Any other VBACers...and what are you doing/planning to get ready?

[BakingMama]

I'm planning to VBAC with ds.
The midwife group that I was with before are now defunct and the good OB/GYN that did my c-section is at a hospital that recently changed their policy to no VBAC. So, I found a Dr. that does do VBACs at a hospital that does do VBACs as well. I've heard very great things about this Dr. and am planning on calling tomorrow to set an appt. Although, I remember with ds I called right away and had to wait a long time before having my first appt, which they said was standard so I'm really not in any kind of rush to see the Dr.
I'm planning to watch my weight gain. I was at a good weight prior to conception with ds but gained a lot of weight and have kept a good 20-25 lbs on since. I also had higher blood pressure at the end of my pregnancy with ds and I think this contributed to having his 3 wks early (and although hbp didn't lead to my c-section with ds it certainly didn't help). I want to be as healthy as I possibly can so VBAC will be most likely-god willing.
I also am exercising and I did this during my pregnancy with ds too. I also did prenatal yoga and loved it so I'm planning this as well.
We had a doula (actually 2) for ds and I'm going to get one for this labor too.

I am really interested in hearing who else is planning to VBAC and what you plan/want to do to get ready.

[tschifo]

I am really hoping to VBAC this go around.

We're going to be moving up to the Chicago suburbs in the Summer, so I'm hoping for a fresh new start, and a doc (or someone who delivers babies ) who thinks like I do. I'd love to homebirth, but since ds had such a large head, dh is very nervous about a homebirth. :

[erinmacey]

I'm joining the VBAC crew. I plan to do my homework and make sure I have really good support going into the whole process. Last time, dh didn't want a doula because he thought it would interrupt our experience - this time, I don't care! We really could have used the support of someone who cared about helping us meet our goal(s) for birth and not just about getting a healthy baby out fast.

Exercise definitely seems important, and I'm going to try to motivate to jog during my first trimester and swim or do something else later on. I will also work harder to try to ensure that labor happens in a timely fashion. Last time, one of the reasons we got pressured was that my water broke when labor hadn't even begun yet, so the doctor was quick to suggest induction and then c-section as time passed.

Hopefully, if labor starts at home, I can be well on my way to 10 cm before we hit the hospital!!

Are you all worried about rupture? If so, how worried? Why are you choosing VBAC over repeat? What sorts of pain relief will you use?

[rstump]

I just found out today that I pregnant with my 5th...this will be my 4th VBAC. My last 2 were HBAC's and I will do the same this time.

[arizonawillow]

This will be my 2nd VBAC. I am exercising and that will be a big difference from my 1st 2 pregnancies. I am going to have to figure out how to fit in my workouts now since my energy is gone in the afternoon and I usually go running after dh gets home.

I don't feel like I have to do as much work... emotionally, spiritually, mentally, towards this birth as I did my last. It is very important to me to have a provider that is 100% supportive of normal birth and I think that really helped last time. I'm interviewing a new-to-me OB/MW team next week and hope they turn out to be as great as I've heard.

I had chiropractic care that really helped me a ton during my last pregnancy, with physical issues as well as emotional issues (it was Network chiro and it was wonderful.) My chiro was going to be at the birth in lieu of a doula... and then she couldn't come because she was at a conference out of town. So this time I will have a backup doula, for sure.

I'm also going to really go through Birthing from Within and do the pain exercises.

Erin, I'm not very worried about rupture. I spent lots of time on that issue years ago after my c/s and determined that without induction and certain meds, the risk is really low. Plus my scar is "proven" now I guess too. I'm choosing VBAC because my c/s experience and recovery was pretty awful. If a c/s became truly medically necessary I would of course have another one but a key difference to me is having care providers that are more respectful than the ones at my first birth.

I hope to have non medical pain relief methods in place but I need to work on that... water helped in my first labor but I hated it in my 2nd. I'm planning on practicing the pain techniques in Birthing from Within (I know I already said that) but hope that and having a doula will really help.

[superlori]

I'm planning a VBAC too. DD was born via section due to placenta praevia so there was no other option. I really want a home waterbirth but chances are slim. I could try getting my homebirth with the NHS, but it'll be a major fight. We had an independent midwife with dd (we were planning a home water birth with her) but this time, since I no longer work, we just simply can't afford one. So don't know what we'll do! Still hoping to win the lottery, I guess.

