Anyone Go Through VBAC Delivery?

I did not have VBAC, but I took the Bradley Method child birth classes. They had a whole section on VBAC. The class was very helpful when delivering my daughter.

Hi L.,
First let me say I think you are very wise and a very good mom to start thinking and researching your options even before you're pregnant.
I am a mom of two wondeful kids, my second child (who is 18 months now) I chose to do a VBAC labor. I am also a childbirth teacher. Personally, my own experience with a VBAC was wonderful. I am so glad I went through with it, and I will be doing it again when we have more children. Here are a few ideas to help you get motivated:
1) Educate yourself!! Read lots of books on the subject. A great book to start with is called The VBAC Companion by Diane Korte. Also take a childbirth class, get yourself prepared, since it sounds like you didn't go through any laboring before your c section, it's a good refresher. If you can find specific childbirth classes for VBAC's that's even better.
2)Definetely find a doctor that is "VBAC-friendly" It will make for a much more smooth labor. I see some moms here have already given you recommendations. You could also look for certified nurse midwives who deliver in the hospitals or birthing centers. (I had my VBAC in a different state, and I just moved here so I'm not sure of any doctors in the area yet that are VBAC friendly) I have seen a birthing center in Clearwater named Labor of Love, I have just heard of them though, I am not familiar with any of the midwives there, but it's just an option.
3) The way a woman chooses to labor is her own choice, and she knows best what she can handle and not handle. Just something to think about: C-sections (whether repeats or first time) have more risks than properly handled VBAC's do. One of the reasons alot of doctors won't do VBAC's is for fear of lawsuits. VBAC's having been getting a lot of negative attention, and we are a sue happy country, so doctors don't want to take the chance of losing everything.
Again this is your decision and yours alone, get as much knowledge about the subject as you can. Either way you are blessed with a beautiful little bundle of joy!
Good luck! Please feel free to message me with any other questions you may have.
J.

Hi there L.,
Alright.. I just wrote this huge thing and my internet kicked me off...so here I am trying again!

I am so for Vbac! My hubby thinks I am a fanatic! Anyways, I had a ce-section becuase of my babies heart rate. So when I found out I was prgo again..(And by the way, they were only 14months apart) I was heading full force into finding someone to do a vbac. I did tons of research and decided that vbac was the best chice for me. You know what is best, so don't let some dr tell you that it is not safe and c-section is the only way. Vbacs are less dangerous than a repeat c-section, in my opinion. And the facts do back it up as well.

Anyways, so I found Dr. Cohen who is a saint and I love him who would let me try. 6 days early I went into labor and only about 6hrs later I had another healthy baby boy. Everything was perfect with the delivery. And I was healthy and so happy. There really is no other thing like it, giving birth to your baby. Now my sister and 2 of my friends all have had repeat c-sections and everything with there delivery was perfect and they were all happy. But for me, I had to try vbac. Wether I told my self I was succesful or not, I was going to try. If you do try, and have to in the end have a c-section don't think of yourself as a failure. I had to prepare myself that more likely than not, I would probably have a repeat CS. Thankfully I did not. But even if I did as long as we were all happy, and healthy!

I just had my 3rd baby 6 mths ago with another what they still consider VBAC and it was awesome!

There is a support group on babycenter.com (http://boards.babycenter.com/bcus7037) It was really helpful to me and a lot of the woman post there birth stories wether they did have the vbac or they had to have a repeat CS.

If you want someone to talk to or want more info I would love to help you! I am so Pro VBAC! But do what you think is right! E-mail me if you have more questions! ____@____.com

Hi L.! I did not have VBAC. My first was CSection because he was too big and I had high blood pressure. The second I had planned the CSection because I had a very good friend who had a VBAC and she said it was horrible. She said she had a bad tear and the worst hemorrhoids. She said Csection was easier to get over. So she scared me to plan for my second to be a Csection, but my second ended up coming 8 weeks early by Csection because my blood pressure was really bad with her. My 3rd we planned the Csection again, 3 weeks early to avoid complications and she sucked in the amniotic fluid on the way out so she was born with pnemonia and still ended up in the NICU for 2 weeks.

