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1 day past due date, getting cold feet on my VBAC -Need encouragement

4K views 29 replies 22 participants last post by  darkblue0729 
#1 ·


today i'm a day past my due date. at my last appointment i was 50 % effaced, no dilation yet..but the good news, OB agreed to let me go 2 weeks past due date. i have braxton hicks here and there, especially at night but haven't lost my mucus plug or anything else...

my DS was born Nov 2008 by c-section after ROM and failure to progress, never got further than 2 cm dilation...this time I was hoping for a VBAC but today is my first day of cold feet. i read a paper this morning (silly me
) that said it was risky to do VBAC if earlier than 24 months since the section, because of UR...does anyone have thoughts on that?

I've hired a doula and was planning to labor at home as long as i can and as long as my water wouldn't break my OB is ok with me heading to hospital at 5-1-1 (1 min ctx, 5 min apart, for 1 hr). i've been really motivated for my VBAC, but today having my first day of cold feet...could be related to the fact that my toddler has 103 fever and ear infection and i haven't slept great for days now so i'm probably not in the best mental state...I'm fearful of putting my unborn child in danger. What doesn't help is that in my immediate environment here I don't know anyone who wants to or plans a VBAC, but instead all of the mothers I know personally plan a repeat section so I often am left doubting my decision. The hospital I'm delivering at has little less than 50% c-section rate and about 5% VBAC births (ie. 95% go in for ERCS). I've done a lot of reading, contacted ICAN and really enjoyed following the discussions on this website, and have felt very powerful and excited about VBACing, ...until today, I find myself kind of gloomy about the whole thing and worried about what if I fall into the small percentage that ends with UR. i guess these fears had to surface at one point, i really didn't think i was fearful of that...but today, i'm in need of some advise, encouragement and positive feedback from strong VBAC mamas
 
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#2 ·
Due dates are approximate! Try, try to put it somewhat out of your mind. I know, impossible. I didn't tell anyone my due date, for the very reason I didn't want people haranguing me when I was one/two/seven days over.

There are so many positive VBAC birth stories on here. Read up and try to get yourself in a more positive frame of mind. I think that's half the battle, thinking you CAN do it. Try not to let the hospital stats get you down. Being an informed birthing mama can help change those numbers. I imagine so many stats are skewed by first time mamas who haven't done their homework (I'm one of them) about the risks of epidurals, failed inductions, etc that lead to c/s. Second time around, we are wiser and do more to be advocates of ourselves.

It's great that your dr has given you two weeks past your DD. That too is a battle that lots of mamas face, so it's so good you've got your doc on your side.

Hang in there!
 
#3 ·
You can do it! It's understandable to get cold feet... Remember that you are making the safest choice for your baby by going for a VBAC. My first VBAC was an arduously slow labor with multiple interventions at a hospital with an abysmally low VBAC rate. I was four days overdue when my water broke (btw, evening primrose oil may have helped ripen my cervix). But no surgery!! Don't give into fear. Make sure your doula, partner, support people know your concerns and how to support you. (my second vbac was super-fast and all natural. Every birth is different - may yours be empowering!). (chest bump)
 
#5 ·
You can do it! The day before my blissful UBAC I wasn't even a fingertip dialted, and barely effaced, midwife said maybe 10% (found through a VE I requested). He was born 30 something hours later.


Sending you happy joyus labor vibes!
 
#6 ·
Just leading up to an HBAC myself, but the stats I've read suggest 18-24 months is ideal between births. And you're at 18. I've also read somewhere that the scar heals much more quickly than that but perhaps the studies that have been done all used that time frame as a marker. You can do it!
 
#7 ·
My first VBAC was at 41 weeks 6 days and I went from 2cm to 10cm in an hour. It had been 22 months since the c/section.

I know it can be hard when nobody around you understands what you are doing. I didn't know anyone else who had a homebirth, much less an HBAC, but I knew it was the best thing for us.

Try to savor the end of your pregnancy-maybe plan some special things each day to make time go by. You deserve it!
 