Even if I have to birth in hospital, I will fight (or rather, dh and our doula we will be hiring will fight) for no drugs/ no interventions/ etc. My friend just had a VBAC in hospital and I was shocked with how they managed it. She was strapped to a continuous monitor, only allowed to push for an hour 'just in case' and then baby was delivered by forceps just because they didnt' want her to put undue pressure on her scar. I will not be doing any of the above if I have to go to hospital.

I'm not worried about a rupture unless interventions/drugs were involved. Seems like research backs me up there. So as long as I can keep the medical 'protocal' out of the way, I think I'll be fine.

I'll let you know how the NHS takes it after my appointment!

[rstump]

Dont' give up on that homebirth. I am not sure where you are located but her FL. Medicaid (state insurance) has to pay for HB's.

Also....many many midwife run on a sliding scale and work for trade. Keep you options open. If you must go to a hospital...I highly advice a doula because fighting all the way thru your labor is the WORST......ask me how I know.

[momto3wantingmore]

I am planning a HBA3C. I have had 3 c/sections and do not want another one unless it is truely medically nessary. i have a great MW and already have a few appointments for doula's as we are planning on getting more then 1. Not really too worried about wieght gain as in pregnancy #2 I only gained 18 pounds when trying to not gain so much and in #3 when I didn't watch it and didn't care how much weight I gained I only gained 14. So that for me isn't an issue for some reason even though I gained 60 with my first lol. I do want to excersies but just don't know what would be a good one. I do walk many times a week so I guess thats better then nothing. Can't really think of anything else.

[rstump]

I really enjoy yoga and stretching a lot more when I am pregnant. It really keeps me focused and more intune with my body. I can feel my pelvis and all my muscles.....I feel like I can be more open to all the changes through yoga. Really checking in with all part of my body each day.

[momto3wantingmore]

Is it ok to start yoga while pregnant? I would like to try it but don't know if I have never done if I should start doing it now?

[rstump]

I don't see why not. If you don't have any health problems...just take it slow and listen to your body. I woudl start with an Advanced Bikram (hot) yoga class.

But a fun video is all you really need to get started. They make several prenatal versions and LOTS of yoga studios offer prenatal classes too.

[mightymoo]

Hi there!

I thought I'd mention that our VBAC forum is another great place to get information and ask questions about VBACs.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

[candyapplez]

I'm planning on a VBAC. Have 3 interviews set up
1. The OB who delivered Bryce( loved him)
2. Midwife who does homebirths
3. Group of midwives who deliver at hospital.

I really need to keep an open mind and need to include dh more

[magpiedee]

I'm planning a VBAC. At our local ICAN meeting last Saturday, someone asked me why I kept going if my child was a toddler and I wasn't pregnant yet, and I said, "To support everyone else and hang out!" So now I feel more useful there.

I plan on having a midwife and doula, and luckily two of my good friends are, in fact, a midwife and doula. I got very far with Cleo's labor until she was discovered breech and stuck, pretty much everything except crowning and delivery, so I feel very good about labor and getting the full experience this time.

[IrelandsMama]

How not to have another c-section!!!

Hi, I'm Savannah this will be my second baby. We are going to HBAC. I have talked to the midwife I will most likely use and she has agreed that if I go past 42 weeks I can fire her and she will attend me as a "friend." That was my biggest issue this time around because last time postdates was one of the major reasons I was talked into c-section. I'm now comfortable with my body going into labor when even it's ready.

My advice to anyone who has had a prior c-section is go visit ICAN right now! Am I allowed to post a link?

To those worried about rupture, do your research and you will find the rupture rate is below one percent. To keep it that low you will need a 100% supportive care provider. Be careful because OB's are famous for the old bait and switch when it comes to VBAC's. Do not settle for your favorite OB if he/she doesn't agree with you on your birthing philosophies and the statistics on VBAC. VBAC's should not be induced as a rule of thumb, because doing so increases the risk of rupture dramatically. Make sure to ask your provider what the rupture risk is, what their c-section rate is (should only be between 10-15% anything higher WHO says endangers mothers and babies), and what their VBAC rates are. The last one about VBAC rates can be tricky because some OB's won't say what the rate is out of women who want a VBAC and get it, they give some BS answer. Statistics show that something like 80% of women who have had one prior c-section should successfully VBAC, and yet in the U.S. the number is frightfully low.... like 15% I think.

If your birthing in a hospital make sure you get a doula and try to labor at home as long as possible. Never have another c-section because the hospital bans VBAC's. Get your head on straight and read all the studies so you know your info and can't be "talked into" c-section babble. Don't induce you labors for almost any reason. Join ICAN support email list.