I think it is great you are researching ahead of time. I wanted to share what I have heard about VBAC. It's so encouraging my friend seems to be in the minority for VBAC experience. If it is what you feel compelled to do then you should go for it!! I think our motherly instincts are something worth listening to. Have a wonderful and healthy delivery for both you and baby!!

dear L.,
Yes! I had a successful VBAC with my last baby! Actually, it was even a homebirth! and i loved every moment of it. it was the most amazing experience for me and for my husband and for a two little boys as well. =)
Like, you, I recieved very negitive answers from doctors...(I went to a few before i found my midwife). And all the doctors told me that they wouldn't, and "no one would touch me" because of my request to have a natural birth. So, I started praying, researching and seeking the advice of professionals in the natural/organic/heath arena. One being Andrea Larsen, who encourged me to fight for what i believed in- my VBAC. She said it was definately possible and to find a midwife to help me. And don't believe all the scare tactics people say to try to discourage you from having a vbac. They will tell you it's dangerous and that you might rupture.....not the case. Chance of rupture is so low..it's less than 1 percent and is the same chance of rupture for women giving birth without ever having a c-section. (bet people don't know that fact!)and it is MUCH more dangerous to have a repeat c-section. with each repeat, your danger zone goes up and up to situations that far outway any danger from a vbac. Well, i have learned so much from my experience and I LOVED my midwife and the care and support i recieved during my pregnancy completely surpassed any help or care I recieved from my past OBs. You can definately have your natural birth! and you will love the whole experience of actually giving birth to this next baby. if you have any more questions, or need to know more in detail, feel free to email me further....i actually just changed my email ____@____.com
you can do this!
love, M. L.

also, i just read some of the other responses. and there is one from kelli. she says to go for it, (which is great) but to avoid a midwife. the first thing i thought was, that she never went thru anything like this, and so advice about who to use seems invalid to me. midwives are unsung heros to me. because they often help and support the women that are otherwise turned away from OBs who want a natural birth and are literally turned away. They give power back to women to birth the way that they chose to. I actually think it should be a part of women's rights. ( i mean, there are people out there who fight for women's rights to abort and end the life of their own baby, but no one fights for the right for a woman to birth a baby the way they chose.) Also, for alot of doctors, their hands are tied because of insurance companies and boards and they can't or won't do what's in the best interest for the mother and baby and they do what the board says, even against their own knowledge. (i research alot of doctors in florida) I mean, think about it... American women are taught to believe that they can't birth a baby without the intervention and help of drugs from doctors and hospitals. when all around the world women give birth naturally all the time. and in most countries, women see midwives thru out their pregnancy unless there is a problem and then they see a doctor. The US is 2nd to LAST in maternal heath and baby care in the world. we have one of the highest rates for maternal death after delivery. and so so so many of those are complications from c-sections. People are severly misinformed and offer advice to others with a good intentioned heart, but with wrong advice. so, my advice to you is to research yourself. there are so many good books that have the answers you are seeking.

Pushed, by Jennifer Block is great.
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer and Rhonda Wheeler
www.hip-chick-pregnancy-guide.com .
www.mothering.com.

here are a few to get you started. also, check out some of the birthing centers in the area. they are doing a study right now on vabacs...so talk to the midwives and get their numbers...they births and vabcs they ghave done. you'll be pleasantly surprised.
try:
The hollywood birth center. Debbie Marin is the head midwife there.She has been a midwife for 20+ years. ###-###-####
The Miami Maternity Center. Shari Daniels is in charge there....and has been a midwife for 35 years. ###-###-####.

M. L. =)

Hi L., I just had my 2nd baby vbac 5 weeks ago! I would highly recommend doing it. I had the best experience. I had a c-section with my fist because he was breach. The recovery form a vaginal birth is so much better. My ob's wife has also done a vbac so he was very understanding! I would never go back to a c-section! If your ob is not willing to do it, I would find another one! Good luck! J.

L.,

Way to go on doing the research now and figuring out what is best for you and your baby-to-be. I had a totally natural delivery with my 1st and it was great. Short recovery, little pain. My second came via c-section and the recovery was horrendous. While in the hosp I didn't think I would ever want to go through such a horrible thing again. I was sick for hours from the spinal, almost bled too much, couldn't keep track of where my baby was and had things happen that e did not want, etc... overall, I would NEVER want that again.

You might want to join the YAHOO group ICAN of Florida. I have heard that those moms REALLY know about VBAC friendly practitioners. I recommend you order your OR records now for an easier time later. Best wishes for a vaginal 2nd delivery! I am hoping for the same for my 3rd and I haven't settled on an OB yet either. Email if you want!

Hi there! I opted to do a repeat c-section because my first baby weighed 10lbs7oz, and I was afraid of having another monster...but my sister did a VBAC. Her first baby was delivered by c-section because she was induced and only dilated 2 centimeters in a 12 hour period, but she desperately wanted a vaginal delivery so when she got pregnant again and her ob wouldn't do it, she found another doctor that was willing to do VBAC and her experience was excellent. She had a very easy labor and delivery, and she was thrilled to be able to give birth the way she wanted to. One thing I would NOT do that someone else suggested on here, and that is to get a midwife. Midwives are great and I have nothing against them, but you do have to remember that VBAC IS dangerous and therefore I think it's best to have an actual doctor present just in case of complications. Good luck, I hope everything works out for you.

Unfortunately, your story is all too common and it infuriates me when OBs give C-sections for stupid reasons like that!