#8 ·
You can do it Mama! Due dates are guess dates! Your baby will know when its time to come. Plus remember when interventions start its hard to stop them. Take deep breaths and try to go for walks. Relax and take long baths and know that all will come full circle at the right time. Get your sleep too. You will want to save that energy for labor not worrying
(easier said than done right)

I'm gearing up for my 2nd VBAC. Sometime in May.
My first VBAC went well. Have faith in strength your body holds.

The best thing I remember being told during labor was during transition. I was almost ready to throw in the towel. Literally I said, "I dont think I can do this anymore". My Dula calmly said that means you are almost done. My daughter was born in 30 minutes.........

Afterwards I felt so strong. I was so high on life it was amazing! I felt like I could run a marathon. I was sooooo happy and one of the best things was i didnt have a sugery to recover from. I didnt have to take meds that made me loopy. I didnt have to hold my tummy to simply sit up in my bed. I did have skid marks but they were so worth it.

You can do it! Hang in there!!!
 
#9 ·
I haven't read the replies so I may be repeating some other's views.

It's good your OB will go to 42 weeks. Most won't. Personally, with my VBAC (and I'm a homebirth VBAC) I'm choosing to go to 43 weeks if that is what it takes, but that's my choice, based on the research I have done, and it's, I believe, a personal decision. Due dates are approx, so don't worry if you do go past it, and no labor, dilation, etc. Of what I know, it's is QUITE normal for a mom to not dilate at all till labor. So vaginal exams are typically not that helpful. I was 4 cm at 39 weeks, and didn't go into labor till 41+3.

About the risks of VBAC, according to the NIH conference where they had tons and tons of specialists researching all the studies, they found that 18 months from previous birth to birth of the VBAC baby is more accurate than 24 months between pregnancies. I also wouldn't worry about that because according to Birth After Cesarean by Bruce Flamm, a scar takes about 42 days to fully heal. So if your uterus was not stretching from the day after surgery to day 42, I wouldn't worry, that's about a month and a half between last birth and 1 or two months into subsequent pregnancy.

Those are just the facts. It's great you have a Doula, and it's also WONDERFUL that you are expressing your fears, aware that you have them, and asking for help, and reaching out for healing. No matter how silly your fears may be, it's great that you are expressing them. I'd talk this over with your Doula too, and ask her what her thoughts are, and what information she has, and where you can find more information.

Much Love, Happy Birthing!
 
#10 ·
You can do it! My VBAC was 9 days past my EDD. A friend of mine was 8 days past her EDD when I saw her last week... they were going to induce her at 11 days past, but happily, she went into labor the day after I saw her. If your OB gets antsy at 41 weeks you can always suggest a NST both for his/her peace of mind and yours.
 
#11 ·
thanks everyone for kindly responding. i really needed a gentle reminder. today, feel so much better and more confident about my body. it's amazing to have a website like this and I truly feel I benefit from your strength and experiences
I hope that I can share my successful VBAC story with all of you soon
yesterday, I felt embarrassed to reach out to my DOULA with my fears, but you're right...of course, I should let her know exactly how I'm feeling. after all, she'll be there for us on one of the most important days of our family

my OB is amazing and supportive. he feels strongly about VBACing best carried out as a natural birth, no intervention, so he is against inducing. now, "all i have to do" is get started with labor
and because the hospital has the constant monitoring requirement, I'll hopefully do most of the laboring at home. I'm really happy that my OB is letting me bring my birth ball to the labor and delivery room and he has no problems with me moving around and changing positions. I asked him if I could choose the position I want for pushing and he is totally fine with that. I feel like I'm in great hands with my doula and the OB and thank you all on this website for embracing me and helping me sort out my fears
 
#12 ·
It sounds like you have a great support system!

My VBAC was 10 days past my EDD, and those 10 days felt like an eternity! I was terrified that I would end up with another c section at 42 weeks because my body failed to go into labor. But guess what... it did. Those ten days, the stress and tears, and yes cold feet, were so worth it to have an awesome VBAC.

