Can I have a VBAC

[EAGA]

Hello,

I recently had a c-section (4 weeks ago). I went into labor on my own 4 days before my due date. I labored for 36 hours, half of that was spent home the other half in the hospital with an epidural. When it finally came time to push, I pushed for about 2 hours with no luck. The nurse and dr. said that the baby barely moved, but didnt mention why (and I was quite "out of it" at that time and didnt think to ask). At that point the dr. on call (not my dr.) gave me two options, push for another hour or so or have a c-section. She did say that she didnt think pushing any longer would help but it was my choice. Obviously, (since Im writing this :wink ) I opted for the c-section. I completely regret this decision now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would like to have more children, but do NOT want to have another c-section. My question is does it sound as though I could have a VBAC or was the baby not coming down due to me? Does that make sense. I do plan on talking to my dr. at my 6 week apt. but I would like some advice prior to that visit.

Thanks in advance.

[alegna]

:hug It sounds like you'd be a great candidate for a VBAC. FWIW I pushed somewhere in the 6 hour neighborhood and my dd was born safely at home. Your c-section sounds like a classic failure to wait.

-Angela

[EAGA]

Thanks, I hope my Ob feels the same way. I have been so disappointed over my decision. I cant change the past, but I hope to use what I know now in future pregnancies!

[eleven]

Yes!! Most women can deliver vaginally. You've dilated and labored successfully, so you certainly have that going for you! :thumb

I would definitely get copies of your medical records. There should be some more information in there. Be direct with your doctor and ask what happened and their opinion of your VBAC options. (Not that they are necessarily right, but it would give you an indication of how supportive they are of VBAC.)

If you're still not satisfied after speaking with your doc, you could always have a consultation with a midwife and ask their opinion of your situation.

It could have been a positioning issue, which is what happened with my daughter. She didn't descend during pushing. I'm planning a VBAC for late summer! :wink

I hope you get some answers!

[alegna]

Dump the OB- he's the reason you were cut in the first place. find a homebirth midwife. OBs are rarely really supportive of VBAC these days.

-Angela

[ChattyCat]

Really, I would get your medical records. There's some vital info that will help you to decide whether VBACing is right for you. Did your baby start to descend or was the baby still 'floating'? Was the baby malpositioned (sunny side up or a tilted head)? If it was a positioning issue or the baby wasn't descending at all, then you've got a great chance for a VBAC! Hope you heal quickly. :)

[DBZ]

Many hospital births end up in c-section. I think the epidurals have a lot to do with it. The tendancy to stay in the bed for labor and delivery plays a part too.

My first birth was a c-section because I only made it to 4 cm. The doc says I could have been in labor for a week. I say I could have had dd naturally if the doc left me alone. My second baby was a vbac and my last one almost flew out.

Kara

[EAGA]

I have another quick question about my situation. I know of a mw in my ob's practive that supports VBACs. Do you think that this means my dr. will also support it? Or would only certain people in the practice support it? Does this make sense

[eleven]

I have heard of practices in which only one of the OBs is VBAC supportive, so it definitely varies. Something else to ask at your check up!

[maureenfh]

I can tell you for a fact that there are practices where one or more MW or OB is very supportive of VBAC but others are very opposed to them. This is definitely the case with the practice I used, but luckily my MW intervened enough to keep the unsupportive doc away from me and I got my VBAC.

[aisraeltax]

stay here and talk to other VBACs and you will probably come to the conclusion that most c/s's are unnecessary. of course it depends on your situation, but i had 2 c/s's and was told there was no way i could have a VBAC..well, i did.
good luck!

[tannersmommy]

I could have written your OP 16 months ago when my ds was born via C-sec after 36 hrs. of natural labor at home and 2+ hrs. of pushing. So first of all, :Hug I've been there and the first weeks and months are so hard, as far as questioning yourself and wishing it had gone differently. Be gentle with yourself. I wish I had asked more questions at my 6 wk. appt., so I think it's wonderful that you're thinking about that in advance. Take a list of questions about why things unfolded the way they did, and ask about that practice's level of supportiveness for VBACs. I didn't ask enough questions while it was fresh on the doc's mind, and then was very disappointed at the appalling lack of detail in my records when I requested them a few months ago...NOTHING about position of the baby, etc. Oh, and under "Risk Factors" it said "midwife"...nice.

If homebirth with a midwife is an option in your area, look into that too.

[momnmidwife]

HI there,
Due to lack of sensation, Epidurals can cause "dystocia"(stall or stop) in the 2nd stage, they also cause "malpresentations such as the posterior position which is infamous for slowing or arresting decent and the overall expulsion process.

Not to mention the loss of mobility which is much needed during the birthing process in order to progress nicely.

You can TOTALLY VBAC:thumb

Become a VBAC expert, and look into Midwifery, as they are much more supportive of VBAC.
Christina

[EAGA]

Thank You so much ladies!!! I have my six week follow up this week and hope to talk about a VBAC with my OB, hopefully she will be supportive....We'll see.

[EAGA]

Hello,

Well I went for my 6 week follow up today. She explained what happened (why the baby was not coming down during pushing). I asked about a vaginal delivery with the next baby. My Ob was completely supportive and did not have any concerns with me delivering vaginally next time. She went over the record (she was not the ob on call during my delivery) and felt that I would do fine with a VBAC. I am soooooooo happy about her attitude toward VBACs :thumb This has made me so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!