I never had a VBAC, but my cousin just did, and she had a fantastic experience. Her labor was under 4 hours!

The trick, IMO, is to have a care provider you can trust. By all means DO NOT go back to that quack of doctor you had. Find one who has a high VBAC success rate (and not someone who just tells you what you want to hear during office visits. You'll be able to tell the difference. Trust your gut.)

Better yet, go with a midwife! Here's some info on them:

http://birthing-options.suite101.com/article.cfm/midwives...

http://birthing-options.suite101.com/article.cfm/midwives...

I had both of my kids with midwives and they are so wonderful! The support and comfort they give during pregnancy and labor and birth, plus the fantastic postpartum care and breastfeeding support. In my opinion, you can't beat them!

Of course, not all midwives are alike,so you should "interview" them the same way you would a doctor. And one more thing-- no matter who you go with, don't let them induce you with Pitocin. It highly increases your chances of scar rupture (which are minimal with a normal labor).

Good luck with your VBAC!

Check into Hypnobirthing. This program is very helpful for natural births as well as VBACs. There is a wonderful instructor right in this area who had her first child by c-section and her second by VBAC with no drugs or complications.

Here is the link to the HypnoBirthing webside...

http://www.hypnobirthing.com/

And here is the contact information for the instructor that I used.

Denby Beauchamp, HBCE
Certified HypnoBirthing Practitioner
###-###-####
____@____.com

She offers group and private lessons.

Also, here is some information on the Acupuncturist that I used to help induce my labor naturally...when my doctor wanted to induce me medically.

Dr. Bai Xue (pronounced shoe)
Brandon Acupuncture
1431 Oakfield Dr
Brandon, FL 33511

###-###-####

His office is located beside the main post office in Brandon.

I had my first child vaginally and the recovery was wonderful. I had my second child using Hypnobirthing, but ended up with an emergency c-section due to sudden complications. If I have a 3rd child, I will use the Hypnobirthing again to have a VBAC because the recovery is so much easier.

Hope this helps and best of luck.

hello! my doctor would not do vbac with me which i was ok with. but what i do want to tell you is when he opened me up he said he was glad that his office did not do vbac b/c i had a lot of scar tissue internally. if i were to have found a doctor to do the vbac the baby and me would have had major complications. i would have probably lost my life. not worth it to me.

L.,

I had a VBAC several years ago in NY. My first baby was 7 lbs. 11oz and I gained 41 lbs! (I was only 95 lbs. before) The recovery time for the second natural birth was so much shorter and less painful. My doctor only suggested that I try not to gain as much weight and exercise to stay fit. I gained only 26 lbs. and my daughter was 7 lbs. even. I hope you can find a great doctor that you can trust. It was a great experience for me to have the VBAC.
Good luck!

The Tampa Bay Birth Network would probably have information to help you. Link is here:

http://www.tampabaybirthnetwork.com/

God bless,

N.

Hi L., I am new in this web and I was looking some post I could help and I found yours. After reading all the answers you got is no to much for me to add, there were very very good advices, so I just let you know my experince. My fist one 10 years ago was a C-section all for no good reason besides the doctor want to charge more I think.
With my second girl (she is almost 8 months now) I decide to try VBAC, like many moms here I also have many problems finding a doctor that will take me, what it was worst is thatI found one that lie to me and when I was 30 weeks pregnant told me he think is no good idea and he wasn't going to do it!! I found a great Doctor back in NJ, he took me at 30 weeks pregnant and I was sooo glad because having my baby by VBAC was soooooo much better.
Alessandra was actually 1 week past her due date and I was almot about to give up because that was the only thing my doctor told me he will not do a VBAC if she was more then 2 weeks past her due date. But then one night I start to feel different (with my first one never had any contracion) and I didn't thought I was in labor, my husband was the one that almost force me to get in the car to go to teh hospital because my contractions where 2 minutes apart (I thought they were just Braxton, lol) after we got to the hospital my baby born 4 hours later. They still use the epidural all because next to me was a lady thatscream so hard I got scare, lol. But now I think back I would have be fine withouth, they use very little so I never got dizzy or anything. I can't tell you that for me it barley hurt. If I have to mencion the most amazing part about VB is that I got to hold my baby right away, she stay with me for very long.With my first I was so drug out I barley could remember anything, they took the baby right away will they close me and I past out for a while and didn't got to see my baby for hours!!! I was in so much pain for my C-secion I couldn't get up and rock my baby and all that I wanted because it was kind off painful. With my VBAC I was fine the whole time, I didn't even give my baby to the nurses at night (now that I look back I should so I could rest, lol).
So if you can, go for!! It will be amazing!!
P.S. I was part of the I-CAN yahoo group and it did help me a lot.
Ok sorry took so long, I got very exited to remember, lol.
Good luck.

I am also interested in what you find out. Please send any big tips on to me if you have time. Thanks! ____@____.com