Hang in there mama, your little one will be here before you know it
 
#13 ·
It's funny, I posted my reply before I met with my Doula today, and we just got done a little while ago, and I feel A MILLION TIMES better. I wasn't too bad before, but since you mentioned that you feel you may be embarrassed talking to her about this stuff, I have to reply. DO IT! They are there specifically to talk through these things, that what they are trained to do, and to help you really absorb and be realistic about what is going on and validating your fears, and putting them to rest. I can't really explain how great she made me feel, because it's a very particular great feeling that I can't find words for. But do talk to her and you'll find out what I'm talking about.
 
#16 ·
Hopefully you've had your baby by now - but I just had a successful VBAC at 5 days past my due date. I too got very discouraged when I hit my due date, started reading about decreased chances of success after 41 weeks, worrying about the baby's size, etc. I had even scheduled a repeat c-section for 41+3 days if I hadn't gone into labor on my own by then. BUT, everything went beautifully and I have my wonderful healthy VBAC baby!
 
#17 ·
thanks everyone for your encouragement. i've been experiencing serious tightening for a couple of days now. a couple of times i thought the contractions were getting stronger and then they tapered off. i have a checkup tomorrow and hope to see some progress, last time they looked i was 50% effaced - no dilation. did anyone try evening primrose oil? castor oil? i've been supplementing with primrose oil - double the recommended dosage...my doula is recommending castor oil...but i'm not too excited about that...i'm forcing myself to take long walks right now....need this baby out before May 14th because that's the "deadline" they give me for going into labor naturally...
 
#18 ·
Keep walking! I was 42 weeks for my VBA2C and for a week before it, I had the same thing. Several hours of contractions that were pretty hard. Not painful, just intense tightening. When they did one of the NST's they almost made me go in to the hospital because they were so hard and close. But every day they ended after a few hours.
We walked for miles that week and the day I went into labor I had walked a total of 6 miles, lol.
Effacement is great! you'll get there soon!
re: castor oil? gross! I tried it last time and it made me sick and didn't start labor.
 
#19 ·
I did drink castor oil... yuck! I was 41 weeks, 6 days and getting desperate. Dd2 was born 18 hours later. Totally gross, but it did the trick... although I wonder if thats what actually got labor going or if my body was just finally ready. Hard to tell.
 
#20 ·
thanks everyone for your encouragement. It's uplifting to read posts from all the VBAC goddesses who went overtime. it's nervewrecking to have a "deadline"...they'll only let me go for another week...The problem with my DS who ended up in c/s was slow dilation, my body was not even responding to the cervidil. At least, this time my water didn't break prematurely so I feel like I have a shot at it because my body has had time to bake...Just had my checkup and they said I was only fingertip dilation, cervix still posterior...been experiencing tightening for 3 days now and sort of expected more progress, but hey...guess i should be grateful there is some change in the right direction. the baby is doing great, enough amniotic fluid, and i'm still 50% effaced...
 
#22 ·
I was 42 weeks 3 days but then my labor went really fast...two hours!!! What worked for mw was walking the curb...one foot on the curb and one in the road, up down, up down....I did that for three miles
 
#23 ·
dear everyone, thanks for your support and encouragement. i am blessed to share with you the good news, my daughter was born May 12th at one minute to midnight. labored at home with my doula most of the time. at the hospital was met with the most amazing staff - the nurse decided to stay exclusively with us and was a VBAC enthusiast and my OB was amazing. he discharged me to let me walk up and down the hill outside the hospital to help with the dilation. it was in short an amazing, healing experience and we were able to leave the hospital 36 hours after my daughter, 8lbs 1oz & 20 in, was born (her EDD was May 1st). Thanks everyone for cheering me on at my lowpoint. I'm still euphoric
 
#24 ·
Wow! Congratulations to you. It sounds like your experience was great. A sucessful vbac can do alot for a woman. I suspect that feeling will last for a long long time.
 
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