HTH

please let me know if anyone has more specific questions I can help with.

Savannah

[lovesea]

I would love a vbac but I'm not very optimistc that it will happen. I live in Istanbul where the c-section rate is incredible. I'd guess that it's around 90%. Midwives attending homebirths are illegal. Most babies are delivered by obs either by elective c-section or by being bullied into it and being fed a load of bs. My ob appeared to be supportive until the last couple of weeks when she started going on about all the possible complications and really trying to scare me. I started labour naturally but didn't get very far as I didn't have any support. Now if I say that vaginal births are rare here, you can imagine how rare vbacs are. Every woman I've spoken to believes that once a c-section always a c-section. On top of this I'll be 37 when I give birth and the c-section rate goes up over 40% in the over 35s. I do have a little glimmer of hope as there is ao ob here, famous in the expat community who supports vbac. Once I've set up an appointment with her I'll have a more realistic idea of the possibility of a vbac. In the meantime I'll keep following this thread and reading as much as I can about vbacs.

[odenata]

I'm planning a VBAC with midwives at a hospital. My first birth was a planned homebirth that ended in an emergency transfer.

Hopefully, I'll have the doula who led my birth class last time I was pregnant.

We are in the process of moving cross-country right now (back to where we were a year ago), so I have to wait to get everything set up.

[BakingMama]

What is everyone doing to strengthen their uterus? I'd be interested in hearing what all you've heard of.

IrelandsMama: You sound really in the know, glad you are here. I contacted ICAN before we conceived and the meetings are in a city over an 1 hour from my house and they are later in the evening which makes it a little more difficult with a toddler in tow. But, I may venture out to them if they have a topic that sounds great. That being said, I may see if they can give me info. online. Would you mind sharing some good resources for information etc. on VBACs. I'd specifically like to know more about induction increasing risk of uterine rupture.

[gaelicgoddess]

Sorry, this will be a novel...

I'm trying to research my options regarding care and delivery of this new pregnancy. I have had 2 previous c-sections.

I had pre-E, hypertension, and gestational diabetes with my first pregnancy. I was induced at 37 weeks for the hypertension (my doctor said he was afraid of a heart attack or stroke with my blood pressure being 150/100). After 13 hours on pitocin and I think 2 inserts of cervadil, they decided that I should do an emergency c-section since the only way to cure the Pre-E and hypertension was to deliver.

Second pregnancy was a surprise. I had a very very difficult time finding a doctor who would entertain the idea of a VBAC in New Orleans (where we were living at the time). I did not have any of the pre-e, hypertension, or gestational diabetes with my second pregnancy. It was actually a pretty good pregnancy (except for passing kidney stones at 32 weeks which is something I do deal with pregnant or not). The doctor that I ended up staying with said she would see if I went into labor on my on and would think about a vbac if everything was going ok. I did go into labor on my own at 37 weeks. I was almost 2 cm when I got to the hospital. She told me she was scared of rupture and did not want to do a vbac. So I agreed to a c-section again. In hindsight, I feel that this c-section was not something that had to happen and could have turned out differently if I was in a different situation.

It has been over 3 years since my second child was born. I have had problems with heavy bleeding and irregular cycles that went undiagnosed until recently. I started seeing a Reprodcutive Endocronoligist who immedialty diagnosed me with having what she though was a fibroid (turned out to be an adenomyoma after a biopsy was done after surgery). She performed a surgery to remove it since it caused so many problems with bleeding, irregular cycles, filled up my uterine cavity, and has prevented me from becoming pregnant. After several follow-up visits she said everything looked clear, didn't see any signs of adenomyosis anywhere else in my uterus, and gave us the go-ahead to try and get pregnant. And she also mentioned that the adenomyoma could have been a result of previous c-sections since adenomyosis is caused by trauma to the uterus (another reason I'm interested in a vbac).

Through my research so far, I have discovered that there are no birth centers in the Nashville area. So my only option for being cared for by a midwife would be at a homebirth (which I don't think is a good idea given my history and there doesn't seem to be any midwives who would consider vba2c anyway) or to go to the Vanderbilt midwives (which I just got an email saying they don't do vba2c). My only hope right now is a vbac friendly doc who was recommended to me (although I don't know what she will say about vba2c). I have an appointment with her on May 19th.

[rstump]

I would join your local ICAN group. They are going to be your best resource for
local health care providers. They generally know them all...the ins and outs...and specifics of who they take/laws/etc.