not go as planned. BUT... I'm not thinking about that :) I've done everything I can do to make another VBAC happen, and the rest is up to God. 

How are you feeling bmcneal? Are you feeling more optimistic since your last appointment went so well?

[bmcneal]

Originally Posted by cagnew 

It's great to see so much positive energy here! When I was getting ready for my first VBAC I was a mess. I struggled a lot with having confidence. A friend of mine had a great VBAC at the Farm a few years ago, and because everything was perfect, she had a hard time preparing mentally for her second VBAC. She felt like the other one went so well that there was no way this one could that well. She didn't go back to the Farm, but went to a birth house, and had a peaceful water birth :) So doubts are normal I think, even for a second time. I think going to a hospital makes the doubts stronger because all the extra stress of interventions. Even though the hospital I am going to is supposed to be very good with natural birth, I still know that it's a hospital and things might not go as planned. BUT... I'm not thinking about that :) I've done everything I can do to make another VBAC happen, and the rest is up to God. 

How are you feeling bmcneal? Are you feeling more optimistic since your last appointment went so well?

Sorry for the delayed response.

I'm feeling a lot better now. I was *so* pleasantly surprised, and I think this is going to be an even better experience than my first VBAC. I was actually hoping for a birth center birth, because I know a lot of mamas here (and IRL) have used them and loved it, and I think there wouldn't be the same pressures as there would/might be at hospital. I was so excited to see when we moved up here that there was not only one, but TWO birth centers in the area! I was so excited! And then, when it comes time to need it, they've both closed, and the closest one is 2 hours away.  But like I said, I'm very optimistic about this birth, albeit being a lot different than I wanted/expected.